His Word Today: Do

Good morning everyone,

Etienne de Grellet, a Quaker missionary (1773-1855) is credited with having first uttered the words: I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now.  Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

Many centuries before, Jesus urged his followers: Strive to enter by the narrow gate (Lk 13:24).   The image of gates used to enter the pens of sheep and other livestock would have been well known to those who heard these words. They would easily have been able to identify with such an image, but even in our times, people still have difficulty understanding this advice as it appears in the sacred writings, and how it should be applied.

Perhaps it might help to think of Jesus' advice in terms of the Quaker wisdom that was shared many centuries later. Striving to enter by the narrow gate simply means trying our best each day to do good for others.  Be on the lookout today for opportunities to do good things for others, to bring them some measure of happiness. Don't delay if you don't have to; remember that we shall not pass this way again.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Mystery

Good morning everyone,

When we were children, some of us relished the thought of reading mystery novels.  Modern-day children spend countless hours entertaining themselves with video games that are based on the unknown.  Who among us has not been caught up in such an adventure, yet do we realize that there is yet another mystery unfolding right before our eyes?

We have the great privilege to be part of the daily unfolding of God's plan.  It has already taken root in our lives on the day of our baptism, but like a tiny mustard seed (cf Lk 13:19), like a single grain of yeast (cf Lk 13:21), this mystery remains dormant and undetected until it is fed and watered.  It only takes the most minute amount of either of these (food or water) for us to already begin seeing signs of God's work in our lives.  Even if all we can offer is a desire to know Him, he will begin to reveal himself to us.

Today, let us give thanks for God's gifts: he has planted the first seeds of faith in our hearts.  These seeds have been watered by the example of faith that we have witnessed in our parents and in other people who have played a part in teaching and forming us into the people we are today.  Let us also care for these seeds of faith by watering them regularly with the Word of God and by feeding them with the gift of the Eucharist.  God will do the rest.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Learnings

Good morning everyone,

The 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops concluded this past weekend. During the final session which was held on Saturday, the Holy Father addressed some unscripted words to those who were gathered in the Synod Hall at the Vatican.  During these concluding remarks, Pope Francis reminded the participants - and all of us as well - that although the final document has been prepared, the ultimate result of a Synod is not a document, but rather the Spirit who gives the Church the document so that it can work in our hearts (Unscripted remarks of His Holiness offered at the conclusion of the Synod, Saturday, 27 October 2018).

In the homily he preached at the closing mass yesterday, Pope Francis reminded the young people and all of those who were gathered that there are three important attitudes that must be adopted by those who want to be close to young people and to all of God's people. First, we must listen to one another (and to the Spirit that is living and active in our midst), then we must be neighbours to our brothers and sisters, taking care of one another. The third necessity is that we must be witnesses of the love that Jesus has shown us, witnesses of his mercy and his willingness to be close to all his beloved children (Homily, 28 October 2018).

These are challenges which are echoed in today's gospel passage. When Jesus encountered a woman who had been bent over in pain and suffering, he chose to heal her from her infirmities rather than simply watching her go by (Lk 17:10-13).  Are we able to identify the struggles that our brothers and sisters must live with? Are we willing to do something about them? Are we willing to be close to our brothers and sisters in the midst of their suffering? Only then will we be able to proclaim to them the good news that Jesus wants to heal us all and  remind us that we are  all his beloved children.

Have a great day.

A place for everyone

This past week, municipal elections were held throughout Ontario.  In some cases, the people that will sit in council chambers did not change, but there are some who will no longer be there, and there are some new faces that will now take their places.  As with every such change, there will be a period of adjustment but the work of creating and sustaining communities must go on.

Communities can be defined in various ways: some people belong to the same families, some attend the same schools, some are employed by the same company and some pray according to the same faith tradition.  In each of these cases  ... and many more, individuals seek the experience of community.  This is not something new.  The creation accounts in the Book of Genesis speak of a community being formed when God created Adam and Eve.  The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God brought his people from the land of the north ... from the furthest parts of the earth ... Led by the Lord they walked by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they did not stumble (Jer 31:8-9).

Even in the time of Jesus, we see evidence of God’s work as he led His people to encounter one another and taught them how to walk together along the paths of life.  The gospel passage we have heard today speaks of the encounter that Jesus had with Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who was sitting by the roadside (cf Mk 10:46).  It’s interesting to note that at the beginning of the story, Bartimaeus is all alone.  The other people who are there try to stop him from calling out to Jesus, as though he is a bother, but he is persistent, and Jesus chooses him to provide the example by which we all should live.  Imagine their surprise when Jesus instructed them to bring this blind beggar to him.  Perhaps he had supporters in the crowd, or maybe there was a sudden change of heart among those who had previously tried to silence him.  In any case, voices of encouragement began to be heard: Take heart, get up, he is calling you (Mk 10:49).

