Reflection: Mark 6:45-52

Wednesday after Epiphany – Mark 6:45-52

Today, the Church gives us the familiar story of “the storm at sea.”  I assume that most of us can put ourselves into this story.  At various times in our lives, we have experienced emotional “storms” that overwhelm us.  It may have been an illness, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a financial crisis. Violent storms are not easy to weather.  And even once the storm has blown over, these storms typically leave us with a residue of pain, loss, confusion, and anxiety.

What storm in your life do you remember?  Take a moment and reflect on that experience.  Did the storm last for a few days, weeks, or even months?  Who supported you during this difficult time?  Who journeyed with you?  Was Jesus with you in this experience?  Did you sense His presence and care?  Or did you feel alone and perhaps abandoned? 

We do know and believe that Jesus is with us!  However, we may not experience a tangible sense  of His presence.  However, Jesus often comes to us in various guises.  It might be a friend who calls or a song that plays on the radio that speak to us.  Perhaps we experience Jesus in looking at the bare trees of winter or watching the snow quietly fall from the heavens. 

Our part is to look deeply for Jesus.  He is with us!  However, we need to be awake and alert.  Today open your eyes and hearts.   Jesus will come today.  Will we see Him and recognize Him? 

Reflection: Mark 6:34-44

Tuesday after Epiphany – Mark 6:34-44

The first statement in this Gospel is a very powerful one.  It speaks of Jesus’ love and compassion for the people who have come to hear Him preach.  Mark writes: “When Jesus saw the crowds of people who gathered around Him, He was “moved with pity.”  Jesus realized that these people were like sheep who had no shepherd.  They had no one to care for them, love them, or lead them.

Jesus was preaching in a deserted place.  As evening drew near, Jesus’ disciples suggested that He send the crowds of people away.  They knew that the people were hungry and that they did not have enough food to feed them so they suggested to Jesus that He send the people to the surrounding villages or farms where they could get some food.  The disciples did not have enough money to supply food for all these people.

Surprisingly, Jesus asked His disciples how many loaves of bread they had.  They told Jesus that they only had five loaves of bread and two little fish.  Jesus then told them to have the people sit down in groups.  The scene that follows is a foreshadowing of the sacrament of Eucharist:  Jesus quietly took the five loaves and the two fish and blessed them.  Then He gave the bread and the fish to the disciples to distribute.  All the people ate until they were satisfied.  Surprisingly, there were several baskets of food left over!

At times in life, we also may doubt that we have sufficient strength, courage, patience, or hope to continue our journey.  These are the moments when we need to turn to Jesus and ask Him for the grace to trust that we do have enough of what we need.  Our limited supply of strength, faith, hope, (you fill in the blank) may seem so very small.  Yet Jesus has the ability to work wonders with just a “little bit.”  The key is for us to stay connected to Jesus.  If we do this, we will have what we need when we need it.

Reflection: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Monday after Epiphany – Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Today we continue to celebrate the mysteries of Christmas, even though most of the world has moved into “ordinary time!”  For most people, the Christmas tree and decorations have come down.  Yet the Church continues to celebrate the coming of Jesus.

The focus of the Gospel reading for this day is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  The reading begins as Jesus receives word that his beloved cousin and friend, John the Baptist, had been arrested.  Matthew writes: “Jesus left Nazareth and went to Capernaum.”  There Jesus begins His ministry of preaching and teaching.  Jesus began calling the people to “repent.”  He told His listeners that the “kingdom of heaven” was near.

Word of Jesus’ power and preaching spread throughout the region.  Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, and ministered to the people according to their needs.  People from many cities and towns came to see this man, Jesus.  They came to hear Him preach and to be healed.  Imagine that you are in the crowd of people gathered around Jesus.  What do you hope to see or experience?  Do you want to hear Him preach and teach?  Or do you simply want to see Him for yourself?   Are you hoping  He might heal your infirmity?

We can come to Jesus today as well.  We may simply listen to what He has to say to us, or we might tell Him our needs and hopes.  Do we trust that Jesus will listen to us?  Do we believe that Jesus will heal us in some fashion?  Today, may we place our hope and our trust in Jesus.  He will not fail us!

