Jesus thirsts for our peace and justice

Dear friends,

This week we hear from the Lord that He is a God of the living and that includes all our loved ones who have gone before us....”for to him all are alive.”

Our faith is centred on life and all that encourages us to live. A few years ago | heard from a lady who suffered cancer. Upon hearing her diagnosis, she began to review her life. Prayer became very important to her, her practice of the faith, her family. She took retirement from her employment and, something that struck a chord in me, was taking from her life anyone or anything that was negative. She made a conscious decision not to allow negative people in her life. All this created a very positive effect in her life. In fact, by doing this she chose life.

| have come that you may have life and life abundantly are the very words of Jesus. | believe the Lord is challenging me and all of us to be people who generate life. To bring well-being to our community. There are many obstacles to well-being. One of these as described last week in the Gospel are found in the words...” they all complained.” We have to be vigilant to avoid colluding with people who are negative. As the Lord would say: “Show them the door....” In other words; do not allow their negativity to poison your well-being and thereby that of our community. The scriptures are full of strong examples against the negative critic. It is like a disturbing wind that creates waves which can cause harm and even destruction.

St James tells us in his letter, that it is very easy to deceive yourself by just listening to God’s word instead of putting it into practice. “Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak, and slow to become angry... .....Does anyone think he is religious? If he does not control his tongue, his faith is worthless and he deceives himself” “Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! And the tongue is like a fire.” James 1:19, 3:6-7.
The true reality of a Church giving life is when in our heart we desire unity above everything. All that we say and do is for mutual uplifting. This is the thirst Jesus has for our peace and justice.

God love you
Fr. Frank

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