Blowing in the Wind

Gethsemane Mass

John 3:7b-15

When I was little, I used to love it when a storm was just about to hit! The wind would pick up and really blow! And it was then that I would go outside and run with the wind. I kept thinking that, if I ran fast enough, the wind would lift me up and I would fly, just like my hero Superman. Unfortunately that never happened! No matter what I did, I couldn’t make the wind do what I wanted it to. I am reminded of that every time when the wind really blows, rattling windows and whistling while knocking over garbage cans. It serves as a reminder to all of us that, even though you can hear it, even though you can feel it, you just can’t control the wind.

Jesus says much the same thing in today’s Gospel when He continues to chat with Nicodemus. “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Too often we think we are in charge, that we control any and everything. Too often, we are completely wrong. We are uncomfortable when we don’t know what’s going on; we feel powerless. We think we should be able to direct every aspect of our lives and that we know what’s best for us. But Jesus reminds us today that is not the case. Yes, we do feel and hear the wind; but we don’t control it. We don’t even know where it comes from and where it is going. That wind for us is the Spirit, the Spirit of God. We have to learn to let go and let God! Let the Spirit take us where it wills. We have to learn to trust and surrender ourselves to the Spirit.

Many times, when I am working on a homily, I struggle to find meaning, something to latch on to as a focal point. And I push and prod and stress! But it is only when I just step aside, when I let go and pray over the Scriptures once again, then the Spirit has the room and the time to work through me. We are all filled with the Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation. But we have to learn to stop and listen, to stop and let the Spirit speak to us, guide us, and work through us.

Be well! Be safe, everyone!

I’ve Got a Secret

Waters at Caesarea Philippi

John 3:1-8

You ever have one of ‘those’ secrets! You know, that secret that you were sworn to silence under severe penalty? Maybe it was setting up that surprise baby shower for your husband (yes, I do mean husband, namely me, but that’s a story for another time)! Or maybe it was that special birthday present for mom! But your excitement was so intense and the anticipation so unbearable that you just couldn’t wait. So you spilled the beans; you blabbed! You just couldn’t keep the joy inside; you had to let it out!

Today’s Gospel focuses on Nicodemus, a rich and powerful Pharisee. And while the conversation between Jesus and him is significant, the timing is everything. Nicodemus visits Jesus in the dead of night, in secret. He is beginning to believe in Him but he is fearful that anyone else finds out. He is worried about losing his political and religious power, his status and popularity. He is trying to balance his standing in the world with his growing beliefs in Jesus’ message. He is trying to become a follower, but only on his terms. And that won’t work!

So where do we stand as a follower of Jesus? Are we Christian only when it’s convenient, only when no one is watching? Are we so concerned with our physical wants and needs, our status and popularity, that we are reluctant to be fully and visibly Christian? Do we seek out Jesus only in the dead of night when the world is not watching? Do we keep it secret? Or are we so excited, so energized, that the joy of the Resurrection just spills out, not just in our words but in our actions!

Jesus today talks about being re-born in the water and in the Spirit. We have all been reborn in the waters of Baptism; we have all been filled with the Holy Spirit. We have all professed our faith with our Baptismal Promises. When do we carry them out? What will it take for us to be Christian in the light of day? To proclaim Jesus’ message by our words and our actions! What will it take to be Christian in moments of inconvenience, moments when the world is watching?

No Doubt, Seeing is Believing

Peter’s Rock

John 20:19-31

A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and a variety of subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said: “Look man, I don’t believe that God exists as you say so.”

“Why do you say that?” asked the client. “Well, it’s so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God exists, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can’t think of a God who permits all of these things.”

The client stopped for a moment but he didn’t want to respond so as to prevent an argument. The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his hair cut and he looked so untidy).

Then the client again entered the barber shop and he said to the barber: “Know what? Barbers do not exist.” “How come they don’t exist?”-asked the barber. “Well I am here and I am a barber.” “No!” the client exclaimed. “They don’t exist because, if they did. there would be no people with long hair and beards like that man who is walking in the street.”

“Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that some people do not come to us.” “Exactly!”- affirmed the client. “That’s the point. God does exist. What happens is people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him. That’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world.”

Faith! Belief! That’s what it’s all about and that’s what today’s Gospel is all about. Thomas, Doubting Thomas, is not there when Jesus appears to the other disciples and he insists that he won’t believe unless he sees Jesus, sees His wounds and touches them, for himself.

I’ve always thought Thomas has gotten the short end of the stick. I mean, the disciples are in a locked room; they have been hiding ever since Jesus was crucified. They are in fear that the authorities will look for them, arrest them and have them killed. And so they hide. So for Thomas not to be there that first time meant he was out in the city, probably getting food or provisions for the group. So what he lacks in faith, perhaps, is made up for with his courage to venture out into the city.

But don’t forget what has gone on before, in this week’s readings – Mary Magdalene brings them news from the tomb and they don’t believe! The 2 disciples bring back news from Emmaus and they don’t believe! Chances are that first appearance to them in the locked room happened with them all doubting what they are seeing as well. Thomas is just 1 appearance behind them and he is merely voicing what they were all feeling at that first appearance. Doubt! Is this a ghost? Am I really seeing Jesus? Do I really believe? Do I need to see to believe?

We all have doubts, especially in these times! We all wonder and question what’s going on. Where is God in all of this? We all need to be a bit like that barber’s customer. Maybe I can’t see God Himself right now but I can see Him working through others in these difficult times. I see Him in the man who checks up on his elderly neighbor to see if he needs any groceries. I see Him in the grade school kids making cards and drawings for the seniors at the retirement home. I see Him in the family who face-time their out of town relatives a lot more often than before. I see Him in the kids who use Zoom to play a game of Yahtzee with their friends. I see Him in the daily outpouring of drive-by birthday celebrations for a little child. God is not hidden, He is right here in front of us. We only have to set aside our doubts and see with the eyes of faith.

Snap Out of It

Synagogue Church in Nazareth

Mark 16:9-15

A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help. Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, "Jump in, I can save you."

The stranded fellow shouted back, "No, it's OK, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me."

So the rowboat went on. Then a motorboat came by. "The fellow in the motorboat shouted, "Jump in, I can save you." To this the stranded man said, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith." So the motorboat went on. Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, "Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety." To this the stranded man again replied, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith." So the helicopter reluctantly flew off.

Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, "I had faith in You but You didn't save me, You let me drown. I don't understand why!"

To this God replied, "I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"

Jesus almost seems a bit frustrated with His disciples in today’s Gospel, a lot like God in the story. He appears to Mary Magdalene, she tells the disciples and they don’t believe. He appears to the 2 disciples on the way to Emmaus, they tell the disciples and they don’t believe. Finally He appears to all the disciples and REBUKES them! I sent you Mary Magdalene and other disciples – SNAP OUT OF IT! What more do you want?

But then something unexpected happens, at least unexpected for us. Jesus changes His tone and sends them off into the world to proclaim the Gospel. He MOVES ON! He made Himself clear, He got His message across and He corrected their attitude. And then He commissions them to go out into the world. He doesn’t harp on their stubbornness and He doesn’t let them remain focused on their past failings. Let’s move on!

Aren’t we all just like the disciples? Too often we stay mired in the past, with things we failed to do; we refuse to let go of our stubbornness or our faults. We fail to accept them and then move on. God calls us all today to recognize our past faults, learn from them and then move on.

Get up! Get moving! You have God’s work to do today!

