Keep your eyes on Jesus!

Good News Reflection
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
December 16, 2009

Today's Readings:
Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25
Ps 85:9ab, 10-14
Luke 7:18b-23
http://www.usccb.org/nab/121609.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_12_16.mp3

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

Keep your eyes on Jesus! If I'm remembered for only one message, I'd like it to be this motto, for it says everything that needs to be said about how to get through this life on earth with the most possible joy, the fullest peace, and the strongest faith, and about how to reach the glorious joy of heaven.

It's the message of today's scriptures. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is asked, "Are you the one?" by disciples of John the Baptist, the last herald of the coming of the Messiah. "Or should we look for another?" And Jesus in essence replies, "Look for me in the evidence. The blind see, the lame walk...."

"I am the Lord, there is no other," God says in the first reading. "I created everything. Turn to me and be safe."

It's when we don't feel safe that we go looking for our Savior in all the wrong places. When life doesn't go the way we want it to, when problems seem to be dragging us closer and closer to disaster, and when our prayers are apparently not getting results, we turn away from God, often without realizing it, in search of escape and peace. We turn to unloving methods of problem-solving, or to alcohol or food or shopping to escape from heartache.

When holy obedience seems too difficult or unpleasant or requires too much sacrifice, we settle for the world's wisdom and rationalize it as okay in an effort to quiet our consciences.

"Turn to me and be safe," the Lord tells us.

He's not promising safe-keeping from hardship. Rather, we are safe IN the hardships because he cares about us and will strengthen us and mature us and make everything work out for our good – and for the good of everyone else who's affected by our problems. This takes time, usually much more time than we want it to, but as soon as we decide how short it should take, we're turning away from God again, because we're putting ourselves into his role.

If only we could see what he sees, then we wouldn't be so impatient. Then we wouldn't despair or feel abandoned by him. But that's why Jesus tells us to look for him in the evidence that's visible around us. For example, when you hear others tell stories about how God rescued them from their problems, he's reminding you that he will rescue you, too (or the loved one for whom you've been endlessly praying) because he loves us all so very much.

Signs of hope are everywhere!

He wants you to know that you belong in heaven, and from heaven's perspective, the picture is much, much larger and much better than what you can see. Your loved ones who have died in the arms of Jesus understand this. Ask them to pray for you. They know exactly the best way to pray for you. And if you join them in keeping focused on Jesus, hope will lead you to joy.

© 2009 by Terry A. Modica
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