Do Your Actions Speak Louder than Your Words?

Mark 7: 1-13

"Actions speak louder than words" a saying I heard most of my life. When there is an in congruence between what you are doing and what you are saying it creates a dissonance. It is like listening to a composition by Igor Stravinsky. The manner in which he arranged his notes make you feel uncomfortable at times. The Firebird Suite is one of those compositions; you might listen to it sometime and see what you think. I would not recommend his music for meditation!

When you look at yourself, how do you see yourself? Sometimes I ask myself, "Are my actions truly revealing to those around the words I speak or in this case the words I write?" I think what you write is no different from what you say.

Today we are almost numb by the media. The political candidates are almost contradictory within themselves. Unless you know a candidate you can never be sure of what you hear coming from their lips. Our society today has conditioned us to be skeptical of what we hear. A person's actions speak for themselves even if we do not know the reason for said action. Your actions tell more about who you are than you might think.

Today attorney's routinely higher a person who specializes in reading body language. Yes even the slightest blink of an eye or the way you lean forward can be interpreted by this professional. By nature we watch peoples expressions to help us derive more meaning from their words. Are they rolling their eyes, looking away, or shrugging their shoulders?

As a parent and teacher I got pretty adept at reading body language.

So where am I going with this in connection with today's gospel from Mark? The Pharisees and some scribes observed the strict rules and laws regarding clean and unclean. They literally had hundreds of these rituals to observe. Since they were the enforcer of these rules they were very meticulous about performing them. They were constantly on the look out for those not following the prescribed rituals. They became quick to judge and admonish those in violation. The Pharisees were all about the actions. What you did was far more important than anything you said.

There were no acceptable excuses...you had no options...no circumstances would free you from these rituals. So I can just imagine how livid they were when they observed Jesus and his disciples eating without carefully washing their hands. And even worse not purifying upon returning from the market were they would have encountered many 'unclean' items. I am further reminded now of how Jesus healed people right in the middle of the market place; one of the most unclean places of all.

In reply to their objections Jesus quotes Isaiah's prophecy. Interesting since they were scholars who were very familiar with the Isaiah text. As it is written, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts."

Jesus always knew exactly what to say to every objection flung at him by the Pharisees. He did not allow their preoccupation with the rules and rituals keep him from proclaiming the message he was sent to deliver.

What would Jesus say to us today? Are we more like the strict rule observing Pharisees or are we more intent on continuing to walk  alongside the Lord?

Our actions really do speak louder than our words. There will always be the temptation to let ourselves get carried away with rules and rituals. There is a certain amount of comfort in following every letter of the law I admit.

I am reminded that Jesus walked along the edge. He was not afraid to preach a radical message of love. He blessed us with radical mercy and grace. He ate with sinners and he is constantly inviting us to the table too. He welcomes even the 'unclean' to dine with him.

I chose this original Celtic Wisdom Mandala because it symbolizes the wisdom Jesus came to teach us. This captured kaleidoscope image depicts the beauty and growth within the teachings of Jesus. The black representing the judgement from those who wanted to trap Jesus in the laws. Jesus is the light filled center. His teachings reached beyond the rules.

Let your actions today speak louder than any words you might want to say.

