31 May 2017 - the visitation

 Today's Readings

Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.

How is it that Mary is able to go and be so selflessly available to Elizabeth, so ready to be humble herself and sing God's praises? If we were in her situation most of us would be worried about ourselves more than anything else. Belief is Mary's secret. God makes promises to all of us. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. But only Mary takes him completely at his word. Because of God's promises she knows she has nothing to fear. She believes in God's power to bring about what he promises even before she has the experience of it.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

Where does belief like this come from? It is a wholehearted response to the initiative of God. We cannot have hope like this through an effort which is self-sustained. We must welcome the Holy Spirit to overshadow us and to fill us just as Mary welcomes him.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (see Luke 1:35).

It is the Spirit that makes us fervent and enables us to serve without growing slack. It is the Spirit that gives us a hope so great that we are able to move beyond our need for self-preservation and protection in order to contribute to the needs of the holy ones or even to bless those who persecute us. It is a hope which makes us available as Mary as available to Elizabeth.

This same Spirit is ready and waiting to enter more fully into our hearts if we let him. Just as Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit in the presence of Mary and Jesus so too can we be filled. We see what is possible and we drop the barriers that keep him at bay.

With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.

 

30 May 2017 - glory's story

 

 Today's Readings

Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,

The heart of Jesus is to show the world the glory of the Father. Jesus wants us to know him and through our knowledge of him, since he is sent by the Father, to know the Father himself. He does the work he does on earth in order to give glory to the Father. In revealing his own glory he reveals what he has with the Father before the world began. The Father's glory is the Son's and the Son's glory is the Father's.

I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
 

Eternal life means entering by belief into the glory of the Father and the Son. We share and manifest the glory of God by belief in the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Jesus prays for us to the Father so that we can receive and live this gift. We need these prayers because, for most of us, the glory of the Father and our own glory are two quite separate things. For Paul, however, the have become one.

What will happen to me there I do not know,
except that in one city after another
the Holy Spirit has been warning me
that imprisonment and hardships await me.
Yet I consider life of no importance to me,
if only I may finish my course
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
to bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace.

We not only can but should care about the gospel more than life itself. Life is fleeting. Only the word of the LORD abides forever. And we can care that much. We don't have to fake it. Jesus prays that what is true of him and true of Paul may be true of us as well. When we welcome and accept this grace like a bountiful rain from heaven we are moved to sing his praises.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

29 May 2017 - overcome the world

Today's Readings

The Holy Spirit allows us to share in the victory of Christ over the world.

In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.

We need to fan into flame the gift of the Spirit which we have received (see Second Timothy 2:6). He makes it possible for us to have peace in Jesus. He gives us his fruits of love, peace, joy, gentleness, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22).

Knowing the truth about Jesus and his resurrection in a merely intellectual way is not anything to keep the fear at bay. If the truth is still external to us it means that self-preservation still comes first. We're easy to scatter and to silence. We hole ourselves up within the safety of our communities rather than bringing knowledge of the kingdom of God to the people who need to hear it. Contrast this with the boldness of Paul.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. 

The Holy Spirit our direct connection to the power of the resurrection. He lives within us and changes us from the inside it. His gifts and fruits are not tools that we have and use. They are expressions of the life of God within us. By their nature they can't be bottled up or contained. God within us wants to flow through us to change the world.

And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

This isn't a special privilege for the select few. The gift of the Spirit is intended for all of us. It is meant to be normal in the life of believers. Without it we can't be all that we are meant to be. With the Holy Spirit alive in us we overcome the world, have peace, and receive more than all we can ask or even imagine.

God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

28 May 2017 - ascent of faith

Today's Readings

Jesus ascends to heaven. He does so not in retreat, but in victory.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

He is not further away from us. We need the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened so that we can realize it.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age

From heaven he reigns. He is enthroned as the head of the Church.

And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church

From heaven he leads us. Our victorious King reigns over us. He gives us the gifts of his victory to empower us.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.

Although Jesus is closer to us than ever his physical body is no longer the place where others encounter him. Instead, they encounter him through us, his body, the Church. Jesus reigns from on high. His body is not separated from this victory. It is "the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way."

We receive his power so that we can be this place of encounter. We receive the Spirit in order to make us his body not in name only but in truth.. His vantage point beholds all things. We can trust him to guide us. We ought not just stand here watching after him. We need to get moving!

They said, "Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

27 May 2017 - the apollos mission

Today's Readings

The Father in heaven loves us so much. He wants to be known by us not in mere figures but clearly. Anything we ask in Jesus name, anything which gives us true joy, he wants to give us.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

We experience the Father through the Holy Spirit. We can know about the Father without receiving the Spirit but it is the Spirit who makes our hearts cry "Abba! Father!" Just as the Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and reveals that he is the beloved Son of the Father so too does the Holy Spirit reveal us (and make us) sons and daughters of God in Baptism. He strengthens this bond in confirmation. This is why it is important for Apollos to learn that there is more promised to him than the baptism of John.

He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.

After this experience of the Spirit, Apollos comes to a whole new level in his ability to give great assistance to those who come to believe through grace. He gains new power to proclaim in public that the Christ is Jesus, drawing on Scriptures that now come alive to him because the author of the Scriptures lives within him.

With Paul and with Apollos let us give strength and assistance to our brothers and sisters. Let us welcome the Holy Spirit and invite him to fill us so that as we pursue this task that is set before us the Father can show all of us the way to true joy.

All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.

26 May 2017 - your hearts will rejoice

Today's Readings

But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.

We are meant to have joy in the resurrection of Jesus. It is a different kind of joy than anything else we have ever felt. All other joy comes from things which are temporary. Because the things themselves do not last neither can the joy they give. But in Jesus we find a joy which does last. We discover a treasure which time itself cannot take away. Moth and rust cannot destroy it. In Jesus, death has done its worst. It has tried to pry away this joy like it does all else. But death has failed. Death is defeated. Life, in Jesus, is victorious. So too the joy in that life, united to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Our belief in the resurrection allows us to overcome fear. It convinces us that there is no obstacle so big that our God cannot handle it. We become free to speak about God. We don't need to become silent because of fear. He is strong enough to defeat death. He is strong enough to bring whatever good work he is doing in us to completion. Nothing can separate us from his love.

Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city.

Are we afraid? Are we silent? The message is clear: God is with us! Take courage! Be joyful in him and proclaim him!
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.

The world can see this joy when we live it. Deep inside everyone wants it. And God offers it to all.

Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Bring us your presence and your joy, LORD Jesus!

 

25 May 2017 - good grief

Today's Readings

Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.

The world rejoices because it seems like they are right. It seems like wealth, health, and success, are the true drivers of happiness. People who have such things often to often be happy. As Christians we are concerned more about things which are not as easily quantified. We're concerned with love of God and neighbor. Our treasure is ultimately in heaven rather than on earth. We do not avail ourselves of every pleasure that the world offers. Seeking to fulfill ourselves does not come first. But our values are for things that matter. Our treasure is something that lasts.

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"A little while and you will no longer see me,
and again a little while later and you will see me."

Sometimes Jesus seems distant from us. At such times the world laughs and feels vindicated in living for the moment and finding no greater purpose than eating, drinking, and merrymaking. But no matter if it is the Cross or the Ascension that takes Jesus from our sight it is still nevertheless only our sight from which he is taken. He is alive. And his return to us is ever more profound and lasting. When his physical human body returns to heaven in the Ascension his presence through the Holy Spirit in the Church and especially the Eucharist is more abundant than ever. Our joy becomes more and more permanent while those who hope in this life only gradually begin to realize that it is not solid ground on which they stand.

