I am Sustained by Your Grace

~~~Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8~~~Psalm 138~~~1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11~~~Luke 5:1-11~~~

All of the earth is filled with his glory.

His splendor and his grandeur are more magnificent than that of any other King.

All the heavens cry out...

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!
All the earth is filled with his glory!”

In His presence, the praising flames purged all sinfulness.

So filled with joy, that joining the angels in singing his praises was all consuming.

We too can be so filled with joy and the love of God that when he calls out

we can hardly wait to answer...

“Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

Send me, Lord.

I want to dwell in your house all the days of my life.

I come to do your will.

Speak, Lord your servant is listening.

We are so eager to serve him that we nearly trip over our own two feet.

But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.

We know that it is only through the abundant grace of God

that we can even consider serving him , praising him, or loving him.

It is through his grace that we have our being.

Without his grace we would be like a fish lying on the dry beach gasping for air.

His grace keeps us longing for more of it.

A fish is happy when he can swim freely in the abundance of water.

The disciples were happiest when they were catching an abundance of fish.

They were happiest when their nets were near bursting capacity.

We must lower ourselves into the deep waters of God's grace.

Here in his grace we will be safe.

Here in his grace we will not be afraid.

Here in his grace we can walk away from all of our earthly possessions

and follow him.

For he is holy and when he calls it is right that we should

 follow him without hesitation.

His grace has not been wasted on you.

When you have your greatest doubts his grace will come and fill your soul.

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord

Your grace sustains me.

Rest in the Arms of the Shepherd

 

~~~ Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21~~~ Psalm 23 ~~~ Mark 6:30-34 ~~~

 

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

 

Today the concept of a shepherd is not very meaningful,

because we rarely even see one.

We live in cities surrounded by concrete and asphalt,

not in the grass covered countryside.

 

We must rely on what we are told about the care and concern

a shepherd has for his flock.

Or we can take the time to research into how much

in the olden days a shepherd truly cared for each of his sheep.

 

If we can trust that God is the ultimate Good Shepherd

then we can afford the luxury of

going away to rest for a while.

 

He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

 

Today I remember the many places around the world where war and violence

prevail. Where people can never find themselves able to go away.

Where they can never find a deserted place to rest.

How can there be rest when you live in the fear of being killed each moment?

 

I thank God that he has put me in a place where finding rest is possible.

 

 

I pray for those who are restless...

those who have lost there way...those who cannot see God as their shepherd...

those who cannot believe that God cares for them.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

His Promise is for You

 

~~~ Heb 13:1-8 ~~~ Psalm 27 ~~~ Mk 6:14-29 ~~~

 

I will never forsake you or abandon you.

 

These are the very words spoken by Jesus himself.

How can we just ignore them and cling to our insecurities?

Are his words not sufficient for us?

 

Look at those words...read them again to yourself...

hover over each individual word...

let it bulge off the page.

This is your message from God today.

Look it is actually addressed to you.

 

There's no ignoring it.

There's no denying it.

He will always be there for you, even when you cannot see him.

He will never abandon you even when you feel as if he has vanished.

 

 

 

Even Herod wondered just how far God

would go to make good on his promise to never abandon us.

Herod feared John the Baptist because he knew him to be a holy man.

Surely God would not abandon such a person as John.

Herod was more than a little intrigued when John spoke to him,

but at the same time he was afraid.

 

When you are headed down the wrong path it can be very unsettling

to hear of God's justice and peace.

It is much easier to ignore or deny that which makes you uncomfortable.

Herod distracts himself with youth and beauty.

It makes him 'feel' better at least in his physical body.

 

I will never forsake you or abandon you.

 

Read those words again.

Read them until you believe what they represent.

Read them until you can finish the complete circle of meaning...

until you can say,

The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?

The many saints we have in our church today

truly held these words to be true in their mind, body,

heart and soul.

We all have our fears that is normal,

but they can be controlled if we will just

hold on to these words.

We are back to the overarching theme of Faith once again.

 

As our pastor would say,

'This is good stuff!'

No, you do not have to die for your faith to believe these words.

You can realize them in your life each and every day.

 

So what are you waiting for?

Come on, let's go. Grab his hand and 'be not afraid'.

Spruce up your Faith and believe.

You are Loved!

Carry No Baggage

~~~ Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 ~~~ Psalm 48 ~~~ Mark 6:7-13 ~~~

 

Moses went alone and stood before God trembling...

Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”

Moses saw fire and darkness.

He heard the voice of God rumble down upon him.

 

In contrast we have been given the beautiful

heavenly vision through Jesus.

We see the city of the living God...

angels and spirits of the just made perfect...

'...and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.'

 

Our vision is one of hope and everlasting life.

We see the living God of Love.

 

Jesus sends out the disciples not alone as Moses was,

but he sends them out in pairs.

By now the disciples have become friends.

They all share a common goal to bring the good news

about Jesus to as many people as possible.

 

Going on a journey with a friend gives your additional courage.

You can help one another. You can be strong for each other.

You can support the other person.

 

 

Jesus sent them out encouraging them to trust his wisdom.

Just the act of their obedience increased their faith.

Each step they took into every town,

 their faith was strengthened.

They began to believe that they could accomplish their mission.

They had nothing but the bare necessities with them...

A walking stick, sandals, and each other.

 

It is best when you reach out to others to carry no baggage with you.

It is better to keep an open mind.

Jesus also urged them to not hold on to ill will hurled toward them....

 

"...Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."

 

It is better to move on rather than engage in a confrontation

or a battle of wits.

There is an old saying that says...

when the student is ready the teacher will come.

