Facing challenges

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

It Is Good…

Walking alongside a beach, the sand is smooth and the waves gentle, like ripples in a lake, pond, or puddle. The path is peaceful and seemingly continuous, until the disruption up ahead; a trench created by water draining back toward the ocean. The chasm is too large to jump across, and there’s no way around it. Or at least no way to get to the other side without having to come off the beach and onto the cracked, uneven sidewalk, stepping through the cold water, or trudging down into and through the muddy-like sand. Pausing to ponder… how best to make it through what seems like the great divide?

In looking to the Gospel passage for the Second Sunday of Lent, Peter says, “Lord, it is good we are here.” This is because he recognizes the moment as a sacred one; something greater is happening here, and we need to take heed and behold it. As he continues speaking, the bright cloud appears, a shadow is cast by it, and a voice says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” With this, the environment shifts for Peter, James, and John, and their posture changes, but they still recognize the moment as sacred, “they fell prostrate.”

As we try to navigate this world, it can be tempting to shy away, to want to hide, circumvent, or look the other way, and to carry on insulated from the chaos and division that swirls around us. Yet, faith calls us to face the shifting environment by placing our hope and trust in Jesus. Rather than losing heart, we are called to take on the heart of Jesus. And in doing so, even when the reality in front of us may be unpleasant or seem bleak, we are able to face it through the Light of God who helps us to know when and how to rise, and to recognize each moment in these turbulent times as being sacred; holding hope and promise. This is simply because, God is with us, making the dark clouds become bright and spreading light in the midst of darkness, even when, like Peter, James and John, we don’t see it coming.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” – Mt 17:1-9

Conversion…

Covered with snow, the landscape so quiet, so still, so beautiful. The branches and shrubs become as if carefully wrapped, insulated from the elements, as well as by the elements. Becoming part of what’s on the outside pushing inward? Or, perhaps, it’s the outside becoming part of what’s inside and underneath, pushing outward? How will they lean, where will they fall, maybe, just maybe, they will stand upright, if anything at all.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. – Ps 51:12

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent (Mt 4:1-11), is an account of the temptation of Jesus. We all experience variations of temptation throughout our lives. We all have weaknesses or tendencies that can lead us astray or take us away from being at or near our best, most genuine selves.

Looking to the example of Jesus, we can see his response to temptation, is first and foremost, to be aware and recognize it. Then second, to respond by remembering, and not only naming, but also reclaiming God as the source of all wellbeing. Jesus keeps God at the center throughout, and God’s grace enables him to overcome each temptation.

How can one apply this to real life experience in today’s world?

We can start by being aware and recognizing that temptation works in different ways. Sometimes it tries to move us toward “absolute” or limited views and the choices that flow from them, while at other times, temptation seeks to blur the lines between choices so that the best choice is left behind for the choice that seems good enough. Temptation tries, and keeps trying to find whatever hook will sink, to snag and pull one toward a more self-centered space and making a choice from there, instead of making it from a God-centered space where the choice is generative and beneficial beyond what one can surmise.

In the Gospel passage of the temptation of Jesus, Jesus shows us how to lean on the grace of God, and how to patiently endure to overcome temptation by living with God at the center—always in our hearts and minds. He reminds us that what has been written, holds true now, as well as forever.

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God. – Dt 8:3

He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Ps 91:11-12

You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test. – Dt 6:16

The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve. – Dt 6:13

Reflecting on each of Jesus’s responses above, what comes to mind in terms of your own experience of God’s grace in the face of a struggle or challenge you faced? Recall how God was present to you, and how you were, or became present to God? Share with God what that experience was like, and what it means to you today. What inspiration or insight might God want that experience to reveal to you today?

An Unconquered Heart…

From a young age, one is often taught to pay attention to the weather. When you hear thunder, go inside as rain, wind, and lightning may be near or approaching, if not already there. If there are heavy winds and/or lightning, stay inside and away from the windows, and so on. When there’s snow or sleet, beware of the road conditions—stay home. Most of what is taught about stormy weather is about actively retreating or staying put for one’s own well-being. Yet, sometimes, these efforts can instill fear and anxiety as the motivators for one’s actions.

