Pray...Love...Be Perfect

~~~ Deuteronomy 26:16-19 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Matthew 5:43-48 ~~~

...love your enemies,

and pray for those who persecute you...

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy

we are invited to take this message 

from today's readings seriously.

It is contrary to love our enemies

 or those we believe are our enemies.

We often do not really want to love those unlike ourselves.

Is it possible that we could be mistaken

 in our perception of who our enemies really are?

Could it be a case where we assume someone to be our enemy

when in reality we do not know the individual?

Sometimes we even decide to consider an entire group

of people to be our enemies.

...pray for those who persecute you...

If we begin by praying for those we do not view as friends

eventually God will soften our heart.

It only takes a small change to transform our heart.

Consider the kaleidoscope...in one slight turn of the lens

 the entire picture changes.

By continuing to restrict your love to only those who love you

you may be depriving yourself of a whole different view.

A view that might be just as beautiful if not more beautiful.

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We think of being perfect as totally out of our scope of possibilities.

Striving to be perfect is more about 

consistently challenging yourself to change your focus...

to turn the lens ever so slightly.

We are so blessed to have this ability to change...

we are not stone sculptures frozen in time.

Our faith would become dull and lifeless

if we could not strive to be more perfect.

Even the saints did not believe that were perfect;

they continued to make the decision to keep trying.

Let every day bring the intention

to love more..to strive to be more holy.

Let God fine tune your lens;

he alone can soften your heart toward your enemies.

He alone supplies the grace as we strive to be more perfect.

So be perfect...

You will be Blessed...It is good for the soul.

~~~Peace~~~

Take Courage in Jesus

~~~ Acts 19: 1-8 ~~~ Psalm 68 ~~~ John 16: 29-33 ~~~

"...when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them..."

"...Now we realize that you know everything...

you do not need to have anyone question you...

we believe that you came from God..."

"...In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."

The readings today should give us some consolation for the times when we do not seem to be understood. For years Jesus had been preaching, teaching, healing, forgiving, even feeding the apostles and his disciples, but they still could not grasp his real message.

Finally the 'light bulb' so to speak has come on...they are getting the message.

Oftentimes in my life something I have heard many times finally falls into my heart with new meaning...or rather with the intended meaning.

I am sure you too have had those 'AHA' experiences.

One thing I treasure about scripture is that no matter how many times you hear a scripture passage there comes a day when you hear it with 'new' ears.

You are in a different place in your life. Things have happened to change who you are from the heart...both positive and negative.

We never know what God has in store for us. Scripture truly is the living word of God.

Anyone that believes otherwise is just fooling themselves. The Bible is timeless yet holds a timely message for each of us. No matter what is happening in your life there is an appropriate scripture passage.

I would have enjoyed meeting St. Paul. It is obvious from today's reading that he was indeed an instrument of God. Paul was gifted with powers from the Holy Spirit that he could pass on. I wonder...what does it feel like to have the Holy Spirit come upon you?

Those in Corinth spoke in tongues and prophesied, but does not the Holy Spirit come upon each one of us.

I pray to be open to the Holy Spirit in my life, but I do not speak in tongues nor can I prophesy. What I can do is be aware of when the Holy Spirit is working through me and give him thanks, credit, and praise.

I welcome the opportunity to be the conduit of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus leaves us with such beautiful words in today's scripture...

'...have peace in me...take courage...

I have conquered the world.'

When can come to Jesus with anything and he will understand.

Open yourself to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Beauty in Carrying the Cross

~~~~ James 2: 14-24, 26 ~~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~~ Mark 8: 34- 9:1 ~~~~

When I was in the convent, before taking my vows, we made our own crown of thorns. We clipped long branches from the thorny Mesquite bush. The thorns are quite sharp and the branches strong and hardy. In order to make them pliable and able to wind around into a circle we had to soak them overnight in water. The next day we were able to form them into the crown of thorns just the size for our head.

