Alive!!!

Good Morning, dear reader. Once again, we are seeing the story of the empty tomb in John's Gospel. But, this time, the focus is solely on Mary Magdalene. We can see she is heartbroken over the death of Jesus, and now she comes to anoint His body but He's not there. She is bewildered. Who would take a body? Suddenly, someone appears. Maybe now she can get some answers. In her grief, she wasn't really paying attention to whom she was speaking. But, when her name is called, she looks at the person speaking and realises it is Jesus! How joyous she was to see her beloved Jesus standing there! He has one simple request for her, to go and tell the apostles that she had seen Him, and soon He will be going to His Father in heaven. The way Jesus phrases it, He acknowledges that His Father is also OUR Father, God in heaven. And God is the Father to us all. What happy news!! We can take such comfort in this. Regardless of what earthly family we may or may not have, we are assured that we are not alone in this life! I, for one, am so grateful for this! No matter what happens, God will always be looking out for me. 

Building on the reading from John, we see in Acts 2 the rest of Peter's speech to the people. He is telling them that God sent Jesus to be Lord and Saviour, through His death and resurrection. We only need to confess our sins and be baptised, then we will have eternal life with God. 

In verse 40, what really jumps out at me is when Peter says, "save yourselves from this corrupt generation". The society of that time is not much different from our society now. We see corruption and the destruction of faith everywhere we turn. We are becoming a Godless society. Wealth and power is valued more than a humble heart and a desire to serve. Kindness has all but disappeared. Those who live on the fringes of society, the poor, the homeless, the sick, those who are just keeping their heads above water, they are all but ignored. These are the people that Jesus wants! These are the people He spent His life ministering to. These people often have the deepest of faith because they have nothing else to hold on to. 

I can tell you, dear reader, that this is true because I, and my husband, fall into this category. It is my faith that is getting us through this struggle. It is keeping me from all but giving up. I HAVE to believe that God has a plan. There IS a reason for this, even if I can't see it right now. And that's what I'm trying to convey to you, dear reader. Even if things seem hopeless, if things are out of control, if life seems to smack you in the face, you NEED to hold on to the promises given to us from God! I know how it feels when you're struggling. Like God has all but abandoned you, start doubting your faith. I'm right there with you. But, if I give up, if I doubt my faith, what's left? Not much of anything. And that's not a place I want to be. I've been there. It's not pretty. 

So, if you are struggling, if you feel God has put your pleas on mute, or has just left you hanging, don't give up! Keep reaching out for Him! He hears you! I promise!! You can always leave me a comment, even if it's just to ask for prayer. We hold each other up and God holds us up! So keep moving forward.. and, as always, regardless of the struggle... be a nice human! 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSouhz4F-ZY 

This video... such a living illustration of today's readings!! Please share it with others! It is "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" by Natalie Grant, from the movie "The Story": https://youtu.be/Om3mm2dv--k

Monday after Easter

Good Afternoon, dear reader. We continue the Easter journey. Jesus's followers are now aware that He has been resurrected. But, there is more work to be done before His assention into heaven.

The story of the guards.. what can I say?! lol How do they explain the empty tomb? No one would believe their story of an earthquake and an angel. Would you? I'd probably ask what drugs these guys were on! I mean, seriously.. earthquakes and angels and a missing body. Sounds like a bad plot on one of my murder mystery shows that I like to watch. No one wanted to lose their jobs. They didn't want to look like blithering, drugged out idiots. So, what could they say? Enter bribery... works every time! These men weren't followers of Christ. They just did what everyone else would do. Here's some money to keep your mouth shut. I find one flaw in their plan.. the guards wanted to use the excuse that Jesus's disciples came in the night and stole the body. Well, if that were true, then someone was asleep on the job! But, I suppose that's better than the fate that would befall these men if they told the truth! 

