Sunday, February 18, 2018

In the Desert - Repent and Believe in the Gospel!


It began in a beautiful Garden. Adam and Eve had everything they needed. But they began to listen to that voice – the voice of evil.
“If you wish you can become like gods – you can decide what is right and what is wrong. You determine what is good and what is evil.
The listened and they acted. Simply put, it was a catastrophe for all of us. We are still suffering from the effects of it. We call it Original Sin.
They were cast out, and the garden became a desert. Look what has become of it Just ask any of our children and they will tell you.
We produce almost 4 ½ of waste per day per person. 40% of our food ends up in the trash. 64% of our lakes are not clean enough to fish or swim in. Air pollution kills 2 million people per year.  
And look what has become of us.  Another school shooting. In a state where you don’t need a permit to own a rifle, where you don’t need a permit to carry a rifle, you don’t have to register the weapon, you don’t have to take safety classes, you can buy it from anyone, no limits on the amount of guns you can buy, there is no waiting period to buy a rifle, no ongoing permit  or inspection requirements. Really? We can’t do better? And, get the help needed by mentally ill people?
Into this desert comes Jesus. Spirit drove him into the desert – to take on the evil one and remain faithful – to show us the way out of this desert.
Jesus gives us the True Weapons that are needed:
1)     Prayer – lift hearts and minds to the God who creates us and loves us. To recognize where we have come from and where we are going.  Pray – morning, noon, night, Mass, quiet room, reading bible, walk, rosary or stations
2)     Fast – from all that can take us from God – God’s grace is sufficient. We will not be consumed by the things of this world but see these things as gifts!
3)     Almsgiving – we respond to hate with love. Love is willing the good of the other. For all our brothers and sisters.  We will put aside all anger, all hate, all revenge. We are better than that.
In the end, the only answer can be God. How wonderful then that we are about to begin a Mission – an opportunity to reflect upon God and our relationship with Him.    Tony Bellizzi