The Bramble Bush

~~~ Jonah 3:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Luke 11:29-32 ~~~

Jonah was not a particularly important prophet,
 but God sends him to Nineveh with the message of repentance.
As we know Jonah was not excited about his mission.
He tried to ignore God through his actions.

You know the whole big fish story...

In the end God does win; Jonah
brings the message to the people of Nineveh.

“Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,”

The prospect of being wiped off
 the face of the earth got their attention.

God went to great measures to save this whole city...
a city that no one really cared much about.

For some reason God thought it was necessary
 to give the Ninevites another chance to repent.
A chance to turn away from their sinful ways.

Here is the message for us.
We are no different than the Ninevites.
Wherever our sinfulness exits God cares
enough to put himself there too.

The Ninevites were known for their sinful ways.
It is even accentuated by the manner in which they repented.
They covered themselves in rough coarse fabric
 and smeared their bodies with burned ashes.

They did not eat or drink as a further sign of their repentance.

Lent is a time when we too can open
our eyes to the corruption that exists in our own heart.

This message of repentance is meant to be heard by us today.
This message is to let us know that God
 does not stay away just because we have sinned.

He comes to us in our darkest times.
He comes to us when temptation seems so appealing.
He comes to us even when we do not believe we can resist sin.

Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 

Whatever it takes for us to repent
 of our sinful ways God will be there.
He is not waiting on the sidelines
 for us to figure it out by ourselves.
He sends people. He puts them on our path.
He keeps trying to reach us...to save us.
The only way he knows is to keep loving
 us more with each passing day.

Sometimes it takes someone else
 to probe deep within our hearts.
Sin is like the blackberry bush...thorny
with far reaching hidden roots.
The blackberry is called the bramble fruit.
It is covered with tiny prickles that can penetrate most fabric.
Bramble, an impenetrable thicket...
Could this be our sinfulness?

The sins we hold on to the longest are the ones
 that appear to be ripe and juicy.
Clumped together, held tightly as one offense.
A single sin rarely stand alone...it has attachments.

...return to me with your whole heart
for I am gracious and merciful.

God is here with you...loving you...blessing you...
He wants your whole heart for himself.
Are you holding something back?

~~~Peace~~~

Time is Running Out!

~~~Third Sunday in Ordinary Time~~~

~~~ Jonah 3:1-5, 10 ~~~ Psalm 25 ~~~ 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 ~~~ 

~~~ Mark 1:14-20 ~~~

Jonah and Jesus had much in common.
They both were sent by God the Father to deliver a message.

...time is running out...
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.

Jesus and Jonah spread the same message of repentance.
We are still weeks away from Ash Wednesday,
yet we are already hearing this message of repentance.

Jonah, you may remember,
did not want to go to Nineveh at all.
He tried to resist God. He tried to ignore
 the mission God commanded.
But it did not work out the way Jonah had hoped,
so in the end he reluctantly agrees
to follow the orders from God.

Jonah was spit out of the fish to become one of God's fishers.
When you go fishing it always a thrill to catch a fish,
because there is never any guarantee you will.

Jonah was totally surprised to find
the people of Nineveh actually did listen to him.

His message from God had been taken seriously...
the people did repent in time.
With only forty days left the sprang into action
and God spared them from his wrath.

Jesus called fishermen to leave
 their boats behind and come with him.

They had fishing experience, but they never would
 have imagined what it was like to fish for men.

Jesus may have initially chosen fishermen
because they had patience.
You cannot be in a hurry if you are casting your net for a catch.
Fishermen know the importance of mending their nets.
Fishermen know the importance of keeping
their boats in good repair.

All of these skills would be useful in accomplishing the task
 Jesus was calling them to do with his guidance.

Jonah resisted but in the end
was able to save the city of Nineveh.
Those chosen by Jesus were able to insure
 his message would ultimately be passed on to us.

Now it is our turn.
God is always in need of more fishers...
today that is you and me.

If we believe than we must also agree to be fishers.
We must keep out nets and boats in good repair.
We must be patient.
We must continue to cast our nets.

...Time is running out...

We are called and Blessed to continue fishing.
~~~Peace~~~

Is the Choice Clear?

~~~  Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious ~~~

~~~ Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 1 ~~~ Luke 18:35-43 ~~~

Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place,
 unless you repent.