In our time too, each of us tries day by day to make our way through life.  We sometimes encounter many turns in the road, but we do not make this journey alone.  At times, it might seem as though we are on our own, especially when people try to exclude us with words and gestures of judgment, but like Bartimaeus, we must be persistent in our prayer, knowing that Jesus always hears the cries of those who need his help.

When they had brought him to Jesus, Bartimaeus was finally able to make his plea: My teacher, let me see again (Mk 10:51).  How many in our world are still crying out to Jesus, pleading for his help?  Among them, we can count those who are suffering from physical ailments, but there are also others like refugees who have been displaced.  Closer to home, there are many of our brothers and sisters who are newcomers even in this land, and there are those – like our indigenous neighbours – who live right next door to us and yet seem so distant from us.

Bartimaeus provides us all with an example of faith and perseverance that longs to hear the words of Jesus in response: Go, your faith has made you well (Mk 10:52).  With these words, Jesus assured a blind beggar that there was a place for him in his heart.  Jesus knows that each of us also has a similar cry, a need to be part of the community.  Oh, how we long to hear such words of consolation spoken to us as well.

His Word Today: Feeding

Good morning everyone,

At the time of Jesus, it was not easy for people to choose to follow him.  The consequences for anyone who chose to walk a different path from that which was expected by society were often very high - even to the point of losing lives (cf Lk 13:1) - but Jesus came to reassure us that losing a mortal life is nowhere near as dangerous as endangering our immortal souls.

As he usually did, Jesus explained this truth using parables.  In this case, he told the story of a fig tree that was young, and therefore not ready yet to bear fruit (cf Lk 13:6), but thanks to the pleading of the gardener who was caring for the fig tree, the master was convinced of the need to be patient (cf Lk 13:8).  As with all other parables that Jesus used, this story is meant to help us understand and appreciate the infinite mercy and love of God.

There are many circumstances competing for our attention.  Some of them can lead us to recognize God at work in our lives and others often attempt to distract us from focusing on the relationship of love that we are meant to enjoy with our heavenly Father.  The good thing is that our God is infinitely patient, waiting for us to turn our attention to him, and he's willing to help us to do this, if only we would ask him to remind us of his presence in our lives.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Signs

Good morning everyone,

Before a first-time driver can navigate the streets, there is a certain protocol that needs to be followed. This protocol includes learning how to read the street signs which most often do not have words but rather pictures. It's only when a prospective driver can prove that he or she is able to read the signs and properly interpret their meaning that they are allowed to move onto the next stage of the driving process.

In today's gospel passage, Jesus says that we need to judge for ourselves what is right (Lk 12:57), learn how to read the signs of our times. We need to properly interpret what we see, which includes trends and practises of our days. However we need to interpret these things in a particular way: we need to see them in the light of faith.

This necessity then leads us to look seriously at our own relationships with Jesus. We must ask ourselves: Have I encountered Jesus? Has my relationship with him changed the way that I am in relationship with others? Do I believe that a relationship with him can make a difference in my life?  Honest answers to these questions will help us to recognize the signs that keep pointing us in the right direction.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Enthusiasm

Good morning everyone,

From time to time, we all meet new people.  There are many levels at which we can know someone, but perhaps among the most significant measures of knowing someone else is what we call knowing what makes that person tick.  By this, we mean that we have gotten to know someone well enough to be aware of his or her likes and dislikes, favorite things and even that person's friends.

Jesus' disciples had a unique opportunity to learn what made him tick.  Perhaps if we had the chance to ask them the same key question: What makes Jesus tick?, they might respond by describing the source of his enthusiasm in the following words: I have come to set the earth on fire (Lk 12:49).  Perhaps we too can identify with these words which Jesus spoke.  He came to set the world on fire, which is to say that he came to share the good news of the Father's love with us, and to invite us to open our hearts so that God can share this love with us as well.

Today, we can ask ourselves: what makes me tick?  Is my faith strong, enough so that I would also say that I have come to set the world on fire with the love, mercy, forgiveness and joy of Jesus?  Do I want this depth of trust to be an integral part of my relationship with Him?

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Everyone

Good morning everyone,

It is sometimes easier for us to see weakness in other people, even while we cannot (or will not) admit that we ourselves are in need of help.  When Jesus warned the crowds that the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect (Lk 12:40), the disciples thought that somehow they could be exempted from such judgement, but Jesus meant these words for everyone - including the disciples.

How often have we found ourselves easily being able to proclaim judgements on others because they appear not to be doing what Jesus calls us all to do?  At such moments, we have a choice: either we can look to others with judgement or we can see them as in need of our prayers and our help.

Much will be expected of those who have been entrusted with much (Lk 12:48).  Perhaps today we can pray for the grace to be aware of all that we have been given.  As a result of our God's generosity, we have received many blessings, but these gifts have been given so that they can be shared, especially with those who are powerless, those who are hungry and those who are in need (cf Lk 12:42).

