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The Reason for Hope…

Today, March 25th, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The readings for this day, are a reminder, “God is with us” (Isaiah 8:10), “for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37), and guidance to contemplate relationship with God. An opportunity to consider how one responds to the call of the ever present God of love, mercy, and redemption. What happens at the thought of “I come to do your will.” (Psalm 40:8a, 9a; Hebrews 10:7b, 9a), or Mary’s response of “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” (Luke 1:38)?

Spending time with the road traveled by the Prophet Isaiah, the Psalmist, Mary, and St. Paul, one can draw inspiration, perhaps more easily, because we know, or we can read about the ways in which God was with them and enabled them to fulfill the path that was theirs, in the face of trials and tribulations.   

In the first reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, it is written, “I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:14).

The verses that follow this passage, are referred to as the joining of the two sticks. That is, God’s intention or call… God’s will for the tribes of Juda and Joseph to come together and for the people to be united.

“Thus says the Lord God: I will soon take the Israelites from among the nations to which they have gone and gather them from all around to bring them back to their land. I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one king for them all. They shall never again be two nations, never again be divided into two kingdoms.” – Ezekiel 37:21-22

Thinking about this in terms of the division in families, communities, and the world at large today, in what ways do you see the Spirit of God shining through in your life, your community, and the world?

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. – Psalm 130:7

Where do you experience love, mercy, and unity? And how do you desire to be an agent or a partner in not only carrying, but also sharing the essence of these attributes of God?

Looking around and sitting with personal challenges and the state of the world today can be daunting at times. There is much that is awry and issues that can seem insurmountable. With these realities it can be tempting to not look around or to not focus much attention or thought on the problems that exist. However, not ignoring what’s going on, is part of what it means to carry the cross—to live in reality, whatever it may be, praying and proceeding with hope that is eternal, and that resides in and seeks to be guided by God, for whom nothing is impossible.      

As St. Paul writes, “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you.” (Romans 8:11). How do you desire the Spirit of the Lord to be present to you at this moment? In what areas do you desire greater light and life?  

In lots of ways, the times we are experiencing lend themselves to the deception that we are dealing with the impossible and that throwing the towel in, or walking away is the answer. Yet, faith beckons one to pause and to notice. Who or what is deeming the situation a lost cause? What is the source? Is it a human summation? From what spirit does it come?

In chapter 11 of the Gospel According to John, verses 1-45, we read about the raising of Lazarus. In order to go to the home of his good friends, Mary, Martha, and the now deceased Lazarus, Jesus must return to the town where people have tried to stone him, more than once. In addition, by the time Jesus arrives there, it has been four days since Lazarus’ lifeless body was placed in the tomb. Many would deem this situation hopeless or impossible. Why does Jesus go back to the place where he is mocked, and people are seeking his demise? Why does Jesus even attempt to raise Lazarus who is clearly beyond resuscitation?

Because Jesus is Life! He is full of love and mercy, the embodiment of God, and death, in any of its forms, cannot and will not defeat Him, or those who belong to Him. For it is through Him, that all things are possible.      

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany,
the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil
and dried his feet with her hair;
it was her brother Lazarus who was ill.
So the sisters sent word to him saying,
“Master, the one you love is ill.”
When Jesus heard this he said,
“This illness is not to end in death,
but is for the glory of God,
that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So when he heard that he was ill,
he remained for two days in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to his disciples,
“Let us go back to Judea.”
The disciples said to him,
“Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you,
and you want to go back there?”
Jesus answered,
“Are there not twelve hours in a day?
If one walks during the day, he does not stumble,
because he sees the light of this world.
But if one walks at night, he stumbles,
because the light is not in him.”
He said this, and then told them,
“Our friend Lazarus is asleep,
but I am going to awaken him.”
So the disciples said to him,
“Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.”
But Jesus was talking about his death,
while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep.
So then Jesus said to them clearly,
“Lazarus has died.
And I am glad for you that I was not there,
that you may believe.
Let us go to him.”
So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples,
“Let us also go to die with him.”
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus
had already been in the tomb for four days.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away.
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”
When she had said this,
she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying,
“The teacher is here and is asking for you.”
As soon as she heard this,
she rose quickly and went to him.
For Jesus had not yet come into the village,
but was still where Martha had met him.
So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her
saw Mary get up quickly and go out,
they followed her,
presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him,
she fell at his feet and said to him,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.”
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping,
he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said,
“Where have you laid him?”
They said to him, “Sir, come and see.”
And Jesus wept.
So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.”
But some of them said,
“Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man
have done something so that this man would not have died?”
So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb.
It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him,
“Lord, by now there will be a stench;
he has been dead for four days.”
Jesus said to her,
“Did I not tell you that if you believe
you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone.
And Jesus raised his eyes and said,
“Father, I thank you for hearing me.
I know that you always hear me;
but because of the crowd here I have said this,
that they may believe that you sent me.”
And when he had said this,
He cried out in a loud voice,
“Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out,
tied hand and foot with burial bands,
and his face was wrapped in a cloth.
So Jesus said to them,
“Untie him and let him go.”
Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary
and seen what he had done began to believe in him. – John 11:1-45

Gold circle representing the world filled with sky blue color and a white heart with a white cross in the center.