With Paul let us proclaim this truth. Jesus is the Christ. He is the answer to all of the promises of God, vindicated by his Resurrection and Ascension. Paul has the courage to proclaim this truth because he knows Jesus and is filled with his Spirit. God wants this level of conviction for us as well. As we celebrate this weekend (at least in these parts) let Jesus reveal himself to us as the one seated and reigning in heaven. Then, whatever our earthly circumstances may be, we are able to rejoice.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

24 May 2017 - all truth, not alt truth

Today's Readings

We are being called to get ready to welcome the Holy Spirit when he comes. We need to welcome more of the Spirit in our lives. Right now, some of the truth of the Church is too challenging for us, some of it is too complicated. Some of it we simply forget.

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
The Spirit of truth helps us to receive the entire truth. Without the Spirit we find only partial truths.

For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,
I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God.'

Rather than being threatened as one truth competing in a marketplace of many truths the Spirit shows us that all that is good, beautiful, and true belongs to us. We are not threatened by the partial truths of the world. We can lead people from those truths to the fullness of truth.

What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,
nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.

The Holy Spirit allows us to do this. When we receive the truth from God we know that it is not just one among many. We come into the fullness of truth that comes from the Father. Coming to this truth feels like coming home. It feels like discovering something we've always dimly realized.

For 'In him we live and move and have our being,'
as even some of your poets have said,
'For we too are his offspring.'

We are called to cast aside the ignorance of former times and to welcome the Holy Spirit. He not only gives us the truth but also the strength to live it. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord are all his gifts. Love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, kindness, patience, faithfulness, and self-control are the fruits of his presence in our lives. It seems certain that we all need more of all of these gifts are fruits. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is ready to give these to us, especially at Pentecost. Let us prepare our hearts!

Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.

 

23 May 2017 - celling out

Not the prison stay from today's first reading, but close enough.

 Today's Readings

It's hard to imagine that it is better for us if Jesus returns to the Father. But he promises that it is.

But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.

We need the Advocate. The world needs him. He is the one who reveals to us the truth about who Jesus is and the truth about who we are and how much we need him. Jesus's work is done, made present forever to the world through the Church. The Holy Spirit's ongoing work is to give testimony to Jesus, to convict us all of who he is and what he did, and ultimately to unite us all with him.

It is better that Jesus goes because, united to the Holy Spirit, we are not distant from him. This really helps when we face challenges. It is much better to have God living in us than simply to be near us when we undergo suffering.

About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened,
there was suddenly such a severe earthquake
that the foundations of the jail shook;
all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.

The Spirit enables us to sing even behind the prison bars of the world. And more amazingly still he enables us to choose to endure for the sake of others. Rather than running from the prison immediately we wait on the guidance of the Spirit.

But Paul shouted out in a loud voice,
"Do no harm to yourself; we are all here."
He asked for a light and rushed in and,
trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.
Then he brought them out and said,
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

The jailer was about to kill himself. But because the Spirit lives in Paul and Silas they are able to remain in the cell even after the doors are blown open. Imagine that. It seems like a clear indication that it is time to make a run for it. After being stripped and beaten and chained in the inner cell they are probably ready to run on the human level. But the Spirit compels them to stay. And because the stay the jailer comes to faith in Jesus.

He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds;
then he and all his family were baptized at once.
He brought them up into his house and provided a meal
and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God.

Paul and Silas don't stay a second longer than they need to in that cell. God has a purpose for them there. But there is no sense in remaining in a cell if God has not asked it of them. No chains or bars can keep them in such a cell.

When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.

 

22 May 2017 - living memory

 

Today's Readings

We need the Advocate, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father to testify to us.

When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.

He is the one who opens our hearts to pay attention just as the LORD does for Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth.

and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized

The Spirit leads us into all truth (see John 16:13) and reminds us of everything that Jesus said (see John 14:26). Without the Spirit, we don't listen, we don't remember, and we don't proclaim. We need him to help us to listen because the enemy is all too ready distract us. We need the Spirit to remind us of what Jesus said because the enemy is all to ready to steal words from our hearts once we do receive them. We need him to help us proclaim lest our selfishness and desire for comfort keep us quiet.

Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

When Christianity speaks of truth it isn't speaking of something personal and abstract. It referring to the knowledge shared by friends about the deeper desires and most profound plans. The enemy wants to make us doubt this. But the Spirit is more than powerful enough to hold us in the truth. Just like Mary, we can remember and treasure in our hearts every word God speaks.

 

21 May 2017 - flame buoyancy

Today's Readings

We are not alone.

We are not orphans.

Jesus gives us the Spirit, to make us sons and daughters of the Father, who makes us cry out, "Abba!"

And I will ask the Father, 
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.

The world does not see him or know him. But we see and know the Spirit and Jesus because they live in us and in the Father. The world does not see Jesus or the Spirit because it chooses not to be united with them. It was because we open our hearts to them that we are able to see them with our hearts.

For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.

We are sealed with the Spirit at Confirmation. By God's power unclean spirits are cast out from us and we receive the joy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours out his Spirit on us when the priest or the bishop lays hands on us just as Peter and John do for the people of Samaria. It is a real thing that happens. It is no mere ritual. We are united more perfectly to the body of Christ and receive power and gifts that enable us to act as mature members of the body, mature sons and daughters of God.

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.

We have this Spirit living in us. He enables us to give witness. He empowers us to suffer joyfully for the kingdom of God. He is the very source of our new life. Do we experience this truth? Let us sanctify Christ in our hearts. Let us fan into flame the gift we have from the imposition of hands (see Seoncd Timoth 1:6).

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"

20 May 2017 - belonging for

Today's Readings

We do not belong to this world. We belong to Jesus. If the world hates us because of this fact we should not be surprised. Jesus polarizes people. 

If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.

Jesus's name is the only name given under heaven by which we may be saved (see Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only way to the Father. He is the only one who can bridge the gap from this fallen world into heaven. But the fallen nature in us prefers to be self-directed, self-creating, and answerable to no one. We prefer choices and fear commitments. But at the same time we long for something more. We long for something lasting that is not an arbitrary, artificial and subjective choice we make all be ourselves. We long for the eternal. We long for Jesus to bring us to the Father. Jesus is present in his people, making this invitation of salvation available.

If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

It is true that the word of Christ may push people away. But even if they are pushed we know that at some deeper level they still crave God because they are, in fact, made for God. This is why it is our job to pass on the teachings of Jesus given to us by the Church.

As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.

We help our brothers and sisters and Christ by building them up in the truth. We invite those who don't yet know him to come and see. But where do we go? There are so many people to whom we could speak. There is so much we could say. In general, we should try to go wherever we can knowing that the Spirit will stop us if we aren't supposed to go a particular way.

When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.

We should err on the side of proclaiming rather than the side of silence. The Spirit is able to prevent us from going to far in the wrong way. We should listen to the Spirit in case there is a specific place that would benefit from what we have to share.

During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
"Come over to Macedonia and help us."

Paul, of course, does not wait for this vision to preach the gospel. He is always preaching. Sometimes he receives specific guidance and sometimes not. But the Spirit does rein him in and prevent him from going the wrong way.It can be so with us as well. The Spirit guides us and keeps us on the path. So let's not be afraid to let our praises of God by heard.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.

19 May 2017 - from the source

 Today's Readings

Jesus tells us what he has heard from his Father. And the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, through Scripture and Tradition, speaks this word to us. We must therefore be on guard against those who go out without the mandate of the apostles.

Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,

False teaching makes us anxious and steals our peace. The word of the LORD brings joy.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

Even when true teaching is hard teaching, when it tells us that to lay down one's life for his friend is the greatest form of love, this still fills our Spirits with joy. We recognize the truth of it. We recognize the rightness of it. This is Jesus making us his friends, teaching us about the love that motivates him, asking us to live that same love ourselves. All of the commandments come down to this.