As the liturgical year is coming to a close we are reminded to repent.
As humans are prone to do; we have gotten off the path.
We are reminded to return to our initial good works.

This is of utmost importance lest our lampstand is removed.
Why is this important?
Would we not still have our light?

The lampstand is first mentioned in Exodus.
God gives detailed instructions about the
golden lampstand to be kept in the holy place of the tabernacle.
The lamps were to tended so as their light would always be burning.

The lampstand was to radiate the light both day and night.
This lampstand was the only source of light.
Jesus is known as the light of the world.
He gives light, he is the source of our light.

We have been given the light of Christ...
we are children of the light.
If you are to shine the light of Christ
 then it is necessary for you to live holy life.

God is warning us to repent lest he takes away
 the lampstand and our light will no longer shine brightly.

The lampstand holds up the vessel of oil burning brightly.
Jesus is the support...Jesus is the lampstand.
Without him we could not be complete;
our light would not be able to burn brightly.

Jesus is the one who led his chosen people
 out of darkness into the light.

Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

(Rev. 2:17)

The tree of life begins in the Garden of Eden
and continues into end times.
The tree of life given by God is life sustaining.
It bears fruit. It provides shelter. It is a safe place.
 It gives us hope.

God is the tree of life.
He takes care of all of our needs.
He waters the roots.
He prepares the soil. He prunes the dead branches.
He covers the branches with lush green leaves.
He ripens the fruit in the warmth of the sunshine.

He calls us to gather around this tree of life.
He is the Life.
This tree of life represents all that was, is and is to come.
This tree of life has no end...it continues to nourish
those who are faithful.

When we turn away from our sinful ways
 it is so much easier to access the tree of life.

If we want to be the light of Christ to others then
we must draw from the source, the tree of life.

Have sight; your faith has saved you.

Jesus is the light of the world high upon the lampstand
giving light to each of us.
Jesus is the life giving tree.

God is the giver of everything good
including eternal life.

The choice is clear; repent...
your light will continue to shine...
you will be fed from the tree of life.

He is waiting to feed us
 with his grace and Blessings.

~~~Peace~~~

Eternal Coach

~~~ Ephesians 4:7-16 ~~~ Psalm 122 ~~~ Luke 13:1-9 ~~~

But I tell you, if you do not repent,

you will all perish as they did!

Jesus was honest and sometimes considered blunt.

It reminds me of tough love...Was Jesus using "tough love"?

Tough love... is an expression used when someone treats 

another person harshly or sternly with the intent 

to help them in the long run.

It is typical after the tough love is dispensed to feel upset.

If Jesus was using 'tough love' he did not know it 

because it was first used in 1968 by the author of the book Tough Love.

Jesus was intending his words to be a warning

 for us to change our ways.

He might have been intending to scare 

his opponents into making a change.

Perhaps Jesus was giving out a warning

 to those who were not taking him seriously.

Parents and coaches are among those who make use of 'tough love'.

Jesus is almost like a coach for our soul.

Our Eternal Coach, because he wants nothing 

more than to make it to heaven.

Do you believe the words Jesus spoke in the Bible?

Do you feel those words were addressed

  just to the people who were listening that day?

It seems that Jesus delivered a very strong message of grim

 dire consequences if we do not repent.

Repentance is a change of heart that allows us to get closer to God.

Without a change of heart there is no repentance.

It is easy to see why others should repent, a little harder

 to see why we should repent.

Later in this gospel we hear about the fig tree

 being given another chance.

The poor fig tree had not been bearing fruit;

  the order was given for it to be cut down.

The fig tree was given more time for the owner

 to cultivate and fertilize the ground

Jesus gives us extra time 

to repent through the words 

of his warning.

The Eternal Coach is treating us with 'tough love' 

because he knows the rewards for getting to heaven 

are so worth whatever it takes to change.

