Happy Christian Secrets

With our very busy lives, regular attendance at church can sometimes takes a back seat to other activities.

In order to justify our actions, we start to ask questions like, “Do I really need to go to church every week?”  After missing several weeks in a row, we might start saying, “I’m a really good person and my relationship is between me and God, so it’s not necessary for me to go to a physical building.”

This weekend was the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  In the first reading from Genesis (14:18-20), the priest Melchizedek blesses Abram (who will later be called Abraham) over a meal of bread and wine.  Within the Christian church, we see  this ancient rite as a prefigurement to Jesus’ Eucharistic meal.

In the second reading from 1Corinthians (11:23-26), Paul tells us exactly what the risen Jesus told him directly.  Paul says, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.’” Jesus did the same thing with the cup and goes on to say, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”

Jesus is very clear when speaking to Paul and to us when he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”  It sounds to me like this is something that Jesus is asking us to do on a regular basis.

Is Jesus attempting to bring us together as a community?  Yes.

Is he asking us to remember that he literally sacrificed his body and blood because of his love for us?  Yes. This was a choice freely made because of his love for us.

In the reading from Luke’s Gospel (9:11b-17), we hear the very familiar story of Jesus and the 5 loaves and 2 fish that Jesus turns into enough food to feed about five thousand people and still has enough left over to fill 12 wicker baskets. Jesus not only wanted to nourish the crowd with his Words, but he desired to nourish their bodies too.

We’re called to  worship together for many reasons:

• We come to church on a weekly basis to be nourished with the Word of God.
• We come to be physically and spiritually nourished with the bread and wine – the body and blood of Jesus.
• We come together to be united within a small community of believers who are a part of the universal Body of Christ.  Unity.

When we’re together, we’re complete.  When isolated from others and from God, we’re incomplete.  Like the physical body has many members, the universal Body of Christ has many members too.  Each of us is an extremely valuable member of this body!

The opening line from today’s reading from Luke says, “Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured.”  We provided the bread and fish, but it is God who creates the abundance to feed the crowd and still has more left to give.  In every aspect of our lives, we must contribute something, but it is God who gives what we lack.  God will provide us with what we need when we admit that we need help and want to be healed.

As humans we’re hungry for something that many of us are not satisfying with regular food (regardless of how much we eat) and regular words (regardless of how much we read).  We’re  hungry for spiritual food and spiritual words -  the Word of God. It is only through God that we are satisfied and complete.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  This is the food and Word that satisfies.

Come together to be nourished. Come together to nourish others.

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This weekend we’re celebrating the Most Holy Trinity.  This week Paul tells the Romans that we have reasons to boast.  Boasting is good when our pride is the result of our faith in God.

God the Father sent us his son Jesus to show us how to live and how to love.  He showed us that we love each other when we serve each other.  Jesus showed us that through the power of faith, people were healed on a daily basis. Through faith, Jesus was resurrected from the dead.  We learn over and over again about the healing power of faith.

 After Jesus spent time on earth loving us and before he went to heaven, he told us that he would never leave us alone  and that his Father would send an advocate to be with us always – the Holy Spirit.  God is with us every day through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to invite God into every aspect of our lives.

In Paul’s Letter to the Romans (5:1-5), he talks about God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. As usual, Paul is logical and upbeat as he tells us that we always have reasons to boast (to take pride in or be enhanced by the possession of) – in good times and in times of suffering or pain.

Paul reminds us that our faith leads us to peace with God through Jesus. This same faith gives us access to the gift of grace that is with us always. As Christians, our grace allows us to boast in hope of the glory of God.  We are enhanced by the possession of our faith, hope, love and trust in God.

Paul tells us to not only boast in hope, but to also boast of our afflictions.  Really? Why? 

 We know that we’re enhanced because we’re confident that:

• Our afflictions produce endurance
• Endurance builds and creates our character
• Proven character sustains our hope
• Hope does not disappoint

Why does hope not disappoint?  Because God’s love has filled our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit who is with us always.

With each cell of our being filled with God’s love, there is no room for hatred, anxiety or fear.

Through prayer and conversation with God, we’re able to continually replenish and rejuvenate our faith.  Our communion with God provides us with a never ending supply of love and hope to sustain us  through every obstacle that is placed before us.

