Now is the Time - a Defining Moment!

 

The underlying message of today’s first reading as well as the Gospel is: “NOW IS THE TIME” for us to be ever vigilant and attentive. God has a perfect plan for each of us which is quite simple. God has created us with the intent of everyone spending eternity with him, so in His perfect time, at His perfect moment, each of us will receive THE MOST important call of our lives: to respond in faith to God, and turn over our lives to Him. The question this weekend is: Will we be prepared for when that moment comes; will we be too distracted to hear the call; and will we respond appropriately? 

Today’s Gospel from Mark presents the model of how we should ready ourselves. Lest we not be too naïve as we read of His encounter with Simon and Andrew, Jesus was not some stranger, entrancing them with a hypnotic message.Implicit within the text, and an example for us, Simon and Andrew certainly had spent some time with Jesus, observing and conversing with Him. They knew him, developed a comfort level and trusted him. 

They must have prayed for discernment, so when the Messiah called, they would be ready to respond, and ready they were! St. Mark doesn’t say they “left” their nets and father, he says they “abandoned” them, i.e. they completely walked away from their former lives and priorities, fully embracing the Gospel call of Jesus to be “fishers of men,” (evangelists), truly an extraordinary and risky thing to do!

Moments matter. We see throughout the Scriptures that God leverages moments to reveal Himself and His will to His people. God speaks to the heroes of Scripture - or comes through at just the right moment - to impart valuable lessons, offer guidance or strengthen their hearts.

Think of Moses and the burning bush, Peter walking on water and the call of Samuel (from last weekend) - think of the Gospel of today - just to name a few. These are defining moments in their lives that God orchestrated to draw them closer to Him.

 

In the Gospel of today, The Lord’s call to the disciples as they were at work on their fishing boat offers an intriguing invitation to us too. The Lord tells the fishermen Simon and Andrew that He would make them “fishers OF people.” I find a great blessing in Jesus’ offer to enter into our lives and to bless and transform what we have and what we do. A sure sign of a Defining Moment. 

Over the last three weekends we have been look at “Defining Moments” – these occasions which bring definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. These defining moments are moments brimming with meaning..... Moments of Decision - saying Yes. Moments of Definition - knowing the way. Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it.

These Defining Moments can be as bright as a Star in the East, or an Angel in the Sky, but most often they are as subtle as an encounter while we are busy in our day, as in the Gospel of today. But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him.  Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening.

In his Book “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew Kelly, in the first two chapters has been inviting us to look at the “Wins and Woes” daily, to keep track of asking Jesus daily “Where Do you Live?” (where are you?) and together we have even written our own little prayer:

Jesus I am looking for you

Jesus I want to see where you live

Jesus I want to come and see every day

Now in his 3rd Chapter: Looking Into The Future, Kelly asks us an interesting question – “Can You See Into the Future? Now while the question may raise interesting connotations of “Horoscopes” and “Crystal Balls”, the actual reason for his reason has more to do with character than anything else. See Character Defines our future, and what we permit to contribute to our character determines often our next steps. If our character is rooted in things “of the Lord”, then they steer us away from temptation, turmoil and lead us from living life in trepidation.  In the Gospel, Jesus summons Peter and Andrew, James and John away from their walk of life into something deeper. Their willingness to leave what they knew, for what Jesus knew, speaks of their character.   

Putting Character First, is the focus of the Defining Moment of 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:14-20) and it must also be something we ask ourselves about - now is the time - if we are going to be people who experience a Defining Moment:

Defining Moments - Are You Willing to Behold?

We begin Week # 2 of our Message Series "Defining Moments" and the Lord's Day Gospel today is surely one of those for John the Baptist, Andrew, and the other disciples of Jesus. They have an encounter which would change the trajectory of their lives. Let's look for a minute at each of these character and their unique Defining Moment.

Imagine the thousands of followers John the Baptist might have if he was on social media or YouTube today. He was quite a sensation in his time, fascinating followers and critics alike with his powerful message and authentic way of life. Some of his followers may even have tried to imitate him by wearing camel hair and eating locusts and honey. Clearly, though, the people of his time followed him into the desert because they longed for something more in their lives, perhaps like many do today who follow celebrities and lifestyle gurus on YouTube or Twitter. Yet, John the Baptist does not tell his followers what to eat, what to wear, or how to live, but rather, he directs their attention to Jesus. He tells them to “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Behold – an archaic word for us today that means “to look intently, to see fully.” John tells his followers if you want to be like me, then look closely at this man here, Jesus, this man of gentle service to others, the source of all I teach and am. And as the disciples turn to follow Jesus, their lives are changed overnight. They behold Jesus and become beholden, bound with all their hearts and energy to following Him. They accepted Jesus invitation to Come and See.

