BEADS OF JOY 08-24-16
“Come And See!”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel: Luke 1:45-51 (Come And See!)
“Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see!" Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
Reflection:
Such a beautiful gospel. But honestly, how do you know for certain that through your eyes, you have seen Jesus in your life? I know not in person, but inside you “spiritually” how do you know? Nathanael knew without any doubt that this was Jesus, he said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Is our faith that solid, that certain? When you see Jesus in others do you know it without a doubt? When you see Jesus in those miracles small and large in your life, do you know it without a doubt? Every single day you awake do you look for Him or are you tuned out and too focused on what you want; rather than how Jesus is part of your life each day? Stay tuned to Him, He is ever present in your life.
Yes, many are skeptical and many don’t believe, so does that mean Jesus isn’t here with us? No! If I said I believe the sky is blue and red and yellow. You might say, “You are crazy!” but then depending on when you are looking at the sky and at what hour and at what location it is those colors. I have pictures. So was I wrong in my belief? No! That is what I believe. Just because someone else has their own story and monologue to convince you not to believe in our Lord; you my dear sisters and brothers can have your own, your story, your experience, your faith and you’d be correct just the same. Do not let anyone intimidate you or tell you, you can’t believe or you shouldn’t believe, who do they think they are? Stand up for what you believe and know that you are not alone in your faith. Jesus is by your side always.
We live in a very different world today, compared to when I first gave my life to my Lord back in 1983. The world today is very violent and mean and horribly nasty towards those with any sort of faith, especially towards anyone with Catholic faith. In the past there was respect for everyone’s faith, there were more respectful people in-charge, not today. Now many are out to destroy and remove any believers. Regardless we must continue even if only in the depths of our hearts (which no one can take from us) we must love Jesus. Stay strong always my sisters and brothers and in all things love our Lord; He will always be there for you in all circumstances, no one else will know He is there, but you will. See you guys tomorrow.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
