31 January 2016 - the greatest of thse

[ Today's Readings ]

They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”

They people of Nazareth want to see mighty deeds. But they can't see beyond their own expectations. They think they know Jesus. Isn't he really just one of them, not even the greatest of them? How can he make such a claim to fame? The people feel that he at least owes it to them to show off his power just as they have heard he did elsewhere. If you're going to convince us that you are more than just one of us you're going to need to prove it by showing off, they think. This attitude is one we share. We think we know what is usual, what we can expect. If we're going to accept anything beyond that, well, the burden of proof is on the one challenging those expectations and we ourselves in our limited human rationality are the judges.

The LORD does the unexpected all the time. He prefers to work through the unlikely precisely so that his own power is evident.

The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

So rather than opposing his messengers we need to figure out a better way to know if they come from God. Otherwise we may find ourselves fighting against a "fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass".

for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! (see Acts 5:38-39).

How can we know if something is from God when our expectations are so limited and our paradigms are so insufficient? There is a way. It doesn't even more than tongues, knowledge, prophecy, faith, and mighty deeds it is love which reveals that God is present. These other special effects are partial at best. Separated from love they lose all value. But love never fails. It transforms all other deeds and works and makes them point toward God. But it is love at the core of them all that truly allows us to recognize him.

 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (see 1st John 4:7).

Knowing this we can discern the true signs from the noise of a world filled with competing spiritualities marked with varied special effects. Our own expectations which heretofore have saved us from following false prophets in the world no longer need keep us from coming closer to God and deeper into his love.

For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.

30 January 2016 - the wind and seas obey

[ Today's Readings ]

A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

The storms of sin sometimes overwhelm us. Our circumstances seem like too much for us. We can't figure out how to avoid sinking beneath the ways. Our skills at sailing aren't enough. But God does care that we are perishing. What he really wants is for us to turn to him.

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, 
and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

He does care. We can trust that. We can learn to trust it so much that we are no longer terrified even amidst the storms of life.

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”

Rather than being driven to him by fear and desperation we can make our requests known to him and keep peace within.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:6-7).

Even when we're sinking through our own fault he still cares enough to calm the winds.

Nathan answered David: “The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin:
you shall not die.

But let us approach him immediately, before the damage becomes more permanent.

Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God;
then my tongue shall revel in your justice.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

When we entrust everything to Jesus our lives are not suddenly free from storms. Instead we discover that Jesus is the one whom even the winds and the waves obey. He may allow our ships to be tossed by those waves, but only so that we turn to him more and more.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.

29 January 2016 - seed scattered and sown

All the images with Bathsheba were rather graphic.

[ Today's Readings ]

The growth of the Kingdom of God is hidden and mysterious.

It is hidden just as everything that goes into the growth of a seed is hidden. The man does not need to understand the detailed biology of plants in order to scatter seeds and yield a harvest.

We often think we need a really in depth understanding of the inner psyche of those to whom we proclaim the gospel. But we really don't. We just need to scatter the seed. God produces the growth.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (see 1st Corinthians 3:6-7).

It is hidden in that it starts so small as to be imperceptible. Because it is so small it seems insignificant. Faith often starts so small that it seems like it is too little to make a difference even in an individual problem in an individual life let alone the whole world. But if the seed is allowed to grow it does become big enough. Problems in the individual no longer seem as big as they once did. We are even able to be beneficial to the rest of the world.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.

We don't need to understand everything. We don't need to control everything. We need to trust in God who supplies the seed and gives the growth.

When we make big mistakes the seed seems insufficient. When we sin as much as David does we might despair of forgiveness.

“She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, 
and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.”
Then David sent messengers and took her.
When she came to him, he had relations with her.

...

“Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce.
Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.”

But the seed of faith is enough even in the face of our massive failures. It is enough to overcome all obstacles and to eventually restore our relationship with God. So if we think we have messed up too much we haven't. If we know someone whom we believe will never open himself to God's mercy it is by no means certain. Let us plant the seeds in every heart so that God may provide the growth.

Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
the bones you have crushed shall rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my guilt.

28 January 2016 - keeps on giving

[ Today's Readings ]

To the one who has, more will be given; 
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

We receive in the measure that we give. Man "cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself" (see Vatican II: Gaudium et Spes 24).

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (see Matthew 16:25).

The one who has not has not because he gives not. He tries to hold on to what he has, to his life in the world. But that is ultimately a losing proposition. The one who has has because he gives. He may not have the things of this world but as he gives he becomes rich in what matters to God (see Luke 12:16-21).

This is precisely why we can't hide our lamps under our beds. We are given light from Jesus who is the light that shines in the darkness (see John 1:4-5). We are supposed to be a city on a hill which cannot be hidden (see Matthew 5:14), reflecting the light we receive from Jesus.

It starts with grace. Grace is what makes us able to give. It elevates us from our self-preserving nature into the self-giving life of the Trinity. The one who has does not have because of any merit of his own. He has because he accepts what God gives him. David realizes this.

Yet even this you see as too little, Lord GOD; 
you have also spoken of the house of your servant 
for a long time to come 

David realizes that what he has comes from the LORD and is thankful for it.

