Making a Joyful Noise through Lent 04/09/2014

Making a Joyful Noise through Lent – 04/09/2014

“Sometimes we lose our enthusiasm for mission because we forget that the Gospel responds to our deepest needs, since we were created for what the Gospel offers us: friendship with Jesus and love of our brothers and sisters. If we succeed in expressing adequately and with beauty the essential content of the Gospel, surely this message will speak to the deepest yearnings of people’s hearts: “The missionary is convinced that, through the working of the Spirit, there already exists in individuals and peoples an expectation, even if an unconscious one, of knowing the truth about God, about man, and about how we are to be set free from sin and death. The missionary’s enthusiasm in proclaiming Christ comes from the conviction that he is responding to that expectation”. Enthusiasm for evangelization is based on this conviction. We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint. It penetrates to the depths of our hearts, sustaining and ennobling us. It is a truth which is never out of date because it reaches that part of us which nothing else can reach. Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)

Pope Francis’ words today remind us of what our life is about, the truth! It is Jesus’ message in the Gospel today and we see it lived out in our first reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel. As Pope Francis says, the Word, the truth, speaks to the deepest yearning of our hearts, it is a treasure that we possess, a treasure of life and love. It is never out of date because it reaches us when nothing else can.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Simple words of Jesus in today Gospel (John 8: 31-42) if only we could follow them. Sometimes the truth is the last thing we choose to speak. We think it complicates life. We think it causes more problems. We think it often hurts more than it helps. We think it should only be used as a last resort only when there are no other options. The truth seems anything but free at times to us!

Yet throughout his life and ministry Jesus only spoke the truth and every time we walk into a church or a Catholic home and see a crucifix on the wall we are reminded of where the truth got Jesus. We are reminded of the price he paid for coming into this world to speak the truth. We are reminded just how much God loves us.

Perhaps a different way of thinking about Jesus’ words in the Gospel today is that the truth has set us free. If only we would embrace it. If only we would follow the example of the three young men in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace (Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95). If only we would realize the freedom that living by the truth means for our lives, the gift that it can be to ourselves and the world and the hope that it brings to life.

May we have the courage to speak and live the truth like the three young men and may the truth truly set us free to be the people God has created us to be!

Have a blessed Wednesday everyone and don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!

Daily Lenten Prayer: O God of compassion, touch our hearts this day with the spirit of your truth. Grace us with strength so that we might stand in the midst of the fire of life with a faith ground in your Word, a hope enlivened by your truth and freedom grounded in your love. Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: When we run in a spiritual way, we are brought into the process of God-ing. Meaning as we run we are not moving toward God but interacting with God along the way. Our run becomes a direct physical, emotional and spiritual way of becoming who we are, our authentic selves. In the process we open up vast and unlimited opportunities to connect with God in new, life giving ways!

Daily Blessing: Happy Wednesday everyone! Yes, it is “hump day” once again. I have to say when I am on the road the weeks seem to go rather fast! We will be finishing up the mission here at St. Mary’s today both in the morning and evening. it has been a good mission, as one person last night, “We are not a big community but we are a faithful one!” I might say it a little differently, what we had this week was quality not quantity! I think as a preacher sometimes missions like this one are good for my soul, they humble me and keep me connected with what my ministry is really about, making a joyful noise! As we bring the mission to a close please keep the faith community here at St. Mary’s in your prayers and if you have a little extra time please add a prayer for their preacher.

I hope and pray your day will not be too busy and that you get a little chance to enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures that is if you are lucky enough to have both of them where you are. I really think that spring is upon us but I hesitate because you just never know if the cold is done for good!

I will be missing the taping of the Sunday Mass today. I hope all goes well for everyone gathered at St. Malachy’s in Manhattan today. May there time go smoothly and without too many re-takes! Sorry I am not with you.

My prayer of blessing this morning is that we may all encounter many good people today and have may good experiences that will be rich in the presence of God. I pray that God will bless us all with the grace to see, feel and experience the goodness and joy of life in what we do today, in who we meet today and perhaps most importantly in ourselves as we live this day.. May our day be rich in God’s blessings! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul