Stir Up the Feathers

~~~ Hebrews 10:19-25 ~~~ Psalm 24 ~~~ Mark 4:21-25 ~~~

 

 

"...We must consider how to rouse one another

to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another..."
 

Do you ever use the word rouse?

It is not a word I typically use.

 

Here is how the word rouse is defined...

to bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness,

inactivity, fancied security, apathy, depression...

The origin of the word is fascinating as well.
originally used of hawks shaking the feathers of the body,
Meaning 'to stir up, provoke to activity' is from 1586;
that of 'awaken' is first recorded 1590.

So today the unknown author is writing this letter to the Hebrews
 trying to get the people 'stirred up' about love and good works.
Apparently he is writing because those who had been believers
were no longer joining with the others in the community.
When you are not associating with other believers
you are more likely to become apathetic and disillusioned.
This is one reason why attending church regularly;
worshiping with others is so important.

The goal and purpose was to get things going again.
They had become a concern because of their 'whatever' attitude.
Their spirits needed to be roused by 'whatever' means
the author could devise.

The world today is filled with apathetic people.
Apathy is like being dead without physically dying. 

 

 

 The author wants to encourage the Hebrews to wake up...

to seek the face of God.

This is what a good retreat will do for you;

it will rouse your weary spirit.

With your spirit awake hopefully you will long

 to seek the face of the Lord.

You will want to be in his presence.

You will no longer be apathetic about your relationship with God.

 

Apathy is dangerous it can lead to dispair.

The state of dispair is exactly where the Evil One hides out

ready to grab hold of your soul.

 If you are in the constant world of 'whatever'

I urge you to break out.

Find someone who can rouse your spirit.

Reamin close to those who have a stronger faith than you have.

Pray to God for an end to your apathy.

Let your light shine out to others.

If we walk in his light how can we be apathetic?

Sprinkled Freely with His Words

~~~ Hebrews 10: 11-18 ~~~ Psalm 110 ~~~ Mark 4: 1-20 ~~~

 

This is the covenant I will establish with them
after those days, says the Lord:
“I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them upon their minds,”
he also says:
Their sins and their evildoing
I will remember no more.

 For all those out there who think that they are such terrible sinners

that God could never forgive them

read the above words slowly one more time.

 God wants us to be repentant for our sins,

but more importantly he desires to forgive us.

God wants us to be able to dwell with him in heaven.

 

God does not hold grudges.

God does not hold on to our sins.

He is, however, a just God.

Just as a parent will reprimand their child, whom they love,

so it is with God...he will reprimand.

He will call us to be responsible for our actions. 

 

 

The gospel today is the well known parable of the seeds.

Jesus tells the parable and then goes on to explain the meaning.

He does not want us to miss the point.

Those with him that day did us a favor by questioning

him about this parable.

Jesus was a great storyteller.

 

If you do not hear the words of God and let them to take root in your heart,

you may never realize the magnitude of the forgiveness of God.

The depth of God's forgiveness surpasses any other. 

 

We can never repay Jesus for our salvation.

The best we can do is to have faith and believe

in his words of forgiveness,

mercy, and love.

 

This is where the meaning of the sower and the seeds becomes a reality.

What kind of believer are you?

Do you just hear for the moment and then return

to your unbelieving ways? 

Do you hear without taking the words personally?

His words are just for you.

Are you a rainy day believer?

Are you a sunshine believer?

 

Be a believer who lets the word of God

speak to your heart each and every day.

Just like the post office motto...

rain or shine God is here for you.

He offers all that he has.

His words are Spirit and Life for your soul.

 

Picture leaving a wedding reception where everyone is throwing rice

or tiny seeds over the new couple...

this is how freely God scatters his words upon us.

 

The disciples, the lame, crippled, blind, hungry,

and the scribes and Pharisees were all covered with his words.

They each had ears with which to hear, but they did not all understand.

 

They each responded in their own way corresponding

to the condition of their soul when he spoke to them.

 How do you respond to the words of Jesus?

 

Next time you are generously tossing seeds upon a new couple;

think of how generously God's words are falling on you.

 

You are loved and blessed.

Believe it!

