31 October 2013 - power of his love
If God is for us, who can be against us?
The only thing that can hold us back is us.
He did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
We can see from the lengths to which he goes that there is nothing that he will not give.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
We face many dire circumstances in our lives. Yet no circumstance can keep us from one who pours out his love on us without limit. We know that God is omnipotent. We only imagine his power helping us, making circumstances that we don't like disappear. But he helps us first with his love which is, in a sense, even more powerful than his power. He could make these circumstances vanish, but by leading us through them in love the result is greater still.
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us.
God acquits us. Do these circumstances condemn? We sometimes feel them as condemnation. We think the tough circumstances of our lives are the end of us. We can't see beyond them. They are like a prison from which we cannot escape. Yet Chris Jesus tastes the harshest of all circumstances for us and is raised "at the right hand of God". He intercedes for us, ensuring that none of these things have the last word.
He makes us more than conquerors by our union with him. For none of these circumstances "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is the power of his love!
Jesus longs for this union with us. Nothing can prevent it or break it except us.
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Listen to the tender love he has for us. He wants to gather us under his wings. When we take refuge in his wings we will not fear the terror or the night nor the the arrow that flies by day (cf. Psa. 91). We become more than conquerors amidst such battles, trampling "the lion and the dragon". All that we need to be "set on high" is to know his name!
Let us take refuge in his wings so that the whole world may see that there is a power greater than circumstance. This power is the love of Jesus. It is him who delivers us.
And let them know that this is your hand;
that you, O LORD, have done this.
I will speak my thanks earnestly to the LORD,
and in the midst of the throng I will praise him,
For he stood at the right hand of the poor man,
to save him from those who would condemn his soul.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
30 October 2013 - limited time offer
30 October 2013 - limited time offer
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
This is an important question. We know that God desires all to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4). Knowing that, the answer of Jesus should surprise us.
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
Is the narrowness of the gate the problem, ultimately? We know that the whole way to salvation is narrow and the way to destruction is wide. But if God wants all to be saved then the capacity of the infrastructure can't be the ultimate deal-breaker for us.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
So we see that the only liability, truly, is to fail to enter while the door is opened to us. Jesus stands at the door and knocks (cf. Rev 3:20). He will open the door for us. But we ignore this offer at our peril. We don't want to hear him say, "I do not know where you are from."
He longs to bring people "from the east and the west and from the north and the south" into his kingdom. He longs to gather us all with Abarham, Isaac, and Jacob. God himself "comes to the aid of our weakness" when we stand before doors to heavy for us. The "Spirit himself intervenes with inexpressible groanings." We find ourselves speaking "not to men but to God" for no one understands the mysteries we utter in the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 14:2). We build ourselves up by the Spirit's prayers within us (cf. 1 Cor. 14:4).
We can't be content with a superficial knowledge of who Jesus is. Such knowledge lacks the demonstration of the Spirit and power (cf. 1 Cor 2:4) that we need to open the doors that are too heavy for us. Even if we say, "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets", it is insufficient. We can't just exist at a distance from him with tangential knowledge of him that comes by hearsay. He opens the doors of life only to those whom he recognizes, those who have been walking with him on the way.
We need not fear the narrowness of this path and the smallness of this gate because:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
All things don't necessary for work good for those who have some knowledge of God but don't have a relationship of love with him. But those who love God can be confident since they hear him calling. By his Spirit at work in them he brings them from one degree of glory to another (cf. 2 Cor 3:18).
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
This is an important question. We know that God desires all to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4). Knowing that, the answer of Jesus should surprise us.
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
Is the narrowness of the gate the problem, ultimately? We know that the whole way to salvation is narrow and the way to destruction is wide. But if God wants all to be saved then the capacity of the infrastructure can't be the ultimate deal-breaker for us.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
So we see that the only liability, truly, is to fail to enter while the door is opened to us. Jesus stands at the door and knocks (cf. Rev 3:20). He will open the door for us. But we ignore this offer at our peril. We don't want to hear him say, "I do not know where you are from."
He longs to bring people "from the east and the west and from the north and the south" into his kingdom. He longs to gather us all with Abarham, Isaac, and Jacob. God himself "comes to the aid of our weakness" when we stand before doors to heavy for us. The "Spirit himself intervenes with inexpressible groanings." We find ourselves speaking "not to men but to God" for no one understands the mysteries we utter in the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 14:2). We build ourselves up by the Spirit's prayers within us (cf. 1 Cor. 14:4).
We can't be content with a superficial knowledge of who Jesus is. Such knowledge lacks the demonstration of the Spirit and power (cf. 1 Cor 2:4) that we need to open the doors that are too heavy for us. Even if we say, "We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets", it is insufficient. We can't just exist at a distance from him with tangential knowledge of him that comes by hearsay. He opens the doors of life only to those whom he recognizes, those who have been walking with him on the way.
We need not fear the narrowness of this path and the smallness of this gate because:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
All things don't necessary for work good for those who have some knowledge of God but don't have a relationship of love with him. But those who love God can be confident since they hear him calling. By his Spirit at work in them he brings them from one degree of glory to another (cf. 2 Cor 3:18).
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
29 October 2013 - hidden in plain sight.
29 October 2013 - hidden in plain sight.
The Kingdom of God is hidden in this present world. If we know what we are looking at we see the fruit it bears. But we can't clearly see from where that fruit comes. Without faith we only see mysterious growth. We see some dough leavened but we don't know that yeast has anything to do with it. Yet in spite of this hiddenness nothing is unaffected. The "whole batch of dough" is leavened.
But it is more extreme even than this. At this prsent time we see sufferings. Yet these very sufferings are the seed of "the glory to be revealed for us." We see "futility" in the form of violence, death, and entropy. Yet the futility of "slavery to corruption" itself only exists because of the hope of freedom. Futility does not say to creation, 'give up.'' It does not say that to us. It says, 'look to God, not to your own resources.' Futility itself is the seed of hope. If it was not, God would not permit it to exist.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Let us sow these seeds attentively and with love knowing that this leads, eventually, to joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
Our mustard seeds give rise to something so much greater than anything we can be on our own. They produce an abundance which we can share with the whole world.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
The Kingdom of God is hidden in this present world. If we know what we are looking at we see the fruit it bears. But we can't clearly see from where that fruit comes. Without faith we only see mysterious growth. We see some dough leavened but we don't know that yeast has anything to do with it. Yet in spite of this hiddenness nothing is unaffected. The "whole batch of dough" is leavened.
But it is more extreme even than this. At this prsent time we see sufferings. Yet these very sufferings are the seed of "the glory to be revealed for us." We see "futility" in the form of violence, death, and entropy. Yet the futility of "slavery to corruption" itself only exists because of the hope of freedom. Futility does not say to creation, 'give up.'' It does not say that to us. It says, 'look to God, not to your own resources.' Futility itself is the seed of hope. If it was not, God would not permit it to exist.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Let us sow these seeds attentively and with love knowing that this leads, eventually, to joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
Our mustard seeds give rise to something so much greater than anything we can be on our own. They produce an abundance which we can share with the whole world.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”
Monday, October 28, 2013
28 October 2013 - solid ground
We are
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
In no way can we stand apart. We cannot be islands. To follow Jesus means to be built on the foundation he lays and to be "held together" in him by the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:3). We are made to be living stones (cf. 1 Pet 2:5). Only together do we grow "into a temple sacred in the Lord". Only together are we most fully "a dwelling place of God in the Spirit". The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each individual for all. Yet because he himself is three persons we ourselves find his fullness only in communion. We may style ourselves self-sufficient but alone we are "strangers and sojourners". This unity applies to those of us who are alive but also to those who have gone before us with whom we are also united in Christ. The "houshold of God" transcends the present age. This is why we can't break off from the Church and do our own thing. It is a continuity throughout history which God builds. It is sacred temple. All other foundations are shifting sand.
What does this mean for us as individuals? It means we must learn to overcome the differences which keep us apart. We are all entitled to the ways in which God makes us unique. But we must not let these quirks of personality keep us at odds with any brothers and sisters. It means we must find ourselves in unbroken continuity with the foundation built by Jesus, the Church (cf. Mat. 16:18 and 1 Tim 3:15). Even apostles that don't contribute writings to the New Testament are foundations upon which we ourselves are built (cf. Rev. 21:14). Even without writing, their "message goes out through all the earth", because of their legacy in the Church.
We must let ourselves be "built". We must trust in the Spirit to make us "grow". And we must rest and find our solidity on the "foundation" we are given. Most importantly, Jesus is the cornerstone that provides the strength and support on which the foundation depends.
Jesus is the master builder who combines disparate stones into a a beautiful temple. This is why he is so careful in choosing the twelve.
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
He continues to build us just as carefully he does them. He works to make us one even as he and the Father are one (cf. Joh. 17:21).
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
This is how unity happens. Let us hear his call and draw near to him. When we arrive we don't find a "me and Jesus" scenario. We find the head and the body together. We find the Catholic Church.
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
In no way can we stand apart. We cannot be islands. To follow Jesus means to be built on the foundation he lays and to be "held together" in him by the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:3). We are made to be living stones (cf. 1 Pet 2:5). Only together do we grow "into a temple sacred in the Lord". Only together are we most fully "a dwelling place of God in the Spirit". The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each individual for all. Yet because he himself is three persons we ourselves find his fullness only in communion. We may style ourselves self-sufficient but alone we are "strangers and sojourners". This unity applies to those of us who are alive but also to those who have gone before us with whom we are also united in Christ. The "houshold of God" transcends the present age. This is why we can't break off from the Church and do our own thing. It is a continuity throughout history which God builds. It is sacred temple. All other foundations are shifting sand.
What does this mean for us as individuals? It means we must learn to overcome the differences which keep us apart. We are all entitled to the ways in which God makes us unique. But we must not let these quirks of personality keep us at odds with any brothers and sisters. It means we must find ourselves in unbroken continuity with the foundation built by Jesus, the Church (cf. Mat. 16:18 and 1 Tim 3:15). Even apostles that don't contribute writings to the New Testament are foundations upon which we ourselves are built (cf. Rev. 21:14). Even without writing, their "message goes out through all the earth", because of their legacy in the Church.
We must let ourselves be "built". We must trust in the Spirit to make us "grow". And we must rest and find our solidity on the "foundation" we are given. Most importantly, Jesus is the cornerstone that provides the strength and support on which the foundation depends.
Jesus is the master builder who combines disparate stones into a a beautiful temple. This is why he is so careful in choosing the twelve.
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
He continues to build us just as carefully he does them. He works to make us one even as he and the Father are one (cf. Joh. 17:21).
