Today’s Question
What is your experience of deep honesty with yourself?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.
SURRENDER
Question of the Day:
How do I open myself to Jesus’ discipleship?
“It is not the one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 7:21
What counts is listening to Jesus and letting him teach you how to live, to “watch” Jesus and let him teach you the nature of love. It is our actions that finally matter, not memorizing correct dogmas or formulas or moral positions.
Neither is it a matter of having the correct name for God. I doubt if God is too fussy at this point about getting the name right. Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and David never heard of Jesus, but who would doubt that they slowly learned to do the truth (“the will of my Father in heaven”) and therefore now share in the eternal reality?
It is finally truthful action that sets us free for God, not true words in our head, which ask very little of us in terms of actual trust or surrender. We can believe all the doctrines of the church perfectly and never trust God or love one human being.-~ Thoughts from Fr. Richard Rohr, Fall 2009
Current Mantra:
Into Your hands, I commend my Spirit.
SURRENDER
Question of the Day:
What must accompany surrender?
Many Christians have gone through years of religious education and church services and have never trustfully surrendered to Jesus or to God or to any “Higher Power.” Like all of us, they are still trying to steer and control the ship themselves.
But why would we entrust ourselves to Someone that we do not know, or that we do not know is inherently good, or we are not sure is even on our side? It is the Holy Spirit, the inner Paraclete (“Defense Attorney”) who prompts us to trust beyond ourselves, who teaches us that God is good, and that God is more for us than we are for ourselves.
In fact, God is the only one we can surrender to without losing ourselves. But you have to try it to know it.
Adapted from The Great Themes of Scripture
Current Mantra:
Into Your hands, I commend my Spirit.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast)
First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Now he brought me back to the entrance to the Temple. I saw water pouring out from under the Temple porch to the east (the Temple faced east). The water poured from the south side of the Temple, south of the altar.2 He then took me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the gate complex on the east. The water was gushing from under the south front of the Temple.8 He told me, “This water flows east, descends to the Arabah and then into the sea, the sea of stagnant waters. When it empties into those waters, the sea will become fresh.9 Wherever the river flows, life will flourish—great schools of fish—because the river is turning the salt sea into fresh water. Where the river flows, life abounds.
12 “But the river itself, on both banks, will grow fruit trees of all kinds. Their leaves won’t wither, the fruit won’t fail. Every month they’ll bear fresh fruit because the river from the Sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” --The Message
Psalm: Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
2 We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
3 Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God of angel armies protects us.
5 God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
6 Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.
8 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
9 Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.--TThe Message
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17
9 What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working.
Or, to put it another way, you are God’s house.10 Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation!11 Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ.16 You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?17 No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.
Gospel: John 2:13-22
13 When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem.14 He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.15 Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right.16 He told the dove merchants, “Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a shopping mall!”17 That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture, “Zeal for your house consumes me.”18 But the Jews were upset. They asked, “What credentials can you present to justify this?”19 Jesus answered, “Tear down this Temple and in three days I’ll put it back together.”20 They were indignant: “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you’re going to rebuild it in three days?”21 But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple.22 Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.--The Message
The soul united to God and transformed in him draws from within God a divine breath, much like the most high God himself. And God, abiding in the soul, breathes forth the life of the soul as its exemplar. This I take to be what Paul meant when he said: because you are children of God, God has sent to the Spirit of his Son into your heart's crying, Abba, Father; this is what takes place in those who have achieved perfection.-- St. John of the Cross
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrew 10:19-22
Don't Throw It All Away
19-21So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.--The Message
KEY VERSE: We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Heb.10:19).
A Bold Confidence in Prayer
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale attended a Memorial Day ceremony in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. He went with the understanding he was to do the prayer to start the program. When he arrived, he discovered he was the one addressing the throng of people. Perplexed, he turned to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of the former president, who was also on the platform that day. Seated in front of them was a row of "Gold Star" mothers-an organization representing mothers who had lost sons in the war. Roosevelt looked Peale in the eyes and said, "Every one of them has lost a son in the war. There must be something you can say that will be helpful to them. If you are scared, it's probably because you are thinking of yourself. Well, stop thinking of yourself and think of them instead."*
The world around us and beyond our limited self-interests swirls with anxiety, problems, heartaches, and fear. The world desperately needs my prayerful intercession. Maybe we ought to take Roosevelt's advice to Peale to "stop thinking of yourself and think of them instead." It could revolutionize your prayer life with a bold confidence through Christ!
*King Duncan, Lively Illustrations for Effective Preaching (Knoxville, Tenn.: Seven Worlds Publishing, 1987), 133.--Derl G. Keefer
SING TO THE LORD
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
Refrain:
I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.
I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.
I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.
I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay;
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.
"I Am Resolved" by Palmer Hartsough
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Many people in Mexico will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Of all the things the world now desperately needs none is more needed than an upsurge of vital, God centered, intelligently grounded prayer (Georgia Harkness).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
SACRAMENTAL SERVICE
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ. . . ." Colossians 1:24
The Christian worker has to be a sacramental "go-between," to be so identified with his Lord and the reality of His Redemption that He can continually bring His creating life through him. It is not the strength of one man's personality being superimposed on another, but the real presence of Christ coming through the elements of the worker's life. When we preach the historic facts of the life and death of Our Lord as they are conveyed in the New Testament, our words are made sacramental, God uses them on the ground of His Redemption to create in those who listen that which is not created otherwise. If we preach the effects of Redemption in human life instead of the revelation regarding Jesus, the result in those who listen is not new birth, but refined spiritual culture, and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in another domain. We have to see that we are in such living sympathy with God that as we proclaim His truth He can create in souls the things which He alone can do.
What a wonderful personality! What a fascinating man! Such marvellous insight! What chance has the Gospel of God through all that? It cannot get through, because the line of attraction is always the line of appeal. If a man attracts by his personality, his appeal is along that line; if he is identified with his Lord's personality, then the appeal is along the line of what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men; Jesus says we are to lift Him up.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Balance
Because of our individual richness and complexity, we all need different kinds of nourishment on the journey towards wholeness. Some of these feed our heart and ability to relate, some our intellect, others our capacity for generosity and action, others again our search for God and hunger for the infinite. However, some people over-nourish one part of themselves and neglect others; they then grow unbalanced and lack unity.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 167
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Saints Who Live Short Lives
As we see so many people die at a young age, through wars, starvation, AIDS, street violence, and physical and emotional neglect, we often wonder what the value of their short lives is. It seems that their journeys have been cut off before they could reach any of their goals, realise any of their dreams, or accomplish any of their tasks. But, short as their lives may have been, they belong to that immense communion of saints, from all times and all places, who stand around the throne of the Lamb dressed in white robes proclaiming the victory of the crucified Christ (see Revelation 7:9).
The story of the innocent children murdered by King Herod in his attempt to destroy Jesus (see Matthew 2:13-18), reminds us that saintliness is not just for those who lived long and hardworking lives. These children, and many who died young, are as much witnesses to Jesus as those who accomplished heroic deeds.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
FIFTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
'Let them grow together' by John Fischer
"There are two types of people in the world. Those who divide the world up into two kinds of people and those who don't."
Interestingly, both Paul and Jesus divided people into two groups. Paul describes these groups as those who are "being saved" and those who are "perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIB), and Jesus describes them as the sheep and goats he will separate on the last day (Matthew 25:32). And in another parable, they are the wheat and the tares that are growing, in some cases side by side, so that pulling up the one might destroy the other. So Jesus said to let them grow together until the harvest. (Matthew 13:24-30)
All three of these descriptions have to do with the ultimate destiny of people's souls, and the information is confidential. So let them grow together, said Jesus—the wheat and the tares, the sheep and the goats, those who are being saved and those who are perishing. We're all in this mix together and none of us is completely certain about the outcome of the people around us. This is why you always point everyone to the truth.
So let them grow together also has an implication of close proximity. Because you never know about people, you can be hopeful about everyone. You want to treat everyone equally. As far as we are concerned, there is only one kind of person: "us." God, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge might see two, but that's not our business. We only know about one—the one God loves; the one for whom Christ died; the one he wants us to love as his representatives because it is not his desire for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 18-21
1 Jesus, having prayed this prayer, left with his disciples and crossed over the brook Kidron at a place where there was a garden. He and his disciples entered it.2 Judas, his betrayer, knew the place because Jesus and his disciples went there often.3 So Judas led the way to the garden, and the Roman soldiers and police sent by the high priests and Pharisees followed. They arrived there with lanterns and torches and swords.
4 Jesus, knowing by now everything that was coming down on him, went out and met them. He said, “Who are you after?”
They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.”5 He said, “That’s me.” The soldiers recoiled, totally taken aback. Judas, his betrayer, stood out like a sore thumb.
7 Jesus asked again, “Who are you after?”
They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.”8 “I told you,” said Jesus, “that’s me. I’m the one. So if it’s me you’re after, let these others go.”9 (This validated the words in his prayer, “I didn’t lose one of those you gave.”)10 Just then Simon Peter, who was carrying a sword, pulled it from its sheath and struck the Chief Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Malchus was the servant’s name.11 Jesus ordered Peter, “Put back your sword. Do you think for a minute I’m not going to drink this cup the Father gave me?”12 Then the Roman soldiers under their commander, joined by the Jewish police, seized Jesus and tied him up.13 They took him first to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the Chief Priest that year.14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That other disciple was known to the Chief Priest, and so he went in with Jesus to the Chief Priest’s courtyard.16 Peter had to stay outside. Then the other disciple went out, spoke to the doorkeeper, and got Peter in.
17 The young woman who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?”
He said, “No, I’m not.”
18 The servants and police had made a fire because of the cold and were huddled there warming themselves. Peter stood with them, trying to get warm.
The Interrogation19 Annas interrogated Jesus regarding his disciples and his teaching.20 Jesus answered, “I’ve spoken openly in public. I’ve taught regularly in meeting places and the Temple, where the Jews all come together. Everything has been out in the open. I’ve said nothing in secret.21 So why are you treating me like a conspirator? Question those who have been listening to me. They know well what I have said. My teachings have all been aboveboard.”22 When he said this, one of the policemen standing there slapped Jesus across the face, saying, “How dare you speak to the Chief Priest like that!”23 Jesus replied, “If I’ve said something wrong, prove it. But if I’ve spoken the plain truth, why this slapping around?”24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to the Chief Priest Caiaphas.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was back at the fire, still trying to get warm. The others there said to him, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?”
He denied it, “Not me.”26 One of the Chief Priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?”
27 Again, Peter denied it. Just then a rooster crowed.
The King of the Jews28 They led Jesus then from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s palace. It was early morning. They themselves didn’t enter the palace because they didn’t want to be disqualified from eating the Passover.29 So Pilate came out to them and spoke. “What charge do you bring against this man?”30 They said, “If he hadn’t been doing something evil, do you think we’d be here bothering you?”
31 Pilate said, “You take him. Judge him by your law.”
The Jews said, “We’re not allowed to kill anyone.”32 (This would confirm Jesus’ word indicating the way he would die.)33 Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus. He said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?”35 Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?”36 “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”
37 Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?”
Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.”
38 Pilate said, “What is truth?”
Then he went back out to the Jews and told them, “I find nothing wrong in this man.39 It’s your custom that I pardon one prisoner at Passover. Do you want me to pardon the ‘King of the Jews’?”
40 They shouted back, “Not this one, but Barabbas!” Barabbas was a Jewish freedom fighter.
The Thorn Crown of the King
1 So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped.2 The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him,3 and approached him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they greeted him with slaps in the face.4 Pilate went back out again and said to them, “I present him to you, but I want you to know that I do not find him guilty of any crime.”
5 Just then Jesus came out wearing the thorn crown and purple robe.
Pilate announced, “Here he is: the Man.”
6 When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, “Crucify! Crucify!”
Pilate told them, “You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him.”7 The Jews answered, “We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God.”8 When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared.
9 He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, “Where did you come from?”
Jesus gave no answer.10 Pilate said, “You won’t talk? Don’t you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to—crucify you?”11 Jesus said, “You haven’t a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That’s why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault.”12 At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: “If you pardon this man, you’re no friend of Caesar’s. Anyone setting himself up as ‘king’ defies Caesar.”13 When Pilate heard those words, he led Jesus outside. He sat down at the judgment seat in the area designated Stone Court (in Hebrew, Gabbatha).14 It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your king.”
15 They shouted back, “Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!”
Pilate said, “I am to crucify your king?”
The high priests answered, “We have no king except Caesar.”
16 Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
They took Jesus away.17 Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Skull Hill (the name in Hebrew is Golgotha),18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, Jesus in the middle.
19 Pilate wrote a sign and had it placed on the cross. It read:
jesus the nazarene
the king of the jews.20 Many of the Jews read the sign because the place where Jesus was crucified was right next to the city. It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.21 The Jewish high priests objected. “Don’t write,” they said to Pilate, “‘The King of the Jews.’ Make it, ‘This man said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”22 Pilate said, “What I’ve written, I’ve written.”23 When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving,
24 so they said to each other, “Let’s not tear it up. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.” This confirmed the Scripture that said, “They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat.” (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!)
While the soldiers were looking after themselves,25 Jesus’ mother, his aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross.26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her. He said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”27 Then to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.28 Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, “I’m thirsty.”29 A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth.30 After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done . . . complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.31 Then the Jews, since it was the day of Sabbath preparation, and so the bodies wouldn’t stay on the crosses over the Sabbath (it was a high holy day that year), petitioned Pilate that their legs be broken to speed death, and the bodies taken down.32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man crucified with Jesus, and then the other.33 When they got to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs.34 One of the soldiers stabbed him in the side with his spear. Blood and water gushed out.35 The eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report. He saw it himself and is telling the truth so that you, also, will believe.36 These things that happened confirmed the Scripture, “Not a bone in his body was broken,”37 and the other Scripture that reads, “They will stare at the one they pierced.”38 After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body.39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.40 They took Jesus’ body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices.41 There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed.
42 So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.
Resurrection!
1 Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance.2 She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”3 Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb.4 They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter.5 Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.6 Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there,7 and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself.8 Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed.9 No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.10 The disciples then went back home.11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb12 and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid.
13 They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”
“They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.”14 After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.
15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”
16 Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.
To Believe19 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
20 Then he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant.21 Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”22 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said.23 “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”24 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”30 Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book.
31 These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.
Fishing
1 After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”
The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night.4 When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.
5 Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”
They answered, “No.”
6 He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”
They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”
When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea.8 The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish.9 When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.10 Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.”11 Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.12 Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.13 Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.
Do You Love Me?
15 After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
17 Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.18 I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.”19 He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”20 Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind.21 When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?”22 Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.”23 That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?”24 This is the same disciple who was eyewitness to all these things and wrote them down. And we all know that his eyewitness account is reliable and accurate.25 There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books.--The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Sermon on Psalm 130, § 1-2
The holy Temple, the Body of Christ
The apostle Paul says: «The Temple of God, which you are, is holy» (1Cor 3,17), that is to say: all you who believe in Christ, believing even to loving... All who thus believe are the living stones of which God's temple is built (1Pt 2,5); they are like the imperishable wood of which the ark was built that the flood could not overwhelm (Gn 6,14). This temple - the people of God, human persons themselves – is the place where God answers those who pray. People who pray to God outside this temple cannot have their prayers for the peace of the Jerusalem above answered even though they are answered regarding particular material things that God grants even to pagans... But it is an altogether different thing to have one's prayers answered in the matter of eternal life. This is only granted to those who pray inside God's temple.
For someone who prays within God's temple prays within the peace of the Church, in the unity of Christ's body, since the Body of Christ is built up of the multitude of believers spread over all the world... And someone who prays in the peace of the Church prays «in spirit and in truth» (Jn 4,23) of which the former Temple was only a symbol. In fact it was for our instruction that our Lord cast out of the Temple those men who were only seeking their own interest and who only went there to buy and sell. If that first Temple had to undergo this purification then it is clear that the Body of Christ too, the true temple, also contains buyers and sellers among those who pray there, that is to say, people only seeking «their own interests and not those of Jesus Christ» (Phil 2,21)... But the time will come when the Lord will cast out all those sins.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Reflecting God for Sunday, November 8, 2009
Today’s Question
How are you accompanying others on the way? How are you being accompanied?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.
Prayer Tip:
It’s been said if we really want to know what our priorities are, we should look at our calendar, or date book, or wherever we keep our daily appointments and “to do” lists. Open yours up and take a look. What does it tell about the things that are most important to you? In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul says that he has learned how to be content with what he has, how to live in plenty or in want. “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (The Message). Paul developed priorities that made him content, and knew his first priority was his relationship with God. Does daily prayer and the reading of scripture show up on your calendar or planner? Making a true appointment, written on paper or saved in an electronic file, emphasizes the importance of daily time with God. Most of us have many things competing for our time and energy. It is so easy for other meetings, tasks, or distractions to push daily prayer and scripture out to the edges of our lives. Seeing it on the calendar reminds us to protect that time from something less important, but more distracting. Set a time and a place for prayer, and hold it as your most important appointment of the day. That priority appointment with “the One who makes me who I am” can set the tone for the rest of the day and lead us to true contentment with whatever the day does or does not bring.
–Jennifer Creagar, Resurrection Prayer Ministries
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
10 So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, “Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.”11 As she went to get it, he called out, “And while you’re at it, would you bring me something to eat?”12 She said, “I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don’t have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we’ll die.”13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you’ve said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what’s left for you and your son.14 This is the word of the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.’”15 And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family.16 The jar of meal didn’t run out and the bottle of oil didn’t become empty: God’s promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 146:7-10
7 he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
8 he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people,
9 protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
10 God’s in charge—always.
Zion’s God is God for good!
Hallelujah!--The Message
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
24 For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins.25 He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own;26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
28 Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
The Sacrifice of Jesus--The Message
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
38 He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery,39 basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function.40 And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”41 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions.42 One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents.43 Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.
