Openness

The Call…

For many Christians the crescendo of what it means to be Christian is celebrated with great veracity around Christmas, and then again around Easter. Preparing to celebrate Christmas, we read and listen to Gospel passages, finding inspiration, hope, solace, and more, as we envision the journey of Mary and Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. Yet, with every liturgy or service throughout the year, we celebrate and are reminded of God’s love for us, the example of Jesus, and the call to discipleship. And all year long, we profess our belief that throughout the ages, from the beginning of time, there is one Word, one God, one Way, and one People.

At Christmastime, may the heightened awareness of Love (God) in our hearts bring us together to a place where we become blind to all that separates and pulls us apart. Instead, may we see one Light, one Truth, one Story as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. And, as God’s generosity comes alive for us, may we welcome it to the inn, allowing it to abound within and all around, melting the ties that otherwise bind us to “other,” away from God and one another.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:1-14

All the Way…

The Prophet Isaiah foretold of John the Baptist, the voice crying out in the desert, urging people to make themselves ready to receive the Lord. And while it is true that earthly life can be viewed as a process of preparing for eternal life, it is so much more than a checklist based upon human understanding. So, while it may be tempting to repeat the sounding joy by clinging to what one knows during the season of Advent, no preparation would be complete without moving beyond our own ideas about it and allowing ourselves some time to steep in the love of God more deeply, and then to be led by it.

The way of the Lord has already been prepared. Not just for the Lord, but also for all those who wish to claim and proclaim their inheritance as God’s people. We must remember that we’re not called to be like John the Baptist. We’re called to be like Jesus. How does, and how can, God help our individual ways to greater reflect the beauty and goodness of the Way? And are we willing to go there?

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” – Luke 3:1-6

Signs of Promise and Hope…

Many years ago, before GPS, I was on my way to a meeting, when I encountered road construction and a detour from the route I was supposed to take. Following the detour signs, I began an unexpected adventure through long and winding back roads, farmland, and forestry. However, along the way, I lost my way.

Suddenly there were no signs, and I was in utterly unfamiliar territory. Initially, it was as if my surroundings were closing in on me and I was shrinking in comparison. I started to feel anxious and stressed about being late or potentially missing the meeting. Then, slowing down, I stopped and began to take more notice. Surveying the landscape and elements in the sky more intently, I was able to find new signs and my bearings were restored, leading me more peacefully to the place I needed to be. I ended up being a little late, but it was okay; as always “better late than never.”

In current day times, it can seem as if society is in a construction zone that is in disarray. So many detours, roads without signs, confusion, violence, and chaos swirling all around. Yet, among it all, continuing to seek, searching within, and then looking back out, there are always signs pointing to the promise and hope of a better way.

The readings for the First Sunday of Advent (Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:1b,4-5,8-9,10,14; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2, Lk 21:25-28,34-36) are a call to remember the promise, open oneself to God, to pay attention, and place hope in God as the way to restoration and redemption. Take time to reflect on what promise and hope in God means to you.

Who is this God?

How and where is God welcomed into the landscape of your life?

What do you desire as you look to journey with God this Advent? What might God desire for you?

Show us, Lord, your mercy; grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85:8

Figuring it out…

Jesus tells his disciples, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near” (Mark 13:28). Yet, just two chapters earlier, Jesus cursed a fig tree causing it to wither:

“Seeing from a distance a fig tree, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, ‘May no one ever eat of your fruit again!’ And his disciples heard it. … Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Have faith in God.’” (Mark 11:13-14, 20-22).

Looking at these two passages and particularly at the fig tree, it may seem like Jesus is contradicting himself. However, looking at the whole picture, notice how Jesus shifts the focus from the tangible fig tree to looking beyond it and pointing to faith.  

Maybe the real lesson that Jesus wants us to learn is that there are no hard and fast rules other than loving God, yourself, and your neighbor, and that this occurs best when we are not so entrenched in one way or another. That is, when we are able to be present to the moment, openminded, and willing to be guided by God, even when the direction in which we might feel compelled may not make sense in the world’s eyes and may not be fully understood by ourselves or others.

Perhaps the season is neither here nor there, but never-ending, the invitation ever-present, and more than anything, the task always at hand, is to focus on Jesus and ask for the grace to be “tender and sprout leaves.”

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.

“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Mark 13:24-32

The Widow’s Might…

It can be easy to envision the poor widow putting her coins into the treasury, knowing the value to be considered far less than others had contributed. One might even draw a picture that perhaps includes elements representing shame, grief, loss, loneliness, and so on, overcome by giving all she had (“her whole livelihood”) and Jesus celebrating her for that. Then, from that picture, one might possibly be drawn toward a singular conclusion about verses 41-44 of chapter 12 in the Gospel according to Mark as a call to examine one’s level of charity.

It’s interesting though to reflect further on this passage. There are no words attributed to the widow, and no mention of a personal encounter between her and Jesus. The passage starts with an observation by Jesus that turns into a teaching directly to his disciples, not the poor widow, or anyone else who was putting money into the treasury. It is about more than coins and goes beyond levels of giving, extending to something greater.

