Stepping Out in Faith

 Good Afternoon, dear reader. We are half way through yet another week. The promise of things to come keep us moving forward. 

Today we revisit the tale of the three men who refused to worship the golden idol that King Nebuchadnezzar had created. However, we come in at a later part of the story. The men were in the furnace. The fire grew hotter and larger, yet nothing happened to these men! The person in charge of making sure the fire burned hot and that the men did not escape told the king that there were FOUR men in the furnace, one of whom looked like the Son of God. How could this be? This was way before the time of Jesus's birth. It is explained that the king saw this as an angel who was sent down from God to protect the men. After this, the king realized that these men were so sure in their faith that God protected them. He then said that anyone who talked bad about these men would be "cut to pieces and his house destroyed, for there is no other God who can rescue like this" (Dn 3:96, NAB). 

Sometimes it really does take a miracle, an act so surreal that there is no doubt that it was God's doing. And it takes a great deal of courage to stick by your faith, especially when your life is in the balance. The ones past who had given their lives for their belief in God were true martyrs, most of whom went on the become saints. Their defiance and their beliefs spoke of great faith, even if it didn't save their lives. I don't know a great many people who would do that. This is why our behavior, our actions, our lives should reflect our comittment to God. We need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk, as the saying goes. 

We see a similar theme in today's Gospel. Jesus tells the Jews that whoever listens to His word will be His disciples. But the Jews only believe in one God and follow the
prophet Abraham. Much of Jewish law is based in the Old Testament. So for them to believe in Jesus, they were going against God's law set forth in the Ten Commandments (Dt 5:7). Jesus tried explaining that by believing in Him, they also believed in God. No matter how much Jesus tried explaining, they wouldn't believe, they wouldn't listen. 

Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to explain something to someone but no matter which way you said it, they still wouldn't believe you? It is truly mind numbing. I've often thought I'd have an easier time explaining things to my dog!! lol I imagine Jesus must've felt a similar way. He was trying to say that it was ok for the Jews to believe in Him because He was sent here by His Father, God. After a while, He just sort of gave up. Just go on being sinful. You're not going to listen. Continue to be a slave to what is not of God. As the Jews began to throw stones at Him, He must've thrown up His hands and basically said "I'm outta here." There is nothing more you can do. You can't force people to listen or understand. And, as hard as it might be, sometimes you do need to just walk away. You know what's right and what's true, and as long as you are following what Jesus taught us. And that's all that matters.

So, dear reader, be assured in your faith, stand firm in that belief. Let your actions follow that of your words. Be the example of Jesus. And as always, be a nice human.😇

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

"The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t9u-LOa3OI

The Bigger Picture

Happy Thursday, dear reader!! It is going to be a warm, albeit, wet Thursday here, but I'll take rain over snow any day!! It has been a long and cold winter and I'm more than ready for a glorious Spring!

Our first reading today takes us to the book of Exodus. The Israelites have been on a journey to find a place of peace. Moses had gone to the mount to speak with God. The people had become worried that he hasn't come back. So, they turn to Aaron to do something. They are looking for someone or something to worship. They are in need of a new leader. They do not have the patience to wait for Moses to return. This was not a good choice. When God gets wind of what the people are doing, He tells Moses that he best hurry back and put these people straight, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved." (Ex 32:7, NAB). 

Worshipping a golden calf may not seem so immoral to us today. We've all seen a lot worse. But back in the time of Moses, God saw this a real affront. This was sinful and scandalous behavior. Here He was, trying to liberate these people, finding them a place of peace where they could live out their days, and as soon as their leader disappears for a bit, they go all haywire. God is so insensed that He tells Moses to leave Him alone so He can think about how He wants to teach these people a lesson, "Let Me alone, then, that My wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." (Ex 32:10, NAB). But Moses wants to give these people a second chance. God decides to listen to Moses and spares them. However, Moses is now armed with the Ten Commandments. Now there are rules, given straight from God, on how they should conduct themselves from here on out.

We all make mistakes. We all wander off the path that God has chosen for us. We all want to fit in with the rest of society. That's what Moses tries to tell God. These were His people. God chose them to settle a new land where they would be free to worship Him without fear of condemnation. They've been wandering in this desert, they are in need of direction, of hope. And God realized this. He gave His rules for the people to follow so that they wouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Which brings us to John's Gospel. It's a bit confusing as it refers to giving witness to God, needing people to confirm things, who is fit to be the witnesses. So, in Father Bill's video, he asks us a simple question to ponder. What has brought you here? Why now? Is God trying to lead you out of your own desert? What does that desert look like? Where are you trying to go and why? 

As you try and answer those questions, go back and reread todays passages. How does your life mimic them? Have you asked the Lord to spare you from your sins? Search your heart today. Find the places where you need some encouragment. Pray on that. Meditate on it. Then ask God to guide you to where you need to be. And, as always, dear reader.. be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXEwxkRUj0M