Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Come, Holy Spirit
The gospel readings for a few days now are about Jesus' announcement that he is going and that he will send the Spirit to be with his followers. I have never been so struck before with how wonderful this promise is. While Jesus' physical presence would be wonderful, the Spirit actually becomes the source of our life. We are moved by this Spirit, breath the breathe of this Spirit, are motivated by this Spirit, are led by this Spirit. I am praying for an abundant outpouring of this Spirit so that I will truly live the life of Christ. I am praying for you too. How would you like this Spirit to lead you? What it is you ask this Pentecost as you await being filled with the Spirit?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Anything You Ask
"If you ask anything in my name, I will do it." I am always excited by this statement of Jesus and I invariably begin to ask. I do not always get what I have asked in the form that I expect it. Then I wonder if I have not asked properly, if I do not recognize the answer, or if the promise is not true.
Today I read a reflection on the passage which pointed out that the Greek text has "you" in the plural. It is what we ask as a community of believers that will be granted. Which brings me to the topic of discernment. Often when I ask for clarity about my call, I do it in my own private and personal prayer. Sometimes I even get into a vicious circle in my mind and in my prayer--going round and round and making no progress on the path of my discernment. Perhaps, what is needed at such moments is community prayer. Praying together with others and sharing faith with them is an essential part of discernment. In speaking my questions, I may hear something new that I did not recognize when I was praying alone. In listening to others praying and sharing, I may hear God speak a new word to me. I may, as the disciples asked earlier of Jesus "see the Father."
A discernment suggestion--join a group to pray and share faith together. Then listen.
Today I read a reflection on the passage which pointed out that the Greek text has "you" in the plural. It is what we ask as a community of believers that will be granted. Which brings me to the topic of discernment. Often when I ask for clarity about my call, I do it in my own private and personal prayer. Sometimes I even get into a vicious circle in my mind and in my prayer--going round and round and making no progress on the path of my discernment. Perhaps, what is needed at such moments is community prayer. Praying together with others and sharing faith with them is an essential part of discernment. In speaking my questions, I may hear something new that I did not recognize when I was praying alone. In listening to others praying and sharing, I may hear God speak a new word to me. I may, as the disciples asked earlier of Jesus "see the Father."
A discernment suggestion--join a group to pray and share faith together. Then listen.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Receiving the One Sent
"Whoever receives the one I sent receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me" (John 13:20). These words from today's gospel remind us to be aware of all those who enter our life today. They are sent. How will I receive those sent to me today? To receive them is to receive Christ and the Father. There are many options. Love, openness, hospitality are called for.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Shepherds
John's gospel has a couple stories about shepherds. One is about a good shepherd who goes (recklessly) in search of lost sheep and the other is about how intimately the shepherd knows his sheep and how trusting the sheep are of his love and care.
The shepherd knows each of his sheep by name. That is such a moving thought. God knows me by name, Jesus knows me by name--knows me intimately and still loves and cares for me. When I imagine the shepherd calling a sheep by its name and see the sheep responding, I long for the same kind of a trusting relationhship with God. I imagine the sound of the voice that loves me unconditionally and I long to recognize that voice calling me each moment of my day.
Discernment entails hearing and trusting. It involves knowing how I am loved so that I can respond without fear. Prayer helps me grow in trust and awareness.
The shepherd knows each of his sheep by name. That is such a moving thought. God knows me by name, Jesus knows me by name--knows me intimately and still loves and cares for me. When I imagine the shepherd calling a sheep by its name and see the sheep responding, I long for the same kind of a trusting relationhship with God. I imagine the sound of the voice that loves me unconditionally and I long to recognize that voice calling me each moment of my day.
Discernment entails hearing and trusting. It involves knowing how I am loved so that I can respond without fear. Prayer helps me grow in trust and awareness.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Bread from Heaven
Moses asked God to feed the grumbling, hungry people and God provided manna in the desert which fed the people. Jesus promises us that he will provide bread that will not only feed us but that will end all our hunger. This is the bread I long for--the one that will end my incessant longings for so many things.