Seated in the Circle

~~~ Hebrews 10:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 3: 31-35 ~~~

 

 

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

If you are seated with those encircling Jesus he considers you a part of his family.

If you are spiritually related to Jesus he names you more than just friend,

but actually his mother and brother (or sister).

 

If you are seated with Jesus are you also willing to do the will of God?

Or do you just want to sit at his feet and be a passive participant?

You cannot be apathetic and be in the company of Jesus.

 

When what we want is congruent with what God wants

from us everything is going well.

But look at what Jesus endured and sacrificed to do the will of the Father.

 

If you think following Jesus will be easy you are not living in reality.

One sure way of making this journey better though is to

give thanks for all that you have received...

for all that God has done for you.

 

We can go through all sorts of forms of prayer

making ourselves appear to be more holy,

but unless we can echo the words...

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

we are wasting our time.

 

 

It is our heart that must be willing to let the will of God

manifest itself in our life....

actually through our life in our actions and intentions.

 

Making a commitment to allow God's will to be first in our life

 is a constant act of surrendering.

Daily we must submit ourselves to,

his will in our lives.

Daily we must accept those things we cannot change.

Daily we must face the challenge to become better

than we were the day before.

 

If we are striving to do the will of God in our lives

we will find greater joy.

We will be more at peace with ourselves and with those around us.

The will of God in our lives requires more love;

loving beyond what we think is possible.

 

So we come back to the question...

can you sit in the circle surrounding Jesus and speak the words

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

 

Lord, it is only through your grace that we can follow in your footsteps.

Lead the way...but please be patient with me.

Only One Can Reign in Your Heart

~~~ Hebrews 9: 15, 24-28 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Mark 3: 22-30 ~~~

 

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

 

The mighty one has indeed done marvelous deeds for us.

Through the pouring out of his own blood and not that of a sacrificial animal

he completed the offering once and for all.

His one single perfect sacrifice expiated the sins of the whole world for all ages.

No human before him had been capable of this sacrifice.

He was fulfilling the will of the one who sent him.

He was not going through the sacrificial ritual;

he was the sacrifice.

 

The scribes were puzzled by what Jesus was accomplishing through his powers.

They were perhaps a little jealous as well.

Whenever you are jealous of someone you try to make light of anything

that they do that you want to be able to do too.

 

This is one such example...

the scribes decide that because Jesus can cast out demons,

which they connect with evil, he must be aligned with evil as well.

Obviously Satan would not listen to anyone other than one of his own kind.

 

Way back in the Garden of Eden Satan obviously thought that he had the upper hand.

He believed that we humans were going to be easily swayed to join him in his evil ways.

To some extent he was correct, but then Jesus came and things began to change.

 

Satan needed someone greater and stronger to overcome his wickedness.

Someone more powerful did indeed come in the person of Jesus.

Jesus knew who Satan was all too well.

 

"How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him..."

 

You can either pledge your allegiance to God or Satan.

The two cannot simultaneously reign in your heart.

You cannot decide one day to be on the side of evil and the next the side of good.

But we are weak human beings and the temptations presented before us require

us to be ever vigilant.

This is not always easily accomplished it is a constant battle.

 

 

Today we join the Dominicans in honoring Saint Thomas Aquinas, doctor of the church.

He was one of the most important Medieval philosophers and theologians.

 

The Summa Theologica is his most well known writing.

You might look it up later.

 

A few quotes from St. Thomas...

 

The things that we love tell us what we are.

 

How can we live in harmony?

First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.

 

 Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

 

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.

To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

 

Wonder is the desire for knowledge.

 

Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.

 

Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.

