Faithfulness to God

Neighbors…

Over the years, I have been fortunate to witness as well as to experience, on many occasions, the care, kindness, and concern of neighbors. While the word “neighbor” may conjure the image of those living in closest proximity, in actuality, regardless of location, preferences, opinions, etc. any fellow human being or living thing is neighbor. Thinking of both those next door and those far away, through countless occurrences and interactions, it seems that, certainly, one of the greatest gifts to come with each heart is the ability to feel compassion and express mercy. However, whether or not one is locked-in and striving to live from this God-given capacity, allowing it to influence thoughts, words, and actions, is another thing.

In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), the one who may have been least expected to do so, the Samaritan, is the only one to rise to the occasion, allowing the Spirit to lead him. He stops at the sight of the victim, placing emphasis on his fellow human being (his neighbor) who is in need. He does the proper thing, rather than the easiest or most convenient thing. He seeks not revenge, nor to add insult to injury, but to lessen the blemish made by the robber, also a neighbor. In doing so, he does his part to let the light of God within him grow and shine, and in turn, he is helping, through the grace of God, to keep the one that seeks to cast down humanity at bay.

There is not a flower that opens, not a seed that falls into the ground, and not an ear of wheat that nods on the end of its stalk in the wind that does not preach and proclaim the greatness and the mercy of God to the whole world. – Thomas Merton

2Daisy

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law?
How do you read it?”
He said in reply,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:25-37

If You’re Going to Get Swept Away…

The waves of high tide were breaking as they continued their forward rush, splashing onto and washing over the steps and nearby rocks. Once there, they would lose steam and reverse direction. As they flowed back toward the sea in a more gentle way, just beyond, the next wave waited its turn to rush in, like the ones before it.

To watch the waves dance, and to listen to their song can be quite calming. To ride them, exhilarating, joyful, or perhaps unnerving depending on the day, the circumstances, or the conditions. Nonetheless, it is in experiencing the waves that we come to know them or to have a sense about them, and in doing so, see something about ourselves in the process. (There is always more than one side in learning.)

Just like waves, in the back and forth of life, it can be easy to get thrown around, washed away, or swept up based on experiences that may not be our own. While it can be helpful, at times, to hear an “expert’s” reporting, instinct and inner wisdom, are vital too.  Hildegard of Bingen wrote, “We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.”

In chapter 16, verses 12-15, Jesus tells his disciples that they will be guided by the “Spirit of truth.” He does not say that they will be guided by Peter, John, or anyone else. This is not to say that they (as well as us) should not consult or listen to each other, but rather that the Wisdom of God seeks to make itself known to each individual, and that the Holy Spirit works to guide and lead us to what is wise—to what is truly best.

With so many voices in the world that look to grab and hold our attention, or to determine our choices, it is especially important to seek and to know, as well as to grow, the gifts given to each of us in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

IntoTheWater

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.” – John 16:12-15

At the Water’s Edge…

From time to time, there is a place my family likes to go where we sit, talk, and take in the scenery. Sometimes, we go together and other times one or two of us may go alone.  Whichever the case, and as familiar as the place has become, the experience is seldom the same. Instead, it is common that something new or different happens among the interactions, whether in the surroundings or in the conversation.

The other day, the flow of the water was moving in a different direction than usual. Normally, the water flows toward the land on the other side. On this day, it was flowing toward the side where I was, calling attention to the edge of the water in front of me.

At the edge of the water, lay remnants of leaves fallen from days of old. At the edge of the grass, lay remnants of leaves fallen from days of old. The image was intriguing.

While days of old, are a thing of the past, it is often from days of old, that the water flows and the grass grows. It is often from something known, that something new, different, or previously unknown comes into being. It is rarely, if at all, one or the other (old or new) exclusively, for that which stands the test of time.

Jesus walked on both land and sea. He bridged the old to the new, remaining faithful, or perhaps in modern day terms, remaining loyal to God. True to God to the very end… and from that end, a new beginning arose.

We are called to do the same, and through the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

AtTheWatersEdge

A Good Recipe…

There is a cooking show that I watch from time to time in which chefs compete against each other until one chef is left standing. Throughout each round of the show, there is commentary from the chefs providing an inside view on their thoughts as they compete. Now, it could be that more than one chef states something like this to the camera, but oftentimes, there will be one chef who is absolutely certain that his or her dish is the best and cannot be beat. Without fail, that chef is beat.