There is no problem that it so large that it can’t be solved by God as the result of our  faith.

Christians really do have reasons to boast!

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Pentecost Sunday marks the 50th day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It also marks the birth of the Christian Church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Living in the year 2010, it takes grace  to live as a person of faith well over 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Thankfully, when Jesus left earth to go back to live with his Father in heaven, he promised his disciples that his Father would send us ‘The Advocate’  – the Holy Spirit.   Jesus said that the Holy Spirit “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” 

Maybe it makes sense to fully embrace the Holy Spirit and  call upon this power on a daily basis?

How’s that for a gift! We have God the Father in Heaven along with his son Jesus, we have the words of God as spoken by Jesus to comfort us each and every day AND we have the power of the Holy Spirit to assist us every second of our life on earth.  By calling upon and engaging the Holy Spirit we’re promised that we will never be alone.

Once the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were capable of speaking in tongues and enabled to proclaim the Good News. Regardless of what language the people around them spoke, they were able to understand God’s message as proclaimed by the apostles.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I are able to proclaim this universal message to all too.

We’ve been called to live the commandments and the first and  greatest commandment is that we love one another. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to do this every day.

What do you do when something great or exciting happens to you during the week?  Most of us are more than happy to tell everyone about whatever it was. “I got the job!.” “My daughter got into her college of choice!” “My friend has completely recovered from cancer!”

 Christians should be filled with the highest sense of Good News at all times. Why?

• God sent his son Jesus to tell us first hand of his love for us.
• Jesus spent time walking the earth and God’s Words spoken through Jesus have been written down for us to learn and use to live our lives in faith, hope and love.
• We have testimony from those who saw him after his resurrection and believe that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God’s Spirit.
• Jesus told his disciples that he’d never leave us alone and that his Father was going to send us the Holy Spirit.
• “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.”  You and I will be resurrected upon the death of our earthly bodies too and live forever with Jesus in heaven! How’s is that for the ultimate long-term goal?

If you and I believe these things, what do we have to be anxious about?  Nothing!

We are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and have confidence in our heavenly future.

We’re filled with the peace and love of Jesus so it’s easy for us to share those gifts with others.

The Holy Spirit is with us always and Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

To say that we’re fortunate  for having  received and embraced this gift is a huge understatement.  We’ve been commissioned by Jesus to share this gift with others. 

 Have fun sharing!

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This week’s Gospel is from John 14: 23-20. Please pick-up your Bible and read every single word if you could use a little dose of hope and peace.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him”, is how Jesus opens these words of advice to his apostles.  This seems to be pretty straight-forward to me.  If Jesus were talking with us today he might say, “Dude, If you really do love me,  isn’t it reasonable for me to ask you to learn what I’ve shared with you and make it a part of your life?”

Have you given thought to what “keep my word” means?  In order for us to keep Jesus’ words, we must know them.  Repetition is the best way that I’ve learned to assimilate any information, especially the words of Jesus.

You probably wouldn’t have to think too hard if I asked you to come-up with a favorite phrase or two uttered by your Mom or Dad.  Why?  Because their words were repeated over the course of your childhood and imprinted into the recesses of your mind. I’m sure that this is what Jesus is asking of us.

The difference here is that we have to seek Jesus’ word because it’s very unlikely that anyone around you is sharing them with you enough for them to become learned. Daily or frequent reading of Jesus’ Father’s words will allow them to become as much a part of us as the words of our parents.  Jesus’ words however are all constructive and filled with promises of internal peace and eternal life.

From psychology, we know that we become like what we think about.  If we’ve assimilated Jesus’ words into our minds, you know who we’re going to become like.

Jesus continues by saying, ‘and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”

We’re told in scripture that our body is the temple in which Christ resides.  Have you invited God the Father and Jesus to come and live with you in your temple? If Jesus was living within your mind, heart and soul, how much room would there be for fear, anxiety and doubt?  None. That’s exactly the point! Fear, anxiety, doubt and despair are currently residing in the space where the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are supposed to be dwelling.  It’s time for some new tenants.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you”, is found a few sentences later. It sounds to me like you and I have been given the gift of peace.  Have you received this gift? Have you opened it?  Are you resting on this gift like it’s a soft, cushy pillow? Have you allowed the peace of Christ to penetrate every part of your being and bring each cell of your temple to the light and life of Christ?