This love is the necessity beyond which we need not burden ourselves. It is the one thing necessary in a world full of many burdens and much serving. Is this the one purpose that directs our lives? Or is it just one among many? This love makes us capable of true friendship with Jesus, raising us up to love him for who he is more than what he can do for us.

We don't like to be commanded very much. There is still a lot of the fall in us. It's called concupiscence. But this command, if we listen, is our only hope for joy: "love one another."

Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!

18 July 2018 - fruit that is always in season

 Today's Readings

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.

Jesus wants us to remain in his love. He wants us to have joy. And listen, he wants more than a partial, occasional joy for us. He wants a joy that is complete. It is for this reason that he gives us commandments. They help to make sure that we remain in his love. After all we're free to walk away. The commandments help us to know what constitutes walking away from Jesus, what actions are actually putting other things before him, and choosing them instead of him.

"I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete."

A good test is to ask ourselves how our joy is doing right now. And if the answer is 'not good' we ought not condemn ourselves over it. Jesus wants us to have joy. It is silly to make ourselves suffer because we don't have it the way he wants us to have it. Instead, if our joy isn't quite complete, if it isn't filling our lives (and let's be honest, we can all use more joy) let us turn to Jesus and learn to remain in his love. His love, ensured by his commandments, is meant to give and protect and grow the joy in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (see Galatians 5:22-23).

This is the joy of the Risen Christ living in our hearts. We know the Spirit lives in those who are baptized so we do we have a deficiency of his fruit in our lives? Maybe because we fail to ask.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (see John 16:24).

This joy is the sign that will allow the Gentiles to seek the LORD and invoke his name. When they see Christ alive in the hearts of his followers the nations will come, seeking the same grace which marks the lives of the Christian people, and so be saved. We don't go out to the nations with burdens that we ourselves cannot bear. We go out with an offer of a grace that gives joy, not in exchange for work, but simply out of love.

After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Let Jesus rebuild us. We are meant to be temples of the Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, drawing all nations unto the LORD.

Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

 

17 May 2017 - feeling vine

Today's Readings 

A vineyard is a yard of vines. It seems so obvious in retrospect.

 We are called to remain in Jesus, to abide in him. He calls us to have a deep internal union with him so profound that we receive life from him and bear fruit in our lives.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.

This is how the People of God is meant to be united. There used to be external signs that marked the People of God as separate from everyone else. Now that the Gentiles are called into union with God these older signs no longer have the same importance or necessity.

But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."

The old practices give way to Sacraments, signs that effect what the symbolize. Baptism truly gives us new life in Jesus Christ. In it we are born again in him and so united to all others who live in him. The old practices were necessary at the time. The people did not have true life that would allow them to bear fruit so they had to be kept separate and set apart in order to keep them safe from idolatry and impurity.

We, however, have true life in Christ. This life in us is stronger than the threat and temptation of the world if we choose to abide in Jesus.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.

What this means is that we don't need to close in on ourselves and hide from a world which is, by all accounts, pretty messed up. We don't need to avoid it for fear of being tainted. We don't need to separate ourselves from others much less act superior to them. Instead, we should invite them all to receive this same life that Jesus gives to us. It is the only thing we have to give that truly matters because nothing else lasts forever.

Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.

The Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and become his disciples. Because of this, he does whatever we ask when we ask from hearts that abides in Jesus. Such hearts can only ask for what brings him glory and he is delighted to answer.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

16 May 2017 - peace that overcomes

Today's Readings 

If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
Going to the Father means going through the Cross. It is hard to rejoice when we see our brothers and sisters bearing their crosses for the sake of the kingdom. Yet when we see this we should actually encourage them. They need to let the world know that they love the Father. We can rejoice, if not in the cross itself, at least in the opportunity given to the disciple to prove their love.

When we learn to mutually encourage one another our crosses will seem less severe. We will have greater power and freedom to serve the kingdom.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.