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
This is how unity happens. Let us hear his call and draw near to him. When we arrive we don't find a "me and Jesus" scenario. We find the head and the body together. We find the Catholic Church.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
27 October 2013 - pierce the clouds with prayer
27 October 2013 - pierce the clouds with prayer
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
We can see ourselves in this Pharisee, can't we? We're in a mode of comparison. Faults which other people seem to have are so prominent in our view that we have trouble seeing our own faults. Indeed, the omissions of others (fasting, tithes) serve only to reinforce the merit of our actions. Yet on this side of heaven we have significant faults. Even the great saints lament these faults in themselves. Even our popes go to confession more regularly than most of us.
The LORD is not "unduly partial to the weak" but he is able to do more in those who are honest with him about themselves. This is why the "prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds". If we think ourselves rich in the moral life there is less room for the LORD to transform us but he "hears the cry of the poor."
Let us be like the tax collector and come before God with nothing of our own to trust in. It isn't that we are called to self-hatred. We are, however, called to see beyond the illusion of self-sufficiency. We must see that we need grace in order to be open to it.
Is Paul boastful like the scribe when he rejoices that "the crown of righteousness awaits" him? Look at what he says. He has "competed well" and "finished the race" and "kept the faith." Yet it is entirely different from the bravado of the Pharisee because he acknowledges the source of these blessings.
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
He knows that he is rescued by the LORD. He trusts in him alone to bring him safely to his kingdom. Therefore he says (and let us say together):
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
We can see ourselves in this Pharisee, can't we? We're in a mode of comparison. Faults which other people seem to have are so prominent in our view that we have trouble seeing our own faults. Indeed, the omissions of others (fasting, tithes) serve only to reinforce the merit of our actions. Yet on this side of heaven we have significant faults. Even the great saints lament these faults in themselves. Even our popes go to confession more regularly than most of us.
The LORD is not "unduly partial to the weak" but he is able to do more in those who are honest with him about themselves. This is why the "prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds". If we think ourselves rich in the moral life there is less room for the LORD to transform us but he "hears the cry of the poor."
Let us be like the tax collector and come before God with nothing of our own to trust in. It isn't that we are called to self-hatred. We are, however, called to see beyond the illusion of self-sufficiency. We must see that we need grace in order to be open to it.
Is Paul boastful like the scribe when he rejoices that "the crown of righteousness awaits" him? Look at what he says. He has "competed well" and "finished the race" and "kept the faith." Yet it is entirely different from the bravado of the Pharisee because he acknowledges the source of these blessings.
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
He knows that he is rescued by the LORD. He trusts in him alone to bring him safely to his kingdom. Therefore he says (and let us say together):
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
26 October 2013 - tree party
26 October 2013 - tree party
We are called to bear fruit that will last. The opposite of a fruit bearing tree isn't just being an isolated individual tree with no impact on the larger environment. If we don't bear fruit we are actually affecting others negatively by keeping resources to ourselves.
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
But Jesus is the gardener who does not easily give up on his trees. If we aren't bearing fruit now he gives us every opportunity and grace to do so. As trees, we don't go out and hunt for fertilizer. We can't stretch to cultivate our own ground. But our gardener is diligent. He is faithful. He gives us everything we need to bear fruit.
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
We are transformed from a lifeless tree to one which bears fruit by the Holy Spirit. He is the divine fertilizer which gives us life.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
The situation for us who aren't bearing fruit is worse than we thought. We are dead in sin. We don't bear fruit because we have no life. No human skill can fix trees like this. Only the power of the resurrection can let dead trees bear fruit again.
What fruit do we bear? The fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
But we can only do so to the degree that our hands are sinless and our hearts are clean. These are blessings of the Holy Spirit. Without him we cannot escape sin and condemnation. With him we find life.
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has freed you from the law of sin and death.
Therefore let us bear fruit. Not just thirty fold. Not just sixty fold. We have all the blessings we need to bear fruit even one hundred fold.
The reward we receive from God our savior is to stand before him and see his face. This is what our hearts long for. This is the vision that satisfies forever.
We are called to bear fruit that will last. The opposite of a fruit bearing tree isn't just being an isolated individual tree with no impact on the larger environment. If we don't bear fruit we are actually affecting others negatively by keeping resources to ourselves.
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
But Jesus is the gardener who does not easily give up on his trees. If we aren't bearing fruit now he gives us every opportunity and grace to do so. As trees, we don't go out and hunt for fertilizer. We can't stretch to cultivate our own ground. But our gardener is diligent. He is faithful. He gives us everything we need to bear fruit.
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
We are transformed from a lifeless tree to one which bears fruit by the Holy Spirit. He is the divine fertilizer which gives us life.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
The situation for us who aren't bearing fruit is worse than we thought. We are dead in sin. We don't bear fruit because we have no life. No human skill can fix trees like this. Only the power of the resurrection can let dead trees bear fruit again.
What fruit do we bear? The fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
But we can only do so to the degree that our hands are sinless and our hearts are clean. These are blessings of the Holy Spirit. Without him we cannot escape sin and condemnation. With him we find life.
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has freed you from the law of sin and death.
Therefore let us bear fruit. Not just thirty fold. Not just sixty fold. We have all the blessings we need to bear fruit even one hundred fold.
The reward we receive from God our savior is to stand before him and see his face. This is what our hearts long for. This is the vision that satisfies forever.
Friday, October 25, 2013
25 October 2013 - war within
25 October 2013 - war within
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
If we are honest and trying to make progress in the Christian life we experience this war in our soul, this struggle between flesh and spirit. No matter how much the desire is obscured, we want to do good. But that desire often gets completely overwhelmed by other desires for things which are, at best, for much lesser goods. And yet they take us captive. They make us miserable.They are not rational like our desire for the good but they are overwhelmingly powerful. They are unpredictable winds, all too ready to blow us off course.
The flesh is able to make us miserable precisely because the law which it thwarts is ordered for nothing other than human flourishing and happiness.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
We want to take delight in the law of God in our inner self. His law is meant to be our delight. But if we are honest all of us are, to some extent, miserable and captive. What's to be done?
Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
We cannot escape this bondage on our own. We need to say to Jesus, "Lord, teach me your statutes." Apart from him no knowledge can save us. His teaching is truth. His teaching has saving power.
If we try to do it on our own we will find ourselves unable to muster the necessary resources.
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
It is amazing how opposite the two approaches are. On the one hand, trying to fulfill these laws under our own power only leaves us miserable. On there other, we surrender to Jesus, who is "good and bountiful" and we experience deliverance and freedom.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
If we are honest and trying to make progress in the Christian life we experience this war in our soul, this struggle between flesh and spirit. No matter how much the desire is obscured, we want to do good. But that desire often gets completely overwhelmed by other desires for things which are, at best, for much lesser goods. And yet they take us captive. They make us miserable.They are not rational like our desire for the good but they are overwhelmingly powerful. They are unpredictable winds, all too ready to blow us off course.
The flesh is able to make us miserable precisely because the law which it thwarts is ordered for nothing other than human flourishing and happiness.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
We want to take delight in the law of God in our inner self. His law is meant to be our delight. But if we are honest all of us are, to some extent, miserable and captive. What's to be done?
Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
We cannot escape this bondage on our own. We need to say to Jesus, "Lord, teach me your statutes." Apart from him no knowledge can save us. His teaching is truth. His teaching has saving power.
If we try to do it on our own we will find ourselves unable to muster the necessary resources.
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
It is amazing how opposite the two approaches are. On the one hand, trying to fulfill these laws under our own power only leaves us miserable. On there other, we surrender to Jesus, who is "good and bountiful" and we experience deliverance and freedom.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
24 October 2013 - fire on the earth
24 October 2013 - fire on the earth
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
What is this fire? Is it destruction? After all, it presages division in today's reading. But no, it is the power of the Holy Spirit, by definition creation and life! Just as John the Baptist says, Jesus "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." It is precisely in this that we experience the new life in Christ and the power of his resurrection. But first, before the Spirit is available to us, there is a baptism which Jesus himself must endure:
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Our baptism in the Spirit is predicated upon the baptism of blood which Jesus experiences on the cross. Only after this does he pour out his Spirit upon us. His Spirit is the living water which flows from his side on the cross. We must be like trees planted in that stream.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
If we first receive the baptism of the Spirit we are empowered to stand with Jesus in the winds of difficulty which drive the chaff away. We are empowered to stand with him even unto a baptism of blood.
"You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
We are filled with his Spirit and so are able to embrace his cross. The cross is an invitation to the world. As such, it divides those who accept it from those who don't. And since to accept his cross is to surrender our very lives and wills to him it is divisive indeed. Yet we are able to face any divisions which being his follower causes.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
We know that there is no profit in lawlessness and sin. We know that "the end of those things is death." Death is "wages" for sin. It is the thing earned. It is our due. But the alternative, eternal life in Christ Jesus, is a gift. We see this gift the most profoundly as Jesus gives himself for us on the cross. We see the blood and water pouring forth for us. His obedience is fire which purifies our disobedience. His love is the water of life which washes us of our impurity and sin.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
What is this fire? Is it destruction? After all, it presages division in today's reading. But no, it is the power of the Holy Spirit, by definition creation and life! Just as John the Baptist says, Jesus "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." It is precisely in this that we experience the new life in Christ and the power of his resurrection. But first, before the Spirit is available to us, there is a baptism which Jesus himself must endure:
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Our baptism in the Spirit is predicated upon the baptism of blood which Jesus experiences on the cross. Only after this does he pour out his Spirit upon us. His Spirit is the living water which flows from his side on the cross. We must be like trees planted in that stream.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
If we first receive the baptism of the Spirit we are empowered to stand with Jesus in the winds of difficulty which drive the chaff away. We are empowered to stand with him even unto a baptism of blood.
"You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
We are filled with his Spirit and so are able to embrace his cross. The cross is an invitation to the world. As such, it divides those who accept it from those who don't. And since to accept his cross is to surrender our very lives and wills to him it is divisive indeed. Yet we are able to face any divisions which being his follower causes.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
We know that there is no profit in lawlessness and sin. We know that "the end of those things is death." Death is "wages" for sin. It is the thing earned. It is our due. But the alternative, eternal life in Christ Jesus, is a gift. We see this gift the most profoundly as Jesus gives himself for us on the cross. We see the blood and water pouring forth for us. His obedience is fire which purifies our disobedience. His love is the water of life which washes us of our impurity and sin.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
23 October 2013 - gotta serve somebody
23 October 2013 - gotta serve somebody
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
He is coming to take the enemy by surprise. He is coming to bind the strong man that he can plunder him of his possessions (cf. Mar. 3:27). And what possessions are these?
They are us! We are the captives he leads when he ascends on high (cf. Eph 4:8). Until he comes we are slaves of sin.
although you were once slaves of sin,
...but because he binds the strong man and comes for us:
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.
We serve someone, make no mistake.