Do, then, bless the house of your servant 
that it may be before you forever; 
for you, Lord GOD, have promised, 
and by your blessing the house of your servant 
shall be blessed forever.”

He recognizes the source of his blessings and actively seeks out, welcomes, and embraces it. He is able to give himself away in service to his people as king precisely because God blesses him. This awareness makes him open to receiving more, to receiving all that God has in store for him.

The LORD swore an oath to David
a firm promise from which he will not withdraw:
“Your own offspring 
I will set upon your throne.”

27 January 2016 - god in the garden of our hearts

[ Today's Readings ]

Good soil is deep. It isn't thorny.

Deep soil gives seed room to grow. It protects it from predators. If the seed remains on the surface it is exposed. Instead we must treasure the word in our heart, just as Mary does. For example, when God blesses us we must remember to be thankful. If we do not specifically and intentionally reflect on these blessings even the most miraculous of events can be forgotten, stolen from us by the enemy.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds (see Psalm 77:11-12).

We need to allow the word to put roots into the very core of our being. The word grows in us when we really give it this access. A superficial reading of the word keeps it isolated. It is in the religious or spiritual part of our lives but not our work lives or our part of our hobbies or pursuits. The seed withers without roots. It grows by transforming the water and minerals of our being into its own life. This only works to the degree to which we give it access.

Sometimes even when we try to let the word put down roots in us we still face challenges. It begins to conflict with our worldly fears and anxieties and our desire for riches and comfort. But it is possible for the seed to grow in us. We can give it bad soil. But we can also give it good soil. We can place it near our thorny parts and watch it choke. But we can choose to give it the best soil and deepest soil of ours hearts where the thorns are the fewest and furthest between. The more we welcome the word like this, just as Mary does, the more it will grow and spread until it pushes out the thorns of its own accord.

After all, it isn't really about the house we want to build for God. It is about the house he wants to build for us.

“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?

...

The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.

He is the one who sows the seeds. He does so generously. Even if we don't give him the best soil he just keeps scattering the seed until eventually, hopefully, it takes root. Let us welcome that seed. Let us embrace that unyielding love for us.

Forever I will maintain my love for him;
my covenant with him stands firm.
I will establish his dynasty forever,
his throne as the days of the heavens.

26 January 2016 - children of faith

[ Today's Readings ]

“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

Faith creates bonds which are stronger than blood. Why? Because relationships built on the love of God are built on something unshakable.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you (see Isaiah 49:15).

This does not mean that human familial relationships do not have value. Of course they do. God created them. He commands us to honor our fathers and mothers. Paul reminds us that this is the first command with a promise attached, "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land" (see Ephesians 6:2-3).

It is rather that the natural family is elevated to its true dignity by faith. When family members have faith the deepest purpose of the family is revealed.

I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy, 
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you.

The bonds of blood are not bonds which can unite the whole world. The Jews and Gentiles remain forever separate according to that paradigm. It leaves some a strangers and aliens. But where blood becomes divisive faith has the power to unite.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (see Ephesians 2:19).

God wants to unite all of mankind in one family. For this, bonds of blood are insufficient. But the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace (see Ephesians 4:3) that are based on faith can bring this about.

to Titus, my true child in our common faith

God makes us all children of one Catholic family through faith. He exalts and strengthens natural families even while joining them together in his transnational supernatural family.

Mary shows us the way to live family that is both natural and supernatural. She lives the natural affection and devotion toward her family perfected by her complete obedience to God.

What we receive in faith is inexhaustible. But to take full advantage of it we must continually revisit the source. 

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.

Our families are no longer islands of isolation in a cold and dispassionate world. We are cells in a larger body. We are moving together toward the one goal of sharing God's love with the entire world. This profound unity of purpose helps us to not be ashamed of our testimony to our LORD. We are moved to proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

25 January 2016 - pro-claiming

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. He says to us "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News." The world is in desperate need of this good news. It "is the power of God unto salvation" (see Romans 1:16). The gospels are written "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (see John 20:31). The world needs life and salvation. The proclamation of the gospel is step one.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Maybe we don't realize the urgency of this need. And yet we can clearly see a world which is lost without Jesus. We see people exhausting themselves storing up treasures which moth and rust will eventually destroy. If we're honest we sometimes do this as well. We sometimes work for bread that will leave us hungry again rather than the only bread which will satisfy. We drink from wells which leave us thirsty rather than from the water of life. The world and even we ourselves need to hear this good news. Salvation is not automatic. It is a response to an invitation. If we shy away from that invitation or ignore it that is not a safe way to live. Maybe we're afraid of what people will think. Maybe we're worried about what they'll do.

Saint Paul is a great hero for us. We can look at his example when we're afraid to proclaim the good news or when we're feeling ashamed of the gospel. No one embodies the call to proclaim the good news more than him.

I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches (see 2nd Corinthians 11:23-28).

It's true that he is well credentialed. He studies under the most preeminent rabbi of his time in the person of Gamiliel. And his letters are often abstract and intellectual. But Paul's most poignant appeals are ones which are easy to understand.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (see Galatians 2:20).