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Anticipate

Good morning everyone,

I remember meeting a young man once who had an amazing talent for being present to everyone he met.  Even as he spoke with people, he was always anticipating their needs.  On many occasions, I witnessed his eagerness to make others comfortable: offering them a drink of water, a snack, a place to sit ... no gesture of welcome was ever refused.

Today's gospel passage encourages us to see that the actions of this young man are an example for every one of us to be like servants who await their master's return (Lk 12:36).  This is the ideal toward which we are all called.  Every day presents us with another opportunity to anticipate the arrival of the Lord - who is present to us in the faces around us.

Be on the lookout today for Jesus who is calling out to you, asking for your help.  Be anxious to see his face, to anticipate his needs and to respond to them in the best way possible.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint John Paul II

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Paul II.  Karol Josef Wojtyła was born in Wadowice (Poland) on 18 May 1920.  He was the youngest of three children.  His elder sister Olga died before he was born and his brother Edmund (to whom he was very close) died while Karol was still very young.  Since his mother had died in childbirth when Karol was 8 years old, he grew up with his father as his sole provider.

Following the death of his father (in 1941), Karol began thinking seriously about priesthood.  He completed his studies in the seminary in Krakow and was ordained a priest on All Saints Day (1 November 1946).  He continued his studies in Rome and eventually defended a Doctoral thesis in Philosophy on 19 June 1948.

Throughout his priesthood, Karol Wojtyła always maintained a special fondness for young people.  Students regularly joined him for hiking, skiing, bicycling, camping and kayaking which were always accompanied by prayer, outdoor Masses and theological discussions.  On 4 July 1958, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow and later attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) where he contributed to two of the most historic documents: the Decree on Religious Freedom and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.  On 13 January 1964, he was appointed as Archbishop of Krakow.

In August 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła participated in the conclave which elected Pope John Paul I, and only 33 days later, upon the death of Papa Luciani, Wojtyła returned to Rome to participate in the second conclave of 1978 - the one which would ultimately see him elected as Pontiff.  He took the name John Paul II and served for the next 27 years as Bishop of Rome.

Throughout his pontificate, John Paul II travelled widely - visiting all continents of the world - and was highly respected for his teachings and for his unending devotion to sharing faith with young people.  His respect for human life and devotion to building relationships with other religions and with people from all walks of life made him exceptionally respected and loved.

He died in the papal apartments in Rome on 2 April 2005.  On 1 May 2011, his immediate successor Pope Benedict XVI Beatified John Paul II, and on 27 April 2014, Pope Francis celebrated the Mass during which John Paul II was canonized.  Saint John Paul II is one of the patron saints of the World Youth Day gatherings and the patron saint of the World Meetings of Families.

Have a great day.

What we want or what we need

Today’s gospel passage begins with a very bold request.  Two of the disciples – James and John – who are brothers, come to Jesus and say: Teacher, we want you do for us whatever we ask of you (Mk 10:35).  There was a time when some of us may have thought that such a question was rather impertinent, disrespectful, but in many cases today, the rules that once applied no longer seem to apply.  In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we all act in this manner when we come to Jesus to ask him for what we want: we present our prayer and we want him to do for us whatever we ask.

Sometimes, these prayers are couched in hidden desires too.  We attend Mass more often, we do our best to act obediently, and we secretly hope that in return, God will do whatever we ask of him, but how would we feel if the shoe was on the other foot?  Have we ever known a situation where people seem only to have time for us when they need something?  The human tendency is to react to such requests by pronouncing judgment, but Jesus is able to see beyond the limited vision of the disciples’ question.  He does not scold them for asking, nor does he punish us for presenting our requests in prayer.  Rather he encourages us to widen our understanding.

The question he asks of James and John, Jesus also asks of us: Are you willing to drink the cup that I must drink, or to be baptized with the baptism that I must be baptized with (Mk 10:38)?  Even then, in their eagerness, the disciples speak without thinking.  How often have we said yes to such conditions without giving them much thought and only later discover the truth that we have agreed to something that we didn’t truly understand?  In the world of business, we are always taught never to sign a contract before we have read it and understood the terms and conditions.  This same rule should apply in other circumstances too, but sometimes we act before we think.

Thankfully, Jesus is able to sympathize with us (cf Heb 4:15).  He knows that we sometimes speak out of turn, and he loves us so much that he is able to overlook our eagerness.  He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.  Who among us has not prayed for something and thought that our prayer had gone unheard, or at the very least unanswered.  Could it be that what we were asking for was not what we truly needed at the time?

The boldness of the question asked by James and John also provoked jealousy among the other disciples (cf Mk 10:41).  Here again, we see that they were unable to comprehend the meaning of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.  Jesus was always compassionate with them.  He was always willing to use such moments in order to teach important lessons: about love and sacrifice, about authority and power.