Jesus himself is making an earthly request, repent, 

to attain our heavenly goal.

If anyone is capable of coaching us into heaven

 it can be no other than Jesus himself.

 ...living the truth in love,

we should grow in every way into him 

who is the head, Christ...

Living in truth we have the courage to repent.

It takes 'tough love' sin order for us to grow to our full potential.

Blessed with 'tough love' from the Eternal Coach.

The message is repent we want you in heaven.

~~~Peace~~~

From this Day Forward...

~~~ 1 John 3:22-4:6 ~~~ Psalm 2 ~~~ Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 ~~~

Jesus has just endured the temptations in the desert.
He was more determined than ever to carry out
the purpose of his mission.
He was sent by the Father to preach repentance and to save us...
to love us unconditionally.
He eventually calls others to join him
in spreading this good news.

Upon hearing of John's imprisonment, Jesus moves into action.

Jesus, the Anointed one, through the power of the Holy Spirit
 is able to heal people from all types of affliction.

Jesus heals people in mind, body, and in spirit.
Jesus is all about change...
We must change.
In order to be saved we must change.
This change must be profound.
This change is not for show.
This change is not to impress others.
This change comes through the gift of faith.
Faith that comes from God alone.

...the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The kingdom of heaven is at hand because Jesus is now with us.
The Messiah has come; he has been honored by the
wise men of the East.
The time is now for you to also make changes.
The beginning of a new year is traditionally the time when
many people begin to at least think about changing.
Isn't that what new year resolutions are all about?
We want to improve...we want to get in shape...
we want to eat a healthy diet...
we want to get better organized...we want to do this and that.
But, I wonder if we truly wanted to change,
 would we always be making the same resolutions year after year?

We are jubilant with promises to ourselves.
Jesus calls us to a change that will last our entire lifetime.
The Holy Spirit will give us the grace to stay the course.

We know that Jesus walked this earth changing people along the way.
And he wants to change you today.
He wants to heal you in mind, body, and soul.
Your former days are of old.
A new dawn has begun filled with blessings for change.
May this new year bring about a lasting change in your life.
Peace be with you from this day forward.

The Town Crier Arrives

 ~~~Second Sunday of Advent~~~

~~~ Isaiah 11:1-10 ~~~Psalm 72 ~~~ Romans 15:4-9~~~ Matthew 3:1-12 ~~~

 

John the Baptist came before Jesus to 'prime the pump'
one might say. He was sent to prepare the way.
He was God's town crier...
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  

The kingdom of heaven was at hand because Jesus was coming to town.
John spoke with a certain urgency in his message.
Of course the Pharisees and the Sadducees were very curious.
They were quite content with their long held beliefs.
After all the Pharisees were experts in the law.
The proud Sadducees were the priestly aristocratic party.

How could anyone else know more than either of these two groups?
They sought out John to question his authority.

 

 

Imagine what they must have thought when John tells them...
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

 

 John is expressing his humility as he makes reference to the coming of Jesus.
The arrogant elders present would never bow so low
as to carry someone else's dirty sandals.
That would be beneath their position in society.

 

 We are presented with baptism in two forms...
the first being the baptism of water, the second
the baptism of the Holy Spirit, fire.
 

The baptism of water cleanses.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit comes after our salvation has been secured.
The baptism of fire is what leads us on our way.
The baptism of fire is the light for the path.
The baptism of fire is what keeps us moving forward.
The baptism of fire is that burning desire to be with Jesus in heaven.

Anticipating the coming of the kingdom of God is filled with blessings.

