We are witnesses

I’ve changed parishes a number of times during my priesthood.  Each time, there are some things that make it feel as though I’m starting over, from the very beginning.  For the first little while, I look out at a sea of faces as I preside at the Mass, and I wonder: what’s that person’s story?  It’s one thing to see a person standing in front of me, but it’s an entirely different thing to be given the privilege of getting to know that person – to know his or her history, to understand the things that make that person happy, to be aware of painful moments that have been experienced and that have left their scars.  We don’t always get a chance to know people at that level, but if we do, we should consider it to be truly a privilege.

The twelve apostles had a particularly privileged opportunity to live with Jesus for three years or so.  I can only imagine what they must have learned from him, what they must have learned about him.  Even other disciples – followers of Jesus – who sat at his feet and listened to his teachings were indeed fortunate, however I think that some of them did not recognize the extent of their good fortune, not until they encountered the risen Jesus.

We hear about two such encounters in today’s gospel: the first is the adventure that was experienced by the two disciples who encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus (cf Lk 24:35) and the second is the apparition that took place while they were speaking (cf Lk 24:36-48) about that encounter with the other disciples.

It would have been one thing to know Jesus up close: to be familiar with his favorite foods, his likes and dislikes, the things that excited him and the things that bored him ... but the disciples were also the ones who witnessed the fulfillment of his promise: that he would rise from the dead.  Those who encountered the risen Jesus saw something truly extraordinary.  Never before had anyone died and then come back to life.  Never before had anyone spoken to them about the fulfillment of the Law, the prophets and the Psalms (Lk 24:44), yet they were granted the extreme privilege to meet him, to see the marks of the nails in his hands and his feet, to witness him eating among them just as he had done countless times before.

Their encounters with the risen Jesus also marked each one of the disciples in a permanent, unchangeable way.  Even today, anyone who has had the experience of meeting Jesus in prayer and of hearing him speak to our hearts can truly say that he or she is deeply fortunate.

Like the disciple Peter, who spoke about his encounter with the risen Jesus at the gate of the temple (cf Acts 3:13-19) and like John, who wrote about his encounters with the risen Jesus and about the truth that he had come to believe, we too have been granted the great privilege of being called God’s children (1 Jn 2:1) and we have also been entrusted with the great gift of knowing him (cf 1 Jn 2:5).

We are witnesses to these things (Lk 24:48), if we have the eyes to see them.

His Word Today: Setting out

Good morning everyone,

The gospel passage for today places us in the early evening hours.  After having spent a day with Jesus, his disciples went down to the sea, embarked in a boat and set out across the sea (Jn 6:16-17).  Jesus did not go with them, but rather they set out on their own.  This journey was a test of faith for the disciples and it brings to mind the many times that we still find ourselves in situations that put our faith to the test too.

As children, we had our parents to show us the way, to guide us and to teach us, but at a certain point, every young person must set out on the journey of life.  Like the journey of the disciples, we set sail across the waters and must face the trials that come, even if strong winds should blow and stir up the waters beneath us (cf Jn 6:18).  What is most important is that we should never forget that Jesus is right beside us at all times, walking on the waters (cf Jn 6:19).  His appearance is never meant to jolt us or frighten us; rather, it is meant to comfort us and to encourage our hearts.

He will always guide our steps, giving us the full liberty of adults but all the while watching over us with abiding love, just alike a parent who guides a child until we arrive at the shore to which we are heading (cf Jn 6:21): eternal life in heaven.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Feeding the multitude

Good morning everyone,

Two weeks into the Easter season, the scriptures continue to feed our thoughts and our prayer.  In a world where we can so easily access such material abundance, it may be difficult to conceive of the possibility of true hunger, but our loving God is keenly aware of the hunger that is in our hearts and souls: hunger for direction as we make our way through life, hunger for acceptance even in spite of the imperfections that we know only too well, hunger for love that is offered with no strings attached.

The wonderful news is that our God is aware of our hunger, yet he invites us to use this very hunger in order to respond to the needs of others.  A large crowd followed Jesus (Jn 6:2).  When he saw them coming, he was immediately concerned about providing for them.  Jesus also sees us coming to him: he knows the worries and pondering that we carry in our hearts and he is concerned about our hunger for finding just solutions to the concerns that we carry with us.

Jesus is also aware of the gifts that we have to offer.  At times our abilities may seem small and insignificant when compared with the needs that we encounter.  Remember that with just five barley loaves and two fish (Jn 6:9), Jesus was able to feed a multitude.  Offer your gifts to him today - no matter how few they may be.  Ask him to use your gifts in some way to accomplish his plan, then just stand back and watch in amazement.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Testify to the truth

Good morning everyone,

In these days which are part of the celebration of the Easter season, we are reminded over and over again about the wonderful gift that God gave us in sending his son Jesus to live among us.  Saint John's words remind us today that the one who comes from heaven testifies to what he has seen and heard (Jn 3:31).