In the Wrapping…

The first reading for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of helping those in need as the way to overcome darkness. The Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” (Is 58:9b-10). Perhaps this can be seen as an invitation to greater unity through the exercise of mercy and compassion. Think about a time when you were shown mercy and compassion. What was that experience like? How did it impact you? Oftentimes, in showing mercy and compassion, a greater sense of unity is born and the light within each of us shines brighter with Life, making the darkness in the world, what it really is, “less than.”

In the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes, “…my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:4-5). It’s human nature to want to understand and to make logical conclusions. It’s just the way we are. However, when the determination to meet this need to know or to make sense of happenings becomes more driven by human motivation, the results tend to run narrow, and create vision like that of being in a tunnel. It is then, that our understanding becomes warped and more of an obstacle than an aid to seeing the “greater than” that exists in each situation. Instead, it leads to a hardening of both one’s mind and heart, and an approach that pulls one away from living with authenticity and integrity and making choices in the light of truth and justice.

In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, we read, “… I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer 31:33).

In striving to make choices that are truly beneficial—ones that embrace love, peace, and justice for oneself as well as others—balance is necessary, and the starting place for that is in one’s heart. It is only in our hearts that we can begin to understand in a way that will lead us to what is best. It is only in our hearts that Jesus, the light of the world, shows us the way that is truly just. And it is only through our hearts that our motivation becomes purer, our minds move toward a broader way of being, and we can genuinely shine before others, giving glory to God (Mt 5:16).

So, when I can’t understand, show indifference or disdain, begin to make assumptions, can’t give the benefit of the doubt, and can’t wrap my head around something, perhaps it’s because, first, I need to be wrapping my heart around it.

Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
they are gracious and merciful and just.
Well for them who are gracious and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice. – Psalm 112:4-5

Company…

In the process of growing up, a sense of right and wrong forms within. It’s based upon lessons learned, whether explicitly taught to one or gleaned from experiences. This sense is accompanied by the development of principles as well as the assignment of value to people, places, and things. Oftentimes this process is impacted not only by one’s immediate environment, but also by one’s community, the broader society, and perhaps, the happenings throughout the world as well. It’s human nature, after all, to derive meaning and to be affected by one’s surroundings and the people, places, and things, to which one is exposed. Hence the saying that one is known by one’s companions.

In chapter one of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Paul is imploring the Corinthians to be united in the Lord rather than torn apart by their differences. How poignant for the times we live in today. The wisdom of this Bible passage speaks to us today just as the letter of St. Paul did to the Corinthians. Warning them, and us, that continuing on a path with such great division, serves only to unravel us, and that it is only through unity that we can overcome such a fate. So how do we move toward greater unity?

Most importantly, as St. Paul suggests, we need to return to the truth. Underneath all that divides us, and at the core of all that we are, and all that we can be, is the fact that our meaning and purpose comes from something far greater than any one person or group could ever encompass. We need to recognize when we are being pulled away and distracted from this truth, and to remove ourselves from partaking in any movements that seek to undermine honesty and integrity, in any way. The “win at all costs” mentality that seems so pervasive and accepted in society, needs to be challenged.

This is what St. Paul is talking about when he writes about there being rivalries and urges the people to stop thinking of themselves as belonging solely to one identity over another. This is what causes the great divide, and serves to scatter us, undoing the power and potential of unity.

When we move through the influence of our Oneness, see our differences as being ordained by God, and use them as the bond of perfection that they can be, we are able to come together in ways that value, serve, and work to benefit all of creation, and that give glory to God. When we trust the longings of true love and follow the example of Jesus, pride, prejudice, status, and exclusivity fall away and the unity that results brings greater—lasting—meaning and purpose to our lives than we could ever achieve on our own or within any segment of society seeking its own good over the good of all.

Paul writes, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.”

