Ascension Sunday and Mother's Day

This is the fifth week of a message series for the Easter Season called “Ground-breaking”. It is a unique series for us because of its double meaning. First, later this month we are actually going to be breaking ground on a 1500sq. ft expansion which is part of our Generations campaign. This new space on to the front of our Church will connect and complete our campus and provide us with additional space for groups, activities and our growing Family of Faith. (See the drawings in Parish Centre). Second - we are in the Season which celebrates the most ground breaking event in history – Easter.

A ground breaking describes something that has never been seen or done or even thought of before - its pioneering. Usually is surprises and shocks and maybe shapes culture or redefines the way people live or work. Something ground breaking changes stuff....and certainly Easter was that..... it changed things.... it was ground-breaking - the impact is still being felt today

This first week we look at that heart of the ground-breaking of the Resurrection is the fact of its a new vision - one of Mercy. In our second week we took a look at Fear and how we can overcome up due to the Resurrection of Jesus by making three things a part of our life – the call to “feed, tend, go.” Then we looked at what it takes to be a ground breaking Church. Last week we are invited to ask ourselves if we are willing to “stand up?” and this week is all about presence and investment.

Feel free to listen once again to the Lord’s Day Message  

The feast of the Ascension can best be described as a connecting time in this Easter season. It is “a time between times”—a moment when we have left one place in our faith journey but have not yet reached the second. Today’s narratives describe the Ascension as embellishing and enriching the meaning of the Resurrection: the same Jesus we have come to know and love in his humanity, we now celebrate in the fullness of his divinity at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is one and the same.

With his two brief accounts of the Ascension (in the Gospel and in Acts), Luke remains our main source of information about Jesus’ Ascension to heaven. What is striking here is that the passage speaks more about the disciples—their fears, their questions and their mission—than about Jesus himself. Throughout the resurrection narratives, Jesus has helped the disciples to understand the story of Jesus within the larger story of salvation history. Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus indicates that the messiah would not immediately be a glorious king, but on the contrary, that it was necessary that he should suffer and die before entering into his glory. In this light, the suffering and death of Jesus do not destroy the messianic credentials as the disciples had feared. Indeed, their hearts now “burn” as he opens the scriptures to them. The angels in the tomb (“Remember what he said to you…that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and crucified.”), Jesus on the road to Emmaus (“Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”), and now Jesus at the supper with all the disciples (“Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”)—all contain words that try to help them to understand this. This is what makes them witnesses of the resurrection and ministers of the word….they just need to wait for the outpouring of the Spirit (an allusion to the prophet Joel 3:1-5, who looks forward to the day when God will “pour out the Spirit upon all flesh”) which they will receive at Pentecost. It will be through the Spirit’s presence and power that Jesus’ commission for mission will be extended to the entire world.

Our current Scripture readings will guide us through this paradox as they help us commemorate a turning point in the life of the Church…a groundbreaking of sorts. With the celebration of Jesus’ Ascension to the “right hand of the Father,” one part of the story now comes to an end. We will soon celebrate the coming of the Spirit—Pentecost—the energizing power and guiding light of all the baptized: God’s reign is now at hand; the Spirit is now with us; the Kingdom is beginning to flourish; the Master Plan is unfolding as it should  and each one of us has a major part to play in the process.

Yet, in this process, the disciples have their own “sweet sorrow” to go through. They are understandably sad that Jesus in His bodily form had left them. No doubt they are blankly staring after him as the angels say to them: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” Yet, the message of the angels also gives hope, when they continue: “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way.” Indeed, in the gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples that he has not left them “orphans,” for He will send “the promise of my Father upon you [which will] clothe you with power from on high.”

