Lk 1:26-38 The Call

Lk 1:26-38 The Call

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After completing Spiritual Exercises back in May of 2007, I flew back to Dallas via Atlanta. It was an early morning flight, 6:00 am, and I was really tired. I sat in my seat and I just wanted to sleep.

A young man sat right down next to me. He too was tired. I looked at him and immediately felt in my heart that I needed to speak to him. I knew that this was what God wanted me to do. But all too often, we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and ignore it.

Throughout our retreat, the preacher insisted that wherever we go and whatever we do, we are always ALTER CHRISTUS. When someone sees us, they see Christ. When someone speaks to us, they are speaking to Christ. Whenever you have a chance to sit next to someone, they sit next to Christ. When someone comes into contact with us, it has to be an encounter with Christ. Not a single moment, not a single opportunity can be lost. We belong to Christ. We are “Alter Christus.”

I was tired. I heard the voice. I am ashamed to say, I did nothing. I opened up my breviary and began to pray. I read the following passages: “Give us the courage, strength and grace to build a world of justice and peace, ready for the coming of that kingdom.” “Make our light shine so brightly before men, that seeing our good works they may give glory to the Father.”

I put the breviary down and began to ask God for an opportunity to speak to this man. Then it happened! The lady next to me fell asleep. Her head was tilted against the window. When her head touched the wall, an earring fell off. It dropped on my side. I thought to myself, here is my opportunity. I picked it up and I looked at the young man next to me while I held the earring in my hand. I told him jokingly, “This is my good deed for the day!” Then I tapped the woman in front of me on her shoulder and gave it back to her. Well, she couldn’t believe it. She said, “Oh my God, thank you!” I told her, “No, just call me Fr. Alfonse.” She laughed and laughed. Then I turned to the man next to me, I took advantage of the laughter and spoke to him.

“Are you from Atlanta?” He answered, “No, I’m from New York. I have to go to Florida. My sister is there and I am going to help her close down her store.” Really? Why is she closing down the store? It wasn’t that successful. She has really suffered a lot this past year. She’s a wonderful person. I love her. But she was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband left her and now, she is closing her store so that she can spend more time with her kids.

I could tell in his eyes that he was about to cry. But then he suddenly spoke up, with courage and gratitude. But God has been great to us. He has helped me and my sister so much. If it weren’t for my faith, I don’t know how I would have gotten through these past few months. I now depend on God all the time. He is my fortress. He is the greatest gift. He is my all!

I looked at him and smiled. Then I said, God is my all too! God is the all-mighty who is capable of taking the worst day of our life and transforming it into the greatest! He is all-good, all-loving, all-knowing, all-caring. I count on him every day. He is my all too!

Then we landed. He thanked me from the bottom of his heart for promising to keep him and his sister in my prayers. He thanked me for being a priest. He thanked me for the little chat.

I thanked God – the Holy Spirit for the conversation. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come Holy Spirit.

Mary was quick to respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit. She heard her name, she answered the call and she changed the course of history. The Annunciation leads to the Visitation.

The most successful Christians are those who answer the call; give it their all and make a world of difference in the world around them! We are like the angel Gabriel (and the Apostles and Mary). We too have been sent by God to bring about the birth of the Lord in someone's heart.

Mt 1:18-24 What Child Is This? (Part II)

Mt 1:18-24 What Child Is This? (Part II)

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In this fourth Sunday of Advent, we begin to witness those remarkable events that took place in our world and shook it to its rotten core. The world needed a burst of love and compassion. The Lord gave to us a love beyond all imagining.