We can all speak of the one who loved us and gave himself for us and how faith in him makes all the difference in our own lives. Looking to the witness we have in Paul we receive strength to speak even when the message is not popular. And Paul also teaches us not to rule anyone out in advance. Paul seems like the least likely person to become a Christian. Until he does.

All who heard him were astounded and said, 
“Is not this the man who in Jerusalem
ravaged those who call upon this name,
and came here expressly to take them back in chains
to the chief priests?”

May the scales fall from our own eyes so that we can truly appreciate "the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (see Ephesians 2:7). May Saint Paul inspire us and strengthen us with his prayers so that we can tell at least our little part of the whole world about this good news.

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

24 January 2016 - today is the day

[ Today's Readings ]

“Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep”—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

Overkill? No! This is precisely the result of the word which is living and effective.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (cf. Hebrews 4:12).

This is precisely why we hear that people are cut to the heart (cf. Acts 2:37) when they hear this word proclaimed in power. What we hear is undeniably good news. It answers the deepest longings of our hearts.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me 
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Yet we aren't moved when we hear it. Our hearts are unaffected. Why? Because we don't realize that, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Today this is just as true as the day of the gospel.

He is present in his word, for it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church (cf. Sacrosanctum concilium 7, Vatican II)

Really, today?

For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (cf. 2nd Corinthians 6:2).

Today! Today when the Scriptures are proclaimed Christ is present to bring glad tidings, freedom, and healing. He is actively working in the hearts of those who listen to build his kingdom and to restore a fallen world.

In Nehemiah God uses his word to re-establish his people after the exile. Jesus proclaims the word to establish the new and definitive kingdom of God. Let joy mark this day for we were exiles in a world on the verge of collapse. But no longer!

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

The Spirit comes to us when we listen to the words of Jesus with open hearts. He makes us parts of the kingdom. He sends us forth with gifts of power to build that kingdom on earth.

Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.

So let's listen. Let's receive. And then let's use our gifts. As deeply as the people of Nehemiah's time needed the word of God so too do those of our own. Today is the day!

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.

23 January 2016 - crazy in love

[ Today's Readings ]

 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, 
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

There are times when people are going to think we're out of our minds if we're living for the kingdom. When we seem to ignore things the world regards as important ("making it impossible for them even to eat") the world gets worried. Is there possible more to life than this? Criticism is a quick way for it to shut down the introspection that kingdom lives produce. But we must be willing to be seen this way for the very sakes of those who criticize us.

For if we are out of our minds, it is for God (cf. 2nd Corinthians 5:13)

It isn't that we are going around condemning people. Our very lives can be hard for them to bear.

To us he is the censure of our thoughts;
merely to see him is a hardship for us,
Because his life is not like that of others,
and different are his ways (cf. Wisdom 2:14-15).

But it is precisely for this reason that we can be a blessing to them. It is because David puts the LORD first that he is still able to feel compassion for Saul and Jonathan even though they take up arms against him. He continues to love them. He does not celebrate the death of those who try to kill him.

They mourned and wept and fasted until evening 
for Saul and his son Jonathan, 
and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel, 
because they had fallen by the sword.

The world probably regards this as crazy. And this is why what we have is just the antidote to the world's sanity.

We don't come to this way of thinking through our own efforts. We have the mind of Christ (cf. 1st Corinthians 2:16) because his Spirit dwells in us (1st Corinthians 3:16). Let's embrace the Spirit even when it seems crazy. Only if this craziness replaces the supposed sanity of the world will peace truly flourish.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power, 
and come to save us.

22 January 2016 - with him, sent forth, given authority

[ Today's Readings ]

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach 
and to have authority to drive out demons:

He calls them first "that they might be with him" and only second to "send them forth". There are sent forth to preach. They are sent forth with authority.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you (cf. Luke 10:19).

The disciples aren't the only ones who are called to preach nor the only ones given authority. Jesus summons us as well. Let us come to him. We need to begin in his presence because it isn't only the twelve who are called to preach the gospel, nor only the ordained, but everyone.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

With Paul, we say "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:16). After all, if it really is the power of God for salvation we cannot keep it to ourselves. But to go forth and preach is obviously something for which none of us are well equipped. It is only when we come to Jesus first that we are sent forth with power. Only then do our words have authority like that of Jesus, "for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" (cf. Matthew 7:29).

He calls us to him so that we can share in his own mission. But our share in his mission is matched by our share in his authority. We have to do it but we can't do it on our own. The world needs it. Yet by ourselves we fall flat. Only if we trust in him can the world get what it needs.

If we come to Jesus and trust in him we will be able to do what we ought to do even in the most difficult of circumstances. Even if our very lives our on the line we will not succumb but witness to the greatness of God.

Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, 
see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion.
I have done you no wrong, 
though you are hunting me down to take my life.
The LORD will judge between me and you, 
and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case.
I shall not touch you.

