Direct encounter

They left their boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:22)

Face-to-face communication is becoming less common, isn’t it? We can spend a whole day e-mailing, texting, and talking on the phone. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter keep us in touch without ever touching. Some of us work from the comfort (and isolation) of home and rarely have the chance to interact. Even online shopping can keep us away from merchants who may be just around the corner.

All of this technology certainly does make life more convenient. But what if Andrew and Simon Peter had met Jesus only online instead of face-to-face? Do you think they would have been as deeply affected as they are in today’s Gospel reading? 

Actually, this is not the first time they’ve seen him. John the Baptist had introduced Andrew to Jesus earlier, and Andrew spent the entire day with him. Andrew in turn introduced Simon to him—the one whom Jesus renamed Cephas, or Peter (John 1:35-42). Both brothers’ lives were changed because they spent time with Jesus.

As we celebrate St. Andrew today, let’s remember that this kind of direct encounter is at the heart of evangelization. In an Advent speech three years ago, Pope Francis said, “The most important thing that can happen to a person is to encounter Jesus, who loves us, who has saved us, who gave his life for us.” We can’t simply hope that the people around us will absorb enough information about Christ to become his disciples. We need to introduce them to Jesus, just as Andrew introduced Peter to him.

Bringing someone to Christ doesn’t have to be hard. Of course we can pray for people and tell them about God’s love. But sometimes we make more progress with simple expressions of love that are reflections of the Lord. Listening can be just as effective as prayer. A warm embrace can speak more powerfully than a lecture on sin. An invitation to lunch can have a greater impact than a logical presentation of the truths of the gospel.

Kindness, generosity, compassion—these are the keys that unlock the treasures of the gospel!

“Lord, send me to someone who needs to encounter you today.”

from wau.org

Detachment

I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) 

When we think of preparing for a wedding, we normally think about the dress, the banquet hall, the food, and the music. But the truly remarkable—and demanding—part of wedding preparation is watching a man and woman grow together into a couple. As they prepare for married life, they slowly detach from their old lives and enter a new life, where two people “become one” (Genesis 2:24). This letting go can be difficult at times, but the joy of getting married makes it worthwhile. 

It may seem odd that the Book of Revelation uses wedding imagery when talking about the end-time. At first glance, all the destruction described in the beginning of this reading seems at odds with the image of a bride preparing to meet her husband. Yet this wedding analogy is used so often that it’s pretty clear that God doesn’t want us to focus on the destruction, but on his return. He wants us to prepare as joyfully as a bride getting ready for her wedding. 

Just as the bride and groom gladly give up their independence to become one, God wants us to joyfully detach from the sinful distractions of life in this world so that we can be united with him. He doesn’t want us to get caught up in what we’re leaving behind; he wants us to look forward to what’s ahead. 

Here’s one way you can get ready for Jesus’ return.

A bride and groom wear special wedding garments. Similarly, we have “ordinary clothes” that wouldn’t be appropriate for a wedding. These are old habits or ways of thinking that may be sinful, or they may just be focused on passing concerns. If we want to wear our proper wedding garment, one woven of holiness and love for God, we’ll need to “remove” the garments of bitterness or greed or self-centeredness. This takes time, of course, and Jesus is infinitely patient. But it’s a detachment we need to be making gradually. Remember, a new life is waiting for you: an eternity of being united with the Lord.

“Jesus, help me let go of any fear or worldly attachments as I joyfully prepare for your heavenly wedding banquet.”

from wau.org

Praise motif

Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. (Revelation 15:3) 

In music theory, a motif is a sequence of notes that keeps repeating. It’s what gives a piece of music its character and helps you identify it. Probably one of the most recognizable motifs in all of music is the repeated four-note sequence from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony: “DA-DA-DA-DUM! DA-DA-DA-DUM!” It’s amazing how much drama those four notes convey. Beethoven himself called them “fate knocking at the door.” 

There are also motifs in the Book of Revelation, and one of them is praise. In today’s reading, the saints in heaven are singing a song similar to the one that Moses sang after God had delivered the Israelites from slavery. They are praising God because Christ has delivered them from the sin of the world. Earlier in Revelation, we also see the saints praising God. They give us a picture of what heaven will look like: an unending symphony of praise to God and his glory (Revelation 5:9-14).

We, too, are called to live “for the praise of the glory of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6). But praising God is not just what we will do when we finally make it to heaven. It’s something we can do here on earth—and it’s something that will help us on our path to heaven. Praise takes us out of the here and now and helps lift us up into God’s presence. We can praise God whether things are going well or terribly, because the point of praise isn’t how our life is going but how wonderful God is. 