This speaks to the power if an impression. Its like that in our relationship with Mothers too. They may not be physically with us, but we can hear their voice, sense their advice and even know what “they would want us to do.”  The Ascension reaffirms for us that the power of our presence and investment in the life of others is significant, but it connects us to the reality that Christ’s enduring presence remains active and alive in His Church – a groundbreaking Church – called to embrace others with a new vision - one of Mercy. Called to overcome Fear due to the Resurrection of Jesus by making three things a part of our life – the call to “feed, tend, go.” Called to be willing to “stand up and called to invest and invite others into our midst. May it be so!

Loving God,
as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
Bless these women,
that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honor them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. 

Ground-breaking Peace

This is the fourth week of a message series for the Easter Season called “Ground-breaking”. It is a unique series for us because of its double meaning. First, later this month we are actually going to be breaking ground on a 1500sq. ft expansion which is part of our Generations campaign. This new space on to the front of our Church will connect and complete our campus and provide us with additional space for groups, activities and our growing Family of Faith. (See the drawings in Parish Centre). Second - we are in the Season which celebrates the most ground breaking event in history – Easter.

A ground breaking describes something that has never been seen or done or even thought of before - its pioneering. Usually is surprises and shocks and maybe shapes culture or redefines the way people live or work. Something ground breaking changes stuff....and certainly Easter was that..... it changed things.... it was groundbreaking - the impact is still being felt today

This first week we look at that heart of the ground-breaking of the Resurrection is the fact of its a new vision - one of Mercy. In our second week we took a look at Fear and how we can overcome up due to the Resurrection of Jesus by making three things a part of our life – the call to “feed, tend, go” Last week we looked at what it takes to be a ground breaking Church. This week we are invited to ask ourselves if we are willing to “stand up?”

Feel to listen once again to the Lord’s Day Message  

Pope Paul VI spoke so beautifully that "If you want peace, work for justice". I believe the two are intimately related. Why do I fight with my neighbour over our property line? I feel it is not right (unjust). Why does one nation enter into war with another? Because they are encroaching on our territory (not just).

We have all experienced peace personally, and also the lack of it. This may have been in relation to a family member of friend; a co-worker, boss or employee; or a classmate, teacher or student. Perhaps today we are not proud of the way we related to them at that time. Perhaps we felt they were unjust in their words, actions or decisions. That lack of personal peace perhaps even spilled over into the wider family or group of friends, the office staff, or the school. Before we knew it, things were exaggerated and people were not talking to each other, avoiding each other, and 'camps' were being formed for or against 'the enemy'. Sound familiar?

The Ground breaking Message of the Resurrection is not only Mercy, It is not only that Fear has no power when we love the Lord and Feed, Tend and Go, but the ground breaking message of the resurrection is also that we must be a Church that constantly invites and invests. But also a Church, a people of faith who are willing to stand up for what is just and true and right – as defined by the Lord.

The Gospel of today inspires joy and confidence. God is with us! First of all, he assures us that he is sending us the Holy Spirit that will lead and guide us, encourage us and challenge us, as we live out our life in Christ. Indeed, we need not be "troubled or afraid". The Spirit will "teach" and "remind" us, so we are never abandoned or 'left to our own resources'. Then, Jesus promises us peace, HIS PEACE. He is promising His very self to us. How intimate this giving of Himself for us. Although He is going to the Father, we are definitely not alone or abandoned. If we love Him "and keep His word" we can achieve the peace of Christ. If we follow Him faithfully that peace will not only sustain us, but will encourage and call others to the peace of Christ.

The Church of today - the groundbreaking Church - must be one that willing to stand up. The Bishops of Canada are asking us to be ground breaking in our voice toward a new Federal Government bill which would seek to put at risk sacredness and dignity of human life - it would make euthanasia legal and further would compel Christian health care providers to undertake actions which are contrary to their moral code for some of the most aged, disabled and infirmed in our society. We have a moment to speak up and sample letters which you can write to the Minister of Health are available at the Small Group Desk in our Parish Centre. This is a threat to our moral fabric as a society and we are encouraged to make our voice and the voice of the Cross heard on this issue

In the Gospel Jesus promises us peace - HIS PEACE.  Connected to His peace - is His truth - the two can not be separated from each other. Jesus makes a distinction between His peace, and the peace of the world when He says, "Not as the world gives do I give it to you". There is real peace, and then there is pseudo-peace. The pseudo-peace lasts a short time, usually hastily or frustratingly agreed upon just to 'get it over with', or 'to move on'. Pseudo-peace is a peace we can put up with, in the short run of things. However, true peace endures.

