Friar’s Corner: Where are we on our way to heaven?
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8
Our faith walk as Jewish Christians is around 4,000 years. Yet humanity has been on earth for eons. Our sciences and archeology are proving that we have been here for a very long time. Therefore, our understanding of life is fragile, changing and evolving. Does each of us want things to be organized and perhaps perfect the way we would like them? We want to be in control. Perhaps this is an internal call in all of us, put there by the Creator, as a longing for a perfect place, heaven. It will be a place of calm, organized happiness “It has to be better than here,” we reason. Yet that isn’t much of an answer.
We are not in heaven yet, are we? However, we can take steps to get ourselves more directed to what God has for us, as outlined in our Scriptures. They show us our past and point us to our future. We seek God’s plan with our whole mind and heart. We read our scriptures and pray daily to God, who is with us always, was our creator with our parents. He is the force or energy that holds all our cells together every moment of every day, until he calls us out of our human body.
Charging our battery
As we read our scriptures, pray and talk with God, our Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we get our battery charged and get more of his lights turned on in our minds. Then as we are in the world we radiate more of his goodness for others. This helps the world be a better place to live in for all people. We go through life being blessed. If we are not filled, we have nothing to give away.
We can help Christ’s Church become more than it is right now by cooperating more with Christ’s daily blessings. In the St. Mark’s gospel story today, St. John the Baptist baptized with water for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus did the same thing but added what only he could give, the light and guidance of his Holy Spirit. We beg forgiveness for our sins, and by accepting more of his graces, we are able to radiate his love to those around us and those to whom Jesus sends us.
Book of the Month
With your Christmas shopping I suggest this Book of the Month (from Amazon), volume 1 of “The Life of Jesus Christ and biblical Revelation,” by Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich. Begin reading from page 193, Mary’s annunciation through the rest of the book. It will fill much of the details of what really happened around the birth of Jesus. It is great food for your mind and heart at this holy time of year. You will become even more grateful for the gift of Jesus at Mass each time you go. Then you will be even greater “torches” with Christ’s love.
(© 2014 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