Seek the Lord who continues to surprise. The Lord loves a surprise. His words are paradoxes that bring hidden truths to light. His words are a lamp for my feet. Mary was surprised. Joseph was surprised. The world was surprised. Could it be? Could God truly love us this much? The facts speak for themselves. Here we are, two thousand years later and we are still celebrating the birth of our Lord. Advent is full of beautiful surprises and great expectations. First, we celebrate the arrival of the infant child. Then, we celebrate the possibility of the second coming of the Lord. But most of all, I await with great anticipation the personal coming of the Lord into my life. Yes, Heaven to earth was not the impossible journey; that was the easiest. The most difficult journey the Lord must travel is from Heaven to my heart. He was successful in entering Joseph’s heart through a dream. He came into Mary’s heart from an angel. And now the Lord wishes to come into my life through the Sacraments. Have I received the Lord today? Have I gone to Confession? The Lord eagerly awaits a room in my heart. Give the Lord what he most desires: a place to rest, a place to work, a place to make holy.

Seek the Lord that makes all things new. It was Joseph’s intentions to divorce Mary quietly - to conceal her shame. That was the best that Joseph could do. However, the Lord had other plans. How many times has the Lord changed your plans? Is your life what you expected it to be when you were a child? Mine sure isn’t! I never expected this type of life in a million years!!! The Lord seeks to make all things new, especially our plans. How does the Lord make straight the path? By simply placing the right (or wrong) people in my life; by hiring me in this or that job; by driving or inviting his Divine Will into my life. Joseph thought he was doing Mary a favor. Instead, the Lord was doing both Mary and Joseph a favor. He invited both of them into his divine plan. Do you realize that you are a part of Salvation History? Once upon a time, someone in your family tree took a giant leap of faith and became a Roman Catholic Christian. It may have been last Easter or it may have been 1500 Easters ago. Regardless, someone took the giant leap of faith and embraced the giant faith and Sacraments we take so much for granted. Your decisions hold consequences that go far beyond our comprehension. I am or am not a Catholic because of someone’s decision before me. Allow the Lord to do great things through you. Be a LOVE GIFT to the world. Someone is waiting for it. Someone is dying to receive it. Someone is in need of it. Here I am, Lord. Send me into their world!

Seek the Lord that makes straight the path. How do I make the road straight again, especially after so many years? Easy. The Lord is near to us, especially in the Sacraments. Go and receive Him. This will make the path straight again. Give the Lord the final word. Give the Lord the victory. Allow the Lord to be with you, with us. "Do not be afraid" is repeated over 366 times. One for every day, including leap year! All things, all difficulties, all trials and tribulations, all misunderstandings will find a happy ending when we allow the Lord to come and stay with us.

I will never come to accept the child I am until I come to accept what Child is this.

Mt 1:18-25 What Child Is This?

Mt 1:18-25 What Child Is This?

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We love children. If we could, we would consume them, gobble them up, starting with their tiny little feet! Everyone should love children and children should know how much they are loved. The birth of our Lord is rich in virtue and mystery.

Seek that which is small. Seek the beauty that is inherited by the meek and humble of heart: seek that which is small. Go after the little things in life which we take for granted. Find pleasure in the little things. What did I appreciate today? Do I realize that even the Lord took time to be a child? The Lord loves the lowly. He gives a second glance to the widow, the orphan, the lonely and the abandoned. His creation is enormous and yet personal, very personal. He enters the world just for me and I entered the world just for Him. The Lord reveals his beautiful heart in many ways but especially through the tiny town in which he was born; in the insignificant family in which he was taken into, and in the irrelevant nation in which he was sent to. He is confident in his smallness. The Lord cries out to us to let us know that he is with us. In fact, that he is one with us. Do not be afraid. Seek the Lord who is great and became small.

