Prayer

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

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.

Sunrise at sea

Eastertide…

Eastertide through days and nights,
forty… fifty… ever more.
It is truly right and just,
here, above, and all around.
Presence of mind, truthful heart;
the soul of goodness triumphs.

Genuine faith, obeying,
not tyrant, nor king—Savior.
Wanting good for goodness sake,
bearing with things, not grasping,
nor pulling apart, as if
at odds, and fighting within.

In a boat fishing around,
who’s there? What sides are you on?
Is it right, or something else?
Casting nets, or casting stones?
From where does your wisdom come?
What sentiments control you?

Sunrise at sea

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

Jesus said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. – John 21:15-17

Moonlight through clouds

Light Giving Glory…

Looking up at the nighttime sky,
Your artistry on full display.
Shades of hope… brighter, better times,
Memories reckoning what was,
Speculation of what will be,
But then light, your glorious light,
Bringing me back to my senses.
Troubled, wretched waters may be,
Times for standing up together,
Praying that this beat finds its end.
Looking up at the nighttime sky,
Your artistry on full display.
The stones are crying out for all.
Forsaken? No, nor shall any be.

Moonlight through clouds

Wood and Nails by The Porter’s Gate

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.

Love equals Goodness

But for Goodness…

Raise a glass and tip your hat to Goodness.
Don’t be fooled or led astray,
Goodness is in all places;
No corner can escape it.

Even in the most common
Or the tiniest of things,
Goodness is awaiting us
To turn, and let Goodness in.

What of clouds, and darkness then?
What of violent, hateful things?
Big and bad, though they may be,
They are no match for Goodness.

Do not fear, do not distress,
But grab a hold of Goodness.
Better yet, say a prayer;
let Goodness, grab a hold of you.

Love equals Goodness

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. – Psalm 34:9

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

Heart with Love is patient, Love is Kind scripture verse.

On the Plain…

Blessed are we, created in the image of the Lord,
Who comes down from the mountain,
To stand with us on level ground.
Bestower of grace on all,
Willing spirits will receive Him.
Words of Wisdom and Hope He speaks,
Bringing Light and Life to the soul.

Care for the poor,
Feed the hungry,
Comfort those in need.
Way of ways, it is not easy.

Hold fast to only One—the Lord.
Falling not for hollow banter,
Careful of the ruse; it’s not True.
Look not to glorify others,
Rather, seek Wisdom from the Source.
Big and bold isn’t always best, and
Stay awake is what the Lord commanded.

Heart with Love is patient, Love is Kind scripture verse.

Reverence…

In the second reading for this Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord, Peter says to those gathered before him, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35).

Fear (or reverence) of the Lord can be a challenging concept. In fact, it can be tempting to mistake reverence as only being evidenced in what one can see. It can also be tempting to shrink it down to a fixed notion of what reverence looks like.

However, our faith calls us to remember, that we do not have the mind, or the insight of God. It is important to keep in mind that in our humanity, we can get hung up in appearances or distracted in what we think ought to be, and in the process, lose sight of the heart of any matter. It is only God who can truly judge, and help us to know, when and what to say or do in response to a situation(s).

And God, as we learn in the Scripture verses leading up to this Sunday’s second reading (Acts 10:9-33), does exactly this for Peter. God helps Peter to see that the faith that he holds so dear, is not just for those like him, but also for the gentiles. His experience on a rooftop during his midday prayer reveals the following:

He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.” But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.” The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky. – verses 10-16

As Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said [to him], “There are three men here looking for you. So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” – verses 19-20

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together and said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. – verses 25-28

However, there’s more than that. God also helps Cornelius. Who like Peter, is not tethered to his own notions, and therefore is able to be open to being guided by the Spirit of God. It is written that Cornelius responds to Peter’s inquiry as to why he called him:

“Four days ago at this hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” – verses 30-33

During the midday and afternoon hours of prayer, Peter and Cornelius had experiences of God that were different, but the same in Spirit. God gave them both direction, and despite it being an unusual or unexpected ask (for a Jew and a gentile, given practices, tradition, and cultural norms), both men in their fear or reverence of God, allowed themselves to cling to God and this new or different way, rather than a choice rooted in their worldly understanding—one that would have kept them separated… continuing with a wedge in place.

What wedges do you desire God to help humankind overcome today? Knowing that God’s grace flows in many directions on both small and large scales at the same time, what personal wedges would you like to overcome?

Take some time to reflect on this Scripture and how it relates to your experiences, both personal and more community or world-wide.

What happens when you think about God as placing emphasis on internal disposition or drive and how it motivates, informs, and influences one’s actions?

Envision the peace of God embracing you, calling your name, and saying, “You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). Rest in the Lord and listen to what God desires for you.

When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:4-7

More than Believing…

In the First Reading for the Feast of the Holy Innocents (1John 1:5-2:2), it is written:

“Now this is the message that we have heard from him [Jesus] and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” (verse 5)

In the past week(s), how have you experienced God’s light? In what ways do you desire for the light of God to shine through you, inspiring and leading you?

A few days ago, the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, began. The days leading up to Christmas can often be filled with anticipation and perhaps a rush, or a last-minute push, as if trying to cross the finish line in first place. Even in less busy years, this time of year can be as if there is something in the air, leading to reaching and stretching or a feeling of pressure and tension.

Similarly, some of the Scripture readings in the days after Christmas can change the feeling in the air as we read about stoning of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents.

However, when and where there is darkness, there is also Light to be found.

In the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we are told of the Holy Family’s Flight to Egypt:

“When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.’” – Matthew 2:13-18

What do you imagine the experiences mentioned in this passage were like for Rachel, Herod, and Joseph? As you contemplate this along with your own experiences, what captures your attention most?

In the Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family (Luke 2:41-52), Jesus at 12 years old is separated from his parents. After celebrating the Feast of Passover, Mary and Joseph are traveling as part of a caravan of relatives and others they know, heading back home from Jerusalem. They are more than a little way into the journey when they realize that Jesus is not with the group.

We read:

“After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.” – Luke 2:46-52

Picture what it was like for Mary and Joseph as they retraced their steps back to Jerusalem trying to find their son. What do you think the experience was like for the others in their caravan? Who, if any, searched with and returned to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph? And, how about what it might have been like for Jesus and the teachers in the temple?

Sometimes, when going through an experience, it can be easy for the scope of consideration to shrink, becoming narrower and leading one to consider fewer perspectives. However, faith calls us to be both focused (on God, Jesus, and the Way) and broad (open to different perspectives and willing to be guided and led by the Holy Spirit) in our approach and our endeavors.

What do you notice about God’s light and Divine intervention through the Flight into Egypt and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple? Pray with whatever insights you have. Talk with and listen to Jesus, as you share what you notice and any needs and desires that arise from within you as you continue to contemplate these passages and your own encounters and experiences.

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:12-15