Sitting around the Campfire

The Sea of Galilee

John 21:1-14

Please forgive my sense of humor today but, in a different reality, today’s Gospel reads like a pilot episode for a new TV comedy. A group of men return home to their village after 3 years on the road and they try to return to their former occupation – fishermen. It doesn’t go well; they spend the whole night and catch nothing. Then as dawn breaks, some joker on the beach (calling them children) yells to them to go fish over there. Yeah, right! So they do and they catch a boatload. One of them recognizes the guy on the beach as their dearest friend. And what does Peter do – he jumps into the Sea and swims ashore, in his best version of Forrest Gump. When they all get there, their friend has made a fire on the beach and has cooked them breakfast. So they sit down and what do they talk about with this long-lost friend? NOTHING! Not a word is spoken. It’s like: say something, I’m not gonna say something, you say something! Strange!

But this isn’t a comedy show; this is real life. These Apostles have returned to their home after 3 years travelling with Jesus. They are despondent, demoralized and defeated after His crucifixion and death. They have lost their leader, their teacher, their friend. So they give up and come home to their former lives as fishermen. And it does not go well. After a whole night of trying, they can’t even catch a single fish. A man on the shore tells them to try a different spot and they catch more fish than the nets can handle. One of them says “That’s Jesus”. Peter, in his typical impulsiveness and joy, instead of staying in the boat, jumps into the sea and swims ashore. When they all get there, they see it really is Jesus whom they thought dead. He has prepared a fire and they gather with Him on the beach around the fire and share a morning meal. In their joy, their awkwardness, perhaps even their embarrassment, no one says a word.

I have always loved this Gospel reading - just the image of Jesus and the Apostles sitting around a campfire and sharing a simple meal. It is both touching and heartwarming. It is human! It is a reminder to me that no matter my circumstance, whether I am depressed or lost, swimming in a sea of troubles or drowning in fear, all I have to do is make an effort to reach out to Him and Jesus will be waiting for me with open arms and food for the journey. I don’t even have to say anything – He knows, He understands, and He will always be there for me, with a warm fire and a welcoming heart.

Shock and Awe

Jesus and the 12, Church of Dormition

Luke 24:35-48

Sometimes it’s good news out of the blue! And unfortunately sometimes it’s unimaginably bad news that leaves us breathless! Either way, we don’t always accept what we hear. We don’t always believe what we see! We are, quite simply, afraid – afraid of what has happened, afraid of what might follow!

The Apostles in today’s Gospel seem to be at their most human, their most vulnerable. They are still reeling from the shock of Jesus’ horrific suffering and death. And then 2 disciples return from Emmaus to tell them that they had seen the Risen Jesus. They keep hearing other stories about Jesus appearing to the women at the tomb. They are literally in emotional conflict – believe, not believe, hope, not hope, afraid and embarrassed by their own actions (or lack of action).

And then Jesus suddenly appears! It’s no wonder that they should feel all those emotions and all at once. And what does Jesus do – Peace, be with you! He calms their fears. Relax, take a deep breath, I am here, be at peace! And only then, after calming their emotions, showing them that it really is Him and sharing some food to show He isn’t some ghost, only then does He begin to talk to them and to teach them from Scriptures.

We all have plenty to worry about these days, plenty to stress over – our health, the health of our loved ones, worries over the simple basics of life – food, shelter and safety! It can be overwhelming and physically and emotionally draining. And what does Jesus say to us; what is the very first thing Jesus says to us – Be at Peace! Relax! Trust me! Believe that I am really here with you and listen to me! Calm yourself and take a deep breath! Why are you troubled? Why do so many questions arise in your hearts? Hear me, hear my words and do not be afraid!

Walking with Jesus

Father Judge Mission Seminary

Luke 24:13-35

Now this is the kind of weather I really needed, the weather that just invites you to take a walk in the sunshine and warmth. That’s one of the things Ginger and I enjoyed over these difficult months, especially last spring and summer. We made it a mission to take a daily walk in the neighborhood. But winter kind of put an end to that. And now it looks like our daily strolls can start up again. A chance for fresh air, a bit of exercise and the opportunity to just let the stress ooze out of our bodies and minds. It reminds me of walks I would take way back in the seminary.

