Friar’s Corner: God wants to raise us up
Exodus 33:7-9; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20
As a nation, we stop to celebrate our freedom and the ability to work. We pray for all workers who work to make a living in our nation and help our economy grow. Due to this COVID-19, many are still out of work. We pray God will correct and heal our ability to work. Dear God, we ask forgiveness for our mistakes and beg you to restart and redirect us in Jesus’ holy Name. Amen.
This morning I was out and busy with a few things; came home for lunch and rested in a chair in my room. I fell asleep for a while. As I awoke across from that chair on the right is Bette Myers’ true face of Jesus and to the left of Jesus’ smiling face is the Holy Spirit with His open wings to raise me up into God’s love and mercy. This image of the Holy Spirit we see behind the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. With these images, I am filled with some of God’s peace, love and joy. As my focus moved to the open wings (arms) of the Holy Spirit, I wanted to be raised up into the Heart of God.
Holy Spirit Host (DollarPhotoClub.com}
Then songs began to flood my mind. “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove.” As I write this I see and hear Josh Groban singing, “You Raise Me Up,” as the Holy Spirit lifts up my spirit to His Heart. On Thursday I was talking to two dear friends who were depressed with world situations around them. It is as if we are going into a cultural civil war in this country. The Holy Spirit flooded my mind with this old song to raise their spirits to God, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Amen!
Three key scriptures
Three of the scripture readings this Sunday “fill the bill” with what God wants of us each day. In Psalm 95 we are lifted to “sing joyfully to the Lord.” As we are filled with God’s joy, we want to give Him thanks. Then we “bow down in worship.” Jesus is our God and “we are the people He shepherds, the flock He guides. Oh, that today you would hear His voice: harden not your hearts.”
At the end of St. Paul’s Roman letter in chapter 13, he emphasizes love, the love that Jesus was all about in His gospel messages. This is what we owe to one another, sharing God’s love. Amen! This is what our family, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, others and the world long to hear and see in us, God’s love. One way you can do this is by sharing God’s transforming love in your life. Nancy Ward can show you how in her book, Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies.
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus shares with us something very hopeful, “If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by My heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name there am I in the midst of them.”
Claim this word of God
If we are faithful Catholic Christians in the midst of the turmoil of our world, do our hearts want to agree with and claim this word of God to us today? I do. I have many “flying eagle friends” that also agree and long for a new implanting of the Christian love of Jesus, especially in our country, which many seem to have lost.
We can gather a little while after Mass with some friends and sing God’s praises we know from the songbooks in Church or we can gather a few friends in our homes or sit on our porch singing praises to God. This may encourage others to join us in loving our God. Amen? May the Holy Spirit this week pick you up with His wings and bring you into the loving heart of our God. This is better than the turkey in the Chantix commercial on TV.
Come, Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in us more of the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be recreated and You will renew the face of this earth. Let us all “sing joyfully to our God.” Love, peace and great joy,
+ Father Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com
(© 2020 Father Bob Hilz, TOR)
