In Our Lives

“And whether they heed or resist — for they are a rebellious house — they shall know that a prophet has been among them.”

Ezekiel 2:5

Throughout the Old Testament and the history of the Israelites, we have heard about many prophets being sent to them, to bring them back into right relationship with God. They didn’t always listen to them or appreciate them. Some even tried to kill them. We are told that in the past God sent prophets but “in these last days” and “in the fullness of time,” God sent Jesus, His only begotten Son.

It was God who came to the Israelites and it is Christ who comes to us everyday, every moment, especially in the Holy Eucharist. However, just as God sent the prophets, He also sends people into our lives to draw us close to Him. Do we recognize them? Do we listen to them? Or do we treat them as how the people treated Jesus in His very own hometown — reject them, look down upon them, and dismiss them? Brothers and sisters, if we cannot recognize Christ in those with whom we work and live, how can we dare say we recognize Him in the Eucharist? 

Jesus commanded us to love God and to love neighbor, “to love your enemies” and “pray for your persecutors.” The people around us are those by whom we are able to practice and grow in God’s love. Those who love us ought to move us to gratitude. Those who annoy us ought to move us to patience. Those who hate us or despite us ought to move us to empathy (for we would know how Jesus must have felt). Those who accept us for we are ought to move us to humility. Those who forgive us ought to move us to mercy and reconciliation. These all lead us to growing deeper in relationship and in love with God. It’s not easy, but as St. Paul said Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  Jesus will take all that we do and try to do and bless them, and bring good out of them. We just need to try. Jesus comes to us at every moment, in the sacraments and in those around us. Will we choose to recognize Him?

Doubt that leads to Faith

Originally published July 3, 202o as “From Doubt to Confession.”

St. Thomas is usually given a bad reputation with the nickname of “Doubting Thomas.” Yes, Thomas doubted when his brothers told him that Jesus is alive and has resurrected. But that does not define him as a person. Earlier on when Jesus was speaking with His Apostles, assuring them that there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house and that where He is going, they know the way.  At this Thomas asked, “Master we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”  At this Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because of Thomas’ questioning, Jesus made a profound statement that is commonly quoted today. This statement was a statement of identity.

Questioning and doubting does not always signify something bad or weakness. It can be a sign of a desire to deepen one’s trust and faith. When we want to get to know someone better we ask him or her questions. So, Thomas questioned. He wanted to know more. He wanted to know the way, and Jesus reminded Him and enlightened his mind, telling him that He is the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus revealed to Thomas who He was and His relationship to the Father. Yes, Thomas may have made a statement of doubt after Jesus rose from the dead, but he later made a great confession, proclaiming Christ as, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas remembered what Jesus said when he saw Him and he was moved to conversion and into a deeper relationship with Jesus.  He went from not knowing the way, to not only knowing that Jesus was His Lord but that He was also His God.  May we grow ever deeper in our trust and faith in the Lord.  

Testify!

“He testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.”

1 Peter 1:11b

What does it mean to testify? What comes to mind when you hear the word “testimony” or “testify?” The image of an evangelical worship service comes to mind where people share stories of faith and people say amen and “testify!” They want to give their “testimony.”

St. John the Baptist was one who testified. When I looked up “testify” I learned that it may come from the Latin referring to a “disinterested third-party witness.” That can’t be our understanding of testify. St. John the Baptist was no disinterested third-party witness. He was a first party witness! Thankfully, the Greek word used for “testify” is what we have today as martyr. Someone who truly testifies ought to be prepared to be martyred. St. John the Baptist testified and he was martyred. He died proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and of the Kingdom. Perhaps St. Peter was thinking of St. John the Baptist when he wrote that letter – he suffered and died for this testimony. Brothers, are we ready to do the same?

In order to testify to someone and ultimately suffer and die for them, we must come to know, to love, and to serve them. We must be witnesses who knows the Lord, loves the Lord, and serves the Lord, who is willing to lay down our lives for the Lord and His people. St. John the Baptist knew the Lord. From the moment Mary showed up at their doorstep, John the Baptist knew the Lord and he delighted in Him so much so that he “leapt for joy.” His entire life pointed to Jesus and to prepare the people for Him. Do we know the Lord?

By dedicating his entire life to the Lord and His future ministry, St. John the Baptist loved the Lord. He was like someone who was waiting for someone to come back from vacation, making sure the house is clean and ready for his beloved family member to come home. His entire life was to make sure Jesus’ path was made ready and the people’s hearts were open. He loved the Lord. Do we?

St. John the Baptist was arrested and put to prison because of his ministry, and he was ultimately killed, martyred. He died professing and proclaiming the coming of the Lord. In life and in death, he served the Lord.

We are called to be witnesses who testifies to the love and mercy of God and who are ready to die for Christ.  We cannot be disinterested third party witnesses. There are too many of those in the world today. Too many people who may know ABOUT the Lord and then going around talking as if they knew Him. But, like St. John the Baptist, we must be first hand witnesses. We must come to know, love, and serve the Lord. God willing, when our noses hit the marble on the day of our ordination, we better know our lives are no longer ours, for we have literally laid down our lives.

At the end of the day, it’s not about us. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about God and His people. John the Baptist knew this too.  We too are to be bridges for people to come to know the Lord. Do our lives bring people to God or do they turn them away?

To know the Lord and to have Him in our hearts is everything. St. John the Baptist understood this. May our lives today and everyday point to the One who has loved us from all eternity.