God

Receive Each Moment…

Driving on the highway on a clear but overcast winter morning one moment. Aimlessly sliding across lanes in the next. But through the grace of God, control was regained and the trip continued. In an instant, never mind a day or more, all sorts of things such as situations, environments, etc. can change drastically.

We can know that something is coming and do our best to prepare for it. For example, cold weather can bring icy conditions. Yet even being aware and extra careful, one can’t make any, and all, ice on a road or highway visible to the naked eye. And sometimes, like it or not, there is ice that’s both invisible and inescapable, extending across a road.

So, what’s one to do in these kinds of unavoidable situations? Shrink away from them? Or face them?

The fact of the matter is that there isn’t any one way or one answer for most things. However, there is always a best way to meet the moment. And oftentimes, arriving at it requires relinquishing the notion of control. Whether sliding across the highway in the cold, or steering the wheel on a warm, sunny day, it is the grace and love of God that sustains us.

We all have experiences that can shake us, literally and in other ways. Ones that can create anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and more. Yet, in all of them, we may not be in control, but we always have a choice(s). We can always strive to focus on what is best, what is possible, and most especially the spirit in which we proceed.

Last week’s Gospel was about the Wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11). When Mary tells Jesus that the wine has run out, he responds in part, “My hour has not yet come.” Yet, Mary still tells the waiters to do as Jesus tells them. Jesus instructs the waiters. They follow his instructions—essentially becoming part of the miracle—and through the grace of God, the problem is resolved. It wasn’t time… but it was. The time for the goodness of God—love, mercy, compassion, etc.—is always.

In the Gospel for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21), we start by going back to the beginning of Luke’s Gospel. We are reminded of Luke’s motivation. In his own words, he is striving to preserve an accurate account of Jesus life and ministry. And part of that account follows as we read about Jesus in the time after his baptism and temptation in the desert.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. – Luke 4:14-15

What do you imagine Jesus, “in the power of the Spirit,” was like? What characteristics would you use to describe someone in the power of the Holy Spirit?

As the Gospel continues, Jesus enters the temple in Nazareth and proceeds to read from the scroll handed to him—the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” – Luke 4:17-21

Take some time to think about what you have learned and come to know about Jesus’s life and ministry. In what ways did Jesus’s words and actions fulfill this passage? How have you experienced these and other qualities of Jesus?

Whether it was at the wedding feast in Cana, in the temple in Nazareth, or elsewhere, and no matter what time it was, the Spirit in which Jesus lived and ministered was consistent and unwavering. And at the same time, he was fluid in meeting the moment with love and mercy, lifting all up as the glory of God, rather than making it his own.

Jesus’s life and teachings show us that the moment is always upon us, and the times is always right, to reflect the goodness of God. And more than that, our time is ours only thru the grace of God, and as such, it is always ripe with opportunity to be an expression of love and mercy in the world.

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me. – St. Ignatius, Suscipe

Reverence…

In the second reading for this Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord, Peter says to those gathered before him, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35).

Fear (or reverence) of the Lord can be a challenging concept. In fact, it can be tempting to mistake reverence as only being evidenced in what one can see. It can also be tempting to shrink it down to a fixed notion of what reverence looks like.

However, our faith calls us to remember, that we do not have the mind, or the insight of God. It is important to keep in mind that in our humanity, we can get hung up in appearances or distracted in what we think ought to be, and in the process, lose sight of the heart of any matter. It is only God who can truly judge, and help us to know, when and what to say or do in response to a situation(s).

And God, as we learn in the Scripture verses leading up to this Sunday’s second reading (Acts 10:9-33), does exactly this for Peter. God helps Peter to see that the faith that he holds so dear, is not just for those like him, but also for the gentiles. His experience on a rooftop during his midday prayer reveals the following:

He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.” But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.” The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky. – verses 10-16

As Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said [to him], “There are three men here looking for you. So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” – verses 19-20

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together and said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. – verses 25-28

However, there’s more than that. God also helps Cornelius. Who like Peter, is not tethered to his own notions, and therefore is able to be open to being guided by the Spirit of God. It is written that Cornelius responds to Peter’s inquiry as to why he called him:

“Four days ago at this hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” – verses 30-33

During the midday and afternoon hours of prayer, Peter and Cornelius had experiences of God that were different, but the same in Spirit. God gave them both direction, and despite it being an unusual or unexpected ask (for a Jew and a gentile, given practices, tradition, and cultural norms), both men in their fear or reverence of God, allowed themselves to cling to God and this new or different way, rather than a choice rooted in their worldly understanding—one that would have kept them separated… continuing with a wedge in place.

What wedges do you desire God to help humankind overcome today? Knowing that God’s grace flows in many directions on both small and large scales at the same time, what personal wedges would you like to overcome?

Take some time to reflect on this Scripture and how it relates to your experiences, both personal and more community or world-wide.

