God Is With Us

In the great feast that we gather and celebrate this day, the only ones who know who Jesus is and where to find him, are the angels. These angels, you see, are very important. Without angels, no one would know one child from the next. Without angels, no one would know that the child born of Mary was the Saviour and Son of God. Without angels, no one would know where to look. Probably without angels, the shepherds would never have thought to look in a barn.

I think God made angels to tell us three very important things.

The first one is: God wants to be close to us. Very close. God wants to get as close as possible. So close that God can laugh and cry, and be hurt and comforted, grow and learn, be born and die, just like us. When you understand that message, then you will begin to wonder, how you can be close to God.

The second message is about where to find God. Where you look is what Christmas is all about. You have to look in unlikely places—in places where perhaps you would never expect to find God. Not with the powerful and the rich and famous, but with the weak and the powerless—with those who need protection, like a baby. When you understand that message, then you will begin to reach out to others who are helpless and powerless, and you will discover God.

The third message is about family. When God wanted to come to us and there was no room anywhere, there was room in a family. We all come from families, and every family looks a little different, but every family is a sacred and holy place. When you understand that message, then you will begin to see church as family and the place where you and your friends and your family and your home can learn about God, about forgiveness, about love, respect, and about holiness.

Now these are the things that angels know about and these are the things that the angels came to tell us: God wants to be close to us and we must find every way possible to be close to God. God is found where ever there are people who need protection, and we must take care of others who need us. God makes families, biological and church, holy, and in our family we learn to pray and grow to be holy.

Now if you think about this: you know who Jesus is. You know where to find him, and you know the message, so in a sense this day, we realize, we are like the angels—we have a message to tell and people to lead, and God wants us to spread the news, show the way, and to celebrate and rejoice this day.

Throughout the world this day, there are many gifts and many presents, many celebrations. But here in the manger is the only gift that matters: God so close to us that he is one of us, found in a most unlikely place, a child who makes us all family, brothers and sisters: Emmanuel, God with us. Merry Christmas.

Who Is Jesus?

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

On this 3rd Sunday of our Advent Season, we come closer and closer to celebrating again the birth of Jesus in our lives. In the gospel this Sunday, when John the Baptist was in prison, and heard of all the things Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question—Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?

Now many scripture scholars have paused to consider this unique question from John the Baptist to Jesus. One of the explanations of this question is that John had expected the Christ to be identified by different actions and behaviours. It is often thought that John, like many of the ancient Jews, expected that the primary task of the Messiah would be to carry out the final judgment and to destroy all that has not produced fruit. The Messiah, it was popularly believed, would come to judge, condemn and destroy. Even many modern-day Christians believe this.


But John is hearing reports of a very different Messiah and he is puzzled. When the question of John finally reaches Jesus, he responds:


Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.


Is it any wonder John the Baptist is confused? Who is this Jesus?
Brothers and sisters, this may be a very good weekend to ponder and consider our own vision of who is Jesus? This may be a good weekend to examine our own image of Jesus as we prepare for His coming into our lives.


Who is Jesus for you?


Now, if you have spent years studying this question in seminary or formation or in courses and degrees, the answers may come fast, but chances are it will be somewhat scholarly and bit sterile.


On the other hand, perhaps some of us have not really thought about this question in a very long time. Sure, the images of Jesus may appear everywhere (on walls, in pictures, in mosaics, on icons, on a crucifix that hangs around someone’s neck); however, Jesus’ personal identity and how that identity personally and profoundly affects your life is exactly the stuff that the spiritual life is made of.
Perhaps we, like John, have an image of Jesus that is not exactly on the mark and perhaps that is why our spiritual lives may be stagnant or sluggish—or even nonexistent.


Who is Jesus for you?


Jesus provides some answers to this question this week. Jesus heals. Jesus cleanses. Jesus brings back to life that which was dead. Jesus brings good news to those in desperation.
Rather than cowering in fear or shame to a messiah who judges, punishes and condemns, let us respond to Jesus, who in our Gospel this weekend, reminds us of who He truly is.