True peace is built on two important principles: love and truth. This peace is animated by love, introduces love, preserves love, and celebrates love. This calls for sincerity and integrity in the hearts of both parties (groups, nations, etc.). This peace does not know 'winners' and 'losers', but only brothers and sisters in Christ, seeking the well-being of each other. Sacrifices must be made in relation to this peace, each 'giving in' to a certain extent. True peace also demands the truth.

What is right and good is right and good, and what is wrong and bad is wrong and bad. Christian peace will not allow sin to dominate or control. Rather, dialogue and agreement (or disagreement) must be based on the truth as revealed by God and taught by moral authority. It is not a 'relative' truth, or what is the fashion, or the 'thing' this year. As people of God, we seek His peace, recognizing the call to love (and His great love for us), and embracing God's truth. When we embrace and proclaim - and stand up for Christ - we are instruments of His peace. When His peace and His truth are seen in our lives - well - its ground breaking!

Ground-breaking Church

This is the third week of a message series for the Easter Season called “Ground-breaking”. It is a unique series for us because of its double meaning. First, in just a little over a month we are actually going to be breaking ground on a 1500sq. ft expansion which is part of our Generations campaign. This new space on to the front of our Church will connect and complete our campus and provide us with additional space for groups, activities and our growing Family of Faith. (See the drawings in Parish Centre). Second - we are in the Season which celebrates the most ground breaking event in history – Easter.

A ground breaking describes something that has never been seen or done or even thought of before - its pioneering. Usually is surprises and shocks and maybe shapes culture or redefines the way people live or work. Something ground breaking changes stuff....and certainly Easter was that..... it changed things.... it was groundbreaking - the impact is still being felt today

This first week we look at that heart of the ground-breaking of the Resurrection is the fact of its a new vision - one of Mercy. In our second week we took a look at Fear and how we can overcome up due to the Resurrection of Jesus by making three things a part of our life – the call to “feed, tend, go” This week we look at what it takes to be a ground breaking Church.

Feel free to listen once again to the Lord’s Day Message  

The word “new” appears several times in today’s readings. The passage from Revelation speaks of a “new” heaven, a “new” earth and a “new” Jerusalem. Jesus in the Gospel speaks of a “new” commandment. What’s supposed to be “new”? A new life in Christ, of course, is something that can come early or late into the life of a person. For many saints it came after quite a long period of loose and immoral living without God. St Augustine and St Ignatius Loyola come to mind. For most of us, it is something that may come in waves. In other words, it will not be a once-for-all experience but something that comes at different stages in our life, each time bringing us to a deeper level of understanding, insight and commitment. Something that is ground breaking is something which is new.

John’s Gospel narrative of the Last Supper takes us to the heart of what was going on in the Christian community following the Easter event. Unlike the other evangelists, John does not focus on the Eucharist but dwells on the profound action of Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples. Clearly, Jesus wanted to impress on all who choose to follow him that this act of humble service is how we are to treat one another, everywhere, regardless of race, religion, creed or colour. This action and example now provides the backdrop for “the new commandment” expressed in today’s gospel. This is how all will know that we are Jesus’ disciples; this is what it means to “love one another as I have loved you.” This is the “love standard” Jesus has lived by and died for; it is the same standard he asks of us. Love of God and love of neighbour are now truly united—God incarnate—God, in the fullness of humanity, now draws all people and all creation to Himself.