This gift has been freely offered to all who wish to receive it. “Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him.”

Keep the words of Jesus in your mind.  When they’re in you’re mind, they are second nature to you.  Peace and love are the result of inviting the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to dwell in your temple.

Make the invitation today.

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The three words or phrases that most resonated with me in this reading are My children,  glory and love.  I’m always amazed when speakers or teachers have the ability to say so few words which carry so much meaning. Jesus was the master of saying a lot with very few words.

In this short passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and he addresses them as, “My  children.”  I can only imagine the loving tone of his voice as he’s speaking to the followers he loves so much in the way that a parent speaks to a child the he or she cares so much about.

When my dad used to have something of great importance to tell me when he was speaking to me alone, he’d begin his very important fatherly words of guidance and wisdom with,  “My son.”  When he used those words, I knew how much he loved me and how special I was in his eyes. That may be why I can hear Jesus saying, “My children”, in such a loving way.

Perhaps that’s why in the Last Supper picture all of the apostles are intently leaning-in toward Jesus as he’s about to give them a new commandment? Can you imagine how they felt at that point?  At this meal, Judas has just been identified as Jesus’ betrayer, Jesus lets them know that his time remaining with them is limited and on top of that, he has a new commandment to share with them.  They might have been thinking something like, “I gave up all that I had to follow this guy, now he’s leaving me and he wants me to learn another new commandment!”  They must’ve felt frightened and overwhelmed.

Those of us who have lost a parent or tremendous mentor know this deep feeling of loss.

Jesus, in what appears to be his always brief style says, “l give you a new commandment: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

If we think that Jesus is asking a lot  of us today when he tells us to “love one another”, can you imagine how the apostles felt during those very unloving and violent times? They probably were thinking, “Jesus isn’t just asking us to love. He’s asking us to love others as much as he’s loved us.  How can I do that?” With faith in Jesus and with the power of the Holy Spirit, each of us has the ability to love each other in the same way that Jesus loves us.

The other thought that I had was in regard to Jesus’ comment saying that people will know you are my disciples because of your love for one another.  Within my community, the banks are phenomenal citizens in their donation of time and financial support of the non-profits.  I was at an event this week and you could tell how many great citizens from the banks were present because of their lapel pins.

Bankers let everyone know which bank they represent with their shiny, gold lapel pins.  The pins are outwardly visible signs to the world that you’re an employee of this special bank. As Christians, we’re asked to live every day of our lives without the lapel pin, but with a love for people that is visible to everyone.  We can show our Jesus-like love in many ways: with our sensitivity, our willingness to listen, our self-less offer to serve others, with our forgiveness and in our love of God. We’re asked to show that we’re disciples of Christ with our actions, not with jewelry.

The third concept in this Gospel of John that stood out to me is glory.  When we truly love one another in the way that Jesus loved his disciples and loves us, we’re glorifying him.  We bring glory to Jesus when we love others.

Love is the visible sign that Christians bring to the world with their actions.

In what new ways can you bring glory to Jesus and improve the world this week with your unique love?

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This week’s Gospel from John (10:27-30) is short, but filled with lots of substance.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  Those of us who are searching for a relationship with God and for happiness on a daily basis are open to Jesus’ words. His words are the prescription for life on earth and for everlasting life after we depart the earth.

There is a difference between hearing Jesus’ words and living them on a daily basis. For me, not only do I enjoy hearing the words, but I choose to write them down and read them several times so that I can assimilate them into my mind and ultimately into my thoughts, words and actions.

Once hearing some of Jesus’ words and allowing them to take root, it creates a hunger to know and live every word that he ever uttered.

Jesus goes on to say, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”  How is that for  a promise?  Can you imagine saying and affirming,  “I am filled with the eternal life of Jesus and live each day with confidence that I shall never perish”, and believing it? How much fear would you have if you really believed those words?  None!  That is the substance of the Christian faith.

Filling yourself with the words of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit provides your mind and soul with the substance to convert every minute of every day into a blessing.

It’s not only about living life in the present, but in the presence of God. It is a complete unity of mind and spirit with the words that we received from Jesus who says, “The Father and I are one.”