What did Andrew and the other disciple experience in that encounter with Jesus that afternoon? Did they share a meal, perhaps some stories or some Scripture, and some teaching? Surely there must have been laughter...there must have been communion and understanding. Whatever it was, these first disciples’ response was full and complete. They found what they were looking for and they could not walk away. Their first response is to bring to Jesus those they love, those they know who were also longing for love and connection.

Our lives, too, can be changed and charged with love, power and purpose if we behold Jesus. He asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?” What is it we long for in our lives if not love and connection? We are promised all this when we respond, as Samuel responds in the first reading, “Speak, Lord I am listening.” When we give a little part of our day to encountering Jesus, whether it be in prayer, in reading the gospels, or attending Mass, we, too, will find all that we long for. We also encounter Jesus in the eyes of our sisters and brothers when we serve in love. When we give ourselves to reconciliation and compassion rather than division and rigidity, we behold Jesus. When we give ourselves to serving the least among us, we behold Jesus.

We learned this Lord’s Day that Defining Moments are orchestrated by God as occasions brimming with definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. They are Moments of Decision - saying Yes. They are Moments of Definition - knowing the way. They are Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it. Defining moments are significant and they set a course, a tone, a pattern for the way forward. Defining Moments can be encouraging, Defining Moments can be engaging, but Defining Moments can also be elevating as they draw us ever closer to the plan of God for us.

But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him

Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening. Samuel and the prophets of Israel, the fishermen of Galilee and even the tax collectors that Jesus called were certainly not called because of their qualifications or achievements.  God has called us, loved us, changed us and made us into His image, not because we already are, but because we are imperfect and He wishes to make us His. Since God has called us, we have no choice but to call others to follow Him, out of that same sense of love for them.

What needs to be put into your life so that you are ready to come and see?

Maybe join me in my simple prayer this week

Jesus I am looking for you

Jesus I want to see where you live

Jesus I want to come and see every day

See you Sunday!

Defining Moments - Make Sunday Matter!

We are beginning a New Year with a New Message series called "Defining Moments." God created moments for us where He invites into His larger plan: moments of insight and understanding, moments when He offers a clean break and fresh start, moments of support and encouragement. And often there are moments when He calls us into something more. 

In this series we will look at the moments God uses to impact us and, how we can be open to receive them. We will also use, as a supplementary resource, the Book “Perfectly Yourself” by Matthew Kelly. We are also launching a weekly email called "Make Sunday Matter" and during the first two weeks of this new year we will give a free copy of the Matthew Kelly book to anyone who subscribes to our weekly email which will build upon our message series (see our Cafe after any Mass on the Lord's Day for details). 

The email contains supplementary things, and links to our message podcast, to some reflection questions and even a link to a follow up video. Lots of stuff for you, during the week, to Make Sunday Matter! During our first weekend - over 250 families signed up! Its never too late... so drop in this Lord's Day weekend and be part of the growing movement to Make Sunday Matter!

Here is a wee glimpse............

Even though they had studied the stars their whole life, suddenly they see something completely different from anything they have ever seen before. They see a star that breaks from the usual template or script for what they have previously observed. And this begins a journey that leads the Magi to Jesus. This is often how defining moments come to us. We are going about our normal routine and then something different gets our attention.


In his Book   “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew Kelly introduces us to the concept of the “Moment of Truth” where we need to ask ourselves what makes us unique. What gifts, qualities, talents, abilities, has God given uniquely to us which enables us discover and fulfil God’s dream for us. Kelly tells us our goal is not to be “better” (self-improvement), but “best” (in God’s image). The distinction allows us not to be people guided by a consumerism of self, but by a mentality of service to others. That in order for us to be who God desires us to be, we discover our gifts not by navel gazing, but by serving!

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is the optimal Defining Moment. Tradition has suggested the Magi were: Melchior, King of Persia; Caspar, King of India; and Balthasar, King of Arabia. They were astronomers who closely tracked the movement of heavenly bodies and claimed to read them as omens of earthly events. Unlike the Jewish people, they did not look to God and His law to direct their steps. The Magi would have never sought out the Jewish Messiah on their own — but God presented them with a defining moment.

The Three Wise men teach us three essential qualities which we must ask ourselves if we have in order be open to the Defining Moments of our life:

The Willingness to Look Up at the Stars

 The Openness to Step Out of our Routine and Comfort Zone

 The Desire to Do Good and Go and Tell

This service is not done in isolation, but in contemplation. We try and discover “our thing” by looking at our patterns of defeat (our woes) and embrace instead progress (our wins). Asking nightly God where did I see you? Lord, where did I miss you? (Awareness Examen)

First Lesson – Celebrate Your Progress

Look at the Five Points Outlined in Chapter 1. Scribe for yourself a Road Map by asking:

Each Morning:

What do I need to focus on today?