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
On the one hand we serve something less than human. We serve animal impulses and material desires which are disordered in this fallen world. We know well that not every thing we feel can be the basis for our actions. Yet we often chase after these anyway. The devils takes great pleasure in demeaning us in this way.
On the other we serve God. Only this is in keeping with our dignity as rational creatures. For serving him perfects our natural powers of rationality and virtue. Under the power of his grace we can now actually live in righteousness.
We have to serve someone. And without the rescue mission Jesus mounts into the hostile territory of the fallen world we are doomed to serve sin. This never provides the fulfillment it promises. It ultimately leads to death. The torrents sweep over our heads and there is no way to swim. But he does come to rescue us.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers’ snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
He is coming to take the enemy by surprise. He is coming to bind the strong man that he can plunder him of his possessions (cf. Mar. 3:27). And what possessions are these?
They are us! We are the captives he leads when he ascends on high (cf. Eph 4:8). Until he comes we are slaves of sin.
although you were once slaves of sin,
...but because he binds the strong man and comes for us:
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.
We serve someone, make no mistake.
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
On the one hand we serve something less than human. We serve animal impulses and material desires which are disordered in this fallen world. We know well that not every thing we feel can be the basis for our actions. Yet we often chase after these anyway. The devils takes great pleasure in demeaning us in this way.
On the other we serve God. Only this is in keeping with our dignity as rational creatures. For serving him perfects our natural powers of rationality and virtue. Under the power of his grace we can now actually live in righteousness.
We have to serve someone. And without the rescue mission Jesus mounts into the hostile territory of the fallen world we are doomed to serve sin. This never provides the fulfillment it promises. It ultimately leads to death. The torrents sweep over our heads and there is no way to swim. But he does come to rescue us.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers’ snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
22 October 2013 - the power of one
22 October 2013 - the power of one
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
It doesn't seem fair that one person can ruin things for everyone. Yet originally Adam is called to bless the whole earth. His legacy is meant to be one of life, order, and peace. But the very vastness of this blessing backfires on us when he fails to pass it on. In an even greater way than a bad father can negatively influence children when he is meant to bless them Adam leaves the world without the grace to resist sin even though he is meant to be the conduit of this grace.
But God does not leave us there. He brings forth a new Adam, one who can pass on this grace to all who have faith in him.
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Adam lets his trust in God die in his heart as he takes a bite of the fruit. But Jesus trusts throughout his life, throughout his suffering, all the way to the cross.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
This is the obedience of the one that undoes the sin of Adam and makes us righteous. It is a far greater blessing even than that which Adam loses.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
This is why we keep our loins girded and our lamps alight. This is why we don't grow tired in the watches of the night. We know that we depend entirely on his grace. Only in his presence do we servants experience true blessing. He empowers us to be vigilant because he himself makes his obedience present in us. Adam doesn't pass this blessing to us but Jesus pours it out in abundance.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
Let us announce this justice in the vast assembly of the Church and the world. Let us not restrain our lips:
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
It doesn't seem fair that one person can ruin things for everyone. Yet originally Adam is called to bless the whole earth. His legacy is meant to be one of life, order, and peace. But the very vastness of this blessing backfires on us when he fails to pass it on. In an even greater way than a bad father can negatively influence children when he is meant to bless them Adam leaves the world without the grace to resist sin even though he is meant to be the conduit of this grace.
But God does not leave us there. He brings forth a new Adam, one who can pass on this grace to all who have faith in him.
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Adam lets his trust in God die in his heart as he takes a bite of the fruit. But Jesus trusts throughout his life, throughout his suffering, all the way to the cross.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
This is the obedience of the one that undoes the sin of Adam and makes us righteous. It is a far greater blessing even than that which Adam loses.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
This is why we keep our loins girded and our lamps alight. This is why we don't grow tired in the watches of the night. We know that we depend entirely on his grace. Only in his presence do we servants experience true blessing. He empowers us to be vigilant because he himself makes his obedience present in us. Adam doesn't pass this blessing to us but Jesus pours it out in abundance.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
Let us announce this justice in the vast assembly of the Church and the world. Let us not restrain our lips:
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
Monday, October 21, 2013
21 October 2013 - what matters to god
21 October 2013 - what matters to god
one’s life does not consist of possessions.
Abraham understands this. It is only because of this that can obey when the LORD says, "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you."
We don't think of ourselves as too attached to our possessions. Yet if anything happens to them, if our comfort and stability is threatened even a little, we are all too ready to take the situation fully into our own hands, worrying and working without calling God to mind. And while God isn't calling everyone to go to foreign lands, leaving all behind, he is calling us all to have the detachment that makes such endeavors possible. There is no future in anything else.
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”
We can't expect to empty ourselves of attachments unless we fill ourselves with God and what matters to him. This is Abraham's secret. His faith is so strong that he can rely on it even as he empties himself of all that he knows.
Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief;
rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God
and was fully convinced that what God had promised
he was also able to do.
Without faith in God in the center of our lives we will be at the mercy of fear, chasing after earthly things which cannot last. Having faith in God's promise is the only way that we can be free from fear.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
We don't earn freedom and fearlessness. We don't achieve them. They are gifts of God. To experience them we have simply to trust in him. Let us put our faith in him as he comes to us to set us free.
one’s life does not consist of possessions.
Abraham understands this. It is only because of this that can obey when the LORD says, "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you."
We don't think of ourselves as too attached to our possessions. Yet if anything happens to them, if our comfort and stability is threatened even a little, we are all too ready to take the situation fully into our own hands, worrying and working without calling God to mind. And while God isn't calling everyone to go to foreign lands, leaving all behind, he is calling us all to have the detachment that makes such endeavors possible. There is no future in anything else.
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”
We can't expect to empty ourselves of attachments unless we fill ourselves with God and what matters to him. This is Abraham's secret. His faith is so strong that he can rely on it even as he empties himself of all that he knows.
Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief;
rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God
and was fully convinced that what God had promised
he was also able to do.
Without faith in God in the center of our lives we will be at the mercy of fear, chasing after earthly things which cannot last. Having faith in God's promise is the only way that we can be free from fear.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
We don't earn freedom and fearlessness. We don't achieve them. They are gifts of God. To experience them we have simply to trust in him. Let us put our faith in him as he comes to us to set us free.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
20 October 2013 - hands held high
20 October 2013 - hands held high
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
Moses might argue that God is slow to answer.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
Moses knows that his help is from the Lord, "who made heaven and earth" as the psalmist proclaims. Yet even a chosen one like Moses is not called to fight the battle on his own. Without support, all of Israel is in danger. We too must support one another and especially our leaders. If we do not lift them up in prayer of course their hands grow tired.
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
With the help of the intercession of Aaron and Hur Moses has to cling to God's promise. He has to "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient". He knows that the one who speaks the word to him, who tells him to engage in this battle, is true just as Paul knows. He knows his cause is righteous. He must be faithful to what he knows because he knows from whom he has learned it.
God is building up Moses. He is enriching his heart. He is making him steadfast even as he himself is steadfast. This is why he honors steadfastness with victory.
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
We too must be faithful to what we know. We must not be afraid to proclaim God's truth. Only by clinging to this word and sharing it will we be equipped for the battles we face.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
Moses might argue that God is slow to answer.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
Moses knows that his help is from the Lord, "who made heaven and earth" as the psalmist proclaims. Yet even a chosen one like Moses is not called to fight the battle on his own. Without support, all of Israel is in danger. We too must support one another and especially our leaders. If we do not lift them up in prayer of course their hands grow tired.
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
With the help of the intercession of Aaron and Hur Moses has to cling to God's promise. He has to "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient". He knows that the one who speaks the word to him, who tells him to engage in this battle, is true just as Paul knows. He knows his cause is righteous. He must be faithful to what he knows because he knows from whom he has learned it.
God is building up Moses. He is enriching his heart. He is making him steadfast even as he himself is steadfast. This is why he honors steadfastness with victory.
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
We too must be faithful to what we know. We must not be afraid to proclaim God's truth. Only by clinging to this word and sharing it will we be equipped for the battles we face.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
19 October 2013 - the first step to recovery isn't denial
19 October 2013 - the first step to recovery isn't denial
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
These are words we prefer to hurry past as we read. But here they stand in stark simplicity. Is this reasonable and fair? Doesn't it seem like a human response: petty and emotional? Yet, assuredly, he is always faithful to his people.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Does he even remember his covenant even when we deny him? Yes. Is he faithful even then? Yes! And yet we still risk being denied before the angels. We hear that, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (cf 2 Tim. 2:12).
There is only one essential condition to not be denied before the angels. It is the living faith in him which will not deny him.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
God gives this promise to us as a choice. It isn't dependent on our strengths and weaknesses. Our pedigree doesn't matter. It isn't something to be earned. God's love is content with nothing less than our love freely given in return. For this reason, even though he hates to see people deny him, even though Hell breaks his heart, he has no choice but to allow them this freedom because "he cannot disown himself" and to freely love is his very nature.
But even if we fall he invites us to get back up.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
But the only way to get back up is to come to him and rely on his grace. If we deny his power to help us we will find ourselves denied before the angels.
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
This faith that he enables and empowers is so real that if it doesn't drive us to speak up for him, or if it doesn't keep us from denying him, then it isn't a saving faith.
Yet we must understand that faith isn't just something that pushes us to the uncomfortable choices we must then take on our own. When we choose not to deny him and give testimony in spite of what may come it is him working within us.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
Let us rejoice, then. He wants more for us than we want for ourselves. But if we embrace his will we will experience the joy of the psalmist:
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
These are words we prefer to hurry past as we read. But here they stand in stark simplicity. Is this reasonable and fair? Doesn't it seem like a human response: petty and emotional? Yet, assuredly, he is always faithful to his people.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Does he even remember his covenant even when we deny him? Yes. Is he faithful even then? Yes! And yet we still risk being denied before the angels. We hear that, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (cf 2 Tim. 2:12).
There is only one essential condition to not be denied before the angels. It is the living faith in him which will not deny him.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
God gives this promise to us as a choice. It isn't dependent on our strengths and weaknesses. Our pedigree doesn't matter. It isn't something to be earned. God's love is content with nothing less than our love freely given in return. For this reason, even though he hates to see people deny him, even though Hell breaks his heart, he has no choice but to allow them this freedom because "he cannot disown himself" and to freely love is his very nature.
But even if we fall he invites us to get back up.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
But the only way to get back up is to come to him and rely on his grace. If we deny his power to help us we will find ourselves denied before the angels.
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
This faith that he enables and empowers is so real that if it doesn't drive us to speak up for him, or if it doesn't keep us from denying him, then it isn't a saving faith.