Paul suffers intensely. But the disciples gather around him. They support him. Presumably they don't try to talk him out of entering the city once again. Instead, the encourage him. Upon reentering the city Paul's proclamation now has an even greater weight to it since he is back in spite of the stoning.

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.

We need to receive the peace of Jesus, which the world cannot give. This peace changes the way we respond to suffering. It makes us able to witness to Jesus and compelling when we give testimony to him. In the world we do in fact have trouble. But in Jesus the world is overcome.

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.

 

15 May 2017 - not to us

Today's Readings

"Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?"

Why do we accept what Jesus has to say when the world at large rejects him? It's a bit of a mystery. It isn't something better about us. Furthermore, Jesus does in fact make this offer to all peoples. He offers us the grace to love him and to keep his word. By grace we can accept his invitation to believe in him, to love him, and to keep his word. Many people are so interested in doing things contrary to the word of Christ that they can't even hear his initial invitation of love. Many of them are so preoccupied with idols that they can't recognize Christ when he comes to them.

"The gods have come down to us in human form."
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes,"
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

Yet, in some sense this used to be our lot as well:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (see First Corinthians 6:11).

We all have idols in our lives to a greater or lesser degree, so we should sympathize rather than feel separate or superior.

how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (see First Thessalonians 1:9).

There are many reasons why we miss the offer of Jesus to come to him, to love him and to let ourselves be loved. But no matter the reason, Jesus is in fact revealing himself to the world. He meets us where we are. He helps us to understand at a deeper level who he is and what he is offering.

when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
"Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.

Like Paul and Barnabas, he may work through nature to convey this truth.

he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.

Or he may use any variety of other means. All of creation is his. It all gives glory to him. The Holy Spirit is always at work to teach us everything and to remind us of all that Jesus says (he knows we're forgetful).

"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name—
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you."
As he teaches us, let us learn to step aside, to not take it pridefully, so that we too can proclaim the glory of God to the nations.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
"Where is their God?"

 

14 May 2017 - a way beyond ourselves

Today's Readings

The call is going out to all the world: follow Jesus!

The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Jesus gives meaning to our lives. He gives us something acceptable to give to the Father. He himself, through his Cross and Resurrection, is the way. He makes us priests uniting all of our little sacrifices to his self-sacrifice on the Cross. He makes all of our life of work, prayer, and sacrifice, acceptable to the Father.

Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We need to let ourselves be built together by him. We need to let him place us where he wants us and unite us even with those whom we might otherwise avoid.

When things are hard we can trust Jesus. When the sacrifices we are called to make are difficult we can still rely on him. Even when we're confused and at a loss about what step to take next we can still have confidence that abiding in Jesus we abide in truth.

We are called to follow Jesus into his wonderful light because he is the way the truth and the light. The light shines when we recognize that Jesus is in the Father and that the Father is in Jesus. We see a glimpse of the truth of who Jesus is like the disciples do on the Mount of Transfiguration. This is the light of divinity thinly concealed by the appearance of his human nature. This light shines on us the more we look for it. And the more it shines on us the more others see it on our faces.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (see Second Corinthians 3:18).

So let us follow Jesus the way to the truth of who he is as God and so be filled with the light he promises. This way leads through the Cross. But he has made us a royal priesthood. He has given meaning to all of our crosses. And we need not wait for the last day to see the light of the resurrection. It is shining even now.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

13 May 2017 - whoever has seen me

Today's Readings

Philip said to Jesus, 
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." 

This is a good desire. It is a desire for God. It says that to truly see God revealed will be enough to satisfy Philip. He does not need the riches or comforts of this world. Yet, somehow, he already has more than he knows of what he wants without realizing it.

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 

What's missing for Philip? If the thing that would fulfill every desire of his heart is right before him how does he not see it?

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 

Philip's belief in Jesus still needs to be stronger. He may trust him as a teacher and a leader but he is not yet fully his LORD. He needs to look to Jesus and recognize his unity with the Father. The works that Jesus does, the power that only belongs to God, give testimony. This is the truth we all long to hear. God is with us. Emmanuel has come. If this is true then Jesus really must be able to satisfy our every desire.

