Through the waves of dissonance,
steady and in great calmness,
Truth works its way to the front,
making known what was hidden,
replacing what’s distorted,
shining light on what’s debased,
transforming what’s been disturbed,
renewing all purpose and
bringing a meaningful state.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord;
and you also will testify. – John 15:26b, 27a
We are His, the Lord’s, people, the sheep of His flock.
The One we belong to, so much better than great,
Carries all without blame, no excuses, no lies,
Just a care that runs deep and a heart of pure Love.
While one pretends, leading others astray and awry,
The Lord, ever-present, makes clear to the willing,
What’s honest and true, compared to what’s opposite.
Eyes open or not, the Lord is faithful to all.
Know that the Lord is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds. – Psalm 100:3
To remember the Lord God
across experiences,
in the bliss of greatest highs,
during the lulls and lows too,
and all the places between,
is but part of honest faith.
Giving praise and all glory
involves so much more than that,
a heart, mind, and soul willing
and free, receiving great Love,
breathing out in word and deed
that same Love without distance.
Taking and giving what’s Good,
sharing among the many,
knowing Christ in body, blood,
guiding light, for what is right,
showing care to all, for all,
with room to grow, not to shrink.
Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. – 1 Corinthians 10:17
In the First Reading for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, after Jesus ascends into heaven, it is written of the apostles:
When they entered the city
they went to the upper room where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. – Acts 1:13-14
Envision yourself in the upper room with those who are close to you. You’ve just witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven, and have experienced the living word of God, individually and collectively. What is in your heart and on your mind, and what is your prayer regarding it?
The response for the Psalm is, “I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13).
The verses of the Psalm for this Sunday, begin with:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
Take some time to consider, one by one, anything that has been on your mind and makes you feel concerned, anxious, afraid, or troubled. Imagine yourself bringing each thing that comes to mind to the Lord and, as you do, picture the Lord gently receiving each care and taking it from you, as you say:
“I have seen the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Allow yourself to be present to whatever thoughts and feelings arise. Converse with the Lord about them and listen to the Lord to get a deeper sense of the message or sentiment that is awaiting you amid your earthly cares.
In the verses of the Second Reading it is written:
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
But let no one among you be made to suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed
but glorify God because of the name. – 1 Peter 4:13-16
What phrase or part of these verses sticks out to you most, as if jumping off the page?
In the verse that comes before the ones in the Second Reading, it is written:
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. – 1 Peter 4:12
What comes to mind as you consider both what stood out to you in verses 13-16 and this verse? What would you like to say to the Lord about it? What do imagine the Lord wants to say to you in reply?
In the Gospel passage, it is written:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.” – John 17:1-11a
What happens when you reflect on Jesus giving glory and honor to God by his love, prayers, devotion, and dedication to the well-being of those placed in his care?
Jesus says in the verses above, “I pray for them.” How might his prayer be applied to today’s world? And how do you desire to be devoted “with one accord” (united with others) thru that prayer?
O that water on which you walked
became solid ground, sprouting faith.
Filled with hope, trusting in the way,
embracing light and life you give.
Yet, shadows billow as they may,
threatening clouds swirling around.
Acting big, but so very small,
so dull and dense, missing the point.
Replace the darkness in our midst.
Revive good sense that’s been dismissed.
Protect and guide all souls to you,
doing the good you’d have them do.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me. – John 14:1
Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, or in the Catholic Church, Divine Mercy Sunday, as it was designated in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II. When you think of mercy, what does it look like? What characteristics come to mind?
On the night that Jesus was arrested, he said to the disciples gathered around the table,
“This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’;
but after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee.” – Matthew 26:31-32
In today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31), the disciples, although afraid from all that transpired and what it might mean for them, have reconnected and come back together. They did not allow what might be labeled as their failures (e.g. fleeing the scene, Peter’s denials) to override the example of Jesus and to tear them apart. Instead, they chose to embrace what was instilled in them by the grace of God and imparted to them by the mercy of God, extending both to each other.
Rather than looking to place blame or find fault with each other and giving rise to in-fighting and division, the disciples, still afraid and likely unsure, gathered together, and in their unity, Jesus appears to them, not upset at them for scattering or holding a grudge, but wishing them peace and extending grace to them.
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.” – John 20:19-23
How do Jesus’s words above speak to you today? Share with Jesus what’s in your heart and on your mind as you consider these verses. Ask Jesus for his perspective.
Now, Thomas who was absent when Jesus appeared to the disciples doesn’t believe what is reported to him by the disciples who were there. Or, perhaps the thing that Thomas doesn’t believe without seeing for himself, is not the words of his fellow disciples, but the words of the Lord.
In other words, maybe the point is not that Thomas was expected to blindly take the words of his fellow disciples as truth, but rather that Thomas’s faith was so shaken by the experience of the crucifixion that it led him to some level of mistrust in the words that Jesus had spoken before his death.