This is an entirely new kind of love that Jesus holds out to us; a love that will require us to open doors that we have kept closed to others; to respond to appeals that cry out for our help; to forgive our own failings as well as those of others, from family members to enemies. Such a love will open our eyes to things which otherwise we might not have seen, such as the realization that the poor in the world belong to our own family; that those who live in despair can be saved by our caring for them; that peace can actually come to this planet so long as we learn to love one another. This type of love is ground breaking! It is this nature of love that the Church is called to be, that our parish is called to share.

The Ground breaking Message of the Resurrection is not only Mercy, It is not only that Fear has no power when we love the Lord and Feed, Tend and Go, but the ground breaking message of the resurrection is also that we must be a Church that constantly invites and invests.

In the Gospel of today John takes us back to the last supper.  Judas had left the room and now Jesus was with His closet friends

            - He had called them and in mercy many times healed them,

            - He had fed them at that last supper the first Eucharist ,

            - He had tended for them as He washed their feet,

            - He was ready to send them

But now He said to them - others must know about who I am by the love you show and have for one another. This love call us to be a people - a parish - that invests and invites in others. It is too easy to become a clique - closed in with friends huddled - but that is a Church in fear. We are a church of the New Evangelization - not one in fear, not one in box, but one which goes to the community and says - we are a light on a hill.

Sometimes the people we are called to invest in don’t even know the Lord has called them - something else brings them and our paths cross, but as people of faith we do - we hear the words - give them time, give them you. Give them me, and in humility we do....our faith, our experience, our time, our life learned lessons - not so that they don’t learn their own - but that theirs will not be as painful as ours. This is the love that Jesus speaks of in our Gospel when He calls us to love one another - - it was ground breaking because prior to it all things had to be earned

The Church of today - the groundbreaking Church - must be one that intentionally invest in relationship with people in our school, at soccer field, in social circles, in the simple encounters we have at Chapters, Tim Horton or the grocery line. We are called to invite them to join us here at our church - not because we want numbers but because Jesus desires souls to be with Him - but sometimes we don’t.

Sometimes it because we forget how good the good news really is......... that  no matter past sins or current failure - His grace is enough - Christ is risen from the dead. But if they don’t know that because they are not here - how will know Him? Sometimes we don’t because the process can be intimidating but the result is liberating.  

This become clear for us when we decide that we live in obedience to God and Him alone. When we seek to be in obedience to others, it means we must choose one over another. Choosing to obey one person can upset others, choosing one person’s train of thought - open us to criticism from others.

But living in obedience to God means we are building a new heaven and a new earth for Him. That we have one master - God  - and if we discern His will and do it - then our love for another one will show itself and we will be what the Church is called to be - ground breaking

Listen to this wonderful song by JJ Week Band – “Alive in Me”

Feed, Tend, Go...its Ground-breaking!

This is the second week of a message series for the Easter Season called “Ground-breaking”. It is a unique series for us because of its double meaning. First, in just a little over a month we are actually going to be breaking ground on a 1500sq. ft expansion which is part of our Generations campaign. This new space on to the front of our Church will connect and complete our campus and provide us with additional space for groups, activities and our growing Family of Faith. (See the drawings in Parish Centre). Second - we are in the Season which celebrates the most ground breaking event in history – Easter.

A ground breaking describes something that has never been seen or done or even thought of before - its pioneering. Usually is surprises and shocks and maybe shapes culture or redefines the way people live or work. Something ground breaking changes stuff....and certainly Easter was that..... it changed things.... it was groundbreaking - the impact is still being felt today

This first week we look at that heart of the ground-breaking of the Resurrection is the fact of its a new vision - one of Mercy. In this second week we take a look at Fear and how we can overcome up due to the Resurrection of Jesus by making three things a part of our life – the call to “feed, tend, go”

Listen to this wonderful song by JJ Week Band – “Alive in Me”.