Yet we must understand that faith isn't just something that pushes us to the uncomfortable choices we must then take on our own. When we choose not to deny him and give testimony in spite of what may come it is him working within us.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
Let us rejoice, then. He wants more for us than we want for ourselves. But if we embrace his will we will experience the joy of the psalmist:
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
Friday, October 18, 2013
18 October 2013 - You're in Luke
18 October 2013 - You're in Luke
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Paul experiences the same abandonment that our LORD experiences on the cross. But he does not do so with his own strength. Because Paul takes the LORD's yoke upon himself he finds that it is easy and light (cf. Mat. 11:28-30) because the LORD gives him the strength to carry it.
Luke sees this abandonment of Paul and cannot turn away.
Luke is the only one with me.
He learns much from the Blessed Virgin Mary as we can see in his gospel, containing as it does so many unique details about the nativity of Jesus. Only here do we find the "Magnificat" of Mary recorded. Since he has such a prominent place in his heart for the mother who stands by her son at the cross he too is empowered to stand by Jesus as he sees him crucified again in Paul.
Luke learns from Mary to stand at the cross. Because he can do this he has no hesitation about proclaiming the kingdom of God just as Paul does.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
We can hear the exultation as Luke writes:
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
We need more laborers for the harvest that know how to stand before the cross. Only then can we be free of our dependency on money bag, sack, and sandals. Only then will we be able to proclaim to each person: "The Kingdom of God is at hand for you" even though we are lambs among wolves. After all, what power do wolves have before the cross?
O Mary, please teach us to adore your son on the cross and to treasure this in our hearts just as you do.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Paul experiences the same abandonment that our LORD experiences on the cross. But he does not do so with his own strength. Because Paul takes the LORD's yoke upon himself he finds that it is easy and light (cf. Mat. 11:28-30) because the LORD gives him the strength to carry it.
Luke sees this abandonment of Paul and cannot turn away.
Luke is the only one with me.
He learns much from the Blessed Virgin Mary as we can see in his gospel, containing as it does so many unique details about the nativity of Jesus. Only here do we find the "Magnificat" of Mary recorded. Since he has such a prominent place in his heart for the mother who stands by her son at the cross he too is empowered to stand by Jesus as he sees him crucified again in Paul.
Luke learns from Mary to stand at the cross. Because he can do this he has no hesitation about proclaiming the kingdom of God just as Paul does.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
We can hear the exultation as Luke writes:
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
We need more laborers for the harvest that know how to stand before the cross. Only then can we be free of our dependency on money bag, sack, and sandals. Only then will we be able to proclaim to each person: "The Kingdom of God is at hand for you" even though we are lambs among wolves. After all, what power do wolves have before the cross?
O Mary, please teach us to adore your son on the cross and to treasure this in our hearts just as you do.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
17 October 2013 - off the deep end
17 October 2013 - off the deep end
For there is no distinction;
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
This is a foundational principle of the Christian faith. Our first parents sin and all generations after are separated from God. We are deprived of the glory of God. We need to realize that this is a true deprivation. We are meant to experience this glory. We are meant to live in it. But without the intervention of God, without grace, we have no access to it. This is true of the entire human race, even the Jews to whom God is so close. This is true in spite of efforts on our part to rebuild the bridge with good works.
We stand in continuity with a broken human race. We "bear witness and give consent to the" the killing our the prophets by our fathers. The memorials we build may look good from the outside but we ourselves have the same sin and weakness within. That is why Jesus can charge one generation
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
He can justly charge us as well. We are the tenants of the vineyard who kill all of the messengers of the landowner and eventually kill the son (cf. Mat. 21:37-41). And this is hard for "nice" people like us. We think that everyone is basically "OK." We just need to try a little harder and be a little nicer. It is hard to acknowledge the depths of our fallen state especially since we aren't walking around literally killing anyone. But Jesus tells us that we who look at another with lust are, in a sense, guilty of adultery. He tells us that we who speak in unjust anger are, in a sense, guilty of murder (cf. Mat. 5:21-30). The same impulses and motivations drive us which drive those who kill the prophets. These same impulses crucify the LORD Jesus. Even from these depths let us cry out:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
Crying out to him, we experience God's saving power.
With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
His mercy comes as a free gift given solely because of his love for us, solely because of his goodness.
They are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as an expiation,
through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness
because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,
through the forbearance of God–
to prove his righteousness in the present time,
Because of this, because it isn't about our efforts or our worthiness, the trust we should have in the LORD is profound.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
For there is no distinction;
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
This is a foundational principle of the Christian faith. Our first parents sin and all generations after are separated from God. We are deprived of the glory of God. We need to realize that this is a true deprivation. We are meant to experience this glory. We are meant to live in it. But without the intervention of God, without grace, we have no access to it. This is true of the entire human race, even the Jews to whom God is so close. This is true in spite of efforts on our part to rebuild the bridge with good works.
We stand in continuity with a broken human race. We "bear witness and give consent to the" the killing our the prophets by our fathers. The memorials we build may look good from the outside but we ourselves have the same sin and weakness within. That is why Jesus can charge one generation
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
He can justly charge us as well. We are the tenants of the vineyard who kill all of the messengers of the landowner and eventually kill the son (cf. Mat. 21:37-41). And this is hard for "nice" people like us. We think that everyone is basically "OK." We just need to try a little harder and be a little nicer. It is hard to acknowledge the depths of our fallen state especially since we aren't walking around literally killing anyone. But Jesus tells us that we who look at another with lust are, in a sense, guilty of adultery. He tells us that we who speak in unjust anger are, in a sense, guilty of murder (cf. Mat. 5:21-30). The same impulses and motivations drive us which drive those who kill the prophets. These same impulses crucify the LORD Jesus. Even from these depths let us cry out:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
Crying out to him, we experience God's saving power.
With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
His mercy comes as a free gift given solely because of his love for us, solely because of his goodness.
They are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as an expiation,
through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness
because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,
through the forbearance of God–
to prove his righteousness in the present time,
Because of this, because it isn't about our efforts or our worthiness, the trust we should have in the LORD is profound.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
16 October 2013 - rocking out
16 October 2013 - rocking out
By your stubbornness and impenitent heart,
you are storing up wrath for yourself
Are we impenitent? Are we like Paul's interlocutor, assuming that since we're in the right in group we're good to go? Our physical presence in the Church is not enough. We can't sit within these walls judging others and yet continuing to sin. Our hearts must be here as well. We need to continue to seek God's kindness as it leads us to repentance. While we are still on this side of eternity we always need repentance. We always need God's kindness.
The LORD will not tolerate barriers between his children. We are not meant to judge others. We are meant to invite them to mercy. We know that this means that they are sinners. But we ourselves are sinners. We ourselves need the same mercy, no matter how holy we may be.
"There is no partiality with God" and so there must not be with us, either. The veil is torn. Love is uniting his children. We must allow love to work in us and through us.
Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
There is no in group mentioned. There is no one excluded. It says, "everyone". And this standard of justice should be fearful because we know we cannot measure up. There is only one way to know this truth and to still be at peace:
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
Without God at the center we are of necessity trying to be righteous on our own. And ultimately this means we are doing it for our own sake, for our own pride.
When God is reigning on the throne of our life we have the integrity that the Pharisees and scholars of the law cannot manage on their own. We need to have such a personal relationship with God that we can pour out are hearts before him and trust him at all times, as the psalmist instructs us. When God is at the center we won't just judge others and then do the same sinful things ourself. We won't just lift a finger we will give our all to help. We realize that we and they both depend on the same grace, the same rock, and the same salvation.
By your stubbornness and impenitent heart,
you are storing up wrath for yourself
Are we impenitent? Are we like Paul's interlocutor, assuming that since we're in the right in group we're good to go? Our physical presence in the Church is not enough. We can't sit within these walls judging others and yet continuing to sin. Our hearts must be here as well. We need to continue to seek God's kindness as it leads us to repentance. While we are still on this side of eternity we always need repentance. We always need God's kindness.
The LORD will not tolerate barriers between his children. We are not meant to judge others. We are meant to invite them to mercy. We know that this means that they are sinners. But we ourselves are sinners. We ourselves need the same mercy, no matter how holy we may be.
"There is no partiality with God" and so there must not be with us, either. The veil is torn. Love is uniting his children. We must allow love to work in us and through us.
Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
There is no in group mentioned. There is no one excluded. It says, "everyone". And this standard of justice should be fearful because we know we cannot measure up. There is only one way to know this truth and to still be at peace:
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
Without God at the center we are of necessity trying to be righteous on our own. And ultimately this means we are doing it for our own sake, for our own pride.
When God is reigning on the throne of our life we have the integrity that the Pharisees and scholars of the law cannot manage on their own. We need to have such a personal relationship with God that we can pour out are hearts before him and trust him at all times, as the psalmist instructs us. When God is at the center we won't just judge others and then do the same sinful things ourself. We won't just lift a finger we will give our all to help. We realize that we and they both depend on the same grace, the same rock, and the same salvation.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
15 October 2013 - god alone
15 October 2013 - god alone
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
We work hard at appearance rather than true devotion. Because it is appearance that concerns us we are easily disturbed. The risk is that we may be found out. Our outward show may vanish. We understand what it means to be focused on externals. We know hypocracy all too well. We may be surprised to hear what Jesus recommends for cleaning within:
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Just because we are trying to change our heart does not mean we are trying to change something subjective with no relation to the world outside. On the contrary, we are trying to connect with that outside world in a new and sincere love.
When we achieve this sincerity and integrity we can say with Paul: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel." It is no longer about appearance. It is only about making known the one who loves us. If the gospel is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" how can we keep it within?
"The heavens proclaim the glory of God" by their very nature. But we must choose to do so. When we proclaim the gospel we fulfill the purpose for which we are made. Let us join with all of creation:
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Let nothing disturb you,Teresa tells us with God in our heart nothing is lacking. The trouble is that many of us have God in a more external way.
Let nothing distress you;
While all things fade away,
God is unchanging.
Patience overcomes everything.
With God in your heart,
Nothing is lacking.
God alone suffices.
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
We work hard at appearance rather than true devotion. Because it is appearance that concerns us we are easily disturbed. The risk is that we may be found out. Our outward show may vanish. We understand what it means to be focused on externals. We know hypocracy all too well. We may be surprised to hear what Jesus recommends for cleaning within:
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Just because we are trying to change our heart does not mean we are trying to change something subjective with no relation to the world outside. On the contrary, we are trying to connect with that outside world in a new and sincere love.
When we achieve this sincerity and integrity we can say with Paul: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel." It is no longer about appearance. It is only about making known the one who loves us. If the gospel is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" how can we keep it within?
