LENS OF FAITH

[1]“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mt 16:26a) These words were repeated to a young teacher of philosophy who had a highly promising career in academics, with success and a life of prestige and honor before him.

Francis Xavier, was living and teaching in Paris, seeing life through the lens of his success. It was his good friend, Ignatius of Loyola, whose tireless persuasion finally won Francis to Christ. After making the spiritual exercises, Francis joined the Society of Jesus and vowed poverty, chastity, obedience, and apostolic service to the pope.[2]

We all see life through a certain lens. A lens is an object that allows us to see clearly and to correct defects in our vision. Spiritually, we need a lens of faith to help us have vision. Without faith, our vision blurs, and we will find ourselves just trying to make it in life.[3]

Despite having an amazingly complex brain, taking in so much information, how much do we miss of our day as we go about on autopilot? For example, we don’t notice how often we check our phones and watches. We are programed to our daily routine and tasks, we become so laser focused, we often miss things and other happenings, even miracles, occurring around us.

Isaiah is describing redemption as the reversal of what is and the establishment of a new and glorious future. The symbols for the coming redemption are best seen through the lens of faith and hope. He telling us, “When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob and be in awe of the God of Israel.” (Is 29:23) And Jesus responding to the blind men’s request says, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” (Mt 9:29)

Only by sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier gain a wider world-view and be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself behind at times to be present for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need, the good of just listening to another. Our greatest gift is our time. 

To be present, patient, and observant, to look through the lens of faith and hope, we can be more fully present in the world around us. When we can be still, patient, and silent, we can better see the wonders of God’s creation; to see Christ in our family members, our neighbors, even in our enemies. When we fully embrace this season Advent, we can release many of our preoccupations and bask in the hope of the Kingdom to come.

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31.

[2] franciscan media, Saint of the Day, Saint Francis Xavier.

[3] Bay Area Christian Church (BACC), “How to See Life Through a Lens of Faith” by Martin Oji

CHOOSING LIFE

[1]Each Sunday as I go to Annunciation to serve, I stop at the grotto to briefly pray. This past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, when I looked at Mary my prayer was different. I sensed a strong desire to obtain the same intimate relationship she has with Jesus. This prayer has stayed with me as I continue to contemplate what a pregnant Mary experienced. How much more intimate can you get than to carry the Son of God within you! Mary chose this path, chose to believe, chose to trust, and chose to say “yes” to God’s plan.

In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist points Andrew and another disciple to Jesus. After a brief dialogue, Andrew is convinced Jesus is the Messiah, and he, in turn, finds his brother Simon (Peter) and brings him to Jesus (Jn 1:35-43). In Matthew, Simon (Peter) and Andrew have no preparation for being called. Jesus simply invites them to become his disciples. The comment, “I will make you fishers of men” implies that they will be actively engaged in Jesus’ mission and they will learn to be as effective in drawing people to the gospel as they were in landing fish. They too, developed an intimate relationship with Jesus that started with their “yes” to believe, to trust, and to follow Him.[2]

There’s been a consistent cry by some in the Church to lift the dispensation for Sunday Mass attendance. It’s as if some in the Church believe that by rule of law, fear of mortal sin, or just good ole fashion Catholic guilt can force people back into church for their own good.

I don’t think it works that way. I don’t think it ever worked that way. For years, even before COVID, people were choosing to leave the Church. The chief reason, the church had become irrelevant to their lives. It’s no different than the loss of an intimate spousal relationship. All too often the two, who once had a seemingly intimate relationship, just drift apart, the love that fueled the relationship is lost for a host of reasons.

The way to draw people to encourage the desire for an intimate relationship with Jesus, the Christ, and the only way others can make this choice, is if they see the Christ in us. Advent is a season of preparation, preparing ourselves, to welcome the Christ within, which manifests in our behaviors of hope, love, joy, and peace.

The way I see it. The desire I felt before Mary, the desire to have an intimate relationship with her Son can’t be forced, it must be chosen. We must choose to make a personal commitment to be united in a community of faith, choose to hear, receive, and put into practice the Word of God, and choose to take into our bodies, the very body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord. Let us not stop there! Acknowledge, we are now to be the “fishers of men” we must be the ones actively engaged in Jesus’ mission. When others see our joy, rooted in this intimate relationship, as living tabernacles, when they can see the Christ in us, lived in our daily lives, it becomes contagious, this is what draws people to the desire to choose a life in Christ.  

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22.

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps, Exegesis by Dr. Barbara Leonhard, OSF.

LEFT OF BANG

[1]You walk into a restaurant and get an immediate sense that you should leave. You are about to step onto an elevator with a stranger, and something stops you. You interview a potential new employee who has the résumé to do the job, but something tells you not to offer the position. These scenarios all represent “left of bang”, the moments before something bad happens. But how many times do we talk ourselves out of leaving the restaurant, getting off the elevator, or getting over our silly “gut” feeling about someone?[2]

“Left of Bang” is a book written by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley who suggest “Left of bang” is where we want to be. To be “left of bang” means to situate ourselves and our awareness prior to the bang. “Bang” being the situation (i.e., for a military person it may an exploding bomb or the first shot of a fire fight, it may be an SUV crashing a parade route, contracting Covid, or the coming of the Lord of glory).

As we look to a new liturgical year. Our readings this week describe visions and prophecies about destroyed kingdoms and unsuccessful flight from persecution. They also speak of the need for fidelity, vigilance, prayer, and trust in the Spirit. These are the messages for the person who wants to situate themselves to the “left of bang.”

King Nebuchadnezzar’s promise to Daniel, in yesterday’s reading, is fulfilled after Daniel not only tells the king what his dream was but also what it meant. His kingdom and those that follow, each one swallowing up the one before, will be supplanted by a kingdom set up by God himself, one that will last forever. In the Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples about the end of Israel, the end of the temple in Jerusalem, and a coming time of suffering. These are “left of bang” warnings. This is not our world, and in its end, the bang will be our great beginning!

The signs to be recognized will not come all at once; perhaps each day, each event of the world and cosmos prepares us for our new beginning. Aptly, in light of yesterday’s call to fidelity, today’s Gospel acclamation calls us to “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life!” (Rv 2:10c)

For us who wish would remain “left of bang” we must be ever vigilant. We must listen intently and respond to God’s messages in scripture that cries out, “prepare the way of the Lord.” (Is 40:3; Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4) We must live out our Baptismal promises to love and serve the Lord, to evangelize in word and deed the Good News. We must take advantage of the opportunity to regularly avail ourselves to the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation to keep our soul in a state of grace so we may exercise full and active participation in this perpetual Eucharistic feast heightens our awareness of God’s merciful love and situates us to the “left of bang.”

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Wisdom 13:1-19; Luke 19:26-37.

[2] Audible.com, Publisher’s Summary for “Left of Bang” by Patrick Van Horne, Jason A. Riley