What is the desire for someone to know people? Why should people in the Church care to know who each other are?

it’s a spiritual reality but a human family. St Angela writes about the desire to know, spiritual children.

We often know our belonging by those who are blood related. We add those who are married into our blood families. And over time we add even more people. Through the power of God we add people in differing ways, ultimately everyone belongs to God. But Jesus invites us to belong to the Church.

How do we know we are one with the Church?

The lamb - think of a little baby lamb - was offered in sacrifice to God. The lamb was offered because it represented innocence and purity. This prefigured Jesus, the innocent and pure victim.

Jesus is the Way. Through the Church we are instruments who tell others, “this way.”

The way is through baptism but also the important aspect of discovering we are children of God! In this way, we even see Jesus being baptized and hearing “this is my beloved son!”

while baptism is essential, it is also necessary to discover our identity as sons and daughters. This is “the way”!

It’s important to understand how God works in our lives. How events play into our growth.

and to recognize that the Apostles didn’t always understand but with time, He showed them.

Is He showing you?

Great readings today remind us we are not the first to live in troubled times. We need to look for the people of light who help us look to the Light and not our troubles and darkness!

Isaiah speaks of the expectations for healing and miracles that are witnessed by the disciples in the Gospel. They are told to go back and speaking of what they have seen.

We too have desires and expectations! Many people are looking for signs of “life”. If we have seen them, we too must be willing to “go back” and share what we have witnessed!

Today’s Confirmation is a good moment to reflect upon the May dynamics of Christian life where we have “already” received something we have “not yet” received. List and see if you too live the already but not yet!

God orders us by bestows desires for prayer and healing and longing for Him. He also answers those desires with formulaic prayers like the Our Father. It doesn’t end there, but as we become part of the Body, this Mass is the place we are ordered and reordered.

is it the end of times?