We cannot heal the world - But Jesus can - He has and still does

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St Mark how great crowds were following Jesus…Word had spread that he was a healer and people wanted to either see these miracles for themselves or experience a healing……”Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed”……….We as Catholics have heard about the miracles performed by Christ our entire lives…Its so easy to dismiss them as something at happened only when Jesus walked the earth 2000 years ago….But do we realize that miracles happen everyday?……In the Sacramental of Reconciliation, miracles happen!…..People are freed of the many “issues” that weigh them down….Sin not only blinds us, it can not be “erased with time”….Time does not heal wounds - It only allows them to fester…..And far too many people in our world today at walking around “in chains”....…Their past “owns them” - They cannot “shake free” of it…This is why Christ came to us…..As we hear at every Mass - Jesus came “To take away the sins of the world”…..And only Jesus can do this……So why do we not let him?…One sincere Sacramental Confession can change your life!……And sadly the world ignores this reality…..And because of this - Our world suffers……Do we as Catholics take full advantage of what Jesus gave to us through his Church?…….The saints (Padre Pio; Fulton Sheen & Pope John Paul II) recommend we go to a Sacramental Confession once every month - Why would we not listen to people who clearly show us that such a practice “bears fruit” in the life of a soul…This is why the Church raises up saints - To show us the way to Christ himself……This is why Catholics today must live in and amongst the world - To show people the way…..Our joy and peace will speak to harden hearts - And this joy and peace can only be obtained Sacramental……Take advantage of your inheritance, which is the Catholic Church….Use the “tools” given to you…And in the process, your heart will be transformed and your witness will influence many….The witness of a holy life is contagious.

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people”

When I walk into a Catholic Church there are certain things that tell me immediately that the people of that parish “get it”…For one - The tabernacle is right behind the altar for all to see as soon as you walk into the front door of the Church…..Secondly - The Parish has established set times for Eucharistic Adoration……And lastly, confessions are made available more than just for one hour on Saturday, some times I have even seen confessions before every Mass!……These “signs” to me tell me that such a Church is alive!……..You would think that what I just noted would be a given, something every Catholic Church would be doing……But sadly, that is not the case….We need to get back to “First Principals”…….Stop with all the “power point presentations”….Stop with all the “programs”…..Stop with all the “diocesan initiatives”…..”First Principals” were used by Jesus to build the Church and “First Principals” will renew it!…..Pray the Rosary everyday and pray it with your family…Go to a Sacramental Confession once a month…Go to Mass with your family every Sunday and receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace….There is it - “First Principals”…When we do this as Catholics we let God do the “heavy lifting”….And graces flow!….What a gift it is to be Catholic - But we have to utilize “the gifts” given to us - God helps those who help themselves - Are we cooperating with God?……Jesus reminded us of this reality yesterday at Mass - Have you forgotten?……..Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father”……..Time to get back to “basics” - No need to “recreate the wheel” - Everything we need can be found in “First Principals”

“I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever.”

Today at Mass we hear how the sick wanted to be physically healed by Jesus 2000 years ago……..Can you blame them?….How about the sick of today?….So many people, even people who seem to “have it all together” are deeply burdened by past sins - They are the “walking wounded” of our world today - They can not “shake out of it”…..This is why Jesus came into the world - He came for YOU……The devil uses all kinds of tactics to convince us that our sins are greater then God’s mercy….He convinces us that the Catholic Church is somehow “out of touch” with humanity….That Sacramental living is “optional” and gives no benefit, so it can be discarded…In many ways - the devil has succeeded…..So the question then is - What are you going to do about it!?!…….People believe what they see - So what do they see when they encounter you?……When we ground our life as Catholics in “First Principals” and allow grace to animate our soul - We will “stand out”….We will serve as a “light to the world” - This is our mission and such a witness can not be self manufactured…..We need to live by and through Sacramental grace - This is the “secret ingredient”…..Utilize the “tools” given to you by the Church……..And then you will begin to “shine” - The Light will not be your own - It will be Jesus shining through you - And that light will lead the way for others……We cannot heal the world - But Jesus can - He has and still does…….JMJ