44 All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” --The Message
God does not require of us extraordinary things.-- The Cure of Ars
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 10:8-13
8 When he said, “You don’t want sacrifices and offerings,” he was referring to practices according to the old plan.9 When he added, “I’m here to do it your way,” he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—10 God’s way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.11 Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem.12 As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God13 and waited for his enemies to cave in.--The Message
KEY VERSE: We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10).
Holy Now
When God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, they sang a song to the Lord. One verse said, "Who is like you-majestic in holiness?" (Exod. 15:11). God said He wanted them to be holy too. The command "Be holy, because I am holy" (Lev. 11:45) is repeated many times, but how could they possibly meet God's requirement? Numerous sacrifices were made, but they could not take away sin.
Eight-year-old David was scolded for talking in church. He said, "I thought I was pretty good for a kid like me!" Are we "good enough," considering our background and circumstances, or does God really want us to be holy? Is this possible for every believer? One young lady told me, "I thought God only wanted to sanctify those who were almost holy already." No, it is for all of us.
The experience of heart holiness is not something we achieve after years of struggling and trying. It is God's work in the heart of those who love Him and yield to Him and trust His promise. Jesus died to make His people holy. He provides deep inward cleansing and the power of His Holy Spirit for holy, abundant, victorious living-today.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,
By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
Oh, glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
"Whiter than Snow" by James Nicholson
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Extension education for training Christians in Honduras.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, to make her holy (Eph. 5:25-26).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE UNRIVALLED POWER OF PRAYER BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
We realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; we know what it is to pray in the Spirit; but we do not so often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers which we cannot utter. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable.
"He," the Spirit in you, "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God," and God searches your heart not to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what is the prayer of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God needs the nature of the believer as a shrine in which to offer His intercession. "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost." When Jesus Christ cleansed the temple, He "would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple." The Spirit of God will not allow you to use your body for your own convenience. Jesus ruthlessly cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and said - "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Have we recognized that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, though it is only a tiny bit of our personality, is to be regarded by us as a shrine of the Holy Ghost. He will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing of; but we must see that we guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Communion of Saints
We often limit the Church to the organisation of people who identify themselves clearly as its members. But the Church as all people belonging to Christ, as that body of witnesses who reveal the living Christ, reaches far beyond the boundaries of any human institution. As Jesus himself said: The Spirit "blows where it pleases" (John 3:8). The Spirit of Jesus can touch hearts wherever it wants; it is not restrained by any human limits.
There is a communion of saints witnessing to the risen Christ that reaches to the far ends of the world and even farther. It embraces people from long ago and far away. It is that immense community of men and women who through words and deeds have proclaimed and are proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Communities Not Nourished in Love
The community as a whole, as a body, must also be nourished in love - not just its individual members. Communities as a whole can also fall into a lukewarm mediocrity. They can become like hotels, where each person is locked in by him or herself. Then the communities tend to pull down the individuals into a lukewarm mediocrity. -- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 166
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 14-17
1 “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?3 And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.4 And you already know the road I’m taking.”5 Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”6 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”8 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”9 “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.11 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works.12 The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.13 From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it.
14 Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
The Spirit of Truth15 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.16 I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!18 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back.19 In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive.20 At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”23 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood!24 Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.25 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you.26 The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.27 I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.28 “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.29 “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me.30 I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me.
31 But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.
“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.
The Vine and the Branches
1 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer.2 He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more.3 You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.6 Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.7 But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.8 This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.9 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.11 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you.15 I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.
Hated by the World18 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me.19 If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.20 “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.21 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me.22 If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse.23 Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same.24 If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father.25 Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’26 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me.27 You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.
1 “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead.2 They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor.3 They will do these things because they never really understood the Father.
4 I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.
The Friend Will Come
“I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day.5 But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’6 Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become.7 So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.8 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment:9 He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin;10 that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control;11 that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now.13 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.14 He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.15 Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
16 “In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me.”
Joy Like a River Overflowing17 That stirred up a hornet’s nest of questions among the disciples: “What’s he talking about: ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? And, ‘Because I’m on my way to the Father’?18 What is this ‘day or so’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”19 Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’?20 Then fix this firmly in your minds: You’re going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.21 “When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain.22 The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you.
23 You’ll no longer be so full of questions.
“This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you.24 Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!25 “I’ve used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I’ll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language.26 Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I’ve revealed to you. I won’t continue making requests of the Father on your behalf.27 I won’t need to. Because you’ve gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly.28 First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father.”29 His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech.30 Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”31 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe?32 In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me.
33 I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Jesus’ Prayer for His Followers
1 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
Father, it’s time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
2 You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
3 And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
4 I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
The very splendor I had in your presence
Before there was a world.
6 I spelled out your character in detail
To the men and women you gave me.
They were yours in the first place;
Then you gave them to me,
And they have now done what you said.
7 They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
That everything you gave me is firsthand from you,
8 For the message you gave me, I gave them;
And they took it, and were convinced
That I came from you.
They believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them.
I’m not praying for the God-rejecting world
But for those you gave me,
For they are yours by right.
10 Everything mine is yours, and yours mine,
And my life is on display in them.
11 For I’m no longer going to be visible in the world;
They’ll continue in the world
While I return to you.
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
That you conferred as a gift through me,
So they can be one heart and mind
12 As we are one heart and mind.
As long as I was with them, I guarded them
In the pursuit of the life you gave through me;
I even posted a night watch.
And not one of them got away,
Except for the rebel bent on destruction
(the exception that proved the rule of Scripture).
13 Now I’m returning to you.
I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
14 I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
15 Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
16 They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
17 Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
19 I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
20 I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
23 I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.
24 Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
25 Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
26 I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them. --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Anselm (1033-1109), monk, bishop, doctor of the Church
Letter 112, to Hugh the recluse
"She has contributed all she had"
In the Kingdom of heaven absolutely everyone, as one person, will become one king alongside God, because all will desire one thing alone and their wish will be fulfilled. This is the good thing that, from heaven's heights, God puts up for sale.
Now if someone is wondering what the cost is, here is their answer: he who offers a Kingdom in heaven has no need of earthly coin. No one can offer God anything except what already belongs to him since all that exists is his. And yet God does not give away so great a thing without a price being placed on it: he does not give it to someone who doesn't value it. For indeed, nobody gives away something they hold dear without placing some kind of value on it. From now on, then, if God has no need of your goods neither does he have to give you this great thing if you refuse to love him: all he requires is love, without which nothing constrains his giving. Love, then, and you will receive the Kingdom; love, and you will possess it... Love God more than yourself and already you begin to have what it is you desire to possess fully in heaven.
How are you accompanying others on the way? How are you being accompanied?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.
Prayer Tip:
It’s been said if we really want to know what our priorities are, we should look at our calendar, or date book, or wherever we keep our daily appointments and “to do” lists. Open yours up and take a look. What does it tell about the things that are most important to you? In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul says that he has learned how to be content with what he has, how to live in plenty or in want. “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (The Message). Paul developed priorities that made him content, and knew his first priority was his relationship with God. Does daily prayer and the reading of scripture show up on your calendar or planner? Making a true appointment, written on paper or saved in an electronic file, emphasizes the importance of daily time with God. Most of us have many things competing for our time and energy. It is so easy for other meetings, tasks, or distractions to push daily prayer and scripture out to the edges of our lives. Seeing it on the calendar reminds us to protect that time from something less important, but more distracting. Set a time and a place for prayer, and hold it as your most important appointment of the day. That priority appointment with “the One who makes me who I am” can set the tone for the rest of the day and lead us to true contentment with whatever the day does or does not bring.
–Jennifer Creagar, Resurrection Prayer Ministries
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
10 So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, “Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.”11 As she went to get it, he called out, “And while you’re at it, would you bring me something to eat?”12 She said, “I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don’t have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we’ll die.”13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you’ve said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what’s left for you and your son.14 This is the word of the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.’”15 And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family.16 The jar of meal didn’t run out and the bottle of oil didn’t become empty: God’s promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 146:7-10
7 he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
8 he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people,
9 protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
10 God’s in charge—always.
Zion’s God is God for good!
Hallelujah!--The Message
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
24 For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins.25 He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own;26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
28 Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
The Sacrifice of Jesus--The Message
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
38 He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery,39 basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function.40 And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”41 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions.42 One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents.43 Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.
44 All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” --The Message
God does not require of us extraordinary things.-- The Cure of Ars
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 10:8-13
8 When he said, “You don’t want sacrifices and offerings,” he was referring to practices according to the old plan.9 When he added, “I’m here to do it your way,” he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—10 God’s way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.11 Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem.12 As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God13 and waited for his enemies to cave in.--The Message
KEY VERSE: We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10).
Holy Now
When God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, they sang a song to the Lord. One verse said, "Who is like you-majestic in holiness?" (Exod. 15:11). God said He wanted them to be holy too. The command "Be holy, because I am holy" (Lev. 11:45) is repeated many times, but how could they possibly meet God's requirement? Numerous sacrifices were made, but they could not take away sin.