I think the same is true in the spiritual realm of our lives;

when the soul is ready the wisdom and understanding will come.

Be Blessed today and Know that you are Loved.

Faith Smothered by Barriers

~~~ Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 ~~~ Psalm 103~~~ Mark 6:1-6 ~~~

 

As so typical of we humans, we try to fit God, in this case Jesus,

 into our own trite understanding.

Jesus has returned home after being on the road.

It is always good to be at home with family and friends.

 

When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!

 

Jesus was home they knew his humble background and

could not justify this knowledge with his actions.

 

They actually took offense at him....

Were they jealous of who he had become?

Why were they not proud to have such a person

from their local community?

Instead they wanted him to stay small minded just as they were.

 

Jesus addresses their skepticism.

He understands their doubts and only minimally

uses his gifts while at home.

He was amazed at their lack of faith.

 

It is difficult if not impossible to build upon a faith

that is non existent.

It is impossible for a person's faith to increase

when they keep throwing up barriers.

While Jesus must have been disappointed,

he accepted them where they were...

Just as he accepts us where we are,

I might add.

 

 

Strive for peace with everyone,
and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,
that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,
through which many may become defiled.

 

Everyone who has gone before us for some two thousand years

stands before us witnesses of the magnificence of God.

Whatever trials and hardships we encounter along the way

someone before us has gracefully endured.

We must be strengthened and encouraged by this knowledge.

 

Remembering God is always with us

no matter what kind of storm rages around us.

He will create from the storm a rainbow of love and compassion.

Never doubt what God is capable to do for you

or even through you.

Allow God to be at home in your life,

this is where he wants to be...

you and him together.

It does not get any better, my friends.

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

 

Remove the barriers; so your faith can flourish.

"Do Not Be Afraid; Just Have Faith"

~~~ Hebrews 12:1-4 ~~~ Psalm 22 ~~~ Mark 5:21-43 ~~~

 

When Jesus had crossed to the other side...

one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him, Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”

...There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

 “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”

 “Who has touched my clothes?”

 

“Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

 

 

This story is included by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Perhaps it is one of the most important messages about faith.

In this year of faith it is fitting that we should examine and reflect upon this gospel.

 

I invite you to spend some extra time with this gospel today.

Try to put yourself into the scene.

Look at how you exercise your faith.

 

Is it like the synagogue official Jairus?

Do you sneak over to the Lord in fear of reproach?

 

Is your faith more like the afflicted woman?

Do you believe when all else has failed?

Do you believe because someone else told you of his healing power?

Do you believe as a last resort? She was ill for twelve years.

 

 

Do you believe as a child?

She knew her father would do everything in his power to make her better.

The child, of twelve, may not have heard of this man called Jesus,

but her father knew of him.

Her father interceded on her behalf.

 

Do you wait for others to intercede on your behalf?

Is your faith pure like that of a child?

 

When did you begin to doubt?

How can you strengthen your own faith?

 

I do not have the answers each of you need today.

I look for examples of faith...

in others as well as in my own life.

Pay attention when you are exercising your faith.

It is a great gift we have been given.

We can actually believe that which we cannot see.

Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist every time we receive the bread and wine.

Be a Blessing to someone in need today.

Let Your Hearts Take Comfort

~~~ Hebrews 11: 32-40 ~~~ Psalm 31 ~~~ Mark 5:1-20 ~~~

 

 Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

 

People endured horrific tortures through their strong faith...

even being cut in half, devoured by lions and stoned to death.

 

One man tortured by unseen forces breaks his chains and presents himself

before Jesus. He begs to be released from the legion

of evil spirits that had held him hostage for many years.

 

Hearing of the powers of Jesus he drew all the strength

 he had left within to come to Jesus.

Somehow he saw Jesus as his hope to be free of his chains

and tormented body.

 

By all accounts this man was uncontrollable.

He lived among the dead in the cemetery...where decay and stench

surrounded him night and day.

He was surrounded by death on all sides.

 

In his distraught state of mind he was bruising his body with stones,

nothing he could do would free him from the legions of demons.

 

Nothing can stop Jesus from saving anyone who comes to him.

This man had nothing to lose and everything to gain by coming to Jesus.

 

All in that time knew that a legion was some 6,000 soldiers.

No matter how awful.

No matter the number.

Nothing is too great or terrible for Jesus.

 

He was to conquer death itself.

 

 

 

Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,
he ran up and prostrated himself before him,
crying out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”
(He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”)
He asked him, “What is your name?”
He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.”
And he pleaded earnestly with him
not to drive them away from that territory.

Jesus even listened to the unclean spirits plea to be spared.

As they requested, He sent them into the herd of swine nearby.

The swine could not survive with these evil spirits inside their flesh.

They swine went mad and stampeded themselves right

off the cliff into the sea where they drowned.

 

The people who had witnessed these things were themselves terrified.

They were terrified at the power of Jesus.

His power was stronger than a legion of demons.

They feared his power.

They were not sure just how he might use it in the future.

What if he used against them?

What if he could see something within

 that they themselves could not see?

 

We tend to fear the unknown.

We tend to fear that which we cannot understand.

They could not understand the casting out of demons from the tormented man.

The tormented man, on the other hand, did not seek to understand.

He was just grateful for his release from the demons

 who had help him hostage for so long.

 

This is exactly what sin does to our soul...

sin holds our souls as hostage.

We try to make deals with ourselves.

We end up becoming more and more frustrated with each attempt until...

we abandon our self to Jesus.

He alone is the one who can cast out our demons.

 Live in freedom!

 Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.