Fr. Patrick Gonyeau C.PP.S.

God's heart desires that all would come to know Him, and as we pray psalm 67, asking God to let his face shine upon us, the grace is granted for us to become the revelation of God's love to those around us...heaven meets earth and signs and wonders abound.

The image of Peter walking on water is an image of the supernatural life Jesus both calls us to, and empowers us to live. Following the example of Jesus, who said "a son can not do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father doing" (Jn 5:19), we consider how pursuing and receiving the revelation of the Father's will, leads us to live moment to moment, the supernatural life...walking on the water with God.

Having traveled up Mt. Tabor with Jesus, Peter witness the amazing transfiguration of Jesus, the radiant manifestation of the divinity of Christ. He, along with James & John, heard God the Father say, "this is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Years later, Peter would write about how being attentive to God's Word (the prophetic message) allows the morning star (Jesus) to rise in our hearts...leading to our continual transformation in Christ.

In St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, we read "we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" and that "those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." We look into these words now, guided by the Church, to further understand how we deal with the problem of evil, understand predestination, and seek to listen to God and live even now the Kingdom Life, bringing God's amazing love to all around us!

In the famous parable of The Sower, Jesus describes four responses to His gospel. In the parable, Jesus is the sower and the seeds are His words. In the great love letter with a heartbeat, the bible, we have a treasure chest of God's living Word just waiting for us! Considering the simple and effective WRAP method of Lectio Divina (divine reading), Pope Benedict's "secret" to the springtime of the Church is made readily accessible to all!

Jesus said, "come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mt 11:30). The offer stands...

After calling the 12 Apostles to himself, Jesus sent them out to preach, letting them know quite clearly they would experience persecution. Nevertheless, Jesus told them to fear no one, for God cares intimately for them and us (knowing even the number of hairs on our heard.) In the midst of challenge, temptations to fear and anxiety, the apostles lived with hope and courage, the Lord invites us to the same freedom in the Spirit..

A sacrament is a sign that points to something else, making present what it points to and thereby communicating the grace of the reality that it points to and makes present. In the gift of the Eucharist, we receive the gift of Jesus body and blood, the gift of Jesus himself who comes to give himself freely to us, as he gave himself freely for us on Calvary. Recognizing, revering and responding to this reality sets souls on fire with divine love!

When Jesus said, "for God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son" He revealed that God the Father longs, out of magnificent love, to draw the world into His embrace. God is in love with His creation and desires to conquer sin, darkness and separation one soul at a time. Will we enjoy His embrace? Will we share His desire?

The Ascension of Jesus Christ, body and soul into heaven, marks a definitive turn in the story of salvation history, leading to the outpouring of the Spirit that brings us to a new level of intimacy with God. In this intimate union, we are equipped and empowered by the Spirit to do what He said...."Go and make disciples!"