The prophet Isaiah spoke about the servant who would make many righteous (cf Is 53:11), but no one expected this servant to define greatness in terms of being servants (cf Mk 10:43-44), yet this is precisely what is needed.

His Word Today: Acknowledge

Good morning everyone,

Even from a tender age, we all learn the basic rudiments of creating relationships: speak well of those you love and be prepared to defend those who are your friends.

The words contained in the gospel passage for today seem to follow those same lines, but on a much grander stage, for they speak of the relationship that Jesus wants to create and foster between himself and each one of us.  Jesus is ready and willing to begin such a relationship with us - if it does not already exist - and to foster and strengthen it every day.  All he asks in return is that we acknowledge him before others (Lk 12:8).  That doesn't seem to be too much to ask, or is it?

Every one of us has to choose to acknowledge him - to speak about Jesus with our colleagues and friends, to look to him for guidance when we aren't too sure how to proceed, to seek out his advice and to listen prayerfully so that he can share his guidance with us.  It can be very tempting for us to carry on in life, thinking - at least at some level - that we don't need regular contact with Jesus, but if we do, we will soon feel as though we have grown apart.  The solution is simple: choose to acknowledge Him today, and ask him to show you how to do that.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Sincerity

Good morning everyone,

Think back for a moment to a time when you had to make some difficult decisions, like what kind of career do I want to get involved in, or should I go along with a particular business venture, or should I get involved with ... (fill in the blank).  Sometimes, making such decisions can be quite stressful, and then we hear the voice of reason whispering in our ears: whatever you choose, do it because you want to do it, do it in all sincerity.

Jesus spoke to his disciples - and to the crowds who were listening - about being sincere in the choices they made.  Saint Luke says it this way: ... whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops (Lk 12:3).

Choosing to remain in the darkness is a choice to keep some parts of ourselves hidden - from others or from ourselves - and doing that ultimately ends up in deception.  By contrast, the message Jesus came to share with us is worth proclaiming outwardly for everyone to hear: God loves you, I love you, be at peace and discover the gift of pure joy.

Have we heard these words whispered in our own ears, perhaps in the quiet and the depth of prayer?  Have we responded to such assurance and decided to share the fruit of our prayer with those we encounter along the way?  Let us pray for the gift of sincerity so that we can recognize the voice that whispers to us, the voice that invites us to g out into the world and to be courageous and joyful disciples.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Luke, Evangelist

Good morning everyone,

At the end of every Eucharistic celebration, the presider says: Go in the peace of Christ and we respond: Thanks be to God.  We may rightly see this as the declaration that the Mass is ended, but the work of being a disciple has only begun when these words are uttered.  Once we have taken the time to listen to the Word of God, and once we have been nourished with the Eucharist, the Lord sends us out into the world so that each of us can be his witness in the world, in the midst of our friends and co-workers, helping everyone we meet to encounter the love of God in our words and actions.

This is exactly what Jesus did when he appointed seventy-two disciples ... and sent them ahead of him in pairs (Lk 10:1).  This is also what he did when he later sent the twelve into the world, telling them to go, make disciples of all the nations ... (Mt 28:19).

It was thanks to the witness given by those first disciples that Saint Luke the Evangelist learned about Jesus.  Many scholars believe that Luke was a physician who lived in Antioch.  It is also widely accepted that this physician was the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles - hence the title Luke, the Evangelist which is ascribed to him.  If this is true, then Luke repeatedly counts himself not among the original eyewitnesses of Jesus and his miracles but among those who witnessed the mission of Saint Paul that followed.

The scriptures attest to the fact that Saint Luke was present in Rome toward the end of Saint Paul's life (cf 2 Tim 4:11 and Acts 28:16).  Luke died at the age of 84 at Boeotia (Thebes), and it is believed that he was originally buried there.  His mortal remains were later transferred to Constantinople (modern-day Turkey) in 357 AD.

Luke was most probably not of Jewish heritage.  His faith and the testimony borne by his writings attest to the fact that he helped to spread the Word ... even to the furthest corners of the world.  Through his intercession, may we too find the courage to live our faith and to share the good news of the gospel with those we meet.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch who was born in 35AD in Syria - part of the Roman Empire.  He was an early Christian writer and Bishop of Antioch. En route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. This correspondence now forms a central part of the later collection known as the Apostolic Fathers. His letters also serve as an example of early Christian theology. Important topics they address include ecclesiology (the understanding of the Church and how it functions), the sacraments, and the role of bishops.

Like many other writers who came before him and who have followed afterwards, Saint Ignatius was surely guided by the Spirit (Gal 5:18) as he sought to explain such intricate details about the Church, yet his words paint a vivid picture of a deep-seated relationship of faith, trust and confidence that he had already discovered.