Raise Up Your Hands

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

~~~ Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 ~~~ Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21~~~

 

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

 

This Sunday is the only time we hear a reading from the prophet Nehemiah

in our three year cycle of readings.

This chapter gives us much information of what it was like

when the priest was before the community.

The presider was standing higher than the people

so that he could be seen by as many as possible.

 

As the scroll was unrolled...

...all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
“Amen, amen!”

The reading from the scroll lasted from daybreak until midday;

can you imagine people today staying in church for the length of time.

 

 "Today is holy to the LORD your God..."

One of the blessings passed down to us in the scripture writings

is confirmation of what we believe.

 

Today Luke tells Theophilus...

 

'...I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.'

Luke was validating what they all believed.

He was a scholar, educated, trusted.

There have always been those who understood the value

of recording down that which they have witnessed.

They were chronicling history as it was happening

right before their very eyes.

 

Way before Ancestry dot com people kept records.

Luke assures Theophilus that he has accurately written things down

so that he too could value the teachings even more.

 

Therefore when Luke recounts Jesus' reading from the scroll

we too can believe that Jesus was in the power of the Spirit.

 

It is through this same power that we too are in the Spirit.

We too have been given the Spirit.

 

Paul writes of the many parts of the same body...

we are all given to drink of the same Spirit.

  

 

The same Spirit that descended upon Jesus  

 he in turn sent to us.
This Spirit unites as one...as part of the Body of Christ.
Though many we are one and we are all valued as a part of this body.
There is no part that is more or less important than any other part.

It is through the Spirit that we are united into this one Body.
Today is holy to the LORD your God.
 

 We too contribute to the holiness of this day
for we are One Body.

Let us live believing that we are a vital part of the
Body of Christ.
We are all One Body in Christ.
Raise your hands high up in praise.

Pen & Ink Pep Rally

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus

 

~~~ 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Mark 3: 20-21 ~~~

 

Timothy was Paul's son in the faith.

Paul was Timothy's mentor and Timothy was Paul's disciple.

Timothy often traveled with Paul in Galatia, Philippi, Corinth, and other areas. 

 

Timothy comes from a family where his mother and grandmother

were known for their piety.

Perhaps they too were Christians.

But Paul saw that Timothy had received great faith through his maternal ancestors.

What he learned from them made a lasting impression.

 

Paul saw even greater potential in Timothy, so he took him under his wing.

Paul taught Timothy all that he could and delighted in him.

 

 

 

 

Today the church gives us this beautiful letter from Paul to Timothy.

 

 

"...I am grateful to God...

...as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you."

 

If someone wrote a letter to me with that opening paragraph I would be so moved.

Paul writes with such fondness and affection for Timothy.

Praying for someone day and night what more could you ask for?

 

Paul is longing to see his friend once again.

He longs for them to be reunited to the point of tears.

Tears of joy and gratitude for the gift that Timothy has been to him.

 

Timothy has a faith so strong that even Paul is impressed.

The strong faith of Timothy is owed in part to his mother and grandmother.

 

Paul values family and friends, but accepts that he must

travel about the region doing the work of God.

Titus was also a missionary who traveled with Paul preaching the gospel.

 

Paul writes these letters to encourage his dear friends.

He writes to remind them of their faith.

He writes to fan the flames in their hearts assuring them that he cares for them.

Paul writes to let them know that he has not forgotten them.

He writes because they have a mission to carry on even in his absence.

These letters are like vitamins for their faith.

It is a pen and ink pep rally for these men.

Rah, rah you are doing a great job!

Rah, rah, keep up the good work!

 

I  invite you to sit down with one of these letters

 and pretend that it was written to you.

Read it carefully letting each word linger for awhile in your heart.

Allow yourself to feel cherished through Paul's words.

It will bring joy to your soul!

Extreme 'Spiritual' Makeover

The Conversion of Saint Paul

 

~~~ Acts 22:-16 or Acts 9:1-22 ~~~ Psalm 117 ~~~ Mark 16: 15-18 ~~~

 

"Go out to all the world, and tell

the Good News."

 

Just as Paul was commissioned to spread the good news

we too have been given the same calling.

Saul, as he was called then, would have never dreamed that he could be

completely turned away from his persecuting endeavors.

 

He actively sought out those followers of 'the Way'

and handed them over to the officials as criminals.

You might wonder how in the world God found Paul

a desirable candidate to be in the service of the Lord.

Not only did God find Paul desirable;

he inspired him to preach and write with unbelievable clarity.

 

Much of the New Testament is attributed to Paul.

Much of what we find inspiring enough to quote today comes from Paul's writings.

Just think how much we would be missing had it not been for Paul.

 

The story of Paul's conversion gets our attention

 because it is vivid, detailed, and graphic.

We know what it is like to be blinded, even only temporary,

 by bright sunlight.

Your first reaction is to close your eyes in order to diminish

the amount of light entering into your eyes .

This bright light is abrupt and the eyes need time to physically adjust.

 

Paul needed time to adjust to what had just happened to him.

Not only did his eyes need time to physically adjust;

his soul also needed some time.

The bright light of God had shocked him inside and outside...

physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

 

God sent a messenger to comfort Paul and to usher him into his new reality.

His new reality was to live for God from then on.

He was no longer living to gain approval from the authorities.

It was no longer important for him to prove his loyalty by rounding up the wayward...

those pesky believers of 'the Way'.

 

Ananias, acting on behalf of God,

 lays hands on Paul that he might regain his sight.

Ananias did as he was instructed, in spite of having reservations about Paul.

For Paul's reputation had preceded him throughout the region.

He was a person to be avoided lest you risked imprisonment.

 

 

Paul's conversion was more like a spiritual triage.

He experienced three conversions...

physical

restored eyesight

 

spiritual

inspired words

 

emotional

new heart

Paul's conversion resembled an extreme makeover.

 

Everything about who Paul thought he was God changed.

God redirected Paul's passion and conviction.

Paul had the strong character traits God could use;

 he just had to convince Paul...

it took the Extreme Makeover to accomplish it.

 

Remember God looks at your strong traits and uses them

to spread his Good News. 

What you perceive as short comings God can repurpose.

Never underestimate what God can accomplish with your life.

 

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

"Go out to all the world, and tell

the Good News."

Making the Commitment

