Miniature minds flexing muscles, Washing brains, and rinsing guts out. Little things taking time, making strife, Acting big, or bigger than life. Right is right, except when it is not. Heart of God, heart of gold, not cold. Small hearts growing smaller all the time, Lost and losing, no way, no sight.
Walking, listening, thirsty to learn, Simon Peter wanted to see. Hungry to serve God, searching for Truth, Simon Peter humbled himself. Then came binding, loosing… holding keys. Simon Peter—rock—he could see.
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:13-19
Working my way around, whether by chance or fate, again, once more, I hear, reverberations of, not stern warnings, but of wise voices of the past.
Just as justice for one, affects justice for all, mercy and compassion make the way to goodwill; offspring of love, made by, an even greater Love.
“From my point of view, God is the light that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of divine light is within each of us.” – Pope Francis
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 second reading for the Second Sunday of Lent (Philippians 3:17-4:1) closes with the phrase, “stand firm in the Lord” (Phil 4:1). These words follow verses in which St. Paul encourages the Philippians, and us, “be imitators of me,” and reminds all, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.” (Phil 3:20-21).
Take a few moments to contemplate the characteristics of the Lord based on Scripture and your experience through prayer and faith. Visualize yourself standing firm in the Lord. What comes to mind or stirs in your heart?
This Sunday’s Gospel passage (Luke 9:28b-36) is about the Transfiguration of Jesus. Just prior to its verses, as part of his teaching on what it means to be a disciple, Jesus says, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:25).
In seeking to respond to the call to conversion and deepening one’s faith, envision yourself with Jesus, Peter, John, and James, going up the mountain to pray. As you walk, consider an area in which you desire to increase trust in the Lord. Bring the things you notice to prayer. Ask Jesus for the grace to receive his insights, and the wisdom to parse the various facets that are involved.
Reaching the top of the mountain, there is a pause for greater solitude—a change or shift in appearance, dazzling white, Moses and Elijah joining Jesus. It is as if time has stopped. You watch and notice, becoming more fully aware of everything around you.
Then, as Moses and Elijah depart and Peter is saying something to Jesus, you hear, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35). You turn to Jesus, your light and salvation, and he tells you what you need to know. You receive his wisdom as the loving guidance that it is.
Preparing to rejoin Peter, James, and John for your journey back down the mountain, you express a sentiment to Jesus, and he to you, as this intimate moment winds down.
Walking down the mountain, you continue to hold onto and savor what has transpired. When you arrive at the base of the mountain, you look back up to the top, remembering this Scripture verse:
The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.– Genesis 15:5-6
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? – Psalm 27:1
Upon reaching the Fourth Sunday of Advent, tempted to jump ahead or enticed toward being caught up in the final material touches that accompany Christmas and holiday celebrations is not an uncommon place to find oneself. Between day-in-day-day-out responsibilities and all that comes with the holidays, it can be hard to juggle all the things that call or try to call one’s attention at this time of year. However, taking some time to consider and pray with your desire for experiencing the peace and joy of this holy season as well as God’s desire for you, and then taking even just a few moments here and there throughout the coming week(s) can make a big difference.
At this time of year, it may seem like things, whether gifts, gestures, or responses, need to big, or bigger, or not at all. Yet, looking the readings for today (Micah 5:1-4a; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Hebrews 10:5-10; and Luke 1:39-45), they are a reminder of the most important part of all—the Source of peace and joy. And perhaps they can also be seen as an invitation to take notice of the source of one’s motivation and the state of one’s heart.
From the Book of Micah, we read:
“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:1
When thinking of a ruler or a king, it’s natural to think in terms of grandeur. And in general, it seems human nature to be attracted to that which is, in some way, big, bright, or shiny. It’s easier to notice or pay attention to things that are “in your face” so to speak. Yet, the Prince of Peace is to come from the least among Judah’s clans.
In what ways are you open to the unexpected throughout the holidays? How do you desire to receive them as well as to recognize beauty and grandeur in both the big and the smaller moments?
The response for the Psalm is:
“Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” – Psalm 80:4
Take some time to reflect on, and pray with, the ways that the Lord restores, renews, and refreshes you. As you think about the coming week and the continuing holiday season, what are the places or situations where you might feel hesitant, anxious, or less inclined toward? Invite Jesus into these spaces and allow your heart and mind to be open to the direction toward which the Lord wishes to inspire you.
