Jesus

All We Have—More Than Enough…

In the Gospel passage for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Luke 9:11b-17), it is written that as the end of the day is drawing near, Jesus’s disciples go to him with their plan on how to proceed with regards to the crowds who have followed Jesus and his disciples to Bethsaida, a town near the Sea of Galilee, and have witnessed Jesus’s preaching and healing. The disciples say, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” However, Jesus seems to have other ideas. He responds, “Give them some food yourselves.”

Take a moment to consider how you might receive Jesus’s words in this situation. How might your response vary based on whether you are in a deserted place? What’s it like to consider yourself as part of the solution, no matter where you are?

Next, the disciples focus on what they might do, but recognize it’s not possible for them to do much with what they have:

“Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”

Think of a situation where you feel that all you have is not enough to address it. Now, envision Jesus coming into the situation and inviting you to tell him more about it. Start with the words, “All I have is …” Notice what you include (things, people, thoughts, feelings, etc.).

What happens within you as you name what you bring to the situation? How does Jesus receive you and respond?

Now imagine Jesus instructing his disciples, and you, “Have them sit down in groups…”. Then Jesus, with abundant love and patience, turns to you, and tells you more. Pray and converse with Jesus about what this might mean for you and your situation. Share any, and all, thoughts and feelings that arise within you.

In the Gospel passage, after the disciples listened to Jesus and did as he asked, it is written:

“Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up,
they filled twelve wicker baskets.”

What’s it like to contemplate the fact that with Jesus, all you have is enough, and can even be more than enough?

Take time today, and throughout the week, to set down whatever is on your plate or is occupying your mind. Then pause and invite Jesus to say the blessing over you and your concerns. Next, allow the peace and wisdom of Jesus, the Bread of Life, to wash over you, and reveal how what you have can meet this moment and the moments ahead, and be more than enough.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever. – John 6:51

In the Flow…

At times it can be very tempting to want to come to an understanding and then to make that understanding into something, or to hold it, as fixed or set in stone. Yet, time and again, Scripture repeatedly points to change. In Isaiah 43, it is written:

“See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.” (v. 19).

In other words, in places where the human tendency is to see something as set or stagnant, or to write it off, in, through and with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, there is movement and possibility in everything, even that which appears to be static. In fact, the only true constant, as faith teaches, is the unwavering presence of the Holy Trinity.

Take a few moments to consider this further. Notice what comes to mind, and to what your heart is drawn as you contemplate this notion, and your personal experience.

In the Gospel passage for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity it is written:

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

Notice that Jesus uses the present tense when he says the Spirit of truth “will speak what he hears.” Jesus did not say, “will speak what he has heard.” What do you make of that?

Coming back to the notion of the Holy Trinity embracing and aiding movement and possibility, in what ways are you open to hearing more as you go about each day? In what areas might you be thoroughly convinced that there is no need to hear more, or to hear differently? How much room is being left for the Holy Spirit?

How does your level or sense of hope come into play and in whom or what is it placed? What is your overall stance, and how is the glory of God being honored or manifested in or through it?

Invite Jesus into conversation. Share with him what you’re noticing. Tell him about what it’s like for you when presented with something new or more, whether it relates to something you have already heard about, or something entirely different or novel. Allow Jesus to hear you out. Then ask Jesus for the grace to hear him out, and to be open to what he wants to reveal to you.

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

Peace Rising…

Celebrating the Sixth Sunday of Easter and moving toward the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the First Reading (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29) begins with:

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”

But then after much debate, or “dissension,” Paul, Barnabas, and others go to meet with the apostles and the elders to discuss this issue further. From this, comes:

“It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.”

This is a great reminder of the need to leave room for the Holy Spirit. It can be tempting to want to understand or “know” something and then to consider it a closed book. Yet here we can see that the Lord’s way calls for openness, flexibility, and trust that the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us toward what is right and just according to God.

