theROCK

Until the End of the World

If you have ever experienced the death of a loved one, you can appreciate what the apostles went through during Jesus’s crucifixion and death.

There you are, watching your dearest friend suffer the most horrific of deaths. You see his body taken down from the cross, all mangled, bloody, and cold, and placed in the arms of his mother. You watch as they wrap the body loosely in cloth, binding the body separate from the head, and place it in a tomb. You say your farewells quickly as the Sabbath is approaching and watch as the tomb is closed.

And then it begins – the sorrow, the ache, the emptiness. You go and seek the solace from the others. You share stories. You cry. You wonder what you will do now. You do this for three days.

Then one day, when you are all together, you all hear of this amazing news that a woman from the group has seen Jesus, you are held in disbelief. Disbelief until He is there before you. The rapture! The joy! The glory! You touch Him, you hug Him, you talk with Him, you eat with Him, you have time with Him.

For 40 days you get bonus time with Him, He whom you thought was dead! He encourages you to go out and tell the story. All the while, He is reminding you that one day He will ascend to the right hand of the Father. When Jesus does ascend into heaven, he says the following:

Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world.” (Mk 28:18-20)

So know that Jesus does not ever leave. He is with us always. He is there loving you, encouraging you, and guiding you. You need only engage it to reap the graces from it.

The Edge of Our Seats

There are moments in life that keep us on the edge of our seats.

Maybe it’s a baseball game where there are runners on base and a hit can win the game, or double overtime in a basketball game with seconds on the clock when a 3 point shot goes up. Perhaps these moments hit a little closer to home—like watching your child swimming or running in a meet,  neck and neck with another athlete. Whatever the results are, we want to remember and recount them with others afterwards.

When was the last time something in your faith life kept you on the edge of your seat? Recently, I experienced several "edge of your seat" faith moments.

My daughter and I were blessed to be present at the ordination of two men, Father Stephen Buting and Father Nicholas Baumgardner. I also witnessed children eagerly walking to the sanctuary for a blessing before heading off to Children’s Liturgy the Word and spent time in the nursery with some of our littlest and most “active” parishioners. Finally, I was present for the Mass of Thanksgiving for Father Nick at his home parish and received a blessing from him! These are all moving experiences for me—watching people answer God’s call to seek, know and become Christ.

Be watchful and aware of the faith moments in your life that keep you on the edge of your seat. God is present all around us. Are we as eager to share those edge of our seat moments as quickly and enthusiastically as those of our everyday lives?

A New Commandment

Mandatum Novum—a new commandment.

This gospel passage, “I give you a new commandment, ” is one of my favorites.  The passage follows Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet on the night before Jesus died. Jesus, no doubt full of anguish, because he knew he was about to be betrayed and of his impending passion, gives them his last words of advice before taking up the cross. With all of the “stuff” our Lord has going on, he still has his mission to fulfill. Within moments, Judas will betray him. In a few short hours, Peter will deny him—not once, but three times! Yet, the Lord shows us yet another example of humility by washing feet.

We all have a mission to fulfill, and we all have “stuff” going on in our lives. The reading and re-reading of this passage gives me cause to think of how I am responding to everyday events in my life. Today is a good day for all of us to evaluate how the Lord’s new commandment is relevant in our lives.

Lord, grant us your humility, that even in our daily trials, to see the opportunities to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters. Let your Mandatum Novum be our Novus Via Vitae—new way of life.