~~~ Hebrews 7: 25-8: 6 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 3:7-12 ~~~

 

"Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."

 

The Blessed mother, Joseph, Paul, the saints, and even Jesus himself

make this verse more than just words.

This verse is all about what it means to be a disciple.

If we are not here to do the will of God;

then what the ___ are we doing.

Are we here just to create our own comfortable life?

If you are a Christian you know in your heart that you are here to become

the best person you can be to serve the Lord.

 

Crowds gathered around Jesus...he healed them...

he was carrying out the will of the Father.

Jesus never once thought about his powers

 as coming from any other than the Father.

 

When he reached out to heal or when someone reached to touch him for healing

he physically felt the power of God leave his body.

 

Paul writes to the Hebrews of the power of Jesus.

 

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

No earthly high priests can ever replace Jesus.

He is the ultimate high priest.

He is the one who sits at the right hand of the Father.

He is the true minister of the sanctuary.

 

Just as every high priest offers gifts and sacrifices, thus it is also with Jesus.

 

Jesus made the sacrifice that no other high priest could have made.

He sacrificed his life for each one of us.

Jesus sacrificed his life not only for those who come to know him,

but for people of all time.

 

No earthly high priest can make such a sacrifice.

 

 

In response to the huge crowds Jesus had to retreat to the boat.

It was not in the salvation plan for him to be crushed by the very people he was healing...

the very people his blood would save.

 

I love the image of Jesus stretching out his hand to touch me,

but I also hold dear the image of my hand reaching out to touch him.

Even just brief touch of the threads of his garment would be sufficient.

 

Touching a single thread of his clothing

would communicate to him my humble presence.

What a glorious reflection.

 

"Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."

 

I am eager to do your will, Lord.

Please guide me to know your will in my life.

You alone are the holy one.

Can you make the commitment?

Defiant Healing Leads to Conviction

~~~ Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 ~~~ Psalm 110 ~~~ Mark 3:1-6 ~~~

 

'...king of peace...'

 

'...by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed...'

 

The power with which Jesus heals is the power of life.

It is the power of the Lord.

It is a princely power of holy splendor bestowed upon him from his birth.

It is a power that cannot be halted by the restraints of a few laws.

It is a power that will not back down in the face of judgment

rendered by the local elders.

It does not give way to criticism.

 

Rather with every road block thrown up before Jesus he responds

with a stronger conviction for his purpose.

 

Jesus entered the synagogue.
There was a man there who had a withered hand.
They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the sabbath
so that they might accuse him.
He said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up here before us.”

 

 

Jesus will not be intimidated by the Pharisees.

They cannot succeed in deterring him from doing good.

 

If you are about doing good does it really matter what day it is,

where you are, or who is the recipient?

Jesus was defying the authority of the Pharisees and they were none to pleased.

Who did this Jesus think he was?

How dare he question their authority;

publicly in front of those who were in the temple.

 

The Pharisees were acting as any human would in a position of authority.

Jesus was acting as a compassionate God.

There is no comparison.

 

 

Then he said to the Pharisees,
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
But they remained silent.

 

They remained silent to his question about preserving life.

Inside their hearts were dead;

they could not bring themselves to value life above all else.

 

...Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart...

 

Jesus cured the man's withered hand right before their eyes.

They were insulted and outraged with this healing on the Sabbath.

They left vowing to do whatever it took to have him put to death.

 

Jesus will always support us in standing up for what is good.

There are so many examples from the lives of the saints

 in support of this fact. 

All around the world even today people are sacrificing their life

for believing in the truth, for acting for what is good.

 

Place your heart in the right place; this is where you begin.

 

Walk closer with Jesus this year and be blessed.

'Trail Mix' Lesson

~~~ Hebrews 6:10-20 ~~~ Psalm 111 ~~~ Mark 2:23-28 ~~~

 

Observing the Sabbath as special and holy.

