E Pluribus Unum

First Reading: Acts 11:19-26
Psalm: 87 -- All you nations, praise the Lord.
Gospel: Jn 10:22-30

I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: “This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say: “One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her is the Most High LORD.”
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: “This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance: “My home is within you.” - Psalm 87:4-7

There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. - Acts 11:20-21

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27

One of the greatest things about Christianity is that it is for everyone. You need not be born into a certain ethnicity or a selected country. You need not belong to this or that social or economic circle. We are united by something greater than any earthly institution.

All three of the readings today highlight this Christian inclusiveness. The psalm mentions five nations whom the Israelites have had contact with, most of it not friendly. The Egyptians had enslaved them; the Babylonians and citizens of Tyre were pagans; the Philistines had (recently for the psalmist) fought with the Israelites for years over control of Judea. Yet, the psalmist prophesies that those born there will know the Lord. Even more, he says that they will recognize their true home as Zion, the Lord's mountain.

In Acts, we hear of the very first instance of the gentiles hearing the Word of God. In fact, it was this very instance that began the ministries of Paul and Barnabas. This was so revolutionary that they now needed a new word to describe the community. They couldn't be seen only as a sect of Judaism any longer. A new standard was needed under which all the followers of Jesus could be identified. Thus, it was in Antioch that they first came to be known as Christians.

Finally, in the gospel, we have a reiteration from Sunday's reading with Jesus' statement that He knows his sheep and they will follow Him. Just before this reading, we hear another wonderful verse: "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16). We are united in one faith, by one Lord. It is in Christ that the many become one, where the diverse people of the world become the Universal Church.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us another day to glorify Your name. Thank you for giving us a home, a family where we are always welcome and none are turned away. Lord, heal Your Church of all divisions; Holy Spirit, guide us in overcoming our differences; Jesus, gather Your flock and lead us home. We ask this through the same Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Acceptance

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Psalm: Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4 -- Athirst is my soul for the living God.
Gospel: Jn 10:1-10

“If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?”
When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.” - Acts 11:17-18

Have you ever been in a situation where not everyone wanted you to be there? Perhaps at a party, overhearing someone whisper, "How did they get in?" Or maybe working at a job, "I can't believe that they hired him." Perhaps we've even said something like this ourselves. What spurs these comments? Is it not that they (or we) feel a touch of pride at being invited ourselves, and having others there lessens it?

Today's readings are a beautiful continuation from Sunday's readings, with Paul preaching to the Gentiles, who rejoice, while the Jews throw him out because of jealousy. It is a great reminder that we are called to be Christians by God and led by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We have no reason to be prideful, because it is not we who are leading. We have no cause to boast about being called to follow; all have received the invitation. We must be careful not to squabble about whether someone is worthy to attend. If we do, we may find that the host of the banquet hears our complaint and He will say to us, "My friend, did you not know? I invited them myself, to be my honored guest."

For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:26-28

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the great gift of this day. We celebrate the generosity through which we have been called to follow Jesus. Lord, guard our hearts, that we might not become prideful of our calling. Rather, grant that we become more like You, ready to accept all who call on Your name. Fill us with the desire that all will come to Your sacred heart and join in the eternal banquet of everlasting life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

New Signs Coming Soon

My, time flies when you're having fun. And when you're preparing for your first child too!

I have not abandoned Signs on the Narrow Way, but it is waiting for an appropriate time to return.

Expect new Signs after Easter.

May the Lord richly bless you and grant you His peace.

A birth and an announcement

First Reading: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30
Psalm: 13:6 -- With delight I rejoice in the Lord
Gospel: Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friends,

In reading the long version of the gospel today, I couldn't help but smile every time I read the words 'father' or 'mother'. The words seem to have new meaning today. I am blessed to announce today, on the birthday of our Blessed Mother, that my wife and I are expecting our first child!

I encourage everyone to read today's scriptures, but will not comment on them today. Instead, we offer this prayer:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rejoice with us, as we celebrate the blessings our Lord has bestowed on us. Let us together sing of His goodness!

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for this day, and all of its blessings. We ask that you guide us as we begin our new lives as parents. Let the example of your Blessed Mother and St. Joseph stand ever before us and shine in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.

The Secret

First Reading: Col 1:24–2:3
Psalm: 62:6-7, 9 -- In God is my safety and my glory
Gospel: Lk 6:6-11

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. - Colossians 1:24-27

Friends,

In today's reading, Paul is speaking to the Colossians, a community of believers that he had never met. He is sharing with them what is necessary for them to understand the importance of the gospels and how the good news of Christ relates to them. In this small section, he is speaking of his role in ministering and revealing to them "the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past".

Christianity is very interesting when it comes to discussing this mystery of our relationship to God and His relationship with us. As a community, we are not called to keep this secret to ourselves until the initiates have passed through rituals or proven themselves worthy. Rather, we proclaim the mystery of the word of God from the rooftops and share our great secret with everyone who has ears to hear. Ours is an open secret, all are called to know it, but not all will understand or accept it.

And even though our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Our secret is this: in Christ, we find all things. Through him, we understand the mysteries of God's love for us. With him, we discover the depths of that love. In him, we find our hope for a restored relationship with our Creator. Not only that, but also the knowledge that he is with us and in us, to build that relationship, that the riches of his glory are to be shared with us. Our secret is truly one to be treasured and shared.

For this reason, we are always thankful for the ministers of the gospel; those who, like Paul, speak to anyone and everyone about the secrets of the ages, revealed in Christ. Let us pray that they be strengthened as they spread the word about The Word of God made flesh.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. We thank you for our priests and missionaries, who share your word with us and spread the gospel to the world. Lord, grant that we, also, might be ministers of your word; a living testament to the gospel. Prepare us, that we might be always ready to share the secret of Christ's love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Familiarity

First Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18
Psalm: 96:1, 3-5, 11-13 -- The Lord comes to judge the earth
Gospel: Lk 4:16-30

And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place." - Luke 4:24

Friends,

In today's gospel, Jesus has returned to Nazareth to preach his message. He has done great works already, and word has reached his old friends and relations. They ask him to speak, and they are surprised by his words, but something still seems strange. They remember him growing up (imagine watching your savior grow up!), and it gets to be a block. They can't take him seriously. As the scene continues, they eventually despise him.

Whenever I am back at home, I find it very difficult to speak to old friends and relatives about the gospel. I know some of them do not believe in anything, let alone Jesus as savior, yet the small act of bringing up the topic of faith is very difficult. Later, it hurts terribly, realizing that I might not speak with that person again and they might not ever hear the message I could have given them.

Speaking with those who knew us before a spiritual awakening can oftentimes be very harsh. They know the mistakes that we've made and for some it is difficult to let those faults belong to our former selves. When I can speak to old friends about my beliefs and how they are founded in my faith, I am sometimes afraid that they will remind me that I had said very different things (often heretical or blasphemous) when I knew them. I fear being ostracized by family or rejected by friends.

Today's gospel gives us solace and courage. Our Lord was also rejected by those who knew him before his public ministry and we can find our own rejection in his. We must not be afraid to speak the word, especially to those we love most. However, we must also remember that it is only our job to be the messenger, not a pusher or an enforcer. We are called to spread the word, and those who hear it can choose to receive it, but it is Jesus who makes the love of God grow in the heart.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for coming into our lives and blessing us. Lord, help us in our walk to be courageous when sharing the Word. Strengthen us and guide us when speaking, that we both speak timely and truly of your great love. Guide our steps, that we might meet those that most need to hear of you. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.