Going back to the beginning of the Poor Widow’s Contribution, in verse 41, it is written, “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.” There are no interactions with those who are giving. Rather, Jesus takes in what is transpiring.

He sees the difference between the way the poor widow and the crowd, especially those with greater possessions (“Many rich people put in large sums.”), are carrying themselves. He then draws his disciples close, reveals what he sees, and tries to help them to see it as well. Jesus’s teaching, as always, is about showing the Way and helping those who follow him to become more aware, see more clearly, make better choices, and live more authentically.

Jesus wants the disciples, and us, to see that what the poor widow has given, she has given from “her whole livelihood”—her heart. This is the source of the widow’s might and is where our strength comes from as well. It is where the Lord resides.  

I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. – Jeremiah 31:33

By giving the two coins, the widow is giving her heart to the Lord, not allowing herself to be defined by her possessions, the opinions of others, or worldly cares, but instead sacrificing and letting them go, and listening to the law within her—placing trust for her well-being, first and foremost, in the Lord.

How can we look past the coins, and do the same?

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.” – Mark 12:38-44

A Clear Path…

The path began at a clearing, steps molded into the landscape, a way ahead with little unknown. It was easy to proceed. However, once those steps reached their end, the terrain gradually became less friendly… less inviting. Continuing deeper in, the area overcome with overgrowth, the air overcome with temptation. Push ahead with determination or turn back in trepidation. Perhaps, another way, take stock, retreat into the moment, and explore. Look inside and ponder, “What are you looking for?”

In the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 10, verse 51, Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” He doesn’t presume what Bartimaeus, the blind man, wants from him, even though it may seem obvious. He gives Bartimaeus the opportunity to engage with him and to give voice to his desire.

In the moments leading up to this encounter, Bartimaeus is in the midst of a crowd and cannot see who or what is around him, so he doesn’t know where Jesus is. Despite this, he has heard that Jesus is there, and he begins calling out to him, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me” (verse 47). The people around him are trying to get him to stop calling out to Jesus, but Bartimaeus is not distracted by them. He stays focused on what he is looking for—his vision, and he knows that only Jesus can heal and restore it.

In today’s hazy world, overcome with overgrowth, temptation in the air, and distractions all around, Jesus is present, wanting to heal and restore vision, and not only to make the path clear for all, but also to be the path for all. Jesus is waiting, even in less friendly, less inviting spaces, wanting us to tell him about it, and wanting to hear the response to, “What do you want me to do for you?”

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way. – Mark 10:46-52             

Work of Our Hands…

It’s said that the owl’s wisdom lies in its waiting, watching, and listening. In its patient, persistent process, its senses are fine-tuned, making it easier to recognize and distinguish between and among things. The owl’s very own nature leads and nurtures the animal, teaching it to tap more deeply into what it genuinely needs to survive and thrive.

This in-born nature that helps the owl to be at its best, also resides within all living things. And when tuned into, exercised, and held onto, it helps all living things to operate at their best, most authentic self. For human beings especially, the task at hand is to sort through and root out all that interferes with this natural, God-given ability.

In the Book of Wisdom, King Solomon shares:

“I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me” – Wisdom 7:7.

While this is a great example of “ask and you shall receive,” it is also an example of the gift of humility. Oftentimes, it is humility that opens the door to wisdom. King Solomon humbled himself, he “prayed” and “pleaded” for wisdom, a gift that no amount of money in the world could buy. Throughout the Bible, and throughout history, there is no wisdom, without humility. For it is a gift that can only be received at the time and place where an open, willing, and humble heart meets the humility of God—unconditional love.

So how does one move toward this place? For starters, perhaps by praying for the grace to become more aware. Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents.”

Thinking about current day events, where do you see wisdom? In what places do you meet unconditional love… truth and peace together?      

Looking back to history, Psalm 90 begins:

“A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, from eternity to eternity you are God” (verses 1-2).

Wisdom draws Moses’ heart to give voice to God’s faithfulness, and seek God’s help, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart,” (verse 12), mercy, “Make us glad as many days as you humbled us, for as many years as we have seen trouble,” (verse 15), and grace, “May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” (verse 17).     

When you reflect on the work of your hands, what aspects of God (loving, patient, gentle, kind, honest, peaceful, faithful, life-giving, etc.) resonate in them? When you look at the world around you and the things in which you choose to participate, which ones bring you closer to the image of God, Love, in which you were created? In what ways do you feel inspired by the humility and generative nature of God, for whom all things are possible?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5V2_cs8gTIw%3Fstart%3D9

Establish the Work of Our Hands – https://youtu.be/5V2_cs8gTIw?t=9 – the Porter’s Gate (feat. Aaron Keyes and Urban Doxology)

If You don’t build it, we labor in vain,
Without Your Spirit, we stand with no strength.
I know my life is passing away,
but the works of Your hands
are what will remain.
Let the favor of the Lord rest upon us…

O Lord, establish the work of our hands!
O Lord, establish the work of our hands!