 

'...As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,
his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.'

 

Jesus and his disciples are passing through a field of grain.

They are hungry, so they eat what is available...

the tips of the grain.

It is their 'trail mix' of the day.

There is just one minor problem; it is the Sabbath.

Jewish law has strict guidelines for keeping the Sabbath set aside.

Keeping the Sabbath holy is the fourth commandment;

so how is it that Jesus appears to ignore this law?

 

Jesus so often challenges the Pharisees, today is no exception.

Is it more important to follow the letter of the law

or to act for the good of the person?

 

In this case Jesus chose the later...

it was better for his disciples to eat for their

journey was long.

Of course Jesus knew the Pharisees were intently watching his every action.

So picking the grain to eat was not overlooked.

 

Jesus quickly refreshes their memory with the story of David.

David actually ate of the bread set aside solely for temple use.

This would have been considered far worse an infraction.

So it was not about what they ate or that they ate this grain.

It was only about when they ate.

It seems somewhat trite in today's world.

The Sabbath was to be a day of rest.

Picking grain would have been considered work.

 

How about today?

Just to attend Sunday services we get into our car and drive.

For some the very act of driving is their work.

Driving a vehicle is their job.

If we follow the logic of the Pharisees just going to the church building

would be in violation of the law.

 

 

The Pharisees prided themselves on knowing every letter of the law.

They were the authorities.

They were the ones who were appointed to interpret the meaning of the law.

Thus the plucking of grain on the Sabbath

was in violation of the law.

 

The laws were very black and white for the Pharisees,

 but not so with Jesus.

Jesus saw the bigger picture.

 

Within the boundaries of laws were real people.

Real people cannot always be held to the letter of the law.

Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances when a person decides

to make a choice outside of the law.

Not above the law just outside the strict interpretation of the law.

 

Perhaps keeping holy the Sabbath has more to do with your mental attitude...

is your intention to at least give back to God one day a week.

At least one day of the week to stop and consider all that God has done for you.

 

All during the week we are harvesting the grain.

When we set aside the Sabbath each week we can take the opportunity

to open our hand and look at what we have.

 

The Sabbath should be used to retreat if possible from the

extreme business of our daily lives.

This Sunday when you attend Mass bring with you the

tiny grains you have collected during the previous days.

It may be a time to leave them at the altar.

It may be a time to thank God for just the smallest

single grain held tightly in your hand.

 

Walk with Jesus through the fields

and you are sure to find tiny grains of blessings.

Connecting the Old and New

Memorial of Saint Agnes

 

~~~ Hebrews 5:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 110 ~~~ Mark 2:18-22 ~~~

 

Fasting or not...new wineskin or old...

We are routinely faced with the challenge of maintaining balance in our life.

There is a time for fasting, but certainly not when you are attending a festive occasion.

It would almost be rude to tell the host that you could not eat because of your

choice to maintain your fasting.

Celebrations such as weddings are not about fasting.

 

'... new wine is poured into fresh wineskins...'

 

How do you know when it is time for a new wine skin?

Is the old seasoned wine skin always inferior?

Is the new preferred?

 

God makes all things new.

Is new always better?

Where is the value in being aged?

Certainly aged wine is preferred...it becomes richer and full-bodied.

 

In light of the current trend to recycle;

an old wine skin would be valued.

But there is a deeper meaning here being made by Jesus.

He himself is like the new wine.

If we do not change our heart we are not capable of completely taking in the Lord.

If we do not have a change of heart then the presence of God

will send us into turmoil.

 

If you put the new wine into the old wineskin it will eventually spill out.

The seams will rupture and the contents will be lost.

So it is with the heart.

By the grace of our faith we are granted conversion of heart.

Conversion of the heart is making it new again.

That is the power of grace.

 

 

Looking at the comparison of the old with the new:

I cannot imagine not having the writings of the Old Testament.

So much about Jesus is rooted in the Old Testament;

after all he was raised as Jew.

Much of what he brought into the New Testament began

with something in the Old.

Jesus never indicated that once he came to live among us that we should

discard the prophetic writings of the Old Testament.

 

From the old comes wisdom and with this wisdom a better new can come into reality.

Jesus built upon the old; making the new a reality through his presence.

 

His new teachings brought forth a greater communion with God.

He came to do the will of the Father.

 

Through his ultimate obedience the old was given a counter balance.

The new was born in him, Jesus.

The one who came to save.

The God of wrath and destruction was now

revealed as the God of forgiveness and compassion.

 

 '...new wine is poured into fresh wineskins...

 

Jesus is both; the new wine and the new wineskin.

Within him we will find our balance.

Some things are better left behind

as we move forward to embrace the new.

 

Be Blessed today.

God Delights in You

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

