God’s presence

The Raising of Lazarus

The Hope that Raises and Restores…

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.

The Raising of Lazarus

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

Beyond What’s Readily Visible…

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

Sunset

And When They Raised Their Eyes…

Late afternoon the other day as sunset was moving in, the sky displayed a beautiful spread of colors in between the homes and trees, utility poles and power lines. Through all the obstacles intruding on the view, there was light, not only persevering, but also bringing hope, showing up in shades of glory, working among its surroundings, in a most remarkable way.

When was the last time your attention was caught by light? Recall where you were and what was happening at the time. How were your heart and mind stirred by the experience? As you remember it, how are you touched by it today?

The following verses from the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Lent (Matthew 17:1-9) come after Peter, James, and John witness the Transfiguration of Jesus. The three disciples saw remarkable light as they watched Jesus, transfigured, speaking with the prophets, Moses and Elijah. Peter is all about wanting to build three tents at the site—one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Take some time to consider what you seek to preserve and what kinds of things lead you to a sense of reverence or admiration?

While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid. – v. 5-6

Envision yourself on the mountain alongside the three disciples. Like them, you hear the voice and fall to the ground, face down in fear. In that moment, it’s as if you’re alone. But then, Jesus puts his hand on your shoulder and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” (v. 7). You lift your head and the first thing you see, are Jesus’s eyes, tenderly looking into your eyes. You reach for and grab his hand as he helps you to stand up. Next, the two of you sit down, and Jesus asks you to tell him what you are afraid of, what is weighing on you or puts your gaze down toward the ground. What do you say? And how does Jesus respond?

What do you need from Jesus to continue raising your eyes toward Him?

Continue the conversation, taking time to reveal what’s on your heart and pausing to really listen to what Jesus wants you to know. When this exchange with Jesus feels complete, allow for some words or a gesture between you and Jesus as you prepare to rejoin the disciples for the trek back down the mountain.

What does Jesus want you to carry with you or to remember most at this moment?

Sunset

And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. – Matthew 17:8

Christmas Lighted gardens

Homage…

Each year, again, we seek
something more, something new.
Building up. Tearing down.
Holding more than our own
as Glory Be’s to You.

Drawing lines in the sand,
fast and loose with quick claims,
Quit it. Learn a new beat.
Reverence, deference,
in honor of what/who?

Big? Bold? Leaves love to die,
but Love, ever faithful,
with us always, urging
mercy, peace, and goodwill,
for all, not just the few.

Christmas Lighted gardens

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. – Matthew 2:2

His Warmth…

Although the colder air that accompanies this time of year in the Northeast can be quite refreshing, after some time, it can leave one wanting for the warmth of shelter, a soft blanket, or hot beverage to offset the chill.

In the Gospel passage for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Matthew 1:18-24), we learn about the warmth of St. Joseph’s response to his betrothed, with whom he had not yet lived or had relations with, being pregnant. Imagine the response, gossip, or chill in the air, created by those around Mary and Joseph. Yet, even before his dream in which the Lord appeared, reassuring him of Mary’s faithfulness, Joseph had decided to respond in a way that was filled with warmth, gentleness, and mercy:

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly. – v. 18-19

Envision yourself in Joseph’s shoes. He is described here as being righteous. What do you make of his initial decision to quietly divorce?

Reflecting on situations that are on your mind and in your heart, how do you seek righteousness? What does it look like? And what qualities does it manifest?

As the Gospel passage continues, Joseph has a dream in which the Lord visits him.

“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.” – v. 20-21

Recall a time when you had made a decision and then something occurred that reaffirmed your decision or created a new sense of the situation. What happened? What were you praying for, and how did things turn out? How were you saved or blessed? What was the warmth of God like?

Invite the Lord to revisit this with you. What grace from this experience awaits you today?

Spend some time contemplating the verses below and noticing what word, phrase, or image speaks to your heart most:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.” – v. 22-23

Continuing to pray with what caught your attention, ask the Lord to grant you insight so that you may see, or have a greater sense of, “God is with us.”

Before ending this prayer time, return to the image of St. Joseph.

When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. – v. 24

As you strive to be faithful to God, what inspires you? What do you need from the Lord to draw comfort and strength from Him, as you journey through your days, while also reflecting the warmth of His presence.

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. – Psalm 24:7c,10b

Waterfall

The Temple…

Lots handed out, or so it seems.
Making the best, letting it go.
Sojourners weathered… worn, but blessed.

Persevering Hope and Great Love,
No doom nor great gloom can upend
The temple within The Temple.

Released into pockets of space
Throughout the passages of time,
All of creation, born sacred.

Water and Spirit flowing free
By the earnest beat of One Heart,
Bringing Light, bringing Life, to all.

Waterfall

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46

Roadside view into great wide open

All Souls

In the eye of one’s heart—soul,
Each step on this great journey
Giving not away, but way
To the will of Greater Glory.

Lives come and pass, to behold,
With examples that linger
And great lessons that remain;
Teach what to hold or let go.

In sacred remembrance,
All souls living on the earth
Have been given the honor
To seek what is wise and true,
And choose what is eternal.

Roadside view into great wide open

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. – Psalm 23:1

Saving Power…

Taking the plunge, one by one,
each day breaks through, something new;
Your wisdom and grace abound.

You come to us, work through us,
dignify our worth, our place.
How great when we allow it!

Kindness, compassion, mercy,
Your word, all within our reach,
to embrace, not turn around.

Brute force is never Your way.
Choice upon choice, you give us,
filled with hope, to seek what’s best.

Guiding light softly spoken,
gentle nudging, Love of loves,
Always with us, through and through,
Saving Power seeking heart.

