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Jesus said to his disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone."
Jesus said to his disciples. Remember, this means YOU! He is talking to you!
I have never found it hard to relate to Christ's words. He knows perfectly well the human heart. He knows our heart. He knows us perfectly well.
What does the Lord wish to tell you? Maybe it's been too long since you spoke to a family member or a close relative.
I will never forget. It was a Sunday morning. My grandmother had just finished making coffee when the phone rang. I can't remember what I was doing but I was next to her.
I didn't understand much of the conversation. My grandmother's remarks were short and simple replies, and mostly in agreement and conciliatory. When she got off the phone she looked at me and told me her sister had called and that she wanted to apologize for something she had said over fifteen years ago. My grandmother appeared surprised. I didn't think much of it.
That same day my grandmother suffered a major stroke. A few days later we buried her.
I'm quite sure that my grandmother's sister is forever grateful for that phone call. She had listened to the Holy Spirit. She did not hesitate.
A lesson from the past. Moses lived to be one hundred and twenty years old. In other words, 10 times 12. The Jews have a love affair for numbers. They mean so much more than a number. For the Jews, ten represents completion and twelve represents the number of Jewish tribes.
Moses lived a full life which means he completed his mission on earth: to unify all the children of Israel.
He is their greatest prophet.
"Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses" (Dn 34:1-12).
Live your life to the full. Whoever follows the Lord lives life to the full. Whoever hears His voice is like a wise man who built his house on rock.
Live your life to the full: Obey the Holy Spirit. Do not delay. Do not hesitate. Listen and act on His behalf.
And there will be very few like you.
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Pray for Us!
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ReplyDeleteI can't remember what I was doing but I was next to her. - OH ! Father Alfonse ! I love, enjoy and treasure hearing your childhood life :)
Love u Fr Alfonse
Excellent, Father! And so, true is your closing about listening to the Holy Spirit. As you know, this family has listened and obeyed on a couple of big decisions, and have been rewarded in our spiritual lives, in our family life, and with the security of knowing that we did the right thing. I pray that your new Parish hears the Holy Spirit in your words, and that he continues to use you in the future as he has in the past.
ReplyDeleteLast summer I had just come back from a two week vacation which included my nephew's wedding when God beckoned. My mother had been to ill to go. I am self employed and had been out of the office for two weeks, but I had this strong urge to go see my mother. I hemmed and hawed and talked to several people about it because it was certainly not practical. A few days later my children and I drove many hours to spend the weekend with my mother. She died two months later. When the Holy Spirit inspires and urges, LISTEN!
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