Do we feel afraid? Are there things in life which seem to chase us down? We don't need to take matters into our own hands. Trusting in God we stand firm. Step one, the essential step, the step which we cannot skip is to be with him. Only then are we sent forth in power.

Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.

21 January 2016 - the touch

[ Today's Readings ]

Saul discussed his intention of killing David 
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.

Relationships can be so broken that we are tempted to give up. If we use human analysis we probably end up giving up on Saul and suggesting that David run for the hills. But the LORD is able to work through his people to restore broken relationships.

I, however, will go out and stand beside my father 
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know.

Jonathan talks Saul down from the ledge. He helps him realize that the LORD blesses Saul while he blesses David. He helps him realize that he doesn't need to be jealous of God's work in David because it is a blessing to him as well.

Jonathan is a type of Jesus who re-establishes our relationship with the Father. He goes even further than Jonathan. We are actually guilty, unlike David, so Jesus suffers for us in order to make us clean. Then he presents us to his Father. He gives us his own relationship to the Father to share.

We serve a God who is all about healing broken relationships. He wants to heal our relationships and he wants to use us to help others to heal, just as he uses Jonathan. This can be scary. Sometimes one or both of the parties are breathing out murderous threats like Saul. We are tempted to give up. But our Father is not like Saul. He is full of mercy and we can rely on his help.

Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?

The power to heal is not within us. It is within Jesus. Our role is to bring his presence to everyone who longs for it.

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.

This is what the touch of Jesus does. It has healing power. It restores sick bodies and renews sinful souls. We must first avail ourselves of his touch. We must come as close to him as we can in order to feel it. Scriptures, the Sacraments, and prayer are the places we should go. Once it transforms us we become his presence to the world. Our touch brings his healing power to the lives of others.

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (cf. John 14:23).

Let's ask Jesus to touch us today. Let's come to a new and closer relationship to the Father so that he can work through us to restore a broken world.

20 January 2016 - the battle belongs to the LORD

[ Today's Readings ]

Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?

The criticism of Jesus comes under the guise of religion. But the motives are not religious.

They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the sabbath
so that they might accuse him.

The leaders of his day are like giants from a worldly perspective. They seem to have the resources, the power, and the knowledge. Jesus is the simple son of a carpenter. Yet he does not back down.

Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,
Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

All of those factors of worldly power can be intimidating. We can become like Saul and say to ourselves or others what he says to David.

You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him,
for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.

But David and Jesus know something which Saul forgets. If we learn it we can have courage in the face of worldly opposition.

All this multitude, too,
shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves.
For the battle is the LORD’s and he shall deliver you into our hands.

We are likely to face opposition from the world as we try to live out our Christian faith. The world conceals its true motives with a guise like political correctness and niceness. Of course, it cares very little about these things, but it is happy to use them as tools to advance a society emptied of the presence of God. We can't be bullied this way. But to stand against the world when it holds apparent goods against us is more difficult than when it tries to impose things which are obviously bad. We need the courage of David and the courage of Jesus. Perhaps we even need the righteous anger of Jesus to move us to active when fear would otherwise cause us to freeze.

Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,

But even more than this, we need to remember that it is good to which we are called. We need to be deeply convicted of this. We are called to save lives. We can't be bullied into inaction.

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.

If we trust in the LORD's strength rather than our own we can rejoice in the knowledge that, "the battle is the LORD’s".

19 January 2016 - free spirit

[ Today's Readings ] 

Not as man sees does God see,
because he sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.

David is an unexpected choice in the world's eyes. It's true he's handsome. But like Saul, that isn't why he gets the job. He is the youngest. His eligibility seems so unlikely that he is off tending sheep. He isn't even invited to the interview.

But he is chosen by the LORD. The LORD doesn't necessary choose the qualified. Instead, by his Spirit, he qualifies the chosen.

Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed him in the midst of his brothers;
and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

The Spirit rushes on David. And more than almost anyone else David welcomes the Spirit. This is why he the LORD considers David, "a man after his own heart". It isn't for anything David brings to the table that the LORD chooses him, it is his willingness to let the Spirit rush on him. It is his openness to being transformed by the LORD's anointing. This is good news because it means that we too can be men and women after God's own heart. We too have been anointed at Confirmation. The Holy Spirit has not ceased to rush on on from that day. Ours job is like that of David. We must welcome the Spirit.

I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong

This is why David has the freedom of the Holy Spirit.

Have you never read what David did
when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

This is a freedom we are called to share.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (cf. Galatians 5:13).

If we welcome the Spirit we will not use our freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. The Pharisees only understand the letter of the law. They use it as an opportunity for the flesh. They build their own pride at the expense of others. But we serve under the Spirit of the law. The letter kills but the Spirit gives life (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6). On a human level, the letter seems safer. It seems like more of a sure thing. We imagine that it would keep us from just the sort of errors of which Jesus is accused. But in the genuine freedom is the Spirit these apparent errors might turn out to be in the service of God. 

The relationship which the Holy Spirit makes possible is amazing. We become sons and daughters of the Most High, men and women after God's own heart. May the Spirit rush upon us today.

He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
And I will make him the first-born,
highest of the kings of the earth.

