From the warmth of Christmas, Hearts brighten and faces glow; Generosity abounds.
The origin of one and all Drawing out our spirits; His Spirit placed within.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. – Colossians 3:15a, 16a
Reflecting on this Christmas and the days surrounding it, envision your heart resting within the heart of the Lord. What feelings and experiences come to mind? How was your heart moved?
The following is the Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph:
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean. – Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
What speaks to your heart most from the above passage? What quality or characteristic would you assign to it?
Again, thinking of Christmas, the birth of our Lord, and the days surrounding it, what do you desire to carry forward? What does the Lord desire for you?
The readings for the First Sunday of Advent begin with the prophet Isaiah’s vision:
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” – Isaiah 2:1-5
What does your vision of walking in the light of the Lord look like?
Picture yourself ascending the mountain to receive instruction from the Lord. Be attuned to the stirrings of your heart as you do so. Thinking about your ways (words, actions, and general way of being), ask the Lord to join.
Letting the Lord be the judge, what adjustments might help you to greater reflect the image of God?
The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 122 (verses 1-9):
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
What phrase(s) draws your attention most? In what way does it strike a chord with you? Spend some time praying with this verse(s). How are you inspired? Share the thoughts and feelings that arise with the Lord. Ask the Lord to deepen your understanding and the grace to embody the wisdom of this psalm.
In the Second Reading (Romans 13:11-14), St. Paul writes that time is of the essence as he urges the Christians in Rome to embrace that which is eternal, the Light of Christ, over “works of darkness” (verse 12). Knowing that works of darkness can enter through the disguise of light and that the Light of Christ is not stagnant, in what ways do you invite the Lord to be with you as you make decisions, and how do you keep the Lord in your heart and on your mind, as you proceed through the tasks of each day? Ask the Lord to help you in areas you find challenging and to awaken you to areas of potential growth.
The Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent is from Matthew, chapter 24, verses 37-44:
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
“Stay awake!”, “be prepared,” the time is unknown to you. It could happen in the next breath, far into the future, or somewhere in between. What is your initial reaction to this Gospel passage? And, in what ways does it move you?
Part of awareness and preparation involves thinking about when something will be coming or how long it might last. However, no matter how much one might plan, things can change. And while there are things that one can do regularly to be ready, faithfulness to God is about holding fast to the Lord with an openness or flexibility that allows one to cooperate with His grace. In this way, impediments to staying awake and being prepared are cast out, rather than interfering with discernment and a greater sense of God’s will.
What gets in the way of your openness to change, or things being different than what you thought, hoped for, or planned? Think of a situation where you were open to change. What was that like? And what role did prayer play in it?
Now think of a situation where you were resistant or hesitant to change because what you saw was different than your way of thinking, your approach, or what you pictured. What were you clinging to that removed the choice of being flexible? Ask the Lord to step through this situation with you and for the willingness to accept His point of view, whether it includes reaffirmation, further instruction, or gentle correction.
Continue to reflect on and pray with the insights revealed to you throughout the week. Ask for the grace to be inspired and guided by the will of God, and the desire to draw closer to God this Advent.
Show us, Lord, your mercy; grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85:8
In the Gospel passage for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus says to his disciples,
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” – Luke 12:51
It’s not that Jesus wants there to be division, but rather that he knows reality.
One cannot get to peace by holding fast to anything or anyone other than God. And peace, like love, when honest and true, flows through to us by the grace of God, continues with our cooperation, and connects one and all. There’s always an extension onto others.
However, when one looks to differentiate, judge, or draw hard lines, venturing or being led away from grace, the extension gets cut off. For the peace and love of God does not occur in strict isolation, or in a single caste. Similarly, it cannot be had where there is holding back, or where humility lacks.
Take some time to pray with and consider how you experience peace and love. Express to the Lord your thoughts and feelings about the experiences that come to mind.
Next, ask the Lord for guidance and insight as to the ways that what you say and do, and what you don’t say and don’t do, are or can be an extension of the peace and love that has been bestowed to you. Allow yourself time to reflect on this and to hold a conversation with Jesus.
Envision sitting together in a place of quiet solitude. Share with Jesus whatever it is that you need at this moment. Ask Jesus to reveal any blind spots that may be interfering or leading you away from cooperating with God’s grace. What holds you back?
When the conversation reaches its end, picture yourself looking into Jesus’s eyes and feeling his peace radiating throughout you. Your heart is on fire. Jesus smiles gently at you—living faith.
We are living faith, through the choices that we make.
Eastertide through days and nights, forty… fifty… ever more. It is truly right and just, here, above, and all around. Presence of mind, truthful heart; the soul of goodness triumphs.
Genuine faith, obeying, not tyrant, nor king—Savior. Wanting good for goodness sake, bearing with things, not grasping, nor pulling apart, as if at odds, and fighting within.
