By: Fr. John Jasica
SUMMER SERIES
JESUS--OUR BEST FRIEND
HOMILY #1 - GOD ALONE SATISFIES
In the first homily of this series, I reflected on the fact that only God can fill our hearts completely. Despite knowing this, we so often try so many other things that are momentary distractions that end up making us feel more empty than before. As St. Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
HOMILY #2 - KEEPING OUR EYES ON CHRIST
The second homily of the series reminded us that we need to seek the voice, presence and love of God in the sheer silence of our lives like Elijah from the first reading and that keeping our eyes on Christ we can walk on water and do the impossible. I also shared the heroic and courageous faith of Deacon Dennis Rivest, a permanent deacon and friend from my previous appointment.
HOMILY #3 - GOD’S HOUSE IS FOR OUTSIDERS
In the third homily last weekend, we were all reminded that God’s house and kingdom is especially for outsiders. This was the case with the first reading where God calls all people to gather in His house of prayer while the gospel story focused on the Canaanite women (a gentile) who was persistent in her faith seeking Christ’s mercy and healing of her daughter. Despite being an outsider, the woman was granted her petition. God’s house is not reserved for a selected few but for all who seek Him.
The Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes strives to make sure everyone is welcomed, loved, valued and empowered to share the Good News. The structure of our pastoral plan and everything we do in the family of parishes is rooted in making room at the table for all “outsiders”. In fact, we strive to form disciples who actively reach out, engage and welcome “outsiders” and bring them home to God’s house.
JESUS MUST BE OUR FRIEND & OUR LORD
In order for us to do what seems impossible, we need the love, grace and presence of Christ in our lives. In fact, He must be at the heart and centre of everything we do. We must have a strong and deep relationship with Christ so that He is our friend and our Lord. Jesus cannot be a distant relative that we connect with only at Christmas, Easter and other special occasions. He cannot also be only someone we call when we are in trouble. In order to live our lives to the fullest and do the impossible—we need to be close to the Lord—He must be our best friend!!
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?
This is the question Jesus poses to the disciples when they arrive at Caesarea Philippi. The question and the location are both important here. Caesarea Philippi was an administrative and economic hub of the region that was filled with Greeks and Romans (gentiles) that had no real connection with Jews. It was also a centre of pagan worship. In the midst of this busy background of distractions and idol worship, Christ asks the disciples this very important question.
Peter makes the powerful profession of faith calling Jesus the Messiah or Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter makes this profound statement of faith expressing the reality that Jesus is the only one who can bring salvation to humanity and that they have been waiting for Him. Peter only made this grand profession being open to grace and deeply connected to Jesus as friend and Lord. This was not just a spur of the moment statement. Peter made this declaration rooted in a deep relationship with Jesus.
DEEPENING OUR RELATIONSHIP
Our family of parishes is a place for us to deepen our relationship with one another and together with Christ our Lord. All of our programs, outreach and ministries seek to deepen our bond with Jesus getting to know him like we know our own personal friends.
The only way to deepen our relationship with Jesus is to take the time, share our hopes and dreams, listen to one another and grow in trust. Connect with Christ like you would with your best friends. Jesus is always there for us and will never ever disappoint us.
