GOD DOES LOVE YOU

This week's Gospel was about Jesus proclaiming to those in the synagogue that the passage he had just read from Isaiah was fulfilled in him.  He was the Messiah.  The people gathered there would not believe, so they drove him out of town.

The pastor at the parish, where I attend mass, talked about the "Nazarene Syndrome."  I won't remember word for word of what was said in his homily, so I hope I can capture the gist of it.  He said that the people in Nazareth could not accept that God could be present through Jesus because they knew him as an ordinary person of their town.  Many people today cannot accept that God is present in their ordinary lives.  The reason is that these people do not believe that God can love them  or that they are lovable. 

The pastor offered four ways to inoculate against the "Nazarene Syndrome."  Unfortunately, I only remember two.  One way is to tell yourself each day that you are loved by God and that you are a lovable person.  The second way is that each night give thanks to God for all the blessings of the day.  It will help you recognize how much God loves you.

In a book that I am reading, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, the author says that we do not have to wait until things are settled in our lives, or until we thing we become better people for God to love us.  God loves us right now, just as we are, and in whatever circumstances we are in. 

Recognizing God's love will help you to be a person of love.  His love with strengthen you through any situation and will draw you closer in relationship to God.  

Take time to recognize God's love for you. 

DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

In John's Gospel yesterday we heard about Jesus' first miracle at a wedding in Cana.  Jesus' mother said, "They have no wine."  He replied that this was no concern of theirs, nor that his hour had not yet come.  But Mary said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."  Jesus then gives the servers directions to fill the jars with water, draw some out, and take it to the headwaiter.  The headwaiter tasted the water that had now become wine and found it to be better wine than what was served earlier.
In other passages of Jesus' miracles there are usually words spoken by Jesus, or an action, or a recognition of faith.  However, in this miracle Jesus says no words over the water, nor does he do anything to the water to cause it to change into wine.  All Jesus does is give directions and the actions of the obedient servers is the means of the water transforming into wine.
Webster's Dictionary defines transformation as, "a change in form or appearance" or "change in condition, character, or function of.  Like the servers in the gospel who listened and were obedient to the directions Jesus gave them, so also we must listen and follow what he tells us to do.  How do we do that?  We can spend time in prayer and reflection.  By praying with scripture, and listening to what Christ is telling us we will be transformed into all that he knows we can be and all that he desires for us.  Sitting still in quiet in the presence of Christ we are transformed as we grow in relationship with him.  As we grow in relationship with Christ we will be attuned to what he wants us to do.  Also, by working and serving those in need, we can help transform lives and we can transform systems that oppress others.
Perhaps there are situations in your life or something in yourself that needs to be transformed.  It could be your lifestyle, your workplace, or your relationship with family or friends.  Whatever way you may be called to transformation, be still, listen, and do whatever he tells you.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  The account of Jesus' baptism appears in all four gospels.  Baptizing with water was a common practice at that time.  However, the difference is that while John baptizes with water, Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Jesus' baptism was like everyone else's until the Holy Spirit came upon him.  His baptism would mark the beginning of a new period in his life.  No longer would he work in the carpenter shop.  Declared by the Holy Spirit as God's beloved Son, Jesus sets out on a new mission. 
I like the fact that this gospel comes near the beginning of a new year.  It helps us to reflect, not only on the past year, but to look forward to new beginnings.  We have all had new beginnings in our lives.  For some it may just be resolutions to begin breaking a bad habit, eating healthier, exercising more, or getting more sleep.  We may have experienced beginnings of being a high school or college student; the beginning of a new career; the beginning of a marriage or religious life.  Perhaps a new beginning has occurred on a retreat, or from a time of true discernment and you were set on fire with a new insight or inspiration.

New beginnings can also happen in times of pain; a person who becomes paralyzed begins to learn how he/she can still live a full life; a widow who now begins to live life without a partner; a child who begins to find how to live after losing a parent; and for those in Newtown, Connecticut, how to begin life without their children.

At our baptism we too were declared sons and daughters of God.  Our new life in Christ began.  As we matured we may have had many ways to begin again at various times in our lives.  Whatever our new beginnings will be in the future as beloved sons and daughters of God, we will always have the grace we need to more forward.

PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

January 11, 2013 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Please pray the following prayer.

Liberator God,
You came to set us free from all forms of slavery

And to heal us into freedom.

Let us remember those who have suffered from slavery

And the millions who still suffer as slaves.

We pray especially for all your children who have

Suffered the injustice of slavery.