I can remember it being a solemn occasion as we sat securing our coil of thorns with pieces of wire and then attaching tiny delicate white silk flowers. We were going to be wed to Jesus. We were preparing for our wedding day. I even made a special box to keep this precious keepsake tucked away. It was gray and pink construction paper between sheets of clear plastic. There were six or eight sides I am not sure now. The handmade box was later relinquished for something stronger;
a metal cookie tin.

Some years later when I left the convent that crown of thorns was one of the few things I took home with me.  It was and still is something I treasure.When I married my husband and we went off for his military service we decided it best not to bring my 'cookie tin' along. We left it with my in-laws. They placed it safely hidden in the bottom of an empty brick planter in the living room.

Eventually we returned home and I was able to claim my crown of thorns. Recently I have used it for Lenten days of prayer. It still looks the same as the day I wore it on my head.
In over forty years these thorns are still intact.

Jesus told the crowd, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." While in the convent I had plenty ways to deny myself...times of prolonged silence, censored mail, begging for a bar of soap, forbidden to have contact with those not in my class. Community bathroom and showers down the hall, dormitory sleeping quarters, very little free time. Today those do not seem very significant, but when I was young they were huge.

"...take up your cross, and follow me."

It is not enough just to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee of a burden free life. In some cases I think if you follow Christ you may even have more trials and crosses to bear. It is probably not so, but at times it seems if you believe you can take more.

When I look at my crown of thorns I do not think so much about the convent any more, I think about how the thorns were driven into Our Lord's precious head and then a huge wooden splintered cross was thrust upon his shoulders. I think of people I know who have had to carry heavy burdens in their lives...dread diseases...sexual abuse...loss of a child...alcoholism...etc.

The crosses we bear in life cannot be softened as my mesquite branches in an overnight soaking bath. They cannot be made more pliable, but we can allow others to help us carry our crosses. One thing I cherish in community is that while we each carry our own crosses we still reach out with a helping hand to lighten another's load. Together we follow Jesus. There is certainly strength in numbers.

When we help another with their cross, we are denying ourselves of self pity.

You cannot escape the cross and follow him at the same time.
If you try to ignore the cross; following Jesus is out of balance with the true Christian life.

When we embrace our cross with outstretched arms we are in alignment with the
Passion of Our Lord.

I invite you to look at the cross and the crown of thorns believing that Jesus understands. He will bring others into your life to help ease the burden. He will turn your sorrows into joy.

A couple years ago I took this picture in the narthex of our main church. The sun was shining through the stained glass window creating a soft blue glow across the thorn branches.

This kaleidoscope image reminds me that when we help each other carry their cross we can tend the thorn piercings. We sometimes miss the beauty in our crosses as we resist their reality. The thorns here are placed on the delicate blue from the stained glass.

This color was only possible because of the sun shining through the window.

Beauty can shine through our crosses too.

Look for the traces of color as you carry your cross and follow him.

Purification: The Refiner's Fire

Malachi 3: 1-4

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

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

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

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

Luke 2: 22-40

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

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

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

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

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

Some things are meant to be kept in your heart.

Wisdom 3: 6-7

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

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

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

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

Where does your life need purification?

Desire to Live in Holiness

Mark 5:1-20

I find the end of today's gospel most intriguing. The man just released by the words of Jesus from 'legions' of demons wants to make a total change in his life. This man's healing has frightened those who witnessed the incident and they are urging him to leave. They are afraid...who has ever seen demons being driven into swine?

As Jesus is getting into the boat, the man pleads to remain with him. But Jesus, and this is the curious part to me, does not allow him to come aboard he boat. Instead Jesus tells him, "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."

The man did as was requested of him and just like the woman at the well when she returned to share her story about her encounter with Jesus; "...all were amazed."

So often in scripture we see Jesus approaching someone in need of his healing touch. In this case Jesus removed the legion of evil spirits with a few simple words. "Unclean spirit, come out of the man." Jesus if you will invited them to remove themselves of their own free will.

Jesus always knows what is best for us, his children. Of course swine being pork were already unclean in the eyes of the Jewish people. Much is recorded in the Old Testament Leviticus 11 and in Deuteronomy 14 about clean and unclean animals and foods.