You don’t really need a reason to praise God. Or more precisely, he’s the only reason you need. You can praise him for his power, wisdom, and mercy. You can glorify him for his love, his justice, and his kindness. What’s more, having the motif of praise running through our lives keeps us focused on what life is all about—knowing, loving, and serving the Lord.

So sing a song of praise to the Lord! Sing in your heart, out loud, or through the words of Scripture. Beethoven’s motif illustrated “fate knocking at the door.” Your motif of praise is one way you can knock at your heavenly Father’s door.

“Lord, thank you for your unfailing love! May I never cease to glorify your holy name.”

from wau.org

Praise Him

Praise him. (Psalm 150:1) 

Have you ever been to an outstanding fireworks display? The first several minutes are exciting, but everyone is waiting to be wowed by the finale. Today’s psalm is the last chapter in the Book of Psalms, and in its own way, it is a grand finale. Throughout this book, the Bible’s prayer book, we read descriptions of God and his relationship with his people. The psalms tell of his might, his faithfulness, and his mercy. And many of them urge us to praise the Lord in response. But as a final call to worship, this psalm tells us where, why, and how to praise the Lord, as well as who should be doing the praising.

Where are we to praise God? In his sanctuary. For the psalmist, this would have meant the Temple, but for us, it is much broader. His sanctuary is in our churches, of course, but it is also in our homes and in the innermost part of our souls.

Why praise God? Because of his majesty and his mighty deeds. Over and over, he demonstrated his power and mercy to the Israelites. Likewise, he has revealed himself to us as a mighty Savior, healer, and restorer.

How should we praise? With music, singing, and even dancing. Our praise should involve our whole body. It should fill the atmosphere!

Finally, who should praise God? That’s simple. Everyone who can breathe is called to praise the Lord!

This “who” includes you. So why not respond to the call right now? Wherever you are, turn to the Lord in the “sanctuary” of your heart. Call to mind all that he has done for you: how he has blessed you, loved you, guarded you, redeemed you, healed you, and transformed you. Next, find a way to praise him for all of this. If you are somewhere private, sing a familiar hymn. If you can’t sing out loud, sing in your heart, or offer a quiet prayer of thankfulness. Or maybe you can express your praise by telling a friend about how good God has been to you. 

Whether through singing or talking or even thinking your praise to the Lord, you can fill your environment with the beauty of prayer. So hold onto this call to praise all day long. Remember, you belong to the Lord, and “Alleluia” is your song!

“Lord, I praise you!”

from wau.org

Life of truth and love

You have lost the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4) 

Ephesus. AD 90. The tiny Christian community in this fourth largest city in the Roman Empire has gathered in a church member’s home for the weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper. A ripple of excitement goes around the room as a lector begins to read out a long pastoral letter that has just arrived—a letter that we now call the Book of Revelation. Coming from a revered leader named John, the “prophetic message” opens with specific words of knowledge for seven churches in Asia Minor. Ears prick up as the group hears “the church in Ephesus” addressed first (Revelation 2:1).

It’s painful to picture the Ephesian believers listening to the assessment of their weaknesses that follows. Maybe they expected nothing but praise. For forty years, they had labored patiently. They had suffered hostility from citizens who worshiped false gods and took pride in the city’s temple to Artemis. They had stayed on guard against the false teachers. They had opposed heretics and preserved doctrinal truth. John’s letter commends them for these accomplishments. But then, unexpectedly, there comes a sobering reproach: “You have lost the love you had at first. . . . Repent, and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:4, 5). 

What went wrong? Apparently, the Ephesians’ zeal for orthodoxy came at the expense of love. In a subtle shift of focus, correcting false beliefs became their chief concern. Vigilant against doctrinal deviations, the Ephesians seemed to have slipped into a harsh, fault-finding spirit that created distrust and division.

Scripture doesn’t say how the Ephesians responded. But their story invites us to consider whether we are keeping love at the forefront while also preserving the truth. Our emphasis on love can protect our unity and our peace—both in our families and in the Church. Our love can cover “a multitude of sins” among us (1 Peter 4:8). It can keep us from sounding like “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” when we talk about the truths of our faith (1 Corinthians 13:1). Ultimately, our love for each other will convince the world about the truth of Jesus (John 13:35).

May we all learn how to live “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)!

“Come, Holy Spirit! Lead me in the way of love and truth.”

from wau.org

Faith in action

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed . . . (Luke 17:6) 

“I didn’t think I was smart enough to go to college, but my teachers saw things in me that I couldn’t see. They helped me discover that I really can succeed!”

Like the young man who made this remark, many of us can identify some achievement that we owe to the encouragement of a friend, spiritual advisor, or some other cheerleader. People like these help us see our potential; they push us to reach beyond our limited vision and accomplish what we thought was impossible. 