On a more serious note, Peter's speech in Acts was a powerful one. I think the one phrase that really stands out was when Peter said, "But God raised Him up, releasing Him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held by it" (v 24) Can you imagine!! Jesus could not and would not be bound by death! Wow!! That really packs some punch! But, this shouldn't come as any great surprise to us. Remember, this is the same Man who calmed the storming seas and walked on water! Jesus is our ultimate Superman!! He can do anything! So don't be afraid to reach out to Him. He can bear anything you may be dealing with. Matthew 11:30 even tells us this "For My yolk is easy and My burden is light". 

So, let us savour this week with its promises and hope. Let us use this opportunity to be renewed and refreshed. Come stand in the light of Jesus! And, as always, dear reader... be a nice human. 😇

Reflection on today from Msgr. James Vlaun: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video/2022-04-18-reflection-261

Here is a beautiful, Celtic rendition of "In Christ Alone": https://youtu.be/o9VzJmtmSFI

Easter Sunday

Good Morning, dear reader and Happy Easter!!! I am doing something just a tad different this morning. I have chosen the readings myself as well as the verse. 

Throughout this Lenten season, we saw how the coming of Jesus, His life and His ministry, and His ultimate death and resurrection were prophisied in the Old Testament. This was God's promise to us, a Saviour, a King. This give us hope. It keeps our faith. We know we can trust in God's promises. Today, we celebrate that promise. 

That first Resurrection Sunday was not the joyous event that we have today. We have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the story. But, on that day, when the women went to where Jesus was buried and found only a young man sitting there, they didn't know what to make of it. They were afraid if they said anything about seeing this young man in the tomb, they, too, would be crucified. So they stayed silent. 

However, our reading in Acts alludes to what is to come. Since the women at the tomb were afraid to say anything, Jesus had to come back to speak with the others so that they would understand and see that He was indeed raised from the dead, just as He said would happen. Jesus urged His disciples to stay in Jerusalem, to spread the news that He was alive and He would make Himself known to all in just a few short days. 

In the coming days, we will continue to celebrate the resurrection, to celebrate Jesus's promises, to rejoice in His life, and to remain hopeful until the day we are called home. Do not stay silent, as those women did. Speak out! Speak up! Tell the world that Jesus has overcome the dark and brings us new light!! And, as always, dear reader..... be a nice human! 😇

A reflection on the Easter celebration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ciwAkn7Jlg 

Matt Maher "Christ Is Risen": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV42JDKd5c4

Seeing is Believing

Good Afternoon, dear reader! Today, we are again seeing the theme of words and deeds. If our words and deeds don't match up, then people feel no confidence in you. You absolutely need to "walk the walk and talk the talk". 

We see, in today's first reading, that the prophet Jeremiah is speaking out against those who have persecuted him. He is aware of the fact that his supposed friends are always waiting for him to make a mistake, to find some fault. He warns his detractors that God may come down to exact His revenge. Notice how he says MAY. That one little word will make them wonder. This is not a direct threat. It's more of a passive-aggressive statement. I believe that Jeremiah also phrased it this way because he knew that it was not up to him to judge or punish these people. God may come to punish.... or He may not... are you willing to risk it?! lol

When we look at todays Gospel, we see it is similar to our last few readings in this book. The Jews are mad, they think that Jesus is committing blasphemy for saying He is the Son of God or God incarnate. It seems no matter where Jesus goes, these people just don't understand. Jesus tries to tell them that it's fine if they don't want to believe His words, but look at the things He has done "If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe Me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe Me, believe the works" (Jn 10:37-38, NAB). This is clearly a case of seeing is believing. 

Once again, the Jews try to arrest Jesus, and once again He avoids it, as it is still not His time to be captured. After all this, Jesus decides to go to the river where John the Baptist baptised Him. He again encounters more people. They tell Jesus that even though John did not perform any sort of miracles, the things he said about Jesus were true, so this Jesus is the real thing. Again, a case of seeing is believing.

