(This Homily was inspired by the writings of Father Mark Link, SJ. Thank you!)
Young Marion would
spend her days at a neighbor’s home while her Mom worked. But her mom would
leave work each day at noon and have lunch with her. She loved it! Mom would
pick her up, they would go home, eat lunch and then go back. The problem was,
Marion would get very upset when Mom had to leave!
One day, Mom did not
pick her up for lunch. Nor the next day. Nor the next day. She wondered why? Didn’t her mom love her
anymore?
Years later, she
found out that mom DID go home for lunch. She sat at the window and watched
Marion play in the neighbor’s yard. Each day, Mom wanted to be there, and hold
her, especially if she cried. But, it was for Marion’s good, her growth and her
development that she did not. Eventually
Marion adjusted, and continued to grow as a fine young woman.
This Thursday is the Ascension.
Today, Jesus is preparing to go to the Father –. He told his disciples: You are
sad and fearful that I am going. But it is better that I go. The Father will
send the Holy Spirit to be with you always!
It was time for them
to take the next step – to grow in their faith!
There are times in
our lives when God seems to abandon us – to leave us alone.
1) Prayer – maybe there was a time when we had
deep peace in prayer. But now, it may be hard to feel anything. Prayer might be
– where are you God?
2) Faith – maybe was a time our faith seemed
so strong that we could move mountains. But so much has happened. Maybe now I
am struggling to believe.
3) Commitment – Maybe enjoyed very much my
work or my life, but now, it seems hard. Getting worn out by the daily routine.
Or, I don’t seem to be getting anything out of Mass lately.
Just like Marion –
does God love us as much as He once did?
Truth is – God does
love us and always has loved us. But maybe it is time for us to take a step
forward:
1) Maybe it’s time to realize that prayer can
take place without always feeling something good. Sometimes the best prayers
are when we speak to God truly from our hearts – tell God what is really going
on.
2) Maybe it’s time to realize that faith is
not a feeling – it is a commitment. It is saying yes to God. It is surrendering
ourselves to God. Just like marriage: in good times and in bad, in sickness and
in health, I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.
3) Maybe it’s time to realize that our motive
for doing things or for going to Mass cannot be: what am I getting out of
it. It can’t always be about me!
A moth collector saw
a very rare cocoon. He clipped the trig and took the cocoon home. He saw
movement but nothing happened. Same next day. Finally took knife and opened the
cocoon. Moth crawled out and soon died. What happened – moth must struggle to
escape cocoon. It helps it to develop and enables it to survive.
Being a Christian is
not an easy road – we do not hide the crucifix – there it is! But never forget this: in the struggle to get
out of the cocoon, that tomb, Christ experienced Resurrection – and so will we! Do Not Lose Hope!
