OK, we cannot be quiet anymore and in the spirit of Peter, Paul and Barnabas I feel called to be bold in my reflection today. After all, their boldness called the entire assembly into silence as God’s truth was proclaimed to them. The truth that the Gentiles are also his children – thank goodness for that!
Yesterday I had a lovely lunch with a dear friend of mine. We spoke of our work with much enthusiasm. She shared with me the exciting launch of the new branding her business and her new website. I lit up as I shared with her the launch of a series of seminars I am releasing next Fall. It was a lunch filled with excitement, hope and promise. This woman, who is a business coach for individuals sitting at the helm of corporations of all sizes, is doing awesome work and she is certainly finding her way towards God. Her work facilitates needed healing in the business world and I hold a deep respect and love for her in my heart.
While her views tend to have a “New Age” vibe, she listens to me with a patient and loving heart. Of course, I just cannot keep my mouth shut about Jesus Christ, our Catholic Church, our beloved saints and the abiding passion I feel for all of it! Words just keep flowing out of my mouth as I ramble on about the beauty of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, the joy I experience when I pray prayers like the Suscipe prayer (see below), the ecstasy I experience as I sit in Perpetual Adoration and the bliss in my heart I feel during daily Mass. I so want her to share in this with me, after all – she is very dear to my heart. My inner being cries out – “All she needs to do is fully surrender to Jesus and she will arrive at the most beautiful space she could ever imagine!” My “sermon” drones on and I fear it is more of a diatribe against New Age philosophy then a witness to God.
Then she looks at me square in the eye and says to me: “I want to tell you something. I know I do not always show it; however, I love being around you and hearing about your passion for God. You have an inner light that is beautiful.” I had to stop for a moment and receive these words into my heart. Then I gave gratitude to God for using me as his instrument. This was certainly a moment of humility. How is it that I, a simple human being, have the authority to speak so boldly about God? Maybe I experienced a very small glimpse of what Paul and Barnabas felt as they described the signs and wonders God revealed to them as they worked among the Gentiles. I can only pray I am worthy enough to experience such a gift.
Well, our first reading reveals to us the real power we have in evangelization. Amongst much debate Peter boldly rose and spoke to the Apostles and presbyters (akin to our priests of today). He spoke tough talk when he proclaimed that the Gentiles would also hear the word of the Gospel. After all, as James reminded the group, the words of the prophets foretold of a time when “even all the Gentiles” would participate in the raising of the “fallen hut of David” so that the “rest of humanity may seek out the Lord.” The word of God was no longer set aside exclusively for the Jewish people. The fabric of our planet had been markedly changed forever since Jesus Christ physically touched the earth. Now, the Gentiles who turned to God were not to be “troubled” by these early church leaders, rather, they were to be instructed properly about the laws of God and brought into the fold.
Are the Gentiles mentioned in today’s first reading analogous to our modern day New Age friends? After all, I have met many New Age “disciples” who are definitely turning to God. Additionally, many of them have a heart I could only hope for. Are we the ones called to share with them the joy of Christ we feel in our hearts? Are we called to be a witness? Are we called to proclaim Jesus to the masses? I know – rhetorical questions.
Yes, of course we are called! In today’s Gospel Jesus could not be any clearer on this note. “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” To keep his commandments calls us to honor God above all other gods and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
My friends, surrendering fully to Jesus must precede our love for our personal self, because without surrendering to him it is impossible for us to see how wonderfully made we are. Words of “I’m not good enough, I’m not pretty enough, I’ll never have what it takes to be happy, I’m stupid, I’m unlovable, no one will ever want me because I am broken and on and on fill our minds and hearts. If we cannot fully love ourselves then how can we love our neighbor? It is our full surrender to Jesus that creates the space where we not only love ourselves, we love our neighbors whomever they may be – including our New Age friends, our non-Catholic Christian brethren and so the list goes. When we love ourselves and then love our neighbors we have to share with them Jesus because keeping him locked up inside becomes an impossibility. To love another calls us to reveal greater love to them and of course the ultimate love is Christ.
And why did Jesus give us his commandments? One of my favorite scripture passes of all time is in today’s Gospel! “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” Ahhh, his joy. Once you get a taste of it, no matter how small, you are forever changed and you become compelled share it with anyone who will listen!
Suscipe
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Jesus – I love you!