What specific action will I take to achieve progress in this area?

How will I measure my progress in this area?

What can I do to make a difference in the lives of others today?

Each Evening:

Am I better today? (i.e. more a reflection of God’s image)

What did I do today that brought me happiness?

What did I do today which made me restless or unhappy?

Why did I choose those things? Did I hurt anyone? How can I improve tomorrow?

What good things do I feel the Holy Spirit inspiriting me to do tomorrow?

See you Sunday!

Resolutions for 2018

I have never really been a big believer in New Year Resolutions, guess because its tough to act upon them. But a friend of mine, Father Michael White, has encouraged me to take a new look at them for 2018, and he even puts his on his blog so that he has higher accountability, so this year, spurred on by his example, and with a few that I’ve freely adapted from him, I am blogging my resolutions. Feel free to hold me to them (but be gentle.....)

1. Pray a lot more

This past year has been an extremely hectic one, various opportunities in our parish life, some team changes, new chapters to begin and numerous occasions to network with parishes across Canada and in the United States as we grow in being a parish dedicated to the New Evangelization, as well as our parish growing by leaps and bounds, have kept me busy, and my prayer life has struggled a bit - got to get that back on track! The first six months I was good, but the last couple have been not so good. So I am returning to first hour of the day going to Him and last hour of the day being His. It was my practice for the first 20 years of my priesthood......this year it shall return!

2. Write a Book (another) and attend some Conferences

I have been blessed with the chance to write two books and have been invited to write a third. Its a goal for this year, but still looking at a blank page. I also use to write in this blog more often. Well have added time in my calendar for both now. I also have been invited to attend or speak at several conferences this year - going to make these a priority and will be working hard to make that happen.

3. Walk More.

I use to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Have to say have been finding that I don't have the discipline and dedication to make it happen, but in recent months, it has become ever the more apparent that I need to push myself to walk and even just stand more for purposes of health and posture. Gong to see that this is occurring.

4. Invest in....

My Staff and Parish Leadership Team.We have a great staff, and a very strong lay leadership council, and they do an incredible job. But they could probably use more investment of my time. I have some things I am planning as we set some new goals for our ongoing effort to build a great leadership culture.

My Self. I have been reading a great deal on Leadership, and have been conversing with such great leaders as Father Michael White, Father James Mallon, Carey Nieuwhof, Patrick Lencioni, Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley. I want this year to go spend some time with them and invest in growing as a leader - it will also make me a better Pastor.

5. Begin Next Round of Strategic Planning.

Our parish is at a great crossroads of some amazing things about to happen. Our investment in our mission and vision over the last few years is, because of God's Grace and His people's faithfulness, about to take off. It is time to look ahead. What does our campus, staff, schedule, strategy look like in 5 years? What challenges will we be facing ahead? What opportunities can we identify?

May God bless in 2018.

PS - by the way check out my 2017 New Year Blog .... always interesting looking back.....

Holiness is pretty Ordinary!

Today we are halfway through the Christmas season, celebrating the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. While this celebration is one of the most current in our Church calendar, only about 100 years, at many parishes it has become a custom for families to stop and pay a visit today to one of the many nativity scenes around church.

As we stand before the statues of Mary and Joseph piously gazing down at the splendor of their newborn child, a typical reaction is to contrast “our” family to the example of the Holy Family (the very reason for this special Sunday.) But there is an inherent hazard in doing so. Rare is the family that can relate to these saintly images.

Many families think they are so ORDINARY, being “holy” is far beyond their grasp. So, they begin to impose austere family devotional practices (to become “holier”). Others feel their families are such a “train wreck” they have no chance of being holy, and simply give up trying. Sadly, both perceptions miss the point: that our families, warts, weird relatives, troubles, issues and all, ARE HOLY, because they are so ORDINARY! Doing the extraordinary is not required.

We know practically nothing about the early family years of Jesus, other than he lived a most ORDINARY life! He was born into an ORDINARY home with no luxuries, in an extremely backwater, ORDINARY community, struggling with living and loving through the challenges of daily life. Yet, this type of “ORDINARY life” is the home life ordained by God for all of us, where hopefully we learn, as did Jesus, the difference between good and evil, respect for parents, respect for community and to grow in the fear, love and wisdom of God. Sounds ORDINARY, doesn’t it? Nonetheless this is what makes it so holy, because it fulfills God’s divine plan. 

