Making choices

First Things First…

The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time offer an opportunity to consider priorities and the values that elevate some over others.

In the first reading (1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12), we can see that Solomon acknowledges that although he is king, he needs God’s grace if his desire to rule wisely is going to be fulfilled. He knows that to do right requires more than his own knowledge, perception, and opinions. He understands that he needs to be able to have a sense of more than what he can surmise, and this is why he asks God for a discerning heart (and mind) when he could’ve asked for anything else at all. His top priority is not solely for himself, but for the benefit of all whom he serves as king.

In the psalm, we read the response, “Lord, I love your commands.” (Ps 119:97a). Again, we see reliance on God, as well as value and priority placed on God’s words as providing what is necessary. The psalmist tells of how God’s words are precious, carrying kindness and compassion, and expresses a desire to honor God’s words by living them (“For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate” – Ps 119:128). Then the psalmist says, “The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps 119:130). Again, we see evidence of fulfillment of a desire for truth and understanding as well as a continued desire to be led by God. It’s important to remember that the psalmist has experienced the grace of God directly, just like Solomon. It is in the words of God through intimate, personal exchanges that Solomon and the psalmist come to know in a particular moment what is good and right and wise in God’s eyes.

When we read further, in the second reading, St. Paul stresses relationship with God. In essence, he is saying that when priorities and values are centered in and through God, we become like the Love who created us.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.” – Rom 8:28-30

This brings us to the Gospel reading (Mt 13:44-52) and an invitation to prayer and reflection on priorities and values.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household
who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” – Mt 13:44-52

The word of God is the revelation of God, and through our graced experiences, we participate in the living word of God. Take some time to pray and reflect on your life through the lens of being a participant in the word of God? What comes to mind? What feelings arise from within? And in what ways do you feel inspired by the word of God, yesterday… today… as you think about the future?

Be Thou My Vision…

Sitting in the audience as the story continues to unfold, there is a scene where one character calls out, asking, will you love me either way? Do you care if I win, or if I lose? Then comes the response, something along the lines of, to be honest, I don’t really care about those kinds of things.

Thinking about this exchange, it’s interesting how importance is assigned and judgments are made that are often based upon our (society’s) lack of understanding. And, in the process, these “ideals” often stir up false notions of what is good, righteous, and true, and even worse, they often fuel fear, in the competition to keep or attain the imaginary security living up to them brings.

The scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent show how these false ideals can lead to fear and judgment and get in the way of actual goodness, righteousness, and truth.

In the first reading (1 Samuel 16:1-13), we learn how David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, was chosen by God to be anointed by Samuel. Upon encountering Jesse and his sons, Samuel’s assumption is that the one to be anointed will have certain characteristics that could be judged at first sight. However, it is written, “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (v. 7b). It turns out that the last, and least likely to be judged as the chosen one, is in fact, chosen, and for qualities that cannot be readily seen.

As we go through life, we are constantly subject to judgment based on external values (clothing, education, mode of transportation, location of and type of housing, etc.). We are constantly being marketed to and pulled toward someone else’s notion of how to be and someone else’s definition of success. We also hear so much about first impressions.
None of these things, however, really inform anyone of the most important feature of humankind—the heart, or the most important voice—that of the Creator. They are almost always based upon the external, and often look past qualities that convey deeper meaning, value, and purpose.

In Psalm 23, verses 1-6, it is written, “The Lord guides me along the way of righteousness.” (v. 3b). These words encourage us to trust, like David, that the path of righteousness is made known to us through God. If we were to look solely at man-made ideas about what’s important and how to live, depending on where we were and who we were surrounded by, we might be okay, but even if we were, the person or people leading us, would still be susceptible to falling away from what is good, just, and true. So, it’s important to have a relationship with God and to entrust oneself to the One who really knows the way that is best, and whose focus is the well-being of all hearts and souls.

St. Paul expands on this notion in the Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:8-14), when he writes, “For 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.” (v. 8-9).

When we look to the Gospel According to John (chapter 9, verses 1-41), we see the Pharisees, on the surface, defending the faith. However, what they are really defending is a way of operating that breeds fear and judgment and seeks to confine, control, and conform God’s ways to their ways. How do we know this?

Looking at the actions and responses of the Pharisees, we can see how they treat the blind man who was healed, his parents, and Jesus. Their hearts are closed. At one point, they say to the blind man who can now see (because of Jesus), “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” (v. 34). After saying this, they removed the man from their presence. All for answering them truthfully, when he was interrogated for a second time and said, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” (v. 30-33).