18 January 2016 - paradigm store

[ Today's Readings ]

Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but your disciples do not fast?

The world can't figure this out. They approach it with old paradigms. They try to fit a new piece of cloth into their old worldview. The idea is the fasting should be something which they can calculate and thereby control. There is no satisfactory answer to their question according to that paradigm.

Even so, my child, if we give in to the world, and laugh, dance, and play as it does, it will affect to be scandalized; if we refuse to do so, it will accuse us of being hypocritical or morbid. If we adorn ourselves after its fashion, it will put some evil construction on what we do; if we go in plain attire, it will accuse us of meanness; our cheerfulness will be called dissipation; our mortification dulness; and ever casting its evil eye upon us, nothing we can do will please it.

St. Francis of Sales (2010-04-30). Introduction to the Devout Life (Kindle Locations 2628-2629).  . Kindle Edition. 

We see this in our own times but it is nothing new.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds (cf. Matthew 11:18-19).

The world's paradigm is one where selfishness reigns. It is a way of thinking that fits fasting and feasting however it wants. It may offer sacrifice to the LORD, but it does so to justify it's own actions.

But from the spoil the men took sheep and oxen,
the best of what had been banned,
to sacrifice to the LORD their God in Gilgal.

If we approach fasting the way the world does we'll end up fasting when it suits us and feasting when it suits us. We build our own egos and pride and make tacit reference to God.

Instead, we are called to relationship...

Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

...and to obedience. Both feasting and fasting have their place but that place is not ours to dictate. 

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.

We recognize that there is a danger in feasting more than we should, even if we still do that sometimes. But sometimes we are called to feast when it doesn't seem natural to do so. We learn that hard lesson that obedience is better than sacrifice. In such moods we're ready to justify whatever we do as sacrifice. We think, 'But it was so hard, it must have made God happy.' But no, only if he calls for it does he take pleasure in sacrifice. 

There is a secret though. There is one answer which is always the right answer. From it we can work our way to the specifics.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.

Praise is always right. So let us praise him. 

17 January 2016 - manifestival

[ Today's Readings ]

 When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”

And we haven't for a while. People have been calling us forsaken and or name desolate. The first wedding fails to be what it is meant to be when Adam and Eve fall. Shame and selfishness begin to mark their relationship. This happens because the even more fundamental relationship of man to God is broken. It is always meant to be a marriage covenant. We are supposed to be called "Espoused". We are supposed to be called "My delight." 

As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.

No particular weddings will ever have enough wine, that is, enough joy, if this fundamental relationship remains broken. So while an individual wedding might not be a concern of Jesus on one level it is still a perfect place for him to manifest himself. A particular wedding can now finally have enough wine because soon there will be enough for all when Jesusrestores the union of God and man.

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.

This is the first of his signs logically even more than chronologically. It is first because it is a new beginning. Since creation goes astray in Adam and Eve Jesus begins a new creation here. And Mary perfectly stands in for all of mankind when she says, "Do whatever he tells you." Because it is a new creation we are able to sing a new song, proclaiming the marvelous deeds of the LORD.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

Just what is this wine we need?

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (cf. Ephj. 5:18-19).

The Spirit is the wedding gift of God to his bride. Through the Spirit he gives us life just as he breathes life into Adam and Eve. The Spirit is the one who enables us to drink the wine of the new and everlasting covenant. He is given to us all but the gifts, forms of service, and workings are individual. They are manifestations of God's marriage with us. So in a way, they are like a wedding ring.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

We can't be a bride who refuses to wear her ring. We must let the manifestations be really manifest. We can't keep them hidden within. There are all sorts of reasons why we might. But if we truly trust in the bridegroom we will have the courage to use the gifts we are given. Let's listen to the words of Mary and do whatever he tells us.

Jesus does not give us a good thing and then hope we won't notice when the future doesn't live up. He is building toward the culmination: the wedding feast of the lamb.

Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.

16 January 2016 - the divine physician

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.

Let's hear and respond the way Levi does. Let's get up and follow Jesus. Levi knows that he needs a doctor. He knows that he is sick and needs a doctor. We don't always realize this. We are slow to respond to Jesus because we perceive a certain self-sufficiency. We think we're doing OK without him. Or perhaps, we think we have enough now and we don't need to go any closer. He calls us when we are sinners. Even following him we remain imperfect. We are sustained in holiness only insofar as we continue to pursue him. We are the sick who need a doctor. We are the sinners who need a savior. But here he stands.

He isn't looking for our qualifications. Saul may be handsome. He may be tall. But these aren't the reasons that the LORD calls him to make him the first king of Israel. If anything, the human trait that God wants is his persistence, probably inherited from his "stalwart" father. We see it on display in his tenacity on the hunt. He keeps hunting in order to fulfill his father's request when he might legitimately want to give up. And because he continues he runs into Samuel. He fails at his apparent purpose but stumbles across a larger one.

The LORD gives Saul a natural persistence that he uses. But natural gifts aren't enough. They leave us without the animals for which we hunt. We remain sick and in need of a doctor. It is his anointing and that alone which truly makes us pleasing to him.

