Friars Corner: New Jesus messengers
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21; Psalms 16:1-2. 5, 7-11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62
Well, we have finished our Easter celebrations with the solemn feasts of the Ascension, Pentecost, The Holy Trinity and the on-going presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Each year we relive the entire life of God’s Son, Jesus Christ on earth from beginning to end. However, he intended that his love work on earth was not to end. It was and is to be announced to all people on earth. Jesus said to his disciples, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age,” Matthew 28:18-20.
As I read and prayed over the scripture texts this week I saw a theme of a call to follow God’s plan. First, it is Elijah calling Elisha to be his follower, disciple. He learned how to be a prophet following Elijah and replaced him once Elijah went to heaven. In the gospel of Luke today a number of people wanted to follow Jesus, yet they chose worldly things first.
Where are you?
This led me to think where am I. Where are you and in your parish, or those around you and in our country? I can’t worry about a lot of others, our country and the world. I first have to look in a mirror. Where am I in following Jesus? My call doesn’t mean I must leave my dwelling and or family and go to Mexico, China or North Korea.
As I fulfill my own duties in life, am I taking some of my twenty-four hours to perhaps occasionally go to daily Mass, our most powerful prayer? Do I read the New Testament and pray a little? Then as I deal with those around me, am I more caring and loving? Then is God’s love in me shown to my neighbors, fellow workers, fellow parishioners and people I meet during the day? Jesus said we are to love God completely and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That summarizes the Ten Commandments.
The Holy Spirit at work
As we do various types of prayer to God, we can make a direct connection to the Holy Trinity. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. My heart and God’s heart and my mind and God’s mind have a direct connection. We get filled up with more of God’s love and power. The Holy Spirit will guide us to live the way our Father wants us to live in his kingdom. Today’s gospel response is: “Speak, Lord, your friend, is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.” The Holy Spirit can work in our life to guide us from our fallen, weak human nature and all the distractions of the world to be filled with God‘s power and be more loving like Jesus.
As I read St. Paul’s letters more carefully I am amazed that he wrote more about the work of the Holy Spirit transforming us than any other writer in the entire Bible. Put on your spiritual glasses and see it in the Galatians section today. Look carefully at Romans 8. Paul mentions this transformation 19 times in just that one chapter. Amazing grace! The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth and instructs and reminds us of all that Jesus told us, John 14:17 and 26.
If we have been wounded and hurt in our past life, Jesus is the only one who can go back into our past and heal the traumas and wounds. As our good shepherd, he holds us close to his heart and comforts us. Then we are more able to be free. We come to know more of God’s love for us. Thus we are more able to love others. As we love others, we also are loving God. Jesus said whatever you do to the least you do to him.
Unbound
Two weeks ago I went to a Priests, Deacons and Seminarians Conference at wonderful Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. That week helped me get healed more and know how to help others get healed of past hurts and evil lies we may have come to believe about ourselves. It is a newer program of healing called Unbound by the Neal Lozano and his family. It is a wonderful way of getting free of the things that can keep us bound in the past and come to know the greater freedom in Jesus. They have many resources to help us at Heart of the Father.com.
God wants to guide us into more peace and joy in his kingdom, not what the world, the flesh and the devil lead us to believe. See John 16:13. God’s truth and plan are our answer to true happiness. The dark side wants to keep us in bondage. Let us seek God path and be disciples and new messengers to others along life’s path. There is joy and peace and helping others find Jesus. Amen.
Have a Jesus-filled week of joy.
+ Father Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com
(© 2019 Father Bob Hilz, TOR)