Heart with a cross in the center

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. – (cf. Psalm 98: 2b)

Celtic Healing Cross

You, have redeemed the world…

“The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts.” ― St. John Chrysostom

Praying with the scripture readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 78:1b-2, 34-38; Philippians 2:6-11; and John 3:3-17), contemplate what it means to engrave them upon your heart.

In the First Reading, we hear of the Israelites, at wit’s end, upset by their situation in the desert, and making it known to Moses. We also learn of the punishing arrival of saraph serpents, leading to the surmise of many, and the subsequent realization of sin and prayer for relief. Following this, Moses prays for the people to be spared from the serpents, and the Lord replies, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.” (Numbers 21:8).

What do you make of the notion that to be cured, or to overcome the serpent’s bite, requires looking at the bronze serpent mounted on the pole?

Take some time to consider a situation or area in which your patience is worn thin, or where you have been bitten. What has your reaction or response been? And how might you ask for, and receive, God’s grace to move toward peace and healing—a better way?

The response for the Psalm (Psalm 78:1b-2, 34-38) is, “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” (Ps 78:7b). Like it was in the desert for the Israelites and Moses, it can be tempting for anyone to react or respond out of feelings of discontent or anger, when it feels like needs are not being met or answers are nowhere to be found. This psalm invites us to recall what is true. None of us are without mistakes and missteps along the way. Still though, God is merciful and forgiving. This psalm encourages us to recall and remember the ways that God has been, and is, steadfast toward us.

Think about your experience of God turning something bad into something good?

Throughout the week, in moments with or without concern or upset, pause to acknowledge and give praise to God for God’s faithfulness to you. Allow yourself the space and invite God into it, to help you to see the entire picture, and to remember what is true.

In the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:6-11), it is written:

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Continuing to pray with the thoughts, feelings, and situations that have come to mind and heart thus far, where might the words emptied, humbled, exalted, and bestowed—the past tense verbs used by St. Paul to describe actions of Jesus and God—be applicable or come into play? Ask the Lord to help you to identify ways that these words operate in your life, and what purpose they might be serving.

Turning to the Gospel passage (John 3:13-17), Jesus is mid-conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who has come to see Jesus in the darkness of night. Nicodemus is trying to understand what Jesus means by, “no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (Jn 3:3).

What does being born from above mean to you?

For the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are reminded of where, and who, we currently are—our place as well as our call—eternal life through Jesus.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus refers to Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the desert and says, “so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:14-15). He knows that Nicodemus will be familiar with and understand what has been written in Scripture. However, an earmark of Jesus is to elevate and help us along toward living Scripture. This is what he is trying to do, when he follows up with:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17).

Enter into conversation with Jesus about these two verses, inviting him to elevate and help you along in your journey toward living Scripture, or living it more fully. When your prayer time comes to a close, add the following:

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your Cross you have redeemed the world. – St. Francis of Assisi

Celtic Healing Cross

Hearts being lifted up by a butterfly.

Begin with Love…

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter can be seen as encouragement toward, and an opportunity to reflect throughout the week on perseverance, praise, promise, and practice, but most of all, Love.

In the First Reading (Acts 14:21-27), Paul and Barnabas continue their travels, preaching to and teaching the Gentiles about the Way. In this scripture passage, it is written:

“They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, ‘It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’” (v. 22).

Think about some of the hardships you have encountered or are currently experiencing. Where have you found strength to persevere? What about moments of peace? How do you desire God to be present to you regarding these challenges? Take some time to bring these areas to prayer and express what is in your heart as you do.

The First Reading ends with the following verses:

“From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” (v.26-27).

Continuing to reflect on the questions above, your prayer, and these closing verses, what insight or inspiration comes to you?

——————–

In the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 145:8-13), the response comes from verse 1 of the Psalm which is, “I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever.” While it expresses the psalmist’s deep sense of gratitude to God, the verses that follow it speak to characteristics of God:

“The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The Lord is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.” (v. 8-9).

In what ways have you encountered, and do you continue to encounter, grace, mercy, patience, and kindness through God, both directly and indirectly? In what ways do you embody and promote these characteristics to others?

The verses of the Psalm continue:

“Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.” (v. 10-11).

“Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.” (v. 12-13).

What strikes you most about the above verses, in terms of the reception of the Creator and the response of the created? As you contemplate this, what events or circumstances come to mind and what feelings do they give rise to? Where and how do praise and gratitude come into play? Pray with this, sharing your thoughts and feelings with the Lord, and allowing yourself to listen to or get a sense of the Lord’s response.

——————–

The Second Reading comes from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 21:1-5a):

“Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.’
The One who sat on the throne said,
‘Behold, I make all things new.’”

After reading the above passage, when you read, “God’s dwelling is with the human race.”, what comes to mind, and what feelings accompany it?

As you continue to reflect, envision yourself, arm in arm with the Lord, walking along a path, in a place of your choosing. Share the thoughts and feelings that are stirring within you and allow the Lord to respond. Notice the way you receive or embrace each other as you communicate? What characteristics of the Lord do you experience and what ones do you exude to the Lord?

Recalling the last verse in this passage, “The One who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’”, what is your current level of trust in these words? Taking to heart God’s words as God’s promise, and your current reality, what happens? Share what’s going on inside you with the Lord including the areas that pose a challenge to your belief?

As your prayer time comes to its closing, what desire is in your heart? And what is the Lord’s desire for you?

——————–

The Gospel passage for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 13:31-33a, 34-35) takes us back to the Last Supper, after Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples and Judas has taken leave of Jesus and the others present.

“When he had left, Jesus said,
‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.’”

What’s it like to sit with the notion of the glory of God being in you? In what ways does, and can, being mindful of this truth enrich and/or enlighten your words and actions? In practice, how does it inspire a cooperative spirit with the flow of God’s love in and through you?

“Where do we begin? Begin with the heart.” – Julian of Norwich