Scraps

~~~Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time~~~

~~~Isaiah 56:1, 6-7~~~ Psalm 67 ~~~ 

~~~ Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 ~~~ Matthew 15:21-28 ~~~

Jesus believes that what comes from your mouth

 originates first in the heart.

(Matthew 15:18)

A Canaanite woman approaches Jesus knowing

 that she would most likely be turned away 

or at least ignored.

But still she calls out to Jesus.

The apostles wanted her calls

 to fall on deaf ears, but Jesus clearly hears her. 

“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! 

My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

This brave woman came to encounter Jesus on a personal level.

This desperate woman was not seeking favor for herself.

This strong woman sought healing for her child, 

whom she loved dearly.

Imagine how surprised she was when Jesus initially tells her "No".

Has Jesus ever given you a similar answer?

Not only does Jesus deny her request

he compares her to the dogs.

How demeaning and humiliating

 to be one with the dogs.

This woman exhibited greater faith in Jesus

than did his own disciples.

She came alone to plead her case

 for the healing of her daughter.

She wasted no time being afraid or feeling unworthy.

She refused to give up...

she believed that even the scraps,

whatever they would look like,

would be more than enough

 to heal her daughter.

Oh, that we should have such faith!

Faith as small as a mustard seed 

can indeed move mountains.

Would you pass the faith test?

Pray for a deeper faith...

a faith capable of overcoming

insurmountable obstacles.

We know who Jesus is...

Do you believe he can do all things?

Soon after this encounter Jesus 

takes a few 'scraps'

and feeds the crowd of thousands.

~~~Peace~~~

Dear Lord, please increase our Faith.

Amen.

Never Doubt...

~~~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~1 Kings 19:9A, 11-13A ~~~ 

~~~Psalm 85 ~~~ Romans 9:1-5 ~~~ Matthew 14:22-33 ~~~

...the LORD said to him (Elijah),

"Go outside and stand on the mountain...

the LORD will be passing by."

Elijah trusted in the Lord, but he was frustrated 

because everywhere he looked the Lord was not there.

Elijah looked for the Lord in the strong 

and heavy wind crushing rocks, but he was not there.

Next the ground began to violently shake 

in an earthquake, but he was not there.

Soon Elijah sees a raging fire nearby,

but he was not there either as he had been for Moses.

Finally it was a tiny whisper that caused Elijah

to come to the entrance of the cave...

this was indeed the Lord, quietly passing by.

The Lord instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain.

Promising there he would see the Lord.

How many times we long to see the Lord, 

but we give up just before he arrives.

When the disciples saw him walking 

on the sea they were terrified. 

"It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. 

Even though Peter was afraid he quickly hops 

out of the boat heading toward Jesus.

Peter does not hesitate

 until it hits him that he was doing the impossible...

he was literally walking on liquid...water...the sea.

No one can walk on top of water 

unless...it is Jesus who calls you to "Come".

Jesus always invites us to "Come"

toward him. He will never send us away.

He will never scold us for wanting to be with him...

to be in his presence.

There is safety in his presence.

We must approach Jesus with confidence in our hearts.

Never doubt...Jesus 

invites you to be with him.

Never question...Jesus 

completely supports you.

The more often we 

get out of the boat... 

and walk towards Jesus

the deeper and stronger 

our trust in the Lord will become.

I will hear what God proclaims;

the LORD — for he proclaims peace.

Fear is squelched by trusting

 in the peace of the Lord.

~~~Profound Peace~~~

Adorned in Glory

~~~ Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord ~~~

~~ Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 ~~ Psalm 97 ~~

~~~ 2 Peter 1:16-19 ~~~ Matthew 17:1-9 ~~~

"This is my beloved Son, with whom

 I am well pleased;

listen to him."

Both times recorded in the Bible where God
 speaks words about Jesus we have witnesses.

During this mountain top transfiguration
Jesus brought three of his most trusted followers.
Peter, James, and John, they walked beside Jesus...
They were witnesses to his public ministry of healing.

They knew first hand of the power he had at his disposal...
power he shared in with God the Father.
The same God who spoke to Moses
on the mountain.

The same God who gave Moses the stone tablets.
The same God who spoke through the prophets.
The same God who called Moses to lead
his chosen people to the land of milk and honey.

God brought Moses down to stand with Jesus
on the mountain to witness the transfigured glory of Jesus.

Moses and Elijah were given the privilege
to hear God speak about his Son, Jesus.

They did not have the opportunity to witness
God's power demonstrated on earth
through Jesus like the disciples present had.

In a way God was saying to Moses and Elijah...
now you see why your work was so critical.

Simultaneously God was saying to Peter, James and John...
now you have even more proof that your work must continue.

This Transfigured Glory of Jesus
transcends all time.

"Do not tell the vision to anyone 
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

We are not first hand witnesses,
but this incredible event has been passed down
to us so that we can pass it on to others.

Seeing this Glory of Jesus
is what we believe Heaven has in store for us.

Jesus touches his disciples and dissolves their fears.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."

I hope to have this experience one day
 as I lay on my death bed.

Seeing the Glory and hearing the voice of God
can indeed be frightening
unless you trust that Jesus will come to
calm you with his touch of peace.

May the Transfigured Glory of Jesus
bring peace into the depths of your soul.

~~~Peace~~~