~~~Isaiah 62:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~1 Corinthians 12:4-11~~~John 2:1-11~~~

 

'...you shall be called "My Delight"...

...For the LORD delights in you...'

 

Paul writes to the people of Corinth concerning their unique gifts from God.

God considers us his delight so it follows that he would give us gifts.

Just as we carefully choose a gift for a loved one so it is

 that God also chooses gifts for each of us.

 

The word delight has a special quality when it tumbles from your lips.

The Lord takes great joy in you so much so that he has given you a special talent.

A gift from God should not stay wrapped up.

A gift from God should be used for good.

A gift from God should result in our ultimately returning it to him.

 

Paul speaks of the different kinds of spiritual gifts.

Each gift is given for some benefit.

God gives gifts that one can use for a good purpose.

When we use our gifts for good in thanksgiving for the essence of the gift

 we then become the cause for God's delight in us.

 

How do you identify your unique gift from God?

What if you never discover the gift God has given you?

His gifts are many and varied

...wisdom...knowledge...healing...prophecy

to list just a few.

 

 

Jesus came to the wedding feast at Cana with a special gift.

 

At his mother, Mary's intercession he gave the gift of transformation.

He transformed the water drawn by the severs into the finest wine.

 

Even if you think your gifts and talents are nothing special

Jesus can change them into 'the finest' wine.

If you listen to Mary's direction to the severs

“Do whatever he tells you.”

They are words for us too.

If you do whatever he tells you

you will develop your gifts to the fullest.

 

The glory of God is revealed through transformation.

This transformation of the water into wine was done quietly,

behind the scenes, and without the physical touch of Jesus.

 

How have the gifts you received from God

transformed your life?

God does bless you in so many ways.

Living Words "Aha" Times

~~~ Hebrews 4:12-16 ~~~  Psalm 19 ~~~ Mark 2:13-17 ~~~

 

"The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account..."

 

This passage from Paul's letter to the Hebrews gives us much food for thought.

Consider the word of God as something alive.

We know that our words have power.

Our words can tear down a person or build them up.

If our words can affect another human being it makes sense that God's words would be much more powerful.

God's word is living because the 'Word' became flesh.

 

God's word is effective because it delivers the undeniable truth about God himself.

God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword because it

penetrates into our soul.

Striking the human body with a sword would cause great damage to the flesh...penetrating the bone and marrow.

God's word cuts between the soul and the spirit.

God's word cuts into that which cannot be seen.

When the soul and spirit is touched by the living word of God

 there may not be any physical evidence.

No one may be able to tell the difference

until you begin to think and act differently.

 

I believe it is impossible to not be changed by the living word of God

IF

you truly let this living word rest in your soul and spirit.

 

Pray for God to give you those individual 'Aha' times where

you hear the words with new ears.

Where for the first time you can hear that God's words are meant for you

at this time on this exact day.

When this happens it is like getting a breath of fresh air.

It is like a veil has been pushed aside.

It is like lighting a candle inside your heart.

 

 

Every day someone is touched in a personal way by this living word of God.

If today you hear his voice prepare to have your soul and spirit

exposed and naked before the Lord.

 

Jesus was able to chose his disciples, even a local tax collector.

These individuals were able to hear and accept his invitation to

'follow' him because his words are spirit and life.

Jesus is the word made flesh.

His words of invitation penetrated into

the soul and spirit

and they responded affirmatively.

How have you responded to God's word?

The Crowded House

~~~ Heb 4:1-5, 11 ~~~ Psalm 78 ~~~ Mark 2: 1-12 ~~~

 

I do not know about you, but I do not like crowds.