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord. 
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region. 

Jesus is the desire of the nations. All of us are made for God. We are incomplete without him. There is no lasting joy or happiness apart from him.

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. 

- CS Lewis.

Let us come to realize with Philip that the thing we desire most is already before us. This will make us a light to the nations as we come to know the truth that everyone in the world desires.

I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.

The more deeply we believe the truth about who Jesus is the more power he has to work in our lives.

Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father. 
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.

Let us believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of our every desire. May he use us to spread this light to the world.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

12 May 2017 - place prepared

 Today's Readings

they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.

Jesus goes to prepare a place for us. He takes the way of the Cross. He passes through death to free us from sin and condemnation.

But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.

God raises Jesus. He gives him new life. It is the life we one day hope to share in fullness. It is life we can taste even here and now. This is the place he prepares for us. This is the mansion.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is our path and our destination. We are meant to rest in the love of the Father, in the very embrace of the Father and the Son. The word mansion does not seem a sufficient term to convey the exultation of this destiny. Our destiny is to hear the Father say "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you" just as he begins to call us his sons and daughters and baptism. What is there for us to fear if this is what the Father and the Son desire for us? What could possibly stop us from reaching this mansion of mansions, if God desires it for us, other than we ourselves? For what other pleasure could turning aside be worth it? If we seek this one thing, this better part, the we receive everything else as well.

Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.

Let's fix our gaze upon the dwelling places that are prepared for us in heaven. When they are hard to imagine, too abstract, or too distant, let us remember the love of Jesus for us and know that heaven is that love in its fullness. We have nothing to fear.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me."

 

11 May 2017 - that kind of love

Today's Readings

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.

Jesus is sending us out to wash the feet of the world. He is sending us to bring his offer of forgiveness. But it is a humble offer. It is an intimate and loving gesture. When we really get it right we show the people of the world how much the Father loves them. The disciples are embarrassed at the intimacy and humility Jesus shows when he washes their feet. If we are willing to love in this way people will want to hear what we have to say.

"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."

Jesus is the savior of the world. God prepared for his coming throughout all of history. When he dealt with his people in Egypt he was getting them ready for the exodus from death to life that Jesus would make possible. When God gave them a king he did so to prepare for the king whose reign will never end. His centrality in history might lead us to form certain expectations.

What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.

Yet it is precisely Jesus who washes our feet. This is the lesson. These are the points which we must hold in tension. The cosmic grandeur and majesty of the King and Savior and the humility and intimate love we see revealed in the incarnation and life of Jesus. We must not lose either aspect in our proclamation.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

We must make effort to remember both the divine and human natures of Jesus. We must be in relationship with and proclaim the whole Jesus. Then everyone, including ourselves, receives the real Jesus, and the one who sent him.

 

10 May 2017 - spoken to save

Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i

Today's Readings

I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

The voice of condemnation that we sometimes hear is not the voice of Jesus. Nor is it the voice of the Father, for the words Jesus speaks are the words of the Father. The voice of condemnation we hear is the enemy. He tells us that we're too lost or too broken to be saved. Even when we fail, God does not speak condemnation to us. When we fail, he offers us mercy. When we stumble in darkness, he offers us light so that we don't have to remain in darkness.

I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

Let us listen to the voice the speaks life, the words of the Father, the commandment that is eternal life. Let us learn from the early Church who spends time worshiping the LORD and fasting. They give the LORD room to speak. They put distractions as far as they can from themselves and listen.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them."
The early Church is directly directed by the Spirit. We need the Spirit's direct intervention in our own parishes in order to experience the fullest fruits from our attempts at evangelism. If we learn to listen to the voice that speaks life, rather than the voice which condemns and says that it is too late for us or for the world, we will see the word of God continue to spread and grow. We will see the light shining.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.

