reflection

Mother Teresa went to Calcutta, India because she distinctly heard God calling her to serve among the poorest of the poor. The Ascension marks the transition from the ministry of Jesus culminating in His death and resurrection to the ministry of the Church. The commission of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Matthew continues to this day. Many saints and contemporary members of the body of Christ experience moments or even lengthy periods of doubt. Many of us are sometimes troubled by such experiences. I assure you, it is normal. The disciples fell down to worship Jesus, demonstrating their faith; yet, this was mingled with doubt.

That St. Matthew thought it important to reveal their doubt in the Gospel passage can give all of us hope as we experience the deep and dark questions of our time. Telling the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, He commissioned them to go into the whole world, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all that He had commanded them. We are assured of His continued presence. St. Francis exhorts us to preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words.

During Lent we review the way we are living in the hopes of making changes that will take us into the Easter season and beyond. One of the things we look at is our commitment to following God’s Way. Moses tells the people that if they follow God’s law, other nations will see this wisdom and intelligence. Unfortunately, not many people looking at the

United States

today would reach that conclusion.

After a summary of the Ten Commandments in Leviticus, Chapter 19, we read: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, and show respect for the old… When an alien resides with you in your land, do not oppress him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself” Lv 19:33-34. This is reflected in the sonnet by Emma Lazarus engraved at the base of the Statue of Liberty that asks, “Give me your tired, your poor.”

On a local level it is reflected by teachers, doctors and nurses who do not ask questions when they encounter students or patients, but treat them as all others who come through their doors. As Christians, whose Lord has come to fulfill the law, let us work to make this principle our law, to embrace its wisdom.

Today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of Life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; Life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.

No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. The birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy, "Glory to God in the highest," and they proclaim peace to His people on earth as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God's goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace! Where there is hatred - let me sow love. Where there is injury - pardon. Where there is doubt - faith. Where there is despair - hope. Where there is darkness - light. Where there is sadness - joy."

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers to treat others as they wish others would treat them. Even meeting this standard, as difficult as it is, pales in comparison to the compassion God has shown us. We must remind ourselves of the great gift we have to Christ Jesus who has given us the power to become sons and daughters of God.

When we are tempted to seek the best place for ourselves, we have the example of Jesus to follow. Throughout His ministry He praises the least, lost and forgotten as those most worthy of the kingdom of God. If others wish to honor us, that is fine and good; but if not, we have been honored by God--dignity enough for any mortal.

In the parable of the great dinner, Jesus urges us to consider how God generously offers His bounty to the righteous and sinners alike. Rather than identifying with the invited, we can see that we ourselves are the sinners and outcasts. Recognizing that all we are and have are gifts from God, we can be more compassionate to those who need our charity. We need no repayment because we have been paid ahead of time. The Holy Eucharist is the greatest example of God’s generosity toward us.