“If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts”

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Mark when Jesus taught in the synagogue, the people were astonished and recognized his authority…….Let’s explore this idea….How could this be?…Jesus was an uneducated person with no standing in his community, yet people understood “something special” was being said by this man……”Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes…..Within the human heart there is a thirst for God…Every soul has this thirst…We are born with it….And when we hear something that rings true, we know it - Even when we reject God - There is something about the Truth when spoken, it “registers” deep within the human heart…Remember, even King Herod liked to hear John the Baptist speak - Clearly Herod was own the “wrong side of things” but yet he still liked to hear what John the Baptist had to say…Why? - Because again, the Truth resonates deep within everyone…..Now for the problem - When we reject God - When we do not bend our knee to his holy will or the Church he founded, we have to “fill” that “need” within our heart with “something else”…That “something else” becomes a de-facto “god” - Whether its the environment; our political identity, animal rights, various social justice causes..the list goes on….In all these “things” we are creating a “god” to replace the real God and in many cases, we do not even realize we are doing this….This is why people become irrational in their political views, their lifestyle and their choices…Why? - Because to question the “identity” they created - To question the “de-facto god” they created is to question their very self - And they are not willing to do that….Why? - Because to do that would mean they would have to change and they simply are not willing to do that….All this being said - When the Truth is spoken as it was during Jesus day, the people understood something special was said…To same goes for today - The “Hound of Heaven” continues to “bark” at those who have created false “gods”….In time, many will “come to the end of themselves” and realize what they have created to be important, their “de-facto god”, was nothing more then a idol….At that point, a choice has to be made - Pray the world makes the right choice when that moment comes - And trust me - That Moment will come!

“Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.”

When holy people speak and you are in their presence, you can hear a pin drop, all eyes and ears are on that person…..I have watch video’s of when Mother Teresa would address heads of state at the height of her fame…Many of these men lived lives far from God, yet when Mother Teresa spoke, they were “all ears”….This is an example of we call in theological circles - “Deep calling out to deep”………I can remember doing a reading at a secular wedding for a friend……Many of the people in attendance at the wedding were fall away Catholics or frankly did not give God a second thought when it came to how they lived their lives…….But these people knew me and knew how I lived as a Catholic…..…I say that because when I read one of the Psalms at the wedding ceremony, every eye and ear was focused on me…I could feel it and see it in their faces….In some of the people in attendance at that wedding, there was a “look” on their face that said “everything” - They understood what was read to them in the Psalm, even though they rejected the words with and by the actions of their life….Take note - This is why Catholics must live in the world among people…Our lives must be “that sign” to an unbelieving world…With the hope when secular people see our lives, they second guess their own and in turn experience a change of heart…God is always calling - Its up to us to listen and respond….Be “that sign”…..And leave the rest to God.

“He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage”

Today St Mark at Mass tells us about how the people of Jesus’ day recognized him and what he said as being special….How about us?…When we hear the gospel read at Mass - How do we feel? - More importantly, does the Gospel cause us to second guess our choices and actions?….That is the purpose of the Word of God - It is not only there to instruct us but it should be used as a catalyst for change within our lives….The words of Jesus Christ are to be lived - They are not just “pretty words” spoken……This is why God calls us to not just “believe” in him, but to follow him - That is what a disciple is - A follower…..There is a big difference between just hearing the Truth and putting the Truth into practice…As Catholics, if we do not live the Truth we should not expect the world to take us seriously….Before we “change” the world, we must “change” ourself…..Actions speak louder then words and even when the world comprehends something Truthful in your words, that will not necessarily translate into the change we want to see around us in our families, community and nation - The secular world must “see” our words lived out in real time….…And just as the people of Jesus’ day reacted with astonishment - The people of today will do the same - Some may even experience a change of heart……. “If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts”……….JMJ