Tassel of Healing

~~~  Mark 6: 53-56  ~~~

The scene from the gospel of Mark today is much like that of a celebrity surrounded by the paparazzi.  People were scurrying around, pushing and shoving trying to reach Jesus. 

They had immediately recognized him.

How did they know who he was? Did they first recognize Peter and the other fishermen?

They did not have high tech social media like Twitter. The word about Jesus' ability to heal was spreading like wildfire through word of mouth.

Everyone was talking and gossiping about the miracles performed by this carpenter's son.

Maybe they did not even believe or need to be healed. Maybe they came out of curiosity bringing their family, friends, and neighbors. After all Jesus did invite the first apostles to 'Come and See'. He invited them to come and see; fully knowing they could not have dreamed

what they would encounter.

The believers who came from the villages and the countryside begged Jesus, that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak. The writer of Mark confirms for us 'as many as touched it, the tassel, were healed'. Their faith was so great that they trusted in the healing power of Jesus. He was most likely a stranger to those many who came that day. They did not personally know him.

But they, like us, wanted to have their good health restored.

In ancient Israel, men wore four-cornered outer tunics with these tassels, or tzitziyot, tied to each corners. This outer garment became known as a tallit, and eventually evolved into the more formal prayer shawl. These tassels were to remind each Jewish man of his responsibility to fulfill God's commandments. Because they were hanging on the four corners of your garment, in full view of everyone including yourself, they would be a constant reminder to walk according to God's Laws.

The Hebrew word we translate as Law, is halacha, and it literally means "walk." These tassels were a constant reminder to daily follow God's law. Being a devout Jew, Jesus would have had one of these traditional prayer shawls. During formal times of prayer you would cover your head with your prayer shawl. These tassels were also associated with one's authority as was emphasized when David snips off the corner of Saul's cloak in the dark cave. Saul knew his authority was in danger.

Touching 'only the tassel on his cloak' represented the word of God

and the authority of Jesus as the Divine Healer. 

I can just imagine our local flea market today packed with people laid out on cots waiting for the traveling charismatic healer to arrive. Some hurry to purchase food and cold soft drinks from the nearby vendors to share with their loved ones. As the healer arrives, word quickly spreads through the market place. People are straining just to get a glimpse of him.

He is surounded by his people and briskly walks among the rows of cots. He lays his healing hands on the most crippled and ill. Others reach out to touch the tassel on his stole even if he does not stop at their cot. Only touching a part of his clothing is sufficient to guarantee healing. This simple contact with his tassel ignited their faith and they were healed. The cries of joy and celebration as each person is healed permeate throughout the marketplace.

What an incredible scene this must have been. I wonder how many people truly were converted that day and became believers. Did those who were  healed stand up and follow him?

How did they express their gratitude?

The original photo was of a Hebrew Prayer Shawl with the four customary blue tassels.

This captured kaleidoscope image reflects to me the crowd of people coming to be healed.

They were healed by touching the tassel on his cloak.

Is your faith strong enough to be healed by touching a simple tassel?

What would you need in order to believe?

Relating to Job

Job 7:1-4, 6-7    1Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23     Mark 1:29-39

I am going to begin with the gospel reading from Mark because once again we are reminded to go away to a deserted place...to get away. This is not a vacation destination but rather a secluded place separated from the stress of daily living.

Deserted means abandoned. Where did Jesus find an abandoned place to spend alone? I wonder? Was Jesus experiencing the feeling of abandonment? I wonder? We know as Jesus hung on the cross he cries out, "Father, why have you abandoned me?" Did the Apostles feel abandonded when Jesus withdrew to be alone. Certainly they experienced the fears of abandonment after the crucifixion. Later we will hear how Job dealt with abandonment.

When parents have to make tough decisions in dealing a child's illlegal substance abuse they feel like they are abandoning their child. Tough love as they say is not abandonment; it truly is a greater love.

It seems that Jesus was constantly being persued for his healing touch. He needed this time away to reconnect with the Father. Remember when he used his ability to heal the hemorraghic woman; he felt power leave his body. He is divine and human. His human self needed to be rejuvenated; thus he retreated to a deserted place. Alone he could communicate in prayer more easily with the Father. He could tap into his divine strength.

In rising very early before dawn he was probably hoping not to be missed or persued. Jesus had to make time for himself. How often do we make personal time for ourself? When was the last time you allowed yourself the luxury of getting away?

Job is also dealing with feelings of being deserted and abandoned. He laments, "So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted me." He cries out to God further, "...I shall not see happiness again." Patience has often been linked with the person of Job, but he is actually very frustrated and depressed.

Richard Rohr has written a wonderful book, Job and the Mystery of Suffering, which I recently had the opportunity to read during a difficult time in my life.

I would like to end with some of my favorites quotes from this book.

The mystery of why there are thorns on the rose eventually becomes a question of who God is. pg.17

God walks with us into our own fears, to feel them, to own them, to let them teach us. pg.18

For thirty-seven chapters God says nothing. It is our worst nightmare:

A silent, hidden, ineffective God. Pg.47

...We learn by letting go; we grow by giving up. Pg.77

...worthiness is not the isue, but only relationship. Pg. 113

"I am happy and excited that you exist. Your very being is good." Pg.138

The original picture is of a man praying alone in a deserted place.