Sometimes it's hard trusting in people, especially if they say one thing and do something else. How can you actually believe what they say? We see this so much in the world today. Promises are made, rhetoric abounds. It is up to us to discern whether or not they will live up to the things they say. We need to decide based on reputation and past actions if they can be trusted. It's a sort of slippery slope. 

However, we as Christians know that faith comes from believing in what we cannot see. But, God gave us the ultimate sign that we CAN believe....the empty tomb. We know that God lived up to His word. We can believe all that was prophesied in the Old Testament, we saw it play out in the New Testament. We saw it played out on the cross. Because of this, we know that we can trust in everything God does and everything He promises us.

Be blessed, dear reader. And, as always.... be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today's readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pixbZ_rJjJQ

"What Faith Can Do" Kutless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1JBSQMkQEo

Promises

Good Afternoon, dear reader. We see the promises of God fulfilled both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. 

In Genesis, God assures Abraham that his family will multiply and lead for generations. The amazing part of this tale is that Abraham was 90 years old!! This was a miracle only God could perform. This gives all of us hope for the future. If God could use Abraham in his old age to build a kingdom, just imagine what God can do with us! We just need to trust in His timing and His promises, no matter how difficult things may seem. 

As we move to our Gospel reading, we again see Jesus trying to tell people that He was God in human form and that He knew Abraham and his joy at being assured of a future. The Jews thought Jesus was insane or possessed by the devil. They were so incensed by this, that they began to throw stones at Jesus! Jesus knows this a fight He can't win, so He choses to just walk away. 

This reminds us that we are to chose our battles carefully. Sometimes the best answer is no answer. As long as you are following Jesus and doing good, there's not much else you can do. You also need to remember that your words speak of who you are. Be sure you are only speaking in kindness. Oftentimes, your reputation will be built upon your promises, your actions and your beliefs. 

Today, do a "gut check". What is your reputation like at this moment? Do you follow through with your promises to others? Do you speak kindly and with encouragement? Make sure you're walking with God and doing the right thing. And, as always friend, be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07kj4ntgfI

"Words" by Hawk Nelson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf_H7Lwl0FI

The Laws of God

Yesterday we talked about God's mercies and forgiveness. Today, we sort of back track and look at the laws laid down by God and what it means to be faithful to those laws and to God.

We have rules and laws for a reason. It keeps the peace, steers our paths and helps us to not do whatever it is we want without repercussions. In order to reinforce the rules, there must be both punishment and rewards. If there is only one then these rules are not as effective. Think of it this way, when we are children, our parents give us certains things that we must do. Clean our rooms, take out the trash, go to school, etc. For most, the reward meant earning a few bucks every week. For others, it meant a satisfaction that we were able to show that we were responsible. And that's exactly what we do when we follow God's laws. We are demonstrating that we are responsible people, capable of remaining true to our God. We are forming a covenant with Him. We are promising to follow His rules and in exchange we will not only be a better person for it, but we are acknowledging the fact that we will be judged and punished if we break our agreement. 

When Jesus enters the picture in the New Testament, He tells us that He will carry out the promises of His Father, but He will also nurture us and help us to grow faithful. He sort of softens the blow. This encourages us to WANT to follow what God has put forth for us. It's not all fire and brimstone, hell and damnation. Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. BUT, if you chose to ignore the rules, keep breaking them, then you will pay for it, just not right away, though. You will have to answer to God the Father when you pass on from this world. 

Do you really want to risk that? Is it really worth breaking the rules if you know that you have displeased Jesus? Do you know that when you sin, you are breaking Jesus's heart? Think about that the next time you feel like stepping out of line. Think about your relationship with Jesus. 

Be blessed, dear reader. And remember.... be a nice human. It is worth it. 😇❤

Father Bill's reflection on todays readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgpgaVQNGhg

Here's a really cute video from Steven Curtis Chapman, reminding us that everything we do should be done for the glory and grace of Jesus Christ: https://youtu.be/uVTeIMursb8