Journey with the Bible - 12/21/2011

Today’s Reading - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122111.cfm

I’m a visual type of person. When I read, my imagination goes wild and I try to visualize things. It helps me put things into a grander perspective and whatever I am reading or thinking becomes much more meaningful to me. The same thing when we’re in love. Anything that the other person say or do to you, even if it is just a simple ‘hello’ or ‘how are you?’, the impact is so great that your heart leaps for joy! The first reading of today is very romantic. Try to visualize Jesus as the lover and you as the dove. When you’re in love (and I hope you still are), and also for some of you that are in a relationship, your greatest desire is to be with that person every day, just like that young stag mentioned in the bible looking for its mate. It will go through hills and mountain, no matter how far it is, and no matter how ridiculous it is to get to his mate, he will go through it just to be with that special someone. The same thing with Jesus, he seeks for us every day. He wants to be with us no matter what, even if you are burdened with sin, having so many problems, so much anxiety, so much grief and despair, Jesus wants to find you and show you a more better way, His love and His mercy.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of winter. I easily get cold, I can’t get out as much and I can’t ride my bike…I pretty much can’t do anything outside. But you see, I don’t have to wait for spring or summer, the warmth of Jesus is here, right now. Even if it’s cold outside, Jesus hugs me, in the coldest day of the year.

So let’s put things into perspective. I have several words popping out of my head  just on the first reading alone, Holy Spirit is so active today (shout out to that wonderful conversation with a friend last night). I could write a book just on first reading alone, but I don’t want to hold up your time.:)

Let’s look at a fig tree:

See how massive that tree is? Imagine yourself as the fig tree. The tree will not grow without water, fertilizer, sun and all the other elements that make a tree grow. And that is our spiritual life, if we don’t nurture ourselves with prayers, scriptures, meditation, learning from life experiences, fellowship, outreach…etc., our tree would wither and dry up. But, here’s the kicker, it’s one thing to nurture ourselves, but it’s also another thing to bear fruit! So what is bearing fruit? That is when we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, when we proclaim Jesus to one another, when we share our testimony, when we love and forgive one another, when we share the real meaning of the Gospel, when we shed our worldly desires and ways, when we reach out to someone in need, when we comfort the afflicted or even just caring for our family, our spouse, brothers and sisters or kids and so much more…that is the fruit!

So now let’s look at the “cleft of a rock”:

Obviously, doves don’t hide in the cleft of a rock and recesses of a cliff, or maybe they do. But doves dwell on trees don’t they? But I think what the Holy Spirit is saying is that, when we are in sin or have done something terribly wrong in your life; don’t you feel like you want to hide or hide that experience or forget about it? Remember Adam and Eve when they ate of the tree and they started to hide? When you are cold or sick, don’t you feel like you want to go somewhere where you can warm up? When you have so many problems in life, don’t you say something like “I’m in my rock bottom days, right now”? That is what the “cleft of a rock” is. Jesus doesn’t want you hiding anymore. He wants you to come out, for behold, salvation is here, gone are the cold days, gone are the bitter cold winds and chills, Jesus brings mercy and forgiveness, all you have to do is respond. For what does Jesus say, when you respond to Him?

"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely."

So what do we do, when we hear Jesus looking for us? Do we hide? Do we crouch? Do we sit around and wait? No! We come out, we jump for joy! We pray! We glorify God in songs and praises! Just as John the Baptist jumped for joy at the greeting of Mary, we should also be joyful at the news of salvation!

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Allow me to give you some advice for this coming Christmas, why don’t we imagine it like it’s the first Christmas day. The moment you hear the gospel and proclaim that Jesus is born! Let us take it to heart like it’s the first Christmas day, and allow the joy and peace to overcome us. Don’t care about the other people in the pews if you cry, if you smile, if you go into ecstasy! Let Jesus come into your heart in a more powerful way! Let the news of the Messiah cause us to jump for joy! Amen.

Jesus loves you!