I chose this kaleidoscope image because the brown center appears to be deserted, yet the shades of orange encircle the space. The orange represents the Divine energy from which we can draw our strength and return refreshed.

An Understanding Heart

~1 Kings 3: 4-13 ~~~~ Mark 6:30-34 ~

 I am so excited about the readings for today. It is unfortunate that most people since it is Saturday will not read them. In fact if I were not doing these daily reflections I would have missed these two passages myself.

In the Book of Kings Solomon went away to Gibeon to offer sacrifice because it was the most renowned high place. He was in effect away on retreat. During the night the Lord appears to him in a dream. The Lord is fond of speaking to people in dreams. I have had touching dreams, but nothing like the one Solomon experiences. Because God is pleased with Solomon he says, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."

Can you imagine having that dream? What would you ask for from God?

Solomon, in his wisdom simply asked for 'an understanding heart'. Oh my gosh an understanding heart what a selfless request. If we lived in a world where everyone did have an understanding heart things woulf be so different. Sadly that would be a dream fantasy world. I think I should pray for a more understanding heart. If I had a more understanding heart at least I could make a tiny difference to those around me. God was undoubtedly impressed by Solomon's response and does give him the gift of profound Wisdom. A heart so wise and understanding that no one has ever compared. God is lavish with his gift of understanding.

Understanding and Wisdom are both gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive at Confirmation. Solomon was confirmed in his dream while on 'retreat'. There is value in getting away by yourself on a regular basis. Which brings me to Mark's gospel.

The apostles were tired they had been traveling all over the countryside with Jesus. Everywhere they went they were more and more amazed by the things Jesus was doing and saying. Adrenaline was surging through their bodies and they needed to take a break. I am sure you can identify. Sometimes life can get extremely hectic and you just need to get away.

I remember an old Calgon bath comercial where a woman relaxing in the bath tub would say, 'Calgon, take me away'. Of course she was still in her bath tub!

Jesus in his infinite wisdom and with an understanding heart said to the Apostles,

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile."

When will you take rest in a quiet place? Set aside time for yourself in the near future to rest awhile.

I chose this original image of the pages of a book rising into the air because it reminded me of how in our dreams things can be so distorted.
This kaleidoscope image reminds me of the need to set aside time away from the day to day tasks to listen for the words of God.

Lift up Your Voices

Sirach 47:2-11

Today in the first reading from Sirach we read the synopsis of David's victories. I would like to focus on these verses..."With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung; He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies. He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons."

We have David's love of music to thank for the liturgical music we enjoy today. We have David to thank for placing importance on singing as a vital part of our liturgical celebrations. David set an example for us of beautiful uplifting choral music. David saw that lifting our voices to praise God added beauty to our prayer experience.

The word meaning 'to sing' was one of the most commonly used words in the Bible. It occurs 309 times in the Old Testament and thirty-six times in the New Testament. Simply using words for prayer did not seem sufficient enough. Singing seems to mean more. Just think about your birthday...it is nice for your friends and family to wish you happy birthday, but when they sing the greeting to you it is more exciting.

We find the first mention of singing in the Bible after the crossing of the Red Sea. Israel has now been definitively delivered from slavery. This joyous occasion caused them to break into song. They believed in their salvation and in Moses. "Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord" (Exodus15:1).

St. Augustine says, "Singing is a lover's thing." The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads to the Father. (The Spirit of the Liturgy, p 142 Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger)

David was so filled with love that he was also filled with song. God had truly done great things for him. He knew from first hand experience that God's name was holy. Today our liturgical music draws from these same words of scripture written and sung by David so many years ago.

The love David felt for God providential care burst forth from him in song; just as it should burst forth from our souls during Mass. We are raising our voices together through the love we have for Jesus and the Eucharist.

St. Augustine has also been credited with the phrase, "He who sings prays twice."

Song is a natural part of who we are as creatures of God. Throughout the world we find in every culture similarities in the songs mothers sing to their young children. Lullabies it seems comes from the heart filled with love; so overflowing that it is released in sweet melodies.

So every time you have the opportuntiy to lift your voices to give praise to the Lord I hope you will participate. As you sing you join in expressing your heart felt love for the Lord.

Singing together in community is praying together.

I chose this orginal image of an icon of Mary we use for our Taize services.

How beautiful Mary's singing to her child Jesus must have been.

This kaleidoscope image captures the beauty of how our singing voices lift in prayer.

Join us for Taize next month.

Purification: The Refiner's Fire

Malachi 3: 1-4

In this reading we have the beautiful image of the refiner's fire. "...He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi..." A refiner's fire does not consume like a typical fire. A refiner's fire purifies. A refiner's fire removes the impurities. A refiner's fire changes the substance without consuming it's essence. This is what Jesus does for us if we allow him to work on our inside...our very essence. He can remove the impurities, our sins, if we but come to him. To me gives new meaning to the verse from the Emmaus gospel; "...Were not our hearts burning?" We must have this burning desire in our hearts for God to purify us in spite of the pain we may experience.

Most people have a healthy fear and respect for the flame of fire. This thought of the Lord refining our soul may be a frightening image to contemplate. Giving up our sin can be a painful frightening decision. We are often comfortable remaining in our sins especially if we think they are not effecting others. Which of course is not true since we are all a part of the Body of Christ.

Only the Divine Refiner can purify our souls and lead us to the kingdom of God. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.

There is a beautiful song called The Refiner's Fire check out YouTube later.

Luke 2: 22-40

The reading from the gospel of Luke also touches on purification. In ancient times a woman had to wait for a prescribes length of time before she was allowed to return to the temple. Mary's purification is complete so she and Joseph can now present their son to the Lord in the temple. Within the temple is where they encounter the devout man, Simeon. Simeon had been patiently waiting for many years to see the Christ of the Lord. He receives the child, Jesus into his open hands. We have the opportunity to open our hands and receive Jesus each time we receive Eucharist.

Simeon reveals to Mary that her life will be filled with sadness. The immense sadness as we know of losing her son, Jesus, in the most public, cruel, and humiliating way...the crucifixion. How would you feel if a perfect stranger told you your heart would be pierced by a sword? I can only imagine how Mary must have felt hearing those words and looking at her beloved son.

I wonder how she was able to put those words out of her mind and continue to go about the daily tasks of her life? I know from experience it is hard not to constantly focus on those things which are disturbing, especially when they concern those you love or yourself.

Did Anna, the temple prophetess, come forward to comfort Mary? At eighty-four Anna had gained the wisdom and compassion of having lived much life. She had know the sorrow and pain of losing her husband seven years prior.

Out of pain and suffering great joy can come forth not just for Jesus by his Resurrection, but us as well. We do not know what joy can come from the refiner's fire. We do know what joy can come as a result from our pain and suffering.

Some things are meant to be kept in your heart.

Wisdom 3: 6-7

 "...As gold in the furnace, he proved them...he took them to himself...in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through the stubble..."

In eternity we shall dart about like sparks purified by The Refiner's Holy Fire.

I chose the original image of a burning fire because a refiner does make use of the consuming flames.

This kaleidoscope image to me captures the purification as white sparks coming from within the the pure center of God's love for us.

Where does your life need purification?

Rejected at Home

2 Samuel 24: 2, 9-17

Mark 6: 1-6

Through the book of Samuel we continue to witness the life of David. We are privileged to see David with all of his short comings and sinfulness. We see in spite of his poor choices God does not withhold his mercy. David humbly accepts responsibility for his lack of wisdom. Again we see David begging the Lord to only punish him and not the innocent. It is because of David's fears that he orders the census of all males who can enter into battle on his behalf. Pride continues to dominate his life's decision. David is constantly being called to change his heart.

The gospel, however, presents a very different picture.

Mark brings into the scene where Jesus is returning to his home town. Surely by now the news has spread back to his tiny village of all the good he has been doing. But the people can only think of one thing; he was the son of a carpenter. Who does he think he is? They could not accept that anything good could come out of his native town, much less from the son of a carpenter.

Whenever I encounter feelings of rejection I remember this scene where Jesus too felt the sting of rejection. So often it happens that those within your own family cannot accept who you are. I think this is especially true if you have had some personal conversion or significant change of heart. You may even be made fun of or ridiculed for the positive changes you have made in your life.

Jesus was clearly surprised by this reception of rejection. It affected him so profoundly that he was only able to preform minor miracles of healing only a few. When your loved ones do not believe in you it can give rise to feelings self doubt.

Now I am not trying to imply that Jesus was suffering from self doubt, but he did not expect this response from those he had known his whole life. He was so shocked that he comments on their lack of faith...in Mark 6:6 "He was amazed at their lack of faith."

This is such a contrast from the examples of faith we saw in yesterday's readings with the hemorrhagic woman and Jairus. We can all be encouraged through their examples of faith. They cooperated in their heart with Jesus' healing power.

I think perhaps Jesus could not work as many miracles while among his childhood friends because of their lack of faith. In order for something positive to take place in your life you must first believe that it is possible. Our faith works hand and hand together with the power of Jesus. When we exercise our faith we complement what the Lord can accomplish. We are working together with him, not against him.

I am not trying to imply that Jesus will only heal those who believe, because after all he is God and God can do all things. God can use all things for good.

When you are feeling rejected by those who love you, remember this time period in the life of Jesus. Remember that in spite of the great things he had been doing he was still rejected at home. He was still rejected by those who had known him the longest. He was rejected by those who also knew his parents.

Jesus, because he was human, experienced the same feelings that you and I experience. "He was amazed at their lack of faith."

We tend to forget that whatever feelings we may experience; we can come to the Lord with those feelings because he knows our pain. He has, through his own personal experience, been in our place. Talk to the Lord about your heart aches and feelings of rejection. Believe that He will be there for you.

I chose this original picture with the word faith spelled out in large letters because these five letters have great meaning for my life.

I chose this kaleidoscope image because the solid blue circle reminds me that my faith supports me both inside my heart and outside through my actions.

Dear Lord, only you know where my faith needs to be increase. Help my unbelief!