To Bubble Forth

 

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

~~~Numbers 11: 25-29 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ James 5:1-6 ~~~ Mark 9: 38-43, 47-48~~~

 

 

We are reminded today, by James, that wealth and material things

will not insure you swift passage into heaven.

 

In both the book of Numbers and in Mark we hear that the spirit of God is intended for each of us. Those present when the spirit descended thought that they were the only ones who had been blessed.

 

"Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied."

To have the gift of prophecy...

A prophet is not one who foretells the future.

A prophet is one appointed by God to be his messenger.

A person who speaks for God.

 

Prophet

Hebrew: nabi, from a root meaning "to bubble forth,

as from a fountain" hence “to utter"

 

When the spirit of the Lord falls upon you literally are so filled

that you are 'bubbling forth' with the good news.

When a person is filled with the spirit of the Lord

they cannot contain it within themselves.

 

We are all called to be prophets, because we are all called to speak on God's behalf.

We are all called to give our testimony of how God has worked in our life.

 

Some were confused in our readings today in thinking

that only a chosen few

could proclaim the truths of God...

they were wrong.

 

"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

 

Every time we speak on God's behalf to another person we are prophesying.

A few years ago someone asked me if I thought there were prophets among us today;

that day I did not have an answer for her.

Today I would confidently answer 'yes'.

 

If we cause others to sin by our actions the opposite must also hold true.

If we inspire others to be better than they were the day before we have done well.

 

For if who we are can be an inspiration to others are we not prophesying?

 

"...There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me..."

 

Do you believe that you have a message from God?

Has God touched you in a profound way?

 

 

In the Bible there are at least 28 named Prophets of God.

Perhaps prophets are the human equivalent of God's heavenly messengers...

the Archangels.

 

What is important is that we too have the been blessed with the Spirit of the Lord.

Let words of goodness be your primary expression.

 

"...For whoever is not against us is for us..."

 

In the Sight of Angels

The Feast of the Archangels:

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

 

~~~ Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rev 12:7-12ab ~~~ Psalm 138 ~~~ John 1: 47-51 ~~~

 

Archangels are the highest level of angels.

Angels are 'messengers' derived from the Greek word 'aggelos'.

 

Certainly we are very familiar with the archangel Gabriel,

whom God sent to Mary in the Annunciation.

God also used an angel to assure St. Joseph that he should remain

with Mary in spite of her being with child.

 

Some report Angels to be mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament

and 165 in the New Testament.

As spirits, angels have no bodies so they can be present

and yet not seen by us.

 

I once heard a priest say that at each celebration of the Liturgy

angels surround the altar.

This to me is beautiful image when I think about even

the heavenly spirits praising God.

 

Archangels are so much more than the little cherubs we see on Valentine's day.

 

One day when I was teaching a little boy asked me if I believed in angels.

I told him yes. He then explained to me how he had seen an angel

while riding in the car one day. It was such a tender conversation.

He was speaking to me so innocently about his experience.

I think he was looking for someone whom he could safely confide in...

someone who would not make fun of him...

someone who also believed in angels.

 

I think we want to believe in angels.

I think for the most part angels maybe a real connection

between us and heaven.

I recently began visualizing my guardian angel

enveloping whatever vehicle I am riding in.

I happen to have a great fondness for Gabriel.

I feel safe having his wings enfolding the car or now the bus.

 

To me angels represent goodness. They were created by God.

They sing Holy, Holy, Holy forever praising God.

They are the heavenly hosts.

God entrusts his most precious messages for us

to his angels.

 

 

When Jesus saw Nathaniel 'under the fig tree' he made reference to angels.

 

"...You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

 

Can you imagine what a sight this will be...

angels everywhere as far as the eye can see singing and praising God.

 

I wonder what angel voices will sound like when we do get to hear them.

 

I believe there are more than enough angels for us to each have our own.

I am beginning to be more aware of my angel...conscious of its presence.

 

If you have not given much thought to your angel

today is a good day to begin.

