Jn 1:43-51 Descending and Ascending(Click here for readings)
Jesus said, “Follow me…and you will see greater things than this…Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
The fact that God is above and man is below does not necessarily mean a relationship like water and oil. There exists a constant interchange – mixing - between God and man. The Holy Spirit is in motion, flowing, inspiring and inviting men to follow Him, and just waiting for a “lift up your heart” response from us.
Of course I see the Holy Spirit descending, illuminating and just waiting to inspire here in the U.S.A. But I do not see much response from here below, from the land of the free. Why is it? What is going on? What has happened to the people of God?
We all want to see greater things. We all want to see miracles happen. We all want God to act! But how can He when we don’t allow Him to enter into the world?
God did not divorce the world when he gave birth to it. A mother does not divorce her child when she gives birth to her child. God does not enslave the world, he sets her free. A mother does not cling to her child forever, she sets her child free. This freedom is not equivalent to “do whatever you want!” For “to do whatever you want” leads to the old idiom, “all hell broke loose.”
And the word became flesh… God takes the initiative. “A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth.”
Yes…Come all you nations, and adore the Lord. Change your ways. Change your ways of thinking. Let us put God above all things. Let us put God above our Constitution, above our Commandments, above our professions, our families and ourselves. Otherwise, we shall surely die.
Have you noticed how messed up things are around here? Over the past sixty years, with the demise of some very good and strong institutions and traditions, our enlightened society has become highly reactive rather than highly proactive in solving problems. It will not come as a shock to you that many of our friends and neighbors see a therapist or psychologist regularly to treat problems. I know far too many parents that will pay a small fortune to send their children to them faithfully and religiously; once a week being the typical routine.
I would like to point to all of you something that should be obvious but may not be so anymore; that is, these experts do not exist to prevent problems, they exist only to solve problems. They and their professional associations will not lift a finger to defend institutions such as church, marriage and family, institutions that could prevent many of the problems we see today from ever happening. What joy it would bring to all the world to see their pockets get smaller and their membership reduced to a reasonable size! It is disgusting how many of them will not defend the practice of religion, though they themselves demand a collection at the end of every service, and religious and faithful adherence to their routines.
I could go on and on with how messed up things are. The police are in our schools because parents are not in their homes! Far too many lawyers exist to settle divorces, not marriages. We need something like a “Scared Straight” program that helps young couples understand the serious business of commitment and love. It should be sponsored by divorce lawyers!
The snow has fallen for some time now in our little paradise. Snowballs have been thrown and are rolling down hill, picking up speed as we speak. Destruction is eminent and far too many of us seek to live in solitary confinement. The old adage, “You can do no wrong” really means you will do no good.
If we want to see something great, then we must look beyond ourselves. If we are sick and tired of the mess that is all around us, then we should go to Mass more often and invite others to do so too, faithfully and religiously.
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy! Amen.