God, you have created human beings with dignity and

We know that slavery is a horrible injustice.

Empower us, who are not enslaved,

To fight for the rights of those who are.

Help us to pray and empower us in action

To free your enslaved children.

Liberator God, hear us, help us,

And set your children free through us.

Amen

                                                                                              (Adapted from Education for Justice)

FOLLOWING THE STAR

Have you followed any stars lately?  One of the delightful parts of the Nativity narratives is the visit of the Magis or Kings.  As the gospel tells us, these three men followed a star to the find the place where the newborn babe was lying in a manger.

As I listened and reflected on following stars it became clear to me that the star we are to follow is in our hearts.  The star is our deepest desires.  For some the deepest desire is fame and fortune.  For others it may be to sing or act on stage.  For others there is a desire to serve and to love God and know God more fully.  

Stars light up the sky so beautifully.  How appropriate it is that the Magi followed the light of a star to find the Light of the World.  The star in our heart is Christ who lights our way.  When we are in tune with the star in our heart, we can then bring the light of Christ to others.  Isn't that what we are called to do anyway?  

May we who bear the star in our hearts continue to light the way and bring others into the light of Christ.

PRESENCE OF CHRIST

     Before Advent began, I prayed that I would be able to recognize the presence of Christ in others this year as well as being Christ's presence to others. Little did I know the way in which this would happen.
     On the first Sunday of Advent, my 57 year old brother-in-law, Ed, died of pneumonia after battling Leukemia for the past six months.  Needless to say this was devastating to my sister and the rest of my family members.  As soon as I got home, I went to my sister, Jackie, to be with her.  As she cried and talked about all that had been going on in the past week, I listened and tried to find the right words to say and to be strong to help her at this time.
      During the calling hours and the funeral I was amazed and grateful for all the ways Christ was present there.  First of all there were the sisters, staff, and maintenance people from Villa Maria, PA where Ed had worked for 20+ years.  Their presence and the stories they shared with us about Ed's teasing, hard work, humor, and what a good man he had been was wonderful to hear.
     Secondly, there were the neighbors, some who have known Ed since he was a boy and those who said they would miss seeing him on the tractor in the summer.  They also shared stories and offered their condolences to Jackie and her adult children.
     Next, was the pastor from Neshannock Presbyterian Church, who was constantly with Jackie and with Ed's mother at the hospital.  He gave a beautiful talk about Ed's life using all the information he gathered from Ed's mother, Jackie, and even from what Ed himself had told him before he became very sick. He showed me the Presence of Christ in his gentleness and compassion.
     Then, I saw the Presence of Christ in a little child.  My 10-year-old nephew, Brayden, was so attuned to what was happening.  Every time he saw a family member tearing up or cry, he would go to that person and put his arms around their waste.  I could not help but be comforted by his hug.
     Finally, the presence of Christ in my community of sisters who have been praying and listening, have helped me to be strong, yet be able to grieve.
     Christmas will be low-keyed for my family this year.  I know that the presence of Christ has been with me and will continue to be present to me and my family as we continue through this season and beyond.

NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

The gospel passage from yesterday's reading comes from Mark 6:1-6 and is about Jesus going to his own town.  He began to teach in the synagogue.  At first the people were "astonished." However, their astonishment turned to resentment.  "And they took offense at him," the scripture states.  The people were sure they knew who Jesus was.  He was the son of Joseph, the carpenter, and Mary.  Who does he think he is?

I wonder if Jesus was looking forward to going to Nazareth to be with the people of the town in which he grew up, to be with friends, family, and former classmates, to do for them what he had been able to do in other places.  Perhaps he felt an anticipation and excitement to bring God's message and healing to the people he loved.

But the people did not accept him in this new role.  They may have thought, "What makes this carpenter's son think he can teach us anything." He was not taken seriously. Jesus did lay hands on some who would let him, and he healed a few who had faith enough.  Rejection from his own must have felt like a kick in the stomach, and he says, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." Jesus must have felt sad as he might have shook the dust off his feet when leaving.

Has this ever happened to you?  You try to help someone close to you and they reject what you are doing.  They might have said, "You can't do that."  They think you are not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough.  No matter what you say or do to convince them your help isn't accepted, nor is it appreciated.  How did you feel?

Know that when you are experiencing these situations, or if you need healing from similar experiences, Jesus has been there also.  Sit with Jesus in prayer and hold the situation together.  Let Jesus give you new insight and help you bring closure to your sadness and healing to your heart.