Reaching, Preaching and Teaching

Good Morning, dear reader! We have completed another joyous week of Easter! I'm going to start with John's Gospel this morning because it is one we are all familiar with...Jesus walking on water. 

So, picture this, winds are blowing, the sea is roiling. You're out in your little boat being tossed around. You look out at the ocean and all of sudden, here comes Jesus, strolling along ON TOP OF THE WATER!!! While the disciples are fearfully staring at Jesus, He basically says to them "Hey, it's me! Jesus! Nothing to be afraid of!". Yeah, ok. How many people have you seen walking on water in the middle of a roiling blow!?!? This is just another ordinary day for Jesus. Talk about your signs and wonders!! This has to be His all-time best miracle!! But, then again, this is the same Man who could raise people from the dead! Yup, Jesus is definitely amazing!!  

As we leave this absolutely incredible story, we enter into a slightly more complicated one. We see some new people here, the Hellenists. The explanation given in my bible is as follows:

The Hellenists were not necessarily migrant Jews, but were more probably Palestinian Jews who spoke only Greek.The Hebrews were Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and who may also have spoken Greek. Both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. (Hiesberger et al., 1995)

As the number of believers increased, the efficiency of the ones in charge decreased. The Apostles could only do so much. In such great numbers of people, someone always gets overlooked. This seems to be what happened with the Hellenists. It was just one more group that needed help. So Peter came up with a plan. He would come up with a group of seven men who could aid in the service of the people. This way, it would free up others to help where they were needed most. This was the beginning of appointing deacons and elders within the church body who would oversee the various missions. 

Think of how many people it takes to run a church. You have the priest, the associate priest, eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and so on. Everyone has a specific task. This is so that all the members of the church, and the community, are reached and their needs met. Without all these people the church would quickly become inundated with the needs of others and would not be able to efficiently and effectively run. If everyone gives just a little bit, a lot can be accomplished. 

The next time you are at church or a church gathering, find out ways in which you can help. It could be something as simple as passing out the church bulletin or serving at a community supper. There is always a need for a helping hand, and it is always very much appreciated. As the old saying goes, many hands make light work. Just think, donating your time ensures that you will always be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today's readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XSZEd15w9s

Reference:

Hiesberger, J., Breen, C., Lucinio, J., Marcheschi, G. and Mazza, B., 1995. The Catholic Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, p.193.

A Leap of Faith

Good morning and a blessed Saturday to you, dear reader. I hope this finds you well. As we draw near to Holy week, we look at what it is to have faith and allow God to guide us each day.  

In today's world, it's not an easy task to be a Christian. There are so many ways which will lead us astray of God and His plans for us. Sometimes it can feel like we are the lambs being led to slaughter. How many times have you done something, then regretted it, because "it seemed like a good idea at the time"? I know I'm guilty of it. I imagine God must be banging His head up there, wondering what it will take to get us to listen. He keeps trying to send people to deliver His message, but people being people, we often don't pay attention. Sometimes it takes a holy uprising, so to speak, to get us to realize that we've lost our way. 

I think that God decided to send down Jesus to us to see if maybe a "kinder and gentler" approach might work better. Sometimes that old fire and brimstone just don't cut it. Jesus preached forgiveness and peace. But, still, people would not listen. Who was this Man who talks a good a game? He's not from around here. We are suspicious of strangers. They must have some sort of ulterior motive. They're looking for something. Jesus was the ultimate stranger in a strange land. 

Sometimes we can't see what's in front of us. Maybe there is no "end game", maybe
there is no ulterior motive. Sometimes it is what it is. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a duck! And that's what Jesus is.. He's our duck. He is what He appears to be. A simple Man, sent from God, on a mission. 

That's what we see here, in John's reading. Word of Jesus has spread far and wide. But people are still doubtful. He speaks so eloquently and with conviction. He is cool and confident. Some are willing to risk it and not believe He is who He says He is. But, still others, not so much. Maybe this is Him. Just because He's not from around here doesn't mean it can't be Him. Just because He speaks with such knowledge and compassion.... 

When we believe in Jesus, we have to take that leap of faith. We have to trust that Jesus is who He says He is. I can personally atest to the fact that I have a hard time just saying ok, Lord, take this and YOU deal with it because I can't. Will He really do it? What will happen if I don't do anything except rely on Him to fix it? But that's what it means to have faith. That's what it means to believe. That's what it is to be a follower of Jesus. We step out of that fear, that darkness, that uncertainty. 

Today, try and have a bit of a conversation with Jesus. Give whatever your burden is to Him. Take that leap of faith. He will hear you. I promise. And, as always, dear reader... be a nice human. 😇

***Pray and meditate on Psalms 142 and 143***

Have a listen to Father Bill. He pretty much speaks of what I have written. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u86ozLIx4AI 

Some musical encouragement, Chris Tomlin "I Lift My Hands"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c24En0r-lXg