Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: “Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in others and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)
 
Pope Francis’ words today focus on life just as Jesus did in the Gospel. Jesus was always about life and his action brought about the joy and glory of God. Pope Francis calls us to imitate Jesus, because he is about life and the joy and glory of God, we must be too!
 
For me there are a number of interesting things about our Gospel (John 11: 1-45) story today. Obviously, the raising of Lazarus from the dead sits center stage. But we also see Jesus as human and divine. He cries, he weeps for his friend and he performs a miracle, he raises his friend Lazarus from the dead. Another interesting point in our story is the growth of Martha. Earlier in John’s Gospel, Martha was complaining about her sister’s lack of work. Yet, today she is the first out to meet Jesus and she believes not only in miracles but also in Jesus as the Christ and the gift of everlasting life.
 
Yes, there are many things that we can take always from the scripture today. Perhaps the most important is faith, faith in our relationship with God and faith in what lies beyond this life. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37: 12-14) reminds the community of this gift and St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans (Romans 8: 8-11) does the same.
 
Pope Francis often has asked us to look at things differently by his words and actions. His picking of the name Francis reflects a different way of thinking about, seeing and living life. His humility and care for others reflects a different way of thinking about, seeing and living life. His putting of people first, his care for the poor, his desire for peace reflects a different way of think about, seeing and living life.
 
Our challenge as people of faith is to always see and live life through the lens of faith. We are to think of life not death. We are to see the others first rather than just ourselves. We are to live compassionate lives of justice and peace.
 
If we believe we will have eternal life! Happy Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God and little time today and always!