Building on last week’s homily reflecting on turning 70 and 52 years of Jesuit ministry, Fr. Michael relates his own “Stepping Stone” moment where Jesus reached out and healed him. To read the prayer from Mother Teresa that Fr. Michael references, scroll down.
A Last Prayer
I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus—one to one—you and Jesus alone.
We may spend time in chapel but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love?
Do you really know the living Jesus—not from books—but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you?
Ask for the grace; He is longing to give it.
Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying,”I thirst,” in the hearts of the poor.
Never give up this daily intimate contact with Jesus as the real living person—not just the idea.
How can we last even one day without hearing Jesus say, “I love you”? Impossible. Our soul needs that as much as the body needs to breathe the air. If not, prayer is dead—meditation only thinking.
Jesus wants you each to hear Him speaking in the silence of your heart.
Be careful of all that can block that personal contact with the living Jesus.
The devil may try to use the hurts of life, and sometimes our own mistakes to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you; is really cleaving to you.
This is a danger for all of us. And so sad, because it is completely the opposite of what Jesus is really wanting, waiting to tell you.
Not only that He loves you, but even more: He longs for you.
He misses you when you don’t come close: He thirsts for you.
He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy. When not accepted by others—even by yourself self sometimes—He is the one who always accepts you.
Only believe you are precious to Him.
Bring all you are suffering to His feet—only open your heart to be loved by Him as you are. He will do the rest.
-Mother Teresa, 1910-1997
John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