Grafted to Life and Peace

~~~ Romans 8:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 24 ~~~ Luke 13:1-9 ~~~

 

 ...if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!

 

There is some confusion among the people

about what is really important...

Jesus is making it to them that THE most important focus

should be on their own repentance.

No one can repent for your sins for you.

Jesus made it possible for us to have salvation,

 but he did not say now go and do whatever you want.

Without Jesus how would it have been possible for us to attain salvation?

Our salvation is not a free pass; we must do our part.

It does not mean that we cannot have help from others,

but we must do our part.

 

God knows the depths of our heart...

He knows if we are sincere with our repentance

or if we are just going through the motions.

We cannot fool God.

 

It comes back again to our free will and the choices we make in life.

The grace is available to us...the Holy Spirit is here for us.

Why do we ignore this help so many times?

 

 ...live according to the spirit...

...the concern of the spirit is life and peace.

 

If we want to live in the Spirit we must reflect back

to the world the concerns of the spirit.

First we must be about life.

The gardener wants to give the fig tree one more

season to produce. He chooses life for the tree.

Is it not more important for us to choose life for ourselves and others?

 

 

The Spirit is about peace...if we want to live in the spirit

 we too must be about peace.

We must foster God's peace beginning with those closest to us.

Peace radiates out just as one small pebble,

when dropped on the pond, sends out ripples.

There is no act of peace too small.

 

...if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

 

Blessings come from allowing God to graft your soul to the Spirit.

Through this we too can live in the same Spirit...

the Spirit of life and peace.

Daily Maintenance: Mending the Nets

 

~~~ Hebrews 1:1-6 ~~~ Psalm 97 ~~~ Mark 1: 14-20 ~~~

 

Today begins Ordinary Time, which I always find amusing.

We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus...a far cry from ordinary.

Some people, however, view Christmas as something very ordinary.

after all it happens every year.

 

It is in ordinary time that we see Jesus fleshing out the future of his ministry.

He comes to Galilee to continue the repentance message of John the Baptist.

While there Peter and Andrew are going about their ordinary daily routines.

As fishermen their nets were vital to their livelihood.

Jesus witnesses James and John tending to their nets.

Without regular maintenance the nets would develop tears and rips.

Through daily examination of the nets

they were able to make minor repairs right away. 

 

Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

 

Jesus hand picked hard working men

who knew the value of daily maintenance.

It is so tempting to skip those tasks we must perform on a daily basis.

These fishermen also had the knack for paying attention to details.

If they were to overlook a small tear in their net the next day it

might be large enough to effect their catch for the day.

 

Much about our spiritual life pertains to the practices

we implement into our daily prayer life.

If we overlook our prayer life or think that attending Sunday services is enough;

we may just be allowing a small tear in our faith to become a large hole.

 

This large hole may not be noticed until things start falling through the hole.

Until our sinfulness increases because we simply do not pay

attention to the details of our life.

 

 

What are your daily practices to maintain your prayer life?

If you cannot answer because I used the 'daily' please reconsider.

It is our daily awareness that makes the difference in the long run.

It is our daily practices that bring stability to our prayer life.

It is our daily practices that can reveal the small holes in the net. 

It is difficult to repent if we do not see the holes in our net.

Protecting the Lampstand

~~~ Revelation 1:1-4, 2:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 1 ~~~ Luke 18: 35-43 ~~~

 

 

"...Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

 

These rather harsh words are excerpted from the book of Revelation.

 

Lost love would indeed be a tragedy.

.In our world today it may seem like that is precisely what is happening.

We have widespread unrest throughout the globe...

hardly a prescription for love.

 

We are given a second chance by the writer today.

We are being warned to return to doing good as we have done in the past.

 

Failing to heed the warning could result in our 'lampstand'

being removed from its place.

A lampstand is placed so as to support the lamp in a position

to cast the most light to the rest of the area.

Returning to our goodness is a reminder that never goes out of style.

 

 

 

Along with this warning from Revelation

comes encouraging words from the psalm and the gospel today.

 

Blessed the man who

"...delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night."

 

The law of the Lord is love. It is love that blesses us in all circumstances.

 

Love is the greatest commandment of all.

If we live in love then we will be feed from the tree of life.

 

If we live in love we will have the necessary faith to ask God

to let us see. God can show us how to love in all ways.

God can show us how to see the possibilities of love where we are blind.

We can all benefit from more love in our lives.

We can all benefit from extending more love to others.

 

Live in a renewed disposition of Love today.