Seek that which is near to you. Where is the Lord? Above us? No. Below us? No. The Lord is near to us. In fact, “God is with us.” He is exactly where we least expect. He is in the stable, lying in a manger. How often do I wonder where the Lord is in my life? Do I go through the glitter or garbage to look? Do I seek the Lord’s Will in the shiny things or in silvery bells? Seek him where you least expect him to be. Seek him in the inconvenient, silent corners of our world. Seek him in quiet of your prayers. Allow him to reveal the mystery of who you are. This Christmas, give to the Lord the one gift he is waiting to receive. He wants your heart. Now, give it to him and allow him to do something beautiful with it. Take time to pray, take a break from this world and seek the Lord that is near to you. Do not settle for counterfeits. Do not settle for less. Go for the best! Give the Lord your heart and allow him to give it to others. Be the ultimate gift to a friend, a family member, a love. Do not expose anyone to shame. Do not divorce anyone from your heart, mind or will. Listen to the angel that is near to you and follow the guidance of the Love of your life: Do not be afraid to take him or her, this or that person into the temple of your heart or your soul. For it is through the Holy Spirit that the Lord is present among us. Seek those that are near to you and fulfill today what the Lord said through the prophet: God is with us. Seek the Lord who is near to us in the Sacraments.

Seek that which is obvious. Do good, avoid evil. Seek forgiveness rather than revenge; love rather than lust; knowledge rather than good grades; meaning rather than money; honor rather than power. You know what the Lord demands from you. Every time you sin, the devil says, “I got you!” Every time you confess, the Lord says, “I got you.” In fact, the Lord says many things to me, all of which are true and good, but most importantly, loving. The devil says, “I made you fall.” The Lord says, “I caught you. You’re in my arms now.” See the face of the Lord. The birth of Christ reveals the mystery of who God is. No masks. The Lord bears all. He wears no mask and yet this is, and will always be, the shocker to all mankind. The Incarnation is a shocker to us all. Seek from the Lord that which is obvious: his mercy and love.

Today, let us meditate on God's Word and seek the child that is. If I allow the Lord to reveal the mystery of who I am, then I will discover what Child is this.

Mt 1:1-17 A Holy Mess

Mt 1:1-17 A Holy Mess

How often do we compare our family with others? Take a good look at the Lord’s family tree and you will see that it is filled with saints and sinners. One thing is clear from this “holy mess”: God is in charge. So, we should not be ashamed or embarrassed of where we have come from, where we have been and who we are. The Lord can make straight the way, regardless of how it all began. God’s Divine Providence is above all other things. We can try to mess around with it, but in the end, God’s Will will be done!

This Advent:

1. SEEK GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE! Don’t take anything for granted. See the hand of God in the good, the bad and the ugly. Nothing is by chance. Everything has a purpose. There is a reason for everything.

2. TAKE YOUR FAITH SERIOUSLY.

Live your faith. Don’t be labeled average. Don’t be “normal.” Put a Life Program together. Make one Life resolution and keep it, work on it and conquer it. Learn from the mistakes of others. Write them down and make a promise to yourself. “I won’t let this happen to me.” “I won’t let my children go through this!” God may ask you to make a courageous decision for Him. Be prepared for that moment.

3. SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH OTHERS.

Be open! Be honest! Be flexible. Walk the Talk. Talking about God will keep him alive in your heart and will brighten the lives of those around you. And guess what? You’ll learn more about your faith every time you explain it to others. Share the reason for your joy and happiness – the reason for your strength and courage. Share the treasure: Confession, Eucharist - the Mass. Get involved…Walk the talk. Put it into action. Go on a mission. Give back what you have freely received.

4. REPLENISH YOUR SOUL.

Pray every day - while going to work or to school, in the morning, at the end of the day, while you’re waiting, while you’re eating alone. Read the Bible – the word of God. Reading His Word is like Him speaking to you! Jesus said to his Disciples means he is speaking to you! Go to daily Mass, experience monthly Confession. Then get away. We all need to get away from work, family, friends, school, studies, the radio, TV, games, pressures, applications, responsibilities, chores, etc…. – go on at least one retreat a year. We all need to replenish ourselves, recharge our batteries and get away from the noise. We all need to take a break from this world! Go and pray for 15 minutes.

