‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you.
‘We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise, but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead.
We multiple items of Good News. We have a new Pope. Blessing on Pope Leo. In Tulsa the Augustinian Friars will be going to Rome soon. The Pope and his Tulsa connection are deep. My daughter, Emily, wife, Anna and myself went to a Mass of Thanksgiving last Friday at the Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. It was a joyous celebration.
Have you ever been lost in the woods?
I had friend, Mick, in North Dakota who was a great outdoorsman. He hunted, fished and just loved life. He and his wife, Mary, were friends back in the day. One weekend he and I decided to day hike in some woods near our city. It was very cold in early November in North Dakota, The woods had soft hills and multiple trees. Mick had many skills and we both had compasses. I had been trained in the Army and was comfortable with finding my way. I was just thew
Yes, we got lost. It was getting dark and colder. We had set our compass settings and knew that we were close, but we couldn’t find his car. You have to remember there were no cell phones or phone booths in the woods. We didn’t run into a soul. Small panic. Finally, Mick had an idea. He had a key bob that beeped. They are common today but in the 70’s they weren’t. He tried it and we heard our answer. Relief and safety. The prospect of spending the night was real. Jesus says not to worry, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my house.
Easy to say but we all worry for ourselves and others. We try to trust but worry creeps into our minds. We have to trust that while we may not have the answers Jesus does. I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’
This trust presupposes that we have a relationship with Jesus. His death on the cross and ressurection from the dead opened the door for us. I talk with Jesus every morning. I can never pray without drifting away in our conversations. Yes, my mind wanders but always on subject. That is how relationships strengthen with exchange. He may speak to me through scripture or others.
Psalm 27: 13-14 I believe I shall see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!
I am not good at waiting, but Jesus is. He can help with that as well. If you get lost in the woods of life list to Jesus, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for the soul of our beloved Pontiff, Pope Francis and for his successor, Pope Leo. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. Never deny God.