“My sheep hear my voice: I know them, and they follow me.”

Have you heard his voice?  Are you following?

Today’s a really good day to start.

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This 3rd Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete Sunday is one where we’re called to rejoice. It’s a great reminder that each of us has much to rejoice about. In each of today’s readings, we’re invited to rejoice and to look forward to something good that is ahead for us.

First Reading – Zephaniah (3:14-18a)

The first reading this weekend is from the Prophet Zephaniah who asks us to drastically change our feelings from fear to joy and exultation.  Zephaniah says, “Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!”

Why?  “The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies.” We’re told to be glad because God comes not to judge, but to save and renew.

Even way back then, the Prophet Zephaniah was telling us that, “Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, Your God,  is in your midst, a mighty savior”. How is that for really good news!!!  Eliminate all fear (this is called faith). Why should we be confident in eliminating our fear?  Because God is absolutely in our midst. Zephaniah goes on to say, “he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love”. Try converting that into an affirmation such as, I am filled each and every day with confidence that God rejoices over me with gladness and renews me with his love!

The Holy Spirit dwells within us and the words of Jesus fill our minds with love, trust and joy.  Christians know that when we have the Holy Spirit with us always and Jesus’ words in our minds, Christ is in our midst living inside of us each and every day! With God dwelling within us, we invite Him into every situation we encounter each and every day.  There is no separating our actions from God.

Second Reading – Philippians (4:4-7)

As I prepare to bring you my thoughts each week, I highlight what I believe to be key words or sentences from each reading.  In this reading, I’ve highlighted every word with the exception of the greeting, Brothers and Sisters. This reading is short and sweet and every word should be savored and internalized so that you can genuinely rejoice in Paul’s words of confidence.

“Rejoice in the Lord always.” Can you imagine doing what Paul is asking us to do?  How great would we truly be if our faith were so strong that we didn’t question God but, instead rejoiced always? Maybe this is one of those short and sweet lines that you and I should meditate on to understand how to live this line on a  minute-by-minute basis?

Paul goes on to say, “Your kindness should be known to all.” Try reflecting on that line for a few minutes.  Is my kindness known by every one who knows me?  Well except for  _____ and ______ and _____, I think that I’m…….. I don’t think that Paul was looking for us to name exceptions when he used the word all. Here’s how I translate that line: Would the people who know me from my community – family, friends, church, gym, etc.- use the word kind when describing me.  If not, I still have significant work to do.

“The Lord is near.” I mentioned that when I talked about Zephaniah. Yes, the Lord is near!  He’s living in every cell of my body and providing me with “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (who) will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” How is that for a promise!  Do you believe it?  What would happen to your life if you did?

I’ve learned that there is a huge difference between listening to scripture, reading scripture and really trying to understand, internalize and live scripture.  In order to understand, learn it and live it, I’ve found that I need to take the time to make the connection between the words and how I’d be as a person if I really thought and acted in this fashion. When I make that transformation, I’m making progress on living a Christ-like life.

“Have no anxiety.” Are you kidding me?  No, Paul is not kidding us and he gives us a solution to our anxiety, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God”.   Couldn’t Paul please give me some more wiggle room?  He uses words like all and everything.   Why didn’t he use words like most and when you feel like it?  God and Paul have very high expectations for us and that’s a very good thing.  Humans tend to live up to the expectations that they set for themselves or to the expectations that are set for them by mentors whom they trust and love.  Do you see Jesus as a mentor whose words you believe and whose expectations you have the potential to fulfill???????  You and I have tremendous potential.  We just need to change our beliefs.  If I can’t believe God, who can I believe?

Gospel – Luke 3:10-18

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist speaks to us with great clarity, “Share with the person who has none. Stop collecting more than what is prescribed. Do not falsely accuse”.

Points to meditate on:

How am I doing with John’s clearly spoken call to share with the person who has none?  Am I doing this? Can I be a more giving and sharing person?

Do I ever falsely accuse another? Do I repeat unkind words spoken about another?

John goes on to foretell the coming of Christ with his famous proclamation, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”.