Feel free to listen to the Lord’s Day Message  

In the Gospel, we continue from the introduction above, after the Apostles recognized Jesus, “It is the Lord!” Jesus has some unfinished business to clear up with Peter. After Jesus was arrested, Peter (fearful of being arrested) cursed and swore, and three times denied that he did not know Jesus. “I do not know him!” So Jesus asked him three times “Peter, do you love me more than these?” The word ‘these’ is not clear. It could mean ‘these fishing boats and nets’. Are you willing to leave these worldly things behind, and follow me? (as in any call to the Priesthood and Religious Life?) Or it could mean ‘these other Apostles’. Peter humbly answered, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” And Jesus answered three times “Feed my lambs (sheep).” Jesus confirms the Call of Peter, the “Rock”, who now holds the keys to the Kingdom of God, to be in charge of his fellow Apostles (bishops) and the people of God (the Church). These triple questions relate to Peter’s triple denial of Jesus.

After Peter confirms three times, “Yes Lord, You know that I love you!” Jesus said, “Follow me!” We often need to confirm our call to follow Jesus, “Here I am Lord. I come to do your Will!”

In this “year of Mercy” Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus is not so much interested in our sins, but in our knowing that we have a loving and merciful Father. Is this love mutual? This is the single most important question any lover can ask of the one loved. Peter’s “Yes” empowered him to build God’s Church. Do we hear the question? Do we have a response? Do we bring God’s love and mercy to others? Remember, God works through us.

Mercy – or Misericordia - is derived from two Latin words - miserere (pity or misere) and cor (heart). When we ask for God’s mercy we are essentially asking God to relieve us of a heart that is in misery, and our heart can be in misery not just because of sin, but from the deep hurt caused by a broken relationship with a family member, from physical or mental illness, from losing a job, being betrayed, used or abandoned rom spiritual or physical poverty

If we think of Mercy as being relieved from a heart of misery - than each of us has experienced Mercy a lot more than we think. Mercy paves the way for peace with self, with others, with God. Mercy roots us in peace. A peace that comes from within. A peace that comes from Him and is founded on His principles. Without this peace we live as people of judgement, we live as people who are self-absorbed, we live lives that are self centered and we live without happiness or joy.

But each day in our life there can be moments without happiness or joy. Life is filled with many difficulties and challenges that cause us to be fearful. Each day we are confronted with many events that may cause us to become apprehensive. Going to a new school; starting a new job; having to take the car in for repairs on the busiest day of the week; dealing with a computer virus; missing an important deadline at work; getting laid off from work; coping with a child's sudden illness; these are just some of the many things that happen each day that may cause us to be filled with fear, sick with apprehension. And sometimes, when the pain is deep and real we can even be tempted to ask “Does God love me?”

When Jesus and Peter dialogued about it (Gospel), the Resurrected Lord knew the heart of a fragile Peter who was dealing with the confusion of everything in his life now that Jesus had died and this ground-breaking story of the resurrection did not yet make sense. So Jesus says - when Fear is a Factor don’t ask if God loves me - but rather get out of the board and be someone who show love for God. Jesus says - if you love Him - then we must be people who feed, tend, go

Feed – The Eucharist is the place where we are fed. In His Body and Blood, Jesus becomes food for our journey. This food (Himself) carries us and nourishes us in the moments when we question the plan, purpose or providence that is before us. This is why embracing the Eucharist weekly on the Lord’s Day is so vital. This is also why we should not be shy about inviting others to be with us at Mass, and even embracing the fact that our presence (and witness) to each other at Mass by weekly attendance is a powerful and encouraging!

Tend – To tend is to care for. We need to be people who tend to one another. Who care for one another. Small groups are a way of doing this, but our small groups must not be cliques of exclusive care, but always remain intimate and inviting. Small groups should also be on the same page as the wider parish – not doing their own thing – but connected to the community which gathers on the Lord’s Day. Likewise, we tend by reaching out – Ministers of Communion to the Sick, Ministry of Compassion, Neighbourhood Ministry – are all ways in our parish we care for others in their moment of need.

