Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice; John 10;31-42
The words of Jeremiah, "But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion..."
JEremiah is having a bad day. Everything seems to be working against him. People he trusted are now speaking negative comments about him and even planning his demise.
He fills trapped and hemmed in with no where to go. The future looks bleak.
And yet his faith brings him hope. Then he remembers he does not go alone.
"The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.
What is a champion?
A champion is a fighter. A champion is one who has defeated all the rivals. A champion is one who comes to support the cause of another, putting them on his back on the way to stand in victory square.
A champion is one of extreme awesomeness.
This is the one who with Jeremiah.
This is the one who is with us.
Call to mind the presence of God, think of his awesomeness. He is the one who supports your cause, the cause of you becoming holy and full of love, more like him.
Like a mighty champion...
we do not go alone and the one who comes with us is a champion. This should make not a little difference as we embrace this day.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
self-knowledge
Genesis 17:3-9; Ps 105 The Lord remembers his covenant for ever; John 8:51-59
The question posed by the Jews to Jesus, "Who do you make yourself out to be?"
This is a good question not just about the identity of Christ but a good question for us as we continue our journey to Easter in this Lenten Season.
One of the hearts of spiritual growth is self-knowledge. This self-study, this self-examination is a life long process. Just as we should be attentive the presence of God daily in and around our lives, so too must we be attentive to that introspection that gives us insight into our lives.
Self-knowledge enables us to relate on various levels with others in the broad spectrum of human experiences:joy, sorrow, hurt, shame, success, failures and so on.
Being aware of our own feelings and limitations can help create a bridge when it comes to loving our neighbor as ourself.
Self-knowledge also helps fortify our relationship with God.
Nothing separates us from God more than our inability to recognize one's limitations in his sight. A man who is honest about himself is prepared to be honest with God. Isn't honesty the ground of love, allowing it to become fruitful.
Self-knowledge is indispensable in the journey of the interior life by which we aim to reach the summit of love of God.
This requires daily checking because life flees form our grasp on a daily basis.
At the end of each day a self-examination can help. St Jose maria Escriva would often suggest a simple examination. Three questions we can ask to grow in our knowledge of ourselves and deepen our resolve in loving God and neighbor.
1)What do I do well-give thanks
2)What did I do badly-ask for forgives and greater resolve to do it differently
3)What could I have done better-make a resolution to improve
In this cue specifics matter. We can't be generic about our feelings or actions. We must look at our selves as we are in those particular avenues of relating: words spoken, thoughts entertained, actions put forth.
In the words of St. Augustine, God is especially demanding because he knows how good we can be. St Augustine states the following, "as soon as you are satisfied with yourself, there you will stop. If you say "that is enough", you are "lost."
The question posed by the Jews to Jesus, "Who do you make yourself out to be?"
This is a good question not just about the identity of Christ but a good question for us as we continue our journey to Easter in this Lenten Season.
One of the hearts of spiritual growth is self-knowledge. This self-study, this self-examination is a life long process. Just as we should be attentive the presence of God daily in and around our lives, so too must we be attentive to that introspection that gives us insight into our lives.
Self-knowledge enables us to relate on various levels with others in the broad spectrum of human experiences:joy, sorrow, hurt, shame, success, failures and so on.
Being aware of our own feelings and limitations can help create a bridge when it comes to loving our neighbor as ourself.
Self-knowledge also helps fortify our relationship with God.
Nothing separates us from God more than our inability to recognize one's limitations in his sight. A man who is honest about himself is prepared to be honest with God. Isn't honesty the ground of love, allowing it to become fruitful.
Self-knowledge is indispensable in the journey of the interior life by which we aim to reach the summit of love of God.
This requires daily checking because life flees form our grasp on a daily basis.
At the end of each day a self-examination can help. St Jose maria Escriva would often suggest a simple examination. Three questions we can ask to grow in our knowledge of ourselves and deepen our resolve in loving God and neighbor.
1)What do I do well-give thanks
2)What did I do badly-ask for forgives and greater resolve to do it differently
3)What could I have done better-make a resolution to improve
In this cue specifics matter. We can't be generic about our feelings or actions. We must look at our selves as we are in those particular avenues of relating: words spoken, thoughts entertained, actions put forth.
In the words of St. Augustine, God is especially demanding because he knows how good we can be. St Augustine states the following, "as soon as you are satisfied with yourself, there you will stop. If you say "that is enough", you are "lost."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
freedom fighter
Daniel 3:14-20,91-92,95; Glory and praise for ever! John 8:31-42
Just a quick glance at the gospel.
The gospel begins, "Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him...
Think about that. Jesus is speaking to those who believe in him.
Yet, what is this action of belief in their life, "But you are trying to kill me."
Wow! Belief is a dangerous thing.
They believed in him but yet they wanted to kill him. Strange. This was their response to Jesus' invitation to freedom, "you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
We all want to be free, but why such hostile response to the gift of freedom itself.
Perhaps, like many of us, we want freedom on our own terms.
We will fight for our right to party, as the old song goes. We all want to do our way, and have no accountability or responsibility to those around us.
