Oh no! Not again, again. Utter outrage is not enough. The bottom line if not obvious, is this, There are no excuses, There are no good reasons, There is no lower we can go, Beyond bottom is where we already are.
Over and over, we say no more, But here we are, again, and again, More than once more, By many more. As if it’s never enough.
Too much! More than enough already. Violence begets violence, But I’m not violent, One might say, But if we’re being honest, Aren’t we all, In some way?
Thinking carefully, Competition here and there, Competition everywhere. Through the years, Things get turned upside down, Words get mixed, Intentions sway, Power plays, Hands shake, All as if nobody is the wiser.
Enough already! Place the value in what’s valuable! Get over self-inflation, Turn right side up, and Come back down to earth. Look reality in the face, And address it wholeheartedly. Join each other as One nation.
Stop the violence, Stop it now. No more loss. None! Not any! It ought to be common sense. That’s what ought to be automatic.
Consider communicating (and re-communicating) to elected officials concerns and wishes regarding gun control and reform to laws, and exercise the right to vote to put people in office who will work to address gun violence more effectively. Pray, because prayer never hurts, and can only help. In addition, the following is a short list of organizations working to increase awareness and stop gun violence.
There was darkness all around. Not a sound, but that of waves gently breaking, making their way across the sand and rocks, back and forth, to and from. Not a sight, until the sun began its approach, gradually awakening the sky, before peeking up over the horizon.
Then what a sight. Silhouette or shadow? May be solo, but not alone. Freely flying, but in a line, parallel, heart of purpose and direction. Gliding, steady, peaceful, true in its presence… in its likeness… Silhouette.
“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.” – Rev 21:22-23
Watching as the branches fill in, flowers blossom, pollen wafts through the air, and Spring burgeons and unfolds, there is a sense of awe. In the Book of Revelation, it is written, “The One who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” (Rev 21:5a). Not some things, or only certain things, but all things. Thinking about this, I cannot help but consider this concept further and ask, “Am I open to all things being made new by God?”
The flowers grow and open, pretty much wherever they are planted. And certainly, there are some conditions necessary for their maturity and well-being—light, water, nutrients, and some level of protection from harsher elements and realities. However, the things vital to their growth can be found or seep in even in unexpected places, and overall, flowers grow where they will.
In chapter 14, verses 21-27, of the Acts of the Apostles, we continue to learn of the experiences of Paul and Barnabas as they travel on, inspired by their discipleship desire. Their journey leads them back to Antioch, the place of resistance from where they were expelled in chapter 13.
It is written:
“From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” – (verses 26-27)
Imagine. God called them to something more, launching something new from the very place that was not open to receiving them at the time. It turns out God had somewhere else in mind for them. How did they react or respond?
Paul and Barnabas were willing to let go of their notions and allow themselves to be led to other territories where they not only experienced what God had in mind, but also deepened their faith. Eventually, they were led back to Antioch, where, because of God who makes all things new, they were able to meet resistance with something more, something stronger, faithful witness to the Glory of God.
So just as flowers grow where they will, so too Paul and Barnabas… so too us. If we are open to it.
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we read about the experience of Paul and Barnabas touching the hearts of the Gentiles (perhaps seen as the outsiders) while enraging those considering themselves more as chosen, but of a different persuasion. Things seem to get off to a good start, but then the atmosphere changes. However, despite the change to an overwhelmingly inhospitable environment, the disciples hold firm to the Way even as they are being thrown out of Antioch. We read, “So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium” (Acts 13:51).
It’s interesting that Paul and Barnabas left Antioch, a city whose name means, “resistant, holding out against” and went on to Iconium, which means “City of the Image,” where they were more well-received, at least for a little while, before being led on to other territories. As with Jesus, with the disciples, there is always room for choice; they do not practice coercion.
We also read in this section of Scripture, “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:51-52). What a combination! What’s it like to consider this disposition on the heels of them being expelled from Antioch? In what ways do you see the influence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in the reactions and responses of Paul and Barnabas, and their willingness to be led by the will of God, which is not rigid, and they cannot, and do not, know ahead of time?
In the Gospel according to John, Jesus says:
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” – Jn 10:27-30
Contemplating the Gospel as the living Word of God, if someone told you a story about an inhospitable experience, perhaps one that caused them to pick up and leave, how would you receive what they shared? What if their experience occurred in a place where your experience was more, or only, positive? How open would you be to giving an honest look to the situation? And what would you be most interested in learning about their experience?
Keeping in mind, we are all created in God’s image, and we all belong to the sheepfold, how do you accept the invitation to trust that the same God who loves you, loves them, and that the same God who guides you, guides them, even if their choices and experiences may not be the same as yours?
In what ways, are your responses to people and situations a reflection of the Good Shepherd, and a heart that is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit?
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. – Acts 13:14, 43-52
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