What Are You Willing To Change?
 
My dear parishioners, Jesus of Nazareth was not employed during the active years of his pastoral ministry. Nevertheless, he applied himself energetically to his mission, ranging far and wide to teach and bring peace to troubled lives. He devoted every moment of his spare time to praying in deserts and synagogues. He implored God to feed, heal, and protect his followers. He forgave sins and wept over faithless Jerusalem. 
 
The people Jesus came to serve were disheartened. Hounded by anxiety, they did not know whom or what to trust.  Orphans, widows and the poor live in fear of exploitation. Greed and violence were tolerated on all sides. The call to personal holiness was a distant memory. Everyone, it seemed, was ensnared by futility and dread of the future.
 
Nevertheless, Jesus knew the widespread corruption he witnessed was not unique to Judea or Roman Palestine. Human brokenness is universal and at its root is rebellion against God. The people of Israel needed to change. Indeed, the whole world required a divine regeneration. So Jesus undertook the hard work of change, that “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which (God) has called you”.  [Eph 1:18] 
 
Crucially, Jesus wanted everyone to know God intimately as he did. His own relationship with God was as an obedient son to his loving heavenly father. He took every opportunity to pray, often disappearing to quiet places unknown to his apostles. He prayed at home, in the synagogue, on the roadside, in the desert. No place or occasion was off-limits to communing with God. Prayer before his provident father came before all else. As Luke’s gospel records, Jesus always prayed before acting in miraculous ways. He said, “whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."  [Mt 21:22]
 
No less important was Jesus’ desire to strike human brokenness at its root. To accomplish this necessitated he bear the immense weight of human infidelity on his divine shoulders. Death’s power would be destroyed by the sacrificial offering of his own life. Therefore, he “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, (humbling) himself and (becoming) obedient unto death, even death on a cross”.  [cf. Phi 2:6-11]
 
Whenever the Church’s sacraments are celebrated, the echo of Jesus’ voice is heard. What are you willing to change? Are you willing to search for quiet places to encounter God? Are you willing to become holy as God is holy? Are you willing to grasp God’s guiding hand in all activities of your life? Are you willing to change people’s understanding of God by your own example? Soon enough you will realize the path to Jesus is found in the act of leading others to him. Do not worry. You will be given strength and courage to make the daily sacrifices God requires of you.
 
In each person’s life the hour will come when he cries out for a person worthy to receive his ultimate trust. It is Jesus of Nazareth, risen from the dead, who answers your every need, your every longing, your every desire for genuine love. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  [Mt 11:28-30] 
 
Jesus once came to us, and he will come again. Risen from the dead, he has ascended to the heavens to take his place at the right hand of his heavenly father. At the appointed time, he will return in glory to gather his elect. But we are not without wisdom, nor cast away for lack of a home. We have his teachings. We live in his Church. His apostles are in our midst to this very day. Take this thought to heart. God sent his Holy Spirit to dwell among us as our Counselor, to open for us the storehouse of Our Lord’s teachings and bring to our remembrance all that he has said to us.  [cf Jn 14:26]  Sincerely, in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.