Looking through the Peephole

~~~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 144 ~~~ Luke 9: 18-22 ~~~

 

One of the most often quoted verses from the book of Ecclesiastes

is the reading we have today. It is often chosen to be read at funerals too.

It is a passage that puts all things in perspective.

It addresses a sort of balance in life.

It speaks of actions and emotions.

It helps us to see that all things are in God's domain.

 

"There is an appointed time for everything...under the heavens...

 

It reminds us that God, in his loving care,

 had us in his mind even before we were born.

He knew when we would be born, how long we will live,

and he knows all we will experience in our life time.

To God there is no time as we know time,

yet this author imposes time upon

his writing as God's time.

 

The author is giving God credit for all that we experience in our lives;

both things perceived as good and bad.

Whatever we are doing in our life or whatever we see happening around us;

God is at work...God is present.

 

"...He (God) has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man's ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done."

  

God had a Divine plan that we cannot see.

We are to believe that the things that happen in our life have some purpose.

It is easy perhaps to believe God has planned the good in our life.

It is much more difficult to believe that even those things we feel are negative

also serve God's plan for us.

 

  

It is humbling to pray the words of today's psalm...

 

"...LORD, what is man, that you notice him;
the son of man, that you take thought of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days, like a passing shadow."

 

How can I begin to think that God would notice me

when there are so many people in the world.

 

God has put love, kindness, and forgiveness into our hearts.

These are just a few of the timeless things; timeless because they endure

when all else is passing.

The timeless things of the heart create a bridge linking

the positive and negative times in our life.

 

It is fitting that we have the question from Luke today... 

"But who do you say that I am?"

 

Is God personal enough for you to answer that question?

It is a timeless question.

It is a question that you can ask yourself throughout your life.

 

Who is God to you?

The God who has appointed times for things while

simultaneously placing timeless things within our heart.

It seems somewhat contradictory,

but not surprising.

 

We cannot expect God's ways to be easily understood,

after all he is God and we are not.

He sees all things in the larger context

while we see things as through a peephole.

 

As you look through the peephole of your life,

who do you say God is?

I invite you to sit a moment today with that question.

Lord, when I do not agree with your timing of events for my life;

 help me to accept them with the help

of those timeless things you placed in my heart.

Prosper the Work of Our Hands

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul

 

~~~ Ecclesiastes 1: 2-11 ~~~ Psalm 90 ~~~ Luke 9:7-9 ~~~

Vincent de Paul is best known for his ministry to the poor.

He traveled to the countryside giving missions to the poor, that is the slaves.

Vincent himself had been subjected to the bonds of slavery at one time himself.

 

Today many parishes serve the needy through their St. Vincent de Paul Society.

He was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity.

 

"...What has been, that will be;
what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun."

 

Nothing is new under the sun...we still have those less fortunate among us today.

The poor have been and always will be a part of our society.

Vincent left his example of care for the poor.

He did not view them as less.

He did not view them as mere objects to be tossed aside and ignored.

Instead he reached out to them, he recognized that they were also

created in the image and likeness of God.

He understood that we are called to love the lowly.

 

The lowly are not to be forgotten hidden away from our eyes.

 

Psalm 90 makes it very clear that no matter who we are we will return to dust.

Rich or poor in the end does not matter.

God alone sees our true value.

 

Teach us Lord to number our days as we may grow in wisdom.

 

"...Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!"

 

We ask God to bless those who minister to the poor.

We ask God to provide abundance for those in need.

We ask God's guidance in helping us to give freely

without prejudice to those in need.

 

We thank God for giving us our daily bread.

We thank God for his providential care of the needy,

but also for our own care.

 

 

Sometimes those most in need of our compassion

do not fit our image of 'poor'.

 

We intercede today for those who are...

physically poor...

emotionally poor...

and spiritually poor.

We especially pray for the forgotten ones who have no one

ministering to their needs.

 

Fill the hearts of the poor with joy and gladness

as we minister to them.

Allow them to see Christ through those who serve them.

 

"...Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!"

 

St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us.

Kick Off the Dust

~~~ Proverbs 30: 5-9 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 9:1-6 ~~~

 

"...shake the dust from your feet..."

 

This is a great visual that I can relate to a few things in my life.

We tend to carry our extra baggage within ourselves for a long time.

Mostly it is emotional hurts or misunderstandings that we just cannot let go of.

 

What if, as on the airlines, you had to pay a price for

carrying around this extra baggage?

What if you were limited to just how much

you could carry in your heart?

 

Well guess what, you are paying a price;

it is a price with no monetary value so it may go unnoticed.

You pay the price with a heaviness in your heart that just won't go away.

 

After some time of carrying this extra baggage you may also become physically ill.

 

Did you ever watch a duck dunking itself in a pond?

It dives in head first and then pops up.

The water runs right off its back as if it were not even in the water.

 

Thus the origin of the saying 'like water off a duck's back'.

 

Sometimes I wish it were that simple to let go of offenses.

 

Kicking the dust from your feet is something that will need to be done

many times through out this journey we call life.

 

Luke also writes about taking nothing for the journey...nothing material.

 

The psalmist sings...

"...thy word is a lamp to my feet."

 

If we keep our eyes on Jesus and keep his word alive

within our heart and soul;

we will manage to kick off the dust.

 

IF we allow the 'dust' to accumulate on our feet we risk

becoming distracted from the real goal.

The real goal here is too walk with the Lord...

to spread his good news.

 

 

This rich image of feet causes me to also reflect on the feet of Jesus.

Everywhere he went, other than the times he was in a boat, Jesus was walking.

His feet too became 'dusty', but he never let it deter him from his mission.

 

I am reminded of a song titled How Beautiful by Twila Paris

The lyrics speak of the hands and feet of Jesus.

He walked along the lone dusty road to Calvary.

 

He kicked off the dust through the mercy he graciously extends to us.

What better image of forgiveness than to 'kick off the dust'?

Once the dust is kicked off it falls back to the ground...

it is no longer part of our 'baggage'.

 

Next time you want to react to a hurt or a wrongdoing

'kick off the dust'

and let it fall to the ground.

 

Kicking off the dust is equivalent to Forgiveness.

 

How beautiful the feet that walked the dusty roads to the cross.

Take nothing but the words of the Lord.

He will provide all that you need for the journey.

God Bless you and Keep you.

Part of the Family