Next, consider Jesus’s response. True to His nature, Jesus, again, doesn’t hold a grudge and doesn’t lose faith in Thomas, but as always, responds with understanding. In his mercy, Jesus appears again to the disciples at a time when Thomas is present. Jesus gives Thomas what he needs in order to be strengthened in his fatih, and at a time when he is able to best receive it.
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” – John 20:24-29
What do you imagine the week between being told about Jesus’s appearance and his reappearance was like for Thomas? What might the week between the two appearances have been like for the rest of the disciples?
Reflect on your experience of moments of uncertainty or times when your faith has been shaken. What was it like? And how did you face it? In what ways was Jesus present to you, and how might you need that same presence today?
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name. – John 20:30-31
In his poem, The Universal Prayer, Alexander Pope wrote, “Teach me to feel another’s woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.” How has your heart been touched by mercy? And how you have extended mercy to others?
The Universal Prayer by Alexander Pope
Father of all! In every age,
In every clime adored,
By saint, by savage, and by sage,
Jehovah, Jove, or Lord! Thou great First Cause, least understood!
Who all my sense confined
To know but this, that thou art good,
And that myself am blind; Yet gave me, in this dark estate,
To see the good from ill;
And binding nature fast in fate,
Left free the human will. What conscience dictates to be done,
Or warns me not to do,
This, teach me more than hell to shun,
That, more than heaven pursue. What blessings thy free bounty gives,
Let me not cast away;
For God is paid when man receives,
To enjoy is to obey. Yet not to earth’s contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound,
Or think thee Lord alone of man,
When thousand worlds are round: Let not this weak, unknowing hand
Presume thy bolts to throw,
And deal damnation round the land
On each I judge thy foe. If I am right, thy grace impart
Still in the right to stay;
If I am wrong, oh teach my heart
To find that better way. Save me alike from foolish pride,
Or impious discontent,
At aught thy wisdom has denied,
Or aught thy goodness lent. Teach me to feel another’s woe,
To hide the fault I see;
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me. Mean though I am, not wholly so,
Since quickened by thy breath;
Oh lead me whereso’er I go,
Through this day’s life or death. This day be bread and peace my lot:
All else beneath the sun,
Thou know’st if best bestowed or not;
And let thy will be done. To thee, whose temple is all space,
Whose altar, earth, sea, skies,
One chorus let all being raise;
All nature’s incense rise!
After a long day of preparing,
mixing together ingredients,
waiting for the dough to do its thing,
sectioning it off into pieces,
allowing some more time for proofing,
carefully baking them til just right,
waiting for cool to overcome heat,
dunking, dipping to greater enhance,
and then waiting for all to soak in,
before sending out, sharing the wealth.
Pouring out what was poured into it,
not just on this solitary day,
but the days and years leading to it,
a reflection of the call to all,
generation to generation,
patiently tend and faithfully wait,
take notice of what is taking stem,
what matters most is the Love within,
and letting it shine glory to God,
remembering One, remembers all.
“Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” – Luke 24:35
That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
“What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?”
And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
They said to him,
“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. – Luke 24:13-35
The crowd, big, unwavering for a time,
swept up in adoration, praise, and joy,
not really knowing what was drawing them,
but nonetheless giving in to that voice.
In one direction, was how they began,
but then it changed, like all shifty things do,
with smoke and mirrors and numerous tricks,
yet still losing wit—a tangled up mess.
The ruler we’re told, unnerved at their choice,
a frustrating thing, as well as unheard,
it is what it is, and how it will be,
people are who they are, until they’re free.
Judging this, judging that, unable to see
by the light in “their” way. It’s only one Way,
The truth pushing through, will not be denied,
faithful, steady, honor instead of praise.
Jesus, from beginning to end, having been stripped, beaten, taunted and jeered, no finger pointed or person damned, nor any call for revenge. Lord, may your example be the one we hold above all.
Approaching the Fifth Sunday of Lent, take a moment to consider the past few weeks and the times you have felt closest to the Lord as well as those times you have felt distanced. Of the situations that come to mind, what jumps out the most in terms of the characteristics of the Lord that you experienced and the ones that, in hindsight, you may have been seeking without knowing it at the time? Take what you notice to prayer, trusting that although the time has passed, conversation with the Lord can still bear fruit, providing insight, wisdom, and whatever else you may need at this moment, and going forward.
As you prepare to consider the readings for this Sunday, invite the Lord to continue the conversation and time together.
In the First Reading from Ezekiel 37:12-14, we have the ending verses of a section referred to as “Vision of the Dry Bones”. The passage is a conversation between the prophet and the Lord where the dry bones are likened to the loss of hope in the Lord, and Ezekiel is instructed as to what he is to tell to the people. As Ezekiel follows each of the Lord’s directives, the vision moves toward the bones being restored to life.
