Be Still & see Him come!

Look how Jesus comes!

First, whispered to a Woman by an angel (Lk.1:28). Dreamt, by a man, in the stillness of the night (Mt. 1:20-23).

His unborn presence stirs another infant to leap with joy in the womb! (Lk. 1:41-43). He does not come to the busy, bustle and fuss of the city of Bethlehem; nor is he born in the supremely important capital of religious heritage-Jerusalem. In fact, three foreigners disturb that city when they come and announce the birth of its Messiah and King (Mt. 2:2-3).

No, no, no. Jesus is not sent there.

Jesus comes hidden, small, vulnerable unknown to the worldly minded. Jesus first comes to humanity in stillness and great humility. His life is marked by lowliness (Phil. 2:6-8).

Be still and search for that quiet place within.

Even the shepherds were instructed by the angels to leave their jobs to make time to adore Him, newborn in the stable. In prayer, quietly hold the baby Jesus in your heart; imagine being surrounded by the stars in the cool night with the only sound the soft bleating of sheep.

Be still and quiet with Him.

He will give you peace, joy and happiness (Mt. 11:28-30). This is a new year! Jesus coming into our own small, poor, quiet hearts. Let Him come there first! Come, Lord Jesus, into our hearts, families forever and always! Amen! (Rev. 22:20)

Let the Children Come to Me!

Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them and blessed them (Mark 10:14-16).

It was first to minister to the children that I came to India more than two years ago. My spiritual journey brought me in June 2003 to a Catholic school in Kerala where it had been arranged, that I would spend some weeks volunteering as a teacher. Excitedly I prepared for the trip by getting many nice children’s books about the saints, Mother Mary, CDs with Biblical stories and even one film about the story of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes (I remembered seeing this same film in first standard). I came to the simple school with the children so full of excitement and joy at my coming; there were on the wall pictures of Jesus with the children and crucifixes in the classrooms.

I was not in America, but our Catholic faith was still the same and so I was also excited to begin to teach the children. My joy was quickly extinguished when the Father principal told me not to speak about Jesus in the school. It was then that I began to learn the sad state of things in the faith development of the children in Indian Catholic educational institutions. The faith could not be proclaimed openly even though the schools belonged to the religious congregations.

Was it “could not” or rather that people “would not”?

This became the real question that I began to ponder.

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God’s Plan to Prepare His Servants

“My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal” (Sir. 2:1)

When one is first called by the Lord into the seminary, convent or into Church ministry as a layperson we experience a great joy and euphoria. Jesus has called me! This is such an honor and the community joyfully celebrates with you this special vocation. But, as one knows, whatever goes up must also come down. The apostles had to return to the valley after climbing the mountain of Tabor and seeing the glory of Jesus. Soon they would experience many trials and perplexing teachings that would all lead to the rejection of Jesus and his death on another mountain—Golgotha. By the time Jesus rose from the dead, the apostles were utterly cleansed of their past live and were ready for Jesus to use them.

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Defending Our Faith

Sometimes we feel helpless when faced with the arguments of those who are not Catholics regarding our Faith.  St. Paul exhorts us to always have an answer ready for those who question our hope. Our Protestant brothers and sisters believe in the literal interpretation of the scriptures but do not apply that same adherence with certain truths we follow as Catholics.

When questioned about our Faith always remember that the Eucharist is central to our lives and that to leave the Eucharist is to leave Jesus.  Jesus very simply said, “This is my Body which is given for you” referring to the bread of the Passover supper and to do this practice “in remembrance of me”(Lk. 22:19).  This is why Catholics have the Holy Mass.

We take this scripture literally but other churches do not; thus a contradiction in the practice of literal belief in scriptures.  In defense of your faith simply state that you also believe the words of Jesus in (Lk. 6:53-55) “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will have no life in you.”  No further need for argument. Simply say, “I believe this Word of God”; and as followers of Christ they should too.

Many are attacked about their relationship with Mary; we are accused of idol worship and empty prayers of intercession, which should only be directed to Jesus Christ.  Your defense of your whole relationship with Mary can be done very simply.  On the cross, in his agony, Jesus said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” And to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  (Jn. 19:26-27).

If Jesus did not think we needed a mother he never would have said such a thing; if he did not value the relationship of His Mother to his disciples he never would have said this.  If Jesus gives me his mother from the cross as he is suffering in the agony of the crucifixion, I will treat her just as I treat my earthly mother.

To her I will come with my sorrows, with pleas for help in fears and sufferings.  Jesus initiated this relationship and out of respect and for His dying wish I will obey His word.

Therefore, in love, you can introduce your Protestant brother or sister to the wonderful love of the Mother of Jesus in your life. Alleluia!

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