YEt, when we do this are we not on the wrong side of freedom.
It would be to easy to think about the United States. Boy, don't we have the understanding of freedom all wrong. How often does our society want to kill Jesus, kill his church, kill faith all together.
We all want freedom but to want it on our terms is not freedom but slavery.
We got it backwards.
Perhaps it is time we followed Christ and became true freedom fighters.
"if you remain in my words, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Just a quick glance at the gospel.
The gospel begins, "Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him...
Think about that. Jesus is speaking to those who believe in him.
Yet, what is this action of belief in their life, "But you are trying to kill me."
Wow! Belief is a dangerous thing.
They believed in him but yet they wanted to kill him. Strange. This was their response to Jesus' invitation to freedom, "you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
We all want to be free, but why such hostile response to the gift of freedom itself.
Perhaps, like many of us, we want freedom on our own terms.
We will fight for our right to party, as the old song goes. We all want to do our way, and have no accountability or responsibility to those around us.
YEt, when we do this are we not on the wrong side of freedom.
It would be to easy to think about the United States. Boy, don't we have the understanding of freedom all wrong. How often does our society want to kill Jesus, kill his church, kill faith all together.
We all want freedom but to want it on our terms is not freedom but slavery.
We got it backwards.
Perhaps it is time we followed Christ and became true freedom fighters.
"if you remain in my words, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
patience thread bear
Numbers 21:4-9; Ps 102 O Lord hear my prayer and let my cry come to youJohn 8:21-30
The first reading today describes the people of Israel in the desert., "But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses."
In their patience running thread bear the people turn negative and pessimistic.
This reality is not reserved for the people in the desert; it happens to us all the time.
We too must check ourselves against pessimism and negative thinking, for this certainly seeks to destroy faith.
What is patience? Patience is the ability to sit back and recognize the bigger picture. Within that bigger picture we discern how to act and when to act. Patience isn't about being passive but rather it is very active and intentional.
But the first prerequisite is the ability to see beyond our own nose, look beyond ourself.
To see the bigger picture is to allow the plan of God unfold. Here we learn to trust, here we learn loving the Lord.
The people of Israel failed to see the big picture, the greater plan of God. THus, they were unable to wait on the Lord.
St Jose maria Escriva instructs us to develop that virtue of holy stubbornness. How is that for a concept. We can all be stubborn certainly but what of holy stubbornness, where we refuse to take matters into our own hands and we wait on the Lord without keeping him waiting.
St Jose Maria Escriva also instructs us, "Be clever, spiritually clever. Don't wait for the Lord to send you set backs; go out to meet them with a spirit of voluntary atonement. Then you will receive them with love- a word that is forever young.
The first reading today describes the people of Israel in the desert., "But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses."
In their patience running thread bear the people turn negative and pessimistic.
This reality is not reserved for the people in the desert; it happens to us all the time.
We too must check ourselves against pessimism and negative thinking, for this certainly seeks to destroy faith.
What is patience? Patience is the ability to sit back and recognize the bigger picture. Within that bigger picture we discern how to act and when to act. Patience isn't about being passive but rather it is very active and intentional.
But the first prerequisite is the ability to see beyond our own nose, look beyond ourself.
To see the bigger picture is to allow the plan of God unfold. Here we learn to trust, here we learn loving the Lord.
The people of Israel failed to see the big picture, the greater plan of God. THus, they were unable to wait on the Lord.
St Jose maria Escriva instructs us to develop that virtue of holy stubbornness. How is that for a concept. We can all be stubborn certainly but what of holy stubbornness, where we refuse to take matters into our own hands and we wait on the Lord without keeping him waiting.
St Jose Maria Escriva also instructs us, "Be clever, spiritually clever. Don't wait for the Lord to send you set backs; go out to meet them with a spirit of voluntary atonement. Then you will receive them with love- a word that is forever young.
Monday, March 26, 2012
annunciation
Today is the celebration of the annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel invites the Blessed Mary to become the mother of Christ. Today inaugurates JEsus into history: Rejoice highly favored one.
The invitation of rejoicing inaugurates Jesus into history.
Did you rejoice today?
Pope Benedict as Cardinal Ratizinger asked the following question: "Why did Christ really want to be born of a virgin?
The meaning of all events, he continues, is the same: that salvation comes, not from human beings and their powers, but solely from God-from an act of his grace.
The mystery of the annunciation to Mary is not just a mystery of silence. It is above and beyond all that a mystery of grace."
The word of Isaiah, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us."
Why rejoice? God is with us!
Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word. We now have a reason to surrender, for we do not surrender to emptiness but rather to Him who hears and He who is with us.
The invitation of rejoicing inaugurates Jesus into history.
Did you rejoice today?
Pope Benedict as Cardinal Ratizinger asked the following question: "Why did Christ really want to be born of a virgin?
The meaning of all events, he continues, is the same: that salvation comes, not from human beings and their powers, but solely from God-from an act of his grace.
The mystery of the annunciation to Mary is not just a mystery of silence. It is above and beyond all that a mystery of grace."