I never go shopping on Black Friday.

I do not stand in line for hours just for a bargain.

 

The mob mentality is a frightening concept.

And I would not want to knocked down and trampled upon.

 

This is pretty much how I picture the scene in Mark's Gospel today.

Standing room only...packed like sardines in a can...

the stagnant air inside the room...

the pushing and shoving...

one person breathing down the neck of the person in front of them...

 

This is the scene we have...all because Jesus was in town.

What were they expecting?

Why had so many come willing to be uncomfortable in a small room?

 

"...there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door..."

 

The roof of the house was even being destroyed in hopes of a man's healing.

It was crowded, dark, smelly from the body heat and yet more and more

pushed their way in just to hear Jesus preach.

 

The synagogue officials were not about to let this 'kid' barge in on their territory.

So they followed Jesus waiting for the opportunity to trip him up...

to catch him making big mistakes.

Well today he gave them more than even they were expecting.

The healing of the paralytic was one thing; but the forgiveness of sins

was way different.

 

 

Immediately Jesus caught them off guard...

he read their minds and their hearts.

 

"Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?"

 

Once again just as he had done in the temple before his

words and actions

have astounded the whole house.

 

What would you be willing to withstand a crowd for...

what would it take for you travel miles just to hear someone preach?

I personally have gone all the way to San Diego and Albuquerque

to hear someone I respected speak.

I know someone who traveled to Europe just to hear someone preach.

 

How far would you be willing to go to be healed?

Would you be willing to be destructive?

Would you wait in the doorway or would you force your way inside?

Just how far would you go?

 

Some food for thought just for today.

Shield of Faith

 

Memorial of Saint Anthony, the Abbot

 

~~~ Ephesians 6: 10-18 ~~~ Psalm 16 ~~~ Matthew 19: 16-26 ~~~

(alternate readings for St. Anthony)

 

 

Paul is such a visual writer.

Today he gives us the imagery of a soldier;

dressed in armor he is ready for battle.

I decided to write about the alternate readings today

 because of things I have recently encountered.

No one is immune from the evil one.

There is no vaccination; there is only strength from the Lord.

 

Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm

against the tactics of the devil.

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood

but with the principalities, with the powers,

with the world rulers of this present darkness,

with the evil spirits in the heavens.

 

Therefore, put on the armor of God,

that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything,

to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,

clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 

and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 

 

In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield,

to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God.

 

This all sounds pretty intimidating.

One would only put on such protective armor if you were in imminent danger.

The problem to me with the evil one

is that you may not be aware that he is lurking about your life.

He is slithering about just waiting for the opportune moment to attack

.

We must put on the armor of God

because nothing else is effective against the evil one.

It is only through our 'putting on' God that we receive

the grace to identify the evil one.

Sometimes even with this grace it is only after the attack

that we can see it was indeed the evil one at work.

 

Unfortunately the evil one knows our number.

He knows how to push our buttons.

Those buttons of guilt and pride and unworthiness...

he pulls down the levers of fear and doubt...

whispering in your ears that God does not love you enough.

 

We must be able to wield the sword of his words.

Pick your favorite scripture verses and memorize them

or write them down on slips of paper. Tuck them into your pockets.

Tape them on the bathroom mirror.

Scroll them across the computer screen.

Do whatever it takes to hold your faith as a shield to fend off

the evil one's attacks.

 

 

 

"With all prayer and supplication,

pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.

To that end, be watchful..."

 

You are not helpless.

You can fight back.

The evil one does not want to hear us praying to God.

The veil one does not want to hear us calling down the Holy Spirit

for assistance and intervention.

 

Pray because of your faith...because you believe.

How do You Begin the Day?

 

~~~ Hebrews 2:14-18 ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ Mark 1: 29-39 ~~~

 

My days in the convent certainly provided the rubrics for a life of prayer,

however it did not give me the real purpose.

Perhaps I was too young and naive about prayer back then.

Let's hope that some forty plus years I have learned more.