During this Season of Lent, it’s a great time to reflect on our words and actions, and with this Sunday’s Scripture passages, an even better time to consider how fear and judgment come into play in what we see and how we respond.

Be Thou My Vision, performed by Audrey Assad

Conversion…

Covered with snow, the landscape so quiet, so still, so beautiful. The branches and shrubs become as if carefully wrapped, insulated from the elements, as well as by the elements. Becoming part of what’s on the outside pushing inward? Or, perhaps, it’s the outside becoming part of what’s inside and underneath, pushing outward? How will they lean, where will they fall, maybe, just maybe, they will stand upright, if anything at all.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. – Ps 51:12

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent (Mt 4:1-11), is an account of the temptation of Jesus. We all experience variations of temptation throughout our lives. We all have weaknesses or tendencies that can lead us astray or take us away from being at or near our best, most genuine selves.

Looking to the example of Jesus, we can see his response to temptation, is first and foremost, to be aware and recognize it. Then second, to respond by remembering, and not only naming, but also reclaiming God as the source of all wellbeing. Jesus keeps God at the center throughout, and God’s grace enables him to overcome each temptation.

How can one apply this to real life experience in today’s world?

We can start by being aware and recognizing that temptation works in different ways. Sometimes it tries to move us toward “absolute” or limited views and the choices that flow from them, while at other times, temptation seeks to blur the lines between choices so that the best choice is left behind for the choice that seems good enough. Temptation tries, and keeps trying to find whatever hook will sink, to snag and pull one toward a more self-centered space and making a choice from there, instead of making it from a God-centered space where the choice is generative and beneficial beyond what one can surmise.

In the Gospel passage of the temptation of Jesus, Jesus shows us how to lean on the grace of God, and how to patiently endure to overcome temptation by living with God at the center—always in our hearts and minds. He reminds us that what has been written, holds true now, as well as forever.

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God. – Dt 8:3

He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Ps 91:11-12

You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test. – Dt 6:16

The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve. – Dt 6:13

Reflecting on each of Jesus’s responses above, what comes to mind in terms of your own experience of God’s grace in the face of a struggle or challenge you faced? Recall how God was present to you, and how you were, or became present to God? Share with God what that experience was like, and what it means to you today. What inspiration or insight might God want that experience to reveal to you today?

Company…

In the process of growing up, a sense of right and wrong forms within. It’s based upon lessons learned, whether explicitly taught to one or gleaned from experiences. This sense is accompanied by the development of principles as well as the assignment of value to people, places, and things. Oftentimes this process is impacted not only by one’s immediate environment, but also by one’s community, the broader society, and perhaps, the happenings throughout the world as well. It’s human nature, after all, to derive meaning and to be affected by one’s surroundings and the people, places, and things, to which one is exposed. Hence the saying that one is known by one’s companions.

In chapter one of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Paul is imploring the Corinthians to be united in the Lord rather than torn apart by their differences. How poignant for the times we live in today. The wisdom of this Bible passage speaks to us today just as the letter of St. Paul did to the Corinthians. Warning them, and us, that continuing on a path with such great division, serves only to unravel us, and that it is only through unity that we can overcome such a fate. So how do we move toward greater unity?

Most importantly, as St. Paul suggests, we need to return to the truth. Underneath all that divides us, and at the core of all that we are, and all that we can be, is the fact that our meaning and purpose comes from something far greater than any one person or group could ever encompass. We need to recognize when we are being pulled away and distracted from this truth, and to remove ourselves from partaking in any movements that seek to undermine honesty and integrity, in any way. The “win at all costs” mentality that seems so pervasive and accepted in society, needs to be challenged.

This is what St. Paul is talking about when he writes about there being rivalries and urges the people to stop thinking of themselves as belonging solely to one identity over another. This is what causes the great divide, and serves to scatter us, undoing the power and potential of unity.

When we move through the influence of our Oneness, see our differences as being ordained by God, and use them as the bond of perfection that they can be, we are able to come together in ways that value, serve, and work to benefit all of creation, and that give glory to God. When we trust the longings of true love and follow the example of Jesus, pride, prejudice, status, and exclusivity fall away and the unity that results brings greater—lasting—meaning and purpose to our lives than we could ever achieve on our own or within any segment of society seeking its own good over the good of all.

Paul writes, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.”

“The wisdom of human eloquence” would encourage one to find and stay with those around whom one feels most comfortable and identifies most closely. St. Paul is saying, don’t be fooled. He is saying, seek to be in the company of the Lord. Identify, first and foremost, with the Lord, so that you may experience redemption and your life may have direction and meaning that extend beyond the narrow confines of human understanding.         

