He is Alive!!

Perhaps because of my aging, I am more aware than ever of my pending earthly death.  Perhaps for the same reason, Jesus is opening my eyes ever so clearly that an earthly death is not my end.

In recent days, I have become aware of something I probably once knew but forgot.  I’ve prayed daily for the blood of Jesus on our country and its leaders.  I spend time in a nearby adoration chapel talking to Jesus, present in the Eucharistic Host, which has icons of Mary and St. Joseph on either side, and a large crucifix behind.  And I pray the Divine Mercy prayer to Our Father, and sometimes stare at a picture of the crucified Jesus, with blood pouring out of his hands, feet, and side.  But, I’ve suddenly noticed that Jesus on the crucifix in the chapel and in the church --- and in other nearby Catholic churches have over their altars is different than the pictures of the crucified Jesus I was looking at.  The Jesus on the cross above the altars has no wound in his side, the wound which happened when the soldier pierced Him to ensure He was dead.  So, the Jesus on the cross in all these churches is Jesus depicted as alive on the cross!  He is alive!

And with that awareness, I have become aware of so many other things that I didn’t fully understand.  I now better appreciate this most humbling thing a God could do for us, for you, for me.

During the mass, the priest (acting in persona Christi) raises the host and says: “This is my Body,” and raising the cup says: “This is my blood which will be given up for you.”  With those words and actions he is saying what Jesus would say, as alive on the cross, and as alive in that consecrated host.  Then, as we each receive communion the priest elevates the host in front of us, one by one, and says: The Body of Christ,” and the one about to receive says: “Amen! --- which means “I believe.”

At the church where I attend weekday masses, I now see alive Jesus everywhere.  The stained glass window of St. Joseph has him holding the child Jesus, and the statue of St. Joseph has him holding a child Jesus.  Over the altar is the alive Jesus being crucified, and next to that is a statue of Mary.  Her statue has a bow on her chest, which signifies she is pregnant with Jesus.  And then there is a stained glass image of Mary, holding the child Jesus, as is the wooden statue of Mary at the back of the church.  Finally, there is a full-sized image of the mantle of Our Lady of Guadelupe, with her bow indicating she is pregnant with Jesus.  Jesus is alive!  And He is everywhere!!  I have so much more to meditate upon, and in the silence, listen. 

 

Do Prayers Matter?

 

I’ve seen and written about personal prayers which I have seen answered, and have a strong confidence that some others were answered also --- or will be, even if I am not sure when, or how.  But I am sure of why: God doesn’t ignore us, or our sincere prayers.

The feast day of the first martyr for his Christian faith, Saint Stephen, was celebrated on December 26th.  I don’t know the history of why that date was picked for the celebration, but to me it does make perfect sense.  In two consecutive dates we celebrate being born to and dying for the Christian faith.  Saint Stephen’s dying words, as written at the end of Chapter 7 in the Acts of the Apostles, were to ask God to forgive those who were stoning him to death.  And those final words were read at the mass on his feast day, the day after Christmas. Except, ---

There was one more sentence in Chapter 7 of Acts, which was not read at mass and I think is most important.  That final sentence in Acts mentions that Saul was there at the stoning of Stephen.  So, the final TWO sentences of Chapter 7 tell us that St. Stephen was praying to God for forgiveness of Saul, among others.  And then it is only a short time later in Acts when we read in Chapter 9 how Saul was struck down off his horse by God, --- and his whole life was going to change.  Saul was about to become St. Paul.

St. Stephen’s final prayer was dramatically answered by God --- in ways Stephen never could have imagined.

There are many things to consider in those two sentences.  Saint Stephen, in great agony, did not pray for evil to be done to his slayers, as he might instinctively have done.  He did obey the call to “love your enemies.” And, while we now know that his final prayer was answered, Saint Stephen never lived to see that answer.  But Saint Stephen trusted in God, even to his death.

Jesus said that if we prayed with trust, we could move mountains.  I have seen some of my prayers answered in ways that I treasure more than any moved mountains.  I know God hears me when I pray, and I try to listen to Him.  And sometimes I go to His house, and we just silently sit together, and that’s the best prayer.    

Prayers matter.  God always hears.

Review: Let Him Lead

 

“An Invitation to Let Jesus Guide Your Heart and Your Life.”

I was given a copy of this book by the author, in thanksgiving for my support of his religious order, The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, started by my friend Fr. Benedict Groessel.  It was a wonderful gift.

Fr. Jeremiah created this book of 27 reflections based on the daily homilies he gave to a small group of sisters over 3 years.  I love this book, and it re-enforced many of my thoughts and prayers, driving Jesus deeper into my heart.

“We live with the illusion that our life is actually ours.  What have you that you did not receive? (1Cor4:7)   St Paul is alluding to a paradox that lies at the heart of the Gospel.  If we really want to enjoy our life and to love our families, and friends, then we must, to put it biblically, love them less, than God, and stop grasping at them in hope that they can satisfy us.  It is only in this way that we can come to appreciate them most fully.” (Chapter 4, Hating Our Life)

“Our relationship with God is a journey, primarily a journey of purification of our selfishness so as to love others, and especially God, selflessly.” (Ch 13, Love is a Journey)

“The place God reveals Himself most regularly is our normal life. … One of the greatest experiences in this life is being surprised by God, in this present moment.  Every one of us has had these experiences. … In the quiet recesses of our hearts we become aware, for a moment, of God’s presence.  Experiences of God’s presence in our ordinary life … are purely gifts of God’s grace.  There is nothing we can do to make these experiences happen.  The experiences are among the greatest that we can have in life. They remind us that our lives and God are not two separate realities.  The greatest sign of a mature spiritual life is a maturing life, a life where we are becoming more loving, patient, and forgiving, and where we are more willing to trust God beyond what we can see.”  (Ch 19, God is Now)

 

There are many thought-provoking words in this book.  The very short chapters took much time reading, reflecting, and talking to Jesus while in the chapel.  This book was a wonderful gift and will be one of mine to others this Christmas.