"The heavens proclaim the glory of God" by their very nature. But we must choose to do so. When we proclaim the gospel we fulfill the purpose for which we are made. Let us join with all of creation:
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Monday, October 14, 2013
14 October 2013 - signs of eternal life
14 October 2013 - signs of (eternal) life
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus is the salvation which God makes known to us. His resurrection is the point in history where God's eternal victory becomes manifest in time.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
Jonah spends three days within a whale against his will to bring Nineveh to repentance. But Jesus spends three days in the grave because he freely chooses to do so out of love for us. We don't like this sign or this wisdom because it first involves the grave. But as the whale spews forth Jonah so the grave cannot contain Jesus on the third day. Any sign we can seek is a lesser sign than the resurrection. There is something greater than all other signs here. There is something more powerful than all of our doubts here.
Earthly wisdom can sometimes lure us in. People are quick to follow everyone from Oprah, to Richard Dawkins, to Eckhart Tolle. But there is someone greater than Oprah here. Jesus is greater than the combined wisdom of all others. He is omniscient. In him all things were made and everything holds together in him (cf. Col. 1:16). Why will we walk to the ends of the earth to hear earthly wisdom when we shrink from the words of Jesus? Is it because he tells us to take up our cross and follow him (cf. Luk. 9:23)? Is it because no servant is greater than his master and where he is we must be as well (cf. Joh. 15:20)?
Without the resurrection we continue to fixate on signs which are to are liking. We look for signs that speak of earthly pleasures and comfort. The healings we desire are aimed at perpetuating our life in this world rather than making us more fit for our heavenly home. Only the resurrection reveals something more lasting. Without it we seek fleeting pleasures. But the resurrection puts all suffering in its proper context. It is temporary and transformative because the Spirit of holiness which raises Jesus from the dead gives life to our mortal bodies as well (cf. Rom 8:11). Let us acknowledge the true sign which gives meaning to all we know and see. Let us know Jesus in the power of his Spirit and sing of his victory even amidst the difficulties of this life.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus is the salvation which God makes known to us. His resurrection is the point in history where God's eternal victory becomes manifest in time.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
Jonah spends three days within a whale against his will to bring Nineveh to repentance. But Jesus spends three days in the grave because he freely chooses to do so out of love for us. We don't like this sign or this wisdom because it first involves the grave. But as the whale spews forth Jonah so the grave cannot contain Jesus on the third day. Any sign we can seek is a lesser sign than the resurrection. There is something greater than all other signs here. There is something more powerful than all of our doubts here.
Earthly wisdom can sometimes lure us in. People are quick to follow everyone from Oprah, to Richard Dawkins, to Eckhart Tolle. But there is someone greater than Oprah here. Jesus is greater than the combined wisdom of all others. He is omniscient. In him all things were made and everything holds together in him (cf. Col. 1:16). Why will we walk to the ends of the earth to hear earthly wisdom when we shrink from the words of Jesus? Is it because he tells us to take up our cross and follow him (cf. Luk. 9:23)? Is it because no servant is greater than his master and where he is we must be as well (cf. Joh. 15:20)?
Without the resurrection we continue to fixate on signs which are to are liking. We look for signs that speak of earthly pleasures and comfort. The healings we desire are aimed at perpetuating our life in this world rather than making us more fit for our heavenly home. Only the resurrection reveals something more lasting. Without it we seek fleeting pleasures. But the resurrection puts all suffering in its proper context. It is temporary and transformative because the Spirit of holiness which raises Jesus from the dead gives life to our mortal bodies as well (cf. Rom 8:11). Let us acknowledge the true sign which gives meaning to all we know and see. Let us know Jesus in the power of his Spirit and sing of his victory even amidst the difficulties of this life.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
13 October 2013 - salvation on display
13 October 2013 - salvation on display
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
This is the saving power that Naaman experiences first hand. It turns back time for him and cleanses him.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.
And even more importantly it opens his eyes to the one true God whom Israel worships.
"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
We know that the God of Israel is the only God. Only in him is saving power. That is why we ought to have the commitment of St. Paul to proclaiming the good news.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
We see a world diseased with sin and death. We know that the only cure is to proclaim the words of Jesus so that all may be united with him in the ultimate healing of the resurrection.
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
Yet most of us our reluctant. We are healed but continue on our way without thanksgiving.
Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?
Our thanksgiving is supposed to make him known more and more.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
We know that we don't give him the praise we should. Why does only one leper return to give thanks?
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed.
Only one of them truly realizes that he has been healed. We are the same. We know on some level the salvation which we have through Jesus. But we don't realize it as deeply as he wants us to realize it. It doesn't permeate our lives deeply enough yet. Let us pray to really know and experience God's saving power. Let us give thanks for all he does for us until:
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
This is the saving power that Naaman experiences first hand. It turns back time for him and cleanses him.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.
And even more importantly it opens his eyes to the one true God whom Israel worships.
"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
We know that the God of Israel is the only God. Only in him is saving power. That is why we ought to have the commitment of St. Paul to proclaiming the good news.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
We see a world diseased with sin and death. We know that the only cure is to proclaim the words of Jesus so that all may be united with him in the ultimate healing of the resurrection.
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
Yet most of us our reluctant. We are healed but continue on our way without thanksgiving.
Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?
Our thanksgiving is supposed to make him known more and more.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
We know that we don't give him the praise we should. Why does only one leper return to give thanks?
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed.
Only one of them truly realizes that he has been healed. We are the same. We know on some level the salvation which we have through Jesus. But we don't realize it as deeply as he wants us to realize it. It doesn't permeate our lives deeply enough yet. Let us pray to really know and experience God's saving power. Let us give thanks for all he does for us until:
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
12 October 2013 - lift up your eyes
12 October 2013 - lift up your eyes
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Let us elevate our minds! The things that the world interprets as blessings are lesser things. If family is only something that exists on this level it isn't really so great. If it only indicates a link from one mass of matter to another with no reference to spirit it isn't a true blessing no matter what it implies in terms of law, reputation, and inheritence.
But it is designed to be more than that. It isn't just that Mary carries Jesus in her womb and nurses him at her breast. She is chosen by God. As Gabriel tells her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." God choses her and Mary responds with all that she is. She is able to say, "May it be done unto me according to your word." God empowers. He takes the initiative. Mary embraces and actively surrenders. Mary carries Jesus in her Spirit and offers herself to him completely. This is the love that is meant to define true family. It is not merely a flesh relationship. Or at least, it ought not be.
Let us elevate our minds to the truly important bonds we are designed to cherish. Our attitude can certainly exclude us from the blessings the LORD has for us. If we take a low earthly view of relationships we are likely to get caught up in rivalry and ultimately "violence" and the "shed of innocent blood", at least in terms of our intentions.
Let us elevate our minds to the New Jerusalem! There all relationships will have the unity of the Spirit. Let us prize Zion above all our joys. Then:
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
It gets better still:
And then, on that day,
the mountains shall drip new wine,
and the hills shall flow with milk;
And the channels of Judah
shall flow with water:
A fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD,
to water the Valley of Shittim.
Let us elevate our minds to taste the water of life that pours forth from Jesus Christ!
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Let us elevate our minds! The things that the world interprets as blessings are lesser things. If family is only something that exists on this level it isn't really so great. If it only indicates a link from one mass of matter to another with no reference to spirit it isn't a true blessing no matter what it implies in terms of law, reputation, and inheritence.
But it is designed to be more than that. It isn't just that Mary carries Jesus in her womb and nurses him at her breast. She is chosen by God. As Gabriel tells her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." God choses her and Mary responds with all that she is. She is able to say, "May it be done unto me according to your word." God empowers. He takes the initiative. Mary embraces and actively surrenders. Mary carries Jesus in her Spirit and offers herself to him completely. This is the love that is meant to define true family. It is not merely a flesh relationship. Or at least, it ought not be.
Let us elevate our minds to the truly important bonds we are designed to cherish. Our attitude can certainly exclude us from the blessings the LORD has for us. If we take a low earthly view of relationships we are likely to get caught up in rivalry and ultimately "violence" and the "shed of innocent blood", at least in terms of our intentions.
Let us elevate our minds to the New Jerusalem! There all relationships will have the unity of the Spirit. Let us prize Zion above all our joys. Then:
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
It gets better still:
And then, on that day,
the mountains shall drip new wine,
and the hills shall flow with milk;
And the channels of Judah
shall flow with water:
A fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD,
to water the Valley of Shittim.
Let us elevate our minds to taste the water of life that pours forth from Jesus Christ!
Friday, October 11, 2013
11 October 2013 - reign without end
11 October 2013 - reign without end
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
There is a risk that we can come to believe that the powers of darkness that rule this present age are the only powers there are. We are then so cynical that we dismiss apparent goods just as these people dismiss the exorcism that Jesus performs. Do we really? Yes, as we shall see. But aren't we thankful? Not as thankful as we ought to be as people who know the truth. Our thankfulness is halfhearted. We see a blessing and think, perhaps, 'It is good for the moment, but he will come to ruin eventually anyway, so why bother getting his hopes up', or something similar. We do not recognize the essential nature of what happens in such deliverance. We need to recognize that the power that drives out demons is something so different from the power of Beelzebul that they have to be essentially different. And that difference means that, even if the world is still under the power of darkness, hope is dawning.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
The powers of darkness make their authority known aggressively. It is hard to overlook. Its nature is to dominate. It wants to obscure the light. But we are called to recognize the higher reality which is true all the while.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity.
The dominance of wickedness is temporary. We will eventually see these powers "sunk in the pit they have made" and their foot caught "in the snare they set".
If we are guilty of forgetting about the lasting things and trying to acquiesce to the powers of darkness we deprive the house of God "of offering and libation". Let us fix him and his house as the greatest priority of her hearts.
Gather the elders,
all who dwell in the land,
Into the house of the LORD, your God,
and cry to the LORD!
We must recognize that the LORD reigns even now. Even when darkness seems to hold sway he rules over all. When desire for his house fills us we will be able to say with the psalmist:
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
There is a risk that we can come to believe that the powers of darkness that rule this present age are the only powers there are. We are then so cynical that we dismiss apparent goods just as these people dismiss the exorcism that Jesus performs. Do we really? Yes, as we shall see. But aren't we thankful? Not as thankful as we ought to be as people who know the truth. Our thankfulness is halfhearted. We see a blessing and think, perhaps, 'It is good for the moment, but he will come to ruin eventually anyway, so why bother getting his hopes up', or something similar. We do not recognize the essential nature of what happens in such deliverance. We need to recognize that the power that drives out demons is something so different from the power of Beelzebul that they have to be essentially different. And that difference means that, even if the world is still under the power of darkness, hope is dawning.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
The powers of darkness make their authority known aggressively. It is hard to overlook. Its nature is to dominate. It wants to obscure the light. But we are called to recognize the higher reality which is true all the while.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity.
The dominance of wickedness is temporary. We will eventually see these powers "sunk in the pit they have made" and their foot caught "in the snare they set".
If we are guilty of forgetting about the lasting things and trying to acquiesce to the powers of darkness we deprive the house of God "of offering and libation". Let us fix him and his house as the greatest priority of her hearts.
