“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39)

How ordinary!  After the baby Jesus was presented in the temple, Luke reports that Mary and Joseph returned to their home in Nazareth.       

The Gospels give us few details about Jesus’ childhood other than the incident when he was 12 and stayed behind in the temple during the family’s annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  The likelihood is that Jesus’ early life was very ordinary with Jesus growing up as a young Jewish boy, experiencing all of the things any Jewish boy would have experienced with family and neighbors.  They would observe family traditions and the practice of Judaism in a small village.  Jesus likely learned his father’s trade of being a carpenter, for scripture says, “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary…?” (Mark 6:3)

God inhabits the ordinary.  He did this with Jesus and he does it with us.  He inhabits the ordinary in preparation for the extraordinary.  We cannot expect to experience God in the extraordinary if we are not experiencing him in the ordinary.  The ordinary includes our daily work and contact with co-workers.  It includes taking out the trash and helping our children with homework; standing in line at the checkout counter, and the many choices we make each day, large and small. 

Jesus tells us in John 14:23, that if we love him, he and the Father will come and make their home in us. He is in us and with us as we choose to act on his presence.  As a result, instead of cursing the person who cuts us off on our way to work, we bless him.  We show patience to our children in helping them with their homework.  We listen to a co-worker who wants to share a problem.  We forbear in reacting negatively to an inattentive retail clerk.

Ninety-nine percent of life is ordinary.  If we are experiencing Jesus in the ordinary, we are experiencing the kingdom of God, which Jesus says is here and now.  When a need or crisis hits we can then experience Jesus in the extraordinary as we pray with a sick friend for healing, bring reconciling words to a troubled relationship or love to a forgotten stranger – anticipating that God will act in and through us.

Are you experiencing God in the ordinary events of your life, so that you can also experience him in the extraordinary?

“If you remain in my word,…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

These are Jesus’ words in response to the Pharisees who were challenging who he was and what he what he was saying. 

Truth, which is knowledge of God, his word and work, has divine power.  It demolishes lies, deception, and all manner of error.  Since truth is from God, it is eternal and never fades or dies, in contrast to lies and deception which may last for a while but are eventually discovered and proven false.   

Examples in our world today include such questions as when life begins, and what constitutes marriage.  If we discovered biological cells on another planet, the headlines would declare, “Life Exists on Another Planet!”  Yet, a human egg fertilized with a human sperm is not viewed as life for those advocating abortion.   

Genesis and all of nature declare that marriage is between a “male and female” who become one to be fruitful, increase in number, and fill the earth.  Yet, the wisdom of this world through our highest court says it is not. 

Is our culture exchanging the “truth of God for a lie,” as St. Paul exclaims in Romans 1:25?

History testifies to the power and lasting nature of truth. The Roman Empire oppressed and persecuted Christians for almost 300 years.  Yet historian Will Durant eloquently observes:

“There is no greater drama in human record than the sight of a few Christians, scorned or oppressed by a succession of emperors, bearing all trials with fierce tenacity, multiplying quietly, building order while their enemies generated chaos, fighting the sword with the word, brutality with hope, and at last defeating the strongest state that history has known.  Caesar and Christ had met in the arena, and Christ had won.” (Caesar and Christ, p. 652)

When Pilate was trying to determine who Jesus was and whether he was a king, Jesus said the reason he was born and came into the world was “to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth, listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) Pilate, like many of our leaders today, not recognizing the embodiment of truth standing right in front of him asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

Where do you seek truth for your life?

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Mt. 28:19)

Several years ago, our family traveled to Lee’s Summit, Missouri to celebrate the 100^th birthday of my wife’s mother, Mary Louise.  We had a wonderful celebration, with all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to honor her life.  From teaching eight grades in a one room country schoolhouse in the 1930’s to taking care of elderly parents and other relatives until she was in her 80’s, her life was a witness to a deep faith in God filled with love and service to others.

Although her later years were confined to an assisted living home, she had not forgotten the words of Jesus in the Great Commission in terms of reaching out to people and inviting them to church. 

During our many conversations she mentioned that she had invited her friends Millie and Dodie to start attending church services that were held every Sunday at the home.  “Dodie had not been to church in 50 years,” she said.  “And Millie had not been for a long time either, but I got them going with me each week now.”  “I try to help them understand what the Bible says and means when I get the chance.”

Isaiah 49:6 says, “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”  At age 100, Mary Louise was still being a light to the people God put in her life.  She was still being faithful to God’s plan of working through us to be his presence and bring his presence to the people and circumstances in her life.  At 103, Mary Louise passed on from this life, but she never stopped sharing her faith.

In these days of division and political correctness, it may be tempting to forgo opportunities to talk about our Christian faith with someone who is not Christian or a practicing Christian.  Yet, we are familiar with the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples and followers stated above.

Are you sharing your faith with the people in your life?

“The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.”  (Luke 10:1)

Jesus is sending out seventy-two of his disciples to places he intends to visit.  He asks them to stay with the people who welcome them, build relationships, heal the sick, and proclaim that the kingdom of God is at hand.

Like the seventy-two, Jesus sends you and me to people he desires to visit and impact.  He asks us through our presence to open the door to his presence for the people in our lives. 

