Prepare for the Lord, not the world

(Spiritual Reflection for November 13, 2020 Church Bulletin)

“Who are you?” It is the question John the Baptist is asked by the priest from Jerusalem and the Levites in today’s Gospel. John answers first by telling us who he is not; “I am not the Christ.” John the Baptist then tells his inquisitors who he is: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert.” John is quoting from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah. He is giving an answer the priest and Levites will recognize. John the Baptist further elaborates on his answer by stating there is one coming after him that he is not even worthy to untie the strap of his sandal. 

How would you answer if asked “Who are you?” Maybe we would give our name or give our occupation. Our answer could describe how we see ourselves; father, mother, husband, wife. During these last days of this Advent season I would suggest we first answer the question that Jesus asked his disciples “But who do you say that I am?” 

We answer Jesus' question by our actions and thoughts. Does the spirit of our Lord God permeate our every waking moment? Our very souls should proclaim the greatness of the Lord. On this Gaudete Sunday we should rejoice in God our Savior. When asked "Who are you", let your answer to the question Jesus ask his disciples, describe who you are.

Patience and prayer lead to God

(Column for December 6, 2020 Church Bulletin)

It was only a few weeks ago that I could walk through our Cathedral’s prayer garden for the Sunday evening Mass, and it would be daylight. I could see the blue sky and hear birds chirping.  A couple of weeks later, around the time of Thanksgiving, I would walk through the Cathedral’s garden at the same time and be in semi-darkness. The sky was the deep dark dull blue of dusk and even the little light the sky was willing to let go of was blocked by the Cathedral.  Now when I walk through the garden on Sunday evenings it is night and the sky is dark. It may not be cold, and the calendar may not say it is the winter season, but my eyes tell me it is. 

We tend to judge things that happen around us by how they affect our senses or our emotions. My senses tell me the days are shorter and nights come earlier so emotionally for me it is winter. Since I am prepared for wintertime, a wonderful cool day in the summer is but a dreaded warm, muggy day in the winter. 

Our senses and our emotions affect how we see other things, and this includes God. It is why some days God seems so far away and on other days He seems so very close to us. 

We cannot let our own emotions and senses interpret or dictate our relationship with God. Our readings remind us that God responds to our prayers, not in our time but in His. God shows patience, for His desire is that we do not perish. God gives us the opportunity to repent and to change. That is the beauty of Advent; it prepares us for the coming of Christ. It gives us the opportunity to make straight the path Jesus takes to our hearts.