Dear Parishioners,
Isaiah says in his prophecy from this Sunday’s first reading that “he is my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” And then St. Peter, in his speech after Easter in the house of Cornelius–our second reading this Sunday–says “God shows no partiality.” Peter goes on to say, “Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”
I think these are words we need to really let sink into our hearts in this new year.
You are chosen by God. He is pleased with you. God shows no partiality, which means you are just as blessed as your neighbor who you think has everything going for them. Everyone is acceptable to God. He is not dissatisfied with us.
What drives us so much these days is our interior restlessness. We are never quite satisfied with ourselves. We might not beat ourselves up–though there are some people who certainly do–but we still don’t think we’re great. We’re a work in progress. We’re always striving for more holiness, striving for a better exterior self which comes in the form of losing weight, reading more books, being kinder to certain people, and whatever else our New Years’ Resolution might be.
This isn’t to say improvement and change is bad. But there’s a difference between God’s invitation to us into a freer and more beautiful life, and our striving for what we think we need. God’s way is always more gentle than our way. God’s way will always lead to joy; ours, not necessarily. The invitation is to surrender what we think we need and listen to God. Even harder, trust that you are fine as God made you.
Some people might soak these words in like a soothing balm. Others will recoil at it, thinking this is some wishy-washy, feel-good, permissive attitude that will steer us away from the truth. But if you’re reading this, I bet you’re in the category of needing to hear these words from our Lord: you are good and beautiful, and don’t punish yourself to be someone better.
I say all this on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Don’t you find it curious that as soon as Jesus is baptized, and that miraculous voice speaks literally from the clouds above, that the words are “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”? We’ve heard it so many times we take it for granted. But why would God the Father feel the need to say this? Surely Jesus knew he was beloved. Surely the people around Jesus knew he was beloved. Remember St. Luke in his Gospel tells us after the finding in the temple scene when Jesus was fourteen years old that “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” In other words, people knew Jesus was good.
We rarely hear God the Father speak. He speaks only on three occasions in the Gospels (the baptism, the Transfiguration, and in John 12:29 during one of Jesus’ discourses). And each time he says basically the same thing: Jesus is beloved. Why not say something more insightful?
Because this is what we need to hear. Not that Jesus was beloved, but that we are beloved. We are all baptized into Christ, the saying goes. Which means God the Father speaks these words of affirmation to us. If you were really to accept these words in your heart, how would it change your life this year? It is my prayer that you will hear the Father’s words and live as Jesus lived.
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At the 4:30pm Mass this Saturday, January 11th, our CRUX teens will be serving the Mass, acting as lectors and EMs. One of our teens will give a reflection after communion. The teens will then gather afterwards in the Holy Family Chapel for a meeting and some pizza.
At the 12pm Mass this Sunday, January 12th our OCIA group (formerly called RCIA) will have the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming at the beginning of Mass. We have another great group of candidates and catechumens who will be entering the Church at the Easter Vigil. They’ve been meeting with Beshar and his team over the last couple months, learning about the faith and customs of Catholicism. Please keep them in your prayers as they enter the last half of their journey.
This Tuesday, January 14th is a Parent Confirmation Meeting at 7pm in the Holy Family Chapel. Also on Tuesday we will have another Young Adult Event at the Harp and Fiddle Bar in Park Ridge at 7:30pm.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Wallace
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