There is a passage in John Shea's book "Starlight" about Adam and Eve and how they woke up to their humanness when they realized that each time they ate they would be satisified only temporarily and that after several hours they would be hungry again. It was an endless cycle that bound them and they desired not to be in this endless cycle--they desired to be something other than human. But when they found themselves at the manger on Christmas morning, they touched the child and were fed from his eyes and his heart. Then they said that they chose to be bound to this manger (this feeding place) forever.
Is this what we are called to by Jesus when he says that he is the sign, he is the bread? Are we being asked today to accept our humanness and to find it fulfilled in Jesus. Can I accept Jesus' presence in my life today and cease to hunger for anything but his nearness?
There is a passage in John Shea's book "Starlight" about Adam and Eve and how they woke up to their humanness when they realized that each time they ate they would be satisified only temporarily and that after several hours they would be hungry again. It was an endless cycle that bound them and they desired not to be in this endless cycle--they desired to be something other than human. But when they found themselves at the manger on Christmas morning, they touched the child and were fed from his eyes and his heart. Then they said that they chose to be bound to this manger (this feeding place) forever.
Is this what we are called to by Jesus when he says that he is the sign, he is the bread? Are we being asked today to accept our humanness and to find it fulfilled in Jesus. Can I accept Jesus' presence in my life today and cease to hunger for anything but his nearness?
Monday, April 07, 2008
Signs
I ask for signs from God when I am about to make a decision. So I am intrigued by Jesus' words in today's gospel. He says to the people who look for him and find him after he multiplied the loaves and fed them, "You do not seek me because you have seen the sign but because you have eaten your fill of the bread." What sign did they miss? What sign am I missing when I look for signs to confirm that God loves me or that I am on the right path?
What does it mean that we need only faith in Jesus? If I had faith would I cease to be asking for signs? I think the signs I ask for are more like the things the people did see--gifts from God that satisfy some temporary needs I have. Today I want to recognize the sign of God's presence and power in my life and world without the manifestations that are satisfying to my temporary needs.
What is your experience of seeking signs? Does the gospel for day raise any questions for you?
What does it mean that we need only faith in Jesus? If I had faith would I cease to be asking for signs? I think the signs I ask for are more like the things the people did see--gifts from God that satisfy some temporary needs I have. Today I want to recognize the sign of God's presence and power in my life and world without the manifestations that are satisfying to my temporary needs.
What is your experience of seeking signs? Does the gospel for day raise any questions for you?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Burning Hearts
The phrase in today's gospel that always grabs me is, "Were not their hearts buring within them as he spoke to them on the way?" I try to get in touch with scripture passages that have been very significant to me over the years, ones which evoked a passionate response. Sometimes part of discernment is being aware of what moves us, especially things from scripture of particular actions or atttitudes of Jesus.
For me this story is always moving as well as the one about the woman at the well and the one about Jesus being the vine and our being the branches. I can also remember a time when Jesus' cure of the blind man moved me deeply.
I look for patterns. It seems to be that I am moved by stories in which people begin to see what was hidden from them before and also the sense of the life-giving connection that we have with Jesus. It appears then not only that it is important to me to see and understand and to feel a close presence of Jesus, but that I am called to bring those elements into the lives of others. There are clues to our call in the patterns of our responses.
Today the disciples are so wrapped up in their disappointment and sorrow that they do not see. They do not recognize Jesus even when he is walking with them. Two things open their eyes. One is being called back to the scripture and the other is breaking bread. If we are in a process of discernment about our life choices, we do well to spend time daily with scripture, look for patterns in our life of what moves us and participate in the Eucharist whenever we can.
For me this story is always moving as well as the one about the woman at the well and the one about Jesus being the vine and our being the branches. I can also remember a time when Jesus' cure of the blind man moved me deeply.
I look for patterns. It seems to be that I am moved by stories in which people begin to see what was hidden from them before and also the sense of the life-giving connection that we have with Jesus. It appears then not only that it is important to me to see and understand and to feel a close presence of Jesus, but that I am called to bring those elements into the lives of others. There are clues to our call in the patterns of our responses.