The Israelites were to be pure and holy dedicated to the Lord and that included not eating certain unclean animals. I think Jesus, in curing this man, was saying I want you to be able to live a 'clean and holy' life.

I also believe there is a message for us about the manner in which we can become holy. In gratitude the healed man wanted to follow Jesus. He was willing to leave his family and his village because he was overflowing with joy by his restored peace.

But what does Jesus do instead of saying sure come along with us as a witness to what I can do? He instructs the man to remain there and to return to his family. His family had probably given up on ever being able to be reunited with him, because of the violent demons. Jesus wants this man to witness to those in his hometown...to those who knew him...to those who would be able to recognize the dramatic change.

What does this mean for us? I think that we are called to be holy within our everyday lives. We are called to holiness in gratitude for what God has done for each of us. Maybe we have not been cured of numerous demons, but we do have issues in our lives that keep us in invisible chains. Namely our own sinfulness.

We are being called to live a life of holiness. The requirement is to make the commitment to live in holiness. It does not requirement one to enter religious life. Jesus did not take the man into the boat to sail away instead he sent him into his own community to proclaim his healing...proclaiming his desire to live in holiness.

We can do likewise!

I chose this original image of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona because on a recent visit there I was captivated by the sense of holiness I experienced in that holy consecrated space.

This kaleidoscope image reflects the subtle beauty you can experience when you strive to live in holiness. All is more united together peacefully.

Trapped in the Old Wineskin

Mark 2: 18-22

"...no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."

Well I have to admit when I first read these verses I am offended as I am getting up into the older segment of the population. Am I then to consider my self to be an old wineskin? A wineskin not worthy of new wine?

All joking aside the real issue in this chapter of Mark is the topic of fasting. Why or Why not? Obligation or not?

Once again we have the Pharisees trying to stir up trouble among the followers of Jesus. They try the same tactics a child may use with their parents. The child's argument may go something like...why does Johnny get to do ___, and I cannot? The Pharisees try to cause tension among the disciples. They try to make them believe that by not fasting as was customary they were doing something wrong. "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?"

Jesus responds with a reference to the wedding party where the guests would certainly not fast as long as they were with the bridegroom. Jesus is in effect saying this is one of those times when it is permissible to deviate from the norm. It is much like allowing your kids to stay up past their bedtime when their grandparents are visiting. When the grandparents leave things will return to normal; in bed at 8:30 pm. if that is the rule.

The Pharisees did not want things to change; and they certainly did not want Jesus to be the one instigating any changes. In reality the Pharisees felt very threatened by Jesus and all the he represented.

I do not think we are that different from the Pharisees. In many ways we do not like change either. Take a moment right now to think about the changes in your life that you do not like. I can think of many in my own life.

Fasting for that time period meant you did not eat anything not just meat. So you can imagine how grumpy some people were from not eating. Maybe that is the promary problem with the Pharisees; they were just hungry. I know when I am hungry I cannot even think straight; I get grouchy and short-tempered. (I am not trying to discuss the pros and cons of fasting here.)

Jesus was the new wineskin and the new wine the Pharisees were the old wineskins. They were blinded by their stict adherence to the old laws. They were unable to see any reason for not fasting. They could not rejoice in the Lord!

The original picture I chose for this kaleidoscope was of a bare winter tree,

because if we cannot change and move forward we will cease to grow;

we will remain as bare branches.

While I too am challenged by change I believe it is necessary.

May you find a way to embrace change in your life and see it as catalyst for growth.

Living on the Edge

Mark 2: 13-27

Jesus calls the tax collector.

Jesus is walking along the sea...If you are walking along the sea you are at the edge of the water. Jesus was on the edge with his message too. He chose to preach a message of love, healing, and mercy. He chose to deliver this message to lepers, paralytics, prostitutes, and now tax collectors.
Tax collectors were not your most likely followers of Jesus. The tax collectors were considered by some to be in the the category of sinners.

Jesus was 'living on the edge'.

To live on the edge is an idiom which means to have a type of life in which

you are often involved in exciting or dangerous activities.

