Tag Archives: faith

Fleeting Peace

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“If this day you only knew what makes for peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes__ because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:42, 44)

Jesus is addressing the people of Jerusalem as he made his final entry before his passion. He goes on to describe how their enemies will kill them and destroy their temple, and how he wept as he approached the city, for the people had failed to recognize that God had visited them in his person.

After all the time he spent with them, after all the miracles, after all the teaching, they still did not recognize that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was present in the person of Jesus.  They did not accept him as the Messiah they had long waited for and the consequences were dire. 

How often do we lose our peace because we forget that God in the person of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is in us?  Jesus tells us: he is with us always (Mt. 28:20); he wants us to come to him when we are weary and burdened (Mt. 11:28); he and the Father want to make their home in us (John 14:23); and apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

When I get angry with an inattentive store clerk, I forget that the Father and Jesus reside in me, and I lose my peace. When I fail to stop and listen to a friend who wants to share a problem, I am putting shackles on God’s mercy and love that are waiting to be manifested through me.

God never stops bidding us to seek him.  He has put in us a hunger for him whether we realize it or not.  It is a part of our human DNA.  God weeps when we do not recognize his presence in our lives.

Do we know what brings us peace? It is the presence of God dwelling in us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, being poured out through us on the people and circumstances in our lives. 

Do you experience peace in your life? 

God’s Call

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“For the gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

While Paul is referring to the Jewish people in this particular quote, it is a statement that is applicable to all people.  God’s call and the gifts, love, and relationship he offers are available to all people whether they realize it or not. 

My father was Baptist and my mother Catholic.  Apparently, my father expected my older brother and me to be raised Baptist, for my older brother was already attending Baptist Sunday school when I was born and I later followed in his footsteps when I started to school. 

Unbeknownst to me, shortly after I was born my family was visiting my mother’s brother, and he suggested to my mother that they slip out of the house, go to nearby Catholic Church and have me baptized in the Catholic Church.  I don’t think my father ever knew about this until much later. 

When I was 13, after having attended the Baptist Church and Sunday School for many years, I asked my mother if I could attend mass with her.  I felt a special reverence and presence that I had not experienced before.  My mother introduced me to a young priest just out of the seminary.  He had amazing musical talents which interested me, and we started getting together on a regular basis which later led to instructions to join the Catholic Church.

Fast forward to when my wife and I experienced prayers for the release of the power of the Holy Spirit in our mid-30’s.  Again, it was a call by God to go deeper in our relationship with him, and he has remained close ever since.  We can stray, but he is always calling us back.  After 63 years of marriage, five children and thirteen grandchildren, meaningful work and ministry, he is still calling. 

How have you responded to his call?             

Recognizing God Opportunities

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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?