Gather the elders,
all who dwell in the land,
Into the house of the LORD, your God,
and cry to the LORD!
We must recognize that the LORD reigns even now. Even when darkness seems to hold sway he rules over all. When desire for his house fills us we will be able to say with the psalmist:
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
10 October 2013 - think different
10 October 2013 - think different
What difference does it make that we are believers? If we don't say anything can people still see a difference in us? Today's readings are all about the difference belief makes.
It makes a difference even in the short term:
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
The weather is often really bad. The winds are often cutting. Without proper nutrients our leaves will fade and we will not bear fruit. But we are planted in streams of grace because of our faith. This flow cannot be interrupted. It guarantees true and constant growth toward our destiny for all of us who drink it.
Although the wicked might seem to do well enough at present...
Rather must we call the proud blessed;
for indeed evildoers prosper,
and even tempt God with impunity.”
...they are building upon sand, as time will reveal:
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
The blessed delight in the law of the LORD even now. They meditate on it constantly. The wicked even now experience emptiness. All of their efforts are at fleeing from it. But the world often confuses the blessedness of the just with deprivation and the fleeting pleasures of the wicked with happiness. Yet the end is coming. It draws near inexorably. And the distinction then will be clear.
Then you will again see the distinction
between the just and the wicked;
Between the one who serves God,
and the one who does not serve him.
We have both the just and the wicked within us. We do sometimes think, "It is vain to serve God" and wonder, "what do we profit by keeping his command". Are we moving toward the day that will set us on fire leaving "neither root nor branch" because we don't recognize how important God's grace is for us? Or are we watching for the rising of "the sun of justice with its healing rays."
We desire the healing rays that come from the Son of God. But we do not have to wait until the end times to feel them on our souls.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
God is not our employer. We are not working hard now to buy eternal life later. He is our "Father in heaven" who delights to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" both now and at the end. The world is convinced that God is a villain who gift wraps Scorpions. But we know better.
"Blessed are they who hope in the Lord." These blessings are both now and in eternity. There is continuity because the blessings flow from the One Spirit who already lives in us. He is the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and we experience him giving life even now to our mortal bodies (cf. Rom. 8:11).
What difference does it make that we are believers? If we don't say anything can people still see a difference in us? Today's readings are all about the difference belief makes.
It makes a difference even in the short term:
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
The weather is often really bad. The winds are often cutting. Without proper nutrients our leaves will fade and we will not bear fruit. But we are planted in streams of grace because of our faith. This flow cannot be interrupted. It guarantees true and constant growth toward our destiny for all of us who drink it.
Although the wicked might seem to do well enough at present...
Rather must we call the proud blessed;
for indeed evildoers prosper,
and even tempt God with impunity.”
...they are building upon sand, as time will reveal:
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
The blessed delight in the law of the LORD even now. They meditate on it constantly. The wicked even now experience emptiness. All of their efforts are at fleeing from it. But the world often confuses the blessedness of the just with deprivation and the fleeting pleasures of the wicked with happiness. Yet the end is coming. It draws near inexorably. And the distinction then will be clear.
Then you will again see the distinction
between the just and the wicked;
Between the one who serves God,
and the one who does not serve him.
We have both the just and the wicked within us. We do sometimes think, "It is vain to serve God" and wonder, "what do we profit by keeping his command". Are we moving toward the day that will set us on fire leaving "neither root nor branch" because we don't recognize how important God's grace is for us? Or are we watching for the rising of "the sun of justice with its healing rays."
We desire the healing rays that come from the Son of God. But we do not have to wait until the end times to feel them on our souls.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
God is not our employer. We are not working hard now to buy eternal life later. He is our "Father in heaven" who delights to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" both now and at the end. The world is convinced that God is a villain who gift wraps Scorpions. But we know better.
"Blessed are they who hope in the Lord." These blessings are both now and in eternity. There is continuity because the blessings flow from the One Spirit who already lives in us. He is the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and we experience him giving life even now to our mortal bodies (cf. Rom. 8:11).
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
9 October 2013 - when mercy gets real
9 October 2013 - when mercy gets real
I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God,
slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish.
And now, LORD, please take my life from me;
for it is better for me to die than to live.”
But the LORD asked, “Have you reason to be angry?”
OK, so Jonah is a little melodramatic. He knows that the LORD is gracious and merciful but he isn't happy about it. There are deep barriers between Jonah and the Ninevites even though the LORD made them both.
We imagine ourselves to be different from Jonah. We think that we want him to give his mercy to everyone. But the logical consequence of Nineveh not being destroyed is that Jonah has to continue to share the world with Ninevites. He has to continue to interact with them. He understands all to well that God's mercy is concrete and not abstract. It breaks down barriers. It moves toward unity.
I'm guessing that there are many people with whom we want nothing to do. We think, 'Sure, God, be merciful to them. Just don't make me deal with them.' We think this has to do with preference and not holiness. That isn't the case. If we really manifest the patience and love that God displays for Nineveh and for Jonah we will be able to welcome all people with open arms. We are clearly excluding abusive situations from our consideration. But the LORD's mercy isn't content to leave the people alienated by sin isolated from one another. We are his family and he can't stand seeing his family broken.
Father, hallowed be your name,
His mercy changes the hearts of those who were formerly strangers. That is why it is called the unity of the Spirit (cf. Eph. 4:3). If God does not unite us with his supernatural power then we can never look forward to the time when:
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship you, O Lord,
and glorify your name.
This is why the prayer Jesus teaches us does not just ask for individual mercy. It insists that we be merciful as well.
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
He gives us the daily bread which makes all of this possible. Without the supernatural life we receive from Jesus in the Eucharist this remains beyond us. But he makes his mercy present within us. He makes our hearts like his own.
For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God,
slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish.
And now, LORD, please take my life from me;
for it is better for me to die than to live.”
But the LORD asked, “Have you reason to be angry?”
OK, so Jonah is a little melodramatic. He knows that the LORD is gracious and merciful but he isn't happy about it. There are deep barriers between Jonah and the Ninevites even though the LORD made them both.
We imagine ourselves to be different from Jonah. We think that we want him to give his mercy to everyone. But the logical consequence of Nineveh not being destroyed is that Jonah has to continue to share the world with Ninevites. He has to continue to interact with them. He understands all to well that God's mercy is concrete and not abstract. It breaks down barriers. It moves toward unity.
I'm guessing that there are many people with whom we want nothing to do. We think, 'Sure, God, be merciful to them. Just don't make me deal with them.' We think this has to do with preference and not holiness. That isn't the case. If we really manifest the patience and love that God displays for Nineveh and for Jonah we will be able to welcome all people with open arms. We are clearly excluding abusive situations from our consideration. But the LORD's mercy isn't content to leave the people alienated by sin isolated from one another. We are his family and he can't stand seeing his family broken.
Father, hallowed be your name,
His mercy changes the hearts of those who were formerly strangers. That is why it is called the unity of the Spirit (cf. Eph. 4:3). If God does not unite us with his supernatural power then we can never look forward to the time when:
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship you, O Lord,
and glorify your name.
This is why the prayer Jesus teaches us does not just ask for individual mercy. It insists that we be merciful as well.
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
He gives us the daily bread which makes all of this possible. Without the supernatural life we receive from Jesus in the Eucharist this remains beyond us. But he makes his mercy present within us. He makes our hearts like his own.
For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
8 October 2013 - my soul in stillness waits
8 October 2013 - my soul in stillness waits
Let Israel wait for the LORD,
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
It is hard to be still when things are bad. When things are a mess it is hard to wait patiently. The worse things are the more we feel the need to do all we can to fix them right away. Yet good solutions are rare amidst such agitation and distress.
If we are in the depths of despair we must cry, "LORD, hear my voice!" We must set aside all of our normal concerns, still ourselves, and turn to God.
“Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,
shall taste anything;
they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.
Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth
and call loudly to God;
We cannot stand on our own because of our iniquities.
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
And this is true of all of us no matter how "OK" we believe ourselves to be. Our purity always reveals tarnish in the light of God. But we need not fear. He does not want to mark our iniquities. Jesus did not come to condemn the world (cf. Joh. 3:7). As long as we don't try to stand on our own in spite of our sin we will know the forgiveness that is with him.
There is a rationale that underlies this necessity.
that you may be revered.
We need to be cured of the illusion of self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency is inimical to love. Self-sufficiency closes us to receiving love and makes it difficulty to give love due to our pride.The LORD offers us his redemption in such a way that we cannot mistake it for our own power. This is why, even though the works of Martha are important, what Mary choses is even better. Martha faces the liabilities of effort. She may easily believe that she earns the favor of Jesus by her hard work. Jesus does appreciate the love Martha shows her. But the stillness of Mary is even more important:
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”
If we set aside the noise and haste of life, if we set aside our desire for lesser things, and if we just make room for the LORD with a modicum of stillness in our hearts:
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
Let Israel wait for the LORD,
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
It is hard to be still when things are bad. When things are a mess it is hard to wait patiently. The worse things are the more we feel the need to do all we can to fix them right away. Yet good solutions are rare amidst such agitation and distress.
If we are in the depths of despair we must cry, "LORD, hear my voice!" We must set aside all of our normal concerns, still ourselves, and turn to God.
“Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,
shall taste anything;
they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.
Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth
and call loudly to God;
We cannot stand on our own because of our iniquities.
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
And this is true of all of us no matter how "OK" we believe ourselves to be. Our purity always reveals tarnish in the light of God. But we need not fear. He does not want to mark our iniquities. Jesus did not come to condemn the world (cf. Joh. 3:7). As long as we don't try to stand on our own in spite of our sin we will know the forgiveness that is with him.
There is a rationale that underlies this necessity.
that you may be revered.
We need to be cured of the illusion of self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency is inimical to love. Self-sufficiency closes us to receiving love and makes it difficulty to give love due to our pride.The LORD offers us his redemption in such a way that we cannot mistake it for our own power. This is why, even though the works of Martha are important, what Mary choses is even better. Martha faces the liabilities of effort. She may easily believe that she earns the favor of Jesus by her hard work. Jesus does appreciate the love Martha shows her. But the stillness of Mary is even more important:
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”
If we set aside the noise and haste of life, if we set aside our desire for lesser things, and if we just make room for the LORD with a modicum of stillness in our hearts:
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
Monday, October 7, 2013
7 October 2013 - quit your whaling
7 October 2013 - quit your whaling
“Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it;
their wickedness has come up before me.”
Jonah has to say to the people of Nineveh, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Naturally, he is reluctant to say it. He doesn't want to tell them they are wicked. He doesn't want to tell them their whole world is at risk. This is a hard message even if for someone who wants them to repent which Jonah clearly does not. At least he remembers, even amidst his resistance, that he worships "the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." Because he remembers this, he is willing to give God the credit for the storm threatening the ship. Yet in spite realizing that the LORD is in control in some sense he still won't cooperate to save Nineveh.