“The wisdom of human eloquence” would encourage one to find and stay with those around whom one feels most comfortable and identifies most closely. St. Paul is saying, don’t be fooled. He is saying, seek to be in the company of the Lord. Identify, first and foremost, with the Lord, so that you may experience redemption and your life may have direction and meaning that extend beyond the narrow confines of human understanding.         

Reflect and pray:

When you contemplate the company you keep, what are some of the values or meaning you derive from your relationship with God and others? Where, and in what ways, do you experience unity?

As you go about your day or your week, what kind of companion are you?

How do expectations come into play with regards to your ability for companionship? And in what ways do you see the Lord as companioning you and vice versa?

When you reflect on the notion of an invitation to be a companion of the Lord awaiting you in all circumstances, what is your reaction or response?

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. – 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

On Earth…

This week, during a rainy, windy evening, suddenly there was a loud and thunderous noise. Jumping up to look out the window, the street and lantern lights made visible a blur of branches and leaves on a large oak tree as it made its way down to the ground. Thankfully, despite the cars traveling in both directions on the road, at the time, no one was hurt. Traffic ended up being re-routed and within hours the Department of Public Works pushed all the debris off the road so that cars could once again travel freely up and down the street.

Now, this tree had a very large limb dry up during months of drought in the area and in the weeks prior to this one, it had partially fallen away from the trunk. From the street, one could see it was resting on the ground while still hanging on, as if by a thread. However, it wasn’t until the remainder of the tree fell to the ground, that one could see the dried-out limb not only hanging on still, but also looking like a giant pair of legs, perhaps trying to run by or break free from the rest of the tree.

Today, taking in the sight that lies beyond construction barrels put into place to forewarn or keep back passers-by, but seeming more like a beacon calling forth, it’s interesting how these legs and their trunk appear so much bigger than they seemed when the tree was standing tall. It seems there’s so much more to discover about them now that they are down to earth, unmasked in a sense. Their depth, their breadth, their character, shine brighter than before… legs posing as if in an athletic move of some kind or another. Are they coming? Are they going? Maybe they’re doing both. Or, perhaps, it’s a maneuver, careful to resist trampling the branches and leaves all around them.

Shifting focus, fallen branches spread about, pointing in many ways; some with shriveled, brown leaves holding on, and then others with green or yellow leaves, holding on as well. Common ground on the ground, connected at the core, together. Next, a splintered trunk displaying hearty, woody layers that, though broken, still look fresh and full of life.

Imagine now, all these things once hidden, or less likely to be noticed, now laying on or partly resting on the floor, as if drawing closer to one another, to reveal an image not of heaven, but of faith on earth.

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:2

With Kindness…

Breaking hearts,
Breaking hope.
Acting without thought.
Wondering without feeling.
What kind of way is that?
What kind of life is that?

Dribbles and drabbles,
The weight of punches and kicks,
Bit by bit and day over day,
Knocking down,
Breathing threats,
And more than wrath.
What gives?
Who?… No, what is being satisfied?
How much? How many?
Will it ever be enough?
Even the mirror turns away.
Come on now,
Wake up and try to see.
That’s no kind of life.
That’s no kind of way.

Take a roundabout,
But stop somewhere in the middle.
Make a life, make a way.
Swim upstream for a change.
Make it new, make it better.
Ask for courage, take in grace,
Wash away the mud.
Stand next to, and up, for those in need.
That’s the way to travel,
Kind—that’s the Way to Life.

You cannot serve both God and mammon. – Luke 13:16

Unto the Ages…

Some days the clouds rise upward, an example of striving and reaching higher, as if believing in the best, for the best. Knowing better, doing better. On others though, they seem to drift across the sky, as if allowing themselves to be carried along in a somewhat orderly, but carefree kind of way. Maybe that’s good too.

There are also days when the clouds seem to sit in place, still as can be. Then there are ones where they seem to vanish entirely, leaving only a shade of blue or gray behind. Although perhaps tempting to toss these kinds of days, where the clouds seem less than what they can be, aside, they also hold a message or way of being that can be very much in need.

At the end of a week that saw the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who signified an age and a large part of the history around the world, on the same day as the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and that leads into the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks and tragic events, impacting so many around the world, the readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Tm 1:12-17; and Lk 15:1-32), remind us about the truth of how relevant and valued we are to God and each other.

With a heart and mind drawn to history, let’s focus on the first reading and the passage in the Book of Exodus in which Moses implores God to refrain from taking wrath against the Israelites who are falling away and have been worshipping false idols. We can see that Moses intercedes on their behalf by speaking the truth of their shared history with God and calling for that to take precedence. This is something he keeps returning to and keeps trying to remind others about, along the journey. Moses remembers aloud God’s promise of life—a long line of descendants—and a place to live—land as a perpetual heritage—to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. This is not to say that the people who have gone astray can or should do whatever they want, but rather to highlight the importance and necessity of commitment to each other and God as well as for faithfulness to include interceding on behalf of others for what is truly good and just. It’s a real sense of “you are our God… we are your people… together, we belong to you and each other.”