In a boat fishing around, who’s there? What sides are you on? Is it right, or something else? Casting nets, or casting stones? From where does your wisdom come? What sentiments control you?
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. – John 21:15-17
The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 8:1-11) can be seen as providing an opportunity to consider what’s at the root of one’s reactions and the ensuing responses or decisions to the situations or news that arises from day to day.
Read the passage below to familiarize yourself with the situation described.
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” – John 8:1-11
Next, take some time to revisit this reading from different perspectives.
First, put yourself in the shoes of the crowd. You’ve come to see and listen to this new teacher. What has drawn you to him?
Envision yourself listening to Jesus preach when suddenly, there’s an interruption. A group of men push there way through the crowd, pulling along and forcibly putting a woman into the middle of the gathering. Then they publicly call her out and ask the new teacher what he has to say about the impending doom called for by the law. What’s your first thought or feeling? What do you imagine the expression on Jesus’s face is as this is happening?
Allow yourself time to process and discuss with Jesus what it’s like to be in the crowd, witnessing this occurrence.
Next, put yourself in the shoes of the scribes and Pharisees. What do you imagine led them to essentially drag the woman, not only to where Jesus was, but also to where there was a crowd around him? The passage tells us they wanted to test Jesus. What about consideration of the woman?
Invite Jesus into the thoughts and feelings that come up as you contemplate this perspective. Ask Jesus to show you if there are areas where you might be prioritizing something to the extent that it causes a blind eye toward side effects, such as disregard for the circumstances and/or well-being of others.
Now, put yourself in the shoes of the woman caught in adultery. What’s it like to envision being forcibly taken from one place to another, put in the middle of a crowd, having your transgressions publicized, and being used as a pawn, as you await your fate, which doesn’t look good according to Mosaic law, and may or may not be determined by this new teacher?
Again, share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus. Ask him to impart wisdom and grace to you in whatever challenges you face. Also ask him to reveal anything that might be detracting from your ability to be at your best and/or to choose what is best in His eyes.
Finally, put yourself in Jesus’s shoes. You’re preaching to a crowd that has gathered around you. You see and sense the need in each person’s face. Your heart, full of peace, love, and purpose, is moved with compassion. As you’re speaking, the scribes and Pharisees arrive with the woman in tow. What do you notice most as this interruption is occurring? What’s happening internally, and from where does your response come?
Allow yourself time to pray and reflect on this experience with Jesus. What insight does Jesus want you to prioritize at this moment in your life? In what ways, and toward what, is your heart, full of peace, love, and purpose, moved with compassion?
Where can Divinity meet, and raise, your humanity for the greater glory of God?
Hope rooted in the Lord, is well placed; with the Lord, nothing is impossible.
The response to the Psalm for the Third Sunday of Lent is, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:8). In last Sunday’s second reading (Philippian’s 3:17-4:1), St. Paul encourages discipleship with a focus on the Lord and the goal of citizenship in heaven, and instructs us to “Stand firm in the Lord.” (Phil 4:1). What happens when you reflect on the Lord’s nature as being both firm and kindhearted at the same time?
Continuing to think about the Lord’s characteristics, Let’s turn to the Gospel passage, the Samaritan Woman (John 4:5-42 – included below). Through the ebb and flow of their conversation, what touches your heart most about Jesus, the Samaritan woman, and their interaction? In what places do you sense firmness? And kindness? How do the two characteristics work together, and what do they bring about?
Next, take some time to consider a situation(s) you are currently facing. In what ways are your faith experience and your beliefs working? Do they expand your heart, or constrict it? How do they fit with “stand firm in the Lord” and “harden not your heart,” coming together for what is best. Invite Jesus to join you in prayer and to share His insights and guidance as you ponder this further.
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”
At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.” Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” – John 4:5-42
Driving on the highway on a clear but overcast winter morning one moment. Aimlessly sliding across lanes in the next. But through the grace of God, control was regained and the trip continued. In an instant, never mind a day or more, all sorts of things such as situations, environments, etc. can change drastically.
We can know that something is coming and do our best to prepare for it. For example, cold weather can bring icy conditions. Yet even being aware and extra careful, one can’t make any, and all, ice on a road or highway visible to the naked eye. And sometimes, like it or not, there is ice that’s both invisible and inescapable, extending across a road.
So, what’s one to do in these kinds of unavoidable situations? Shrink away from them? Or face them?
The fact of the matter is that there isn’t any one way or one answer for most things. However, there is always a best way to meet the moment. And oftentimes, arriving at it requires relinquishing the notion of control. Whether sliding across the highway in the cold, or steering the wheel on a warm, sunny day, it is the grace and love of God that sustains us.