Considering the state of, or conditions in the world today, the feeling or thought that we are in stormy times, both literally and figuratively, is palpable for so many. At times, it can lead one to retreat or stay put, shrinking, or turning away from active participation in the larger world. And while a certain amount of self-preservation can be good, withdrawal serves one and all best, not only when it is temporary, but also when one is intentional in how that time away is spent, and the choices and actions that result from it.

So, while the times may be stormy, perhaps the storm is perfect. Perfect for taking a step back and noticing for what one’s heart beats. Perfect for contemplating where one is, and where one is moved to be. Perfect for retreating to prayer and reflecting on what the world needs, one’s openness to the invitations of Grace that await, whether amid the storm, on its edges, or in an entirely different relation, and one’s desire to become more aware of what active participation in this stormy world might mean on a personal level, as well as how these storms can be overcome by being held as a meeting place for Jesus.

We often think or speak of the calm after the storm, and it often seems easier to appreciate the beauty of the sun after a rainstorm, or the snow-covered trees when removed from the threat and possible dangers of the driving winds and snow. However, Jesus tells us that he is with us always. Thus, the calm never ceases. It’s up to us though, to nurture our deepest, truest desires, to strive to invite peace into each situation, and to choose to not only look for, but to also navigate in, with, and through Grace. In doing so, we stay connected, our retreating or staying put remains temporary, and brings forth fruit that is lasting. Fruit that is ordained by God, bringing us back into the fold, with greater life, and as unconquered hearts whose actions flow from, and glorify God, and all creation.    

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow on me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – St. Thomas Aquinas

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.” – Mt 5:1-12

Facing All Sides…

Today, November 20th, is also the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Although the date of this occasion is not the same every year, this year is one where it coincides with the anniversary of the official release of Windows 1.0 (November 20, 1985) which included a game, Reversi, based on another game named Othello.

Regardless of the name though, the two-player game like the push and pull of life on earth is all about strategy. It involves a green board and round pieces that are black on one side and white on the other, and players take turns trying to “book-end” their opponent’s pieces either horizontally or vertically. When successful, a player can then convert pieces from the other player’s color to one’s own, and when all the pieces are used, the player who has more of their color pieces on the board wins.

Essentially, this game is another that is all about paying attention, thinking ahead, maneuvering, and navigating to benefit from both one’s own plays as well as the missteps of one’s opponent. Typical of pretty much any kind of competition. Or, on the other hand, it can just be a simple, engaging game while spending time with a loved one. The pieces like coins or chips, creating an interesting rhythm as they shake back and forth in a loosely closed fist, and a pattern that slowly emerges as each piece is placed on the board of green amid moments of speaking and ones of silence. Ultimately, like many things, it depends on the eye with which one views it.

Sitting with chapter 23, verses 35-43, of the Gospel according to Luke (below), one can see two sides of the piece. There were those, the rulers, soldiers, and one of the criminals, who saw the situation solely in terms of themselves and in the world (winning, losing, us against them). They taunt Jesus and browbeat him about not fighting back and overcoming them, which they assume he would do if he was really a king.

And then, there was the other criminal, who saw the situation as it truly was. He could see and acknowledge the truth, that both criminals had done wrong, and Jesus had not. He also pushed back against the misconceptions and aggressive behavior toward Jesus. It seems that the eye through which he viewed what was happening was more flexible, able to take in a broader view—the full picture including beyond himself, and less hardened than the others who were there. As a result, he was more open, and this allowed him to see through the noise and mentality of the crowd. It led him to the truth and a desire that drew him closer to Jesus, Savior, in the moment he was facing… in the moment they were facing together.

In this month of Thanksgiving and remembrance, with which eye are you viewing situations? And in what ways do you desire to face each moment together with Jesus?