Jesus placed himself in exciting and dangerous situations throughout his public ministry. He was not fearful of confrontation. He was not concerned with what others thougth about his actions.

He was certainly aware as word spread to all of what he was saying and doing. He knew his personal safety was in jeopardy, but he kept calmly moving among the peoples. He was busy about his father's business....spreading love and compassion.

As Jesus walked along the edge of the sea he was able to see the solid land on one side and the fluid water on the other hand. On the edge he was part of both; he could see the contrast. He is always able to see the contrast between good and evil. He is able to see the contrast within a person's soul. He is able to see the contrast in what you say and in how you live your life.

He is able to see the contrast between what we appear to be and what we are really.

This can bring a certain amount of comfort...knowing that your intentions are clearly seen by God. Some choose to ignore or deny this quality about God.

We can live our life on the edge too...stand up for what you know to be truth...speak kindly of others...express appreciation for the small things in your life...love without boundaries.

I chose this image of a person walking on the beach in order to capture the contrast of land and sea.

This kaleidoscope image shows both edges along the hexagon and contrasting colors.



Water into Wine

"Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5

These short sentence can change your life in a profound way. The first miracle Jesus performed was, as you know, at the marriage feast of Cana. He changed the water into wine. He did so as a result of his mother, Mary's, gentle request. Mary was not frustrated with Jesus' initial reaction, "Woman, how does this concern affect me? My hour has not yet come."

Jesus uses the common water jugs which had held water for the Jewish ceremonial washings. The guests and all present had seen that the water in these jus had been for cleansing. A cleansing that was required before they could partake of the food.

In the time of Jesus the Jewish people had hundreds of rules. The process of “carefully washing their hands” involved washing the hands before and after eating. The process required a person to take at least half an “egg-shell” of clear water and pour on both hands. The hands had to be free of gravel, dirt, mortar or any other contaminant. The hands had to lifted up so that the water would run down to the wrist in order to ensure that the whole hand was washed and the “dirty” water did not re-flow across the fingers. Then the hands were rubbed against one another. If the water did not flow down to the wrist, the Jewish rabbis said that the hands were not clean and the process had to be repeated. If the hands had gravel, dirt, mortar or other contaminants when the washing started, the process was repeated twice. However, the second time, the water had to flow from the wrist down over the fingers.

So all present knew the purpose of the water in the jugs. Jesus came to show us a new way and this is a good example. By using these specific water jugs for his first miracle he changes the meaning of not only the jugs, but more imporantly the water. Water, without which ther is no life!

The water becomes wine which will come to be his own blood poured out for us on the cross. And this wine could not be just plain ordinary wine it had to be the finest wine because it was a representation of his very being...it represented his very essence.

That day all present noticed and commented about the best wine being reserved for the end of the party. At the end of parties many people, having had too much to alcohol, would not even notice a change in the quality of the wine.

The ritual cleansing was going to be taken to a higher level as Jesus would offer himself for our salvation on the cross. Jesus would become the Living Water. 

I chose a photo of water to create this kaleidoscope image.

The marriage feast of Cana is the reference point for doing whatever God tells you. When you do God's will amazing things will happen in your life. Believe it!



Jesus, the Teacher

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." Buddha

In today's reading from the gospel of John we find Jesus interacting with two of his disciples. Two others passing by overheard their comments which sparked their curiosity. These two began to follow Jesus without speaking to him.

Have you ever had the feeling that someone was following you or near you before actually seeing them? It can be disturbing having a stranger following you. You do not know if their intention is to harm you. So it is a natural feeling to become more aware of the follower.

So sensing thteir presence Jesus turns around. Imagine how surprised they must have been when he turned and spoke to them. "What are you looking for?", he says to them. In other words 'why are you following me?' he implys.

Somehow they are either simply curious or have been moved through the Holy Spirit to seek this 'Teacher' out. Of couse Jesus invites them to "Come, and you will see." All good teachers invite and encourage their students to enter into the circle of learning...to join in the dialogue.

