My friends, here we are, this year, on the cusp of Lent, our annual pilgrimage with our brother Jesus, as he completes his journey of love—conveying his Abba God’s over-the-top love for each of us.  More on this as we move into Lent beginning on this coming (Ash) Wednesday. 

   As I said earlier in the bulletin, Lent begins on our national day of love this year, Valentines’ Day.  Some may be grousing about this fact, but from a spiritual perspective, I think it is awesome to connect the two, because when we reflect on the life of our brother Jesus, what but, love, was he about in his short, earthly journey?  But, as I said, more on that in the coming days and weeks. 

   Today’s Scriptures, not unlike many, are a bit confusing if we simply stay on the surface, with the 1^st reading from Leviticus being a case in point.  On face value and with a first, read-through, we might be scratching our heads thinking, what is the point of this?

   Here, if we go deeper, we can perhaps find a meaning for our present day.  We must first remember that the book of Leviticus has many rules and rituals for daily living of good, Jewish people.  Being that they didn’t know much about leprosy, or other skin diseases, it might have made sense to these pre-Christian folk to shun and set apart someone with a disease they didn’t understand.  But again, what does that have to do with us in a world where this disease is understood, and can be cured if detected early and treatment sought? 

   Let’s look, for our purposes here, at the notion of being, “sent away” or taking oneself away, for a time, to be at a better place.  For me this calls to mind the times when our children were young, and perhaps became upset with something that was being asked of them, or they were having a bit of a tantrum about something and couldn’t be reasoned with.  We, as their parents told them that they had to go to their room, “to be alone” for a time until they could act better—our thinking was, that their screaming and upset-ness could be done in their rooms, as long as they were safe, and then they could return when they felt better.

   We find in Mark’s gospel another story of a leper, and learn that Jesus’ response was, “to be moved with pity” – a good response to finding someone who is suffering.  Jesus does what we would expect him to do in curing the suffering man.  Then, as in the 1^st reading from Leviticus, sends the now, cured man, to the priests as Moses and Aaron commanded their people to do.  In this we see that our brother Jesus respects the law and follows it, to the best of his ability, for the good of others—or, in other words, it is always about the “people” not the “law.” 

   Looking more deeply at the 1^st reading, especially the idea of “needing to go off, and be alone” when one is found to be “unclean” is an idea that we can perhaps look at in a deeper way, as I think we would all agree that we could be emotionally, and spiritually, as well as, physically, “unclean,” and in need of “time alone,” to be cured in some way, and more ready to be with and for the rest of humanity. 

   We see Jesus’ need in today’s gospel, “to go away, alone,” for a time, because he has, interestingly enough, done something good!  I am sure there was a great struggle within him to have the people hear, “all of his message,” and not just be taken up in their personal needs for physical cures. In other words, Jesus wanted the people to “lay his words on their hearts” so that they could then, be “moved with pity” too, for others. 

   In other places as well, in Scripture, we see Jesus “going away to be alone,” to rest, to pray, to be restored.  I think this is good for all of us to reflect on in the actions we take on in and for our world—we too, from time to time, must take some moments for ourselves, to restore, to rebuild our own psyches, our minds, and hearts, to be our best.  Goodness doesn’t flow from the proverbial, “empty cup.”  Even in the example of our frustrated children that I gave in the beginning—time away allows for deeper thinking, and hopefully the realization, that how I am in the world can’t just be about me.  We also call this in our day, “tough love.” This was usually the case and when they came back, things were better. 

   Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians today fleshes out for us, a bit more, how we are, to be, for ourselves, and for others.  He tells us that basically, he wants to be there for others, doing whatever he can for those in need, saying, “I do this by seeking not my own advantage, but that of the many” – he tells them and us, “to imitate [him] as [he] imitates Christ.” 

   This notion of “not seeking his own advantage,” is one that the greater part of our Congress in Washington could take to heart.  The reason that they can get, little or nothing done is because many of them have forgotten the oaths they took when sent there by the voters—to care for the needs of all the people. 