Sometimes the LORD asks us to enter into difficult situations. Sometimes he asks us to speak words which are hard. Yes, we have to remember his power and majesty. But to succeed we will need to set aside our need to be in control. Our need to be in control can be paralyzing and prevent us from even entering situations into which God calls us. But sometimes he won't take no for an answer.
But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah;
and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish
three days and three nights.
In three days Jonah "dies" to his willful pride. He realizes that his life is completely beyond his control regardless of what he does or where he goes.
For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea,
and the flood enveloped me;
All your breakers and your billows
passed over me.
Yet this is not to be the end for him. His prayer reaches the LORD. When the fish spews him forth upon the shore he still isn't happy about the message he is to preach. But he is ready to preach it.
Jonah ends up acting as a neighbor to the Ninevites in spite of himself and how he feels. The LORD wants to break down these barriers of alienation so that we may stop asking, "who is my neighbor?" He doesn't want us to run to Tarshish. He doesn't want us to pass by "on the opposite side." Instead, he wants us to have hearts like his.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
His mercy knows no bounds. It comes to us while we are still sinners and enemies of God (cf. Rom. 5:8). It is this very mercy that makes us fellow citizens with the saints instead of strangers from different and hostile nations (cf. Eph. 2:19). For all are one in Christ (cf. Gal 3:28). We must therefore "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (cf. Eph. 4:3). And really, going to Ninvah straight away rather than by whale is easier for us as well. But we can be reassured that the LORD won't leave us in the hardness of our hearts. If he is doing a difficult work in us let us keep the desire that Jonah expresses from within the whale.
yet would I again look upon your holy temple.”
He has problems loving his neighbor. But in this difficult circumstance he still seems to be clinging to God. He still seems to be loving God as we are enjoined:
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
If we just cling to the LORD- if we just desire to look upon his holy temple, even in hard times- he will be able to give us hearts of flesh no matter how hard they are.
“Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it;
their wickedness has come up before me.”
Jonah has to say to the people of Nineveh, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Naturally, he is reluctant to say it. He doesn't want to tell them they are wicked. He doesn't want to tell them their whole world is at risk. This is a hard message even if for someone who wants them to repent which Jonah clearly does not. At least he remembers, even amidst his resistance, that he worships "the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." Because he remembers this, he is willing to give God the credit for the storm threatening the ship. Yet in spite realizing that the LORD is in control in some sense he still won't cooperate to save Nineveh.
Sometimes the LORD asks us to enter into difficult situations. Sometimes he asks us to speak words which are hard. Yes, we have to remember his power and majesty. But to succeed we will need to set aside our need to be in control. Our need to be in control can be paralyzing and prevent us from even entering situations into which God calls us. But sometimes he won't take no for an answer.
But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah;
and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish
three days and three nights.
In three days Jonah "dies" to his willful pride. He realizes that his life is completely beyond his control regardless of what he does or where he goes.
For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea,
and the flood enveloped me;
All your breakers and your billows
passed over me.
Yet this is not to be the end for him. His prayer reaches the LORD. When the fish spews him forth upon the shore he still isn't happy about the message he is to preach. But he is ready to preach it.
Jonah ends up acting as a neighbor to the Ninevites in spite of himself and how he feels. The LORD wants to break down these barriers of alienation so that we may stop asking, "who is my neighbor?" He doesn't want us to run to Tarshish. He doesn't want us to pass by "on the opposite side." Instead, he wants us to have hearts like his.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
His mercy knows no bounds. It comes to us while we are still sinners and enemies of God (cf. Rom. 5:8). It is this very mercy that makes us fellow citizens with the saints instead of strangers from different and hostile nations (cf. Eph. 2:19). For all are one in Christ (cf. Gal 3:28). We must therefore "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (cf. Eph. 4:3). And really, going to Ninvah straight away rather than by whale is easier for us as well. But we can be reassured that the LORD won't leave us in the hardness of our hearts. If he is doing a difficult work in us let us keep the desire that Jonah expresses from within the whale.
yet would I again look upon your holy temple.”
He has problems loving his neighbor. But in this difficult circumstance he still seems to be clinging to God. He still seems to be loving God as we are enjoined:
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
If we just cling to the LORD- if we just desire to look upon his holy temple, even in hard times- he will be able to give us hearts of flesh no matter how hard they are.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
6 Octoboer 2013 - power, love, self-control
6 Octoboer 2013 - our share of hardships
How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
We can easily sympathize with this complaint. Our prayers are never heard on our schedule or in line with our will and plans. This begs the question of whether we will ever be answered. If God won't answer us in the way we want does he truly care for us?
We know that he makes all things work together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (cf. Rom. 8:28). Yet when trouble comes we still doubt his goodness. It makes it hard to proclaim our testimony to him. It makes us ashamed.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
So what is the problem then? How do we bear our "share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God"?
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
We fear that suffering means that God does not love us. But his love is constantly available to us through the Holy Spirit. In good times and in bad we must stir up this gift.
I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
It can be mere embers if we neglect it. If we allow this to happen we won't experience the full power, love, and the strength that comes from God. Without these we'll face hardships on our own and be quickly overwhelmed.
In the face of suffering we realize how small our faith is. The LORD is inviting us to ask him for more. Even a little faith has the power to move mountains. We tend to try everything else first when there is a mountain in our way. But "the just one, because of his faith, shall live."
We have seen the works of the LORD. Let us not harden our hearts. Let us not be rash, turning everywhere but to the LORD. We have to be willing to lay down our control and to accept the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit which he gives. This is the way which leads to joy.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
We are, no doubt, unprofitable servants, but look at how he rewards us.
How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
We can easily sympathize with this complaint. Our prayers are never heard on our schedule or in line with our will and plans. This begs the question of whether we will ever be answered. If God won't answer us in the way we want does he truly care for us?
We know that he makes all things work together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (cf. Rom. 8:28). Yet when trouble comes we still doubt his goodness. It makes it hard to proclaim our testimony to him. It makes us ashamed.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
So what is the problem then? How do we bear our "share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God"?
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
We fear that suffering means that God does not love us. But his love is constantly available to us through the Holy Spirit. In good times and in bad we must stir up this gift.
I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
It can be mere embers if we neglect it. If we allow this to happen we won't experience the full power, love, and the strength that comes from God. Without these we'll face hardships on our own and be quickly overwhelmed.
In the face of suffering we realize how small our faith is. The LORD is inviting us to ask him for more. Even a little faith has the power to move mountains. We tend to try everything else first when there is a mountain in our way. But "the just one, because of his faith, shall live."
We have seen the works of the LORD. Let us not harden our hearts. Let us not be rash, turning everywhere but to the LORD. We have to be willing to lay down our control and to accept the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit which he gives. This is the way which leads to joy.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
We are, no doubt, unprofitable servants, but look at how he rewards us.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
5 October 2013 - ten times the more
5 October 2013 - ten times the more
You were sold to the nations
not for your destruction;
Even if the situation we face is pretty bad we don't need to fear. Even if it seems very much opposed to God's plan (for the Church or for us) we must recognize that, while he doesn't cause such things, he does allow them and is capable of bringing still greater good from them.
Can God really bring greater good from the destruction of innocent human life, the rampant misuse of sexuality, and the suppression of religious freedom itself? Absolutely. The Israelites face these same problems and God does for them just as he can for us.
Fear not, my children; call out to God!
He who brought this upon you will remember you.
As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God,
turn now ten times the more to seek him;
What if, because of these circumstances (of nation, or family, or self) we seek him "ten times the more" than ever before.
The LORD "hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not." That is why Jesus gives us power to push back the strongholds of darkness in our world.
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
As God works to "rebuild the cities of Judah" through the power of his Spirit in us he wants to lift our minds up from the temporary manifestations of his kingdom to the permanent.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
There is always the risk of failure and collapse in this world. We are never so strong that we can't stumble and fall. But the LORD is leading us to a place where happiness cannot be sabotaged and where peace lasts forever.
For he who has brought disaster upon you
will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”
You were sold to the nations
not for your destruction;
Even if the situation we face is pretty bad we don't need to fear. Even if it seems very much opposed to God's plan (for the Church or for us) we must recognize that, while he doesn't cause such things, he does allow them and is capable of bringing still greater good from them.
Can God really bring greater good from the destruction of innocent human life, the rampant misuse of sexuality, and the suppression of religious freedom itself? Absolutely. The Israelites face these same problems and God does for them just as he can for us.
Fear not, my children; call out to God!
He who brought this upon you will remember you.
As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God,
turn now ten times the more to seek him;
What if, because of these circumstances (of nation, or family, or self) we seek him "ten times the more" than ever before.
The LORD "hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not." That is why Jesus gives us power to push back the strongholds of darkness in our world.
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
As God works to "rebuild the cities of Judah" through the power of his Spirit in us he wants to lift our minds up from the temporary manifestations of his kingdom to the permanent.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
There is always the risk of failure and collapse in this world. We are never so strong that we can't stumble and fall. But the LORD is leading us to a place where happiness cannot be sabotaged and where peace lasts forever.
For he who has brought disaster upon you
will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”
Friday, October 4, 2013
4 October 2013 - repair his house, bless the nation
4 October 2013 - repair his house, bless the nation
He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a siege.
The Church is ever falling into ruin due to our human weakness. It is no different in the time of St. Francis. He too hears, 'Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.' The church of San Damiano near which he hears this looks like it has already failed to withstand a siege. It is on the verge of collapse.
And in our own day as well the Church faces many obstacles. Relativism, materialism, the tyranny of false tolerance, and alienating selfish pride seem to block all possibility of growth. Look at the Church. On the one hand we feign sharing the optimism that our popes and leaders really have. On the other hand we can't even imagine much progress on a small scale. Can we imagine Jesus as the LORD of our city or even our street? Can we even imagine him genuinely reigning within our parish? Our family?
Yet Francis sees similarly insurmountable obstacles and is undeterred. Our leaders see such obstacles and still have great hope. Francis repairs God's house, fortifies his temple, and queries out a cistern for the water of life.
In his days a cistern for water was quarried out, a reservoir like the sea in circumference.
It is like the sea in circumference. No wonder we hear the promise that we will never thirst (cf Joh. 6:35). St. Francis is a source from which this living water flows (cf. Joh. 7:38). That is why he is able to dig a cistern for it. God's temple is firmly established in his heart so he has the strength to rebuild the earthly temple. What is the secret which he knows that we forget?
At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
St. Francis is simple enough to trust in the promises of the LORD. Above all he takes to heart the promise that if we take the LORD's yoke upon us and learn from him:
you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
No task is too great for someone who truly believes these words. They experience the power of God working within them such that they rest in him even while to the world they appear to be working beyond the point of exhaustion.