Reflect and pray:

When you contemplate the company you keep, what are some of the values or meaning you derive from your relationship with God and others? Where, and in what ways, do you experience unity?

As you go about your day or your week, what kind of companion are you?

How do expectations come into play with regards to your ability for companionship? And in what ways do you see the Lord as companioning you and vice versa?

When you reflect on the notion of an invitation to be a companion of the Lord awaiting you in all circumstances, what is your reaction or response?

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. – 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

Facing All Sides…

Today, November 20th, is also the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Although the date of this occasion is not the same every year, this year is one where it coincides with the anniversary of the official release of Windows 1.0 (November 20, 1985) which included a game, Reversi, based on another game named Othello.

Regardless of the name though, the two-player game like the push and pull of life on earth is all about strategy. It involves a green board and round pieces that are black on one side and white on the other, and players take turns trying to “book-end” their opponent’s pieces either horizontally or vertically. When successful, a player can then convert pieces from the other player’s color to one’s own, and when all the pieces are used, the player who has more of their color pieces on the board wins.

Essentially, this game is another that is all about paying attention, thinking ahead, maneuvering, and navigating to benefit from both one’s own plays as well as the missteps of one’s opponent. Typical of pretty much any kind of competition. Or, on the other hand, it can just be a simple, engaging game while spending time with a loved one. The pieces like coins or chips, creating an interesting rhythm as they shake back and forth in a loosely closed fist, and a pattern that slowly emerges as each piece is placed on the board of green amid moments of speaking and ones of silence. Ultimately, like many things, it depends on the eye with which one views it.

Sitting with chapter 23, verses 35-43, of the Gospel according to Luke (below), one can see two sides of the piece. There were those, the rulers, soldiers, and one of the criminals, who saw the situation solely in terms of themselves and in the world (winning, losing, us against them). They taunt Jesus and browbeat him about not fighting back and overcoming them, which they assume he would do if he was really a king.

And then, there was the other criminal, who saw the situation as it truly was. He could see and acknowledge the truth, that both criminals had done wrong, and Jesus had not. He also pushed back against the misconceptions and aggressive behavior toward Jesus. It seems that the eye through which he viewed what was happening was more flexible, able to take in a broader view—the full picture including beyond himself, and less hardened than the others who were there. As a result, he was more open, and this allowed him to see through the noise and mentality of the crowd. It led him to the truth and a desire that drew him closer to Jesus, Savior, in the moment he was facing… in the moment they were facing together.

In this month of Thanksgiving and remembrance, with which eye are you viewing situations? And in what ways do you desire to face each moment together with Jesus?

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.” – Lk 23:35-43

Vantage…

Facing the ocean from the walk above or the sand upon the beach it’s easy to stay in place and feel content, and to do so without anywhere near the effort taken to get there. Not only that, but also to slide toward becoming removed from reality—all the lives that exist in various states on and all around the beach and the city or town that encompasses it—and the opportunity to take a life-giving part in it. It’s interesting to think about how swiftly one can be transported to “a world without cares,” with the sound of each wave that breaks upon the shore or the refreshing feeling as each wave washes over everything in its path.

Now, what’s it like to imagine that perhaps this (being caught up in the surroundings) is what it was like for the rich man in the Gospel according to Luke (chapter 16, verses 19-31), before he died?

When we read the Gospel for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (below), we learn that a poor man named Lazarus was a constant fixture at the rich man’s door. However, we are not told anything about an interaction(s) between the rich man and Lazarus. This is likely because what matters more than whether the rich man was unaware of, ignored, was indifferent to, or held disdain for Lazarus, is the distance that his worldly aims and wealth put between his ability to help and his desire to do so.

While the rich man was alive, he experienced what is sold in today’s world as “the good life.” However, it led him to becoming insulated from a complete picture of reality (not everyone has it good). And without that, it’s understandable that it would be harder for him not only to choose more wisely, but also to recognize that his openness to, and desire for living in ways that are generative had become diminished.

Neither the rich man nor his brothers could learn from the past (Moses and the prophets), not because the knowledge and wisdom wasn’t available to them, but because their hearts were divided. This—the chasm—is what prevented them from receiving the grace they really needed and making choices for the greater good.

May we be more aware and set our hearts on God to strip away the falsehoods that lead us astray, and to close the chasm that pulls us apart.