In the Second Reading (Revelation 21:10-14,22-23), describes the magnificence and glory of “the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” There is a place for every tribe and three gates facing each direction (east, north, south, and west). The foundation, stones representing each apostle of the Lord. Then, the following is written:

“I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.”

Perhaps a prompt, or a gentle nudge to recall, that although the things of earth can at times bring comfort or a sense of security, nothing can surpass the love and protection of God. It’s more than a lifetime guarantee!

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.” – John 14:23-29

What thoughts and desires arise within you when you contemplate this passage?

What’s it like when you consider loving the Lord as being equal to keeping the Lord’s word, openness to being taught and reminded of the Lord’s word by the Holy Spirit and receiving the gift of the Peace of Jesus?

Take some time to reflect on your Easter journey thus far, and your relationship with Jesus. How do moments of peace and moments of distance from peace that you’ve experienced differ? And how are you inspired toward greater love and peace through the above Scripture passages and your experience of the risen Lord?

Your Peace, the greatest gift
next to Your lasting Love.
Exemplar of goodness,
kindness… integrity,
those wise, could hope to be.

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

Yellow flowers representing hope

Rooted in What?

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?

Yellow flowers representing hope

Hope rooted in the Lord, is well placed; with the Lord, nothing is impossible.

Hearts at the well; Jesus

When Hearts Are Best…

The response to the Psalm for the Third Sunday of Lent is, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:8). In last Sunday’s second reading (Philippian’s 3:17-4:1), St. Paul encourages discipleship with a focus on the Lord and the goal of citizenship in heaven, and instructs us to “Stand firm in the Lord.” (Phil 4:1). What happens when you reflect on the Lord’s nature as being both firm and kindhearted at the same time?

Continuing to think about the Lord’s characteristics, Let’s turn to the Gospel passage, the Samaritan Woman (John 4:5-42 – included below). Through the ebb and flow of their conversation, what touches your heart most about Jesus, the Samaritan woman, and their interaction? In what places do you sense firmness? And kindness? How do the two characteristics work together, and what do they bring about?

Next, take some time to consider a situation(s) you are currently facing. In what ways are your faith experience and your beliefs working? Do they expand your heart, or constrict it? How do they fit with “stand firm in the Lord” and “harden not your heart,” coming together for what is best. Invite Jesus to join you in prayer and to share His insights and guidance as you ponder this further.

Hearts at the well; Jesus

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her,
“Go call your husband and come back.”
The woman answered and said to him,
“I do not have a husband.”
Jesus answered her,
“You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’
For you have had five husbands,
and the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned,
and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,
but still no one said, “What are you looking for?”
or “Why are you talking with her?”
The woman left her water jar
and went into the town and said to the people,
“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?”
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”
But he said to them,
“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
So the disciples said to one another,
“Could someone have brought him something to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me
and to finish his work.
Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’?
I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving payment
and gathering crops for eternal life,
so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for;
others have done the work,
and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him
because of the word of the woman who testified,
“He told me everything I have done.”
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” – John 4:5-42

The moon shining bright and full through the trees

The Light of One…

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 moon shining bright and full through the trees

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? – Psalm 27:1

Pink Carnation

Revisit…

For a time, many things are only for a time.
Some things forever gone, others, on hiatus.
Sometimes returning, welcome on arrival,
Sometimes returning, unwanted and in dread,
Sometimes slithering, seeping in, seeping out,
Creating a stir, unease or great unrest.
But Light, the Great Protector, shines thru,
Revealing all, shedding lies in time,
And casting out, what Time ordains as passed.

The Gospel passage for the First Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13) is referred to as the Temptation of Jesus. After his baptism, Jesus is led into the desert by the Holy Spirit for forty days. And after these days of fasting, he is tempted by the devil in three ways:

First, to use his status as the Son of God to relieve himself of his situation of hunger.

“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” (verse 3)

Second, to exalt himself by paying homage, or worshipping, the devil to receive earthly power and glory.