 

The gospel today has three main points I want to focus on:

1. the faith of those closest to Jesus

2. the value in beginning the day with prayer

3. the purpose of going away to pray

 

 

The gospel today is the familiar story of the healing of Peter's mother in law.

Jesus and the disciples including Peter were on the road with Jesus...

remember they left everything behind in order to follow Jesus.

This did of course include leaving their families on their own.

 

When word reaches the group about the mother in law's illness

the disciples wasted no time in urging Jesus to intervene.

They had been witness to his consistent healing powers;

why not now for one of their kin?

 

And even though Jesus did have much to accomplish he goes with

them to Peter's home.

The disciples had faith that Jesus could and would restore her health...

which he does.

I have always thought is humorous that immediately her healing she gets up and prepares a meal for them. Did they all just have a hunger for a good home

cooked meal. There is nothing quite as good as food prepared by a loved one.

Word quickly spreads that Jesus, the healer. was in town.

Many came and many were healed that night.

 

In spite of being tired Jesus rises early the next morning to pray.

We did rise early in the convent to pray,

but I did not realize that beginning your day with prayer

gives you center point for the rest of your day.

Calling into awareness the presence of God in your life.

Giving him praise and thanksgiving for being in your life.

When you begin your day with prayer it gives meaning and

 purpose for the rest of the day.

It helps us to carry God with us into whatever that day will bring...

both joys, sorrows, and stresses.

 

 

Jesus not only began his day in prayer to the Father;

he also went away to a deserted place.

 

Once a year it is beneficial to go away for prayer such as a retreat

would provide. For your daily prayer you might need to be a bit more creative.

 

Setting aside that sacred space to pray is so beneficial.

It predisposes your physical body for prayer time,

but it also prepares your heart and mind.

The rituals or habits we create surrounding this prayer time

are all valuable contributing factors.

Jesus went to a deserted place for privacy and so that he

would not be disturbed or distracted.

This deserted place was known by only a handful of his disciples.

 

Eventually though even his disciples followed after him

because so many people were waiting.

In fact the scripture states...

“Everyone is looking for you.”

 

Today join me in exercising your faith as you walk more closely with Jesus.

Begin your day with prayer...inviting God to be a vital part of your day.

Lastly find a space where you can pray without being disturbed and distracted.

Turn off all electronic devices for a few minutes everyday

allowing the time you can set aside for prayer.

 

Whatever we give our attention to will flourish in our life.

Give attention to God as early as possible in your day.

Be Blessed!

The Word Speaks of Itself

 

~~~  Hebrews 2:5-12 ~~~ Psalm 8 ~~~ Mark 1:21-28 ~~~

 

The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

 

 

From the first time Jesus taught in the synagogue at age twelve

those listening to him were amazed and astonished.

for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

 

A scribe is a person who writes books or documents by hand.

They might also be called to copy the sacred texts.

By the very nature of their profession they were educated...

they could read and write.

In Ancient Israel the scribes would have been

the ones creating copies of the Torah.

 

There were very strict guidelines for the scribe to follow for creating

a copy of the sacred writings.

In addition to counting the exact number of lines and writing in black ink

they were also to speak each aloud as they were writing.

In other words they would have been very familiar with the

sacred texts by the time the copy was completed.

 

It would have been the scribes who taught the people to read the Bible.

The scribes were the teachers of the synagogue...

the "rabbi".

The scribes were respected because they were the keepers of the words of God.

 

Now we see Jesus teaching in the synagogue as one having authority...

as one who knew the text he was teaching.

 

The scribes knew the mechanics of the words.

They knew how to write the letters to make the words.

They knew how to speak the words.

But they did not have the spirit and meaning of the words like Jesus.

 

The scribes could copy the words exactly,

but Jesus could make the words come to life.

He was after all "the Word" made flesh.

 

 

Jesus was teaching from the heart.

The scribes were following procedures...

originating from the head.

 

When Jesus taught it way more than mechanical rhetoric.

When Jesus taught it was with spirit and passion.

 

A scribe had to measure exactly and carefully count.

A scribe had to speak precisely each word as he was writing.

A scribe had to do his work in a the proper environment.

 

Jesus went about his work in the streets;

among the poor, lame, and possessed.

Jesus took his teaching outside of the synagogue proper

and all who heard him were astonished.

 

He spoke differently than the learned scribes.

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.