5. NEVER, EVER GIVE IN. NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!

Do I believe that with Him I will rise from the dead? Do not be afraid. Remember, “I have conquered the world!” “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never in nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy” (-Winston Churchill). We are Catholics! We’ve been around for 2,000 years. We are not leaving!!! We fight the fights that no one wants to fight. Never give in. Never give up! I will fight the good fight of the faith, so help me God! AMEN!

Your Word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet. Make straight the way!

Luke 7:24-30 God First

Luke 7:24-30 God First

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Lord, increase my faith for I long to see your face!

Every day begins the same way. I wake up early in the morning and set out for the chapel for my daily meditation. Some days I have no idea or premonition on what I will write. Other days, the Lord has given me a good head start by placing something close to my heart. No matter what, at the very end of the meditation, I must search for a painting or photograph that best communicates my reflection for the day. I was looking through hundreds when I came across a photograph of a sign that read, “Danger! This sign has sharp edges. Use with care.”

It is so easy for my life to become like this sign: Useless, pointless and yet, with sharp edges.

So, the question is this. Why am I here? Who am I here for? A million questions with only one real answer. All life’s questions ultimately lead toward God.

As I journey along towards the Christ-child, I must remind myself on a daily basis why I set out on this journey in the first place: to be with God. The end justifies the beginning. The journey that I have taken must lead me towards Him. If it doesn’t, then I need to stop, turn around and head back to where the great divide began. How do I know? It’s simple. When I have placed myself before others or have leaded them in harm’s way; when I have broken a friendship or caused another to sink in despair. When I have attacked my greatest friend and befriended my greatest enemy. All these roads lead to a dead end.

God must always come first – in my thoughts and in my words, in my actions, in my life. Otherwise, I will forget who I am and what I am here for. My life will meaningless and useless, but with sharp edges! That is, I will end up hating who I am and harming those around me. We see it, hear about it or experience it every day, especially right before the holidays: people who have lost their way and end their journey in a very tragic way.

During these final days of Advent, the Lord calls out to each of us to follow the star that leads to Him, to someone great! As you travel along the way, allow the Lord to do something beautiful and meaningful in your life. Greatness leads to great things! Keep your eyes focused on the brightest star and be careful of the shooting stars that come and go.

When I put the Lord first in my life, do I know what he does? He puts me first in His life? This is our God. This is why He is GREAT! And this is why life is worth living. The Lord brings meaning to life.

It’s not easy. It’s never easy to travel during the night. We grow weary. We question our decisions. We are enticed to go for shortcuts. As the night grows awfully dark, it is very easy to stray off the path. How in the world did we ever lose our way? How in the world did we ever get so far away? It starts when I forget who is in charge; who the boss is. It starts when I forget who created the world and placed me here, lifts me up and gives me life. The one who does all these things is meaningful, useful and beautiful. He is the One the star points to in the night. Pointy, meaningful, and with sharp edges!

Luke 7:18-23 Little by Little

Luke 7:18-23 Little by Little

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Lord, increase my faith for I long to see your face!

At the very beginning of time, the Lord formed the light, and created the darkness. He formed all things. What do I say? Why did you create the darkness? Why did you allow evil to penetrate our world? Was not your skill all-knowing, or your strength all-powerful? Was not your care for man all-loving and your Will unbending? Could not the days and nights be harnessed by you? Could there not be “no room in the world for evil” rather than “no place in the world for your son?”

“Thus says the Lord: You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’ Hear now: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” (Ez 18:25)

Steps from humiliation to exultation

Though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself of any glory (Phil 2:1). These words mean so much. We claim to be more than we are. We strive to be more than we can be. God’s ways are surely not my ways. I do not find it easy at all to fall to my knees and seek the Lord; to bend the ear rather than lend the mouth. God’s ways are surely not my ways.

Taking the form of a slave (Phil 2:2). The Lord is humble in appearance; humble in attitude, humble in life and humble in death. But because of all of this, he was greatly exulted, above all other names. And every tongue on earth will confess (there’s that word again!), Jesus is Lord.

