SOMETHING HARDLY NOTICEABLE
"A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him." - Isaiah 11:1-2
Any growth in life begins small. A seed blossoms into a tree. A fetus the size of a pea becomes a child. A conversation of heart begins with the realization that change is needed. Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.
FRIENDS IN THE LORD
“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” – Mt. 10:8
Francis Xavier is most known for his missionary work in Asia. He lived the Jesuit spirit of, “Go forth and set the world on fire.”
LET IT BE DONE
“Do you believe that I can do this?” – Mt. 9:28
For me, the key question of faith is, “Do I believe that God loves me?” Wrestling with this query makes faith more personal. It risks relationship. It elicits both suspicion and trust.
TURN IT OFF
“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” –Mt. 7:25
For those of us who have spent our childhood (or much of life) in Southern California, the majestic colors of fall leaves are nothing more than photos on a screensaver.
DRAWN TOWARD GREATER LIFE
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Mt 4:19
The call of Andrew and the first disciples is at once inspiring and daunting to me. How can they follow someone they hardly knew, in such a decisive and definitive way?
CHILDLIKE SPIRIT
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike." - Lk. 10:21
Over the past two weekends, it has been a joy for me to be in the midst of many children ... Their joie de vivre, sense of enjoyment, is contagious. Their way of knowing is infectious.
ONLY SAY THE WORD
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” – Mt 8:8
The miracle in today’s Gospel is unusual for two reasons. The healing took place without Jesus being physically present. The servant did not even have to hear Jesus speak the word. It was enough for Jesus to say the word.
WAKE UP!
“Now is the moment for you to wake from sleep.” – Rom 13:11
Advent snuck up again. As we’re barely digesting our Thanksgiving meals, running after Black Friday deals, traveling back from visiting friends and relatives, Advent comes. Advent is meant to be a time of preparation for Christmas. Yet, for many of us, it’s a not exactly a time to prepare in a way that enables Christ to be born more deeply in our lives.