~~~ Proverbs 21: 1-6, 10-13 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 8: 19-21 ~~~

 

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you."
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

 

These few verses from Luke's gospel hold basic truths for us today.

Even those who appear to have a relationship with the Lord may not.

Even those who claim kinship with the Lord may not be who they claim to be.

 

I am not attempting here to discount the literal text,

instead I am putting it in a much boarder context.

 

Jesus was tucked into the crowd...inaccessible to those outside the group.

If you do not have access to the Lord it makes things so much more difficult.

When you cannot see the Lord you must carry on relying on your faith alone.

 

Why didn't the crowd just make a path allowing

Mary at least to come in closer to her son?

This is not the point of this text.

 

Why didn't Jesus ask that his mother be brought in closer to him?

This is not the point of this text either.

 

What was so urgent that Mary came to the place where Jesus was doing his

father's business?

This is not the point of the text either.

 

Jesus goes on to make the statement..

"My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

 

If you want to be considered a part of the family

there are a couple of qualifications.

 

First you must be able and willing to hear the word of God.

 

Second you must be committed enough to take action.

 

Becoming a part of the family of God happens at Baptism.

Our Baptism is only the beginning though.

 

As a result of our being welcomed into the family we must follow up.

We must take the time to hear the word of God through the scripture.

We must make the effort to not just hear the words

but really tune in to their meaning.

 

What is the message expressed through the word of God?

We can only gain insight by spending time with scripture;

every day if possible.

 

The more time we devote to studying the word of God

the better we will grasp the meaning.

 

 

When we have really heard the word of God

then we can act on it accordingly.

 

Once we hear; the Holy Spirit can stir up our hearts to take action.

If we are to be in a 'family' relationship with God

we should act in a manner worthy of that place.

 

Jesus clearly states that all who hear the word of God

and act on it are his relatives.

Please note that he was not satisfied with our only hearing the word.

 

It is almost a waste of time to just hear the word.

Your actions must be aligned with what you are hearing.

 

Whether you hear or not; all will be reflected through your actions.

 

Join me in prayer:

Lord, let my actions always be the fruit of hearing your words.

Place in my heart a deep longing for your words.

Give me the desire to love your holy scriptures.

 

Each of us can have an intimate family relationship with Jesus.

You don't belong standing outside.

It is not an option!

You are part of the Family.

Illuminate Goodness

 

~~~ Proverbs 3: 27-34 ~~~ Psalm 15 ~~~ Luke 8:16-18 ~~~

 

If you are a good person you will shine brightly.

God urges us to extend our good will towards others...

just as he did.

 

God desires for all people to get along.

God desires us to put quarreling and envy aside.

These serve no purpose if you are living your life with the Lord.

 

The Lord delights in the humble one; he shows them kindness.

 

The Proverbs have a slight echo of what we hear in the ten commandments.

 

If you can maintain your goodness in the face of temptation

you will be a light to others.

 

It takes being constantly aware of how you are acting towards others

for your light to shine.

If we are not vigilant in striving to be a better person,

our light will become dim.

If you let little negative things enter into your heart

your light will gradually become dim.

This will happen over time thus you may not even notice,

until one day you discover you no longer have any light left to shine.

 

We need the light not only to shine for others, but for ourselves.

We need to be able to see inside to look at our hearts...

this requires the light of humility.

 

 

I think herein lies the tension...

How do you let your light shine forth and still remain humble?

How do you do right and just things and not let it go to our head?

 

Doing right does not mean that you broadcast it from the rooftops.

The good person does not require acknowledgment.

The good person does not require

the 'job well done' accompanied by a hearty whack on the back.

 

God does not give you pats on the back for doing the right things...

He just expects you will.

 

Living in goodness does require you to take certain actions.

Your goodness must be exemplified by your actions.

It is much easier to reach out to others in loving care

if you first have it in your own heart.

 

I invite you to pause today; 

 imagine what your

heart looks like filled with goodness.

 

This goodness is the light that expels all darkness.

The darkness of temptation and sin.

The darkness of evil, war, and jealousy.

 

This light is given to us by God as he sees fit.

Place this light on a lamp stand for all to see as they enter

into your personal space.

No one can see your light if you keep it locked inside.

 

Light is meant to make visible that which otherwise

would remain in the darkness.

 

Your light is needed in this world!

Please let it illuminate the way for others.

God Upholds Our Life