Eight-year-old David was scolded for talking in church. He said, "I thought I was pretty good for a kid like me!" Are we "good enough," considering our background and circumstances, or does God really want us to be holy? Is this possible for every believer? One young lady told me, "I thought God only wanted to sanctify those who were almost holy already." No, it is for all of us.
The experience of heart holiness is not something we achieve after years of struggling and trying. It is God's work in the heart of those who love Him and yield to Him and trust His promise. Jesus died to make His people holy. He provides deep inward cleansing and the power of His Holy Spirit for holy, abundant, victorious living-today.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,
By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
Oh, glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
"Whiter than Snow" by James Nicholson
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Extension education for training Christians in Honduras.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, to make her holy (Eph. 5:25-26).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE UNRIVALLED POWER OF PRAYER BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
We realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; we know what it is to pray in the Spirit; but we do not so often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers which we cannot utter. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable.
"He," the Spirit in you, "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God," and God searches your heart not to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what is the prayer of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God needs the nature of the believer as a shrine in which to offer His intercession. "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost." When Jesus Christ cleansed the temple, He "would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple." The Spirit of God will not allow you to use your body for your own convenience. Jesus ruthlessly cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and said - "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Have we recognized that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, though it is only a tiny bit of our personality, is to be regarded by us as a shrine of the Holy Ghost. He will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing of; but we must see that we guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Communion of Saints
We often limit the Church to the organisation of people who identify themselves clearly as its members. But the Church as all people belonging to Christ, as that body of witnesses who reveal the living Christ, reaches far beyond the boundaries of any human institution. As Jesus himself said: The Spirit "blows where it pleases" (John 3:8). The Spirit of Jesus can touch hearts wherever it wants; it is not restrained by any human limits.
There is a communion of saints witnessing to the risen Christ that reaches to the far ends of the world and even farther. It embraces people from long ago and far away. It is that immense community of men and women who through words and deeds have proclaimed and are proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Communities Not Nourished in Love
The community as a whole, as a body, must also be nourished in love - not just its individual members. Communities as a whole can also fall into a lukewarm mediocrity. They can become like hotels, where each person is locked in by him or herself. Then the communities tend to pull down the individuals into a lukewarm mediocrity. -- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 166
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 14-17
1 “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?3 And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.4 And you already know the road I’m taking.”5 Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”6 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”8 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”9 “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.11 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works.12 The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.13 From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it.
14 Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
The Spirit of Truth15 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.16 I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!18 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back.19 In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive.20 At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”23 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood!24 Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.25 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you.26 The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.27 I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.28 “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.29 “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me.30 I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me.
31 But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.
“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.
The Vine and the Branches
1 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer.2 He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more.3 You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.6 Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.7 But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.8 This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.9 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.11 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you.15 I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.
Hated by the World18 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me.19 If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.20 “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.21 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me.22 If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse.23 Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same.24 If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father.25 Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’26 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me.27 You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.
1 “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead.2 They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor.3 They will do these things because they never really understood the Father.
4 I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.
The Friend Will Come
“I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day.5 But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’6 Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become.7 So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.8 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment:9 He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin;10 that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control;11 that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now.13 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.14 He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.15 Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
16 “In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me.”
Joy Like a River Overflowing17 That stirred up a hornet’s nest of questions among the disciples: “What’s he talking about: ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? And, ‘Because I’m on my way to the Father’?18 What is this ‘day or so’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”19 Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’?20 Then fix this firmly in your minds: You’re going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.21 “When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain.22 The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you.
23 You’ll no longer be so full of questions.
“This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you.24 Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!25 “I’ve used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I’ll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language.26 Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I’ve revealed to you. I won’t continue making requests of the Father on your behalf.27 I won’t need to. Because you’ve gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly.28 First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father.”29 His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech.30 Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”31 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe?32 In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me.
33 I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Jesus’ Prayer for His Followers
1 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
Father, it’s time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
2 You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
3 And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
4 I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
The very splendor I had in your presence
Before there was a world.
6 I spelled out your character in detail
To the men and women you gave me.
They were yours in the first place;
Then you gave them to me,
And they have now done what you said.
7 They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
That everything you gave me is firsthand from you,
8 For the message you gave me, I gave them;
And they took it, and were convinced
That I came from you.
They believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them.
I’m not praying for the God-rejecting world
But for those you gave me,
For they are yours by right.
10 Everything mine is yours, and yours mine,
And my life is on display in them.
11 For I’m no longer going to be visible in the world;
They’ll continue in the world
While I return to you.
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
That you conferred as a gift through me,
So they can be one heart and mind
12 As we are one heart and mind.
As long as I was with them, I guarded them
In the pursuit of the life you gave through me;
I even posted a night watch.
And not one of them got away,
Except for the rebel bent on destruction
(the exception that proved the rule of Scripture).
13 Now I’m returning to you.
I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
14 I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
15 Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
16 They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
17 Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
19 I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
20 I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
23 I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.
24 Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
25 Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
26 I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them. --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Anselm (1033-1109), monk, bishop, doctor of the Church
Letter 112, to Hugh the recluse
"She has contributed all she had"
In the Kingdom of heaven absolutely everyone, as one person, will become one king alongside God, because all will desire one thing alone and their wish will be fulfilled. This is the good thing that, from heaven's heights, God puts up for sale.
Now if someone is wondering what the cost is, here is their answer: he who offers a Kingdom in heaven has no need of earthly coin. No one can offer God anything except what already belongs to him since all that exists is his. And yet God does not give away so great a thing without a price being placed on it: he does not give it to someone who doesn't value it. For indeed, nobody gives away something they hold dear without placing some kind of value on it. From now on, then, if God has no need of your goods neither does he have to give you this great thing if you refuse to love him: all he requires is love, without which nothing constrains his giving. Love, then, and you will receive the Kingdom; love, and you will possess it... Love God more than yourself and already you begin to have what it is you desire to possess fully in heaven.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Reflecting God for Saturday, November 7, 2009
TODAY;S QUESTION
WHAT ARE YOUR IMAGES FOR GOD?
Personal Application:
What was the time in your life when you had the greatest sense of “belonging”? What role did God or other people play in making that happen? What role did you play? What steps can you take to find deeper, more meaningful connections with God and with others now? How can you accept God’s invitation to be spiritually “at home” with God and with God’s people?
Family Activity:
Gather a group and play a favorite family game with a twist! Form a circle of chairs, including one for each member of the group. Play a favorite CD while others walk around the chairs in a circle. Stop the music and have everyone sit in a chair. Remove one chair and repeat the directions. You will have one less chair than person—ask your group if you should remove a person from the game so each one can have his/her own chair, or if another option exists. Consider removing another chair instead of a person. Sure, you’ll need to share with one another, but that’s the point! Keep playing and discover how much fun it can be. End by reading Galatians 6:9-10.
Prayer:
God, as one who is supposed to “have it all together,” it can be hard for me to be vulnerable enough to find true community. When I think about who Jesus hung out with, I wonder if my “image” even matters to you. It seems as though everyone felt they belonged when they were with you. Help me break down the barriers and facades I’ve built up around my heart so that I can be at home in church and community as you intended it. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How can my false self lead me to the real Light?
There is a darkness that we are all led into by our own stupidity, by our own selfishness, blindness, or by just living out of the false self. And there is a darkness that I believe God leads us through for our own enlightenment. In both cases, we have to walk through these dark periods by brutal honesty, confessions, surrenders, letting go, forgiveness, and often by some necessary restitution, apology or healing ritual. I still hear of Vietnam vets who feel they must go back to Vietnam and help some Vietnamese children to be healed.
Different vocabularies would have called these acts of repentance, penance, mortification, dying to self, or ego stripping. By any account it is major surgery and surely feels like dying (although it also feels like immense liberation). We need help and comfort during these times. We must let ourselves be led by God and also by others. But how can we know the light if we’ve never walked through the darkness?
Taken from Hope Against Darkness, pp. 165, 173
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading: Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27
3 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus.4 They once put their lives on the line for me. And I’m not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty,
5 to say nothing of the church that meets in their house.
Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first follower of Jesus in the province of Asia.6 Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!7 Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.8 Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.9 Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ’s work, and my good friend Stachys.
16 Holy embraces all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul’s dictation, send you my personal greetings.
23 Gaius, who is host here to both me and the whole church, wants to be remembered to you.
Erastus, the city treasurer, and our good friend Quartus send their greetings.25 All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long26 but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter.27 All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!-The Message
Psalm: Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11
2 I’ll bless you every day,
and keep it up from now to eternity.
3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders.
10 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
11 your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
they exclaim over your splendor,--The Message
Gospel: Luke 16:9-15
9 I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”
God Sees Behind Appearances
10 Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
11 If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
12 If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
13 No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.14 When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch.
15 So Jesus spoke to them: “You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance.
What society sees and calls monumental,
God sees through and calls monstrous.--The Message
Blood that but one drop of has the power to win.......All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.-- St. Thomas Aquinas
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 10:1-7
1 The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old “law plan” wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution.2 If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins.3 But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt.4 The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin.
5 That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ:
You don’t want sacrifices and offerings year after year;
you’ve prepared a body for me for a sacrifice.
