LOVING JESUS

ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM, YOU LOVE HIM. (1 PT 1:9)

When Diana, Princess of Wales died, the mothers of the world mourned on behalf of her sons, William and Harry.  As the years progressed they watched and worried about them and were delighted when William married, but that left Harry.  None forgot the sad little boy walking behind his mother’s funeral cortege. Then last week they watched as Harry married a woman who looks to be the exact person he needed.  An enormous number of women watched the wedding of someone they didn’t know but love.  Now the world’s foster mothers can relax.  Harry is ok. 

How is it possible to love someone you don’t even know?  It’s a mystery to some and a myth to others, but for those who love someone that way it is real.  In his letter to the faithful of Jerusalem, Peter seems almost in awe of the followers of Jesus who never knew him or never even saw him. For a good while the apostles and disciples believed Jesus came as a Messiah just to the Jewish people, but both Peter and Paul had a revelation at almost the same time that convinced them that Jesus came for everyone.  

Their surprise in the interest shown by Romans and Greeks and Persians, for example, is evident in their writing.  The Apostles were wrapped up in their history and prophetic expectations so they couldn’t conceive of people of other races and cultures being included by Jesus even though they had witnessed him doing just that.  It is easy to become shortsighted when you are comfortable in your place in the world and pretty sure you’re right about everything.  In the times in which we live, it’s possible to fully aware of what is going on everywhere and yet still remain isolated, unwilling or fearful, cautious about interaction with strangers. 

Scripture says Jesus told the disciples to go out and teach the world all that he had taught them. With all due respect to the translator, it might have been better to say share with the world.  Teach implies some superiority and we want to approach people from a position of equality.  The love of Christ, the support of the Holy Spirit and the unfailing mercy of the Father are what gives us joy.  We know Jesus well and we can testify to his love.  I wonder if St. Peter could have imagined that in 2000 years there would be over 2 billion people who know and love Jesus as he did.  How many more will be added to those numbers when we, who know and love Jesus, share what we know of Him?   

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA

TRANSFORMATION

TRANSFORMATION 

It probably isn’t a coincidence that the announcement of the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador came at Pentecost. Pentecost is all about the power of the Holy Spirit. The dramatic story of the transformation of Oscar Romero from introvert to activist parallels the story of the transformation of the Apostles from students to professionals.

Oscar Romero was a quiet, studious priest who never looked to advance in the Church, but would much rather have studied, prayed and stayed out of the public eye. Those whose work it was to elevate priests to the Bishopric chose Romero to be bishop not because of his gifts, but because they believed he would not get embroiled in the revolutionary spirit that was growing in the country.  The Holy Spirit had other ideas.

He tried to stay out of it, but then his best friend and fellow priest Rutilio Grande was shot dead in the streets for his defense of the vulnerable poor of El Salvador.  Archbishop Romero’s life was transformed overnight and he became a fearless and powerful voice for change.  He went on the radio and called for the army to put down their guns because, he said, they were killing their brothers.

Shortly thereafter, Archbishop Romero was shot and killed while saying Mass. 

The real tragedy of the Oscar Romero story is that following his death, no one picked up the challenge of defending the poor in the name of Jesus, and the civil war lasted another nine years.

No institution, or committee, or club populated by human beings is protected from jealousy, fear, ambition or indifference to the truth.  Jesus was well aware of this.  He spoke the truth to the Sanhedrin regardless of the danger to himself. Bishop Romero did the same.  He stands as a shining beacon to all who would right wrongs and work for the betterment of others.  But most of us cower in fear of doing such a thing and yet it is Christ himself who calls us to it.  So often we hesitate to speak out and to challenge, because we fear we will be all alone in doing so. But, we have the evidence in Pentecost and the lives of people like Oscar Romero that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and working with us in the world. The trick is to know it and to move forward in full confidence

The Holy Father has said in his recent Exhortation that we have an obligation to the poor, the marginalized, the abused and anyone who is rejected.  We can send money and consider ourselves righteous, but if we are silent in the face of discrimination and racism we have failed.  “To know the right thing to do and not do it is sin.”  (James 4:17)

Just as the Holy Spirit guided the disciples, the Spirit will guide us.  Call on the Spirit in every situation.  Trust that the Spirit will be your partner in your efforts to transform the world.