Go – We are about being called and sent. Haiti, Kenya, Toronto, Hamilton – but also go and witnessing in our school, office, gym, grocery store, library and even the waiting line. These are all missionary fields where we can make a difference. Do we?

But here is the ground breaking reality! If we feed tend, go....then we also begin to live as people without fear!

•                     If we are being Fed by God - then we are trusting Him and fear is not a factor- ground breaking

•                     If we are Tending to Others then we are less prone to be focussed on self - ground breaking

•            If we go to our mission field is not just Haiti, Hamilton and Toronto - but people in your workplace, neighbourhood and school - and invest and invite in them  - we tend to be less about what we can’t do and more about what God is doing - ground breaking

Focus not on Fear but rather Concentrate on being a people feed tend, go...

Mercy Makes it Rock!

Feel free to listen to the Lord’s Day Message  

There is no doubt that the most ground-breaking event in history was Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. His resurrection changed everything, proving that He is who says He is, and that He is the ultimate authority on life. It opened up access to a relationship with God and the forgiveness of sin.  Easter also marks a new time in the whole history of the world. Here, a new body of believers, who would become the Church, begins to take shape with the world changing charge of introducing God’s kingdom among us.

This remains the work of the Church given to us, to serve the kingdom of God in our generation: bringing more people to Christ, and helping them to grow as disciples. Over the next few weeks we will be taking some time to reflect upon what it means to be a Ground Breaking Generation - we do this with the backdrop of our new expansion about to take place, but even more so with the back ground of the Resurrection.

This first week we look at that heart of the ground-breaking of the Resurrection is the fact of its a new vision - one of Mercy.

Mercy – or Misericordia - is derived from two Latin words - miserere (pity or misere) and cor (heart). When we ask for God’s mercy we are essentially asking God to relieve us of a heart that is in misery, and our heart can be in misery not just because of sin, but from the deep hurt caused by a broken relationship with a family member, from physical or mental illness, from losing a job, being betrayed, used or abandoned rom spiritual or physical poverty

If we think of Mercy as being relieved from a heart of misery - than each of us has experienced Mercy a lot more than we think. Certainly the apostles in the Gospels experienced Mercy         - certainly the early Church did. They were lost, filled with anguished...and Jesus appeared and continued the ground-breaking - He shared Mercy

But here is the thing - that is just as important - if misery is relieving a heart from misery - then it is also something we can share - when the Apostles experienced it - they encouraged each other - so can we. More than just offering forgiveness - the ground-breaking vision of the Resurrection calls us to Mercy.

When we invest in another person - share with them the lessons and struggles we have learned so they do not have to undergo the pain we have - we are sharing mercy. When you help instruct a grandchild in the faith, so deference to someone in traffic or the store. When we offer counsel to another - we are aiding with Mercy, and by the way, counsel comes from the Latin - con silium which means to offer a decision. To offer counsel is more than just listening - its giving direction - which means to show them a mind - the mind of Christ in things. Mercy - undeserved forgiveness and unearned kindness

When we say Lord Have Mercy..... Our prayer should be relieve me of a heart in misery and if life is good for you....it should then be directed to another ...child, grandchild, friend, co-worker, friend.... relieve them of a heart in misery

God’s Mercy

            - It comes to us in so many ways. It comes in kind comments (even if untrue)

            - It comes on occasions when we are forgiven or when we forgive another

            - It comes at times when things could have fallen apart but they didn’t

            - It comes when it just seems God is protecting us

Mercy paves the way for peace with self, with others, with God. Mercy roots us in peace. A peace that comes from within. A peace that comes from Him and is founded on His principles. Without this peace we live as people of judgement, we live as people who are self-absorbed, we live lives that are self centered and we live without happiness or joy.