“I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” (verses 6-7)

And third, to show doubt in God, by throwing himself from the parapet of the temple, and thereby testing Scripture:

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” (verses 9-11)

Jesus responds to these temptations as follows:

“It is written, ‘One does not live on bread alone.’” (verse 4)

“It is written ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” (verse 8)

And lastly, when the devil tries to zero in on and twist Scripture verses to tempt Jesus away from the truth of who God is calling him to be, Jesus, again focuses on God—a higher purpose—responding:

“It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” (verse 12)

The “Temptation of Jesus” Gospel passage ends with, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.” (verse 13)

Oftentimes, after going through a challenging situation or event, it is common to be grateful for that time to be over. It can also be tempting to walk away with a notion of achievement or learning from it in a way that we see as being complete. Yet, whether good or bad, there are times when the same, or a similar challenge returns, offering an opportunity to draw even closer to God, and to see or learn even more.

Take some time to consider how open you are to remembering what you’ve learned as well as to learning something new when repeat or similar situations of challenge occur?

Reflecting on Jesus’s words in response to each of the temptations he faced in the desert, what invitation(s) are there for you and Jesus to explore? Allow your prayer to extend into these areas. Express your wants, needs, fears, etc. to Jesus, and allow Jesus to express His thoughts and wisdom to you.

Pink Carnation

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2

Gold circle representing the world filled with sky blue color and a white heart with a white cross in the center.

United…

The eyes through which you see,
The ears through which you hear,
The mind through which you pull it altogether,
Can lead you here and there,
Sometimes, everywhere but straight.
But the heart through which you care,
Cries out, drawing you close,
To the Heart that lies within.

In the Gospel passage for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, it is written:

Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:39-45

Contemplate the qualities you look for and tend to gravitate toward as you go about each day. Pray with what you notice. Express your desire to be united with Jesus throughout each day.

In the light of the Lenten season, consider how you have experienced the Scripture verse, “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.” (Isaiah 43:19). Then take some time to reflect on the ways you are open to seeing God in what is new or different. As you pray, ask Jesus to help in discerning what your heart desires and how to distinguish between good fruit and rotten fruit.

Flowers

Rooted in Love…

As the days passed by,
the flowers, still bright,
holding onto life,
begin to show the
length of days and nights,
separate, away
from the source of life.

Leaves dropping from stems,
petals shriveling,
on the outside first.
Time ticks, closing in.
Hold on as they may,
away from their roots,
they limp as they linger.

In the First Reading for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23), David and Abishai find themselves in a position of advantage, having the opportunity to kill Saul, who, along with his soldiers are in a deep sleep. However, despite Saul having grown distant from who he was at the beginning of his rule, and having become David’s enemy, David restrains himself and shows mercy. He says to Abishai, “Do not harm him, for who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and remain innocent?” (v. 9).

Spend some time with the first reading and consider that as beings created in God’s image, in a sense, we are all anointed.

The response for the Psalm is, “The Lord is kind and merciful.” (Psalm 103:8). Reflect on the ways that the Lord has been kind and merciful to you. How does your experience inspire you in terms of the way you view situations and people? In what ways do you feel compelled to be kind and merciful to others? Are there areas where the Lord might want to work with you on expanding upon or reassessing this?

Turning to the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:45-49), St. Paul writes of Adam and Jesus, but he is also writing about the call to conversion and discipleship.

As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly,
and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly.
Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one,
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. – verses 48-49

Envisioning your life as one line and the events/happenings during your life as another line on a continuum, think about the major events/happenings that have had a direct impact on you. What’s the difference between the times when you have maintained a sense of inner strength (or know-how) and peace, and the times you haven’t?

In the Gospel Reading (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus reminds us that Love is what sustains us. Not embracing cynicism, seeking or plotting revenge, settling or keeping scores. Rather, those are the things that tear us away from Love and the root of goodness and life—God.

How might you draw closer to Love in the challenges you face today? And how might the Lord desire to join you in an area of challenge?

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. – Psalm 103:8