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head;
he also kissed him, saying:
“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.
You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel,
and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

Persistence is great, of course. But there is much more required of a king than that. Wouldn't we be overwhelmed to be set at the head of a nation even with whatever gifts and talents which we bring? And yet we are all anointed priest, prophet, and king. This position is even more exalted than that of Saul. We need the LORD's help even more to live it out.

O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!

15 January 2016 - prophet motive

[ Today's Readings ]

Now that you are old,
and your sons do not follow your example,
appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.

What are the people of Israel seeking in this request? To them, God is too distant to trust with the governance of the nation. Nations benefit from being concretely well ordered. Sure, they have a prophet now who can bring them the will of a God who seems distant. But what about in the next generation after Samuel dies? The surrounding nations already seem enviable for their kings. They seem to be great societies with great armies, public works, and all sorts of pomp and circumstance. Because they have kings they become more able to be prideful about their own success. Even if a nation is spiritual when they first take it a king it is hard to avoid the focus shifting to the human and to this this worldly.

What of our lives? Do we substitute the perceived absence of God with different sorts of kings? Do we rely on the powers of this world when God doesn't seem reliable? Free will allows us to do so.

Grant the people’s every request.
It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.

But although God may seem distant his promise is the only thing which is truly dependable. The powers of this world may seem promising. But ultimately they leave us disappointed. And this is true of even the greatest genuinely good powers of the world such as science and technology. If we trust in these in the place of God they ultimately fail us.

So what do we do when God seems distant? Let's do whatever it takes to draw near to him. We can be sure that if he feels distant it is not him who moved but us. And this means that his presence is always available.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.

The Son of Man has the authority we truly seek. He is the one who must reign in our lives.

But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”
–he said to the paralytic,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

When Jesus is on the throne of our hearts we "know the joyful shout". We walk in the light of his face. Even kings are not a problem if they belong to the LORD.

For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.

14 January 2016 - ark enemies

[ Today's Readings ]

Let us fetch the ark of the LORD from Shiloh
that it may go into battle among us
and save us from the grasp of our enemies.

We all have battles we fight. Are they the battles the LORD wants us to fight? Or are we deciding on our own and then bringing the ark of his presence along for the ride? Are we trying to sanctify our own plans with tacit acknowledge of his presence? Are we expecting the LORD to win battles which we didn't even ask if we ought to fight?

Yet now you have cast us off and put us in disgrace,
and you go not forth with our armies.
You have let us be driven back by our foes;
those who hated us plundered us at will.

The LORD won't just put his stamp of approval on plans which we make without reference to him. What does this look like in our own lives? We decide on a specific thing which we ought to do which is good, yes, and loving. But do we discern whether this specific act is what the LORD wants us to do? Is this where he wants our effort? Is this how he wants us to go about it? We don't ask, we just do it, and then assume that we can count on him because it is after all a 'good thing' which we're trying to do. Probably we don't really think of the LORD at all until we fail. We question why we didn't seem to have the grace to do the act of charity we attempted.

We know that the LORD does will good things. But we can't just bring the ark along for the ride without discerning his will.

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

The LORD has all sorts of battles he wants to win in our lives. There is so much healing he wants to do. But we must come to him to find out just what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. When we start in his presence we do experience victory and healing.

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched the leper, and said to him, 
“I do will it. Be made clean.”

If we do this it will be hard to keep silent about the goodness of our LORD Jesus. The Good News is actually really good! Imagine that! Let's kneel before Jesus and beg him for what we need. And then, rather than going off on our own, let us wait for the outstretched hand of God to touch us.

 Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy.

13 January 2016 - speak lord, your servant is listening

[ Today's Readings ]

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

As impressive as this is, it is certainly even more true of Jesus.

His word cures Simon's mother and law and "many who were sick with various diseases". He even "drove out many demons" by the power of that word.

But there is something which precedes this in both of them.

Samuel spends time alone in the presence of the LORD.

The lamp of God was not yet extinguished,
and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.

And so does Jesus.

Rising very early before dawn, 
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

The words of Jesus are effective because he knows the voice of his Father. Samuel's words become effective when he learns to recognize the Father's voice (and not without other human help).

Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” 
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

When we recognize the voice of the Father we are able to speak with power because we speak with his own words. The words of Jesus are never without effect because all that he says, is, and does is from the Father. He himself is the Father's word. We are invited to listen for this word so that we can conform ourselves to it more and more. We are invited to hear it and then respond "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will." Yet we know that we can't make this response on our own as completely as we should. Fortunately, Jesus makes his own obedience available to us by grace.

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.”

He makes his own life present in us. And since the life is the word which is spoken by the Father our individual words gain power as he does so. We become able to proclaim mercy, healing, and freedom. We become able to proclaim justice in the vast assembly with unrestrained lips.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

12 January 2016 - what can i offer

[ Today's Readings ]

I was only pouring out my troubles to the LORD.

Hannah is honest and unguarded before the LORD. She isn't praying just for the sake of appearances. Her prayer comes from deep in her heart.

my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.

Are we able to be as honest with God as Hannah?