Today, let us ask Saint Ignatius to intercede for us, asking the Lord to strengthen our faith and to help us - like he helped Saint Ignatius - to speak boldly and to witness fearlessly to our faith which is living and active in our surroundings and in our own lives.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Integrity

Good morning everyone,

It seems that at all stages of life we can fall prey to the temptation to want to look good in the eyes of others. Sometimes we go to such lengths that we even deny who we really are so that we will be able to impress other people.

In the time of Jesus, there was a group of people known as the Pharisees. They were experts at making themselves look good in the eyes of others but in their case, what you saw was not always what you got. Having accepted an invitation to dine with a group of Pharisees, Jesus took them to task.  Saint Luke recounts the story. When the Pharisees asked Jesus why he did not follow the custom of scrupulously washing his hands before dining, he turned the question back on them.

Can you imagine the looks on their faces when they heard him say, although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil (Lk 11:39).  Perhaps today, each of us should ask ourselves the question: Do the words I speak and the images I portray faithfully represent what is truly in the depth of my heart?

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Teresa of Ávila

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a Spanish mystic who was born on 28 March 1515 and died on 4 October 1582.  At her Baptism, she was given the name of Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada.  It was thanks to her mother's desire to raise her as a Christian that Teresa first became fascinated with the lives of the saints.  At the age of seven years, she ran away from home along with her brother Rodrigo and set off in search of martyrdom among the Moors - Muslim inhabitants who once populated the Iberian peninsula and the islands off the coast of present-day Italy during the Middle Ages.

Following the death of her mother, Teresa pursued her studies with the Augustinian nuns in Ávila but eventually - on 2 November 1535, at the age of twenty years - she entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation in Ávila, seeking to live a contemplative life.  However, there was a prevailing malaise among the 150 nuns who lived in that Monastery. Every day, many visitors would arrive, many of them of high social and political rankings.  The spirit and practice of prayer became so lax  that this was of great concern to Teresa, so in the early 1560s, she resolved to found a reformed Carmelite convent and to correct the laxity that she had discovered in the Convent of the Incarnation and elsewhere.

In 1563, Teresa moved into a newly-established Monastery of Saint Joseph (San José) and lived for the next five years in pious seclusion.  She revived the earlier, stricter rules which had been part of the life of cloister and also added new rules such as three disciplines of ceremonial flagellation every week and the practice of discalceation, a term which refers to the removal of a nun's footwear.  In time, this revived Order became known as the Discalced Carmelites.

In total, seventeen reformed convents for women, and as many for men, were founded throughout Spain over the next twenty years, though not without much resistance and opposition.

Teresa died on 15 October 1582.  Her last words were: My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time to meet one another.  Pope GregoryXV canonized her in 1622 and on 27 September 1970, Pope Paul VI conferred upon her the distinction of Doctor of the Church.

Teresa's life and her commitment to the disciplines of the spiritual life were a sign to her generation (cf Lk 11:29) of the enduring importance of faith.  May her prayers help us to cultivate lives of devotion and prayer in our times.

Have a great day.

Potential

My grade 6 teacher had a great impact on my life because he saw potential in me and he did everything he could to encourage me to live up to it.  He did the same for every one of the students in our class, and we have always loved him for that.

Jesus also had a gift for seeing the potential in people, and for encouraging them to live up to that potential.  In the gospel account we have heard today, a man ran up to him, knelt before him and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life (Mk 10:17).  Jesus immediately welcomed his enthusiasm and saw great potential in him.  He encouraged him by recalling the Commandments, the lessons that the young man – and all Jews – had learned from their early childhood (cf Mk 10:19) and the young man was eager to point out: I have kept all these from my youth (Mk 10:20).  Like the good teacher that he was, Jesus looked at him, loved him, and then challenged him further: you lack one thing; go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor (Mk 10:21).  We are told that the man was saddened by this advice, and that he walked away, but we do not know whether he ever came back, or whether that question continued to challenge him long after that encounter.

This is the way it goes whenever we encounter Jesus, whenever we express a desire to follow him: he welcomes our enthusiasm, he encourages us and then he challenges us to grow.

On many occasions, Jesus used this approach with his disciples too.  After the enthusiastic young man had left them, Jesus turned to his disciples and challenged them with his observation: How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! (Mk 10:23).  Up to this point, the disciples had understood that Jesus was preparing them for a new kingdom, but their concept of this kingdom was defined in terms of human understandings.  Then, as if in answer to their questioning glances, he used a very intriguing comparison.  He said: It is easier for a camel to go though the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Mk 10:25).  This was Jesus’ way of saying to them and to us that entering into the kingdom of God is a free gift that is offered by God, for whom all things are possible (Mk 10:27).

Even today, Jesus offers us the gift of understanding, which is spoken of in the Book of Wisdom (cf Wis 7:7).  Understanding is one of the gifts that is given at Confirmation: an ability to comprehend the world around us not in terms of earthly logic but by the light of heavenly guidance.  It is this spiritual gift that allows us to recognize the face of Jesus in the poor, the sick, the orphan, the widow, the elderly, the weak, the refugee, in anyone who is in need of help ... and it is this gift of understanding that allows us to look beyond the limits of external power, prestige and beauty to discover the true potential that lies within every person.