~~~ Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

 

~~~ Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 ~~~ Psalm 54 ~~~ James 3:16-4:3 ~~~ Mark 9: 30-37 ~~~

 

In today's gospel the apostles are acting like children...as they discuss who is greater.

It seems these men were doing some of their power 'chest beating'...

boasting about their accomplishments and comparing themselves to one another.

 

"If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

 

Jesus is letting them know that whatever they are arguing

about is of no relevance to him.

He does not care to hear their boasting.

He will not join them in their 'chest beating' exercise.

 

Instead...

Jesus picking up a little child quickly puts them in their place.

 

"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me."

 

What can a helpless child boast about?

A child is totally dependent on their parents for everything.

I child must be taken care of and protected.

 

Jesus is saying to the apostles stop arguing among yourselves...

I am all you need.

I will provide for your needs.

What you think you have accomplished will mean nothing in my kingdom.

Stop comparing yourselves to one another;

in my eyes you are equal.

You are created in the image and likeness of God.

 

This is precisely why you have been chosen.

 

"...the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity..."

 

The wisdom from above...God...

is childlike in a way...

Gentle, compliant, full of mercy, and good fruits.

Children have this remarkable ability to accept all people.

Children are quick to forgive wrongdoings.

Children are sincere in a pure way.

 

Discontent, jealousy, and comparisons breed unhealthy resentments.

Jesus would not allow these to become diving forces among his apostles.

 

The psalmist reminds us that it is God who upholds our life.

A Bare Kernel

~~~ 1 Cor 15: 35-37, 42-49 ~~~ Psalm 56 ~~~ Luke 8: 4-15 ~~~

 

 

The gospel today is the familiar paarable of the seeds..

...some seeds fell on the path and were trampled...

...some seeds fell on rocky ground it withered for lack of moisture...

...some fell among thorns and were choked...

 

Jesus goes on to explain the meaning if the seeds.

You are probably well aware of the interpretation of this gospel.

 

With that being said I want to draw your attention to Paul's letter to the Corinthians.

If you follow my writings you know how inspiring I find his words to be for me.

 

 

"...What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies.
And what you sow is not the body that is to be
but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind.

So also is the resurrection of the dead.
It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible.
It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious.
It is sown weak; it is raised powerful.
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one..."

 

This passage was not familiar to me.

 I do not beleive it is part of the Sunday readings.

 

We are first of all spiritual beings.

Paul confirms here that if we have a natural body

we also have a spiritual one.

 

The green leaves, the flowers, and the fruit cannot be seen

within the bare little seed.

So it is with us.

We look into the mirror and only see the seed...the kernel of wheat.

Hidden within is our own spiritual body.

 

Our spirit it what will live on for all eternity.

Our spirit will not need the bodily 'seed covering or kernel'.

When the plant bursts forth from the seed, it is no longer needed.

It has served its purpose.

When we die our spiritual self contained within, will be set free.

 

In our resurrection the coruptible body will no longer be useful.

Without our cumbersome body we too will be glorious as we share

in the resurrection with our spirit.

Unless we die we cannot fully realize our true spiritual self.

Just as the dying of the seed gives way to the young tender leaf sprouts.

The death of the seed also brings forth beautiful blossoms

which later become the juicy fruit.

 

 

 

Dying is not the end of life.

Dying is more likely the transition.

Dying is more likelt the answer to the longing we have inside our soul.

Perhaps the soul is fully aware of this spiritual essence

and has been from our very conception.

 

So rather than fear dying we should rejoice at what lies beyond

human earthly bodies.

Our bodies are only the physical covering of something

incorruptible and glorious.

The resurrection of our body will be the release of our spiritual self.

 

I invite you to take some time today and reflect on Paul's words.

Are we just flesh and blood seed pods?