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. – St. Paul

In the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (chapter 10, verse 12), St. Paul is trying to call awareness to the age old danger of allowing oneself to be lifted too high. He is cautioning the people against falling into the trap of seeing themselves, or living, as though above the need for self-examination. He is pointing to the example of the past and saying, learn from it! Do not let history repeat itself.

St. Paul goes on to state that there will be trials, but that they will not be bigger than God, who will provide for, protect, and faithfully guide the faithful through them.

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13   

It is a great time of year to take, or make, the opportunity to reflect upon faithfulness. Not loyalty to any human person, organization, or structure, but God’s faithfulness to us and ours to God. To examine what it means to oneself as an individual, as part of a family or group, as part of a community, etc. and to invite God for insight on how to better live by it.

TheWoundToJesusChest

Chance of a Lifetime…

Oftentimes the phrase, “chance of a lifetime” is used to refer to events that are typically beyond one’s every day, common experience. Words used to promote something as special, exciting, or perhaps unique and momentous. Around just about every kind of contest, there seems to be a chance of a lifetime. Sometimes, that chance needs to be earned, and other times it comes with taking a gamble or throwing one’s hat in the ring through any number of ways.

In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah there is the “Call of Jeremiah” in chapter 1. It is written:

“The word of the LORD came to me:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5

Just like Jeremiah’s life, each and every life is ordained. Created and brought into existence with meaning and purpose. Extraordinarily more than one might possibly conceive.  

Many go to great lengths for the “chance of a lifetime.” However, life is not by chance… ever. The opportunity for life is actually there each and every day throughout one’s lifetime.

Choose Life. The opportunity is a gift, the possibilities limitless, and the blessing inherent.

Sky

Go Bold…

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and you, and all. That is what it means to be alive and to be created in the image of God. From creation, we are chosen, and as such anointed and blessed by God, and nothing, absolutely nothing, can diminish who we are created to be. There is still more, that same Love with which each of us is created seeks to lead the way, sanctifying each step along our path, and providing all that we might need, if only we take heed.

The Spirit of the Lord is a most miraculous Spirit! One which, when welcomed, embraced, and celebrated, makes the world, or at least pockets of it, a much better place for all. Perhaps even more remarkable, is the fact that whether or not one honors that Spirit, lives from it, disengages from it, or loses sight of it altogether, it remains at the ready, always wanting and wishing the best for and from each of us.

How do we receive this magnificent gift? How do we live out of it?

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and you, and all, throughout each day for as long as we live, and more.

Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap. – Hildegard Von Bingen

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More than You and Me…

Any unity which does not have its origin in the multitudes is tyranny. – Blaise Pascal

It can be wonderful how a sense of togetherness can propel us to new heights. Unity bridges the gap, closing the chasm that can be created by differences of any kind. Oftentimes, the joy that accompanies unity helps in continuing on the path toward the wisdom and knowledge of what to let go of and how to rise above all that may stand in the way.

In the book, Confession, Leo Tolstoy wrote, “I understood, not with my intellect but with my whole being, that no theories of the rationality of existence or of progress could justify such an act; I realized that even if all the people in the world from the day of creation found this to be necessary according to whatever theory, I knew that it was not necessary and that it was wrong. Therefore, my judgments must be based-on what is right and necessary and not on what people say and do; I must judge not according to progress but according to my own heart.” This statement was written about an execution that the author had witnessed in the mid-1800s, but the insight it shares, is timeless.

Oftentimes, the intentions of those in charge or a group united in purpose can be mistaken for unity. However, unity is both powerful and healing in all directions, not just on one side. It is not the child of negotiation or compromise to reach agreement, but rather embodies a spirit of choosing right doing whatever that might entail. By oneself or in self-interest… without God, unity simply cannot be.

Standing together is fine, but standing in unity is best.

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

– Mark 10:42-45

OnFire

 

Discovering the Path…

Upon reaching the other side of the bridge, a path of light appeared across the top of the water. Prior to that point, and from various other angles, there was no evidence of any such path. It was only through staying the course, while continuing to look around, that the reflection of light that was there all along could be seen as clear as day, creating a path where before there was none, or so it seemed.

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Charles R. Swindoll

Each of us has unique characteristics. At times these qualities can surface in ways that may tempt us into being at odds with each other or seeing each other in lop-sided ways… as not having enough in common to make trying to work together and work through conflicts a worthwhile endeavor. It seems this is often the case in today’s world. However, in most cases, when both sides honestly strive to be united with God and each other, we are able to move into a position where the light shines and the path becomes abundantly clear.

A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
gold does not vanish,
the fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature,
how could I resist my nature,
that lives for oneness with God? – Mechthild of Magdeburg

Path