What happens when you think about God as placing emphasis on internal disposition or drive and how it motivates, informs, and influences one’s actions?

Envision the peace of God embracing you, calling your name, and saying, “You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). Rest in the Lord and listen to what God desires for you.

When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:4-7

More than Believing…

In the First Reading for the Feast of the Holy Innocents (1John 1:5-2:2), it is written:

“Now this is the message that we have heard from him [Jesus] and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” (verse 5)

In the past week(s), how have you experienced God’s light? In what ways do you desire for the light of God to shine through you, inspiring and leading you?

A few days ago, the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, began. The days leading up to Christmas can often be filled with anticipation and perhaps a rush, or a last-minute push, as if trying to cross the finish line in first place. Even in less busy years, this time of year can be as if there is something in the air, leading to reaching and stretching or a feeling of pressure and tension.

Similarly, some of the Scripture readings in the days after Christmas can change the feeling in the air as we read about stoning of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents.

However, when and where there is darkness, there is also Light to be found.

In the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we are told of the Holy Family’s Flight to Egypt:

“When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.’” – Matthew 2:13-18

What do you imagine the experiences mentioned in this passage were like for Rachel, Herod, and Joseph? As you contemplate this along with your own experiences, what captures your attention most?

In the Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family (Luke 2:41-52), Jesus at 12 years old is separated from his parents. After celebrating the Feast of Passover, Mary and Joseph are traveling as part of a caravan of relatives and others they know, heading back home from Jerusalem. They are more than a little way into the journey when they realize that Jesus is not with the group.

We read:

“After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.” – Luke 2:46-52

Picture what it was like for Mary and Joseph as they retraced their steps back to Jerusalem trying to find their son. What do you think the experience was like for the others in their caravan? Who, if any, searched with and returned to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph? And, how about what it might have been like for Jesus and the teachers in the temple?

Sometimes, when going through an experience, it can be easy for the scope of consideration to shrink, becoming narrower and leading one to consider fewer perspectives. However, faith calls us to be both focused (on God, Jesus, and the Way) and broad (open to different perspectives and willing to be guided and led by the Holy Spirit) in our approach and our endeavors.

What do you notice about God’s light and Divine intervention through the Flight into Egypt and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple? Pray with whatever insights you have. Talk with and listen to Jesus, as you share what you notice and any needs and desires that arise from within you as you continue to contemplate these passages and your own encounters and experiences.

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:12-15

The Thing To Do…

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

Hope, Faith, and Letting God be God…

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

Stairs on a nature trial

Advent(ure)…

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

Robed in Majesty…

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

Learning from the Fig Tree…

In the Gospel passage for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 13:24-32), Jesus says, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.” (v. 24). These words are part of his response to a question asked of him by the disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew.

Away from the others, and just after Jesus commented to his disciples on the destruction of the temple, they had asked him, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what sign will there be when all these things are about to come to an end?” (Mark 13:4). The first thing that Jesus says to them is, “See that no one deceives you.” (Mk 13:5). As he continues to tell them the signs and what will happen (trials and tribulations such as war, persecutions, etc.), he also continues to give them instructions as to how to handle themselves and the situations they will face. He says:

“… do not be alarmed” (v. 7)

“Watch out for yourselves.” or be aware (v. 9)

“… do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit.” (v. 11)

“Be watchful!” (v. 23)

Then he says these words that are part of the Gospel for today, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.” (v. 28). And although Jesus says this as he continues to tell Peter, James, John, and Andrew about the signs that will occur at the end times, the gospel passage ends with Jesus saying, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (v. 32). In other words, perhaps Jesus is reminding us not to focus on the signs, but rather to focus on his instructions.

His last instruction, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree,” is intriguing. In chapter 11 of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus curses a fig tree for being fruitless:

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, ‘May no one ever eat of your fruit again!’ And his disciples heard it.” (Mark 11:12-14).

In this earlier passage, there is a mention of time, “… it was not the time for figs.” And now, when Jesus is telling some of his disciples about the signs of the end times and instructing them on how to be prepared, he again, refers to figs and time (and not knowing the exact time of the end).

A few interesting things about figs and time… Fig trees, like other fruit trees, have leaves, but unlike other fruit trees, their fruit flowers internally. Also, each fig contains a collection of many flowers and seeds. And while one may think of a fig as a piece of fruit, they are actually an infructescence—a multiple fruit—that in a sense, is always in the process of blooming.

So, in both times of uncertainty and times of comfort, see that no one deceives you, do not worry, and learn from the fig tree, continuing to grow from within, knowing that the fruit will come at the time that is appointed.  

“Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure.” – Psalm 16:5

Fall time - Tree with red leaves

From Trust to Joy…

In The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen wrote, “Both trust and gratitude require the courage to take risks because distrust and resentment, in their need to keep their claim on me, keep warning me how dangerous it is to let go of my careful calculations and guarded predictions. At many points I have to make a leap of faith to let trust and gratitude have a chance. The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself, but also my brothers and sisters.”