   This past week I had the opportunity to hear and see a video of a conversation between Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the TV series, The Chosen, and Bishop Robert Barron.  I was most impressed with Jonathan’s use of the word, “humility” for how he feels in playing the part of Jesus.  He shared that before taping a new segment of the series, he always prays that, “he will not get in the way,” of God speaking through him.  I believe such a prayer should be on our lips, and in our hearts, and especially for all those in positions of leadership within our Church. 

   As readers and hearers of my homilies know, I am not fond of our bishop, but in this production, I came to see him in a bit of a different light—the exchange between these two, “men of God,” had many “light” moments as they bantered with each at times and seriously discussed the impact of The Chosen on the people seeing it.  I often find the bishop, “too much in his head” without connecting what he is saying to the lives of present-day folks.  Jonathan challenged him a bit to show us another side, which I appreciated seeing.

    So, my friends, I lay all of this before us today, challenging us, as the people of old, to do deeper, finding those places in our lives that may be “unclean” to use the Scripture terminology today—or we might say, not just right, in need of “time alone,” to become, “our best selves.”  Perhaps our prayer today could be that of Jonathan Roumie’s who humbly attempts to “play” our brother Jesus, praying that “we [too] would not get in the way” of our loving God speaking through us. Amen? Amen!

   My friends, again this week, we can sense an “urgency” in the Scripture readings for this 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The 1^st reading from Job, while a lament to God of all that isn’t “right” in his life, his urgency is more about the mundane things of life: “How long before I get up?” I can relate to his sentiment on nights when I can’t get to sleep!

   But more seriously, Job is a prime example of a faith-filled life amid the troubles that can come to us in our earthly journey.  We all know the story of Job and the losses he experienced—the deaths of his wife and children—the loss of all his animals and material wealth.  And if that wasn’t enough, he also was afflicted with a terrible skin disease.  If ever a person had reason to doubt in God and whether that God cared for him, that person was Job.  Yet, in the fuller story that we didn’t read today, Job will not hear any criticism of God from his friends.  His stance is to believe and to hope. 

   In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we see his “urgency” playing out more so, in his “lack of choice,” he feels, about what he must do in life.  He lets us know that he has been “called” to preach and that is what he must do! From the rest of the reading today and in other places, we get the idea that he doesn’t follow his call, grudgingly, but just that it is something he feels compelled to do. In other words, he can’t imagine not doing what he is doing. 

   And, I get that notion of having to do a thing, whatever it might be, when I think of my own call to be ordained.  Intellectually, I knew, in a black and white way, that to the hierarchy of our Church, my action would not be acceptable and that there might be consequences, but for me too, like Paul, there was no consideration of, “not doing this thing,” once I knew it was actually possible, because I was listening to “a higher authority.”

   Perhaps you, in your own lives, can point to a personal decision you made that wasn’t necessarily accepted by all because something else was expected of you, but you listened to your heart, and not just your head, moving into it. 

   In Mark’s gospel today, we see “the urgency” that Jesus felt in his ministry, by not allowing himself to, “stay put,” as it were, in one place, becoming comfortable with those who, “loved and appreciated” him and what he was doing among the people there. His urgency was about “moving on,” and sharing with as many people as possible. 

   At this point, we might consider if we, in our spiritual lives, following our brother Jesus, and perhaps we could simply name it, “being our best selves,” look at what should really be, a daily task, with any urgency.  Are we compelled every day to choose good over evil? This might mean choosing simply, to say a kind word, rather than a “snarky” one in our relating to others.  It might mean choosing to do the little bit we can do, over choosing to do nothing.  Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor of concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald said, “the opposite of love isn’t hate, but indifference.” 

   In our complaining, as Job does in the 1^st reading, do we ever consider, “being the change we want to see?” Job, in the end, “carries the faith” for his faithless friends, and that faith sustains him. 