St. Therese of the Child Jesus once said: “Holiness consists in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” In our second reading from Colossians, Paul gives a clearer model of a holiness: people who are kind, compassionate, humble, gentle, patient and forgiving. No challenging religious devotions here, rather basic courtesies ORDINARY families are already doing. Surprisingly, there is a profound simplicity, and ORDINARINESS to being a holy family.

As we gaze upon the nativity scene this year, let’s ask ourselves this question: “Are we “ORDINARY enough” to be called a “holy family?” Here are a couple simple, ORDINARY suggestions to begin implementing a holier new year if your answer was “no”. 

First, come together in prayer at least once a day. Many families don’t eat together so a most obvious time to gather is dinner, with a simple blessing of the food and family each time. Holiness can’t be any simpler than that! And speaking of coming together for a meal, let’s ask ourselves how often we attend mass as a united family gathered for the Lord’s supper.

Holiness is more about honesty and humility than it is about wearing haloes. Because...our infinitely wise God set the holiness bar low enough for everyone to reach!

Christmas in Hespeler

Advent/Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve Shuttle                Christmas Children's Ministry

I would like to wish all of you who are visiting our parish for the Feast of Christmas a very warm welcome and to thank you for being a part of Christmas in Hespeler. I pray that you and your family will be blessed by coming to a greater knowledge of Emmanuel, God With Us. 

If you are in Hespeler for the holidays we pray that you have a joy-filled and life-giving visit with your family and friends. If you are visiting us from another faith community, we welcome you and wish you every blessing as we celebrate our common faith in the Child of Bethlehem. I would like to extend a special welcome to anyone who has been away from Church. Please know that you are always welcome here. We are a community of followers of the Lord Jesus. We don’t do it perfectly, but we strive to be the kind of community that Jesus calls us to be. We believe that our mission is to do more than simply satisfy our own particular spiritual needs. We believe that we are called to make a difference in the world, in our community together. In fact we claim as a goal "being a family of faith with something for everyone" and we desire to be to be a light on the hill and offer every person in our community a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

If knowing Jesus makes a difference in your life and you are not connected with a church, we would love to have you join us. If you have been away from the Church we would love to have you return. Perhaps consider joining us for several of the spiritual and social programs we offer here. We invite you to considering being a part of what God is doing here at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish.

Come visit us this Christmas in Hespeler!

With the above link, you can hear our most recent message series and also read some of our small group materials which aim to help expand on the message and Make Sunday Matter. 

What's the Point?

Shorter days, colourful, falling crunching leaves, and a flurry of post Thanksgiving activities, each indicate that a change of seasons is once again here. Of course that also means a new round of activities to participate in. As a parish family , over the last two weeks we have examined a profound question which we all at some stage of life ask: “What’s the Point?” 

If you have ever been hurt or disappointed then this message series will impact you.  At its core, it’s on how to deal with disappointment and strife. As we look at this important question I encourage you to invite a friend or neighbour to be part of the series- after all our parish family is all about offering every person in our community a life changing encounter with Jesus

In the Gospel of Matthew 23:1-10,12 Jesus is asking His Disciples not what they want to be when they grow up, He is not even asking them directly what the point. But Jesus is challenging them to reflect upon the lens through which they see things. Their lives had become so complicated and complex - so out of control and filled with options that were not life giving and they did not know the point of it all anymore. They lacked humility and instead lived in the hubris of self. They were caught up in title and short term gain, but Jesus reminds us of the call to be a people who know our point not by seeking thing, but by knowing Him:

            - that the answer to being  dismayed  in life is not found is redefining

            - that the answer to being dis-wayed in life is not found is redesigning

            - that the answer to being discouraged in life is not found repurposing

But the answer to discovering what the Point is found in being reacquainted with Christ.

 In the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells a parable about ten bridesmaids. At that time, a bride and groom would get married in one location and then move to the wedding feast or reception, just as we do today. However, the bridesmaids in that time had a different job than they do today. They had a definite service of having torches that burned with oil to light the procession so people could see where they were going.

As with the bridesmaids in the parable, God has given us a definite service. We are to let our light shine through the opportunities to serve that God sends our way so that others can see Jesus, who is represented by the bridegroom in the story. We permit in our life things to land, things to take off and things to circle in our life. 

The uncertainty, vulnerabilities of life and complexity of life can either cause anxiety or lead us to ask “What’s the Point?” Or they call us to being a Disciple who has the light of Christ ready to shine and share. Pray for the grace to know the definite service God has given you to serve Him today and for the whole of your life.