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.” – Lk 23:35-43

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

Humility: Against the Grain or With It…

It’s said that only 10% of the energy received from the sun by a plant or tree (a.k.a. a producer) is transferred to the consumer of that plant or tree, and as one moves up the chain, although 10% keeps getting passed along to the next level, the amount of energy becomes less. This means that the further away from the original source one is, more consumption or effort is necessary to achieve or capture the same amount of energy that the plant or tree receives as a producer. As for the 90% of the energy that is retained by producers, it is used for growth and reproduction as well as some of it simply escaping as heat into the atmosphere.

It’s intriguing to think about only 1/10th of the energy received from the original source, the sun, as being passed along from the 1st level to the next, and only 1/10th of that lesser amount going to the next level, and so on. Yet, despite this comparatively small portion shrinking at each level, life not only goes on, but also evolves. It calls to mind last Sunday’s Gospel when in response to the disciples asking for an increase in faith Jesus said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Lk 17:5-6). It also leads to this Sunday’s readings and a key component of faith.

Although the way of the world might urge one and all to seek what is big, bold, or grand, and to make it known, the readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (shown below) offer an opportunity to contemplate humility. In the first reading (2 Kgs 5:14-17), Naaman, a successful and celebrated commander of King Aram’s army, is cured of leprosy by submerging himself in the Jordan seven times at the direction of the prophet Elisha. Yet, it is only by taking time to go back and look behind the scenes at the prior verses of this passage, that one can see or be reminded that it was at the urging of servants that Naaman made his way to Elisha, eventually overcame his notions and resistance to listening to the prophet, entered the waters of the Jordan, and was healed. Had Naaman dismissed his servants’ perspectives without consideration and continued to be bound up by his judgments, preferences, and ideas about the unexpected and less than grand actions Elisha instructed him to take, the healing would not have been possible. It’s important to consider humility as requiring an openness to considerations that originate and/or extend beyond oneself.

Turning to the second reading (2 Tim 2:8-13), St. Paul continues to exhort and encourage Timothy, to draw strength from the truth, keeping and carrying on the faith. While St. Paul is recognized for the tendency to be long on words, his point is always focused on the glory of God and eternal life. In this passage he writes, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.” (v. 8-9). What’s it like to reflect on this vision or belief that, even though forces that seek to hold back, limit, or impose restraints on God-given freedom exist, the word of God, and therefore God, remains unchained and is not held back. How do you invite or allow the ever-unchained God into your times of challenge to comfort, sustain, and empower you? What’s it like to embrace or re-embrace, “I can’t, but God can,” and experience humility in this way?

Now, moving on to the Gospel According to Luke (Lk 17:11-19), we come back to a passage involving not 1, but 10 lepers. Jesus meets them as he is making his way to Jerusalem. They all call out to Jesus, asking for pity and they all listen when he tells them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” (v. 14). However, only one of them becomes aware that he has been healed and goes back to Jesus to express gratitude. Jesus asks where the other 9 who were cleansed are, and goes on to tell the leper who returned, and whom he identifies as a foreigner, that his faith has saved him.” As you think about this passage, what is your first thought or feeling? What strikes you most?

It can be effortless to jump to a place of judgment either toward the one who returned or the 9 who did not. What happens though when you look again and shift your attention in this passage solely to Jesus? As you continue to reflect on this week’s readings, notice where you tend to look for or to celebrate examples of humility in your life? Share your observations with Jesus?

Humility beckons us away from focusing too much on thinking about who or where we are and draws us toward truth and unity. We are called not to shrink, but to open our hearts to all, to seek God (the Source) in all things, remembering to strive to embrace what is eternal while living within the limited reality of this world. Humility is not only letting God be God, but also asking for the grace to relinquish what we can, trust that we are more than what’s measurable, and that what’s left is and will be enough.

First Reading:
Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.

Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.
On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,
“Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant.”

Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives whom I serve, I will not take it;”
and despite Naaman’s urging, he still refused.
Naaman said: “If you will not accept,
please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice
to any other god except to the Lord.” – 2 Kgs 5:14-17

Second Reading:
Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself. – 2 Tm 2:8-13

Gospel Reading:
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.” – Lk 17:11-19

Light Along the Way…

Heading out to somewhere that was new to us, we carried an excitement along the way. After quite some time on foot and feeling a little weary, we unexpectedly came to a tunnel. We had no idea how long it was or what was involved in getting through it. On top of that, all we could see was that it was pitch black inside. However, knowing it was part of the route and using one of the tools we had, a cellphone flashlight, we proceeded step by step, shining the light so we could see, and making our way through each curve until eventually we saw light coming from the opening on the other side.

However, if we didn’t have a flashlight, or a tool, to help us navigate through the darkness, I’m not sure we would have gone through that tunnel. Instead, we probably would’ve found a way around it or turned around and headed back to where we began. And, while finding a way around an obstacle or avoiding it, may be harmless in some cases, in others it is not. Sometimes the measures one may take to circumnavigate or escape a situation, may also lead to compromising, in one way or another, the well-being of oneself and/or others.  

Considering the readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, they provide advice, wisdom, and encouragement to strive to serve God, not man, and to trust in God’s plan and in God’s ways. This is important no matter the time or place, but most especially in troubling or challenging times and environments.

If the knowledge that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and a way to make it through darkness, was enough to sustain courage, integrity, and faithfulness on its own, humankind would not fall prey to the shortcuts, traps, and tricks along the way. Faith is the tool that holds the keys and keeps one and all together; hearts, souls, and minds. It enables one “to be more than,” infused with grace, driven by truth and trust to face challenges, and find and follow the way through darkness; oftentimes leading one to discover a depth they never knew existed within them.  

Take some time to read the Scripture passages from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4, Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9, 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14, and Lk 17:5-10 – shown below). Contemplate them in relation to today’s world. What are your concerns? What are some of the phrases or images that inspire you? Allow your heart and mind to draw together. Invite Jesus into the process and see what happens.

How long, O Lord?  I cry for help
but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord.
Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
if it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash one has no integrity;
but the just one, because of his faith, shall live. – Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
– Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Beloved:
I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit
that dwells within us. – 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied,
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, ‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'” – Lk 17:5-10

Vantage…

Facing the ocean from the walk above or the sand upon the beach it’s easy to stay in place and feel content, and to do so without anywhere near the effort taken to get there. Not only that, but also to slide toward becoming removed from reality—all the lives that exist in various states on and all around the beach and the city or town that encompasses it—and the opportunity to take a life-giving part in it. It’s interesting to think about how swiftly one can be transported to “a world without cares,” with the sound of each wave that breaks upon the shore or the refreshing feeling as each wave washes over everything in its path.

Now, what’s it like to imagine that perhaps this (being caught up in the surroundings) is what it was like for the rich man in the Gospel according to Luke (chapter 16, verses 19-31), before he died?

When we read the Gospel for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (below), we learn that a poor man named Lazarus was a constant fixture at the rich man’s door. However, we are not told anything about an interaction(s) between the rich man and Lazarus. This is likely because what matters more than whether the rich man was unaware of, ignored, was indifferent to, or held disdain for Lazarus, is the distance that his worldly aims and wealth put between his ability to help and his desire to do so.

While the rich man was alive, he experienced what is sold in today’s world as “the good life.” However, it led him to becoming insulated from a complete picture of reality (not everyone has it good). And without that, it’s understandable that it would be harder for him not only to choose more wisely, but also to recognize that his openness to, and desire for living in ways that are generative had become diminished.

Neither the rich man nor his brothers could learn from the past (Moses and the prophets), not because the knowledge and wisdom wasn’t available to them, but because their hearts were divided. This—the chasm—is what prevented them from receiving the grace they really needed and making choices for the greater good.

May we be more aware and set our hearts on God to strip away the falsehoods that lead us astray, and to close the chasm that pulls us apart.

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:19-31

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