Let us put all that is hurting, stained, dead and impoverished in our lives in front of the Lord. Let nothing come in between us and the Lord. Shame and sin paralyzes. The love of God in Christ brings healing. And this Advent, and this Christmas, once again Jesus, our God, comes to us, in the flesh.


Are you ready to welcome him?

Follow Me

Follow me. The challenge is to you and to me: Will I follow Jesus as my Lord? These are not only ancient words written two thousand years ago, but the Living Word, and a call for each of us today. Am I willing to willing to give up everything in order to follow Jesus, to be a Christian? And this is not just the tangible things like family, possessions and things, am I willing to give up everything?

So often we answer “yes, of course!” But I think it’s easy to say “yes” when I’m nice and comfortable in church on Sunday morning. Am I willing to give up my self-centeredness? Am I willing to give up gossip? Am I willing to give up revenge even when others hurt me? Am I willing to dedicate my life to the poor, even if they fail to show gratefulness for my work? Am I willing to have Love as the standard by which all relationships, decisions and choices are based? Now, Jesus always accepts us just as we are, but He invites us to follow Him now, in the present moment, not just when we “think” we are ready.

As the gospel opens today, Luke points out that Jesus is about to begin his “longest journey,” to go to Jerusalem for his passion. Luke has Jesus constantly on journeys, right from the moment of his conception. All the time, Luke is preparing his readers for the GREAT JOURNEY which begins in today’s gospel.

This journey starts in chapter nine, and continues until chapter nineteen. It occupies fully a third of Luke’s gospel, because it is a journey that each one of us must take, if we are serious about being a disciple of Jesus. And do not worry about how to take this journey, Jesus will be teaching us for the next ten chapters! Luke’s gospel will teach us to be disciples, if, we begin with the “yes” to Jesus words, “Follow me.”

In Luke, the words “retreat” or “defeat” will never be mentioned. At all costs, we must keep on the journey. Even if we stumble and fall, like Jesus, we are called to stand up and move forward once again. Perhaps we call this “holy determination:” the conscious choice to be a disciple in all areas of our lives, at all times. This is the determination of Elisha to follow the prophet Elijah. This is the determination of Jesus, as he sets out to Jerusalem. Everything from this point on takes it’s meaning from the passion, death and resurrection.

In Jerusalem Jesus will reveal the whole purpose of his life: to show that Love is the ultimate power—even power over death.

Luke shows us how Jesus began his life with signs and miracles in Galilee. The he lets go of all of this as starts to Jerusalem. This is the profound paradox that is the heart of Christianity: Jesus freely gives up his power of signs and miracles…even as his loving makes him more and more vulnerable and seems to lead to his defeat. But this love for others, releases the power of God—a power that conquers death and surpasses all of the power, healing and miracles in Galilee. This is why Jesus refuses James and John to “call down fire from heaven.” From this point forward, the only power of Jesus, is the overwhelming power of love.

But now we return to the beginning: “Follow me.” Before you answer, we have the words of Jesus to three would-be followers.

To the first, Jesus says, “before you follow me, count the cost.” No one can ever say that Jesus calls disciples on false pretenses. He left no doubt or question about the cost of being his disciple.

To the second, the words sounds harsh, but in all probability, the man’s father was not dead or even dying, he was just wavering on his decision. Jesus urges us to act at once when our hearts are stirred.

His words to the third person state a truth no one can deny. There are many whose hearts are always in the past, “the way things used to be.” The Christian must always be on the journey forward. To this last person Jesus did not say “follow” or “return.” He just made it clear that either you follow him with your whole heart…or don’t begin the journey, and left the man to make his own decision.

Now, what about you? Today you hear the words of Jesus, “Follow me.” Are you willing to give up your past? Are you willing to change your life so that Love is the center of all you do? Are you willing to travel with Jesus, to Jerusalem, where seemingly powerless Love, will ultimately conquer loveless power?

Jesus says, “Follow me.” Respond carefully.

"And you, who do you say I am?"

