For everything there is an appointed time. Looking around the world we witness individuals experiencing moments of joy, while other are simultaneously experiencing sorrow. Some are falling in love and others are falling out of love. Some are rejoicing while others are in torment. It seems that the appointed time for the full range of human emotions is now. Well, I guess humanity has always felt the fullness of both blissful and painful emotions ever since the Fall. After all, pain was introduced into a world of love at that very moment.
However, we do seem to be living in a very special moment in time right now. While human suffering and human joy has always been with us, we now have access to scripture and material that can guide us towards full healing and restoration like never before. Evidence of this is the computer you are using to view this reflection. A reflection I wrote in my office in Carmel, Indiana. Heck, you may even be reading this on a phone in the palm of your hand. We have access to material from all over the world and it is mind-boggling. However, before we dive into this concept let’s look at Jesus in today’s Gospel.
JESUS’ REBUKE
Why in today’s Gospel did Jesus rebuke his disciples? Why did he not want the people to know who he was? Why did he not want them to know that he was “The Christ of God.”? It seems to me that the people of Jesus’ day, like today, needed a little divine help. So why keep his identity under wrap? Well, as we see in our first reading there is an appointed time for everything. It was not time for Jesus to reveal who he was, and further, Jesus needed to reveal his divine nature through the Cross. Jesus knew when the appointed time would be, a time when he would fulfill the Law.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” – Matthew 5:17-20 (NRSVC)
The Law, as preached by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, had a strong hold on the Jewish people, a strong hold that did not serve to fully unite them with God. Many sought God, yet his sheep were lost without a good shepherd. God gave his Law to his chosen people, the Israelites, because he loved them. He wanted his children to live in a committed and beautiful relationship with himself. Sadly, this was not happening to the fullest God desired. In order to tackle this, Jesus had to make a big move – at the appointed time. He needed to die on the Cross for all the world to see.
TIME FOR MERCY
Everything changed at the Cross. Mankind entered into a new era – an era of love, mercy and forgiveness. Yes, we are still bound to God’s Law – the Ten Commandments. However, instead of a God of justice known by the Israelites, at the Cross we were introduced to a God of love, mercy, and forgiveness. We are invited into God’s Law through this love. And it is through this love that real transformation will happen in the world. I believe the appointed time for healing and full unification with Jesus is now. Yes, we live in a hurting world. Yet, we also live in miraculous world as well. We live in a world where God is showering us with his love, mercy, and forgiveness. In this year of mercy let’s do all we can to renew our relationship with the God of love.
Some individuals believe the end is at hand – maybe, maybe not. However, what I do believe is at hand is a unique opportunity to grow in a deeper relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. Why? Because we have access to material that will support us on our journey like never before. That computer in front of you is but one bit of such evidence. Let’s use what we can to more fully develop a relationship with God so that all of mankind can live as God desires.
I have shared a bit of the promise God has for us in the Introduction: From Brokenness to Wholeness, the Choice Is Ours to Make of my book, Understanding the Jesus Code. So please allow me to share with you an excerpt from this chapter in today’s reflection.
REAL TRANSFORMATION – NOW!
The time for real transformation is now! Mankind is ready, and most importantly, I firmly believe that God is pouring down an abundance of mercy on his children right now to get this done. Can you imagine a world where each and every man, woman, and child is living the fullness of their God-given talents? Can you imagine the innovation that would occur and the relationships that would exist? Can you imagine what your life would look like, your children’s lives, your grandchildren’s, your parents?
You see, I have been a spiritual seeker for a number of decades, seeking how to find greater prosperity, happiness, and peace in the world. Through it all, I have discovered that the greatest way to find true and lasting happiness is to address the tough times in your life by turning to scripture for guidance. In doing so, I have witnessed a beautiful thread woven throughout sacred scripture—a code of sorts that I call “The Jesus Code.” All we have to do is unlock the code. And I’m not just talking about reading scripture as you read the newspaper or your Facebook page. No, I’m talking about a total immersion, where you receive the message and direction within the lines and between the lines. God will speak directly to you as he reveals to you his steps for your life. His direction will undoubtedly surprise you many times over.
