I would imagine that most everyone has felt lonely and abandoned by friends or loved ones at some point in their lives. Most of us have felt fearful, wondering how we will make it through these difficult times for our nation, through rough times with our children or parents, siblings or friends.

Or, for African Americans, people of color and women -- they worry if they and their loved ones will make it through rising violence spawned by racism, white supremacy and misogyny that plagues our country, and our world.

Or, like the people of Ukraine and the Middle East, who have endured such horrible loss and personal suffering, wondering, how will they carry on?

Or, we may have suffered or be suffering a terrible illness and wonder if we will be able to make it through it.

Today’s Gospel tells us that in the very midst of our losses and "lost-ness”…our suffering…our fear or sense of abandon that we are never truly alone, we are not abandoned, for the Risen Christ remains with us.

When I was little, I used to think that Christ was with me….but only when I was doing something good or only when I was in holy or sacred places.

Oh, how wrong I was! Jesus proclaims to the disciples that no matter what they “feel,” no matter where they go, he will be with them. And, even more -- the Holy Spirit will be given to them and find a resting place within them.

We are the inheritors of this same promise. We are never alone; never abandoned! Our God is with us always…even when we can’t feel that presence or sense it, God is with us, dwelling within us.

Even in the midst of our worst moments, our most selfish actions, even in the midst of our greatest sin…God is present and loving us through that dark moment -- whether I acknowledge or embrace that presence or not! The “Presence” is still there! And because of that “Presence of the Divine,” each moment is charged with the possibility of different outcomes, precisely because of that “Presence” because of the love which is that Presence. And real transformation is possible, but only if I am open and present to the encounter; the encounter with that Divinity that dwells within me!

When I embrace the presence of the Divine that dwells within me, then new and different possibilities abound for my life.  Embracing that Divine Presence within me, and embracing it in “the other” is how I can work to overcome the sins of racism, misogyny and white supremacy that are rampant in our society and in our politics.

When I acknowledge and embrace God’s very presence in “the other” then I will truly see the “other” as they are. I will see them as “God bearers”: they themselves dwelling places of God!

This message of the “Divine indwelling” is a critical part of the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, along with Christ’s great command, to “love one another as I have loved you.” These truths leave NO space for racism, misogyny and white supremacy! None!

Let us continue to hold in prayer all the millions of victims of the wars and famine around the world, especially those exacerbated by the callous and self-centered policies and decisions of our elected officials. Let us not just pray, let us speak out and make our voices heard. The Pope and the Bishops have called on us as Catholics to write and to call our elected officials -- to call for an end to the wars, and to defend the poor, the immigrant, and needy, and we need to demand that all the social safety nets that they are dismantling be reinstated, and call for an end to this unwarranted, senseless war with Iran.

We need to be relentless in making our voices heard. We need to stand firm in our discipleship and protect the vulnerable and marginalized in our country. Let us work to find meaningful ways to fight systemic racism, misogyny and white supremacy here in the United States and around the world!

How do I respond to being loved so deeply and passionately by God? How do I share God’s amazing love for each person, with others who are different from me? When was the last time I heard the Holy Spirit calling me to live out my discipleship by doing something or not doing something, and what was my response?

Easter blessings,
​Fr. Tim

In the First Letter of Peter, we are reminded that we, in and through Christ, are chosen and precious in the sight of God! And in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to not let our hearts be troubled, to have faith in him and in God; that when our life here has ended, he personally prepares a place for us and that he takes us to himself so that we might be always with him in eternity, precisely because we are chosen and precious in the eyes of God!

These readings today offer us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on God’s deep and passionate love for all of us, and the diversity of dwelling places for us. A place for each one of us, no one excluded by God, because of God’s amazing love for all of humanity.

Jesus tells the disciples that he is the way, the truth and the life, and we can know God and see God through him! Pope Francis reminded us that “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy”, a living incarnation of God’s mercy, an incarnation that we are called to become like, as disciples of Jesus. Jesus tells his disciples that through their belief in him they will be able to do what he has done and even greater! Perhaps that “even greater” is allowing the risen Christ, who dwells within us, to transform us into an extension of the living presence of God’s mercy in the midst of a wounded and suffering world.

Perhaps the call of the Gospel is to allow ourselves to become the face of God’s mercy; to take on, as his disciples, the mantel of mercy. To be willing to make meaningful changes to our lives in order that we might better show forth God’s mercy in word and action by reaching out to all the lonely and frightened people we encounter in our lives, and offer a word of hope and encouragement, an act of care that shows kindness, gentleness and mercy to them…that shows them
that they are seen, that they matter, that no matter what others have said of them or to them, they are the beloved of God!

The U.S. Surgeon General and the NIH have both released reports linking a grave increased risk for a whole host of serious mental and other health conditions such as a weakened immune system, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and even death -- all of these linked to loneliness and a lack of social contact with other human beings. And yet we live in a time of unparalleled social media connections, and nevertheless, more and more people are finding themselves feeling ever more isolated and alone in a deeply distrusting and divided society.

So, what is the answer? We are the answer! You and I. Our discipleship calls us to reach out to those in need, with both emotional needs and worldly physical needs, to stand with them and let them know that they are cared for and loved by God, and that we love them and care for them.

Making ourselves emotionally available to “the other” can be overwhelming and scary but it also can be a transformative
experience, one that takes us to a place of new relationships and can help to heal our own woundedness. And ultimately it
may very well be part of God’s plan in calling us to reach out to each other and to be of support to each other. To work together to create the “community of the beloved”! God’s community!

How can I be more merciful in my words? What specifically can I do to be more merciful in my actions? Who in my life right
now is most in need of being shown mercy and how can I do that for them?

Easter blessings,
Fr. Tim