Luke 9,18-24

“And you, who do you say that I am?” This is one of the most crucial and important moments in the life of Jesus. He asked this question to his disciples, just as he was getting ready to head toward Jerusalem, the cross. Up until this point in Luke’s gospel, Jesus had preached about his Father, described Love as the standard, healed the sick, and performed miracles. He was acting much like other prophets, holy persons, and teachers of the time. But now, this was to change.

Jesus knew that he was going to the cross. The Son of God, Jesus, would destroy death forever, unite all people once and for all to the Father with a new covenant of Love. And he wanted to know before he went to the cross, if there was anyone who had really understood his mission. Was his life a success or failure? If there was any realization, however incomplete, it meant that he had lit a flame in human hearts that nothing could ever put out. How Jesus’ heart must have sailed when Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Messiah!” When Jesus heard this, he knew that he had not failed.

The disciples you see had grown up against a background of thought which expected from God a messiah that would be a conquering king who would lead to world domination. The people of Israel would no longer be oppressed and enslaved by others. But Jesus had to teach them that God’s anointed one, the Christ, had come, to die upon a cross. His way would not be of conquering domination, but the power of self-giving love. He had to take their ideas and expectations of God and of God’s purposes and turn them upside down. The disciples understood Jesus, now they had to learn what that discovery would mean.

Jesus began by asking what others were saying about him, and then suddenly he changes, and asks them, “Who do YOU say that I am?” You see, it is never enough to know what other people say about Jesus. It might be possible to pass an examination on what has been said and thought about Jesus, or to read every book about theology, or have diplomas and certificates and degrees, and still not be a Christian. Jesus must always be our own personal discovery. Something that happens in the mind as well as the heart. To everyone here, Jesus comes not asking, “Can you tell me what others have said and written about me?” but, “Who do you say that I am?” Christianity does not mean reciting a creed. It means knowing a person, the person of Jesus.

Jesus then said, “I must go to Jerusalem and die.” It is important to look at the times in Luke’s gospel when Jesus says “must.” “I must be in my Father’s house.” “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.” “Today, tomorrow and the next day, I must be on my way.” Over and over again, Jesus told his disciples that he must go to the cross.

The way of the cross, is the way of discipleship. Being a Christian is not about power, control and domination, being a disciple is about the giving of self in love.

“And you, who do YOU say that I am?” How you answer that question will determine whether you are a good student with correct answers for an examination question, or a disciple of Jesus Christ...a Christian.

Unity Through Jesus

Sometimes we look at our world, we listen to the news and there seems to be so much division and conflict. Jesus’ statement that “The Father and I are one,” stands out in stark contrast. Because you see, Unity is the primary hallmark of God, the Trinity, the relationship between Father, Son and Spirit. Disunity seems to be the hallmark of our own human relationships. It seems every time we read look around, there is division, hatred, conflict, gossip and hostility.

Nation against nation, race against race, culture against culture, individual against individual, husband against wife, brothers against sisters, parents against children, and even Christian against Christian. In the midst of this hatred and conflict, Jesus declares that Unity and Oneness must define our relationship with God, and with each other.

From the very beginning Jesus offered the world a chance to unite as one, bringing “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues” into one united body of love. People who previously would have had little or nothing to do with one another are made ONE in Christ. And Jesus did not do this by making the Gentile, Jewish, nor by forcing the Jew to become like the Gentile. Rather, he brought this unity by making of the two, one new being. When you put your faith in Christ, you become citizens of a New Kingdom, if you allow God’s love to truly transform you.

You see, Jesus’ distinguishing characteristic of unity offers hope of peace to a world of fractured relationships, conflicts and disagreement. But, the world can only learn of this reality of unity, by observing the unity that exists within his body. Unfortunately, too often the way Christians relate to one another is often more of a scandal than a testimony of this hope.

I believe that the roots of this disunity are planted in fear, nourished by pride and self-righteousness, gossip and rumor. In disunity our gaze is focused primarily on the differences of others and upon the supposed perfection of our own position. However, the roots of unity are planted by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Father’s love, and Jesus’ passion for all.