That’s what Jesus is doing for the apostles in today’s Gospel. He has just told them to forgive seven times a day—constantly. They respond to this seemingly impossible instruction with willingness and alarm: “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). It’s as if they’re saying, “We know we have some faith, but it’s far too small! Give us a greater ability to live according to what we believe.” 

How does Jesus answer? He tells them not to fixate on how small or inadequate their faith feels. He tells them that though their faith may be just “the size of a mustard seed,” they have sufficient faith to do everything he asks, even if it seems impossible (Luke 17:6).

Of course, Jesus wants us to keep growing in faith too. But how does that happen? By using it! The “small” faith that has already been planted in us has powerful potential. But in order to unleash all that potential, we have to act on it, just as Jesus’ first disciples learned to do. Remember how he sent them out to announce the kingdom, cure the sick, and expel demons? They went equipped only with their “small” faith and “returned rejoicing”—and maybe a little surprised—at the marvels they had worked in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17).

What about you? God has given you a mission. Is he calling you to do something that feels beyond your level of faith? Repair a long-broken relationship? Pray with someone for healing, and expect a miracle? Don’t sell God—or yourself—short! God can use you just as he used the disciples “to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Take it one step of faith at a time, and watch what happens. 

“Jesus, I want to exercise the faith you have given me. Today I will move forward by ______.” 

from wau.org

Transformation

He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body. (Philippians 3:21) 

Rummaging through your father’s drawer—the one filled with old keepsakes—you discover an unfamiliar photograph. It’s he as a teenager, grinning. He’s standing on a dock, poised to leap into a serene lake. The photographer must have managed to capture his attention the instant before the plunge. It’s hard to peel your eyes away from his vibrant young face.

Photos of our parents in their youth can be riveting. We recognize them because their core features remain—but still, how different they look! Gazing into their eyes in an old snapshot, it’s like we’re meeting them for the first time.

If it’s this much fun to see our parents young, can you imagine how it would feel to see ourselves as we will be, when our lowly bodies are glorified, and we’re changed into the very image of Jesus Christ? “Thrilling” is probably a good guess. Paul must have felt this excitement as he wrote to the believers in Philippi. Surely, they would have also been delighted to consider how God’s power would, one day, complete their work of transformation.

Take a few moments right now to envision this heavenly snapshot. See the you that will inhabit eternity: your eyes glimmer with light reflected from the Son of God. You are grinning widely because you have been tasting the eternal fruit of years spent trying to follow the Lord. Every burden has been lifted. Every inner hurt has been healed. Your battle against sin is forever won. God’s unique imprint of his own personality within yours has, at last, been fully revealed. 

Isn’t it encouraging to recognize this person is you? It’s the you that even right now, the Spirit is working to uncover. Through the storms, trials, stretching, and monotonies of life, the old version of you is peeling away, and Christ in you, the hope of glory, is being revealed. God won’t stop until his transforming work is finished.

If this little exercise is stirring up hunger for a spiritual breakthrough of some sort, carry it to the Lord in your prayer. Ask him to help you work on one specific area. And be on the lookout for evidence of the changes taking place.

“Lord, take me! Melt me, mold me, and use me.”

from wau.org

Reason for Hope

God proves his love for us. (Romans 5:8) 

Numerous studies have shown that babies raised in environments like crowded orphanages, where there is very little affirmation or human interaction, can suffer lasting emotional and psychological damage. These studies prove a basic truth of our faith: we are made for love. When we know we are loved, we are more peaceful and confident. We feel valued and begin to understand our worth.

This is why knowing and receiving God’s love are fundamental. They help us see how precious and valuable we are to him. They give us the confidence we need to live in this world.

How can we see God’s love for us? Here are a few ways:

• Listen to the Scriptures. In today’s second reading, St. Paul makes it clear: he does not want anyone to doubt that God’s whole desire is for us to be with him, now and for eternity. Why else would he send his Son to die for our sins? Why else would he pour his Holy Spirit into our hearts?

• Prayerfully receive the Eucharist. Each time we receive Communion, we receive God’s love. Each time we hear “the Body of Christ” and say “Amen,” we are agreeing: God is still laying down his life for us out of love.

• Sharpen your eyes of faith. As you start paying attention, you’ll begin to see more evidence of God’s love in your everyday life. You might recognize how he guided you through a complicated decision. You might see that he helped you arrive somewhere at just the right time. He is intimately involved in the details of your life because he loves you.

You are loved by God—never forget that! So practice cultivating your spiritual perception. Every day, ask for another glimpse of his love. Let it give you the confidence and peace of a treasured child, a beloved friend. 

The more convinced you are of God’s love, the more confidence you can have for your loved ones who have gone before you. On this All Souls Day, let’s ask the Lord to bless all of them. Let’s ask him to continue to purify them and bring them fully into his presence. 

“Lord, show me your love. You are the reason for my hope!”

from wau.org