Through the years I have explored the New Age world, the self-help world, and the Catholic world. I have attended more seminars and workshops, read more books, and listened to more audio recordings than I can begin to imagine. I have prayed. I have meditated. I have studied the Catholic saints (well some of them—there are thousands!). I have immersed myself in thousands of Catholic Masses. And I have spent thousands of hours praying in front of the Eucharist. I have found that while each of these drew me closer to Christ, the truths we so desperately need to transform ourselves and the world can best be found inside sacred scripture, inside The Jesus Code. It is all there just waiting to be unlocked.
These truths in scripture demand that we begin by healing our own family, and address the transgenerational entanglements (handed down generational patterns that cause pain) holding us back from reaching our full potential, the patterns passed down from generation to generation. Patterns that negatively impact the development of our children and set the stage for future challenges. By supporting such transformation, real change is made today and for the generations to follow. However, for such profound transformation to manifest, it is essential that we realize we are all in this together. Given this, we must participate in God’s plan for humanity—together. In order to succeed, we must allow ourselves to surrender to the fact that we are all immersed in the milieu of his son, Jesus Christ. From here, God will direct us out of the mess mankind has created.
“For in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’”
—Paul of Tarsus, Acts 17:28
IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT
Through Christ, all good is possible because it is in him that all good exists. All over the world, the body of Christ is witnessing real healing and transformation. Yes, hearts and lives are being changed. The ever-evolving field of mental health is ever broadening to include modalities such as biofeedback, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), internal family systems (IFS), gestalt therapy, mind-body medicine, healing touch, yoga, and multitudes of self-help books that continually top the best-seller list. This is exciting news, and it reveals our human desire for happiness and peace. As a community, we are paying greater attention to the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals, and this is cause for hope. However, while we are seeing significant inroads in mankind’s approach to healing, I feel there is all too often a missing piece—the piece that needs to be the cornerstone: a surrender to Jesus Christ—the one who came so that we could have joy within.
Imagine for a moment the tremendous healing humanity would experience if individuals working in the mental health field, the allopathic medical field, the holistic medical field, the coaching field, and the fitness field all surrendered fully to God. Imagine for a moment that they surrendered so fully that they only offered healing modalities that God has revealed to their hearts? What if instead of yoga, we practiced SoulCore (a core workout that pairs exercise with the Rosary), Pietra Fitness (exercise that features Christian prayer and meditation), or another form of exercise grounded in the Christian faith? Or what if modalities like The LIVE Method (a healing modality that uses acceptance, forgiveness, and Family Constellations in a Christian setting) were mainstream? I dare say that multitudes would experience significant, lasting, and miraculous transformation.
Even though mankind’s collective faith in God is rather weak, he still blesses his children with healing. Miracles still happen each and every day. Amazing, isn’t it? I can only assume since you are reading this book that you too desire such miracles and transformation in your life. However, I believe that we must bring forth healing modalities that are truly, deeply, and profoundly Christ centered, before we experience the happiness and peace available to us, modalities created and supported by individuals who choose to become doers of the word—not simply hearers. Remember, it is God’s desire that all of mankind become fully alive. Many simply need a blueprint to follow, a blueprint grounded in sacred scripture. That is what this book and The LIVE Method (Love Is Victorious Everywhere) are all about. Here you will find a road map, a set of monkey bars to hold on to, that will direct you out of the darkness and into the light—into a life where you become whole and healed as your unique gifts are unlocked and released into the world.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.”
—James 1:22-25
I hope you find your way home towards Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you experience love, forgiveness and mercy in this appointed time! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Peter – pray for us.
Today’s Readings Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 144; Luke 9:18-2