   Paul lets us know how he follows his call to preach—he becomes “weak” to win the weak, and in fact, he says, “I have become all things to all people to win at least one.”  Robert has told me through the years of our ministry here at All Are One, we are a success if we help just one!

   But with regard to Paul’s notion of, “becoming weak to win the weak,” I have been reading a book, entitled, From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth, by Darren Walker who basically says the same as Paul. Walker says that while meeting the emergent needs of the marginalized, as we have come to call the basically, poor and those without a voice, is important; equally important is to get at the root of why people are poor, or don’t have a voice. He says, we must bring these folks “to the table,” hear their stories and let them be part of the solution.  Interestingly, this is what our board has been about this past year in attempting to get our local bishop who says he “wants to get down with the sheep,” to have conversation with us.

   Additionally, I have to say that I am saddened by the lack of vision within many of our Church hierarchy and priests who are tied to a black and white view of the importance of what we do within Church communities.  For too many of them, it is about “power and control,” and when it comes to women asking to share the ministry of Jesus with them, they are afraid. Why else would they name the calls of women to priestly ministry, “play-acting?” Clearly, they don’t understand the power of “call” in a person’s life—as in Job, in Paul, and in Jesus—it is something one simply must do! 

   Today, we are presented with three men, “doing what they must do,” and I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the women throughout history who have followed the “call,” the same as the men, but have been belittled, unappreciated, unnamed, and considered, less than their male counterparts. 

   We can begin with Mary, our mother and sister, who said her “yes” to God to do simply, unimaginable things for the good of the world in giving us Jesus, Mary Magdala (the Tower—what magdala actually means), who took the news of the Resurrection to the fearful men in the upper room, Catherine of Siena, who spoke truth to power, to the pope she was counseling, Mother Alfred, founder of the Rochester, Minnesota Franciscan Sisters, who was ridiculed and put down by several men of the Church, yet ultimately made this order of Sisters, and another order she founded along the way, to flourish, as well as being ultimately responsible for the birth of St. Mary’s hospital and the whole medical complex that came from it. 

   I call our attention to the fact that this month, Black History Month, we can remember Women of Color, Sojourner Truth, and Fannie Lou Hamer, so significant in the fight for racial equality, among others—Sister Thea Bowman and many others unnamed who almost unbelievably had to fight within Catholic orders of Sisters against racism. 

   I just began reading a new book, authored by two women, Katty Kay, a news correspondent for the BBC, and Claire Shipman, journalist, and public speaker, entitled, The Power Code: More Joy, Less Ego, Maximum Impact for Women (And Everyone).  I’m only in the introduction, but even from that, I believe they will be making the case that we are all better, men as well as women, regardless of race, religion, or anything else, when we value the work of all, uplift everyone’s contributions, instead of making it a competition, and for women, the proverbial, “glass ceiling to be broken.” 

   So friends, I believe it is good to remember that there are more women called, as there are men, to do wonderful things in this world—we can all probably name mothers, grandmothers, teachers, friends who, in their lives were most “urgent” about sharing Jesus’ and others, good news, and with regard to Jesus, the news that we each, all, are mightily loved, appreciated, and cared for by our God, and as followers of Jesus, expected to do the same! 

   And if this all seems, “too much,” Francis of Assisi’s words are fitting, “Preach at all times—if necessary, use words.” I believe Job, Paul, Jesus, the Mary’s, Catherine, Francis, and Clare, and all the others, probably did both—actions and words, and we can too! Amen? Amen!

My friends, as we reflect on today’s readings from Deuteronomy, Paul to the Corinthians, the psalmist in #95, and Jesus’ words and actions from the Gospel of Mark, along with the state of our world at present, it seems that the almost, imploring words of our Loving God through the psalmist are most appropriate: “Oh that today you would hear God’s voice,” – “to harden not your hearts.” 

   I was, as I’m sure you were, appalled and sickened, reading about the new and previously untried form of execution used this past Thursday in the state of Alabama on a death-row inmate named Kenneth Smith.  Those involved with power to do the deed nearly promised that it would be “quick and painless,” but as we know, it was neither!  It would seem that we all are better than this from the U.S. Supreme Court, that refused the stay of this execution, on down.  The psalmist today implores us, “Harden not your hearts.” 

   In the Middle East, in the Gaza Territory, the United Nations stopped short of saying that what the Israelis are doing there is “genocide,” and thus the psalmist’s words again challenge the world, all of us, “to harden not our hearts.” For me, it is hard to fathom how the people of Israel, after the genocide their own people suffered at the hands of the Nazis cannot see that they are now doing the same. 

   Our own country has seemingly chosen “to harden our hearts,” through the actions and rhetoric of many in the halls of our Congress who choose vindictiveness and an unwillingness to work together for the good of all in our country, realizing that no one “gets everything they want,” but by working together, each opposing side can get “some of what they want.”  And this is to say nothing about simply, on the parts of some, acting like human beings toward each other.  When many in this country allow the voice of one individual who consistently, as another has said, “Goes low,” to speak for them, they have, “hardened their hearts!”

   The Scripture readings for today from Old and New Testaments, speak of “prophets coming,” and that they will speak, “with authority,” [the message that our Loving God wants us to hear and act upon].  Deuteronomy says that the prophet “will come from among your people.”  Now because we believe that the Spirit is “continually renewing the face of the earth,” we must believe that “prophets” are continually being called forth, now, in our time. 

   So, how will we know these prophets?  Jesus’ words are instructive here – “by their fruits!”  In my 50+ adult years, reflecting on what Jesus meant, I have been well-served by the wisdom that when the gifts of love, mercy, justice, peace, and other traits along this vein are present, God is there, and will give that prophet the words that God wants spoken.  And likewise, when vindictiveness, injustice, basically, a lack of love are present, God is not there!

   Overall, I would say, in addition to the other positive traits that should tell us that, “this is of God,” peace of heart and mind should be there too!  But let me be clear – this does not mean that the life of the prophet will necessarily be easy, even if they realize the gift of peace within.  We only need look to Jesus, Pope Francis, and all the committee members of the January 6^th Commission, as examples, who spoke “truth to power” to be sure of this.  John Lewis spoke prophetically of his work when among us, as, “good trouble,” which lets us know that for so long, what he had to say was not always accepted, which made it much harder.

   So my friends, when we reflect on trying to make a difference in our world, where so much seems to not be right, when people the world over seem to choose the basest reasons for how to respond to what, “life basically brings their way,” we must, simply must, realize that we are so much better than the evil we see, and rise above it! 

   I saw a news piece recently that was of a man who had experienced a great deal of adversity in his life and in the past had blamed others for the life he was now living, until he finally, one day, said to himself, “I am who I am because of the choices I have made, and I am now making other choices!” 

   The 2^nd reading today from Corinthians has Paul telling the people that basically, they can be closer to God if they are unmarried (Paul’s state) because they can then have more time, “to be with God” and more quickly respond to others, unencumbered by a spouse and family. As someone else has said, “While that may be true, being “unmarried” doesn’t guarantee that the “extra time” will be used to, “be with God,” or that such an individual will respond more quickly to the needs of others.”  I would suggest that here, we are being given a black and white response, and a very narrow view of how we can respond to our Loving God, and to our world—for God is present in all the “spouses and families” that Paul seems to think are getting, “in the way.” 

   When I think of the “Face of God” that I have seen in so many caregivers of spouses, friends, and family members, I know that our God had more in mind than that the only way to bring that relationship with the Source of All Being into play was to go it alone, unattached—there is a place for both!

   Giving Paul a bit of a break though, he was in a hurry to get folks on the right track, so to speak, as he and many other followers of what they called, Jesus’ “Way,” thought he was returning sooner rather than later, and must be ready. 

   Finally today friends, just a few words about Jesus’ actions with the demoniac from Capernaum in today’s gospel.  As exegetes have told us, we certainly see Jesus’ “authority” as he acted, seemingly without fear to help the poor man afflicted, by expelling the evil one from him. 

   As we reflect on this, most of us probably think that we never experience anything like this in our lives and could never do the same.  Here, I would suggest that whenever we see something evil in our world, and we try to do whatever we can—listen to a lonely friend, or stranger, make a call—write a letter to a power able to make some change—letting them know that “we are watching,” we have done so much, “to expel the demons.”  Sometimes “our words” at a particular time are what someone else needed to make a change in their lives.  Someone once said, “the weaknesses we see in others are openings for God to enter in,” and again, as Amanda Gorman said, “if we can be the light that is needed.  Amen? Amen! 

My friends, you probably noticed that this week’s readings have a sense of urgency about them.  Our God, in the 1^st reading from Jonah, is after him to get about what God is asking of him— “Get up…go!”

   In the 2^nd reading from 1^st Corinthians, we see this same urgency in an almost dire message from Paul, as he tells the people to put aside all the daily, routine, tasks of life, even relationships with people, and prepare themselves for God (Jesus’) return, which they believed would be very soon.  Given this notion, “that God was coming soon,” it stands to reason that the need “to be about it,” was there!

   This notion was then, but how about us now?  Do we have that same urgency, now, “to be our best selves”—whatever that means for each of us as we relate to ourselves, to others, to our world?  I find that over time, “being my best self,” and here, I mean, doing that extra bit, rather than just coasting along, can be a bit of a challenge. 

   Take for example that my annual physical is coming up next week, and so this week, I have been especially conscious of what I am eating so as to tip the scales at not too great a number! Then, afterward, I will probably go back to “coasting” a bit, not as concerned about my overall wellness as I am this week, knowing that my exam is upcoming. 

   So friends, whether it is about our spiritual, ethical decisions, day-to-day, with regard to relationships with others, and our world, or on a personal level with being our best physically for the welfare of our physical bodies, it would seem that the notion of “always being ready,” for God, or our personal physician, to come, who may want an accounting of our lives, might be the best way to go. And, if only life was so easy! If only the day-to-day “stuff” of living didn’t get in the way!

   Another good reason perhaps for the idea that we can’t be so, “black and white” about living and acting in our world, as if we only need to decide once, to be our best selves! In actuality, we realize that this action—to be our best, is a conscious, every day, needed action. 

   During this Year of Grace, Cycle B, we are looking at the Gospel of Mark—a man of few words.  In this week’s selection, he simply says, using Jesus’ words, “Change your hearts and minds and believe in the Good News.”  With Mark’s proclamations, I always want to say, “Is that it Mark—anything else to go with that?” –certainly Jesus said more to explain himself! Apparently not, or Mark didn’t consider it important because the rest of the reading goes on to let us know that Jesus then moves out to choose several of his would-be apostles.

   But upon further reflection, perhaps Mark’s lack of words, in letting us know, “just how” we do this, “changing of our hearts and minds,” and “believing in the Good News,” allows for our personal way of doing this, as each of us is an individual and God will “call us” out of our personal experience—maybe, “time” is our gift, maybe “writing” is our talent, maybe “culinary abilities,” maybe “speaking” is what we have to offer.  So, with this “frame of mind,” that God will call me to “do my part,” when, and as needed, we can always be ready! 

   The chosen response, from Psalm 25, for this liturgy, gives us a gentler approach to being who we are called to be: “Make me know your ways, O God,” the psalmist prays. In reflecting on this prayer, it came to me that “humility” would seem to be part of truly, “knowing God’s ways” –knowing “who” we are, and “what” we are capable of.” 

   All of this talk today about “being our best selves,” has an added layer, it seems to me, in a world that we all have allowed to become cruder, ruder, and without simple manners, and a certain, “graciousness” toward others in our lives.  All of this is evident in our daily news. 

   In the ever-increasing “busyness” in our lives, some of the “once-upon-a-time” courtesies and gratefulness for others, and what they do, seem to fall by the wayside.  This past week, our grandson Elliot had a school assignment to interview someone, and he chose me, asking a series of quite-pointed questions, and when we got to the one about, “what I thought was different in my growing up years, from how it is today,” I gave this answer, in a simpler form, basically saying that people seemed to be more respectful of others in an earlier time. 

   So friends, as we continue in this new year, perhaps setting some doable goals, attempting to be ready at all times for our God’s (Jesus’) call for each of us to do our parts, the words of a young poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, three years ago, at the inauguration of President Biden and Vice-President Harris are gentle, yet challenging enough for us today to do what we can to better our world. Profoundly poetic and wonderfully wise she said, “That even as we hurt, we hoped, that even as we tired, we tried, that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.”

   My friends, Amanda’s words here speak to the sense that we as a country need to return to realizing that the good of our lives are about us, yes, but equally about all others—in other words we are in this together, for each other.  I was reminded too this past week of the virtue of humility that should be so a part of our actions in the world, as I watched a PBS Nova presentation on the building and deploying of the Webb telescope that was last year sent into space so far out that if it breaks down, we humans won’t be able to go and fix it as we did the Hubble.  So far, so good, and the pictures that it has been able to send back documenting light from billions of years ago, is nothing less than profound in the immensity of our smallness. 

   Yet friends, even though small, our God has trusted us with this planet, to protect and care for, it, and each other.  This is indeed our spiritual challenge to continue the work began so long ago by our brother, Jesus, with some, simple-fisher-folk that he asked to become, “fishers of people.”  Amanda Gorman, a prophet among many in our present and past, said it three years ago like this, and it is still true today, [our] “nation isn’t broken, but simply unfinished,” and this is true for our Church too…” there is always light,” she said— “if only we are brave enough to see it—if only we are brave enough to be it.”  Our challenge then, it would seem, is to be a light, as Jesus taught, and to bring that light to our world.  Amen? Amen!

My friends, as we leave the Crib in Bethlehem behind now, returning to Ordinary Time, our call as Jesus’ followers couldn’t be clearer as evidenced by today’s Scripture readings.  First of all, as I always remind us, Ordinary Time simply means “no big feasts,” but as far as challenge coming our way, there is plenty to go around!

   The first reading today from Samuel, shows us a young boy, by the same name, who at a very young age, was given back to God by his parents, to serve in the temple.  Such young ones were taught to be ever on the look-out for “the voice” of YHWH in their lives.  So when the long-awaited call from YHWH does come to Samuel, it seems that Eli, his master is a little slow on the up-take, as it takes 3x for him to realize that his young one is indeed being called. 

   It’s wonderful to think though that Samuel was taught to respond, “Here I am,” to a strange call in the night.  The Scripture tells us that because Samuel had never yet encountered, “the voice of YHWH,” the young boy responded to Eli, who did eventually realize that it was God who was calling Samuel.  It is equally wonderful, I think, that once Samuel knew that it was God who was calling him in the night, that he could respond, “I am listening.”  I wonder how many times our God calls us, and we fail to  listen, or respond. 

   Psalm 40, serving as today’s response, adds to the challenge of being present, “here I am,” and adds, “I come to do your will.”  We see too that as Samuel grew into manhood, his relationship with God grew too, as the Scripture says, “YHWH was with him.” It would seem then, that having a relationship with God is a two-way street—God calls, we respond, and God, “is-with-us.” 

   This apparent desire that God has to be in relationship with us is played out in today’s gospel as well. Would-be disciples, Andrew, and John, have apparently been coming “to know” Jesus, and are seeking to know him even better.  They literally follow him at a certain point, and in a very intimate way, ask him, “where are you staying?” 

   Jesus answers them in a likewise, very intimate way, “Come and see!” To me, it would seem, that if our God didn’t love us, or really care about us, this encounter with Jesus wouldn’t have happened—the would-be apostles, in their desire to know Jesus better, wouldn’t have run after him, wanting to know “where he lived,” and likewise, Jesus wouldn’t have responded, almost playfully, “Come and see.”  Truly, what we have here is a relational, heart-felt encounter—a desire to be, “one-with” the other. 

   In this encounter, Jesus also asks John and Andrew, “what are you looking for?” We can look at Jesus’ question to these would-be followers as a “heart question,” better phrased perhaps for our understanding, “what is it that is on your heart?” –what indeed are you searching for, looking to do? 

   Each of us friends, in saying, “yes” to God, to Jesus, throughout our lives is answering with Samuel, “here I am, I am listening, and with the psalmist, “I come to do your will.”  And, as with John and Andrew, if we are listening, we will ask, with them, “where Jesus lives.”  And he, wanting to be in relationship with us will say, “Come and see!” 

   Whenever I speak about Ordinary Time in our Church Year, I remind us that this is not a time to coast, but really a time to settle in to the day-to-day challenges, to become our best selves, for ourselves and for others. 

   Earlier, I indicated that following Jesus’ ways will be about “trying to find him” in our everyday lives. Intellectually, in our heads, we know that we can’t find him physically, but, in and through our hearts, we should remember that we can find him in all the poor, the lonely-sad, the abused, and those who suffer in any way in our world, because it was for, such as these, that he originally came. 

   Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians today, “Glorify God in your body,” which is what we do when we look for Jesus in all who are suffering in our world, as he did in his. This is not to say that we can’t find our brother Jesus in the joyfulness of life, as he wants to share that with us too, but we must not forget “to look for him,” and “find him,” hopefully, in the suffering.  This is about truly being one-with our God in the only way we can in our limited, human existence. 

   We are beginning a new year of grace and new beginnings serve as times to be challenged once again to being and becoming our best selves, for ourselves and for others, “committing,” as it were, acts of justice, peace, mercy, and love.  In this good work, which isn’t always easy, I look to others to get some encouragement, –the following being examples:

• These words of Pope Francis are most helpful to me in this regard: “The Church is called to form consciences, not to replace them.”  His words are most instructive in light of our own national bishops seeming inability to say anything challenging to us with regard to any of the concerns in our world, wars in Ukraine, and the Middle East, poverty and homelessness in our world, lack of justice and equality for non-whites, women, the LGBTQ community and so on. 
• My family member and friend, Sister Gina Redig, who at 93 years of age is still, “active with,” her congregation’s Shalom Catalyst Group, who has her, “working on the abolition of the death penalty, nuclear disarmament in war weapons, climate crisis, human rights and more.”  She does much of this work through writing and phoning, and just listing it all here, makes me tired!  Sister Gina is indeed a little spark plug, and she challenges me to be my best!
• And if we need a “reality check” in what we can and can’t do, Sister Gina gives that too, “Healthwise, I am doing as well as I can, knowing I’m not the same as I was, and never will be again.”  And yet, she gives me, and I know others, great hope.  In her concluding words on her Christmas letter, she states simply, “We keep on keeping on, looking for and finding the good that is under everything.”
• A final wonderful challenge came to me this past week from Valerie Bertinelli, TV star in many areas, but probably most remembered for her role in the (1975-1984) sit-com, One Day at a Time.  Valerie was a guest on PBS’ Finding Your Roots.  She shared her struggles with physical appearance, as I believe is the case for many actresses, and stated that she has learned over the years that when hurtful comments are thrown at her, to just say, “That’s not meant for me,”—and basically ignore it, not giving it any power. 

   So friends, as we move into this New Year more with each passing day, may our hearts be filled with hope and anticipation as we strive, “to listen” to our God, through the world around us, the poor, the suffering, those without “voices,” as we likewise strive after what is right and good at the “heart” level—doing all that we can—to be our best selves, not only for us as individuals, but for all of our brothers and sisters in this world.  And know that the by-product of doing what is “right” is peace, for the most part. Anxiety, tension, and anger, likewise, are the by-products of what is evil or wrong. So, look for peace…

Amen? Amen!