Love gives Faith and Faith gives Sight

According to your faith be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened. 
Mt.9:29

Two blind men follow Jesus begging to have their sight restored. They may have been beggars but they had the currency that Jesus could use. Faith.

Being a convert, I am drawn to the Gospel stories of the blind being given sight. I was once totally blind to Jesus.

Initially it was the faith of others that helped me see Jesus, reflected in the lives they lived. This led to questions and as these were answered my faith slowly grew. I began seeing Jesus dimly, like a tree in the fog. 

Then, a simple children's song blew the fog away and revealed him to me. "Jesus loves me, this I know...". Love gave me faith and faith gave me sight. 

Remembering this this morning makes me thankful for my sight, both physical and spiritual. As today's psalm declares, "I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living."

Hear then Do

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Mt.7:24

Hearing then doing. This reminds me of Saint Joseph. He heard God in dreams and then immediately acted. Advent has me focussing on Joseph leading a heavily pregnant Mary on a donkey, protecting her, encouraging her, loving her.

I have four daughters. They each say Joseph is the model of the man to marry. He demonstrates how to cherish, protect and provide for the woman he loves. 

So, hear then do. Advent s not only a time to prepare the way, it's a time for doing.

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

 

Green Pastures Still Waters

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
Ps.22:1,2

Where do I find rest? Green pastures. Where do I find refreshment? Still waters. God's creation is an elixir for a tired and drooping spirit.

I'm literally looking out onto green pastures of an adjacent school grounds with a spring morning sun blazing across it. A restful scene indeed. 

As Jesus exhibited concern for the physical wellbeing of the five thousand before he fed them in today's Gospel, God has compassion for me today. I've had a busy and emotionally tiring week. Today can be a day of green pastures and still waters.

Thank you Lord for the green pastures and still waters you place into my life when I need them. Mary Mother of Jesus, please pray for me.

Only Say the Word

...but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Mt.8:8

The monumental faith of the centurian is displayed in four words... "only say the word".

Advent has me thinking more about Mary. For me, she encapsulates the spirit of Advent. Preparing the way, following God's will, expectancy, looking forward to something amazing just over the horizon, and perhaps most importantly, slowing down to the speed of a plodding donkey. 

This is very counter-cultural. The world's advent is all about me, all about now, all about speeding up.

So in this Advent frame of mind, the centurion has me thinking about Mary. His "only say the word" echoes the Angel Gabriel telling Mary "no word from God will ever fail.” (Lk.1:37) and Mary's reply, "May your word to me be fulfilled.”  (Lk.1:38)

There is much in my life that needs The Word of God. This Advent is a time to slow down to the speed of a plodding donkey, gain the faith of the centurion and Mary... and then listen with expectancy.

Stand up and Lift Your Head

When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
Lk.21:28

Jesus prophesies the final destruction of all creation, including the sun, moon and stars. At this moment of greatest calamity his disciples are not to quake with fear. Just the opposite. We are to stand up and lift our heads. Why? For our liberation is near at hand.

I'm looking out on a beautiful spring morning. Birds are singing. All is calm and full of promise. But, as good as all this gets, it's still just shadowlands. It will pass away. Greater things are to come. If this were not true then Jesus is a liar and we are the saddest of all people. 

So, today I stand up and lift my head. I am a prophet of joy and hope. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

Fight! Win!

Standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won.
Rev.15:2

John's vision portrays a victorious host standing before God the Father and worshipping him. The host had a common experience. They had fought and won.

I am a member of the Church Militant, an army that is in battle every day. At the end of the Church's liturgical year I am reminded not only of this but also that I will be part of the Church Triumphant if I do one thing. What is that? Fight. 

This is not a time to roll over and capitulate. The battle is winnable. I just need to keep fighting evil wherever I find it. This can be within me and without. As Edna Mode says in the Incredibles, "Fight! Win!" Remind the devil who he is (a loser) and who I am (Victorious). 

Amen!

Why Marry?

...but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels.
Lk.20:35,36

Jesus silences the sadducees' attempt to discredit his promise of a resurrected life to look forward to. While doing so, he also shines light on one of the main reasons for marriage... the procreation of children.

This is the "Gospel according to Mike". If you don't agree with it, just let it lie on the floor and die.

The reason Jesus gives for there being no need for marriage in heaven is that there, we can no longer die. We will no longer need "replacement" as we do here on earth. On earth we need children.

This is only one reason for marriage. There is a far greater mystical reason in my mind, that is the sacramental role of being Jesus in the flesh for an aching world. 

So, knowing that there indeed is a resurrection to look forward to, I can be a prophet of joy and hope with my wife as we let our sacrament shine.