6 It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar
that whet your appetite.
7 So I said, “I’m here to do it your way, O God,
the way it’s described in your Book.”--The Message
KEY VERSE: The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming (Heb. 10:1).
Only a Shadow
Do children still play shadow tag? The object of the game is to step on another person's shadow, and then that person is "it." Of course, you can't hold on to the shadow. Shadows can be helpful; the shade of a big tree provides a cool spot on a summer day. But shadows often give a distorted image. If we take a walk in the morning, we appear to be 10 feet tall, while at noontime, we seem to be very short. Shadows are not the real thing.
God gave the Law with its rituals and sacrifices to point forward to Christ. They were a reminder of humanity's need and offered only a temporary solution for the problem of sin, and so were repeated year after year.
Jesus' sacrifice of himself was the reality that the Law foreshadowed and makes cleansing from sin possible. To cling to anything else as a means of salvation is to grasp at shadows. The tabernacle or temple worship, church attendance, religious rituals, Christian parents can point the way. That is all they can do. Real life, real joy, real salvation are found in Jesus.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
"The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
That many young people in Honduras will be called into full-time Christian ministry.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When the time had fully come, God sent his Son (Gal. 4:4).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE UNDETECTED SACREDNESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"All things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28
The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God is bringing you into places and among people and into conditions in order that the intercession of the Spirit in you may take a particular line. Never put your hand in front of the circumstances and say - I am going to be my own providence here, I must watch this, and guard that. All your circumstances are in the hand of God, therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to enter into the agony of intercession, but to utilize the common-sense circumstances God puts you in, and the common-sense people He puts you amongst by His providence, to bring them before God's throne and give the Spirit in you a chance to intercede for them. In this way God is going to sweep the whole world with His saints.
Am I making the Holy Spirit's work difficult by being indefinite, or by trying to do His work for Him? I must do the human side of intercession, and the human side is the circumstances I am in and the people I am in contact with. I have to keep my conscious life as a shrine of the Holy Ghost, then as I bring the different ones before God, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for them.
Your intercessions can never be mine, and my intercessions can never be yours, but the Holy Ghost makes intercession in our particular lives, without which intercession someone will be impoverished.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Nourished ...
Each individual person in a community must be nourished in love. If not, he or she will sooner or later find him or herself in opposition to the life of the community and its demands of love and of forgiveness. These people then become like dead weights. They tend to pull the community down; they criticize decisions; they drain away joy.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 166
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 11-13
1 A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.2 This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord’s feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick.3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Master, the one you love so very much is sick.”4 When Jesus got the message, he said, “This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.”5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,6 but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days.7 After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”8 They said, “Rabbi, you can’t do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you’re going back?”9 Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn’t stumble because there’s plenty of light from the sun.10 Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can’t see where he’s going.”11 He said these things, and then announced, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up.”12 The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.”13 Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.14 Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died.15 And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”16 That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, “Come along. We might as well die with him.”17 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead.18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away,19 and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother.20 Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.21 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.22 Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”25 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.26 And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”28 After saying this, she went to her sister Mary and whispered in her ear, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”29 The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him.30 Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him.31 When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there.32 Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him.
34 He said, “Where did you put him?”
“Master, come and see,” they said.35 Now Jesus wept.36 The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.”37 Others among them said, “Well, if he loved him so much, why didn’t he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man.”38 Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it.
39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”
The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!”40 Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41 Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.”
They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me.42 I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.”43 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.
Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”
The Man Who Creates God-Signs45 That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him.46 But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus.47 The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. “What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs.48 If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.”49 Then one of them—it was Caiaphas, the designated Chief Priest that year—spoke up, “Don’t you know anything?50 Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?”51 He didn’t say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for the nation,52 and not only for the nation but so that all God’s exile-scattered children might be gathered together into one people.53 From that day on, they plotted to kill him.54 So Jesus no longer went out in public among the Jews. He withdrew into the country bordering the desert to a town called Ephraim and secluded himself there with his disciples.55 The Jewish Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast.56 They were curious about Jesus. There was a lot of talk of him among those standing around in the Temple: “What do you think? Do you think he’ll show up at the Feast or not?”
57 Meanwhile, the high priests and Pharisees gave out the word that anyone getting wind of him should inform them. They were all set to arrest him.
Anointing His Feet
1 Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living.2 Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them.3 Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said,5 “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.”6 He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.7 Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.8 You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.”9 Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead.10 So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus
11 because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him.
See How Your King Comes12 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem.
13 They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered:
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Yes! The King of Israel!14 Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it:
15 No fear, Daughter Zion:
See how your king comes,
riding a donkey’s colt.16 The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, was there giving eyewitness accounts.18 It was because they had spread the word of this latest God-sign that the crowd swelled to a welcoming parade.
19 The Pharisees took one look and threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The world’s in a stampede after him.”
A Grain of Wheat Must Die20 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast.21 They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”22 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus.23 Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.25 In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.27 “Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? ‘Father, get me out of this’? No, this is why I came in the first place.
28 I’ll say, ‘Father, put your glory on display.’”
A voice came out of the sky: “I have glorified it, and I’ll glorify it again.”
29 The listening crowd said, “Thunder!”
Others said, “An angel spoke to him!”30 Jesus said, “The voice didn’t come for me but for you.31 At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out.32 And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.”33 He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.34 Voices from the crowd answered, “We heard from God’s Law that the Messiah lasts forever. How can it be necessary, as you put it, that the Son of Man ‘be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”35 Jesus said, “For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going.
36 As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.”
Their Eyes Are Blinded
Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding.37 All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him.
38 This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:
God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?39 First they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:
40 Their eyes are blinded,
their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
so I could heal them.41 Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God’s cascading brightness that would pour through the Messiah.42 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place.43 When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.44 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me.45 Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me.46 I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.47 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world;48 I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word.49 I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it.
50 And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”
Washing His Disciples’ Feet
1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end.2 It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.3 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God.4 So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron.5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.6 When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”7 Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”
8 Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”
Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”9 “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”10 Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.”11 (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”)
12 After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.
Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you?13 You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am.14 So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet.15 I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.16 I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer.
17 If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
The One Who Ate Bread at My Table
18 “I’m not including all of you in this. I know precisely whom I’ve selected, so as not to interfere with the fulfillment of this Scripture:
The one who ate bread at my table
Turned on his heel against me.19 “I’m telling you all this ahead of time so that when it happens you will believe that I am who I say I am.20 Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me, just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me.”21 After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”22 The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about.23 One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder.24 Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about.25 So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”26 Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.
27 As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.
“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.”28 No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him.29 Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.
A New Command31 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him,32 God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!33 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’34 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.35 This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
36 Simon Peter asked, “Master, just where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “You can’t now follow me where I’m going. You will follow later.”37 “Master,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!”
38 “Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.” --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Clement of Alexandria (150- around 215), theologian
Who is the rich man that can be saved?
"You cannot serve God and mammon"
There is a kind of riches that sows death wherever it holds sway: free yourselves from it and you will be saved. Purify your soul; make it poor so that you may be able to hear the Savior's call repeating: «Come, follow me» (Mk 10,21). He is the way on which the pure in heart walk; God's grace doesn't penetrate the soul that is burdened and pulled apart by a great number of possessions.
People who look upon their fortune, their gold and silver and houses, as God's gifts, witness to their gratitude to God by assisting the poor with their goods. They know they possess them more on their brethrens' account than on their own. They remain in control of their riches rather than becoming its slave. Such as these do not shut them up within their soul any more than they keep their life in them but untiringly follow after a wholly divine life. And if it should happen that their fortune vanishes they accept their ruin with a free heart. God calls «blessed» such as these and calls them «poor in spirit», certain heirs to the Kingdom of heaven (Mt 5,3)...
On the other hand, there are those who hug their wealth, rather than the Holy Spirit, to their heart. Such as these keep all their lands for themselves, endlessly add to their fortune and have no worries about anything except to be amassing more all the time. They never lift their eyes to heaven but wallow in material things. Indeed, these are no more than dust and will return to dust (Gen 3,19). How can anyone experience a desire for the Kingdom who carries a field or a mine instead of a heart within? Death will inevitably surprise this person in the midst of their uncontrollable desires. For «where your treasure is, there also will your heart be» (Mt 6,21).
WHAT ARE YOUR IMAGES FOR GOD?
Personal Application:
What was the time in your life when you had the greatest sense of “belonging”? What role did God or other people play in making that happen? What role did you play? What steps can you take to find deeper, more meaningful connections with God and with others now? How can you accept God’s invitation to be spiritually “at home” with God and with God’s people?
Family Activity:
Gather a group and play a favorite family game with a twist! Form a circle of chairs, including one for each member of the group. Play a favorite CD while others walk around the chairs in a circle. Stop the music and have everyone sit in a chair. Remove one chair and repeat the directions. You will have one less chair than person—ask your group if you should remove a person from the game so each one can have his/her own chair, or if another option exists. Consider removing another chair instead of a person. Sure, you’ll need to share with one another, but that’s the point! Keep playing and discover how much fun it can be. End by reading Galatians 6:9-10.