We must say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." If the LORD is our "chosen portion and cup" he will hold uphold us with his strength. Otherwise we come before Jesus do not experience his rest because we cling to our own burdens. Ultimately, we are seeking our reward apart from him. If we have "no good apart from thee" we do this we are transformed from one degree of glory to another (cf. 2 Cor 3:18) without even realizing how it happens. We will find in ourselves the image of Jesus more and more.
Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
No effort of our own merits such conformity with Christ. We can barely tell it is happening. We lose ourselves in the love which he empowers and then rejoice to find him living within us in the power of the resurrection.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a siege.
And in our own day as well the Church faces many obstacles. Relativism, materialism, the tyranny of false tolerance, and alienating selfish pride seem to block all possibility of growth. Look at the Church. On the one hand we feign sharing the optimism that our popes and leaders really have. On the other hand we can't even imagine much progress on a small scale. Can we imagine Jesus as the LORD of our city or even our street? Can we even imagine him genuinely reigning within our parish? Our family?
Yet Francis sees similarly insurmountable obstacles and is undeterred. Our leaders see such obstacles and still have great hope. Francis repairs God's house, fortifies his temple, and queries out a cistern for the water of life.
In his days a cistern for water was quarried out, a reservoir like the sea in circumference.
It is like the sea in circumference. No wonder we hear the promise that we will never thirst (cf Joh. 6:35). St. Francis is a source from which this living water flows (cf. Joh. 7:38). That is why he is able to dig a cistern for it. God's temple is firmly established in his heart so he has the strength to rebuild the earthly temple. What is the secret which he knows that we forget?
At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
St. Francis is simple enough to trust in the promises of the LORD. Above all he takes to heart the promise that if we take the LORD's yoke upon us and learn from him:
you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
No task is too great for someone who truly believes these words. They experience the power of God working within them such that they rest in him even while to the world they appear to be working beyond the point of exhaustion.
We must say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." If the LORD is our "chosen portion and cup" he will hold uphold us with his strength. Otherwise we come before Jesus do not experience his rest because we cling to our own burdens. Ultimately, we are seeking our reward apart from him. If we have "no good apart from thee" we do this we are transformed from one degree of glory to another (cf. 2 Cor 3:18) without even realizing how it happens. We will find in ourselves the image of Jesus more and more.
Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
No effort of our own merits such conformity with Christ. We can barely tell it is happening. We lose ourselves in the love which he empowers and then rejoice to find him living within us in the power of the resurrection.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
3 October 2013 - simply wise
3 October 2013 - simply wise
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
The word of God is powerful. The proclamation of the word cuts to the heart (cf. Acts 2:37) because it is sharper than a two-edged sword (cf. Heb 4:12). Yet this is not a cause for fear or sadness.
“Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.”
We are pruned by the word of God. Parts of our lives that don't bear fruit are cut off. But if we dwell on those things we will be like the Israelites in the desert whose hearts are still in Egypt (cf. Exo. 16). We mustn't return to that which we vomit up (cf. 2 Pet 2:22). And the thing is, why would we want to return? It is only sadness and pain! Don't romanticize it. Don't dwell on it. Let's move forward on the path of life! There is no room for the sadness we leave behind in the presence of the far greater thing we receive.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”
And this is not just abstract spiritual rejoicing. We are called to genuinely celebrate and rejoice!
He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
The decrees of the LORD refresh us, they give us wisdom, they enlighten us, the endure forever, are just and are more precious than gold or honey. They give us good reason to rejoice. And what is required of us to receive this "joy to the heart"?
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
Let us be simple! Let us not complicate the simple because we ourselves are too complicated. Let us be childlike and place our trust in the promises of God for us. We must be as simple as lambs even in a world full of wolves.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Possessions and plans can just be complications and distractions. We must be simple enough to go to where we are called and not to wander and stray.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Ultimately, the fact the the "Kingdom of God is at hand" is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Let us know and proclaim it so that we may have joy of heart.
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
The word of God is powerful. The proclamation of the word cuts to the heart (cf. Acts 2:37) because it is sharper than a two-edged sword (cf. Heb 4:12). Yet this is not a cause for fear or sadness.
“Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.”
We are pruned by the word of God. Parts of our lives that don't bear fruit are cut off. But if we dwell on those things we will be like the Israelites in the desert whose hearts are still in Egypt (cf. Exo. 16). We mustn't return to that which we vomit up (cf. 2 Pet 2:22). And the thing is, why would we want to return? It is only sadness and pain! Don't romanticize it. Don't dwell on it. Let's move forward on the path of life! There is no room for the sadness we leave behind in the presence of the far greater thing we receive.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”
And this is not just abstract spiritual rejoicing. We are called to genuinely celebrate and rejoice!
He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
The decrees of the LORD refresh us, they give us wisdom, they enlighten us, the endure forever, are just and are more precious than gold or honey. They give us good reason to rejoice. And what is required of us to receive this "joy to the heart"?
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
Let us be simple! Let us not complicate the simple because we ourselves are too complicated. Let us be childlike and place our trust in the promises of God for us. We must be as simple as lambs even in a world full of wolves.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Possessions and plans can just be complications and distractions. We must be simple enough to go to where we are called and not to wander and stray.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Ultimately, the fact the the "Kingdom of God is at hand" is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Let us know and proclaim it so that we may have joy of heart.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
2 October 2013 - my guardian dear
2 October 2013 - my guardian dear
"Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.
There are deeper truths than the ones which our eyes can see. If we could see spiritual things we would behold beings of light with immense strength standing close and guarding us (not to mention the powers of darkness which they keep at bay). This is what the Church teaches when she tells us that every person has a guardian angel:
for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
If we could see them with our eyes we would not fail to be devoted to them and to love them. Their care for us is steadfast and comprehensive.
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.
With so great a blessing we are called to respond. We read that we must give "heed to him and hearken to his voice" and to "not rebel against him." This really seems like very little to ask for the privilege of being guarded by supernatural beings. Yet we do rebel against our angels. They try to guide us on the path which God intends for us. We are often heedless of this guidance. We go our own way. We even sin, always in spite of the protests of our guardian angel and their offer of strength and assistance.
We forget that God has prepared a place to which his is guiding us. When we forget this we quickly cease to value the guides and protectors he offers us for this journey. Yet if we remember that we are on a journey and rely on the protection which God provides we can experience his unshakable peace and courage. If we forget this we quickly perish in the desert of sin for we are surrounded by danger on every side.
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
Let us be humble like little children, ready to accept all the help our Father provides.
Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
"Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.
There are deeper truths than the ones which our eyes can see. If we could see spiritual things we would behold beings of light with immense strength standing close and guarding us (not to mention the powers of darkness which they keep at bay). This is what the Church teaches when she tells us that every person has a guardian angel:
for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
If we could see them with our eyes we would not fail to be devoted to them and to love them. Their care for us is steadfast and comprehensive.
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.
With so great a blessing we are called to respond. We read that we must give "heed to him and hearken to his voice" and to "not rebel against him." This really seems like very little to ask for the privilege of being guarded by supernatural beings. Yet we do rebel against our angels. They try to guide us on the path which God intends for us. We are often heedless of this guidance. We go our own way. We even sin, always in spite of the protests of our guardian angel and their offer of strength and assistance.
We forget that God has prepared a place to which his is guiding us. When we forget this we quickly cease to value the guides and protectors he offers us for this journey. Yet if we remember that we are on a journey and rely on the protection which God provides we can experience his unshakable peace and courage. If we forget this we quickly perish in the desert of sin for we are surrounded by danger on every side.
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
Let us be humble like little children, ready to accept all the help our Father provides.
Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
It is misplaced pride which tries to compel us to make this journey on our own strength. The terrain is beyond us. But God's care is close at hand.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
1 October 2013 - somewhere we belong
1 October 2013 - somewhere we belong
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
We cannot overstate how much the LORD desires unity among his people. He is a father who can't stand seeing his family fragmented and divided throughout the earth. He can't stand seeing prodigals wandering when he has a great feast to offer them in his house. Our Father's house has no equal anywhere on earth.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
Yet none of our hearts are fixed completely on this home. We have no lasting city anywhere else (cf. Heb 13:14) but we live as though we do. Our minds are not fixed on the things above as they should be (cf. Col 3:2). They are weighed down with earthly concerns. But no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid (cf. 1 Cor 3:11). All else is sinking sand (cf. Mat 7:26).
What is it, then, which finally compels us to leave our exile to seek the "city with foundations whose architect and builder is God" (cf. Heb 11:10).
“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
We see God say to the Jewish people, "Emmanuel" (cf. Mat 1:23). He says, 'I am with you, in their midst. He sends Jesus his son to dwell among them.
In those days ten men of every nationality,
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,
But he does not send Jesus to the Jews to isolate them still further. Their preparation is now complete and they need be isolated no longer. Jesus comes so to make them the basis for a new a larger family, no longer bound to just one nation. They are the plant to which new (and rather unruly) branches are now grafted (cf. Rom 11:17).
If our hearts still wander in pagan lands let us hear the "that God is with" his people. He is a father to his people and longs to invite everyone to the table of his wedding feast (cf. Mat 22:9). His presence will draw from our hearts the desire to say, "Let us go with you" to his people, the Church. Finally we know where we truly belong, and knowing we rejoice.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
We cannot overstate how much the LORD desires unity among his people. He is a father who can't stand seeing his family fragmented and divided throughout the earth. He can't stand seeing prodigals wandering when he has a great feast to offer them in his house. Our Father's house has no equal anywhere on earth.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
Yet none of our hearts are fixed completely on this home. We have no lasting city anywhere else (cf. Heb 13:14) but we live as though we do. Our minds are not fixed on the things above as they should be (cf. Col 3:2). They are weighed down with earthly concerns. But no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid (cf. 1 Cor 3:11). All else is sinking sand (cf. Mat 7:26).
What is it, then, which finally compels us to leave our exile to seek the "city with foundations whose architect and builder is God" (cf. Heb 11:10).
“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
We see God say to the Jewish people, "Emmanuel" (cf. Mat 1:23). He says, 'I am with you, in their midst. He sends Jesus his son to dwell among them.
In those days ten men of every nationality,
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,
But he does not send Jesus to the Jews to isolate them still further. Their preparation is now complete and they need be isolated no longer. Jesus comes so to make them the basis for a new a larger family, no longer bound to just one nation. They are the plant to which new (and rather unruly) branches are now grafted (cf. Rom 11:17).
If our hearts still wander in pagan lands let us hear the "that God is with" his people. He is a father to his people and longs to invite everyone to the table of his wedding feast (cf. Mat 22:9). His presence will draw from our hearts the desire to say, "Let us go with you" to his people, the Church. Finally we know where we truly belong, and knowing we rejoice.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
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