Jesus...the Original EOE

Feast of Saint Matthew

 

~~~ Eph 4:1-7, 11-13 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Matt 9: 9-13 ~~~

 

We are familiar with Matthew's calling to come follow Jesus.

He was the tax collector...one of the least likely to be chosen by Jesus.

The Jews wanted nothing to do with the tax collectors

because of the way they made their money.

They were not looked upon a desirable people, but more as crooks.

 

We should keep in mind that Jesus was a Jew. He was brought up in a typical Jewish family. He was taought the Jewish prayers and customs.

There are many cases when Jesus purposely does something interpreted as contrary to his Jewish upbringing.

Choosing Matthew to join his inner circle would have been noticed as curious at best.

IT is ven more astounding that Matthew went on to become one of the four Evangelist.

 

As a tax collector, Matthew would have been well educated, fluent in Aramaic and Greek, and considerable acquired wealth.

Tax collectors were viewed as sinners by the other Jews.

 

It is not only remarkable that Jesus called Matthew,

but it is even more remarkable that he immediately left his post.

Matthew heard the call from Jesus, closed up shop,

packed up his collection ledgers, and became a disciple. 

 

Soon after joining Jesus' young group,

Matthew invites Jesus to his house for a feast.

As we know sharing a meal together was a sign of inclusion and welcoming.

This gesture of inclusion infuriated the Scribes and Pharisees,

criticizing him for eating with tax collectors and sinners.

Jesus was prompt to answer; he had come to eat with sinners.

 

"...I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

 

 

Matthew's writings is the first of the four synoptic gospels.

Origen believes it actually was the first written gospel account.

Matthew is recognized as a Saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox,

Lutheran, and Anglican churches.

His relics are preserved in the Salerno Cathedral in Italy.

 

Today Paul tells the Ephesians and us...

 

"...(I) urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace..."

 

Matthew immediately rises to his calling and leaves his career

working for the establishment.

Matthew may have had previous exposure to Jesus though friends

and family members.

 

Jesus may have been preparing Matthew to be called

in many subtle ways.

He may have been pre-conditioned

to embrace his calling before it came.

Of course he did have his free will

and his intelligence to assist his decision making.

 

Maybe Matthew had some doubts about this new guy (Jesus)

 and his strange ways of looking at the world.

Maybe Matthew was waiting to be called

 before giving up his job security.

I would imagine even back then job security was important.

 

Jesus carefully handpicked his twelve apostles so that they

were a cross representation of all of us.

He picked fisherman and a tax collector and made them equal in his ministry.

Jesus considered the talents and gifts of each person he called,

 thereby creating a balanced group of loyal followers.

 

 

Just as Peter could relate to those who were hard working fishermen,

Matthew could speak to the professionals

and those in positions of authority.

 

It is easy to see that Jesus valued diversity...

just look at who he associated with.

 

You know that old childhood phrase:

Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.

 

 Jesus and his friends did not fit into any prescribed category.

Jesus was then and always be all inclusive...

sinner or saint, rich or poor, fisherman or tax collector...

Jesus was the first equal opportunity employer.

 

That should make each of us feel really good about following Jesus.

No matter who you are, Jesus has a job for you.

Working for Jesus, you will have job security to last a lifetime

and then some.

Who can resist his offer?

Matthew lived in a manner worthy of his call...

Are You?

Grace Enables Us

~~~ 1 Cor15: 1-11 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ Luke 7:36-50 ~~~

 

"...But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective..."

 

Once again today we hear the beautiful lines from Paul's letter to the Corinthians.

What I love about Paul is his honesty and transparency with his followers.

He openly admits that he was once a person that was doing all he

could to fight against the new Christians.

 

In his transparency he acknowledges that it was only

through the grace of God

that his significant spiritual growth was made possible. 

 

Through the goodness of God Paul grew in wisdom concerning the things of God.

God saw something in Paul that he could use to reach others.

God was right...of course...

Paul's spiritual influence continues to flourish today.

 

Paul accepted God's grace and let it be the catalyst for his future mission.

 

The gospel story today of the sinful woman

who weeps and anoints the feet of Jesus

is also about grace and transparency.

 

"...Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment..."

 

 

This woman, even though a well known sinner within her community,

humbly approaches Jesus.

She is in a lowly position at the feet of Jesus.

She is vulnerable wiping his feet with her hair.

 

She did not come in singing and dancing attepting to seduce Jesus.

Those actions might have been more acceptable

 considering her reputation.

 

The Pharisee is also transparent; he does not try to hide

what he perceives as evidence contrary to what he believed.

"If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner."

 

Well the truth be told; Jesus did know this woman was a sinner

but she was

attentive in caring for him.

The Pharisee had just gone about his customary greetings

with a visitor in his home.

 

This woman did so much more than anyone would have expected.

 

For it is through grace that we too can do more than is expected.

It is through grace that we are safe to be transparent.

If we have nothing to hide transparency should be the norm.

 

Something drew the woman to the feet of Jesus.

Something brought her to her knees in his presence.

Something caused her tears to greatly flow from her eyes.

 

 

Where would you cast yourself today in this story?

 

Are you the Pharisee who extended the invitation?

 Are you the Pharisee who began to question the insight of Jesus?

Are you the Pharisee who was shocked but what he witnessed?

 

Are you the woman

who collects the finest perfumed oil?

Are you the woman

who weeps tears stored up inside from the past?

Are you the woman

who gladly falls to the floor in humility?

Are you the woman

who comes to wash the feet of the Master?

 

Are you so filled with the grace of God

that he could ask you to do anything for him?

 

Before God there is nothing but transparency.

He gives us enough grace to step away from our sins.

He gives us enough grace to go out and proclaim his word.