The directives to the dry bones spoken by the prophet are in Word:
“Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (v. 4);
and Spirit:
“Listen! I will make breath enter you so you may come to life.” (v. 5).
The dry bones come to life and the Lord says to Ezekiel: “They are saying, ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off.’” (v.11)
This is where the First Reading starts. The Lord further instructs Ezekiel, giving him the words to address the need for restoration/renewal, hope, and connection.
Among the words of the Lord, in these verses, to be prophesied are:
“I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life, and I will settle you in your land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. I have spoken; I will do it” (v. 14)
How are your mind and your heart touched by the words and imagery in this passage? Share what you think and feel at this moment with the Lord. Ask the Lord for openness to receiving his insights about restoration, renewal, hope, and/or connection in your life, your community, and the world at large.
Continuing to stay with the conversation, consider the response to the Psalm, “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” (Psalm 130:7). What are a few ways that you have received the Lord’s mercy and a sense of redemption? How do you feel as you recall those times? In what ways might they instill greater hope in you or inspire you today?
In the Second Reading (Romans 8:8-11), part of what St. Paul writes to the Romans is:
“But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” – v. 9-10
How do you desire for the Spirit of God, that dwells in you, to be with you and to help you to not only hold onto and connect to, but to also be energized by and to be a reflection of the Lord’s mercy, hope, and inspiration? Share with the Lord whatever is in your heart at this time. Also, take time to allow the Lord to reveal what’s on his heart.
The following verses are an excerpt from the Gospel Reading (John 11:1-45):
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 11:39-44
Contemplating this passage in the light of your prayers, conversation with the Lord, and what you noticed from the prior readings above, what is the stone that Jesus wants to take away? In what ways might Jesus want you to “untie” and “let go”?
As you pray with this, ask for openness to the Lord’s guidance and for whatever you feel you need to hear the Word of God, to listen, and to receive the Spirit of God. What does the Lord desire for you so that the goodness that dwells within you, continues to sustain you, your hope in the Lord, and extends to others.
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? – John 11:25-26
As we reach Laetare (“rejoice”) Sunday, the thought of rejoicing during a time of such unrest, outright war, and great concern throughout the world can seem so far away and of another world. However, isn’t that part of what faith is all about? Trusting that there is something more. Placing our hope in the One who hears our cries, lifts us up, and gives us guidance and strength as we strive for eternal life. Rejoicing in the Lord who, without fail, is with us.
Take some time to think about what you’re grateful for and to remember the ways in which you have been blessed by the Lord. Then, inspired by the Lord’s faithfulness, pray for whatever enters your mind and heart, knowing that you are praying to the Lord for whom nothing is impossible.
Continuing on, be mindful of the Lord who is ever present and loves us unconditionally as we look at the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
In the First Reading (1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a), the Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David king. When Samuel arrives in Bethlehem all he knows is that one of Jesse’s sons is to be anointed and that the Lord will help him to know which one. As soon as Samuel sees the first son, Eliab, he assumes this is the one to be anointed. However, Eliab is not the one.
“But the Lord said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” – v. 7
What have you been holding in your heart this past week? What about today? What do you imagine is on God’s heart?
As the reading continues, the remaining sons of Jesse are then presented to Samuel, but none of them are the one that he was sent to anoint. This leads Samuel to ask Jesse if he has any other sons. Jesse reveals that there is another son and then sends for David, his youngest, at Samuel’s instruction. Sure enough, David is the one whom the Lord has chosen.
At first sight, Samuel was certain that Eliab had to be the one the Lord had chosen. Yet, in the end, the son the Lord had chosen wasn’t present and had to be sent for. Imagine how unexpected going through the seven sons who were present and not being told, “this is the one,” must have been for Samuel. What do you think led him to ask Jesse if he had any other sons?
What kinds of things do you notice at first sight? How do you experience the unexpected? In what ways do you sense or seek the Lord’s presence in what you notice? In the unexpected?
The Psalm for Laetare Sunday is the following:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come. – Psalm 23: 1-6
Reflecting on the characteristics of the Lord that are expressed in the Psalm, in what way do you most need the Lord to shepherd you today?
Turning to the Second Reading, it is written:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.” – Ephesians 5:8-14
Allow yourself to envision being enveloped in the light of the Lord. As you take in the goodness of the Lord, your heart becomes full of peace, love, and hope. How do you desire to respond? How does the Lord envision you as an extension of God’s peace, love, and hope?
The Gospel passage is John 9:1-41, The Man Born Blind. Read this passage from your Bible.
What part(s) of this passage resonated with you most? What part(s) surprised you or struck you differently than in the past? How does what you noticed or what’s being stirred within you relate to what’s in your heart and what’s weighing on your heart?
What insight does the Lord want to share with you so that you are better able to consider what’s beyond visible and to see more and more with the eyes of your God-given heart?
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life. – John 8:12
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