With You I am Well Pleased

Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2016

I started last week to do a series on Our Life Story.  A story is a recounting of an event that teaches, inspires, and can even change us.  Our lives are stories and perhaps we never slowed down to see our story and to reflect upon it.
Our story is important, not in the way you expect, and not important because of you.  You are not the central character.  God is!!  Reflect on seeing his place in your story, in your life, and this may lead you to decide if you want to live your own story or be part of a much bigger one.
We hear today in the gospel (Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22) the start of the public ministry of Jesus, which is part of the story of God the Father’s love for us.  ‘You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased,’ is how the gospel ends today.  In the first reading Isaiah, quoting the Lord, says, ‘Here is my servant…with whom I am well pleased.’  It is a big difference: we are not servants or slaves but sons and daughters.  This is possible only through Jesus Christ.
Last week we heard the fantastic story of the Magi who followed a star and took a risk and what joy they experienced in finding Jesus.  There was a smaller story of Herod who was only concerned about his life and how he tried to trick the Magi and killed many boys under two because he was insecure about his story.
The first point we need to consider is that there is a God and he is much greater than you or me.  This God created you and most of the things in your life which you have no control over.  You did not decide when you would be born, into which family, in what town or country, what characteristics you would have, your personality, your gifts or abilities.  All of this has been given to you by God.   You did not start your story, God did; he took the initiative.  God is the author, not you.
If I was the author I would be stronger, funnier, my memories would be much more exciting and numerous.  I would be much more athletic than my brothers and more gregarious, a natural leader.  But the memories I have of my father and how I was not close to being his favorite are etched in me.  The memories I have of dreading the times we went to play baseball down at the park, which I was never very good at and my dad always insisting that I get in front of the ball.  Once a fly ball that I got under bounced off my forehead and I had a bump for a week.  If I was the author I would have made different stories, which were much more exciting and impressive, but it was not so.
Get to know your story of your family.  Be surprised by it.  My cousin did a family history and found the men either did work with numbers or with upholstery as their profession.  I was surprised to hear this and to see I had those characteristics.
Have a conversation with God about your story, your life.  Think about your parents, siblings, school you went to, friends and neighbors growing up and many are filled with happy memories.  God has an insight into your story that you cannot have unless he helps you.
Also when you have this conversation various emotions may come to you: confusion, distress, or even anger.  And it is ok to ask why?  Something happened in your story and you need to speak with God about this.  Maybe you never did before.  Also speak to a sibling, or a good friend, or in confession with a priest.  On the website, there are some simple questions that may help you to reflect about your life.  Take some time to write about it and you may be surprised with what you say.  Go to Messages/News & Announcements and click on Your Story.
The really important thing is not to see, or blame, what people did to you, but what you did with the life and gifts that God gave to you.  I was surprised to see how many gifts God gave me that I did not appreciate, even in my forties.  How did you react to the events of your life?  What can you do now so that you can have a better story, and be more part of God’s story?  Do not be afraid to hear, and to believe, the words of your Father saying to you: you are my son, my daughter, with whom I am well pleased.

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