In the Letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul writes:
When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” – Hebrews 10:5-7
And in the Gospel according to Luke, Elizabeth is described as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” as she cries out:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:42-45
What are some of the ways that the Holy Spirit has guided or enlightened you along the way this year?
Remembering that Mary has come to see Elizabeth after being visited by the Angel, Gabriel, and having responded yes to God’s will, what’s it like when you contemplate how the way that Mary responds—her will embracing God’s will and the two becoming One—extends beyond her and impacts others?
How are you affected or inspired by the notion that God’s will for Mary, is also God’s will for humanity?
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. – Luke 1:38
The Gospel passage for the Third Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:10-18) begins with the question, “What then should we do?” What to do is a question that is asked of John the Baptist three times in this passage. And through his replies, John essentially instructs those who have what we might call an upper hand or an edge over others—a crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers who are seemingly among the first to make their way to the desert to be baptized—to share with those who are without, to refrain from over taxing others, and to stop abusing their position by using it to take advantage of others.
How do John’s instructions strike you?
It’s interesting that just prior to this passage, John had said to the first group of people mentioned (the crowd),
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” – Luke 3:8-9.
What do you think caused the crowd to respond with, “What then should we do?”
Envisioning yourself in this crowd, and labeled by John the Baptist as “a brood of vipers,” are you surprised or shocked? What would you do at these words? What response or question would you have?
When presented with a situation that is unexpected, how do you decide what to do? What does your prayer process look like in terms of manner, taking time and a step back, desire and/or openness to new or different ways forward? How about when it comes to situations that are expected? How does your prayer process stay the same or fluctuate?
Spend some time in prayer, sharing with Jesus that which arises into your awareness, and seeking wisdom, guidance, and whatever else you feel you need at this moment. As your prayer comes to a close, express your desire as you go forward, and ask for the grace to receive, whole-heartedly, God’s love for you, and the desire Jesus has for you at this moment.
Then, on this Gaudete Sunday, rejoice in the Lord!
You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. – Thomas Merton
Ushering in the Second Week of Advent, the readings for this Sunday (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126:1-6; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; and Luke 3:1-6) can be taken as a reminder of the all-encompassing nature of God, and a call to hope, faith, and letting God be God.
In the Book of the Prophet Baruch, we read:
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. – Baruch 5:5
What’s it like to reflect on this image, “being gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One”?
Recall some of the ways that you have been remembered by God and what God has done for you. Maybe there is a situation(s) where you have benefitted from or experienced God’s grace without even realizing it. How have you responded to God, both then and now?
When you think about challenges you may be facing or concerns that you currently have, what’s it like when you envision yourself enfolded in the “word of the Holy One” and as one “remembered by God”?
In the Second Reading, St. Paul offers a beautiful prayer for the Philippians.
And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1:9-11
However, just prior to this, in verse 8, St. Paul writes:
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Notice how St. Paul continually emphasizes or directs his audience (whom he addresses as “all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers” in verse 1) to God as the object (or focus) and the source of good and righteousness—at the beginning, the end, and everywhere in between.
What strikes you most, or what desires arise within you, as you consider St. Paul’s words as well as his approach in the Second Reading?
In the Gospel According to St. Luke, verses 1-6 of chapter 3, we turn to a listing of who’s “in charge” (Caesar, Pilot, and tetrarchs) at the time that John the Baptist is in the desert, fulfilling prophecy. We read:
As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”– Luke 3:4-6
Take some time to consider these verses in the light of the God who remembers you… who loves you… and whose living, breathing Word seeks to protect and guide you to salvation.
As you journey through this week, how do you wish to respond to the all-encompassing nature of God, and the call to hope, faith, and letting God be God?
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:3
The Season of Advent and its related Scripture remind us of the twists and turns that life can take for anyone. They also provide an opportunity to see the faithfulness and goodness of God. In addition, they exemplify how being faithful to God involves being open to ways or paths that may differ, sometimes greatly, from the ones we may have planned or imagined for ourselves.
Take some time to think about what it has been like in the past for you to accept or make changes to the plans, ideas, and/or notions you have envisioned. What is it like in the present?
