Gospel Reflections for January 14, 2018
We have a video of you!
What if you found out that someone had videotaped you all last week …and wanted to post it on YouTube! Would you agree? Jesus invites you to look at Him in just this way in today’s Gospel.
He has been saying very bold statements, and so is drawing larger and larger crowds, and the stories about Him are spreading everywhere.
John the Baptist hears these stories and sees Jesus approach him. He declares that Jesus is the Savior we have all been waiting for! But several others ask if that is really true. How can we know?
We also hear many people claim today that they have the truth about politics or other issues. How can we measure their authenticity?
Jesus recognizes our dilemma, and how difficult it is today to truly know someone from just their sound bites on TV. Instead, He offers a compelling response. He invites you to “Come and see” …by watching His every move …how He lives …and especially how He treats people, both good and bad.
Only a person supremely confident in Himself would ever allow their life to be broadcast on a large screen TV in every home!
Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” The people responded then as we might do today. “We have been disappointed before by other fancy talking leaders so we are looking for someone who is genuine, authentic, and real!” Jesus knows that words are cheap and easy to say. He knows that behavior is everything.
Jesus completely trusts you to make your own judgment. He is willing to let you see and hear for yourself, and decide about His behavior, and then come to your own honest conclusion.
We see this at Mass as well. Jesus says the most beautiful words at the consecration, “This is my Body and Blood …given for your happiness” and then a few moments later, He is willing to place Himself in our hands at communion. He follows through on His commitments!
I will follow this person!
We can come to know Him even more in our University Series (theuniversityseries.org) coming this Lent starting on February 15th. We will have over 50 session on topics that cover Faith & Science, the latest Archaeological Discoveries, Faith & Current Events, Marriage and Family, and Spirituality. You will be able to see and understand yourself whether Jesus is real or not.
Come and see for yourself!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
For any who have yet to experience University, we urge you to participate in these enlightening classes.
As St. Paschal’s participants since its inception by Fr. Dave in multiple parishes in Ventura
County, we urge you to “go and see for your selves”! You will not be disappointed.!
Bob snd Rose Mary, St. Paschal’s
I agree! Thank you for the positive review!
Father Dave, thank you for your image of Jesus on big screen TV. Come and see! In Jesus’ time on earth, of course, there was no TV. But even more convincing was going into the countryside and listening to Jesus in person. That kind of “come and see” is not possible for us today because of the extent to which human creation has spread over the world. But happily in those days they had very reliable and unbiased reporters: the apostles who wrote the Gospels for us. We all can “go and see”, especially in the University Series.
Well said! You brought together the Gospel, my article, and the University Series. Thank you!
“Behavior is Everything” – so true, succinct, and profound! Thank you for your awesome service. God Bless and Keep You.
Thank you for your kind comments, Joe!
A wonderful commentary, Fr. Dave! You make it so real.
We need honesty and integrity to prevail throughout society.We need our politicians,
our businesses and our communities to be open and transparent, but unfortunately we see
a disregard for the truth.
Yes, behavior is everything. an authentic person rings true from beginning to end.
He/she is fueled with the greatest source we have…Jesus Himself.
The call of Jesus is still open as He invites us to “Come ans See” what He has to offer.
Well said!
I am always amazed how your words flow in such an authentic way. Perhaps like Jesus your prayer life is also authentic and this results in your writing to be crystal clear. The happiness comittment of Jesus’s behavior is love and mercy for all of us.
Thank you again for your insight and vision. The University series would never have been created without your vision.
Thanks be to God
See you soon in the University Series!
Dear Father Dave,
Your perspective on the transparency of Jesus is, indeed, thought provoking.
Can you imagine seeing Jesus approaching! And then following him the way his Apostles did.
Looking forward to this year’s University Series.
God bless….
Kathleen
See you in the University!