Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Live in the present seems to be the message of Jesus

Reading: But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” Luke 5:35.
 
Good morning, happy Friday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
The Gospel today (Luke 5:33-39) speaks to us about doing the right thing at the right time. People can fast for various reasons, for example weight loss or being addicted to chocolate or other luxuries. Fasting for spiritual reasons is well recognized as a means of growing in awareness of our weaknesses and of helping us to overcome them, so that we are freer in our lives. The Pharisees saw different ways of living and made comparisons; Jesus simply sought life.
 
Sometimes we try to ‘patch up’ our lives with half efforts when a deeper change is really required. Prayer is wonderful for letting God communicate with you regarding change in your life when it is required. God can do more in us than we can ask or imagine – let Him direct you – listen to Him – He can be trusted.
 
More to our point is the response of Jesus; he identifies himself with the ‘Bridegroom’ a figure which symbolized God and the nuptial relationship symbolized the union of God and his chosen people. Jesus in applying this symbol to himself lays claim to be on a level with God. In Jesus God is united to his people and is the new wine that brings the joy to all and so perfects the old law and in doing so replaces it.
 
I suggest that having reflected on the beauty of the two dominant symbols, one prays in thanksgiving for the closeness of God, the freshness of his message -ever ancient ever new – and the wonder of God becoming human. The Pharisees had reason to be unhappy as they spent a lot of time looking out. I notice the discontent that comes from noticing what is missing or looking at others. Jesus, help me to grow in awareness of your presence, to count my blessings instead of the deficiencies of others.
 
Jesus’ eyes were always open to notice, his heart open to appreciate; even everyday realities like clothing and packaging, spoke to him and had prompted wise insight. I pray that I may open my eyes and heart, learn from my world and grow in appreciation of God’s presence and action. A very interesting thing in this narrative is that the disciples did what people often do: they made comparisons. Jesus invites them not to look out but to look in and to notice their own attitudes. He does not want them – or us – to be a patchwork of mismatched patterns and practices. He invites us to be made anew, to let go of anything that might hold us back or impair our ability to receive the good news.
 
Live in the present seems to be the message of Jesus here. Celebrate the presence of the Lord - one day we will mark his absence. He seems to be against the gloomy face of religion. Our faith gives us so much to be grateful for - maybe in prayer you might mention what are the gifts helps to life your faith gives you. We fast only to appreciate these gifts more. Even our fasting is to be cheerful.
 
Blessings,
 Fr. Luis+

Date news: 
Viernes, Septiembre 3, 2021 - 11:00

Ministerio en el tiempo del Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevenir, curar y acompañar

Ahora tenemos que darle forma a lo que algun@s han comenzado a llamar; La Iglesia en Casa. Aunque yo me sigo preguntando; ¿qué hacen quienes no tienen un hogar? Por esto a la misma vez, estoy declarando desde hoy en nuestra Iglesia Santa Cruz una jornada de cuaresma de oración, ayuno y leer la Biblia en el Tiempo del Coronavirus.

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