To be joyful is an undeniable sign of God’s presence, and of our faith, no matter what transpires as we wait for God to make His glory visible, and to show forth goodness and mercy.
John’s highway is ultimately a way to let God get close, to make it possible to welcome Jesus as the Giver of the Spirit.
God came down. This is the heart of the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. God prefers to live with us in spite of our sinful ways, our anger and violence, our lack of love for one another. We find God here on earth.
We are called to belong to the truth, to claim what is real in our lives, living a Catholic Christian Franciscan life, and to follow the teachings of Christ and His Church.
Things may be overwhelming and tough now, but the future belongs to God and to the values demonstrated in the life of Jesus, as we prepare to go to meet Him.
"And so, whether we are able to do a little or a lot, whether we are able to give a little or give in abundance, it is who we become in the doing, and in the giving, that is the greater gift that God desires."
When we recognize God’s beauty in people, God’s beauty in creation, then God’s incarnate love is present and at work in us.
"What do you want me to do for you?" - Do we answer like Bartimaeus, or like James and John in last week's gospel?
" . . . those who aspire to leadership in the community, in the kingdom, in the fraternity must think of themselves as the servants of all."
Franciscan spirituality can awaken a vision of hope amid the challenges we face.