April 24, 2018 – Nobody Can Steal From Jesus

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10: 22-30

The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Introductory Prayer: Jesus, I believe you are who you say you are. Thank you for granting me this gift of faith. You came so that we, the lost sheep, may be found. Thank you. You brought us knowledge of who we are and what we are worth.

Petition: Lord, help me to hear your voice when you are calling in the night.

1. Kept in Suspense: Suspense is a state or a character of being undecided or doubtful. How many times have we been in suspense, waiting for Christ to do amazing things in our lives, doubting that he could save such lowly sinners like ourselves? Are we undecided in believing in Christ? He has already told us and shown us through his works who and what he is. We are to be his sheep and await him; sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and they follow their shepherd. Then we can await eternal life. Suspense also means “to have a pleasant excitement as to a decision or an outcome.” What is the outcome of life? It is true salvation, and it is eternity with the heavenly Father. Today, as in every day, we should have a “pleasant excitement” in waiting for our outcome. As we go to bed at night we should look at Christ and say, “Another day closer to heaven.”

2. Spiritually Blind: Christ is always standing right beside us. What in our lives is blinding us from seeing him? In human terms, seeing comes through the senses. However, we need a spiritual connection with our Lord in order to see him: The spirit replaces human sight. Once that connection is made, we see God everywhere: in people, in charitable actions, in the beauty of nature. Then, we see him in ourselves. When we see Christ in us, we begin to have peace and assurance that we may yield abundantly.

3. Yield Harvest: Christ’s peace flows in us when we are open and begin to see the path to salvation. Think about how the water of spring rain brings forth life that yields a good harvest. We believe in living water. This living water provides us peace and harmony in Christ. It fills us and brings forth in us work accomplished in peace. Believing and abiding in Christ yield great successes, rich harvests. Let us be watered by trust and bear much fruit in the name of Christ. Come, Lord Jesus.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you have called me many times. Many times I have turned a deaf ear to you, not believing that you could carry my burdens. Help me today, Lord, to believe in you; help me to testify to you, Lord; help me to be amongst your sheep that I may follow you. When I think it is too hard, help me to seek you in prayer and see what you have told me to believe, so that I may have eternal life in you and through you.

Resolution: Today I will speak to at least one person about God’s infinite love and mercy.

Homily of the Day

April 24, 2018

Sometimes we wonder about the faith that is expected of us by Jesus. He expects us to believe in him based on what he says and the works he has done. Yet we at times want “proof.”

Maybe we should believe as children do, with blind trust. Children are taught early in their lives that their parents will “catch” them every time they “jump.” Maybe we should believe in Jesus in the same child-like manner. Why is it so difficult to just believe?

God gave us a mind to think with, a heart to feel with and freedom to choose and decide. Faith has become more difficult because we expect to see proof, especially when we have doubts.

Faith does not work that way. Faith precisely is believing because God who knows and is credible has told us so. As the risen Christ told the doubting apostle Thomas, “You believe because you see me, do you not? Happy are those who have not seen and believe.” (Jn 20: 29)

In the classic film, Miracle on 34th Street, someone says, “Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.” This is what we should try to strive for, to overcome our common sense and still believe in Jesus and the Father. Because, faith, even if it is akin to blind trust, is still a choice made every day, every minute of our lives. Faith is a grace freely and generously given us by God.

Today, with all that is going on in your life, what do you choose to believe? And why?