We all have things we would like to accomplish and look for ways, or paths, to do so. However, in proceeding in earnest and with good intentions as we strive, we can become mixed up when we don’t leave room for, can’t see, or are not open to the possibility of change(s) as being needed and for the better good. So when the twists and turns come, we can become even more attached to our own intentions and the ways we planned to accomplish them, instead of allowing the grace of God to help us to be open to making an adjustment or being open to a different way.
Sometimes, interference and the unexpected can push our buttons in ways that can make us behave as less than what we are… what we were created to be—beings in the image of God. When this happens, we can lose sight of the wideness of God, and the depth of God’s love, compassion, and mercy.
What are some memories you have of times when you met change, unexpected challenges, and/or uncertainty with a quiet calmness? How do those times compare to ones where, perhaps, quiet calmness and peace gave way to unrest?
Stand with the Lord at the threshold between the times of peace and the times of unrest that you’ve recalled. Ask Jesus to unveil the place(s) where maybe you couldn’t sense his presence or take direction, as well as the place(s) where you could. Express to the Lord your gratitude and your desire to remember whatever he wants you to hold onto from these instances as you enter the Advent Season and look to prepare for Christmas.
Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. – Psalm 25:4
Today is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The response for the Psalm is, “The Lord is King; he is robed in majesty.” (Psalm 93:1a). Take some time to reflect on this. What is this King like?
As you continue to envision the Lord as King, think about what you have learned about Jesus through both Scripture and experience. How has his majesty impacted your life, and influenced your choices?
In today’s Gospel (John 18:33b-37), Jesus is being interrogated by Pilate. This is after Peter has denied knowing Jesus for the third time and the cock has crowed.
In response to Pilate asking, “Then you are a king?”, Jesus replies,
“You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” – John 13:37
Think about how Jesus testifies to the truth—to God—in his life, through his words and actions, and the choices he makes. What do you admire most about Jesus? And how does he inspire you?
Mindful of being someone who belongs to the truth, robed in majesty, and continuing to hold onto the qualities of Jesus that you admire and are inspired by, consider how you are listening to Jesus’s voice in today’s world, by entering into a conversation with Jesus. Invite him to show you the ways in which you are listening to his voice. Ask him to reveal any blind spots that may be interfering with your ability to listen and/or creating misunderstanding of his voice and to what it testifies.
After a sufficient period of time, when the conversation has run its course, what is your prayer to Jesus as you prepare to go forth?
Now, giving Jesus the last word, what is his prayer for you?
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. – Psalm 93:1a
In the Gospel for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 6:1-6), as Jesus is teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth (his hometown), the people there are rather cynical due to their preconceived notions about what someone teaching with authority needs to be or look like, or where they need to come from. This is nothing new though. A common misstep of humankind throughout history has often been allowing for the appearance of strength, status, or other superficial measures to supersede the things that really matter, such as substance.
In this Gospel passage, we learn that Jesus couldn’t do much in Nazareth. It is written of Jesus, “He was amazed by their lack of faith.” What do you think is meant by that? What do you think made the people so closed off to Jesus, his approach, and what he was trying to teach them?
Whatever it was, there was a lack of openness to the Spirit of God exuding from Jesus. Perhaps the people couldn’t accept his words as truth or take to heart and ponder them, because they challenged them to consider things differently. However, with God, relationships are all about being mutual. And so, Jesus works with those in Nazareth who are open to the Spirit, and then moves on to places where the people are more open to him and the Way. Nothing is forced upon the Nazoreans, or those who disagree, and as always, Jesus models an example of respecting free will and trusting his Father to be the ultimate judge and decider of their fate. Anything else would lead to Jesus putting himself over God and would lead to further division and chaos.
Jesus can see this, but most of the people in the synagogue are too caught up in their own ideas and ideologies to notice the substance of Jesus’s teaching. Perhaps they recognize that it’s more than just another day in the synagogue, but their faith has shifted into a fixed version of the way things ought to be based on what they can wrap their minds around, rather than remaining fixed on God and, therefore, flexible to receive the Spirit’s guidance toward what may be new and different but is still of God.
When one comes to expect, or demands, the same of every day or has become self-centered and self-preserving above all else, faith becomes stagnant and fixed, for with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, there’s always something happening for the good of all, there is breadth and depth, there is newness and life… there is acceptance, and it is always more than just another day.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10
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