Have you ever stopped to think that God sent his Son to live among us so that we could receive the testimony of one who has seen God for himself, one who has heard his words spoken as though the conversation had taken place around a kitchen table?  What better witness could we have of God's truth than Jesus?  Yet, many who have heard his words - even in modern days - either have difficulty accepting his testimony or refuse to believe it (cf Jn 3:32).

If we are among the ones who have difficulty accepting his testimony, perhaps we should ask ourselves: why do I have difficulty accepting the testimony that Jesus presents, and what will it take for me to listen for this word?  If on the other hand, we ourselves are among those who accept His testimony, we might ask ourselves: how do I strive to be a witness of Jesus in my interactions with others, especially those who are skeptics and those who find it difficult to believe?

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Stansław

Saint Stanisław, by Ardith Starkostka

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates one of the most well-known Polish saints.  Saint Stanisław (Stanislaus) was born at Szczepanów, a village in Lesser Poland, the only son of the noble and pious Wielisław and Bogna. He was educated at a cathedral school in Gniezno (then the capital of Poland) and later, according to different sources, in Paris or Liège. On his return to Poland, Stanisław was ordained a priest by Lambert II Suła, who was Bishop of Kraków at the time.

After Bishop Suła's death (1072), Stanisław was elected his successor but accepted the office only at the explicit command of Pope Alexander II. Stanisław was one of the earliest native Polish bishops. He also became a ducal advisor and had some influence on Polish politics.

Stanisław's major accomplishments included bringing papal legates (representatives) to Poland, and re-establishing of a Metropolitan See in Gniezno: a precondition for Duke Bolesław's coronation as king, which took place in 1076. Stanisław then encouraged King Bolesław to establish Benedictine monasteries to aid in the Christianization of Poland.

Even today, walking through the streets of Kraków, visitors can feel the faith that unites the people of that nation, and Stansław played a big part in that rich history.  His body is buried in the Cathedral of Kraków (known as the Wawel Cathedral).  Kneeling in prayer in that holy place, visitors can almost hear the words of this holy man who preached so many times within those walls, speaking the words that we still hear in today's gospel: God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn 3:16).  May Saint Stanisław intercede for us today so that we may constantly strive to grow in our faith and gratitude for our God's constant and abiding love.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Nicodemus remembers

Good morning everyone,

I wonder what it was like for the disciples to reflect on their experiences of being in the presence of Jesus.  Today's gospel might be part of the thought and prayer of Nicodemus.  While Jesus walked this earth, Nicodemus was curious about the things that Jesus taught, but he had to be careful not to be perceived as a follower of Jesus since he was also one of the important people in the Jewish community and he didn't want to risk losing his status.

After Jesus rose from the dead, I wonder if Nicodemus lay in bed at night and remembered the words that Jesus had spoken to him: You must be born from above (Jn 3:7) ... and just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (Jn 3:15).  When Nicodemus first heard these words, I wonder whether he found them strange.  I wonder whether he pondered their meanings and I wonder whether he came to a deeper realization of their truth after Jesus had risen from the dead.  How often have we puzzled over these words and what they mean?

In retrospect, it might be easier to understand that Jesus was speaking about being spiritually born through the sacrament of Baptism, and that he himself had to be lifted up on a cross so that we could have the reward of eternal life.  The good news is that Jesus has already given his life for us, we already have a place reserved in heaven.  Like Nicodemus, we just need to ponder these realities: in Baptism, we have already been born into the life of faith; Jesus has already been lifted up; therefore, all we need to do is to ask him to help us to believe every day ... he has already prepared a place for us in heaven where we will know the exceeding joy of eternal life.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Fiat

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.  Solemnities are the highest level of celebration accorded by the Church.  In this case, the event that is being celebrated is the apparition of the angel Gabriel to the young virgin of Nazareth whose name was Mary (cf Lk 1:26-27).  Mary was a very young girl - some say as young as 14 years old - but already she had been betrothed to Joseph.  Plans had been made for her future, but then God sent his messenger to share a surprise with her, a modification of her own plan: a divine plan that had been put in place a long time ago, one of which she was totally unaware.

From a human point of view, it seems that God reveals plans to us from time to time that bring about changes in our own plans, but in the grand scheme of things, perhaps it is the case that God's plans were made long before we were around.  When these plans are revealed to us, they appear to be surprising, but often, when we look back at the way things have worked out, especially if we see these things through the lens of faith, we understand that what first appeared as a surprise was always part of a much larger plan, and we are merely the instruments through which our God continues to carry out his eternal design.

Some of the details of the conversation that took place between Mary and the angel are recounted in Saint Luke's telling (cf Lk 1:28-35; 38).  Mary's questions are asked from a human point of view, but the angel's explanations point out a plan that is far beyond the scope of any human reasoning.  When we realize the short-sightedness of human reasoning compared to the wisdom of God, it is very difficult to contradict it.  Rather, we must pray for the grace to accept the eternal plan and surrender our will into the hands of our loving God who is much wiser than we could ever hope to be.  If we can find it in our hearts to repeat Mary's fiat, the immediate reward is an awesome knowledge of freedom and a sense that we are cooperating with His divine plan.

Have a great day.