Anna Speaks Piercing Words

~~~ 1 John 2:12-17 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Luke 2:36-40 ~~~

The presentation of the child Jesus in the temple
was much more than simply fulfilling a ritualistic law.
This presentation was a validation of who this child truly was...
it confirmed his heritage as the Messiah.

The one sent by God had indeed come to dwell among his people.
God in all of his divinity took on our humanness to the letter of the law.
It would have been very odd and unusual for Mary and Joseph
to have not taken their son, Jesus, to the temple.

The Gospel today gives us another bone chilling picture
of how significant this temple visit was for all of peoples.

There was a prophetess, Anna...

She was advanced in years, a widow...
She never left the temple...

She worshiped, fasted, and prayed.
Ultimately Anna, like Simeon, believed in the prophecies
they had heard their entire life.
I wonder if I would have had such a steadfast faith.

Would I have been honest enough with Mary to reveal to her
 the sadness slated to come her way?

Would I have been more concerned about ruining her joy
from consecrating her son to God?

In spite the destiny of Jesus he remained with his parents,
just as any normal ordinary child does.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

This was the most private time in the life of Jesus.
We can only presume that his family life was typical
for that time and place.

This was the time Mary got to know and love her son
more and more with each passing day.

He learned about life from Mary and Joseph,
but he also grew in the wisdom from his Father in heaven...
the one who sent him to be one of us.

Anna...
gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

She had one chance to speak about the child to his parents...
She had one chance to give thanks to God for this child.

Mary had years to give thanks to God for giving her this child, Jesus.

How she must have loved him each day.
How she must have pondered in her heart
the things she was told that day in the temple about her son.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. 

Loving the things of the world will, in the end,
 only bring frustration and disappointment.

Follow the lead of Mary.
She loved in the midst of sorrow...
She loved when crushing news about her son was delivered to her..
She loved when most mothers would have become
 too frantic and disturbed to remain in joy.

We are blessed to have holy scriptures to confirm
Jesus as our Savior and Messiah.
We join Anna in giving thanks.
We join Mary in loving her son, Jesus.
~~~Peace & Joy~~~

Technicolor Prophecies

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

~~~ Is. 35:4-7a ~~~ Psalm 146 ~~~ James 2: 1-5 ~~~ Mark 7: 31-37 ~~~

 

The Prophet Isaiah is foretelling the wonderful things that will happen

when the Messiah comes.

"...Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you..."

 

When I was little we were excited to have our very first tiny black and white television. We would gather around this colorless box to be entertained.

Back then we could only dream of how a color picture might eventually be seen from the same box. The two telescopic antennae rising high above the box made it seem that much more unreal. How was the picture coming into that box?

What part did those silver antennas play?

 

When Jesus came, through his public ministry he began

to fulfill the prophecies.

The prophets were like watching the black and white TV.

When Jesus came all that he said and did was

so much more vivid than the prophecies had foretold.

 

Jesus was the prophecies brought to life in technicolor.

He was the first reality show, to tap into their current popularity.

Can you imagine the reporters and cameramen of today following Jesus around.

Capturing on real time video everything he did...what he ate...who he cured...the words of his parables...his common hand gestures as he spoke...his facial expressions.

His private times away in prayer.

 

The promises Isaiah is proclaiming...

  

"...Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water..."

 

The psalm goes on the sing of all that the Lord does...

...gives food...

...sets captives free...

...sight to blind...

...protects strangers...

...sustaining orphans and widows...

 

Jesus could have just walked about the countryside

without interacting with anyone near him

and still worked his miracles.

 

But instead he interacted with people as a compassionate

caring person.

A real caring person.

Jesus brought the prophecies to life in technicolor.

 

 

Without the death and Resurrection of Jesus

our own lives would have not have the

opportunity to live in technicolor.

 

We can choose to have our eyes and ears opened

by this very same person of God...

Jesus.

 

He does still open the eyes and ears of those who believe today.

Allow God to bring the technicolor back into your life.

Pay attention...

your eyes and ears will

 "Be opened!" --

"Ephphatha!"--

May your blessings today

be not only in technicolor but in high definition.

He Puts Gladness in Our Heart

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19 ~~~ Psalm 4 ~~~ 1John 2: 1-5a ~~~ Luke 24: 35-48

We are reminded again of the promises from God to his chosen people passed down for many years. God brings forth his promises no matter what; so repent now and be converted that your sins may be wiped away.

Peter makes a strong accusation, ‘the author of life you put to death...’

An author takes pride and ownership over what he or she creates. To be accused of killing the one who authors life it pretty strong language. In spite of what was done God intervened and made all things right again. The words of the prophets had to be fulfilled.

The Lord answers when we call...he does wonders for his faithful one...the light of his face shines upon us...he puts gladness in our heart and brings us to a peaceful sleep. (Psalm 4)

All of these things confirm what Paul teaches...we do indeed have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. He came in fulfillment of the scriptures to wipe out all our sin. And Paul wants us to know that God accepts our weakness, and wants us to know that he will act as our ‘defense attorney’.

We can never hear he stories from the upper room too many times. The more I hear them and let them sink into my heart the more real they become. I can take myself there. I can hear Jesus saying, ‘Peace be with you.’

Jesus reminds them... The words of the prophets had to be fulfilled.

He reminds them that their part of the prophecies is to go forth from the upper room and preach the forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations.

The continuation of the prophecies was now up to them.

At the end of each liturgical service we too are sent forth in fulfillment of the prophecies. We too are to spread the message of forgiveness and unconditional love.

I challenge you to tell just one person today the Jesus loves them and forgives them.