Sixth Sunday of Easter
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Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. …Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. …Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Whoever loves me will keep my word. Heavenly Father, give me the strength and the courage to live up to your Word - your Son - our Savior. It’s not easy to live like Him. It’s not easy to be like Him. It’s not even easy to speak like Him! I find it extremely difficult to turn the other cheek; to forgive and to not seek revenge. What is this sword, Lord, you spoke of if not yourself, the eternal Word, your divine Word that continues to cut through the hearts and minds of evil doers; that continues to transform the lives of those once lost. Yes, when you speak you shatter; that is, you shatter hardened hearts and bring them back to life. When you speak you divide; that is, you divide peace from war, and the peacemakers from the warmongers. Your Word continues to separate the night from day.
O Lord, I know your Way is the best Way. I know that your Way will bring peace to me and to all on earth. So please Lord, rid me of all my selfish desires and pride filled thoughts. I want to love you and pass on your word.
We will come to him and make our dwelling with him. People unchained of faith is equivalent to mass confusion released. “Good” becomes “bad” on a rainy day and “bad” becomes “good” on a sunny day. A baby unwanted is a bad thing. A baby wanted is a good thing. But what exactly is a baby if not someone more important than me? Do I see that good can easily be subjectified and bad can easily be objectified? Can I admit that “you” are always the object while “I” am always the subject?
O Lord, I know your dwelling place is the best place. I know that your presence will bring peace to me and to all on earth. So please Lord, rid me of all my selfish desires and pride filled thoughts.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. And what exactly is His peace? And what makes it so unique? I should know this by now. It is the peace that comes from knowing how my story will end: In his arms. I know how it ends: happily, joyfully and surprisingly through Him, with Him and in Him.
Recently, I went to see the movie Olympus Has Fallen. [NOTE: SPOILER ALERT…do not read any further. Skip to the next paragraph, please] I knew that there would be one “super” hero. I knew that Washington D.C. would be destroyed. But I also knew that it wouldn’t be the end of America. So I knew the beginning and I knew the end because there are very few writers and directors in Hollywood that are unique. What I didn’t know was the middle. I went to see Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise. I knew he wouldn’t die at the beginning or at the end. But what I wasn’t sure how it would happen. The middle part is the only part that makes most movies worth watching.
We know our beginning and we know our end. What we don’t know is the middle part. However, we do know what we are called to be faithful; to remain in him as He remains in us; to stay alert at all times; and to not fall into temptation or despair.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Not only can I know how my story will end (like His), but I have also received all that I need to remain faithful to Him: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
Not only was the WORD of God made flesh in Christ, it was also made flesh in me. All I need to do is accept His love.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.”
No worried father, You are not spoiling the movie. I'd rather watch the Saint Don Bosco movie!!
ReplyDeleteKatie Giangiulio
Father Alfonse, Wow this was a inspiring message. So many blessings I have received from your insight and love for God the father,Jesus the son, and the Holy Ghost. We do know the beginning and the end, it is the middle where faith, courage, hope, and love develop. We take it all in as each day passes, and it is our choice how we incorporate this into our essence. The more we keep our eyes on the Lord, the easier it is to be more like him. We absorb him (for lack of a better word) into our hearts, and this feeds our eternal soul.
ReplyDeleteThank you, you will never know how much your love for God, your wisdom, and willingness to share your faith with us has helped me, and others I'm sure, to keep up our thirst for Jesus, to study his word, to give and to receive his love, the most important thing. I do so look forward to being with him in heaven someday.
Thank you, I wish you could know how deep that thank you goes...
Ditto, Father. Thank you for a beautiful prayer that we are all trying to live. Beautiful. Thanks.
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