Our people “don’t what to hear it” - That is why they must “see it” - They must see it in you

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Matthew how huge crowds were following Jesus….What is it about the Truth that is so compelling?….Even when it comes from such a simple and humble man as a Carpenter from Nazareth…The crowds speak for themselves - They still do to this day…………”The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick”…….There are more than a few instances in Scripture where Jesus sees the crowd and “was moved with pity”…..Even on the cross as he was dying, one of the last things Christ said was….”“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”…To this day, that statement should hold true in the minds and hearts of every practicing Catholics…….Are we “moved with pity” for our world?….A world that in many ways has forgotten what it means to live properly - And it shows in so many ways…..Family life has broken down…So many people are wounded as a result of that reality….You see it everywhere you go….Our society is unmoored, grasping for purpose in all the wrong places….I will ask it again - For those who have God firmly in their hearts - Are we moved with pity for the world as Christ was?...Its easy to “throw stones” - But if you step back and think if you were not given your Catholic faith…If you were not given good parents…If you were not given a good example…If you were not given a solid Catholic education - Would you be any different?….So what do we do about it?….Do we “think” we are somehow better than others?….How do we help?……Our world needs to witness a better way to live…Its very clear that the “ways of this world” do not work - Outcomes do to lie!….As Catholics our words will fall on deaf ears if our life does not “speak” for itself….This is what Jesus did - He walked among men - His life pointed to something greater…This is what we must do as well.........”As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes”…….Its so easy to throw stones…..It’s another thing all together at the sight of the “vast crowd” to be “moved with pity for them”…And as a result, if and only if we give a Christ-like witness, we will “cure they’re sick”

“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”

God is a reality….Each of us were made by God and when a person makes a conscious choice to break with God and his Church - There are consequences - “Something” breaks within that person - Its so apparent and tangibly witnessed……And in the “void” created by the absence of God - “Things” are placed in that void - And more times than not, those “things” are harmful to that person…When we see this in our everyday life - Are we moved with pity as the Gospel tells us that Jesus was?…….I work in New York City and once I get off my bus from New Jersey I walk roughly about a mile to my office building….The “things” I have see over the years on that walk are so disturbing - Each and everyone of those people I see, many of which are living such horrible lives is someone’s child!….If that were one of my children, I literally would be sick?…..So what can we do?…..Well for one, I made it a practice everyday to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet as I walk the streets for everyone I see….But outside of prayer, what can we as Catholics do for a world that in many so ways does not know any better or worse does and has rejected God outright?…..We must make it “our business” to give a good example…Trust me - The people in your orbit who know you are a practicing Catholic - They watch you very carefully…..Words or arguments will never convince the world that the Catholic Church is the answer to so many of our society’s problems - Only your example, fueled by Sacramental grace, prayer and fasting can do that…..The power of a consistent witness allows the Holy Spirit to “work” on those around you…People must see that there is a “better way” to live…..They must see it with their own two eyes!......Mere words will never make that happen - Only the witness of our life can help this wounded world “grasping at straws”…....Is this what we are aspiring to do? - To give a Christ-like witness?…….Because this is the ONLY way we can help outside of our prayers….Do we love others enough to do this?…Or would we rather “throw stones” and think we are better than them?

"If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, Quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand."

Today in the Gospel at Mass we see how Jesus had a heart for the everyday troubles of his people…Do we feel the same?…..As Catholics we are called to “walk among men”….To live side-by-side others….We are not called to isolate ourselves…..Why?…..Well, as always Jesus tells us why……”Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father”…Our world does not need another lecture - Our world needs witnesses…..Our words will be ignored but a Christ-like witness cannot be ignored….Such a witness cuts to the heart of society…This is what our world needs…And to give such a witness, we as Catholics need to get serious!…We have to make it our “business” to allow Christ to transform us….When you read about the lives of the saints, you will see very clearly how regular everyday people impacted vast numbers of a given population - Are we willing to empty ourselves to the degree that the saints did? - To allow the Holy Spirit to fill us in radical ways?…..Because this is the ONLY way we can help our world…..Our people “don’t what to hear it” - That is why they must “see it” - They must see it in you………………JMJ