I spent all of my high school life and part of college living and studying at a seminary nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in rural Virginia. It was a quiet and secluded life full of homework and prayer. Stuck away on a narrow country road, you entered the grounds at a low brick entry gate and then a short drive up to the campus of buildings.

We had everything you could ever need: Olympic size swimming pool, basketball courts, track, playing fields, classrooms, beautiful chapel, our own infirmary and rec rooms. But what mattered the most to me was that short road, barely a quarter mile in length from the gate to the main buildings, I can’t tell you how many times, after a long day of classes, many of us, either alone or with a small group, would walk out to the gate and then back. No matter the reason for the walk, whether it was stress, upset, homesickness, depression, sadness, the need to blow off steam or anger, or the simple need to just get away – by the time I made it out to the gate and back, those negative emotions were gone. It was a journey that calmed my soul and eased whatever burdens I had. It re-energized me to return to seminary life with a renewed energy and even today I so miss that walk.

But what I didn’t realize until much later in life was that, no matter if I was walking alone or with a friend, there was always someone else alongside me (us). Jesus! For us to get through all those tough times, I realize now that Jesus had to have been there with us, gently guiding us back along the right path. We just didn’t realize it! We just didn’t see Him there until much later in life.

So it is today with the disciples on their way to Emmaus. They are returning to Emmaus, crushed and saddened by Jesus’ death. And yet Jesus walks with them, talks with them, teaches them. But it is only later on, after He has left, that they realized it was Him. Only after they realize their hearts were on fire with His words and in His breaking of the bread, then they slap their foreheads and realize the truth – that Jesus was right there with them. So it is for all of us. No matter how alone we feel, how isolated we are, we truly are not alone. Jesus really is right here with us, walking beside us, guiding us, reassuring us, and comforting us.

So take that walk today, enjoy that crisp cold air and the light carpet of snow, and realize you are not alone. You never were!

Holding On!

Reunion!

John 20:11-18

Ever since March of 2020, for over a year, the opportunity for Ginger and myself to visit with her parents was, at best, very limited. Yes, we could talk on the phone and we could meet with a pane of glass separating us. Over the summer we had the chance to see them outdoors sitting a table 6 feet apart. But never close enough to touch or to hug. Until last week! Finally in-person visits were allowed and we could finally visit with them in their apartment. And finally we could touch and, most especially, hug each other. It was a hug for the ages, one that built up over 12 very stressful months. It was a joyful and a tearful hug, one that you just didn’t want to let go of; you wanted to hold on forever!

Well that is what’s happening in today’s Gospel. Mary Magdalene sits weeping at the empty tomb and the Risen Jesus appears to her. She doesn’t recognize Him until He calls her by name. And then, out of sheer joy, she tries to hug Him and refuses to let go. Jesus has to lovingly remind her to stop holding onto Him and to go and spread the news to all the disciples.

Mary has a very hard time letting go of Jesus just like we can’t let go of our loved ones, especially after an extended separation. But in the end, we, like Mary Magdalene, are all called to be disciples, to be missionaries. We are all called to spread the Good News. The news of the Resurrection is something to be proclaimed, to be shared, not merely kept safe in our hearts. The joy of the Resurrection needs to be passed on; our faith in Jesus needs to be shared. Share and share alike! Spread the hugs!

A Question of Faith

Jesus in Magdala

Matthew 28:8-15

I saw a lot of little ones all dressed up yesterday at our 9am Easter Sunday Mass. The weather was spectacular and they were so cute with their white dresses and crisply ironed shirts and pants. One particular little one, about 3 years old, daughter of a good friend, made a point of fist-pumping with me. But that wasn’t enough for her; she then wanted to touch elbows. And that wasn’t enough either! With a huge grin on her face that I could see even through her mask, she pointed to her cheek, obviously asking for a kiss. What a charmer! What happiness! What Easter joy! The kind of joy we hear in today’s Gospel.

