In 1985 my buddy, Dennis, and I went to visit a high school classmate, Jim, in McKay, Queensland, Australia. Jim had gone to Australia on work visa as a teacher. He was engaged at that time and in 1986 married an Australian girl and later had 6 children. We took a huge catamaran out to the great barrier reef. We had lunch prepared by the crew and headed back. For some reason the trip back to land was extremely rough. Every one on board was ill from the waves and storm coming back to port.
The quote from Jeremiah today said Terror on every side was pretty much the look on most of the passenger’s faces. Luckily, Dennis and I had no problems. We visited Australia, New Zealand and Fiji over a months period of time. The only thing that was arduous was the plane ride to and from the United States. We were young then.
Jeremiah also says today, O lord of host, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart. Let me assure you God knows what each one of us is going through. The entire world is in that same boat, planet Earth, and it is frightening. All our bank accounts are lighter, some of us are sick or have loved ones who are sick. God does love us and knows what we are going through.
In today’s gospel, the Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Why, Jesus asks?
The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You a man are making yourself God”.
I have been mulling this last thing over in my mind. Most of the problems and sins of the world are when we as human’s try to act as a god. Not honoring thy father and mother, getting angry at someone, adultery, stealing are all responses of someone who have the”I wants.” I want this or that.
The Jews understood this. They accused Jesus of sin. Jesus performed a Star Trek moment and said beam me up Scotty. He escaped from their power.
Some people, however, began to believe in Him. Jesus spoke truth to power. Some believed and some did not. Jesus must have been a great public speaker and backed up what he said with miracle after miracle, the likes of which had never been seen before.
Today, thinking of Holy Week and Easter coming up our world needs a major miracle. We are not gods. Please say it again. We are not gods.
However, Jesus is! There is three persons in one God but one God.
From birth to death we fight the tendencies to be gods. However, there is only one. When you make the sign of the Cross today think of that.
God Bless You Always
Bob Burford