Today I invite you to ask yourself the disciples' question. What are You lokking for? You can find your answers by following the teachings of Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and life for all who follow him.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." Colossians 3:16

"Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:10

"If you are willing to listen, you will learn..." Sirach 6:33

Let these verses strengthen your trust in the Word.

Original picture: Jesus looking down at the world below form the cross. I chose this kaleidoscope image because moving from the center, Jesus, we move out to share his teachings with others.

Pearls of Wisdom

"I Wisdom, dwell with experience, and judicious knowledge I attain." Proverbs 8:12

Wisdom is of divine origin and is often personified as a woman.

Wisdom...what does it really mean?

The Canticle of Sirach says, Happy the man who meditated on wisdom and reflects on knowledge. Wisdom simple yet complex...attainable yet allusive.
Is wisdom reserved for scholars of the time? Can we come to acquire wisdom? The Saints did, but can we? Must we become philosophers? As adults we even grow wisdom teeth which usually end up being extracted, since they crowd the other teeth. We consider our elders to be repositories of societal wisdom.

In the first Letter of Saint John it is written..."As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything...remain in him" 1 John 2:27 Does that mean wisdom will come in spite of ourselves?

While wisdom may be difficult to define it is innately recognized by others. Wisdom is a deeper understanding of what really matters.

Famous people like Einstein have been labeled as having great wisdom. Ancient Buddhism is firmly rooted in wisdom. Wisdom is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It seems that we value what wisdom holds for us. We are surrounded by knowledge, google wikipeadia, but wisdom patiently lies in waiting.

Today I pray for a deeper understanding of wisdom to always know the difference.
Ask God to lead you in the path of wisdom toward greater peace and happiness in your life.

I offer this prayer to you written by one of my favorite authors, Joyce Rupp.

A Prayer for Openness

Remember the Holy One is with you. Bring to mind this loving presence within you and around you as you pray the following:

1. Touch your fingertips to your forehead saying: Open my mind to remember your presence.
2. Touch your fingertips to your mouth, saying: Open my mouth to speak your wisdom.
3. Touch your fingertips to your heart, saying: Open my heart to extend your love.
4. Hold both hands out, open, palms up, saying: Open my hands to serve you generously.
5. Holding arms wide open, saying: Open my whole being to you.

Make a deep bow to the loving presence in you.

I chose a picture of Hot Air Balloons to create this Kaleidoscope

because wisdom lifts my heart and mind to greater heights.

Blessings

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we also celebrate the birth of a new year. A new year filled with hopes for something better. We always hope for something better. I guess that is a good thing if we truly strive to be better in our lives.

We pray today for God to be gracious and bless us. We ask for blessings upon this new year. we ask for blessings for ourselves. It is only with the blessings of the Lord God that we can ever hope to be a better person.

We pray today for our world to be renewed in the peace only God can call forth.

We pray today for God to let his face shine upon us and be gracious to us.

We pray with the understanding and proof sent by God through the Spirit into our hearts that we are no longer slaves but daughters and sons. If we are daughters and sons then we are also heirs, through God. We affectionately cry out, "Abba, Father!"

We pray for God in his kindness and mercy to begin all good things for us in this new year and

to bring them to fulfillment in his time.

May all these blessings fo the Almighty Father remain in us and bring us joy and contentment.

I have appointed peace your governor, and justice your ruler. Is. 60:17

May the peace of God born in Jesus Christ be the future for which we hope and toward which we strive. (adapted from the Magnificat)

Other scripture inspiration from Numbers 6:24-26 and Galatians 4:6-7

Scripture4You

Please join me in celebrating January 1,2012 the beginning of

Scripture 4 You

I will be posting daily short reflections based on one of the scriptures of the day.

I truly believe that scripture is the Living Word.

I believe each day scripture holds a gem for all readers.

I invite you to join me as I uncover what the scripture means to me for each day.

If you love the Bible then this is the place for you.

I welcome all visitors to come and journey with me.

I look forward to our time together.

Come back to see how I connect kaleidoscopes to scripture.

With Love,

Faith Twins