Teach us to number the length of our days,
Pour out Your power, we’ll pour out Your praise.
Teach us to run, to finish the race,
for only what’s done in love will remain.
Let the favor of the Lord
rest upon us…

O Lord, establish the work of our hands!
O Lord, establish the work of our hands!

Al – le – lu – ia, al – le – luia, al – le – luia
Al – le – lu – ia, al – le – luia, al – le – luia 

© 2017 Hymns From the Porter's Gate (ASCAP) and Porter's Gate
Publications (SESAC). All rights reserved and administered by
Fair Trade Music Publishing c/o essentialmusicpublishing.com.

Love Lifts Up and Over, If You Let It…

In the First Letter of John, chapter 4, verse 12, it is written:

No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. – 1 John 4:12

While it may be true that no one has ever seen God, Love and the goodness of God can be experienced daily, in any number of ways and through an unlimited number of people, places, and things. Think about a situation that recently brought peace, joy, laughter, gratitude, etc. into your heart. In what direction did you feel motivated as a result?

Think about who and what you love, in both the past and now. In what ways do you feel inspired as you reflect on this?

Tomorrow, October 4, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. He was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone and is perhaps most widely known for the Prayer of Saint Francis (and inspirational song) – “Make me a channel of your peace/Where there is hatred, let me bring your love…” as well as for being a lover of animals and the inspiration behind the practice of the blessing of animals.

Being born into a wealthy family, St. Francis’ life began in financial and material security. However, rather than a life focused on increasing or holding onto the guarantees that would come with money (status, power, and influence), he chose a journey far more challenging, but one that would lead toward the riches and rewards of a spiritual life—peace.

St. Francis wrote, “It was easy to love God in all that was beautiful. The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me to embrace God in all things.”

As you imagine embracing God (Love) in all things, what situations come to mind? Where are the places that are easy to carry and exude the love of God that resides within you? Where are the places that present a challenge, causing the light of God within you to diminish, and love to be held back or rebuked?

In the Gospel according to Mark, it is written:

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them. – Mark 10:13-16

Jesus’s example is one of embracing the moment, and all that it holds, with love despite the responses, reactions, or expectations of his disciples and others. With Jesus, everyone is invited… there is room in his heart for everyone.

Now imagine the situations that are easy for you to embrace with love and those that are not, as both belonging to the kingdom of God. What is that like?

Continuing to reflect on these situations, what is most important to you, and how or where does that fit in with your faith as you strive to live by it? Share your thoughts and feelings on this with Jesus. What invitation might Jesus be extending to you?

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. – St. Francis of Assisi

Trust in God’s Reach…

At first it may seem that Eldad and Medad are just the names of two of the elders mentioned in chapter 11, verses 25-29 of the Book of Numbers. However, while it may be tempting to readily move past them and keep reading on the way to the Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, it’s worth pausing to consider this scene some more.

While all the other elders are gathered at the tent to receive the spirit of the Lord and begin to prophesy, Eldad and Medad are back at the camp. Despite not being at the “right place, at the right time,” at least not physically, they are still included by God, the Spirit is bestowed upon them, and they begin to prophesy.

This is key. Eldad and Medad receive the spirit and prophesy right where they are, giving testimony to the fact that the grace of God is not limited and that there is more than one way, more than one place, to be gathered before the Lord. Reflect on this truth: regardless of where we are, all of us are always within reach of God’s grace. What’s significant… what matters most, is whether we are open to receiving the grace of God, however it is presented.

Continuing to look more closely at this passage, Eldad, whose name means “Love of God”, and Medad, whose name means “Love,” have been called. Their names are known to God. All that is required of them, and us, is not to meet the expectations of others, or to hurry up over to the meeting place to join their fellow elders, but rather, to simply be where they are and be willing to be whom they were created to be. That is, to not only embrace their gifts with an open heart and mind, but also to allow themselves to be inspired by the Spirit of the Lord as to how to use and share them.

Eldad and Medad numbered among many. It’s not only interesting, but also a simple imperative by which to live—Love of God, Love.

The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the Lord bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.

Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, “
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
“Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!
Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” – Numbers 11:25-29

The Ups and Downs of Our Terrain…

With the starting point blanketed in fog, one couldn’t help but wonder whether it would be worthwhile to venture out any further on this day. Yet, despite the limited visibility we carried on, coming across pockets that offered clearer vision—spots and places once hidden, where we could pause and gather our bearings. And as for the silence encompassing the mist all around, while at first eerie, with time becoming rather comforting, inspiring a sense of adventure and greater insight as we moved along the contours, crossed plateaus, and entered the ups and downs of our terrain.

Always a spot to rest, or safely step, provided when needed most.

Always a way around, over, or simply through, provided when needed most.

Always at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way, provided when needed most.

Interesting how most needs are met, in trusting, while moving toward, and searching for, what is truly needed.

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” – Luke 11:28