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!



The All-Inclusive Gift

Today is the traditional day we celebrate the Magi's arrival to the Christ child. We have created a wonderful scenario around this event. And whether or not you buy into the whole following the star business the message is still powerful to me.

Jesus came to be the Savior to all of us. Jesus came so that we all might have eternal life.

Mary and Joseph traveled away from their home for the birth of Jesus. He was born in a poverty painted environment. The poor shepherds came as they were tending their sheep. The angels sang from on high. And then the three wise men arrived bearing gifts worthy of a king. They brought fine kingly gifts to a baby...a baby that would bring salvation to all.

These three wise men also represented the richness available to us if we believe and follow Jesus. If we but 'Come and See' as we have heard in the last couple gospels. These three wise men were from very different backgrounds than the shepherds...

You see eternal life is an all inclusive deal. The gift of salvation is an all or nothing package.

John tells us in today's reading from his first letter Chapter 5:11-12, "...God gave us eternal life, and this life is in the Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." John is speaking with passion for what he knows to be truth. He wants his readers and listeners to catch his wave of passion. He says I am writing these things because I want you to know that you have eternal life. He is sharing the Good News!

You cannot believe in something you do not know anything about. He is pumping up their faith and our faith. We too need to be reminded of the promise of our eternal life.

It is a challenge to believe in something that would last for eternity. We have nothing concrete with which to compare eternity. There is no reference point. What does eternity mean to you?

We measure everything by time. Even if we look to the heavens for the meaning of eternity we are fooled. Scientists today have learned, through powerful telescopes, so much about our Universe. We now know stars are born and die daily. So even they cannot represent eternity to us.

Today as we are reminded of the three wise men let us also remember that the promise of eternal life is for all who believe without exception. Rejoice in this truth!

The original picture is of the Resurrection.

This kaleidoscope image reflects to me the magnificent light of eternal life.



Under the Fig Tree

Have you ever been surprised by being singled out in a crowd of people? I have.

Several years ago I was attending a local conference where Thomas Keating was a speaker. I have been very fond of his writings for some time. He reminds me of how God the Father might appear. If I had to create an earthly image of him. His demeanor is that of a loving, caring father. We would all cherish such an endearing father figure. He is a Catholic monk.

While in the lobby during a break I noticed a group of people gathered around him, just I have imagined Jesus had people gathered around him. I walked up to join the group and something quite astonishing happened. It was so unusual that I am sure I will never forget it. He immediately turned toward me and said, "I don't think I have met you yet." He reached out his hand as I introduced my self to him. He was so totally present; not just to the group, but to me personally.

I was reminded of this story while reading today's gospel from John 1: 43-51. The scene is Jesus decides to go to Galilee where he recruits Philip. Philip is so excited that he runs to invite Nathaniel to join them too. Today Philip would post on Facebook or send a Twitter announcement.
Nathaniel was reluctant at first saying, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" But Philip being a diligent friend says look just "Come and see". Philip was saying in effect humor me and if this is not for you fine; you can go your own way.

But what happens next to Nathaniel totally takes him by surprise. Jesus addresses him as if he already knows him well. "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Imagine how Nathaniel must have felt. He did not know Jesus and yet Jesus greets him with conviction about who he is...an honest child of Israel. In Nathaniel there is no deceptiveness. Jesus saw right into the very soul of Nathaniel.

Jesus had seen Nathaniel under the fig tree...maybe in the shadows...maybe half behind the trunk. Perhaps he was curious, but did not want to get too close or mingle with the crowd.

Perhaps Jesus had already chosen Nathaniel at first sight; knowing how clean was his heart. We do not know. Jesus shares in just a few words an amazing revelation..."You will see greater  things than this."
I can only imagine how stunned Nathaniel must have been. A holy day dawned on Nathaniel under the fig tree that day. He was forever a changed man.
Thomas Keating will hold a dear place in my heart for a long time as a reminder of how Jesus sees others.

I chose the original image of a modern jazz dance because Nathaniel's life will never be the same. He became a new man that day Under the Fig Tree.

 

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.

The Name of Jesus

"At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:10-11)

That is certainly a typical St. Paul sentence; chock full of food for thought. So what is Paul saying? At the very name of Jesus we should be genuflecting along with all creatures no matter where they may be, but we should also speak our beliefs.

I know plenty people who speak the name of Jesus, but it is certainly not to praise him in the least. Instead the very anem of Jesus is taken in vain, used to curse. I have never understood how cursing Jesus could make anyone feel better. How can cursing with the name of Jesus improve things? Why is it so easy to curse with the name of Jesus?

I don't often hear people saying, 'thank you, Jesus', except sometimes around the church.

When I was in my Catholic boarding school, St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi, the nuns taught us to bow our heads each time the name of Jesus passed through our lips. It soon became a habit that today I still practice. It seems fitting to perform some kind of outward sign to reverence his holy name. Especially when I pray the Rosary, even silently, I bow my head when I say the name of Jesus. I am not sure if today it is practical to actually bend your knee each time we pray the name of Jesus. I think Paul was trying to impress upon his listeners then and us today how blessed and powerful the name of Jesus was then and is now.

Paul continues by adding that when we say the name of Jesus we are also affirming our belief the Jesus is one with the Father. We give glory to God the Father as well as the Son when we say the name of Jesus.

There is in the Eastern church a popular devotion to the name of Jesus called the Jesus Prayer or the Prayer of the Heart. It is sometimes prayed on beads such as the rosary. Reciting the Jesus Prayer becomes a mantra when repeated several times throughout the day. It is a quiet personal way to pray keeping Jesus ever present in your mind, on your heart and lips.

"Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner!" or simply repeating the name of "Jesus".

My prayer for today is that you begin to focus more attention on the name of Jesus, either through the reverent bowing of your head or through the practice of the Jesus Prayer.

If you want more information on the Jesus Prayer here is one source:
The Jesus Prayer

I chose this original picture because it was of a woman sitting at the feet of Jesus looking up into his face. This kaleidoscope captures the image of the beauty of the name of Jesus.

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