Gospel Reflections for January 10th 2016
I received a message from God last night!
I actually did not, but does it make you nervous whenever people say that? It should. Who knows whether a “message from God” is real? Anyone could make an outrageous claim and simply say it was from God. That’s what terrorists do all the time. Politicians often make assertions about current policies like taxes, immigration, or gun laws. They should expect that voters will demand objective verification.
Catholics always check several objective sources about any proposed “divine message” to verify authenticity. We know the right questions to ask. Because we know God never contradicts Himself, we can ask if a new message conforms to the scriptures and traditions that God has already revealed. Does it help us better love God, our neighbor or ourselves? Finally, and most important, does it make simple common sense?
Every sacrament also has this public nature. We do not baptize, confirm, or absolve ourselves from our own sin. Our faith is not entirely a private event but something that is recognizable and visible to others as well. Jesus affirms this when He presents Himself to John at the Jordan River and requests Baptism. He affirms—even over John’s objections—the goodness of this kind of objective review, and willingly submits with a beautiful spirit of honesty and humility. His Father in heaven instantly votes His approval with a public message of acceptance and love.
Our Confirmation sponsors, wedding witnesses, and confession priests assure that others see and affirm our faith, commitment, and contrition. There is a profound wisdom and good old common sense that Jesus had in setting up these sacraments. They help encourage the same level of honesty and humility that He had at the Jordan River and ensure the same vote of approval from Our Father in Heaven.
This weekend, in 11 parishes in our area of Ventura County, California, we are distributing the catalogs for this year’s UNIVERSITY SERIES program, which will offer more than 100 Catholic Adult Education sessions during Lent, each designed to help us understand the Lord more and His way to true human happiness. (Check out theuniversityseries.org.)
Each can help us discern more accurately the message of God for our life.
In the UNIVERSITY sessions, you can learn just how to discern, recognize, and thoughtfully determine the authentic and reliable wisdom of God for your life. His wisdom could just change everything for the better!
The picture above shows recent archeological excavations at a site on the Jordan river that experts consider to be on or very near the actual site of the Baptism of Jesus. It is part of the annual Archeological Pilgrimage to the Holy Land that I lead every year. You can find more information about this year’s Archeological Pilgrimage to the Holy Land trip.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
I was excited to see St. Mel’s in Woodland Hills is included this year inThe Univesity. I have a friend who attends that parish and want her to go to your class on Excavating Jesus. I enjoyed it so much, I went twice, the second time taking my grandson who is now a Marine serving in Afghanistan. Keep teaching and I’ll keep learning:)
So glad that you enjoyed the class! There is more to come.
Great reflection… I enjoy reading that scripture. It really shows the humility of Jesus and how we should be. We are not the healer or deliverer God is and no matter what happens God should get all the credit. .
When I used to hear some ministers say “Thus saith the Lord”, it always would make me wonder, I thought it was manipulating people to trust what he or she said as being from God. All words soken should be checked with the Word of God and tradition as well. Makes sense.
By the way I was talking with Fr. Jeff thee other day and he said to say hello. He said you were a good man, “I think that was a word of God personally. 🙂
Have a real fruitful and blessed New Year\
Thank you!
Fr. Dave,
Thank you for the reflection: simply put yet profoundly meaningful! And for the update on The University Series – can hardly wait for something similar in the San Pedro Region. (As an aside, when I tapped the “UNIVERSITY SERIES program” link in your article above, it took me to a calendar labeled “2015,” rather than 2016).
Dio vi Benedica
Thanks for your message! I believe it is fixed now. When I tried it just now it sent me to the 2016 site, so hopefully all is well. Thanks again!
Thank you for your reflection on the Baptism of Our Lord. “the vote of approval from Our Father in Heaven” brings to mind the holy card that shows the dove over Jesus’ head and a voice from nowhere stating Gods’ approval. The holy card has seemed to me to be very fanciful, and I ask myself, “Was there really a dove there and a loudspeaker in the sky?”
In Matthew’s version it says “and he saw the Spirit…like a dove… And a voice came from the heavens saying…I am well pleased.” Am I wrong in thinking that only Jesus saw the Spirit like a dove, and that only He heard the approval from God? And that the people (onlookers) only saw the amazing phenomenon of John, whom they respected and followed, honoring Jesus and announcing that Jesus is greater than himself? I am wanting to have a more tangible reality to carry in my heart than is represented on the holy card.
Some of the Gospel accounts indicate simply the voice, while others indicate that others could hear. Remember that this was event that was remembered long after the event. All have the same message from God, which is the important thing.
There are so many false messages out there that we need to discern the true one!.
Thank you Fe. Dave for all the time and effort you put into getting the University Series
up and running.
There is something for everyone with a broad variety of topics, and no doubt we will be
availing of them..
See you soon in the University Series!
Thank you Father Dave for a insightful commentary!!!Jesus shows us the way!! “Come follow me” “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!!! Loveeeeee it!! We will follow Jesus always!!!It all begins at Baptism!! A life of love!!!!Jesus was baptized to show us that our life of Christian love begins with our Baptism with our Holy trinity living in us and then it is up to us to continue growing and sharing that love!!!!! Beautiful faith!! Beautiful Life!!! Sooooooooooooooooo excited about your University Series!!!The speakers and their words will touch many hearts to live and love our precious faith!!! Thank you for the lovely gift of the University!! Dick and I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!! and look forward to attending many classes!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
Thank you!