Prayer:
God, as one who is supposed to “have it all together,” it can be hard for me to be vulnerable enough to find true community. When I think about who Jesus hung out with, I wonder if my “image” even matters to you. It seems as though everyone felt they belonged when they were with you. Help me break down the barriers and facades I’ve built up around my heart so that I can be at home in church and community as you intended it. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How can my false self lead me to the real Light?
There is a darkness that we are all led into by our own stupidity, by our own selfishness, blindness, or by just living out of the false self. And there is a darkness that I believe God leads us through for our own enlightenment. In both cases, we have to walk through these dark periods by brutal honesty, confessions, surrenders, letting go, forgiveness, and often by some necessary restitution, apology or healing ritual. I still hear of Vietnam vets who feel they must go back to Vietnam and help some Vietnamese children to be healed.
Different vocabularies would have called these acts of repentance, penance, mortification, dying to self, or ego stripping. By any account it is major surgery and surely feels like dying (although it also feels like immense liberation). We need help and comfort during these times. We must let ourselves be led by God and also by others. But how can we know the light if we’ve never walked through the darkness?
Taken from Hope Against Darkness, pp. 165, 173
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading: Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27
3 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus.4 They once put their lives on the line for me. And I’m not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty,
5 to say nothing of the church that meets in their house.
Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first follower of Jesus in the province of Asia.6 Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!7 Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.8 Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.9 Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ’s work, and my good friend Stachys.
16 Holy embraces all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul’s dictation, send you my personal greetings.
23 Gaius, who is host here to both me and the whole church, wants to be remembered to you.
Erastus, the city treasurer, and our good friend Quartus send their greetings.25 All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long26 but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter.27 All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!-The Message
Psalm: Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11
2 I’ll bless you every day,
and keep it up from now to eternity.
3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders.
10 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
11 your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
they exclaim over your splendor,--The Message
Gospel: Luke 16:9-15
9 I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”
God Sees Behind Appearances
10 Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
11 If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
12 If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
13 No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.14 When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch.
15 So Jesus spoke to them: “You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance.
What society sees and calls monumental,
God sees through and calls monstrous.--The Message
Blood that but one drop of has the power to win.......All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.-- St. Thomas Aquinas
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 10:1-7
1 The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old “law plan” wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution.2 If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins.3 But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt.4 The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin.
5 That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ:
You don’t want sacrifices and offerings year after year;
you’ve prepared a body for me for a sacrifice.
6 It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar
that whet your appetite.
7 So I said, “I’m here to do it your way, O God,
the way it’s described in your Book.”--The Message
KEY VERSE: The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming (Heb. 10:1).
Only a Shadow
Do children still play shadow tag? The object of the game is to step on another person's shadow, and then that person is "it." Of course, you can't hold on to the shadow. Shadows can be helpful; the shade of a big tree provides a cool spot on a summer day. But shadows often give a distorted image. If we take a walk in the morning, we appear to be 10 feet tall, while at noontime, we seem to be very short. Shadows are not the real thing.
God gave the Law with its rituals and sacrifices to point forward to Christ. They were a reminder of humanity's need and offered only a temporary solution for the problem of sin, and so were repeated year after year.
Jesus' sacrifice of himself was the reality that the Law foreshadowed and makes cleansing from sin possible. To cling to anything else as a means of salvation is to grasp at shadows. The tabernacle or temple worship, church attendance, religious rituals, Christian parents can point the way. That is all they can do. Real life, real joy, real salvation are found in Jesus.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
"The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
That many young people in Honduras will be called into full-time Christian ministry.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When the time had fully come, God sent his Son (Gal. 4:4).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE UNDETECTED SACREDNESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"All things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28
The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God is bringing you into places and among people and into conditions in order that the intercession of the Spirit in you may take a particular line. Never put your hand in front of the circumstances and say - I am going to be my own providence here, I must watch this, and guard that. All your circumstances are in the hand of God, therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to enter into the agony of intercession, but to utilize the common-sense circumstances God puts you in, and the common-sense people He puts you amongst by His providence, to bring them before God's throne and give the Spirit in you a chance to intercede for them. In this way God is going to sweep the whole world with His saints.
Am I making the Holy Spirit's work difficult by being indefinite, or by trying to do His work for Him? I must do the human side of intercession, and the human side is the circumstances I am in and the people I am in contact with. I have to keep my conscious life as a shrine of the Holy Ghost, then as I bring the different ones before God, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for them.
Your intercessions can never be mine, and my intercessions can never be yours, but the Holy Ghost makes intercession in our particular lives, without which intercession someone will be impoverished.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Nourished ...
Each individual person in a community must be nourished in love. If not, he or she will sooner or later find him or herself in opposition to the life of the community and its demands of love and of forgiveness. These people then become like dead weights. They tend to pull the community down; they criticize decisions; they drain away joy.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 166
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 11-13
1 A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.2 This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord’s feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick.3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Master, the one you love so very much is sick.”4 When Jesus got the message, he said, “This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.”5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,6 but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days.7 After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”8 They said, “Rabbi, you can’t do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you’re going back?”9 Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn’t stumble because there’s plenty of light from the sun.10 Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can’t see where he’s going.”11 He said these things, and then announced, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up.”12 The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.”13 Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.14 Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died.15 And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”16 That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, “Come along. We might as well die with him.”17 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead.18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away,19 and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother.20 Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.21 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.22 Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”25 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.26 And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”28 After saying this, she went to her sister Mary and whispered in her ear, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”29 The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him.30 Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him.31 When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there.32 Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him.
34 He said, “Where did you put him?”
“Master, come and see,” they said.35 Now Jesus wept.36 The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.”37 Others among them said, “Well, if he loved him so much, why didn’t he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man.”38 Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it.
39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”
The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!”40 Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41 Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.”
They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me.42 I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.”43 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.
Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”
The Man Who Creates God-Signs45 That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him.46 But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus.47 The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. “What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs.48 If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.”49 Then one of them—it was Caiaphas, the designated Chief Priest that year—spoke up, “Don’t you know anything?50 Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?”51 He didn’t say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for the nation,52 and not only for the nation but so that all God’s exile-scattered children might be gathered together into one people.53 From that day on, they plotted to kill him.54 So Jesus no longer went out in public among the Jews. He withdrew into the country bordering the desert to a town called Ephraim and secluded himself there with his disciples.55 The Jewish Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast.56 They were curious about Jesus. There was a lot of talk of him among those standing around in the Temple: “What do you think? Do you think he’ll show up at the Feast or not?”
57 Meanwhile, the high priests and Pharisees gave out the word that anyone getting wind of him should inform them. They were all set to arrest him.
Anointing His Feet
1 Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living.2 Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them.3 Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said,5 “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.”6 He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.7 Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.8 You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.”9 Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead.10 So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus
11 because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him.
See How Your King Comes12 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem.
13 They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered:
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Yes! The King of Israel!14 Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it:
15 No fear, Daughter Zion:
See how your king comes,
riding a donkey’s colt.16 The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, was there giving eyewitness accounts.18 It was because they had spread the word of this latest God-sign that the crowd swelled to a welcoming parade.
19 The Pharisees took one look and threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The world’s in a stampede after him.”
A Grain of Wheat Must Die20 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast.21 They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”22 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus.23 Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.25 In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.27 “Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? ‘Father, get me out of this’? No, this is why I came in the first place.
28 I’ll say, ‘Father, put your glory on display.’”
A voice came out of the sky: “I have glorified it, and I’ll glorify it again.”
29 The listening crowd said, “Thunder!”
Others said, “An angel spoke to him!”30 Jesus said, “The voice didn’t come for me but for you.31 At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out.32 And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.”33 He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.34 Voices from the crowd answered, “We heard from God’s Law that the Messiah lasts forever. How can it be necessary, as you put it, that the Son of Man ‘be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”35 Jesus said, “For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going.
36 As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.”
Their Eyes Are Blinded
Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding.37 All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him.
38 This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:
God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?39 First they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:
40 Their eyes are blinded,
their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
so I could heal them.41 Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God’s cascading brightness that would pour through the Messiah.42 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place.43 When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.44 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me.45 Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me.46 I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.47 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world;48 I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word.49 I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it.
50 And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”
Washing His Disciples’ Feet
1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end.2 It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.3 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God.4 So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron.5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.6 When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”7 Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”
8 Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”
Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”9 “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”10 Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.”11 (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”)
12 After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.
Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you?13 You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am.14 So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet.15 I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.16 I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer.
17 If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
The One Who Ate Bread at My Table
18 “I’m not including all of you in this. I know precisely whom I’ve selected, so as not to interfere with the fulfillment of this Scripture:
The one who ate bread at my table
Turned on his heel against me.19 “I’m telling you all this ahead of time so that when it happens you will believe that I am who I say I am.20 Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me, just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me.”21 After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”22 The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about.23 One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder.24 Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about.25 So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”26 Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.
27 As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.
“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.”28 No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him.29 Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.
A New Command31 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him,32 God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!33 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’34 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.35 This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
36 Simon Peter asked, “Master, just where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “You can’t now follow me where I’m going. You will follow later.”37 “Master,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!”