Today the disciples are so wrapped up in their disappointment and sorrow that they do not see. They do not recognize Jesus even when he is walking with them. Two things open their eyes. One is being called back to the scripture and the other is breaking bread. If we are in a process of discernment about our life choices, we do well to spend time daily with scripture, look for patterns in our life of what moves us and participate in the Eucharist whenever we can.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Loaves and fishes
In today's gospel a young boy provides only five barley loaves and two dried fish. Yet what an abundance. Carrying through on yesterday's reflection I am reminded of how God can provide from what appears to be very little. It is the two dried fish that strikes me as important today. They would be probably be low on my preference list from a menu and yet look at what they hold when placed in the hands of Jesus.
Sometimes before discerning to follow a call, I count up my assets and find myself lacking in what I think it takes. Sometines we think that it is all up to us and that we have to be able to accomplish something great on our own. There comes a moment in discernment when we need to take the focus off our ourselves and our abilities and rest in God's love and power. We hold back when we feel inadequate. But who is adequate? Only God can supply what is needed for announcing the gospel and bringing the healing of God into lives and the world.
It can be noted that the boy seems to disappear from the story after he offers his gifts. He does not bemoan the meagerness of what he has to offer. He does not remain the center of his own attention. All eyes are on Jesus. All we really need to do is offer and follow through on our offer of self.
Trusting God and not continuing to focus on our own littleness or unworthiness as a hindrance to following our call is a big part of discernment.
Sometimes before discerning to follow a call, I count up my assets and find myself lacking in what I think it takes. Sometines we think that it is all up to us and that we have to be able to accomplish something great on our own. There comes a moment in discernment when we need to take the focus off our ourselves and our abilities and rest in God's love and power. We hold back when we feel inadequate. But who is adequate? Only God can supply what is needed for announcing the gospel and bringing the healing of God into lives and the world.
It can be noted that the boy seems to disappear from the story after he offers his gifts. He does not bemoan the meagerness of what he has to offer. He does not remain the center of his own attention. All eyes are on Jesus. All we really need to do is offer and follow through on our offer of self.
Trusting God and not continuing to focus on our own littleness or unworthiness as a hindrance to following our call is a big part of discernment.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Abundant Gifts
"God does not ration the Spirit." Today is a day to recognize God's generosity with us and to be grateful. It is a day to know that God does not have a stingy attitude but loves without measure. It is also a day to be more godlike--giving without counting the cost or expecting a reward. It takes courage to recognize our own stingy attitudes and try to move beyond them.
This recognition of God's generous gifts is important to discernment. Knowing our own gifts and knowing that they are received from God is at the beginning of discernment. Gratitude is essential as well. And finally trusting that God will continue to be generous leads us to trust that we can risk following our call. God provides abundantly.
This recognition of God's generous gifts is important to discernment. Knowing our own gifts and knowing that they are received from God is at the beginning of discernment. Gratitude is essential as well. And finally trusting that God will continue to be generous leads us to trust that we can risk following our call. God provides abundantly.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Light
This morning's gospel spoke of Christ as light. Images of light come to mind--candles, fireworks--all images that bring clarity and warmth. I was thinking of the past couple weeks of rainy, gloomy weather and remembering how may times I said to someone that I just need some sunshine.
In terms of discernment, light is an important element. We all want clarity before we come to decisions. I read a relection this morning from "the little white book" which talked about allowing Christ to bring light into our own darkness, our own hearts where there are areas of darkness.
What would keep us from allowing Christ into our darkness? Fear. Sometimes we are even afraid to look honestly into our own hearts because we fear what kind of darkness we will find. This is an important first step in discernment--seeing ourselves honestly and accepting the movements of our own hearts. If we want to look into our hearts we can put away fear because, Christ will be with us, loving us no matter what we find and giving us courage to allow Christ to be our light.
In terms of discernment, light is an important element. We all want clarity before we come to decisions. I read a relection this morning from "the little white book" which talked about allowing Christ to bring light into our own darkness, our own hearts where there are areas of darkness.
What would keep us from allowing Christ into our darkness? Fear. Sometimes we are even afraid to look honestly into our own hearts because we fear what kind of darkness we will find. This is an important first step in discernment--seeing ourselves honestly and accepting the movements of our own hearts. If we want to look into our hearts we can put away fear because, Christ will be with us, loving us no matter what we find and giving us courage to allow Christ to be our light.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Fools
Don't be fooled today. Following God's call may seem like a foolish choice, but it is the height of wisdom. Think about it. Don't be a fool. Listen to God's call which may lead others to think you foolish.
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