We all have experiences that can shake us, literally and in other ways. Ones that can create anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and more. Yet, in all of them, we may not be in control, but we always have a choice(s). We can always strive to focus on what is best, what is possible, and most especially the spirit in which we proceed.
Last week’s Gospel was about the Wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11). When Mary tells Jesus that the wine has run out, he responds in part, “My hour has not yet come.” Yet, Mary still tells the waiters to do as Jesus tells them. Jesus instructs the waiters. They follow his instructions—essentially becoming part of the miracle—and through the grace of God, the problem is resolved. It wasn’t time… but it was. The time for the goodness of God—love, mercy, compassion, etc.—is always.
In the Gospel for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21), we start by going back to the beginning of Luke’s Gospel. We are reminded of Luke’s motivation. In his own words, he is striving to preserve an accurate account of Jesus life and ministry. And part of that account follows as we read about Jesus in the time after his baptism and temptation in the desert.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. – Luke 4:14-15
What do you imagine Jesus, “in the power of the Spirit,” was like? What characteristics would you use to describe someone in the power of the Holy Spirit?
As the Gospel continues, Jesus enters the temple in Nazareth and proceeds to read from the scroll handed to him—the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” – Luke 4:17-21
Take some time to think about what you have learned and come to know about Jesus’s life and ministry. In what ways did Jesus’s words and actions fulfill this passage? How have you experienced these and other qualities of Jesus?
Whether it was at the wedding feast in Cana, in the temple in Nazareth, or elsewhere, and no matter what time it was, the Spirit in which Jesus lived and ministered was consistent and unwavering. And at the same time, he was fluid in meeting the moment with love and mercy, lifting all up as the glory of God, rather than making it his own.
Jesus’s life and teachings show us that the moment is always upon us, and the times is always right, to reflect the goodness of God. And more than that, our time is ours only thru the grace of God, and as such, it is always ripe with opportunity to be an expression of love and mercy in the world.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me. – St. Ignatius, Suscipe
The readings for the Third Sunday of Lent can be seen as a call to pay attention to the nature of relationships and what they lead or point to. In the First Reading (Exodus 20:1-17), God delivers the commandments, which are seemingly clear instructions, and by adhering to them, the people will prosper. Notice how God’s mercy far outweighs any punishment.
For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Ex 20:5-6)
Also, notice that punishment is reserved for “those who hate me,” and their children. Hate is a pretty strong word and one can imagine some sort of pattern or learned behavior to reach that point or designation. In that light, perhaps this passage can be viewed as a Lenten invitation to be mindful of one’s actions, the sentiments from which they come, and what they might teach.
Looking at the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 19:8-11), the response is “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” (Jn 6:68c). Again, drawing us to God’s words as priceless and wrapping up by trying to convey just how valuable they are: They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (Ps 19:11).
As for verses 8-10 of the Psalm, the first part of each line refers to the Lord’s “rules”—laws, decrees, precepts, commands, reverence, and ordinances. The second part of each phrase or sentence provides guidance by giving indicators that one can use to try to determine if they are obeying and honoring the Lord. How? By evaluating the situation and answering the question: Do I experience or have a sense of a refreshed soul/peace, wisdom, a rejoicing heart, enlightenment, endurance/inner strength, truth, or justice?
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just.
In the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1:22-25), St. Paul is encouraging the Corinthians, and us, to be careful about the way we go about seeking signs and wisdom. God certainly uses people, situations, and things to accomplish tasks and impart wisdom, however, as St. Paul says, “we proclaim Christ crucified.” That means, there is no substituting human thoughts, ideas, goals, etc. for God’s will and wisdom as the source or root that one allows to resonate with and guide their soul. Ultimately, things come down to what happens between each person and God, and one is not to blindly follow others thus giving what belongs to or originates with God (one’s soul and will) to another human being and/or their agenda.
In what ways do you take each situation to prayer with an openness to the fact that what is right and just in one situation may not be right and just or the best way in another situation? What’s it like to consider that the “rules” and their application are shaped by God’s love and mercy, and that this is by God’s design? In what ways do you leave room for love and mercy in situations and decisions?
Turning to the Gospel passage referred to as the Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-25), we can see Jesus’ disavowal of the perversion of the Temple and the rules and practices around and within it. The focus has become all about transactions and status. Jesus drives everyone out, saying to those profiting at the expense of the poor—those selling doves, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” (Jn 2:16). In the verses that follow, Jesus refers to his body as the temple and foreshadows his crucifixion and resurrection. The passage ends with:
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well. (Jn 2:24-25)
Envision Jesus, who is the source of salvation and redemption, entering the temple area of your life—your heart. Imagine yourself receiving the peace, inner strength, and wisdom of Jesus as you sit together. What would you share? And, what would He who understands human nature well, impart to you in terms of what to drive out and what to keep?
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