 

His grace truly is sufficieant for you to accomplish great things in his name.

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

"Love Never Fails"

~~~ 1Cor 12:31-13: 13 ~~~ Psalm 33 ~~~ Luke 7: 31-35 ~~~

 

 

If you never read another word from the Bible;

 Paul's letter to the Corinthians has everything you need.

 

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, love is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things."
"Love never fails."

 

If you can learn to really love your neighbor as yourself,

imagine what this world would be like.

If we truly knew how to love, imagine what our families would look like.

Why do we struggle so much over this four letter word

LOVE?

What is it about love that frightens us?

Why do we claim to love some but not others?

Is it okay to only love those who agree with you?

Do we really have to love those who have wronged us?

Love is not summed up on a Valentine's card.

Love is not cupids shooting little arrows.

Real love requires work.

The words above from Paul are challenging.

Paul does not say, pick one of these phrases and you are good to go.

No, Paul says this whole letter is the definition of Love.

 

 

"...At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love."

 

What you see in a mirror can be distorted.

Things can appear farther away.

A mirror cannot take the place of a face to face encounter.

 

In our present human state of existence we only have partial knowledge.

We are limited, we can only see things through our human eyes.

We can only love with our human heart.

 

Paul in his wisdom lays out for us the ideal picture of love.

Paul is also just like us he is human.

Paul understands that when we come before the Lord we will

'know fully' as we are now 'fully known' by God.

 

So we should continue to strive to love better.

Be not discouraged in love;

for "Love never fails."

Drink of the One Spirit

~~~ 1 Cor 12:2-14, 27-31a ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~Luke 7: 11-17 ~~~

 

"...in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body...

....all given to drink of one Spirit...
...Now the body is not a single part, but many..."

God has blessed us in a special way.

The Body of Christ would not be whole without each of us.

We are each a vital part of the Body of Christ.

Through Baptism we were welcomed into the whole body.

 

We have been given gifts as God see fit for us.

If he knows each hair upon our head;

then certainly he will bestow on us our unique gifts.

The body functions much more efficiently

when all the parts a working as they were designed.

 

Just as each ingredient of a recipe contributes to the tasty dish.

It does not matter if you are the main ingredient or the dash of salt;

you are an essential part for the dish.

 

Paul goes on to talk about those who are the apostles,

the prophets, the teachers,

and those blessed with the gifts of healing,

assistance, administration, and speaking in tongues.

 

Paul offers these words of encouragement...

"...Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts."

 

While you will always be an essential part of the Body of Christ;

the unique part you are may change over time.

If there is a spiritual gift you desire;

 ask for it

during your prayer time.

 

If you are not given the specific gift you want;

 God may just give you new insight.

 He may help you see how to better use the gifts

 he has already given to you.

 

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we can sing with the psalmist today...

"We are his people: the sheep of his flock."

 

His kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness forever.

 

He cares about us so much that he raises the only son of a grieving mother.

He tells this widowed woman 'Do not weep.'

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we have value.

Being a part of the Body of Christ we are loved and cared for

by Christ himself.

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we share in the same Spirit.

Know that whatever part you have within this Body

you are essential...

you are a unique part.

May we look upon those we meet as a member of the

same body...the Body of Christ.

His Words Make You Worthy

1 Cor 11: 17-26, 33 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Luke 7: 1-10 ~~~

 

So often we feel as if we must have the answers.

We were educated in a school system where the single right answer

was valued and rewarded.

If we did not know the right answer we were often

made to feel ashamed.

We blamed ourselves for our lack of knowledge.

 

Perhaps in school you did have some reason to be ashamed

for not spending adequate time on your class work,

but here Paul is writing about something very different.

 

I must keep myself in check to avoid passing judgement on those less fortunate.

 I have no right to make them feel ashamed or less worthy.

Paul is pointing out to the people of Corinth the effect

of their practice of exclusion.



"...Or do you show contempt for the Church of God
and make those who have nothing feel ashamed?"

 

In defense of the people of Corinth;

were they aware of how their actions were having

a negative impact on others?

Paul was drawing their attention to the fact that the church was for everyone.

All are welcome regardless of their standing in the community...

regardless of their invisible rank.

 

The church is open to each person whether or not

they have abundance in other are

as of their life.

Believing does not automatically make you better than the person next to you.

 

Faith is a gift.

It is possible to be given a gift even if you do deserve it.

This happens in families each year.

 

God does not say you are worthy to receive my gift of faith.

Likewise, God does not say you are not worthy to receive my gift of faith.

God gives freely; he is the giver of all.

 

Whether or not you are worthy

God gives and your responsibility is to humbly accept.

 

The centurion was making a request on the behalf of his slave;

someone most would have considered 'not worthy'.

The centurion did not feel Jesus should make the effort to physically

come to the bedside of his slave.

 

"Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof."

