Friars Corner: Jesus brings great joy

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Now we are a few weeks before ending the church year. Some speak about the final conflict of satan and his dark side forces opposing Jesus and his faithful followers and Christ’s final victory over all evil.

The Daniel reading today brings to a close the account of the final warfare against God and the downfall of his foes. This passage is important because it is the first clear statement on final resurrection and eternal life found in the Jewish scriptures. This speaks of St. Michael the protector of the Jewish people. Here he effectively delivers the faithful Israelite from God’s final cleanup.

Psalm 16 speaks of our preparation for Jesus’ return at the end of earthly time. It directs us to have confident trust that God will take care of his faithful people.

Evacuation of Jerusalem

St. Mark’s gospel was written in the mid-60s before the destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The city was in terrible straits and the Roman army had wiped out the Jewish people in Alexandria, Egypt, and was advancing to do the same with all the conflicts in Jerusalem. God directed all the followers of Jesus to leave the city before all the remaining Jews were killed and the city completely leveled except the building where the Last Supper was celebrated.

The Christians were hoping that Jesus would return shortly after his Ascension into heaven. Well, we are still waiting and only God knows when Jesus will return for the final judgment of humanity. I hope we want to be prepared, for we do not know the day or the hour when God will call us from this life.

We want to be ready. So we want to grow in our knowledge of who God, our Father, is, who Jesus Christ is and why God’s Son came to earth to be with us. And we want to know who the Holy Spirit is as he has been sent to direct the human race since Pentecost. Catholics are the first Pentecostals.

Three amazing things

The first amazing thing is that God designed and created the entire universe. The second amazing thing is that he is the energy or glue that keep all things in existence. Without order, things would crash, explode and burn.

The next most amazing thing is that God designed our human body. He doesn’t make junk. He keeps us alive and moving. So who are we as God’s child? Do I know the beauty of who God made ME to be? This is important knowledge for us

As we grow up we ask, what am I supposed to do here on earth? Eventually, we ask, what happens at the end of life here on earth? Is there something after this life? Is there another place God has for us? These questions are vital. Who am I? What gifts do I have? How do I use these to grow and help others grow? Life is a process.

Take some time to think about who you are, where are you and what is the next step. Find a quiet place to talk with Jesus in your own words and say some prayers you already know. Then ask the Holy Spirit to raise you to the next level. Saturday, November 17, I went to a Josh Groban concert in Pittsburgh, PA. He wrote a beautiful song, “You Raise Me Up.” He speaks of how God draws us to himself and raises us up through difficult times.

Resources to grow in faith

A next step may be to get a copy of “The New Testament,” red-letter new Catholic version, St. Joseph Edition by Catholic Book Publishing Corporation, NJ. When Jesus spoke the print is in red ink, which is very helpful. There are added helps to prayerfully read and study this New Testament as the Holy Spirit opens your mind to more understanding of his saving work.

Our greatest source of God’s power is attendance at Mass. We hear the words of God from scripture, receive our “daily bread,” the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine, receive some healing and blessings to take Jesus from the church and into the world. We could also get a copy of the “Shorter Christian Prayer” book for some morning, evening or night psalms and prayers. As you have more questions about our faith you could get a copy of a sample new catechism by the American church, “United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.”

A thrilling help to my growth in faith and prayer is an awesome picture I was given in Plano, TX, during the year of the priest, of the face of Jesus painted by Better Myers in 1984. She had suffered cardiac arrest, met Jesus and wanted to stay with him. But Jesus sent her back into her body to paint his picture. As you view him online you will be drawn into the joyful and loving eyes and heart of Jesus. You can get a copy at http:/www.truefaceofjesus.com. I would love to add this Jesus picture here but copyright laws prevent me from doing that. So go online. I want you to experience this glory.

Treasure tips to share

Now you have a few treasure tips for us little ones to get closer to Jesus our Good Shepherd. The closer we get to Jesus here the more tastes from heaven we will receive.

Jesus wants to show you how special you are. We can daily rush to receive more “gold nuggets” from heaven. As we do these things we shall help Jesus make our country a better place to live and work.

I pray you and yours have a safe a blessed Thanksgiving as we thank God for all of His blessings. Peace and blessings!

+ Fr. Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com

(© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)