Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Who Are You?

BEADS OF JOY 01-02-18
“Who Are You?”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: John 1:19-28 (John the Baptist’s Testimony)
“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

Reflection:
We must realize that John the Baptist is a great example of how we can bring others to Jesus. Who are you? …to me that question stands out the most in today’s gospel. Who are we? Do we commit our lives fully and completely over to Jesus in our words and even more importantly, in our everyday actions? John was a humble man who lived his life fully devoted to God’s Will in his life, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,” This amazing account of John’s testimony is so exciting. Yes, Mary’s Yes, started everything, but this obedience from John is exciting and incredible in another way. John bridged the Old Testament into the New Testament. I really love scripture, and this is so exciting.

Who are you? Yes, it’s worth asking again. Consider this. I believe that a truly committed relationship deserves full involvement and input from both involved. Does that sound fair to you? Good. Now just follow me for a moment; I don’t see marriage as a 50/50 relationship. I have been saying this for decades in my writings and in my blog. A marriage is a 100/100 relationship. Marriage is not about dividing, it’s all about uniting. Everyone’s job, everyone’s task, everyone’s responsibility must overlap. And yes, that includes 100% of your love towards the other, without holding back or sharing that deep personal real emotion of love and commitment with anyone else. I hope everyone followed along with me. Now, take that philosophy of unity in the marriage and place it in our relationship with Jesus.

Ahh, now you see what I am saying. So, who are you? Look at scripture, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5. It’s obvious that John the Baptist lived his life with this in full focus of every action and every word he would speak each day. Now can we also do that? Ok, I’ll give away the answer. The answer is Yes. Our lives must be a reflection of the love Jesus has given us and we have given Him in return. Yes, there will be sacrifices living like this. Yes, it may even cost us our very lives. So, what!! Do you love the Lord? …with all you heart and with all your soul and all your strength? Well... That is how serious our faith must be.

Pondering these thoughts today: After all that sharing I got to thinking more about marriage and the true commitment involved with two hearts uniting. Our relationship to our spouse, must have the same exact level of commitment to one another. “To love your spouse with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Just think, how much stronger marriages would be if we would do whatever it would take to make them work; sacrifice for one another without ever worrying about the cost; surrendering our very life to love and be so committed to the welfare of the other. That my friends, is how you remain married to someone for 30 or 40 or 50 or 60+ years. It’s not tolerance and a silent secret. No, it’s complete unconditional love for one another, no matter what!


LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…

Written by at