This week, let us pray for the gift of divine understanding, and let us ask for the grace of being able to perceive the potential in those we meet, so that when our turn comes to render an account for the way we have lived our lives, we can honestly say that we sought out the face of Jesus in those we encountered.

His Word Today: Blessedness

Good morning everyone,

Have you ever noticed that some attitudes - such as joy and happiness - are often infectious?  We might say that they carry a germ with which we all want to be infected.  The same can be said for blessedness: the knowledge that we have received favour in the sight of God.

While Jesus was speaking - one day - a woman from the crowd called out and said to him: 'Blessed is the womb that carried you ...' (Lk 11:27).  This sounds like a great complement that was meant to be paid to Jesus' mother, intended for her alone to ponder, but Jesus widens the scope of this praise by replying: ... blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it (Lk 11:28).

I used to think that this was some form of denial of his mother in favour of others who were listening to his word, but the truth is that Mary was probably right there in the crowd.  She was the first to hear the word of God and she taught everyone else - by her example - how to observe it.  She can help us today to learn how to listen for God's word, and most especially, how to enrich our lives with the advice that it offers.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Endurance

Good morning everyone,

Have you ever accepted a challenge, plunged into it enthusiastically and then discovered that even after having had some practice, it is increasingly difficult to remain committed to the original challenge?  This could be the case for someone who is trying to lose weight, or someone who has been given a particularly challenging assignment, or even for an aspiring athlete.

Endurance is the key to such a challenge, but Jesus warns us today that when an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it roams through arid regions seeking rest ... but ultimately returns (cf Lk 11:24).  Even if it finds the house swept clean (ie habits that have been changed), it will continue to tempt us.

For those who struggle every day with addictions, for those who face difficult situations in life, for those who live with so many challenges that they find it difficult to find life, joy and light in their lives, we need to pray today.  These are the ones who struggle to stay on the right path, but with our help, they can make it: one step at a time.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Seek

Good morning everyone,

If we are truly fortunate, there is at least one person who we can call on - at any time of day or night - should we be in need of help.  This is the kind of relationship that Jesus says we can have with his Father.

Speaking about the relationship they could (and we all can) cultivate with our heavenly Father, Jesus told the disciples: Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you (Lk 11:9).  This kind of trust may not be easy for us to imagine, especially if we are not accustomed to a life of prayer, but it is possible for every one of us to establish this level of trust.  It all begins when we are able to call out to God.

Perhaps today, we may find a moment or two to whisper a few words - even if they are tentatively uttered: God, if you're there, help me to believe.  Then get ready; the answers may come flooding in and they will be wonderful.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Prayer

Good morning everyone,

Even while a child is in its mother's womb, it begins to hear its mother's voice, and the voices of others who are in frequent contact.  As the child is born, it continues to learn language - with remarkable speed - until that child begins to experiment with words him- or herself.

Learning languages seems to come naturally for most young children, so why should we think that it should be any different for us as we learn to know God?  Jesus gave us words that can be used when we pray - when we try to speak with God - and this language can also be learned and understood by human beings. 

Father, hallowed be your name (Lk 11:2) - translation: Father, may your name be held holy.
Your kingdom come - translation: may the kingdom of heaven become a reality in our lives.
Give us each day our daily bread (Lk 11:3) - translation: Give us everything that we need for this day.
And forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and lead us not into temptation (Lk 11:4) - translation: here's where the rubber hits the road, since we are asking God to forgive us to the extent that we ourselves forgive others who have wronged us ... and we ask Him not to put us in situations where we can be tempted, but by extension, we also agree not to put ourselves in such situations.

These are simple words, but they hold great challenge for us, if they are properly understood.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Distractions

Good morning everyone,

I think that at one time or another, we have all set resolutions for ourselves and then failed to live up to them ... and at one time or another, we have all made excuses for our shortcomings, but worse yet, at one time or another, we have all cried out in accusation of someone else's shortcomings while choosing to turn a blind eye to our own.

Martha was doing what every woman of her time would have done: she was busying herself about the task of serving her guest.  It would have been one thing if she had come to Jesus and asked his forgiveness for being delayed, but rather, she attempted to pronounce judgement upon her sister for not running to her help (cf Lk 10:40).  How often have we cried out in similar words, calling judgement on someone who we thought should be helping us, rather than asking that person directly to lend a hand?

In the end, the point of this story is that when we are in the presence of Jesus, we should choose the better part and sit at his feet rather than busying ourselves with all kinds of other activities.  Let us pray today for the grace not to become distracted from the most important part of our day, but rather to remain focused on Jesus, listening for his wisdom and guidance.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Be thankful

Good morning everyone,

Today, Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving.  We gather with family and friends to give thanks to God for the abundance of the harvest and for many other blessings we have received.  At times such as these, we are also mindful of many others who are nowhere near as fortunate as we are.