 

The centurion was placing himself in the same position as his own slave.

Before God he was not worthy to make a request for Jesus

to change his itinerary.

 

 

When it comes to our worthiness before God it was,

is, and always will be his call.

 

Our worthiness is rooted in our willingness to humbly allow God to chose us...

to allow God to use us for his purposes.

It requires great humility to let God work in your life.

It is egotistical to argue with God on the grounds of not being worthy.

Our worthiness is not the main idea here.

When we tell God we are not worthy, abruptly ending the conversation there

we are telling God he is wrong.

 

Imagine telling God he is wrong.

It only takes his words.

His words alone create our worthiness.

We are worthy to work for the Lord because he makes it so.

 

The next time you say this verse before receiving Eucharist;

 

"...Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.

BUT only say the word and my soul will be healed."

 

God can manifest healings on many levels with his words alone.

If you are called to do his work,

do not get caught up in the 'worthiness' debate.

Can you outwit God?

It is not likely!

Is Your Faith Evident?

~~~ Isaiah 50: 5-9a ~~~ Psalm 116 ~~~ James 2: 14-18 ~~~ Mark 8:27-35 ~~~

 

"...What good is it, my brothers,

if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

Can that faith save him?"

 

"...faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

 

"...faith without works is useless..."

 

 

James goes on in this chapter to give examples of works being connected to faith.

 

He cites Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as a result of his faith in God.

 

He reminds of a seemingly insignificant woman.

 

"...Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she

welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route..."

 

Faith and works or deeds go hand in hand.

If you do have faith then it most assuredly

will be made evident through your works.

For if you do not believe in the love and mercy of God

how you treated others might be of no concern.

 

Faith alone will not be your golden ticket to heaven.

If you but pay lip service to your 'faith' what good is it?

 

While it is true that we hear Jesus recognizing a person's

great faith thus granting them their petition.

The person has taken some action in coming before Jesus.

If they did not believe at some level he had the power to grant their request

we would not be hearing about them in the scriptures.

 

Finally James sums up faith and works with these words...

"...For just as a body without a spirit is dead,

so also faith without works is dead..."

 

Faith cannot be just an empty shell.

Faith must be the force urging you to take action.

Faith begins within and it brought to fruition by what we do for others.

 

 

James leaves us with some pretty clear words.

Go forth and spread the word of God.

It is by faith that we are able to do unto others as we would

have them do to us.

It is through our faith that we can forgive those who trespass against us.

It is through faith that we can pray ...thy kingdom come.

 

It is through faith that we can put our agenda aside

and trust in the Lord.

It is through faith that we can deny ourselves.

It is through faith that we take up our cross, continuing the journey.

 

May your faith continue to flourish through your good works.

 

The Presentation of Sorrows

Our Lady of Sorrows

 

~~~ 1 Cor 10: 14-22 ~~~ Psalm 116 ~~~ Luke 2: 33-35 ~~~

 

"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

 

This prophecy of Simeon was the beginning of Mary's sorrowful life.

Today the church is calling to our attention the facet of Mary's life that is not unlike our own. We are all faced with sorrows in our lives...deaths, disappointments, losses are just a few. Mary's life was surely filled with many joys as well.

It is by design that this feast immediately follows the Exultation of the Cross.

Without a doubt Mary's greatest sorrow was the violent brutal death of her son, Jesus.

She silently accepted her sorrows holding them close to her heart.

 

At the Annunciation when she answered 'yes'

she have little if any understanding about

what the future would bring for her.

 

When Mary and Joseph made the presentation of their baby, Jesus,

in the temple Mary had no idea she would be told such heart piercing words.

These words were spoken to her from a respected person

but yet Simeon was a stranger.

I wonder if Mary's first reaction was to discount his words.

Being a mother myself I am sure they were not

words she expected to hear.

 

I remember being a new mother myself.

Our first child had a serious intestinal birth defect.

At only nine days of age he needed life saving surgery.

The next six weeks following his delicate surgery were spent in the NICU.

 

Mary had given birth to a health baby boy so these words were more difficult to believe. Her initial sorrows were not manifested with external signs.

In the final hours before the death of Jesus the sorrows of Mary were sorely visible.

Others around her, who loved Jesus and her, were also filled with sorrow.

For Mary as his mother her sorrow must have been extremely painful. She may have even felt some physical pain due to the intensity of her emotional pain.

 

 

We know from the scriptures the many times when Mary was plunged into sorrow.

The sorows she experienced have made her the perfect person for us.

When we are in the midst of our sorrows it is comforting to go to her.

Talk with Mary in your prayer time...she understands...as only a mother can.

She knows the hidden sorrows that lie within your heart.

She knows the visible effects of deep sorrows.

 

There is so much we can learn from how Mary moved through

her life with her sorrows.

She never tried to deny or ignore her sorrows.

She bore them fully and totally in her heart.

