God's guarantee of eternal life to those who believe

Today's Scripture readings are awesome.  In  Heb 10:19-25 we read about the incredible gift of eternal life. Jesus opened the gates to eternal life for us through "the veil," His flesh. Because of Jesus, we can approach eternity with utmost confidence and unwaverly hope. The water and blood that poured out from Jesus' heart on the cross cleanses our consciences and purifies our heart--the very body and blood of Jesus that enters our very being in Holy Communion. Over and above these gifts,  Jesus intercedes for us before the throne of His Father on a daily basis--think of the power of this intercession, when we know our own intercessory prayers make a difference in the lives of those for whom we pray. What an awesome God. No wonder, in the Gospel, Jesus asks that we do not put our light under a bushel basket. Our very nature is to radiate God's glory fully alive within us, especially after we receive the Eucharist.

"He casts out devils by the prince of devils"

Imagine how insulted Jesus must have felt when the Pharisees accused Him of casting out devils by the prince of devils.  How ludicrous! How bizarre a thought. Would the Pharisees ever see any good in Jesus? Would the pharisees of today ever see any good in another human being.  You and I are capable of assuming a pharisaical role, seeing "specks" in the lives of others while a beam lodges in our own eyes, the beam of prejudice, fault-finding, negativity, jealousy, gossip and so on.  We can also look at the Gospel of today and marvel at the Spirit working in our lives as the Spirit worked in the life of Jesus, giving us the strength to remain confident of God's power at work in us when we are falsely accused, belittled, degraded by the harsh remarks of our accusers or by our harshness toward ourselves. May each of us stand firm in God's grace.

Being Drawn to Christ

This year the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother are celebrating the 11^th death anniversary of their Foundress, Mother Frances Streitel.  Mother Frances was declared “Venerable” by the Church in March of 2010. That means that she is a candidate for beatification and also for canonization. By being declared “Venerable,” the Church is saying that she practiced virtue to a heroic degree. She is someone all of us can emulate.   Let me begin this year’s Spiritual Journey by reflecting on Mother Frances’ love of the Lord. Already as a child Mother Frances found ways to imitate her Savior and grow close to Him. At age nine she contemplated what Jesus meant when He said “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself” (Jn 12:32). She also looked for ways, as a child, to reach out to those in need, imitating her mother who shared meals with the poor of her day. Amalia, as she was known as a child, saved her desserts for them. She was willing, already then, to make sacrifices for the Lord, as He did for her in leaving His Father’s House and taking on human nature.