As Jesus approached Jericho a
blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he
inquired what was happening. They told
him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”
He shouted. While I was
discerning a vocation to the priesthood, I must admit that nearly all my
conversations with family and friends revolved around the Lord, His Church and
our faith. That’s not very common,
especially for someone in their twenties.
Yes, in those early years of my conversion there was fire in my eyes. My friends didn’t know what to think of it,
and so they were concerned about my mental health. How funny.
They would drink till they were drunk and drug till they were high, and yet
they were concerned about my “well-being”.
They would often say, “What has
happened to you?”
One day I saw two Jehovah witnesses walking around my neighborhood. I quickly ran outside and intentionally went
up to them. I started a conversation
with them. Can you believe it? They couldn’t believe it. They were frightened! They must have thought: Who in
their right mind wants to talk to us?
I have to give them some credit. Were
they so far off? Doesn’t everybody try
to avoid them? Well, not me. I was on fire with the Lord! I felt the Holy Spirit upon me like a flame
thrower! Not long after that, I began to
search out Mormons. If I saw two young
men riding their bikes together, I immediately thought they were Mormons. What a moron I was!
I loved getting into debates with people on the plane. They couldn’t run. They couldn’t hide. All they could do was pretend they were
sleeping. I didn’t worry so much about how
I started the conversation. I worried more
about how it would end.
The world needs to know the truth.
Sinners need to repent. People need
to convert. The world needs to be
saved. Our message has an audience, a “captive”
audience. Our message is needed
today. It needs to get out there. So, let’s shout it out.
A few weeks ago I went to see the movie Skyfall. The Vatican loved
it and so I went to see it. I loved it
too. But what I loved most about it is
how 007’s age and time in service had not dampened his zeal, fire and passion
for his country. Yes, even with all the bureaucrats
and politicians that made his life a living hell; even with all the scandals within
his department, he never lost sight of real hell and scandals.
Abortion is a scandal, especially by the fact that it is legal. Gay-marriage (not homosexuals) is a scandal,
especially by the fact that it is a mockery of God’s design. What makes these issues even more scandalous
is the support they get from some of our very own institutions, theologians,
priests and religious.
Think of your sins! That was the messenger’s message in Skyfall.
What the messenger forgot to mention was for him to think of his sins as
well, for they were far worse than his former employer.
In the book of Revelations, St. John heard the Lord say to him: “To the
angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot
tolerate the wicked…Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had
at first. Realize how far you have
fallen. Repent! And do the works you did at first.”
The greatest danger any soldier faces is the temptation, the appealing
prospect, of becoming a couch potato: a
bureaucrat, a man who draws up plans all day long and dictates behind a desk.
It is so easy for a soldier to grow weary, to lose his zeal, his
passion, the love he once had. I know
too many experts who have read far too many books and speak about God but do
not pray to God. I know very few religious
who sit behind a desk and never have time to meet face to face with a single
soul. It’s time they get out on the
field. It’s time they begin to work
special op missions. They think they are
doing what they do best. They aren’t. They are doing what comes easy, and that’s
not always the best.
The moment has arrived for us to do what does not come naturally: to
share the Good News. It is time to do
what is not so convenient to do: to speak the truth and shake them up - not the
person - but their sensibilities.
A living soul will only convert to the Lord if someone speaks the truth
to them, shakes up their world, and catches them when they fall.
Shout to the Lord like the blind man, who did not hold back when he was
told to keep still and quiet.
What is it, Father, that you suggest we shout to the world? Is it merely to pray? Please don't think I am belittling prayer, because I am not. I am saying that prayer is not enough. To love God one must first find God. To find God is to search. Correct me if I'm wrong, Father, but isn't it written: "The Kingdom of Heaven is within"? I wrote a blog on an earlier piece you wrote a few days ago about how the Pharisees didn't like what Jesus was saying to them. In other words, he made them feel uncomfortable. Yet this is precisely how these words make people feel. Yet it is the truth that should be shouted from the rooftops. "SEEK THE LORD and He shall be found."
ReplyDeleteI randomly opened my bible the other day to see what God had to say to me: Romans 7:14-25. I don’t know if I’m right, but I think this is what you are referring to: Paul was so sensitive to even the slightest sin that he “struggled” with this event, this sin; whereas our culture today can’t even distinguish what is sin and what is not. Do we really think that our preaching what the bible says is going to impact them in any way? They honestly do not “see” what is so wrong about their lifestyle! They don’t get it!! Telling them that what they are doing is wrong but I am right and have all the answers is only making them more defensive. If you read Romans 7 with this viewpoint, it makes so much sense. Paul even said that before his conversion he couldn’t distinguish sin as he did after his conversion (my interpretation). Why do we think that this generation is any different? So my conclusion is close to yours: What do we shout out? I am re-reading a book by the son of Stephen Covey titled “The Speed of Trust”. It focuses on business but it is so applicable to life! If we Catholics are ever going to penetrate this culture, we must build relationships first!! We must build a relationship of trust with our brothers and sisters of the one Father of all. Once we see each other in His light, we can all honestly and openly dialogue. (the speed of trust kicks in). I try to use this strategy in parenting. Once my children realize I am on their side, they trust me, we are able to talk honestly about everything!!! We are not out to convert one another: we are here to do what Jesus commanded – love one another even to the point of death… what an examination of conscience for me!
DeleteOne thing I love about Father’s meditation is how he specifically pointed out that the homosexuals are not bad people. Do they really hear that from our Catholic community? Do they trust us enough to WANT to dialogue (not monologue) with us about real cultural/moral issues? I realize that even stating this causes divisions in the Catholic community. As you ask, what do we shout out and to whom do we shout?
I loved getting into debates with people on the plane. They couldn’t run. They couldn’t hide. All they could do was pretend they were sleeping.- Just because they are pretending their asleep does not mean they are listening to you Father Alfonse :)
ReplyDeleteCompliment:You have a soothing voice father and I could hear you all long LOL
@ Cristina,
DeleteIsn't it??? His voice reminds me of what Jesus' voice would sound like. :)
Yes I totally agree @ Cristina ;)
DeleteTypo : Compliment:You have a soothing voice father and I could hear you all day long LOL- I was rushing LOL!
Goodness me and my silly typo LOL...................Ugh
Deletedoes not mean they aren't listening to you Father Alfonse :)
I need to focus on my Turkey this week LOL! It has been on my mind for a quite some time " My Turkey LOL
My friends didn’t know what to think of it, and so they were concerned about my mental health. How funny. They would drink till they were drunk and drug till they were high, and yet they were concerned about my “well-being”. They would often say, “What has happened to you?” - you became closer to God and God is within you as well :)
ReplyDelete