38 “Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.” --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Clement of Alexandria (150- around 215), theologian
Who is the rich man that can be saved?
"You cannot serve God and mammon"
There is a kind of riches that sows death wherever it holds sway: free yourselves from it and you will be saved. Purify your soul; make it poor so that you may be able to hear the Savior's call repeating: «Come, follow me» (Mk 10,21). He is the way on which the pure in heart walk; God's grace doesn't penetrate the soul that is burdened and pulled apart by a great number of possessions.
People who look upon their fortune, their gold and silver and houses, as God's gifts, witness to their gratitude to God by assisting the poor with their goods. They know they possess them more on their brethrens' account than on their own. They remain in control of their riches rather than becoming its slave. Such as these do not shut them up within their soul any more than they keep their life in them but untiringly follow after a wholly divine life. And if it should happen that their fortune vanishes they accept their ruin with a free heart. God calls «blessed» such as these and calls them «poor in spirit», certain heirs to the Kingdom of heaven (Mt 5,3)...
On the other hand, there are those who hug their wealth, rather than the Holy Spirit, to their heart. Such as these keep all their lands for themselves, endlessly add to their fortune and have no worries about anything except to be amassing more all the time. They never lift their eyes to heaven but wallow in material things. Indeed, these are no more than dust and will return to dust (Gen 3,19). How can anyone experience a desire for the Kingdom who carries a field or a mine instead of a heart within? Death will inevitably surprise this person in the midst of their uncontrollable desires. For «where your treasure is, there also will your heart be» (Mt 6,21).
PRAYER REQUEST FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9, 2009
Monday—Pray for your Adult Ministries International team as they develop strategies for ministry to post-high school young adults. Pray for God to raise up leaders on districts and in local churches who have a passion to minister to the needs of Young Adults.
Tuesday—Pray for adults in the Silent generation (1926-1945) as they pass on their Christian faith to grandchildren and others. Pray their lives will be a living example of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
Wednesday—Pray for Christians around the globe who work with children in schools, churches, extracurricular activities and clubs, and in crisis situations. Pray they will be filled with God’s love, mercy, and tenderness as they nurture the children God has placed in their care.
Thursday—Pray for the Come to the Fire Conference that begins this evening at First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee. Pray for the music team as they leader participants in musical worship. Pray for keynote speakers as they challenge women to completely surrender themselves to God.
Friday—Pray for district and local Prime Time directors as they develop strategies to reach unsaved senior adults. Pray for senior adults to be willing to share the gospel of Christ with their peers.
Saturday—Pray for Ramon Sierra, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) regional coordinator for the Mexico and Central America region. Pray for Ramon as he develops strategies for discipling new Christians.
Sunday—Thank God for the custodial staff of your church. Pray God will bless and encourage them as they carry out the many tasks necessary for your church to be an inviting and useful place to worship, study, and fellowship.
Tuesday—Pray for adults in the Silent generation (1926-1945) as they pass on their Christian faith to grandchildren and others. Pray their lives will be a living example of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
Wednesday—Pray for Christians around the globe who work with children in schools, churches, extracurricular activities and clubs, and in crisis situations. Pray they will be filled with God’s love, mercy, and tenderness as they nurture the children God has placed in their care.
Thursday—Pray for the Come to the Fire Conference that begins this evening at First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee. Pray for the music team as they leader participants in musical worship. Pray for keynote speakers as they challenge women to completely surrender themselves to God.
Friday—Pray for district and local Prime Time directors as they develop strategies to reach unsaved senior adults. Pray for senior adults to be willing to share the gospel of Christ with their peers.
Saturday—Pray for Ramon Sierra, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) regional coordinator for the Mexico and Central America region. Pray for Ramon as he develops strategies for discipling new Christians.
Sunday—Thank God for the custodial staff of your church. Pray God will bless and encourage them as they carry out the many tasks necessary for your church to be an inviting and useful place to worship, study, and fellowship.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Reflecting God for Friday, November 6, 2009
Today’s Question
What is “the work of the Messiah” to which you are called today?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
What do I find is the most difficult part of letting go?
Spiritual life is always about letting go of unnecessary baggage so that we’re prepared for death’s final letting go. That can only happen if we’re willing to know that our protected self-image is not the deepest me. Our passing personas are important and a good part of the journey and they even help us to taste moments of the Great I Am that is God. But there’s so much more.
Finally, like the great Paul, we can all say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me” (Galatians 2:20). My deepest me is always God.
Adapted from Hope Against Darkness, p. 133
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart
First Reading: Romans 15:14-21
14 Personally, I’ve been completely satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. You seem to me to be well-motivated and well-instructed, quite capable of guiding and advising one another.15 So, my dear friends, don’t take my rather bold and blunt language as criticism. It’s not criticism. I’m simply underlining how very much I need your help in carrying out this highly focused assignment God gave me,16 this priestly and gospel work of serving the spiritual needs of the non-Jewish outsiders so they can be presented as an acceptable offering to God, made whole and holy by God’s Holy Spirit.17 Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I’d even say proud, but only in that context.18 I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders.19 In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece.20 This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped.
21 My text has been,
Those who were never told of him—
they’ll see him!
Those who’ve never heard of him—
they’ll get the message!--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 98:1-4
1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
2 God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God’s work of salvation!
4 Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!--The Message
Gospel: Luke 16:1-8
1 Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses.2 So he called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? You’re fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.’3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What am I going to do? I’ve lost my job as manager. I’m not strong enough for a laboring job, and I’m too proud to beg. . . .4 Ah, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’ll do . . . then when I’m turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.’5 “Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 “He replied, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’
“The manager said, ‘Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now—write fifty.’
7 “To the next he said, ‘And you, what do you owe?’
“He answered, ‘A hundred sacks of wheat.’
“He said, ‘Take your bill, write in eighty.’8 “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits.--The Message
If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble Him; If I love Jesus, I ought to love what He loves, what He does, what He prefers to all else: humility. How may we acquire this virtue? Neither logic or reflection will help us any; thinking nice thoughts about it or taking heroic resolutions would lead us to believe we had already acquired it, and we would content oueselves with that. We must examine our actions to see if we not sought our own interest in them. Let us repeat often, " Jesus, so humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine."-- St. Peter Eymard
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 9:23-28
23 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren’t needed anymore, having served their purpose.24 For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins.25 He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own;26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
28 Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation. --The Message
KEY VERSE: Christ . . . entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence (Heb. 9:24).
On Our Side
A commercial jingle for an insurance company says that they are on your side. A person who is in trouble with the law but can't afford an attorney has a public defender to plead his case in court. Someone has been elected to the House of Representatives from my district to speak for me in Congress.
We all want to have someone "on our side." Of course, the person from the insurance company doesn't know me. The public defender may only be doing a job. While my name is on the election rolls, my representative in Washington doesn't know who I am.
How wonderful that we have One who is our Advocate in heaven, who really knows us and loves us. He understands us and is aware of every struggle, every fear, or sorrow. The Lord Jesus Christ, who "appeared once . . . to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself" (v. 26) now appears "for us in God's presence" (emphasis added). He never loses interest in us. Having paid such a price for our redemption, He is on our side, fully able to keep us from falling and lead us safely home.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.
"Arise, My Soul, Arise" by Charles Wesley
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Developing Christian leaders in Honduras.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
PROGRAMME OF BELIEF BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Believest thou this?" John 11:26
Martha believed in the power at the disposal of Jesus Christ, she believed that if He had been present He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a peculiar intimacy with God and that whatever He asked of God, God would do; but she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha's programme of belief had its fulfilment in the future; Jesus led her on until her belief became a personal possession, and then slowly emerged into a particular inheritance - "Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ. . . "
Is there something like that in the Lord's dealings with you? Is Jesus educating you into a personal intimacy with Himself? Let Him press home His question to you - "Believest thou this?" What is your ordeal of doubt? Have you come, like Martha, to some overwhelming passage in your circumstances where your programme of belief is about to emerge into a personal belief? This can never be until a personal need arises out of a personal problem.
To believe is to commit. In the programme of mental belief I commit myself, and abandon all that is not related to that commitment. In personal belief I commit myself morally to this way of confidence and refuse to compromise with any other; and in particular belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ, and determine in that thing to be dominated by the Lord alone.
When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me - "Believest thou this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing, and I am staggered that I was so stupid as not to trust Him before.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat) BY BOB DYLAN
There's a long-distance train rolling through the rain, tears on the letter I write.
There's a woman I long to touch and I miss her so much but she's drifting like a
satellite. There's a neon light ablaze in this green smoky haze, laughter down on
Elizabeth Street
And a lonesome bell tone in that valley of stone where she bathed in a stream of pure
heat. Her father would emphasize you got to be more than street-wise but he practiced
what he preached from the heart.
A full-blooded Cherokee, he predicted to me the time and the place that the trouble would start.
There's a babe in the arms of a woman in a rage
And a longtime golden-haired stripper onstage
And she winds back the clock and she turns back the page
Of a book that no one can write.
Oh, where are you tonight?
