Dearly Beloved,
If you have been watching the news, the Holy
Father, Pope Francis, is making his papal visit to Mexico. Before
the visit, he met with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Cuba.
They met at the airport, thought to be a neutral place for both
parties to meet.
If we look back in Church History, in 1054AD at
the Basilica called Hagia Sophia in Instanbul, Turkey, a division
took place between the Roman (Western) Church and the Eastern
Orthodox Church. This was known as the great schism that caused a
huge rift within the church. The Orthodox Church don't adhere to the
Petrine Ministry. They have their own self-governance, and not
governed by the Pope. They have other differences like their
rituals. But essentially, the theology and beliefs are the same.
It's good for us to see these the two leaders,
the Pope and the Russian Patriarch, spend time together. The Holy
Father said something very insightful to the Patriarch. He said: “We
are not competitors, we are brothers.” This is a good sign that
bridges are re-built within the Church. Their meeting is a good
start to heal past divisions, and to make peace within the church
because we are one body in Christ Jesus.
Jesus said: “People will come to know that
you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The two leaders were able to set aside their
differences. They were able to let go of the past and resolve their
differences so as to move forward. They realize that it's not about
them, but what is good for the Church, the Body of Christ. Their
meeting is a good model and inspiration for the rest of us. We are
not competitors, we are not here to compete with one another, or
outdo one another. We are not here to steal converts from one
another. Your loss is my loss, and your gain is my gain. It's a
win-win situation. After almost 1000 years of division, we are
seeing good changes, in regards to Christian Unity.
In the beatitudes, Jesus said: “Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
We just celebrated Christmas a few months ago.
Jesus was Baptized at the Jordan River. And God the Holy Trinity is
revealed. After the Baptism, Jesus goes into to the desert. Going
into the desert is not like going to Arizona, like some of our snow
birds, or going to Palm Springs, or Nevada.
The desert experience is different because it's
not a vacation time, nor a time to avoid the cold, harsh and bitter
weather of the North. It's not a time of lavishness and luxury.
It's not a time of rest and relaxation. If we had a choice, we would
avoid going to the desert at all cost. But going to the desert is
something necessary for the spiritual life.
The desert experience is a time of isolation
(Jesus is the desert, alone for forty days and forty nights). He was
alone. It was a lonely time. In this time alone, he spent it with
God. He used this time to prepare for the public ministry. It was
like a long retreat.
When we're alone in the desert, we don't use
our vocal chords very much. So we use the time in the desert to
listen more, to be attentive, to develop our sense of listening, to
be attuned to the voice of God in our life. It's a time to listen to
God.
The desert experience helps us to see the
difference between our needs and our wants. Jesus said: "One
does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from
the mouth of God." The desert experience makes us look again at
the purpose of food, nutrition and sustenance. Why am I eating so
much? Why am I drinking so much. Why am I indulging in physical
pleasures. Am I physically hungry all the time? Have I realized
that all this time, I'm actually yearning for God.
The desert experience helps us to evaluate our
pride, and grow in humility. The Evil One takes Jesus up to the
parapet of the temple, or the highest point in the temple. He
tempted the Lord: “If you are the son of God, jump from here, and
the Angels will come and prevent you from falling and hitting the
pavement.” Why do I need to prove myself? Why am I so anxious
about my reputation? Why do seek to be respected by others people?
I know already who I am. I belong to God. Then why do I have to
submit to these kinds of peer pressure? Jesus responded to the Evil
One: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
One priest shared that Jesus responded to the
temptor in this humble manner. Essentially, Jesus is saying: “I
will not jump from here. Instead, I will take the stairs to go
down.”
The desert experience exposes our greed.
Wouldn't it be nice to have more and more. Wouldn't it be nice to
have more money, more fame and fortune, more respect, more honor,
more power and authority, etc. It's not just about being sufficient.
I want more. It's never enough.
The Evil One tempted the Lord by showing all
the kingdoms of the world. He said to the Lord: “All of this, I
will give to you, if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus
responded: “The Lord alone shall you worship, and no other.”
When we pray the Our Father prayer, it takes
great courage because we ask God to give us this day, our daily
bread. It is only by God's grace that we manage our greed so that we
could focus on what is sufficient, our daily bread.
Going into the desert means that we can't hide
from God. In the desert, we take off our masks. There is no one
around for us to put on a performance. The desert experience helps
to be true and authentic. So that when we worship God, it's not to
put on a show.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to help one of
the parishes to hear confessions for the first holy communicants. We
also invited the parents to go to confessions as well. We could tell
that many of the parents haven't been practicing their faith. But
now they are practicing their faith again because of their children.
Some of them are spending time with their families in the evening,
reflecting upon the readings for the upcoming weekend. Some are
reading the scriptures together and have time for faith sharing.
Some make the effort of praying together each night.
I think what happens is that some parents may
be just going through the motions for their children. They want
their children to be connected with God. But they themselves are not
connected with God. By going through the motions, they are just
pretending, acting, or mimicking a person with faith. But on the
inside, they are not connected with God.
It's much better to be honest with ourselves
and honest with God. At least, our prayer will be real and
authentic. Otherwise, we are just faking and pretending. For
example, honesty with God could be: “Lord, I just don't feel
connected with you at this point in my life, but I want to be closer
to you. Give me the grace to do so.”
And as an adult, if my understanding of God is
from faith formation classes, if everything I learned about God is
from Confirmation classes, then I allow my faith to be stunted. My
body has grown, but my faith, my relationship with God is still in
its infancy. Then it's no surprised that some of us have stopped
practicing our faith.
And if we keep pretending and faking it, so
that others (children, spouse, parents) for others to see and set a
good example for them, we will eventually grow tired and weary over
time. What happens when others are no longer watching, when fellow
parishioners, our children, parents, or others do not have eyes on
us. Going to the desert with Jesus is spending that alone time with
the Lord with no one watching.
Beloved, when you pray, fast, or give
alms...when you reflect upon the scriptures...when you serve Christ,
try not to think about what others are thinking about you. Try not
to worry appealing to others by your prayers and stewardship. Don't
pray and serve God just to put on a performance and show for others.
But do it because you want to connect with God. Amen. God bless
you!
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