The challenges outweigh the graces. The day, the week, this year has been a burden. I have felt the presence of the evil one, he surrounds me. I falter. I stumble. I fall. Humble in appearance, humble in attitude. I am reminded, “You are in good company. You are my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Don’t give up! Don’t give in! I hear the words of the Baptist, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” There is only one Way, and it is the best Way - the glorious Way – God’s Way which is the fairest way. Baby steps are required here. Step-by-step, one day at a time is the best way to proceed. When I think about it, little by little really means more and more. One day, I will arrive to my final destination. I will make it. I will cross the finish line either by running, walking or crawling. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. See how good the Lord is! He offers a variety to me! My nose will gather the fresh air above the ground or the dirt near to it. The Lord has given me many ways to cross the finish line. I will not fail or falter. I will make it across that invisible but clear line that delineates the living and the dead, the begotten and forsaken, the lonely and the loved.

Only a few more days left to encounter the Lord. Get up! It is time to go. Repent and believe. Recommit yourself once again to the promise made – the itinerary received. Review the day and rest throughout the night. Along the journey did I live with faith, hope and love in my heart? Was I just to my neighbor and to God?

The Baptist knew. He understood. It doesn’t matter what God has to do. He will do anything for you. He will pay any price for you, and will give everything to you!

Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.

Mt 21:23-27 Two Beginnings, Only One Good Ending

Mt 21:23-27 Two Beginnings, Only One Good Ending

Lord, increase my faith for I long to see your face!

Let’s get right down to it. We have all been in this situation before. We are asked to do something for someone and we end up either doing it or doing nothing. Once again, the Lord, our God, is a demanding God. He does not settle for lip service but for actual service.

The “Yes” Man. Immediately we see the meaning of this parable. On the one hand we have the chief priests and the elders of the people. On the other hand, we have the tax collectors and the prostitutes. The authorities have received everything from the Father. They have authority to speak in God’s name. They have said “yes” to God but only with their lips. They are “cradle Jews”, and this is as far as their faith takes them. They are powerful. They have authority and they have too much to lose. The Baptist was a threat to their leadership, their privileges and their status among the people. He was a threat.

The “No” Man. This son immediately says, “No, forget it. I’m not changing. You can take your bible and shove it you know where!” And yet his anger, his bitterness is not pointed towards the Father, but towards himself. He thinks he has been suckered! Somehow, he feels he has been wronged by God. But, regardless of all of this, he gives the Lord another chance. He decides to do the Father’s Will, to take a leap of faith. This son is good in heart and has been slapped in the face before. And yet, he is still good in heart. These are the prostitutes and the tax collectors; abused from childhood, raised in a dysfunctional family, living among the dead, lepers in heart and soul. The last shall become first. The forgotten ones are getting their names written in the book of life. They are being talked about more than any others. They are entering the Kingdom of Heaven in droves, and before us! From humiliation to exultation! They are coming to John, seeking forgiveness, and receiving it!

What can we learn from these two? Those who put God first in their lives…Do you know what He will do to for them? The answer is obvious. He will put them first in His life!

He will raise you from the dead. He will heal your broken heart. He will remind you of who you are: “You are my beautiful gift to the world.”

The Lord invites us to carry our cross. Yes, pick up your cross and follow my example. Yes, I know it is advent. But advent begins with a little Lenten service – a penitential service. You should never carry the cross of your own sins! These sins must be forgiven in Confession. Carry this cross and it only leads to Hell!

The Lord invites us to carry a different cross. He carried ours. Now, we must carry others. Carry the cross that occurs from fidelity to His Will, misunderstanding of His love, rejection of love from another, etc… Carry the cross due to your love and fidelity towards God and man.

The moral of this story is beautiful: You can never go wrong by doing what is right. Every time you say “yes” to God and do it, you are in good company – either hugged by God or hanging next to him on your cross.