I would imagine that most everyone has felt lonely, 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 rough times with our children or parents, siblings or friends. Or, for African American, people of color and women -- they worry if they and their loved ones will make it through the 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 each moment is charged with the possibility of different outcomes, precisely because of that “Presence”; because of the love that is that Presence. And 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 that Divinity 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.
When I acknowledge and embrace God’s very presence in “the other,” then I will truly see them as they are…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 of the millions the 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 speak out and make our voices heard. The Bishops of the United States have called us Catholics to write and to call our elected officials and demand that all of the social safety nets that they are dismantling be reinstated. We need to be relentless in making our voices heard. We need to stand firm in our discipleship and protect the vulnerable and marginalized. We need to stand up with and for our federal workers and contractors -- for their jobs, for their dignity and for their futures!
Let us work to find meaningful ways to fight systemic racism, misogyny and white supremacy in our nation and in the world around us.
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 something? Or, away from something? What was or will my response be?
Easter blessings of the Risen Christ,
Fr. Tim
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 each moment is charged with the possibility of different outcomes, precisely because of that “Presence”; because of the love that is that Presence. And 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 that Divinity 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.
When I acknowledge and embrace God’s very presence in “the other,” then I will truly see them as they are…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 of the millions the 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 speak out and make our voices heard. The Bishops of the United States have called us Catholics to write and to call our elected officials and demand that all of the social safety nets that they are dismantling be reinstated. We need to be relentless in making our voices heard. We need to stand firm in our discipleship and protect the vulnerable and marginalized. We need to stand up with and for our federal workers and contractors -- for their jobs, for their dignity and for their futures!
Let us work to find meaningful ways to fight systemic racism, misogyny and white supremacy in our nation and in the world around us.
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 something? Or, away from something? What was or will my response be?
Easter blessings of the Risen Christ,
Fr. Tim
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