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA 

FAITH

FAITH

When Jesus gave his final words to the apostles and disciples he stressed that they would be able to do works just like his and, he said, even more.  (Jn 14:12)How did Peter cure the man on the temple porch?  He put his hand on the man and said, be healed in the name of Jesus Christ and the man was healed.  How was that possible?  Peter was not divine and yet he did something Jesus had done numerous times.  

The answer is, of course, he believed he could do it because he trusted in the word of Jesus and in the presence of the Spirit of God within.  

How does a Voodoo doll hurt someone?  The doll has no magic properties and yet the sight of one can actually cause death. The answer is the same, the victim believes it can do them harm and it does.  Misguided perhaps, but faith nonetheless.

My own faith has grown in the past few years due in large part to my discussion groups, in the books we have read and the faith we have shared, but I still don’t think I could cure someone of an ailment. I probably couldn’t get out of the way and let the Spirit work. I couldn’t let go of my sense of self in favor of the Spirit. On the other hand, Peter was able to do that because he had spent years in Jesus’ company. He believed because he had seen. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.”  That’s us in case you wondered.  

We don’t realize the power we have in the Spirit, but never tap.  Okay, we probably would not move mountains. Who would want to anyway, what purpose would that serve?  But there are virtual mountains, which keep people from the comfort and peace of faith, which we could help dispel because we believe in the power of the Spirit. The fear of God, mistrust of God, anger at God, or worse, the idea that God will not forgive, are just some of those mountains.  If you could convince one person in your life of the true nature of God, you would probably have fulfilled His will for you.

Why can’t we jump off that diving board?  We know he says He will catch us and we know His promises are real and still we hold back. From the earliest scriptures God has said, “Do not be afraid of what you are to say, for I am with you.”  And still we hesitate.  Imagine how wonderful the world would be if everyone who says they believe in Jesus actually does believe in Jesus and follows his example by making others aware of the boundless love of God.  

May God bless you with the strength to do His will.

Carol Lemelin OPA

FRANCIS SPEAKS

FRANCIS SPEAKS

“Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for you can do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, and holiness, in the end, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.” 

So speaks Pope Francis in his exhortation Rejoice and be Glad.  There is something about this man that captures your attention immediately and makes you want to hear more.  I think it’s because he speaks to us like a brother. Sounds like someone else we’re familiar with, doesn’t it?   Papal pronouncements are not something I read as a rule, but this one is the exception. The Holy Father lays out in simple terms how everyone can achieve holiness by just doing what they are supposed to with honesty, selflessness, and compassion.  

“The important thing is that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts rather than hopelessly trying to imitate something not meant for them.”

For so many, our failings and faults overshadow our gifts to the point that we think we have none.  We have been programmed, as it were, to dwell on correcting our faults instead of building up our gifts.  Still, the idea we can be holy takes some getting used to. Holiness has always seemed to only be possible if one gives over their entire life to prayer and sacrifice.  It is Pope Francis’ intention to disabuse us of this notion.

Jesus never made people feel bad about themselves.  It was his gift to the world, the knowledge that because you are God’s creation, you are valuable right where you are, as you are. It is wonderful to read the same kind of encouragement from the Pope. 

We all have within us the capability to be Christ-like.   The saying, “What would Jesus do?” isn’t corny or trite but a reminder that we ought to strive to imitate Him.  Simply reminding ourselves of Jesus this way gives us time to think before we act or speak, thereby insuring that our choices are the right ones.  This is the path to holiness.

Remember that the Spirit is alive and working at all times and we must be open to the Spirit’s promptings. If we pray for anything, it should be for the insight to hear the voice of God. 

May God bless you as you go about your daily life. May he give you the strength to endure hardships, the courage to stand for what is right and the ability to hear and act on the inspiration of the Spirit. 

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA