He's Here!! She's Here!!

HE’S HERE!!! SHE’S HERE!!!

As the time passes, for me---signs are everywhere that Jesus may be returning SOON! As I listen to news or read headlines, and watch increasing suffering and problems---like the Psalmist David and Prophets of old---I also wonder “How long Lord, how long?” As I also age and deal with increased or rather decreased ability to function and ‘serve’ ---that ‘how much longer’ becomes more of a plea for mercy as I pray for God to come rescue us. As always God is only too happy to give me a WAKE UP CALL!

Last week’s Conference Speakers and today’s Gospel reading for August 7^th sent me answers, renewed hope and insight greatly needed to fill me with the JOY of seeing “He’s Here!!!” “He’s here now—when we look with eyes of love and faith---“He is HERE!!”

I think of how we would act if anyone famous would walk into the room. We would gasp, clap, and exclaim, “Oh LOOK---look who is here!!!” We should be just as excited seeing God in the room—now!!

For real, we need to be playing as a child would---“I SPY God!” By spying anything that He has created and marvel at it. By spying within each person, the wounded Jesus, the lost Jesus, or the hungry, thirsty Jesus. By spying in anything that happens ---the Hand of God and His plan for our life. Go play I spy today--- all day!!!

As we wait for the Master’s return---we should do so as faithful servants going about the work left for us to do---live His love and share His love and spread the Good News by Word and Action. So, as we wait ---do so serving—staying faithful to what He has taught us to do, for you never know when HE is going to SHOW UP TODAY at any HOUR or MOMENT.

An even more inspiring insight though came from the two speakers last weekend, who spoke of how every time we come to Mass, or be in prayer, or kneel before the Presence of Jesus in the Adoration Chapel---it is all of Heaven who cries out “SHE IS HERE—SHE IS HERE!!” Father Phillip Scott and Kitty Cleveland both spoke of how deeply God loves us so, (and Mary and the Saints too)—that they are ecstatic with joy when we come before God ANYTIME.

So, it was that this morning at Mass, as I listened to the Gospel, and looked all around my heart felt the joy and excitement from the knowledge that “HE IS HERE” and Heaven’s just as excited with joy of knowing “She is here—look she is here!”

Then a special miracle occurred as Mass ended. The Holy Spirit had noticed a new face sitting to my left in the pew ahead. As we started to leave, I touched the man’s shoulder and asked, “Are you new to our parish?”

He immediately goes into his story, where he came from, his connection, (his children confirmed here years ago) gave me his name---and said “no Catholic has ever asked me to come to their Church.”

The Holy Spirit then led me to respond---“well John Doe, all of Heaven is thrilled and excited to see—“YOU ARE HERE.”

To which he replied, “I am not even baptized, I am divorced, and a recovering alcoholic.”

To which I spoke to him of “Baptism of desire,” how we all addicted in some way or another, and assured him that he is very loved by God Who had called him here and chosen him from birth to be His child.”

The man is crying, joy all over his face as he was obviously starved for someone to NOTICE that He is ‘here’ and he is welcomed and loved.

I introduced him to Father before leaving church, and as we said goodbye-- his last remark, “I will see you next Sunday.”

So, dear Catholics---the extra sermon/teaching of the day---‘Love by noticing the stranger in your midst.’ Never hesitate to speak a welcome to them and ask “who are you?” Everyone has a story and every story needs to be heard. That sign of Peace--- should be more than, a handshake and few words, then nothing else. Look that person in the eyes and see that within that person---“He is HERE.”