This weekend I continue with the sixth homily of a new message series called BREAKING NEWS—THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS. This seven part message series will help all of us realize that God’s love is good news that we should embrace, celebrate and share. God is for us and not against us—He heals us, fills in the gaps, gives us eternity and helps us persevere through the joys and challenges in our lives. This makes all the difference for us!!
If you miss any of the series you can go to our website (chathamcatholic.ca) to watch or listen.
October 11/12 – GOD HEALS US
October 18/19 – GOD HEARS US & HELPS US
October 25/26 – THE POWER OF HUMILITY
November 1/2 – GOD GIVES US ETERNITY
November 8/9 – HEAVEN ON EARTH
November 15/16 – GOD HELPS US PERSEVERE
November 22/23 – BUILDING CHRIST’S KINGDOM
GOSPEL STRENGTH IN THE STORM
In the gospel this weekend, Jesus tells the disciples days are coming that will be filled with chaos, conflict, famine, plagues and destruction. He goes even further to say that these difficult times will include betrayals by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. Everything that they were used to and relied upon would fail and fall—definitely not good news!!!
Christ encourages the disciples not to lose heart and not to be overwhelmed but tells them that in the midst of the chaos, turmoil and difficult times this will become an opportunity to testify and witness to the truth. When everything seems to be falling apart, this is the greatest time to open their lives to the Lord who will offer them strength and the words bringing hope, light, joy and peace. Christ reminds the disciples not to fear the storms in their lives but to trust in Him and endure to the end.
THE BLUE JAYS GO TO THE WORLD SERIES!
Despite the fact that most of you know that I am a proud Boston Bruins fan, I am also a Toronto Blue Jays fan. It was amazing to see them play so well in the playoffs and come so close to winning the World Series!! It was definitely a successful year and I look forward to supporting the team as they will be extremely competitive and no doubt make it to the finals in the years ahead. I still remember those two glorious championship seasons of 1992 & 1993!!
The Blue Jays regular season and playoff run was filled with joys, sorrows, challenges, injuries, and struggles. They had to persevere in many different ways. One of the stabilizing factors was their manager, John Schneider. He had to be the one who didn’t get too high or too low—but had to keep level headed in the emotional journey of the season.
Late in the season, the Jays became the top team in the major leagues posting the best win/loss record. When asked about that he said, “It’s nice until about midnight tonight, and then you start getting ready for tomorrow.” After a difficult loss in the playoffs he said, “You get your teeth kicked in tonight, you have to come out tomorrow and be ready to play.” One of John Schneider’s primary roles as the manager was to keep the team steady, focused and level headed—not getting too high or too low. This was the best way to persevere through the joys, sorrows and chaos of the season. We too need to be level headed in the midst of the challenges, struggles and the joys of life with God’s help.
LESSONS FROM ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
St. Ignatius of Loyola, from Spain, was a former soldier, who became a Catholic priest and theologian, who with six companions, founded the Jesuits and became the first Superior General in Paris in 1541. He developed Spiritual Exercises to support the formation of his recruits to the community which today is called Ignatian spirituality.
In his reflections he cautioned people not to be overwhelmed in low times (desolation) or too confident in high times (consolation). He wrote, “Desolation is darkness of the soul, disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly…without hope, without love, finding oneself tepid, sad, and as if separated from One’s Creator and Lord.” He also wrote, “Consolation is when the soul is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord…every increase of hope, faith, and charity, and all interior joy that attracts heavenly things.”
The idea was to know that in times of desolation we should act and draw closer to God persevering knowing that these low times will end while realizing that the times of consolation or high times were moments of grace that would also at some point end. Keeping balance in the joys and sorrows of life would help us be true disciples in the rollercoaster of daily living.
PERSEVERING WITH FAITH TODAY
What does this mean for us today? Christ helps us persevere when we build up a strong spiritual life, get involved in our family of parishes, be patient and turn to the Lord in desolation and consolation, and serve others—sharing all we have with those in need. With this endurance we face the storm with grace!!
