Weeping

Not long ago I told some friends that I get a little weepy when I think about retirement.  And then last weekend a High School Senior mentioned the same thing to me about graduating.  It reminded me that a lot of people have moments like this.       

As a child, my dad simply stated that “boys don’t cry after the age of 7.”  So I grew up feeling embarrassed when something made me tear up. Eventually I understood that my dad was wrong about weeping. Shedding tears is simply human.

We know that Jesus wept too.  He wept over the city of Jerusalem when He foresaw its destruction. (Luke 19:41-44)  His emotions ran especially deep because He knew He was also going to die in Jerusalem.  Jesus was as human as we are. 

Jesus also wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. (John 11:35)  And we learn that Martha and Mary comforted Jesus when He was overcome by that emotion.  Jesus not only wept but He also needed comfort.      

Remember a time when you were a little weepy.  What brought on the tears?  Who comforted you?  Then remember this: Jesus understands tears.

                                                                      Magnets

As a child I was fascinated with magnets.  It’s still hard for me to explain how they work.  But I know that magnets can attract or repel each other.  And I know that a magnet is at work in every compass…which always points north. 

I think about magnets when Jesus says: “I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32)  It’s as if God were a magnet. 

What is it that draws us to Jesus?  Is it His words or values or actions which attract us? Or is it something deeper…a desire to be whole, a longing for closeness, a yearning for a more satisfying love?

Sometimes I’m aware that there is a hole in my heart…a kind of empty space.  It’s as if something is missing. Some things fill the hole for a while…a beautiful sunrise or a good talk with a friend or holding a child in my arms after a baptism.  Each of these moments connect me with God…who draws me close to Him and who will ultimately satisfy my hungry heart.

Is there a hole in your heart? How does God fill that hole?  Is God drawing you closer to Him…like a magnet?  

                                                     Jesus Knocking at the Door

Did you ever see that picture of Jesus knocking at a door?  (If you haven’t seen it, just google it and you will see many renditions)

The most interesting detail in that painting is that the door does not have a doorknob. Most people who notice that, think the missing doorknob indicates that we have to open the door from the inside in order to let Jesus come into our hearts.

With Pentecost still in our rear-view mirror, our question may be: Have we wholeheartedly opened the door to let Jesus’ Spirit into our hearts?    

But Pope Francis has a different take on that image of Jesus knocking at the door.  He says: “I have the impression that Jesus was locked in the church and that He’s knocking because He wants to get out.” That turns things upside-down.

From that perspective Pentecost isn’t about our personal life in the Spirit.  It’s about taking the Spirit of Christ out of the church and into the world…making it a little more God-like!     

So here’s a new question: As a spirit-filled person, how are you reshaping the world?

                                                           Do You Preach?

This past week we had our annual Priest Assembly.  The best part was a panel discussion on preaching.  Four guys, from various backgrounds, offered their insights on preaching issues including: preparation, techniques, topics and audiences.  It was great.

Reflecting on that, I remember a saying often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Although the origin of the saying is unclear, it is a sermon in itself.  The saying is: “Preach always…if necessary use words.” Just think about that for a moment.

Everyone who is reading this blog preaches sometimes.  Consider this: If you are a parent, don’t you preach to your kids?  Or if you have grandchildren, don’t you occasionally give them little sermons? If you’re a true friend, don’t you offer mini-homilies to a friend who needs encouragement or advice?

Name people who preach to you sometimes.  What did they say or do that helped you?  Name the last person to whom you preached. Did you use words and actions?

Lastly, if you had a chance to give a homily at church someday, what would you talk about? If you want to, please share your idea with me.  I’d love to hear it.

                                                 Not as the World Gives Peace

                                                                John 14:27

When Jesus says: “Not as the world gives peace, do I give peace” what does He mean?

Think about how countries approach Peace Treaties.  Isn’t there always some self-interest at heart when nations sit at a peace table?  Usually we only agree to certain provisions, if we think we can get around them or if we think we are getting a better deal than the other side.

So we bargain for peace.  It is not freely given.  And when that’s the case, no one is ever completely happy.  In fact many peace treaties become the basis for future wars. 

Keeping peace in our families can be equally difficult.  Rivalries, jealousies and egos clash.  We say we are sorry, but we often don’t let go of past hurts. We put on peaceful faces, but our innards are doing cartwheels. (By the way, my innards are good at that!)

Jesus’ peace is different.  It is freely given.  It has no self-interest.  There are no bargaining chips.  The past is not only forgiven…it is forgotten. His peace is wholehearted and unconditional.

Question: On a scale from 1-10, one being the way the world gives peace, and ten being the way Jesus gives peace, where am I?