 

9 May 2017 - no backseat shepherding

 

Saint Barnabas

Today's Readings

We need to learn to hear the voice of Jesus. We need to learn to recognize it. He speaks to us regardless of whether or not we will listen. He tells us who he is. This doesn't help if we don't listen.

How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe.

If we let Jesus shepherd us, if we are willing to be counted as his sheep, and if we learn to recognize his voice, we become able to hear and believe what he tells us. We come among the other sheep and together with them we gain exposure to the sound of the voice of Jesus. We come to trust that sound. We learn to recognize the truth of it. Then, even when he says things which are difficult to accept we can still believe him.

My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.

Once we are a part of the flock we should "remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart". It is true that no one can take us out of the hand of Jesus. It is emphatically true that this is not only a safe place but the only place of safety. Only here do we find eternal life. Yet the exhortation to remain faithful is still needful for us. We need to persevere to the end to be saved. No one can take us from his hand. Nothing, not even life or death, can separate us from Jesus. But we can walk away. We can even drift away if we do not have this firmness of heart.

The LORD continues to speak to his sheep. Firmness of heart means continuing to listen. It means not walking away. It means not wandering off, distracted by the oppressively insistent present. It is tempting, isn't it, to try to navigate the gate, the sheepfold, and the world, based on what we see, based on maps we have, based on anything but the voice giving us directions? We're all guilty of being backseat shepherds. Let's give that up today and cling to the voice of Christ.

All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

8 May 2017 - one voice uniting

Today's Readings

I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus is the shepherd who actually cares about us. He doesn't deal with us just to make a profit. He doesn't do it because he has to do it. He shepherds us because he knows us and he cares about us. He wants everyone to hear the sound of his voice and to be united in one flock.

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (see Ephesians 1:9-10)

No longer are the Gentiles to be separate. God has granted life-giving repentance to all peoples. The Spirit tells us, as it tells Peter, to accompany without discriminating any who are willing to listen. God is at work drawing all people to himself. No one is excluded. None need be left out or left behind. The embrace of the Father and of Jesus is wide enough for the entire world.

In spite of the abundance of grace we sometimes assume that we ourselves are left out. We see God working around us but we don't recognize the same presence in our own lives. Let us listen to his word today. His Spirit is meant to fall upon us as much as anyone. His power is meant to mark our lives as well.

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

This is a visible change in the hearers. Peter sees it happen. It is meant to be a visible change in us as well. Speak, LORD, we're listening, let your Spirit fall on us!
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

He inspires the thirst in our souls in order, not to thwart it, but to satisfy it. He himself, after all, is the water of life.

Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!

7 May 2017 - gateway love

Today's Readings

Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.

We are called to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He leads us through the gate which he himself is. He himself is the truth but he is also the way. Life is a journey on which we need guidance. There isn't simply a correct side of the gate where we can stay. There is an entering into Jesus for salvation. There is a going out with him to find pasture.  When gates other than him are proposed we don't fall for it. We know that there is only one gate we pass through to salvation. Other shepherds try to lead the sheep astray. They are thieves and robbers. They promise salvation in other names. This is why we must know the voice of our shepherd.

When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.

If we don't know his voice we quickly wind up like the lost sheep, wandering and scared. The good news is that Jesus speaks to us constantly so that we can learn his voice just as real sheep learn the voice of their shepherds by gradual exposure. When we do stray Jesus leaves the ninety-nine to come and look for us.

He comes in to us through his Paschal Mystery. He leads us to pastures through the Paschal remedies he gives us. He leads us through his cross and resurrection. Only led by him can we find this pasture. And only in this pasture with the Good Shepherd do we find safety.

He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

When we hear his voice clearly we can do our part for our fellow sheep. We can be bold and venture out when he calls us to do so.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified."

This is accepted by the crowd, they are cut to the heart, because it is not spoken in condemnation, but to let them know of the love of the Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Peter invites them to enter through the gate and join the sheep in the sheepfold.

The Good Shepherd wants to enable all of us to say with sincerity: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."