Jesus is Risen! Yesterday’s story continues. Today Jesus is not only risen; He has appeared to others. Jesus meets Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, He greets them and they fall to their feet and do Him homage.

The guards apparently also see but their reaction is completely different. They run into Jerusalem to submit their report and then they accept money (let’s call it what it is – a bribe) to lie and spread a false report. Two sets of witnesses, two very different responses: one of faith and adoration, the other of denial and falsehood.

And that is the question for us today – which response do we take? How do we respond to the Resurrection? Do we accept Jesus’ Resurrection as the basis for our faith? Or do we pretend it never happened and try to undo other peoples’ beliefs? Do we believe it in one breath and then, in moments of crisis, we take the easy way out and deny? Do we let the ways of the world (money, possessions, popularity) get in the way of our spiritual journey?

It is all just a question of faith! And Easter Joy!

Alleluia Moment!

Church of the Transfiguration – Mt. Tabor

John 20:1-9

Alleluia!! It is a word we have not heard for 40 days. A word missing from any liturgy for the entire season of Lent.

In point of fact, it is actually 2 words, not one. And it comes from Hebrew. The first word HALLELU means ‘praise’ and the second YAH means GOD. It is the root for the Hebrew word for God - YAHWEH. So literally it means “praise God”. But even that doesn’t do it justice. It’s a word of joy, a word used in song, bursting with emotion and happiness! Kind of like when we hear “Praise the Lord!” Obviously it is a most appropriate expression for what we celebrate today – the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. He who we thought was dead has come back to us risen from the dead!

Not long after they got married, Jaime and Josh, our daughter and son-in-law experienced a time of separation. Josh went off to boot camp for something like 3-4 months. It was a difficult time for them, to be separated from someone you know, you believe in, you love. I can still remember Ginger, Jaime and I travelling down to Alabama for Josh’ graduation ceremony. Throughout the whole program, Jaime sat there fidgeting with nervous energy, her legs going up and down in anticipation; she just couldn’t keep still. And when the ceremony was finally over, she leaped out of her seat like she was shot out of a cannon. She raced down the aisle and flung herself into Josh’s arms. Now that was a reunion! That was a moment of sheer joy and love. That was an ALLELUIA moment!

The one thing I find curious in today’s Gospel, the Gospel for Easter Sunday is – what’s missing? Jesus! All we really have is an empty tomb. Peter, John and the other disciples have all experienced the agony of Jesus’ death, the pain of being separated from the one they love. And yet, Peter and John come to believe that Jesus is risen, not because they have seen Him yet, but because of His absence. The real personal reunion takes place later on in stories we will hear from the Gospel throughout the coming weeks and season of Easter - when the Apostles actually see Jesus, when Mary Magdalene wants to run to him and hug Him, when the disciples on the way to Emmaus find their hearts on fire from speaking with Him. Those are all real ALLELUIA moments – moments of unbridled joy, of faith, of love. That burst of exuberance and joy that causes your hearts to sing!

We all know what it’s like to be separated from friends and family, from the ones we love, especially NOW, but we have to still believe. We have to still love them, even in their absence. And we look forward to when we will see them again, touch them again, and hug them again. We know that, in many ways, our faith and love for them has grown in this time of being apart. Their absence has caused us to understand just how much a part of our lives, how much a part of our heart, they really are. And we know that love and joy will spill out of us when we re-unite.

So too with our Faith – in this time of separation from our parish church, from our parish Mass and Holy Week services, we have all learned how much we miss it, how much more we believe in and love the Eucharist, even in its’ absence. And we all look forward to that moment when the church doors reopen, when we gather together as a community of faith, where we hear the proclamation of the Gospel, when we greet our neighbors with the sign of peace and when we receive the Eucharist.

Now that is what we mean by an ALLELUIA moment! And that is what we celebrate today – a moment of reuniting with our Saviour, with our Christian faith. ALLELUIA!