From day to day, the better part lives and breathes, beckoning to all. Caught in between concerns and cares, weighed down with worries and/or fears, but always there for the finding.
From day to day, the better part waits us out, and begs our pardon. Patience looks for the gate to lift and the willful to be open; the Timeless, ready on a dime.
From day to day, the better part flows from the heart of one’s choosing. But what underlies the surface? Influencers? Influences? Aware or not, we all have them.
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” – Luke 10:38-42
The readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time present food for thought and prayer about what’s written, how it’s read, and what is brought to life from it. In the first reading (Deuteronomy 30:10-14), Moses urges the people to heed God’s voice and the commandments and statutes passed on to them and written in “this book of law”. He points out that God’s voice and words are not out of reach, but instead, he says, “No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (v. 14).
Spend a few minutes with this verse. Then, think about this past week, an ongoing situation that is before you, or something that you have coming up. Invite the Lord to help you parse through all the thoughts and feelings of which you become aware as you ponder.
For the responsorial psalm, there are two from which to choose (Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11). Read each of the responses listed below in silence.
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. (cf. Ps 69:33)
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. (Ps 19:9a)
Next, read each response aloud. Notice if one response draws you in, or catches your attention, more than the other.
Bring into your prayer a Psalm response(s) and ask the Lord to guide you and lead you to greater awareness as you continue your contemplation from above. [Allow yourself to go with whichever response you land on first or feel more drawn to. It might be both, or even another verse that comes to mind.]
In the second reading (Colossians 1:15-20), St. Paul writes:
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Sometimes it can be tricky, and trying, to face big and small choices every day among relationships, dilemmas, situations, etc. Think about how you have been managing. What brings you comfort? And, from where do you draw strength?
Pause to hold the words St. Paul writes of Jesus and remember that “Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God”, and that you are created in the image of the invisible, and indivisible, God. What happens when you let that reality saturate your heart? Bring to prayer the thoughts and feelings that arise.
Turning to the Gospel passage (Luke 10:25-37), it begins:
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
Notice how Jesus points the scholar, and us, to the Word of God (“What is written in the law”), how it is processed internally (“How do you read it?”), and how it is lived out (“do this and you will live.”).
Like the scholar, we can know what is written in the law, but if we skip over considering how we are reading it—heart, mind, and soul, how can we possibly live it out authentically, united with God in both Word and Spirit, as intended?
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:29-37
Thinking about this passage and the Scripture in the readings and psalm before it, what is most on your mind and in heart at this moment?
Continuing to pray. Ask the Lord to reveal to you whatever God wills, and to help you to bring together what is written, how to read it, and what “Go and do likewise” looks like or means for you today.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Walking along the path, flowers sprinkled among the greenery on either side bring both brightness and variation to the scene. In the middle, one flower leans toward another as if reaching out to the one looking down at petals lost. Holding on, seeking comfort, seeking peace; providing both to those walking through or passing by.
Stories, so many stories, in the present and in the past. Living, breathing stories, held by many hearts. And then there’s Peace, held within those many stories, seeking hearts to hold them well, souls to glean their wisdom, and bodies with the mind to march peace forward.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. – Colossians 3:15a, 16a
Miniature minds flexing muscles, Washing brains, and rinsing guts out. Little things taking time, making strife, Acting big, or bigger than life. Right is right, except when it is not. Heart of God, heart of gold, not cold. Small hearts growing smaller all the time, Lost and losing, no way, no sight.
Walking, listening, thirsty to learn, Simon Peter wanted to see. Hungry to serve God, searching for Truth, Simon Peter humbled himself. Then came binding, loosing… holding keys. Simon Peter—rock—he could see.
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:13-19
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
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.
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.
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?
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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.
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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?
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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
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?
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
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