Thursday After Ash Wednesday

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2007




“I (Jesus) say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
Matthew 16:13-19

_______________________________________________________

Two points I want to share today. The first point is to ask yourself, “Who founded the church I am presently attending? The choice is either the Divine Christ or a mere mortal. Today, in our scripture, we see Jesus founding the church on St. Peter which has continued in unbroken unity to our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict. Every other church that exists was founded by some mortal who broke off from the church Jesus founded. Second, Jesus founds the church on St. Peter, and, in turn, on us all.



Today we celebrate the Chair of St. Peter, apostle. How would you like to be St. Peter? Jesus, The Divine Messiah, Savior and Lord says to you, “I am going to build my Church on you! On me? Woe! The manifestation and revelation of Jesus is going to come to and through my body? Like Our Most Beautiful Mother Mary we ask, “How can this be?” I am just a poor pauper begging for bread and you want to build your church on me, Dear Jesus? Don’t you think you better rethink this proposal?”



Now, rekindle what Isaiah said about who the Israelites would be for the nations, “See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the people; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see.” Isaiah 60:2-4



What an image! Because of our radiance, nations and kings shall stream toward us and walk in the radiance of the light God has given us! Wow! Coming out of the dark of the world, all people come into light of us, the church, who are radiant with light.



Let us try a little exercise right now. Just repeat out loud the following words: “Fr. John. Are you trying to tell me that I will be radiant at what I see? Are you trying to tell me that when I see Jesus, I will become radiant with light? Are you telling me that nations and kings will exchange the darkness of sin for the light of Christ when they see the radiance you have poured out into my soul? Is it true that all the daughters and sons from far off will see the light you have given me and come home to you because in me they have found you? How can it be? But you will it and so LET IT BE!!!”



Live the confronted life!

+Fr. John