During advent, Christians can be doing many things:

• We can prepare ourselves to celebrate the real spirit of Christmas with genuine joy – the birthday of Christ.
• We can ask ourselves if we’re ready for His return?  If not, how can we become better prepared?
• We can strive to rejoice in the Lord always.
• We can remind ourselves that the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit has taken permanent residence within us and is there to guide and assist us at all times. We are never alone.
• We can also look to the future when Christ returns to earth  with the anticipation and expectation of a child looking forward to Santa Claus.

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This is the first weekend of advent and today’s readings are reminders for us to stay focused,vigilant and lead each day of our lives preparing for and loving God.

In the first reading, we prepare the way of the Lord and Messiah.

In the second reading, be prepared for Jesus is coming again.

In the Gospel, Jesus is coming back. Are you ready for His return or for you personal meeting upon your departure from your earthly body?

Jeremiah 33:14-16

In this weekend’s first reading from Jeremiah, we’re told God will fulfill His promise and “raise up for David a just shoot”.

Who can we trust today?  We can always trust God because he fulfills His promises.  He had promised David that his throne would be secure for ever. David was promised that Israel’s Messiah would be one of his descendants. Christians believe that Jesus is the “just shoot” Messiah who Jeremiah tells us is coming and who “shall do what is right and just in the land”.

One of the things that we’ve learned over thousands of years is that God does things in His time and on His schedule.  It’s our faith and trust in God that allows us to remain patient on a day to day basis.

In the short term, our faith allows us to remain patient as we’re waiting for our prayers to be answered and fulfilled.

In the long term, it’s that same faith that causes us to love God and trust that we’ll see Jesus either upon our death or when He returns to earth.  Either way, you and I will be ready.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

Jesus our Messiah, the just shoot had come to earth and fulfilled God’s promises made to King David.   He gave his disciples very clear instructions for how we should  live our lives on earth to be ready and prepared to meet Jesus again when he retuns.  Christians believe that we’ll either meet Jesus upon our death or upon his return to earth.  We just don’t know which will come first or when either will happen. We’re encouraged to be ready at all times.

In the second reading, Paul is praying for the Thessalonians and reminding them to prepare for Jesus’ return.  It took faith for the Thessalonians to stay focused and prepared for a return by Jesus who had only recently walked the earth and made the promises.

In the reading from Jeremiah, Israel was becoming impatient waiting for God to fulfill His promises made to King David. Impatience with God was a problem thousands of years ago but, God kept his promise. Paul thought that Jesus’ return was imminent 2000 years ago. If Paul was praying for the Thessalonians to “increase and abound in love” and “to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father” in anticipation of Jesus’ return back then, can you imagine how much we need to pray for ourselves and others to stay strong and ready today 2000 years later? Many of us can lose faith in promises made by mortals who we’ve seen, touched and spoken with.  Extreme faith is required for us to believe the promises made by Jesus to his disciples thousands of years before you and I were born!

I love Paul’s second paragraph today.  He’s telling the Thessalonians “how you should conduct yourselves to please God” and you’re doing a really good job BUT, you can do an even better job! You’re capable of more.  You’re capable of better.  Most of us know that about ourselves today.  We may be doing a good job but, we can do an even better job. What would that look like for you?

As a father, I’m always balancing the encouragement of my children for all of the good things that they’re doing with the reminder that they still have so much more potential. Through prayer, we can thank God for all that we are and for all that we have and ask for the strength, power and ability to become even better.  More Christ-like.

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

In today’s gospel, Jesus tell his disciples about his return. As with all of Jesus’ messages, every word counts and there are several messages in this relatively short passage.

Jesus says that “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world”. For people who know that Jesus is returning and who are working on a daily basis to be ready for his return, we will welcome him with open arms when He returns to earth or when we depart our earthly bodies upon our death.

Just as Paul reminded the Thessalonians to prepare themselves, Jesus says, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap”.  We’re reminded to be in excellent physical shape today and every day.  We do not want to become out-of-shape spiritually.

As we prepare for Christmas during the season of advent, this is a special time to assess our readiness for Jesus’ return.  If it were today, would we be be able to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” or would we be ill-prepared?

We know that the process of becoming Christ-like is a daily routine that comes as a result of our prayers for strength, reading of scripture, actions of service and assistance from the Holy Spirit.

Advent is a time to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ and to also prepare ourselves to be ready to “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory”.

Keep God foremost in your mind and be ready at all times.

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