Over the last few years, I have been asked to serve as the coordinator of an Alpha program in our parish for parents while their children attend Religious Education classes on Sunday mornings.  While the program provides wonderful content through various video presentations of the basic principles of Christianity and our Catholic faith, it also provides the opportunity to witness to various experiences in my own faith walk.  While I will never know the effect of what I share, perhaps the occasions may open the door for a subsequent visit by Jesus in a person’s life. 

Like the seventy-two, these occasions hopefully provide an opportunity to build relationships, proclaim the kingdom of God, and open the door for a subsequent visit by Jesus to those in attendance.

Who is Jesus asking you to share the kingdom of God with in preparation for a subsequent visit by him?

Lord Jesus, I thank you for 62 years of marriage with my wife Marilynn and all the life you have given us — inviting each us to have a special encounter with you forty-eight years ago on back to back evenings; our four married children, their spouses, and thirteen children; our special daughter born with Down syndrome who teaches us about your love and ways; a baby lost in miscarriage whom we have never met; our health; and your provision for our daily needs.

Though challenges have been encountered, your presence has seen us through them even when we may not have recognized that you were there.    

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness through all generations.” (Psalm 100: 4-5)

“The promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  (Acts 2:39)

Saint Peter is speaking to a crowd of three thousand after the apostles experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit following Jesus’ ascension, as described in Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts. 

Who are the people that are “far off?”  That’s us – you and me.  We are far off in time and distance.  But it is the same Holy Spirit with the same gifts of the Holy Spirit as set out in Isaiah 11 of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and the same gifts as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 of faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, and speaking in different kinds of tongues. 

These gifts of the Holy Spirit are timeless in God’s eyes.  They were not meant just for the apostles and their followers, but also for those who are “far off” – us.  The gift of knowledge and wisdom enables us to discern how to react or pray in a given situation; the gift of faith helps us believe in the midst of a culture that does not; the gift of healing demonstrates God’s intense love for us; the gift of miraculous powers demonstrates God’s presence in the world today; the gift of tongues affirms the Holy Spirit’s presence in us individually.     

Peter said, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40) Our generation is no less corrupt than the first century.  But experiencing the Holy Spirit and having the gifts of the Holy Spirit at our disposal will help us both overcome and redeem the present generation.   

Have you experienced any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in the Bible?  

A few years ago, some Christian friends in our parish were studying a book entitled Divine Renovation by Father James Mallon about parish renewal.  The book was about bringing Catholic parishes from “maintenance to mission.”  Its purpose was to bring renewal to a person’s life by encouraging a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, thereby bringing renewal to the parish.    

When I first heard what they were doing, I didn’t respond initially to get involved.  One of the tools they were using was the Alpha program, a series of high impact videos followed by small group discussion.  The videos deal with life’s biggest questions such as Is There More to Life than this? Why Did Jesus Die? What Does the Holy Spirit Do? How Can I Resist Evil? How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?  It runs for eleven weeks plus a Saturday retreat about the Holy Spirit. 

While I was initially reluctant, I attended the first Alpha program and saw that it was indeed leading people to the renewal of their faith.

There is the Old Testament story of Naaman, who was the commander of the Army of the King of Aram and who had leprosy.  A young girl from Israel in his household told his wife about the prophet, Elisha who could heal Naaman of his leprosy.  Naaman traveled to Israel, expecting Elisha to say a fancy prayer over him with lots of ritual, but Elisha sent a messenger instructing him to go wash himself seven times in the Jordan River.  Naaman grew angry and went off in a rage, rejecting the opportunity to be healed.  His servants persuaded him to reconsider.  He did as Elisha instructed, and he was healed of his leprosy.  (1 Kings 5:1-14)

How often do we not recognize opportunities that God puts in our lives to bring about his presence more fully in us and in others?  After attending the first Alpha course, I joined the team, and we have been conducting Alpha courses for the last five years. Hundreds of parishioners have attended.  Many have reported experiencing Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in a way that has deepened their faith.    

Is God offering you an opportunity to grow closer to him, or to bring his presence to others? 

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come and make our home with him.” (John 14:23 NIV)

This has to be one of the great promises of scripture.  This is not about being with Jesus and the Father in heaven in the future.  This is about now.  Jesus is saying that if we open our heart, soul, and mind to him and follow his teaching that he and the Father will take up residence in us.  They will live with us and be present to us like family. 

Jesus answers the further question of how this can come about in his additional promise in Revelation 3:20 when he says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” He promises a special friendship if we open the door of our hearts to him.

We can ask Jesus about anything – our daily choices, our decisions at work, how we relate to people, how we respond to a neighbor sharing a need, and how we love our families and the people in our lives.     

A few years ago, at a Catholic ministry outreach to the county jail, an inmate asked about how a person can relate to Jesus.  I’m thinking about how I should respond to him.  The thought came into my mind to share about a personal encounter I once had with the Lord that changed the course of my life.  I thought, “is that what you want me to do, Lord?”   I felt like he said yes, so I shared my experience.  After I shared, two other inmates who had been attending our sessions, shared their personal stories of having a personal encounter with Jesus.  Inmates are very cautious about what they share in front of other inmates so as not to show any weakness. Their stories made my story even more credible to the inmate who asked the question.  It was one of the best discussions we ever had.    

Jesus is available to us 24/7.  If he has taken up residence in us, we can ask him any question any time.

Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus and invited him to take up residence?