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. The Father and I are one.

Are we listening? Do you take the time out to listen to the voice of Jesus in prayer and liturgy? Can you hear the voice of Jesus coming through others, instruments of his love and concern, especially those closest to us, even though they may be different?

Will we follow the Good Shepherd together, or perish in our conflicts and divisions?

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

Approximately 7,300 days ago Nancy came to Tecolote.

Here are some of the Other Highlights of 1990...............

In 1990 the cost of a first class stamp was 25 cents.

The Wizard of Oz Stamp
In 1990 the United States Postal Service honored The Wizard of Oz by including it in a set of four classic films commemorative stamps honoring the fiftieth anniversaries of four Academy Award-nominated motion pictures from 1939. Resembling a miniature movie poster, the stamp was designed by Thomas Blackshear and was issued on March 24,1990


The movies we watched in 1990 included Pretty Woman and Dances With Wolves.

It was the year that 90210 and The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire debuted on TV but the show that was perhaps the most memorable was a Ken Burns documentary on PBS.

Authors with top selling books that year included Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum and Anne Rice.

1990 World Figure Skating Champions included Men's singles: Kurt Browning
Pair skating: Ekaterina Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov





Emma Watson , Hermione in the Harry Potter movies was born on April 15th, 1990...how time flies!

The Gift of Peace and Forgiveness

It’s most likely that the disciples continued to meet in the upper room where the last supper had been held. But, they must have been filled with fear and terror. They knew the bitterness and the anger of the Jews who demanded the death of Jesus, and they were afraid that they would be next. They must have been listening to every sound, every footstep, every voice and whisper. As they sat there, fearful, hopeless, giving up—suddenly Jesus was with them!

And in the midst of their worry, their concerns, their problems and their difficulties, Jesus gives to his disciples, and he gives to us, this incredible gift of peace. Be very clear, He does not necessarily take away the pain, the questions and the fear, but He stays with them, and gives them strength and he gives them peace, in the midst of the storm of their fear and questions. And then Jesus gives the disciples the commission that the church must never forget.

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

The Good News of Jesus, his love, and his promise of New Life could never be taken to all men and women, unless his disciples, the community of the church, take on this missionary task. The church must be the mouth and words and example of Jesus. And we, each one of us, is “the Church.” To be missionary, to spread the news of Jesus, means that our lives our rooted in his life. Our love must be rooted in his love.

And then Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. You see Resurrection and Pentecost are theologically linked, but liturgically a bit separated. There is no doubt that when St. John wrote these words, he was thinking back to the story of creation, “the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.”

And finally, Jesus proclaims what must be central to our lives. For all of his life, he talked of love, but perhaps Jesus understood best that the heart of love means forgiving, and forgiving, and forgiving, and when you no longer think you can forgive, forgive again and then equally as important allowing yourself to be forgiven, again and again.

I’m always amazed that in all the accounts of the resurrection, Jesus never refers back to the betrayal, abandonment and denial he experience from his closest friends and disciples. He only offers his endless gift of peace and forgiveness.

Just in case you don’t understand what this forgiveness really means, Jesus gives us an example. It the gospel today, we have the familiar story about “Doubting Thomas.” Poor Thomas certainly has had a bad reputation for almost 2000 years. However, if we really consider the situation, he probably doesn’t deserve all of the criticism he has received.

You see, Thomas wasn’t alone. Judas doubted. Peter doubted. Thomas doubted. And if I am honest with you, there are times in my own life that I too, doubt. I am overwhelmed, frightened, discouraged, angry, and like Thomas, I want to run, to shut the doors, and hide, and I doubt and question whether God is really with me.

But today the good news of the Gospel reminds me, and you, that even in our doubts, even in our fear and questions, Jesus comes into all of the ‘closed doors’ of our lives, and offers the gift of peace and forgiveness, he offers to be with us.

Jesus needs you. We certainly need Jesus. And to continue our discipleship, we must throw open the closed doors of our lives: forgive, be forgiven…and spread the news.