Good evening. Thanks for coming, and
spending some time with the Lord…time with him is never
wasted. Before I begin a brief reflection I first want to
thank you, those of you who serve the Church in some
capacity either as ushers, lectors, altar servers,
Eucharistic ministers or the many other ways you contribute
to Saint Bernadette’s. I’ve been really edified by you and
your selflessness, so thank you for your good example. And
as I’m new to being a Priest, I’ve really appreciated all
the help you’ve given me personally, and not just the help
but also the kind words of encouragement that so many of you
have offered…so I really thank you.
Tonight I’m not going to give a homily
on a particular reading. I’m just going to speak from my
heart,…which is always a bit risky. So be free to slouch
down in your seat and close your eyes or sit up straight and
rest your arms on the pew…however you’re most comfortable.
And I’m not going to speak much
tonight. The words that he’ll speak to you are so much more
beautiful and effective than mine. I just ask that tonight
you open your hearts. Maybe in a new way, maybe in a way
you’re not used to. I ask you to pray tonight. Maybe in a
new way, maybe in a way you’re not used to. I ask you to
pray tonight by listening. You know Mother Teresa says that
“God speaks in the silence of our hearts, and we listen.” He
has so much to say, but maybe he’ll say nothing. Maybe to
some of you he’ll speak a word of encouragement...Maybe to
some a word of correction…but maybe to some he won’t speak
at all…don’t worry about that…that’s just an invitation to
rest with him…don’t come with too much expectation…try and
just be tonight. Be still, and know that he loves you.
Do you know that Jesus loves you. I
mean he really loves you…for real, you are
loved…infinitely…as you are…as you sit here…you’re loved and
you’re being loved.
You know you were created out of love. To be loved…that’s
it. The only reason you exist is to be loved by him – that’s
it. Really, there’s no other reason. Do you know that before
you existed and he thought about you, he smiled…he smiled
just thinking about you…And then he closed his eyes and
thought “yeah,”…and you were, you came into being from the
smile of the Father,…and once you existed he looked at you
and thought, “Isn’t it wonderful that my son or my daughter
is…he or she exists.” I invite you tonight to let yourself
absorb the smile of the Father…Let it radiate through you,
let it warm you like the sun warms your face…let it settle
into your being and warm your heart and comfort you…He gazes
on you and smiles.
Don’t be afraid to rest with him
tonight. Listen to the rhythm of his heart beat for you…let
it beat in you, until your heart and his beat together…heart
to heart, beating in unison.
Let your mind rest. Let go of your
intentions tonight, its okay, he knows them, he’ll answer
them…he wants you. Rest in your Father’s arms tonight…be
still, and know that you have a Father who loves you, and is
so pleased with you.
One of my favorite scripture passages comes from Luke
chapter 12, and I’d like to read it now just to give a bit
of direction to prayer. In another 15 minutes I’ll read
another scripture passage from Jeremiah.