Reflection: Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany of the Lord– Matthew 2:1-12

Today is a wonderful feast in our Church calendar:  the Epiphany of our Lord!  Have you ever had an “epiphany?”  When was the last time you had an “epiphany?”  An “epiphany” may simply be a sudden realization or a moment of clarity.  Naturally, the epiphany this feast celebrates is the manifestation of Jesus as “king of the Jews” and of the world.

This Gospel opens the magi arriving in Jerusalem.  I assume their presence caused quite a stir.  They kept asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?”  We read that King Herod and “all of Jerusalem” were troubled by their question.   Herod immediately called his advisers together and asked them where this “Jesus” was to be born.  The priests informed Herod that according to the prophecies in the Scriptures, the “Christ” was to be born in the land of Judah.

Herod then quietly called the magi in.  He told them to go and search for the child.  And when they found him, the Magi were to send word to Herod.  Herod told them that he also wanted to offer homage to the child. 

We know the rest of the story.  The Magi followed the brilliant star they had seen at its rising.  Eventually the star led them to the dwelling where the Child was:  a lowly stable.  Can you imagine how astonished the kings must have been to find this holy Child in a manger surrounded by animals?  Yet, despite these very unusual and humble circumstances, the kings instantly recognized the Christ Child.

Today may we look for the Child King in our midst.   Jesus is there, but we must have open hearts, minds, and eyes.  We have the ability to see Him!  Will we keep looking for Him until we find Him? 

Reflection: John 1:19-28

Friday before Epiphany – John 1:19-28

The reading today shifts the focus from Jesus to John the Baptist.  Today John is being questioned by some of the priests and Levites.  They come and ask him, “Who are you?”  John bluntly answers them that he is not the Christ.  They counter his response by asking him to tell them who he is.  They ask if he is Elijah or if he is “the One who is to come."

John clearly tells them that his role and mission is to “prepare the way” for the Christ.   The priests, however, are not satisfied with his response.  They continue bombard John with questions.  Finally, John replies by stating that he is the voice crying out in the desert.  John knew and understood his role in the unfolding of God’s plan.  John knew that he was not the “One who is to come.”  However, he also understood that he would play a part in the drama that would unfold.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we clearly knew what our “part” is to play in the drama of life?  At times in our lives, it is clear what our call and responsibility is.  At other times, we may not have any clarity about our role.  At these times, I assume that most of us simply keep on going and do what we need to do. 

Can we trust that we are doing God’s will simply by striving to be people who love and care for others as we work for justice in our world.  Our efforts may seem small in the bigger scheme of life, however small acts of love, kindness, and generosity are great gifts to share.  We simply have to trust that God is at work in us and God working through us in the many small acts we may do each day.  We may not be a star, but  we have the ability to shine light on our world!  May we do so today!

Reflection: Luke 2:16-21

The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God –Luke 2:16-21

According to the secular calendar, today we begin a new year.   Even though much of the rest of the world has begun “de-decking” their Christmas decorations, the Church continues to celebrate the Christmas season.  The Gospel for this feast of Mary is the reading of the shepherds traveling to Bethlehem and finding the Child Jesus  lying in manger.

How did the shepherds know where to find the child Jesus?  In those days, they did not have a GPS system guiding them.  However, they did have a brilliant star to guide them.  After worshiping the Child Jesus, they spread the good news that a child had been born.  No one questioned this statement.  Rather, everyone who heard the news was amazed and joyful.

One of the most profound statements in this gospel passage is: “Mary kept all these things in her heart and pondered them.”  What is in your heart that you ponder?  It may be a happening that was joyous to you, or perhaps you may be reflecting about a difficult challenge in your life.  In today’s fast-paced world, we need to ponder deliberately, to reflect on life.  Pondering is not always easy.  When we are hurting or feeling alone, the last thing we may want to do is to think about the pain or loss.  It may be more comfortable to numb the pain, yet God invites us to ponder our gifts, our joys, and our sorrows.

Mary experienced the gamut of emotions in her life: from great joy to great loss and sorrow.  Today may we ask Mary to walk with us—not only today but every day.  Mary deeply experienced the breadth of life’s joys and sorrows.  Her presence and strength may gift us with a peace we desire.