Take a moment now to reflect on where you’ve experienced the Lord this past week and to what degree trust was involved. How did or does your experience help you to trust or to have faith, placing hope in the Lord with regards to a situation(s)? What happens when you bring areas in which your trust has possibly shifted away, back into prayer and back to the Lord?

Continuing to contemplate your experience, what qualities or characteristics that you associate with the Lord, are most noticeable? And how do these same qualities inform, influence, and inspire you and your choices?

The Gospel for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:46-52) begins in a sea of people, from within which, Bartimaeus, the blind man, is calling out to the Lord. And despite others around him telling him to stop and to keep quiet, he keeps calling out, “Son of David, have pity on me!” (v. 48).

Imagine what Bartimaeus might be holding in his heart as he’s trying to get Jesus’ attention? How about Jesus? What might be in his heart as he navigates through the crowd? What qualities do they each seem to have that might be informing, influencing, and inspiring them? What do each of them seem to be focused on?

Next, notice how Jesus receives and responds to Bartimaeus, the blind man who has let his guard down and opened himself up to both chance and Grace.

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way. – Mk 10:49-52

Jesus is essentially saying: I’m here and I’m listening… I see you… I hear you… Come closer… Tell me more. And Bartimaeus, by coming closer and sharing more with Jesus, is able to receive peace, healing, and greater faith.

Take whatever you are focused on, to Jesus, the One who is, who was, and who will ever be—here for you, listening to you, seeing and hearing you, and always saying, come closer, tell me more.

Then, after a period of sharing and listening, envision Jesus saying the same to you as he did to Bartimaeus, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:3

With Hope Well Placed…

Walking past crates of pumpkins and gourds at a local farm, the different colors and shapes are stunning. It’s interesting to think that such variety can grow out of the seemingly blah ground. Yet, when examined more closely, the soil, although drab compared to its yield, is actually quite diverse and multidimensional, holding various nutrients necessary to growth.

Turning to the readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are provided with an invitation to contemplate the relationship and impact of prayer, openness to Wisdom, and placing hope in God on environment and yield.

First, in the Book of Wisdom, we are encouraged to seek Wisdom above all else. It is written:

I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands. – Wisdom (7:7-11

Notice how the passage begins with praying and pleading, or in other words a humble posture. Not only that, but there is also the choice to seek Wisdom as well as to abide by it; this is further described throughout the passage. However, to be open to Wisdom, one must be open to the possibility that things are not what they seem or that there might be a better way. In addition, one must also be willing to loosen the grip, or let go of other notions, even if just temporarily, so as to allow Wisdom to shine the Light and make things clear.

In Psalm 90, the Psalmist also writes of Wisdom, reminding us of its source—God’s kindness (love)—and characteristics as well as its impact—prosperity through God’s grace.

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands! – Psalm 90:12-17

Although we cannot control the timing and placement of Wisdom, we can pray and plead for it, be aware of its characteristics, and open ourselves to it, and the graces it holds. In the Letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews, we are reminded of the power of God’s word.

Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account. – Hebrews 4:12-13

As human beings, our natural tendency is to fall into wanting to possess (control) or to fall into being possessed (controlled) by or too attached to things. However, God is not subject to this Achilles heel of ours. God, and God’s word, is “living and effective” because God is not bound, tied up, or confused, like we can be. Rather, God is all-knowing and constantly evolving, adjusting, and adapting to meet us where we are. This is not to inflict punishment or take away freedom, but to lift us up and fill us with an abundance of love and mercy, making the way for Wisdom to help us see clearly, and to use our free will to operate and navigate this world with love and mercy.

Looking at the Gospel passage for this week, we are reminded that faith and faithfulness to God not only extends beyond oneself, but that they also require flexibility and an openness to change, which is hindered when attachments to people, places, or things, outside of God exist.    

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
“How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.” – Mark 10:17-27

In the passage above, the man who approaches Jesus likely finds a great deal of security and comfort through his possessions, so much so that he walks away. In what ways can you understand how the man’s attachment prevents him from talking more with Jesus, or even asking Jesus for help? Notice how Jesus acknowledges that what he asked the man to do is not easy. Take some time to share with Jesus any challenges you may be facing with sharing the wealth—whether it is in the form of making a sacrifice to actively show care and concern for those in need, sharing something that you’re carrying all on your own and is weighing you down, or something else you’ve refrained from bringing to Jesus. Envision yourself as the man who walked away, and then, turn back around and bring yourself and your concerns back to Jesus.

We all have struggles, challenges, and hardships, yet at the same time, life and prosperity, and so many signs of it, also occur. It’s not an all or nothing, one way or the other, too late kind of world, but rather, it’s a world created by a God who is broadminded, far-reaching, for whom nothing is impossible, showing care and concern for everything and everyone, who tells us, place your hope in me, because, with me, anything is possible.