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us (cf. Psalm 62).

And yet while Hannah does pray for her deepest desires she does not do so in an entirely selfish way.

if you remember me and do not forget me,
if you give your handmaid a male child,
I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives;
neither wine nor liquor shall he drink,
and no razor shall ever touch his head.

She says, 'LORD, this is what I want. If you give it to me I will return to you.' We have nothing to offer God but what he gives us. God works through Hannah's desire for a son and through it brings about all of the good that Samuel does. From Hannah we learn not to hide the deepest desires of our hearts. We learn that even in these God is working to bring about his plans for us.

We need to get rid of the superficial desires for things of earth in order to recognize the deeper call of God on our hearts. We need to sort through the demons in each of us. Fortunately we serve one who is stronger than these demons.

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.

His authority can cast away distractions and reveal his call to us in the depths of our beings. His authority can bring that call on our lives to fruition. We in turn must spread his fame.

My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.

11 January 2016 - better plans

[ Today's Readings ]

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, 

Jesus knows we have plans. But he has better plans for us. Today he invites us to abandon our nets and to follow him. When we do we will be even more true to ourselves than when we follow our own plans.

and I will make you fishers of men.”

We think we are living out our purpose when we work as fishers. But perhaps it is only a shadow of a deeper purpose he has for us. In some ways we are like Hannah. There is one specific way we think we're called to fulfill our destiny. In her case it is childbearing. But for each of us it is different. Yet we often find ourselves barren. We are quite certain we're supposed to do a thing, to make a contribution, or to build the kingdom in a specific way. But it seems that it just isn't within us to do it. We need to be more concerned with the love of the bridegroom and less concerned with our specific plans.

“Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?
Why do you grieve?
Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Whatever God desires from us his love makes possible. On our own we fish all night but catch nothing. If we put Jesus first he tells us where we can find a catch. He shows us that we are not meant to catch fish but men. We have a tendency to want to bring about his will ourselves. But often it is a matter of waiting for his timing. Often it is fulfilled in a manner we don't expect.

But we can be sure of this. Even if we're frustrated right now and don't seem to be fulfilling his purpose for us he still loves us more than we can imagine. If we just welcome his presence and call on our lives, if we hear him when he says "Come after me" and simply come to him, his will in us will not be thwarted. He will bring his good work in us to completion

How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD. 

10 January 2016 - well pleased

[ Today's Readings ]

After all the people had been baptized 
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove. 
And a voice came from heaven, 
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”

The long flood of sin is finally over. The dove descends with the branch of grace in his mouth to show the world that new life is possible. The Spirit hovers over the waters bringing forth a new creation just as he did when he brought forth the original. Jesus leads his people through the waters in the definitive exodus from the lands of sin and death.

But of course Jesus needs none of this. John senses it in his reluctance to baptism him.

I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus is baptized not for himself but for us. The waters don't make him holy. He makes the waters holy so that they might make us holy in turn and unite us to him.

He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Yet it is precisely at this moment of Jesus doing things which his identity does not require of him that the Father chooses to reveal his identity to us.

You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.

But again, this is not for him but for us. Baptism enlightens us about who Jesus is. It reveals a love which does not grasp equality with God but humbles itself to become like us. This act of humility really does reveal his identity. And that is why it makes sense that it is also where we come to share that identity. Baptism saves us from sin.

He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,

But it does more. It saves us for sonship. It saves us for union with the one who is the Son of God. The Father not only proclaims the identity of Jesus. He proclaims our identity as well.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (cf. Romans 8:15).

The palace God constructs upon the waters is the Church where his family lives. He is enthroned over the flood. In baptism we come to dwell with him. Let's cry out to him with joy and thanksgiving for this great gift.

The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

Baptism is more than a past reality. It is something which means that we are different now. At every moment we can choose to welcome the Holy Spirit and live out our lives as sons and daghters. He is baptized precisely so that he can be as close to us as possible.

Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by a strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.

Today, let us celebrate the closeness and the love of the Good Shepherd. Let us celebrate the love of the Father of Jesus and of us. United with Jesus we experience the Father being well pleased with us. Let's rest in that knowledge today.

9 January 2016 - dangerous confidence?

[ Today's Readings ]

We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.

It is unfortunately safe to assume that most of us have never experienced this level of confidence in our prayers. Why not? Yes, we can only be this confident of an answer if our prayer is in God's will. But surely every now and again we do pray in accord with his will. And still we don't experience this confidence. This can only be because we not are convinced that our prayers are his will. Believing this sounds dangerous, actually. But apparently he does want us to know his will well enough to be so convinced of it that we can be confident that any prayers along those lines will be answered. Of course, this is vastly different from assuming that our will is his will. We must instead discern. John the Baptist is a model of the attitude we need.

No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.

John does not insist of being the central focus of things. His ministry is hugely popular. But when he sees people flocking to Jesus instead of him he is willing to stand aside and let it happen. He doesn't have to play the starring role. It is for this reason that he is able to recognize God's purpose in Jesus. We can imagine that he prays for the success of the ministry of Jesus and that he does so with confidence. 