For most of us, it is not difficult to recognize how fortunate we are, but it might be a bit more of a stretch for some to extend our gratitude into service of others.  Perhaps it is fitting that Saint Luke's gospel proposes the encounter between Jesus and a scholar of the law who sought to test him (cf Lk 10:25-37).  He recognized that he was indeed fortunate to have learned the law very well, and even to have applied it to some extent, but when Jesus challenged him, it was evident that he still had some room for growth and maturity of his understanding.

Have we dared to ask Jesus: Who is my neighbour? (Lk 10:29) and if we have, have we ever been surprised by the answer?  Jesus is always ready and willing to stretch us, just a little at a time, in order to open our eyes, our hearts and our spirits so that we can learn to see and to appreciate the many blessings we have received, and to share the bounty of what we have received with others who are in need.

Have a great day.

Giving Thanks

This weekend, families and friends are coming together to celebrate Thanksgiving.  This autumn festival gives us a chance to see people who we love, but it also gives us a chance to look back upon the months that have passed and to be grateful to God for the gifts we have received.

This past summer was an especially warm one.  We haven’t seen this kind of warmth for a long time ... and so we give thanks to God for the sunshine and the warmth of the summer that has resulted in abundant harvests.  We also witnessed one of the most active forest fire seasons in recent memory, so we give thanks for the efforts of all those who were involved in various efforts to keep us safe.

Gratitude is a theme that also appears in the scriptures.  The Book of Genesis reminds us today of the very beginnings of our history, a time when God was creating the world.  Even then, God loved all that was being created; even then, God was concerned for our wellbeing.  Did you know that there are two creation accounts in the bible?  The first one (Genesis 1) describes God creating all the elements of nature – light, darkness, dry land, seas and oceans, vegetation, sea creatures and land animals ... and then human beings.  The second account (Genesis 2) is the one that we have heard today.  In this account, human beings are created first, and then out of the ground, the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air (Gn 2:19) and God went even further.  As these creatures were being created, God brought them to the man to see what he would call them.  This is an amazing image: God wanted us to be part of the process of creation!  But even that wasn’t enough.  The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field: but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner (Gn 2:20).  God knew, even at the beginning of creation, that each one of us needed a companion to share our journey through life, and this is true even today.  Each one of us needs at least one other person with whom to share the joys and the struggles of life.  Sometimes, that person is a husband or a wife, sometimes that person is a friend, or a helper who appears in our lives precisely at the moment when we are in need.

Jesus understood his Father’s love and concern for us, but he was also aware of the ways that some people have tried to twist the truth in order to promote their own self-importance.  When the Pharisees asked him to clarify one of the teachings that had been handed down from Moses – one of the most venerated human being in the history of the Jewish people – Jesus turned the question back on them, and explained that from the very beginning, God made human beings male and female (Mk 10:6).  Then he went on to explain: For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife ... they shall no longer be two, but one (Mk 10:7-8).

As we gather to give thanks, let the festivities of this weekend also include a prayer of thanks for the companions that the Lord has placed upon our paths: for those who help to lighten the load when we are struggling and for those who are present to share the joy of happier moments too.

His Word Today: Prosperity

Good morning everyone,

Do you really believe the words that we hear in the scriptures: that the struggles of this life will lead to the joy of eternity spent in heaven?

Both of the scripture passages proposed for today's meditation hint at this reality.  We hear the final words of the Book of Job (Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17) which describe the exceeding prosperity that Job enjoyed after the struggle; and we hear some of the details of the 72 disciples who returned to Jesus to enthusiastically recount the details of their adventures (Lk 10:17-24).

This is the truth for all of us.  We can all look forward to heaven: an eternity of joy, constant enthusiasm and excitement because every day will be a new opportunity for adventure.  In the meanwhile, we can practice the art of looking forward to such an adventure by looking for the signs of divine intervention: they are constantly present in our daily lives.  All we have to do is look for them.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Gifted

Good morning everyone,

Have you had the experience of someone who recognizes a talent of yours, or perhaps someone recognizes something that is a hidden gift of yours? Sometimes we're not even aware of the ways in which we have been gifted, or the talents that we possess until someone else points out these blessings for us.

This is the case in the gospel passage that is proposed for today's thought and prayer.  People in the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and even Capharnaüm were unaware of the great gift that was given to them:  Jesus Christ, the son of God was passing through their midst and they were not paying any attention to him (cf Lk 10:13, 15).

