Proof in the Fire

Saint Bonaventure, 

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

~~~ Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 ~~~ Psalm 103 ~~~ Matthew 11:25-27 ~~~

 I will be with you;

and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you...

Moses grows in age and wisdom and comes 

face to face with God in a burning bush.

A  burning bush of fire that does not consume...

a burning bush emanating the very voice of God.

Who is this God who speaks from flames that do not consume?

Moses removes his shoes as he approaches and listens to God's voice.

He is being told by God to lead the people out of Egypt.

Moses questions his daunting task only to be assured

 by God that he would not leave him alone.

God tells Moses, I will be with you...

Maybe I am just selfish, but I would love

 to hear the voice of God say those very words to me.

"I will be with you".

Moses does not know at this time just how very long

 it would take for him to lead the people out of Egypt.

He had no reason not to trust God, not now.

...no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

Moses did not have the knowledge of the Son, Jesus,

but God did reveal his plan to Moses.

God led Moses to a deserted place to reveal himself.

He revealed himself in seclusion, in the living bush...

and in the heat and light of the fire.

The God of all ages got the attention of Moses.

So many people want proof of the existence of God.

Moses was given proof without his asking.

God wanted to make sure that there was no possible

 doubt lingering in the mind or heart of Moses.

Moses saw the fire and heard the voice of God.

God is with you, he will not leave you alone.

In good times and in times of tribulation,

one thing remains...God's presence.

Your proof is also in the presence of God.

He walks beside you each moment of your day...

every day of your life.

May God Bless you with fire in your heart

as proof of his presence.

A heart on fire for Jesus will never

 be turned into ashes.

~~~Peace~~~

If you learn everything except Christ,

 you learn nothing,

if you learn nothing except Christ,

you learn everything.

St. Bonaventure, pray for us.

The Greatest Proof

~~~ Galatians  4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1 ~~~ Psalm 113 ~~~ Luke 11:29-32 ~~~

How could anyone who was born free chose to become a slave?
Paul is asking the people why they would want
 to return to the slavery of the law.
Paul is pleading with his followers, the Galatians...
I have become as you followers of Christ.
Paul is urging the people to look forward,
not to regress to what was of old.

The promise of God was passed down through Abraham
by his child Isaac, born of Sarah a free woman.

Therefore, brothers and sisters,

we are children not of the slave woman

but of the freeborn woman.

As human beings we are constantly looking for proof.
We want proof that what we are told and/or
what we believe is real and true.

Sometimes we must allow our faith to supersede proof.

We are not always going to get a sign of validation.

The Jews had Jesus, the Messiah...the greatest proof
standing right before their eyes and they still demanded more proof.

They were used to having God himself give the stamp of approval...
Abraham...Solomon...Jonah.
They could not recognize proof in the person of Jesus himself.
Jesus must have been frustrated and disappointed by their ignorance.
They were rigid and narrow minded in their beliefs.

The proof that Jesus was representing was greater
than their heads could comprehend.
There in lies the problem, they were caught up in their heads.
They wanted to have a reason for everything.
They wanted to find their proof in the laws that they
themselves had created in the past.

Jesus was the living sign of the Redemption for all people.
Jesus stood before the people as a message for them to repent.
Just as Jonah had proclaimed to the people of Nineveh. 

Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

Jesus is saying....I am the sign.
Jesus is the sign for us today as well,
one major difference...
we have the crucifix...
we have the proof of his body hanging from the cross.

Sadly there are still many who do not accept
 this image of reality as enough proof.

I pray that we see clearly the immense proof of our salvation
 by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We are Blessed beyond any means of proof.
Any proof of our salvation that we could seek
would be inadequate compared to the reality of the love it is.

Remember...
God so loved the world.
God so loved you.
~~~Peace~~~

Are You Able to See Joy in All Things?

~~~~ James 1: 1-11 ~~~~   Mark 8: 11-13 ~~~~

"Consider it all joy..."

Today's reading from St. James is probably one of the most beautiful passages to hold in your heart. If we just look at those four words and not even read further into the following ten verses we have much to think about.

The word 'consider' has a kindness and gentleness about it to me. It is not a commanding word. It does not conjure up visions of a parent shaking a pointed finger at you. It is more of a suggestion... Have you ever tried to look at your life from this point of view? Certainly in our daily lives we can find many reasons to focus on the disappointments and frustrations that present themselves. We can focus much time on how we would like things to be different. But James is simply asking us to consider an alternative view.

Yesterday scripture told us to do everything for the glory of God. Today we hear, oh and by the way, while you are doing all for the glory of God you might as well see it as "all joy". James goes on with his inspiring and encouraging words..."...when you encounter various trials...". He is acknowledging that life can bring some situations that seem far removed from Joy. I am sure you could name several things happening today in your life which do not make you feel joyful.

So we are offered this challenge...Can we persevere when our faith is being tested? Can we look for the 'joy' in spite of what it seems? The verses go on speaking of being 'perfect and complete' in our perseverance 'lacking in nothing' and seeking wisdom from God if necessary.

He makes a strong statement about faith...comparing those who doubt as one being tossed about like a wave on the high seas. 'Driven and tossed about by the wind' without perseverance in faith. As we go through life it is good to have little reminders that God has a plan. We can embrace it or we can resist and make ourselves miserable. The more we resist, I find in my own life, the less likely we are able to 'consider it all joy'.

In the gospel of Mark we have another account of the Pharisees creating their own irritating exchange with Jesus. Jesus is frustrated with these unhappy men who wanted proof for everything. When you want proof you are not acting in faith, because part of you is still doubting. I am certainly one who has asked God for a sign as an answer to a personal decision. Heck, I have gone so far as saying to God, 'If you want me to do this, then I need a huge billboard.' And you know one time he did give me a sign.

A tiny penny was lying on the ground right by the car door. Months before I had used the penny to symbolize trusting in God. After all it does have the words, 'In God we trust' inscribed upon it. The penny; the smallest denomination of currency we have carrying the message we most need to be reminded of.

We certainly cannot expect to receive signs of affirmation from God. And sometimes we just flat miss the signs he does send, because we cannot see as He sees. James knew in his wisdom that seeing joy in all things would require great faith. A challenge that would require a lifetime of perseverance.

I would suggest taking a small penny and placing it where you can see it everyday as a reminder that even if God does not give us a 'sign', through faith we can "Consider it all Joy".

I took this picture of the statue of the Blessed Mother, Mary in the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston, Texas. I believe Mary is a beautiful example to us. In her life she persevered through her deep faith. She endured much sorrow in her life and yet was able to 'consider it all joy' through her immense love.

I chose this kaleidoscope image because the blue and the gold seem to be supporting one another. Through faith we can see all things in our life as Joy.

May we continue to persevere so in the end we can say we have run the good race filled with Joy.