She tempered them with the promise of heaven.

She believed that she would be reunited with her son, Jesus, in heaven.

 

Mary is full of love and compassion for you.

Bring her your sorrows asking her for the wisdom to accept

and the courage to persevere.

 

"You need endurance to do the will of God

and receive what he has promised."

Hebrews 10: 36

 

I invite you to read the Stabat Mater prayer today

which summarizes the great sorros of Mary.

You may also want to pray the

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary today.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.

We Exalt the Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

~~~ Numbers 21: 4b-9 ~~~ Psalm 78 ~~~ Phil 2: 6-11 ~~~ John 3: 13-17 ~~~

 

Here we are in Ordinary Time with a very special feast...

that of the Exultation of the Cross.

Why would the church want to exalt the cross one might ask?

Per the dictionary exalt means to glorify, praise, honor.

 

Without the cross upon which Jesus was crucified

we would not have salvation.

Jesus humbled himself to not only become human,

but he allowed himself to be put to death on the cross.

Death by crucifixion was reserved for hardened criminals.

It was common place in the time of Jesus.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.

 

Jesus was raised upon the cross for all to look upon.

Just as Moses raised his staff adorned with the serpent.

The serpent upon the staff healed those bitten and poisoned.

 

Jesus hanging on the cross is the picture of our salvation.

The act of hanging on the cross in itself did not save us;

it was the person who hung on the cross.

 

Jesus conformed to the will of the Father and that included being nailed to the cross.

The cross is the symbol of salvation because Jesus died on a cross.

 

Exalting the cross moves it from a device reserved for criminals and sinners to one of mercy, love, hope, and salvation. If Saint Helena did indeed find the true cross; it is not surprising that it would have had some miraculous powers.

 

The flesh and blood of the body of Christ were pressed into the wood of the cross.

The nails pierced his flesh forcing bits of his skin into the wood.

The blood streamed forth from his wounds soaking into the boards near his head,

each hand, and his feet.

 

 

The whole cross pressed with the sacred body of Jesus.

Today's gospel contains the most often quoted verse from scripture...

that God so loved the world.

 

Today we exalt the cross itself...

we raise it with joy as remember how Jesus loved us even by death...

death upon the Cross.

 

Every time your eyes are raised to look at the cross remember he died for you.

It was personal.

Hand Made by God

~~~ 1 Cor 8: 1b-7, 11-13 ~~~ Psalm 139 ~~~ Luke 6: 27-38 ~~~

 

R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Probe me, O God, and know my heart;
try me, and know my thoughts;
See if my way is crooked,
and lead me in the way of old.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

 

Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful psalms we pray.

It is a psalm through which we praise God for how well he has made us.

When you have created something with your own hands you know it

at a much deeper depth.

 

If you were in the factory working to make your automobile

you would understand more about how the engine is

able to convert gas into power.

You would understand the circuitry involved

in the turn indicators or the power windows.

You would know how the brakes engage to bring your car

to a safe sudden stop.

 

If you are an architect you would have the knowledge

to draw plans that could actually be turned into a viable structure.

You would be rewarded someday by seeing your

creative ideas become a reality.

 

Psalm 139 acknowledges that God, who created you,

knows all there is to know about you.

God knows not only each hair on your head,

but also the intricacies of each cell in your body.

 

God is the idea maker, the designer, the creator of our very existence.

All things created by God are inherently good.

It is only through the hand of God that we were conceived...

knit into our mother's womb.

Take a moment right now to reflect and consider

how perfectly the systems of your body were designed to work in unison.

 

God does not only know our physical bodies he also knows what is in our hearts.

He knows our hopes, our dreams, our needs, our darkness, our fears, and sins.

 

Today the church only gives a few verses from this awe inspiring psalm.

I strongly urge you to pick up your Bible and go to psalm 139.

Read each word slowly giving it time to soak into your consciousness.

For even in sickness and infirmity we are wonderfully made.

 

We cannot escape our loving all knowing Creator.

Before filling our lungs with the breath of life he was already

intimately involved in our being.

 

As we grow and experience what it means to be a living

breathing human being

God continues to be present to our inmost being.

 

 

Although today we do not have verses five and six included

they too are worthy of extra attention.

 

"...Behind and before you encircle me

and rest your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is beyond me,

far too lofty for me to reach..."

 

Can you imagine God encircling you?

What does it look like?

Does he wrap his hands around you?

Does he shroud you in his pure white stole?

 

What an image of Peace this gives me.

An image of how protected I am in spite of all the fears

I may experience.

 

Take the opportunity to join the psalmist...

be in awe at wonderfully you are made.

You were created and given life.

God never leaves his creations he is always there keeping all in order.

For even as you sleep his design keeps your heart beating...

by his design you continue to breath without notice.

 

Go to this whole psalm now and be reminded of your

wondrous Creator.