God listens to Moses, considers what he has to say, and turns away from the wrath he had intended to do. Through it all, the key is that Moses holds onto the truth, we are all relevant and valued—and refuses to be separated from the Israelites or from God. It’s all about the attitude toward relationship and unity. A great example of how One can make a difference.

So, the question that repeats itself throughout the ages, regardless of what’s happening in the clouds or the landscape all around me is… Is my desire to be united with God and others greater than my desire for the things that ultimately serve mostly or only me? And, in what ways do I believe in and commit to the best, for the best?

The Lord said to Moses,
“Go down at once to your people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt,
for they have become depraved.
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,
making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,
sacrificing to it and crying out,
‘This is your God, O Israel,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’
“I see how stiff-necked this people is, ” continued the Lord to Moses.
Let me alone, then,
that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.
Then I will make of you a great nation.”

But Moses implored the Lord, his God, saying,
“Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
with such great power and with so strong a hand?
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,
‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;
and all this land that I promised,
I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'”
So the Lord relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people. – Ex 32:7-11, 13-14

To Build or Coming Together…

Walking along the pace is brisk in some places
and much slower and methodical at others.
The path so concrete,
laid out as clear as day,
but then seemingly disappearing,
leaving those travelling it to take stock…
to figure the way forward that safely,
or maybe wisely, fits them best.
Yet, sometimes the “where I am” and “where I want to be”
do not meet, or maybe just not yet.

A process that makes time, and the taking of it,
not only a good thing,
but also a necessary thing.
Overall, a journey building upon itself
before coming to the end of the trek,
or this one, on this plane, at least,
and landing on stable ground,
or rather learning to be steady
on whatever the ground may be.

While some building may call for a single column
as if marking the way,
some calls are for branching out,
and lending support.
Still rising, tall and strong,
a new look on a familiar way,
always moving, continuing the journey,
sometimes quick, slower at others,
maybe even coming to a pause,
but ultimately, always moving toward,
if not with, greater depth.

Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. – Heb 12:13

Cloud of Witnesses…

With current day events, we hear and see a great deal about witnesses and influence or power. Yet, oftentimes, information can be skewed or lacking in merit, but still repeated and passed along as fact. This isn’t a new problem, though. Perhaps it is more rampant, but nonetheless it has always been the case that for any situation, it is best when sifted through more than once and held in context, but also alongside openness to truth, no matter what, and a desire to earnestly look at the entire picture. This cannot be done with a battlefield attitude or a mindset of “me against you” or “us against them.”

In chapter twelve of the letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul encourages the people as brothers and sisters, which is the way that he usually refers to the intended recipients of his letters and preaching, to let go of the things that hold them back, and to take comfort, draw strength, and be inspired by the example and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. He starts out this passage reminding his audience of who they really are—brothers and sisters. Then, another reminder when he writes, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” It’s interesting to pause there and not only sit with that image, but also reflect upon it in a personal way. Who is in your cloud of witnesses? How have they influenced you? And you them? Also, what is behind that influence?

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2

Sunrise at sea

In The Spirit…

Looking out across the way, noticing the strokes with which nature paints the scene before my eyes, I am captivated. The variations of color and light both hold their own and come together. A symphony embracing one another, yet at the same time providing the contrast that makes it fully come alive. Ripples in the sky, and ripples down below. With all that is going on, it’s interesting how all these differences join to form a work of beauty, instead of tearing at each other, or falling all apart.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. – 1 Cor 12:13

Alternatively…

World’s breakneck pace,
Stop that race.
Put on the brakes.
Hungry, greedy sharks,
Stop the noise.
Stop the thunder.
Stop breeding misplaced hunger.
We are broken, and run down.
Lord, turn us around.

Step off that ladder.
Come down from that pedestal.
Look up from your work.
Sister, help your brother,
One and all, help each other.
Stand up now, and be fed.
Be true, and be led.
Lord, bring us around.

Wisdom, seeking Wisdom?
The time is right, as always.
Be moved to higher ground.
Turn it over, and then again.
For although we are many,
We are not. We are one.
So, why not come together?
Even better, be united.
Lay down sides,
Take up faith, not fate,
And cry out loud,
Lord, turn it around.

But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Cor 12:20