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:19-31

To Build or Coming Together…

Walking along the pace is brisk in some places
and much slower and methodical at others.
The path so concrete,
laid out as clear as day,
but then seemingly disappearing,
leaving those travelling it to take stock…
to figure the way forward that safely,
or maybe wisely, fits them best.
Yet, sometimes the “where I am” and “where I want to be”
do not meet, or maybe just not yet.

A process that makes time, and the taking of it,
not only a good thing,
but also a necessary thing.
Overall, a journey building upon itself
before coming to the end of the trek,
or this one, on this plane, at least,
and landing on stable ground,
or rather learning to be steady
on whatever the ground may be.

While some building may call for a single column
as if marking the way,
some calls are for branching out,
and lending support.
Still rising, tall and strong,
a new look on a familiar way,
always moving, continuing the journey,
sometimes quick, slower at others,
maybe even coming to a pause,
but ultimately, always moving toward,
if not with, greater depth.

Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. – Heb 12:13

Quieting the Murmur…

Depending upon one’s experiences, certain words can bring to mind a particular image or situation. Hearing or seeing the word, “murmur,” many people might think of the human heart and the condition of a heart murmur, speaking in a low volume as in under one’s breath, or perhaps a hushed conversation between a number of people within a larger setting. Interestingly, in any of these cases, the murmur, or anything else that may be transpiring, can be of no significance, or the opposite. And, as always, the only way to know more certainly is by tuning in more closely.

While searching to discover what’s going on may seem pretty basic or obvious, human nature often leads us toward conjecture, murmuring amongst ourselves rather than seeking the source directly and looking for the answers or understanding there.

In the Gospel according to John, chapter 6, verses 41-51, the people are in disbelief, and maybe confused about Jesus’s statement that he is the bread of life that has come down to earth from heaven. Filled with questions, and likely doubt, with a limited knowledge of who Jesus really is, they are quietly speaking amongst themselves. They are looking for answers from each other, even though none of them understand what was said or what Jesus meant by it. What might this passage, and what follows from it, look like if instead of asking each other, the people asked Jesus directly about his statements, and took careful notice of his response together with his actions?

Moving forward to the way that Jesus responds to the hushed voices going on around him, regarding him, it is as if Jesus is simply saying, “Stop,” to the gossip and speculation. He does not enter into the grumbling. He does not succumb to it, and the questions the people were asking each other instead of engaging directly with Jesus, go unanswered, while Jesus continues to focus on Truth, and giving voice to it. After all, the fact of the matter is that more often than not, it really is as simple as continually asking Jesus for help in seeing something for what it is, saying, “Stop,” to nonsense, understanding and embracing what is of genuine importance, and listening, so as to recognize when and how to be moved.

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
“I am the bread that came down from heaven,”
and they said,
“Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

– John 6:41-51

If Today You Hear…

Looking across the room and then glancing down, I see ridges all around—like a welling up of paths. Whether taken in patches or one by one, they give the appearance of being well-traveled in some spots and lightly, or not at all in others. It is not unlike the journey of coming and going throughout the years.

So many paths not only along the way, but also sometimes in it. Then, in the ways we travel, we often weave, and as we do, some paths seem steadier, tried and true, and we visit them with greater frequency. While other paths, are traversed less often, sometimes only at a gentle coaxing from within or a push from expectations on the outside pressing in. And finally, there are the paths that are perhaps averted altogether. For good, or not?

There are a great number of ways as we go. Each has its own enticements. However, to stay on a track worth trekking, one needs the help of inspiration. Shifting gears and tuning into motivation, influence has a multitude of sources. They are, more or less, good or bad, better or worse, and more, but it’s always wise to explore them, to discover what’s really at the core.  

In looking underneath the surface, discernment is waiting to be used. While hope is the light that moves us, discernment, when it’s true, is earnest, and looks to help us as we choose. We slip and slide when we lose focus, and quite often, wisdom escapes us. But motivation stores the details of one’s heart and is always within reach. It brings forth words and actions, and influences replies. It’s where God is calling to us to love, but often gets denied.  

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” – Mk 1:7-11

Swept…

The snow swept its way into town yesterday. It was hanging onto leaves where it could, perhaps overwhelming branches here and there, and weighing some down—secure, and even to the ground. For others, it seemed, the flakes of snow could not take hold—still blessed though. All around, snow laden leaves… branches, and tints of orange and yellow along with evergreens remained. Some standing, some kneeling, some sitting, some laying down, all in various forms of surrender. Peace… Joy… Light… Life… Grace in every stage.

Grace, the ultimate presentation, always there for the taking, greatest help in decision making.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.” – Matthew 5:1-12