So this joy of mine has been made complete. 
He must increase; I must decrease.

Perhaps we are too central in our own discernment process. Perhaps we aren't really looking to see where Jesus is at work in our lives and praying for the success of those things. Let's try to change that. Jesus has some very specific goals in each of our lives. Just as John the Baptist saw Jesus baptizing and could pray with confidence for that so too can we look to see what Jesus is doing and pray with confidence for his success. When our prayers are well discerned in this way the lead to joy for us just as they do for John the Baptist.

How can we see what Jesus is doing? Let's allow our own self-interest to decrease and then watch with open eyes, open ears, and open hearts. We will definitely see him at work.

For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.

And there are some ways we can learn what this looks like and what it feels like. We know that he wants to help all of us to achieve holiness. If we pray for the grace to walk in that holiness he will give it to us if we truly believe it (cf. James 1:6-8). We pray in accord with what we know to be God's will. This is what John means when he talks about the one begotten by God who does not sin.

We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him. 

When we truly live out the fact that we are his sons and daughters we have confidence that he who started a good work in us will break it to completion (cf. Philippians 1:6). We begin to experience the joy of the bridegroom's voice.

Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;

8 January 2016 - the thing victors believe

[ Today's Readings ]

Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is not because it checks a box on an arbitrary salvation checklist. Only by believing in Jesus can we experience his power to save us.

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.

And yet, it is said that demons believe and tremble. They don't experience salvation. This leper believes and he does. What's the difference? Demons know certain things about God. They know he exists. But they don't have victorious belief. In a similar situation to this man we can imagine that a demon might say, 'Lord, make me clean.' He knows certain things about Jesus and his power. But he still believes that he ultimately knows best about what should happen and how the universe ought to be run. He doesn't really trust in the goodness of God. The leper leaves that decision ultimately in the hands of Jesus. He knows that Jesus is good, that he is loving, and that he cures. He comes at all because of his hope that Jesus will cure him. But he does not insist.

Do we experience victorious belief? Do we experience healing of spirit, body, and mind? Do we experience genuine power at work in our lives? If we aren't as victorious as we might be, let's listen to the testimony about Jesus.

The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth. 
So there are three who testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood, 
and the three are of one accord. 

How does this help, actually? Well, we tend to prefer the testimony of the water. We prefer the testimony of the Father about Jesus at his baptism and at the transfiguration. We delight to see his glory revealed, to hear the Father say, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." But there is also the testimony of the blood. There is the testimony of the love that Jesus shows for the world on the cross. It can look like failure from certain angles. But from the right perspective it is a genuine testimony which reveals Jesus to us.

When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (cf. Matthew 27:54)

When we accept both the testimony of the water and that of the blood we have a faith that is more willing to trust Jesus no matter what. We are more able to believe that he is working for our good. We are more ready to leave everything in his hands. We are convinced more and more of the love he has for us (cf. 1 John 4:16).

The Spirit wants to help us to accept all of this testimony. Without him it is all dead letters. It is never elevated to victorious belief. It is not life-giving. Let us welcome the Spirit so that we can truly accept the testimony of these three witnesses.

And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. 
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

When we accept this testimony we experience victory in our lives. The bars of our gates are strengthened. We have peace in our cities and our children are blessed, just as the psalmist sings.

 Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

7 January 2016 - not burdensome?

[ Today's Readings ]

And his commandments are not burdensome

But they often seem that way to us, don't they? To really keep his commandments seems tough. We think that if we can keep them at all it is only through a lot of effort and grit teeth. Or perhaps they are just too hard and there is no point at all. We can all think of people who are difficult to love. We spend a lot of time wishing that people wouldn't do this or that, thinking of the problems that they cause for us or others, rather than willing their good.

If anyone says, “I love God,”
but hates his brother, he is a liar;

But the people themselves sometimes go to lengths to be burdensome. How can loving them not be?

And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. 
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Victory is possible. It is possible for those who are begotten by God. They can have peace, even amidst the tribulations of the world, because Jesus has overcome the world (cf. John 16:33). We are able to love in a way that is not burdensome only because Jesus already has the victory which he shares with us.

Beloved, we love God because
he first loved us. 

Without his love the poor do not hear glad tidings, the captives do not hear liberty proclaimed, the blind do not see, and the oppressed do not go free. Nothing the world does is ever sufficient to God's standards. The year acceptable to the LORD does not come.

But he does love us first. Even while we are yet sinners (cf. Romans 5:8) he pours out his love on us. He pours the Holy Spirit into our hearts making us cry 'Abba, Father!' (cf. Galatians 4:6). This happens at baptism, but we tap into it whenever we welcome the Holy Spirit. We embrace more and more being begotten by God. And as his sons and daughters we share in his victory. This is why the Holy Spirit is called our inheritance (cf. Ephesians 1:14).

Jesus brings us his victory today.

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

Today? Aren't the relevant historical events in the future of when he speaks and in our past? In one sense, but the proclamation of the Scriptures in the power of the Spirit make them present to us. The victory of Jesus is made present to us through his word. Let us look to him intently.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.