The word of Isaiah, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us."
Why rejoice? God is with us!
Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word. We now have a reason to surrender, for we do not surrender to emptiness but rather to Him who hears and He who is with us.
Friday, March 23, 2012
licking honey from a thorn
Wisdom 2:1,12-22; Ps 34 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; John7:1-2,10,25-30
It was a writer from slovenia that said his grandfather would always say that living life was like licking honey from a thorn. Interesting analogy and according to the book of wisdom and the gospel, it is an exact description of the life of the just man.
"let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the flaw and charges us with violations for our training. he professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord...let us see whether is words be true...with revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience..."
The refrains from the psalm points to the same reality: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The gospel paints the picture of Christ: "So they tried to arrest him..."
Living the life of faith can be like licking honey from a thorn. But what honey it is!
"Taste and see the goodness of the lord."
Life can be thorny. Difficulties arise because of our insistence on faith and adhering to God's cll for us in our life. So like the just man our gentleness and patience will be tried so that can see: what a witness we bring.
Licking honey from a thorn. What Honey!
Quote from Pope Benedict on St. Joseph
"The silence of St Joseph was not the sign of an inner void, but on the contrary, of the fullness of faith he carried in his heart, and which guided each and every one of his thoughts and actions."
It was a writer from slovenia that said his grandfather would always say that living life was like licking honey from a thorn. Interesting analogy and according to the book of wisdom and the gospel, it is an exact description of the life of the just man.
"let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the flaw and charges us with violations for our training. he professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord...let us see whether is words be true...with revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience..."
The refrains from the psalm points to the same reality: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The gospel paints the picture of Christ: "So they tried to arrest him..."
Living the life of faith can be like licking honey from a thorn. But what honey it is!
"Taste and see the goodness of the lord."
Life can be thorny. Difficulties arise because of our insistence on faith and adhering to God's cll for us in our life. So like the just man our gentleness and patience will be tried so that can see: what a witness we bring.
Licking honey from a thorn. What Honey!
Quote from Pope Benedict on St. Joseph
"The silence of St Joseph was not the sign of an inner void, but on the contrary, of the fullness of faith he carried in his heart, and which guided each and every one of his thoughts and actions."
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
audience with Pope Benedict
Here are a few words from Pope BEnedict from his audience this past Sunday
St. Augustine comments: “The doctor, in what regards him, comes to heal the sick person. If someone does not follow the doctor’s prescriptions, he is the one who harms himself.
The Savior came into the world … if you do not want to be saved by him, it is you who will judge yourself” (“Tractates on the Gospel of John,” 12, 12: PL 35, 1190). Thus, if God’s merciful love is infinite, he who even sent his only Son as a ransom for our life, [then] our responsibility is likewise great: each of us, in fact, must recognize that we are sick so that we may be healed; each of us must confess his sin so that God’s forgiveness, already given upon the cross, might have an effect in our heart and our life.
St. Augustine further writes: God condemns your sins: and if you also condemn them, you are united to God … And when your own deeds will begin to displease you, from that time your good works begin, as you find fault with your wicked deeds” (ibid., 13: PL 35, 1191).
Sometimes man loves darkness more than light because he is attached to his sins. But it is only in opening himself to the light, and only in sincerely confessing his faults to God, that he finds true peace and truth joy.
It is thus important to approach the Sacrament of Penance regularly, especially during Lent, to receive the Lord’s forgiveness and to intensify our journey of conversion.
From the first reading for today
The Prophet Isaiah speaks the words of God to us, "I will never forget you."
We are unforgettable.
Thus Jesus states, "my father is at work until now, so I am at work...he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed."
God wants to wow us at each moment. In Christ we are amazed.
St. Augustine comments: “The doctor, in what regards him, comes to heal the sick person. If someone does not follow the doctor’s prescriptions, he is the one who harms himself.
The Savior came into the world … if you do not want to be saved by him, it is you who will judge yourself” (“Tractates on the Gospel of John,” 12, 12: PL 35, 1190). Thus, if God’s merciful love is infinite, he who even sent his only Son as a ransom for our life, [then] our responsibility is likewise great: each of us, in fact, must recognize that we are sick so that we may be healed; each of us must confess his sin so that God’s forgiveness, already given upon the cross, might have an effect in our heart and our life.
St. Augustine further writes: God condemns your sins: and if you also condemn them, you are united to God … And when your own deeds will begin to displease you, from that time your good works begin, as you find fault with your wicked deeds” (ibid., 13: PL 35, 1191).
Sometimes man loves darkness more than light because he is attached to his sins. But it is only in opening himself to the light, and only in sincerely confessing his faults to God, that he finds true peace and truth joy.
It is thus important to approach the Sacrament of Penance regularly, especially during Lent, to receive the Lord’s forgiveness and to intensify our journey of conversion.
From the first reading for today
The Prophet Isaiah speaks the words of God to us, "I will never forget you."
We are unforgettable.
Thus Jesus states, "my father is at work until now, so I am at work...he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed."
God wants to wow us at each moment. In Christ we are amazed.
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