Our God is constantly trying to communicate with us. Sometimes these attempts take place during the ordinary circumstances of daily life. Sometimes they are to be found in surprising situations where we would least expect to find Him. Be on the lookout today, listen carefully today.  And if you should encounter a precious moment or an experience of God, stop for just a moment and say thank you.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Francis of Assisi

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in late 1181 or early 1182 in Assisi (Italy).  His father was a prosperous silk merchant who dreamed of the day when Giovanni would inherit his wealth and fame, but Francis had other ideas.  In his early twenties, Francis suffered from an illness while on a military expedition against Perugia.  He was taken prisoner and spent a year as a captive.  He tried to return to his carefree life but after experiencing a vision, he slowly began to change his life.

This week in Rome, the long-awaited Synod of Bishops on Youth began.  Two years ago, Pope Francis called for this gathering of the Synod which has already called for input from young people from Canada and other countries who were invited to speak about their concerns about the Church.  Young people are also present at the Vatican this month to take part in the deliberations at the Synod which officially began yesterday with the celebration of a Mass in Saint Peter's Square.  In his homily, the Holy Father spoke poignantly about the need for the Church to listen carefully to the concerns of youth so that we may remain relevant to their concerns.  This concern was echoed in the opening address that His Holiness offered to the delegates when they gathered for the opening session of the Synod yesterday afternoon.

Saint Francis is well known for the courage he demonstrated in re-building the Church.  It is significant that this year, as we remember and celebrate him, we are also looking toward the concerns of other youth - not so much different in some ways from the young man from Assisi - who are also daring to speak about their dreams and hopes for the future of the Church.

Let us dare to listen carefully to the concerns of those who are young, and to pray that the advice that is being offered during the Synod will help the Church to remain close to and relevant to young people today.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Consider carefully

Good morning everyone,

The advice we receive from today's scripture passages relates to not making decisions too hastily, and at the same time, not putting off decisions for too long.  There are some decisions that are time sensitive, and there are some that are worth taking a bit of time to consider carefully.  It's not always easy to figure out which ones are which.

We who have been called to follow Jesus might like - at some points - to delay our decision to do what we know that faithful disciples should do, but Jesus warns that if we have heard the Lord's invitation: Follow me! (Mk 9:59) we should consider carefully the way that we answer.  On the other hand, sometimes we ourselves are in a hurry to say: I will follow you wherever you go! (Mk 9:57) when we would be much better to stop for a moment, consider the options, and then make our decision.

In either case, what is needed is the gift of wisdom, so that we can consider carefully the choices that lay before us, making sure that the decisions we make are wise - according to the measure of the disciples' heart that is the focus of everyone who finds inspiration in modelling our lives after Jesus.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: The Guardian Angels

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical Memorial of the Guardian Angels.  Whereas we know the names of some of the angels - like Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - there are countless hosts of other angels, and some of them are assigned to be our spiritual body guards.  These are the ones we call our guardian angels.

When we are conceived, each of us receives at least one - sometimes more than one - guardian angel.  Each one of these is assigned for one task - and one task only - for our entire lives: that is to help and guide us along our pilgrimage through earthly life and to protect us from danger.  Like loving mothers, our guardian angels are constantly running before and behind us, doing their best to keep us safe and loving us unconditionally.  Our guardian angels comfort us, guide us and bring special people and opportunities into our lives just when we need them.

Jesus speaks again today about the presence of children in our lives (cf Mt 18:1-5), as reminders that we are called to be humble.  It seems to me that if we take the time to realize that each of us is so loved that our God - and our guardian angels - are constantly looking out for us, each one of us is also a precious child in the eyes of these heavenly helpers.  Be on the lookout today for the sometimes subtle ways in which they are present in our lives, and give thanks to God for the gift of your guardian angel(s).

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Theresa of Lisieux

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, also known as Ste-Thérèse of Lisieux.

Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born on 2 January 1873 in Rue Saint-Blaise, Alençon (Normandy) in France.  She felt an early call to religious life, and overcoming various obstacles, in 1888 at the early age of 15, became a nun and joined two of her elder sisters in the cloistered Carmelite community of Lisieux. After nine years as a Carmelite religious, having fulfilled various offices such as sacristan and assistant to the novice mistress, and having spent her last eighteen months in the Carmel in a night of faith, she died at aged 24, following a slow and painful fight against tuberculosis.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (her religious name) is widely venerated even today.  She is commonly referred to as the Little Flower of Jesus or simply as the Little Flower.

She is one of the little children - not unlike the one that Jesus placed in the midst of the disciples when they began to argue (cf Lk 9:46-47).  With the simplicity, clarity and directness of a child, Thérèse was able to explain faith in very simple language.  Perhaps that is one of the reasons why she has always been so widely loved.  Her simple Way of following Jesus has inspired so many people that the Basilica that stands in her native Lisieux is the second-largest place of pilgrimage in all of France, only outnumbered by Lourdes.

Lying in her sick bed, Thérèse made a promise to spend her heaven doing good on earth.  To this day, if someone asks for her intercession, they will often encounter roses as a sign of celestial assistance.  Today, ask Thérèse to help you, and then be prepared to see the signs that she has indeed done her part.

Have a great day.