The truth was obscure, too profound and too pure, to live it you have to explode.
In that last hour of need, we entirely agreed, sacrifice was the code of the road.
I left town at dawn, with Marcel and St. John, strong men belittled by doubt.
I couldn't tell her what my private thoughts were but she had some way of finding
them out. He took dead-center aim but he missed just the same, she was waiting,
putting flowers on the shelf.
She could feel my despair as I climbed up her hair and discovered her invisible self.
There's a lion in the road, there's a demon escaped,
There's a million dreams gone, there's a landscape being raped,
As her beauty fades and I watch her undrape,
I won't, but then again, maybe I might.
Oh, if I could just find you tonight.
I fought with my twin, that enemy within, 'til both of us fell by the way.
Horseplay and disease is killing me by degrees while the law looks the other way.
Your partners in crime hit me up for nickels and dimes, the guy you were lovin'
couldn't stay clean.
It felt outa place, my foot in his face, but he should-a stayed where his money was
green.
I bit into the root of forbidden fruit with the juice running down my leg.
Then I dealt with your boss, who'd never known about loss and who always was
too proud to beg.
There's a white diamond gloom on the dark side of this room and a pathway that leads
up to the stars.
If you don't believe there's a price for this sweet paradise, remind me to show you the
scars.
There's a new day at dawn and I've finally arrived.
If I'm there in the morning, baby, you'll know I've survived.
I can't believe it, I can't believe I'm alive,
But without you it just doesn't seem right.
Oh, where are you tonight?
Copyright © 1978 Special Rider Music
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Contradictions
We human beings are made up of contradictions. Part of us is attracted by the light and by God, and wants to care for our brothers and sisters. Another part of us wants frivolity, possessions, domination or success; it wants to be surrounded by approving friends, who will ward off sadness, depression or aggression. We are so deeply divided that we will reflect equally an environment which tends towards the light and concern for others, and one which scorns these values and encourages the desires for power and pleasure. As long as our deepest motivation is not clear to us and as long as we have not chosen the people and the place of our growth in its light, we will remain weak and inconsistent, as changeable as weathercocks.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 165
FIFTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A Ministry of Healing and Reconciliation
How does the Church witness to Christ in the world? First and foremost by giving visibility to Jesus' love for the poor and the weak. In a world so hungry for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and most of all unconditional love, the Church must alleviate that hunger through its ministry. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely, listen to those who are rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim the living Christ, whether we speak about him or not.
It is important that whatever we do and wherever we go, we remain in the Name of Jesus, who sent us. Outside his Name our ministry will lose its divine energy.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 7-10
1 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him.2 It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews.3 His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do?4 No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.”5 His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him either.6 Jesus came back at them, “Don’t crowd me. This isn’t my time. It’s your time—it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose.7 The world has nothing against you, but it’s up in arms against me. It’s against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions.8 You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don’t wait for me. I’m not ready. It’s not the right time for me.”9 He said this and stayed on in Galilee.10 But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself.11 The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, “Where is that man?”12 There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, “He’s a good man.” But others said, “Not so. He’s selling snake oil.”
13 This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.
Could It Be the Messiah?14 With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching.15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: “How does he know so much without being schooled?”16 Jesus said, “I didn’t make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me.17 Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it’s from God or whether I’m making it up.18 A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality.19 It was Moses, wasn’t it, who gave you God’s Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill me?”20 The crowd said, “You’re crazy! Who’s trying to kill you? You’re demon-possessed.”21 Jesus said, “I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you’re still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I’m up to.22 Moses prescribed circumcision—originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors—and so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it’s the Sabbath.23 You do this in order to preserve one item in the Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man’s whole body well on the Sabbath?24 Don’t be nitpickers; use your head—and heart!—to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.”25 That’s when some of the people of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this the one they were out to kill?26 And here he is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him. Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah?27 And yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from.”28 That provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, “Yes, you think you know me and where I’m from, but that’s not where I’m from. I didn’t set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don’t know him at all.29 I come from him—that’s how I know him. He sent me here.”30 They were looking for a way to arrest him, but not a hand was laid on him because it wasn’t yet God’s time.31 Many from the crowd committed themselves in faith to him, saying, “Will the Messiah, when he comes, provide better or more convincing evidence than this?”32 The Pharisees, alarmed at this seditious undertow going through the crowd, teamed up with the high priests and sent their police to arrest him.33 Jesus rebuffed them: “I am with you only a short time. Then I go on to the One who sent me.34 You will look for me, but you won’t find me. Where I am, you can’t come.”35 The Jews put their heads together. “Where do you think he is going that we won’t be able to find him? Do you think he is about to travel to the Greek world to teach the Jews?36 What is he talking about, anyway: ‘You will look for me, but you won’t find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?”37 On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.38 Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.”39 (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)40 Those in the crowd who heard these words were saying, “This has to be the Prophet.”41 Others said, “He is the Messiah!” But others were saying, “The Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee, does he?42 Don’t the Scriptures tell us that the Messiah comes from David’s line and from Bethlehem, David’s village?”43 So there was a split in the crowd over him.44 Some went so far as wanting to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him.45 That’s when the Temple police reported back to the high priests and Pharisees, who demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him with you?”46 The police answered, “Have you heard the way he talks? We’ve never heard anyone speak like this man.”47 The Pharisees said, “Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble?48 You don’t see any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or any from the Pharisees?49 It’s only this crowd, ignorant of God’s Law, that is taken in by him—and damned.”50 Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up.51 “Does our Law decide about a man’s guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?”52 But they cut him off. “Are you also campaigning for the Galilean?
53 Examine the evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee.”
Then they all went home.
To Throw the Stone
1 Jesus went across to Mount Olives,2 but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.3 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone4 and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery.5 Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?”
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt.7 They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.”8 Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.9 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone.10 Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
11 “No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
You’re Missing God in All This12 Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”13 The Pharisees objected, “All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on.”14 Jesus replied, “You’re right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I’ve come from and where I go next. You don’t know where I’m from or where I’m headed.15 You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don’t make judgments like that.16 But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn’t make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father.17 That fulfills the conditions set down in God’s Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses.18 And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me.”
19 They said, “Where is this so-called Father of yours?”
Jesus said, “You’re looking right at me and you don’t see me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father.”20 He gave this speech in the Treasury while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn’t yet up.21 Then he went over the same ground again. “I’m leaving and you are going to look for me, but you’re missing God in this and are headed for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me.”22 The Jews said, “So, is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by ‘You can’t come with me’?”23 Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms.24 I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.”
25 They said to him, “Just who are you anyway?”
Jesus said, “What I’ve said from the start.26 I have so many things to say that concern you, judgments to make that affect you, but if you don’t accept the trustworthiness of the One who commanded my words and acts, none of it matters. That is who you are questioning—not me but the One who sent me.”27 They still didn’t get it, didn’t realize that he was referring to the Father.28 So Jesus tried again. “When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am—that I’m not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me.29 The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.”
30 When he put it in these terms, many people decided to believe.
If the Son Sets You Free31 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.32 Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”33 Surprised, they said, “But we’re descendants of Abraham. We’ve never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘The truth will free you’?”34 Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave.35 A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house.36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn’t yet penetrated your thick skulls.38 I’m talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father.”
39 They were indignant. “Our father is Abraham!”
Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would have been doing the things Abraham did.40 And yet here you are trying to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth he got straight from God! Abraham never did that sort of thing.
41 You persist in repeating the works of your father.”
They said, “We’re not bastards. We have a legitimate father: the one and only God.”42 “If God was your father,” said Jesus, “you would love me, for I came from God and arrived here. I didn’t come on my own. He sent me.43 Why can’t you understand one word I say? Here’s why: You can’t handle it.44 You’re from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies.45 I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with me.46 Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
47 Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening—because you’re not on God’s side.”
I Am Who I Am48 The Jews then said, “That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!”49 Jesus said, “I’m not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me.50 I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about.51 I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I’m telling you, you’ll never have to look death in the face.”52 At this point the Jews said, “Now we know you’re crazy. Abraham died. The prophets died. And you show up saying, ‘If you practice what I’m telling you, you’ll never have to face death, not even a taste.’53 Are you greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you are!”54 Jesus said, “If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn’t amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor.55 You haven’t recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I didn’t know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I do know, and I am doing what he says.56 Abraham—your ‘father’—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered.”57 The Jews said, “You’re not even fifty years old—and Abraham saw you?”58 “Believe me,” said Jesus, “I am who I am long before Abraham was anything.”
59 That did it—pushed them over the edge. They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of the Temple.
True Blindness
1 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.2 His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”3 Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.4 We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over.5 For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.”6 He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes,7 and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). The man went and washed—and saw.8 Soon the town was buzzing. His relatives and those who year after year had seen him as a blind man begging were saying, “Why, isn’t this the man we knew, who sat here and begged?”
9 Others said, “It’s him all right!”
But others objected, “It’s not the same man at all. It just looks like him.”
He said, “It’s me, the very one.”10 They said, “How did your eyes get opened?”11 “A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ I did what he said. When I washed, I saw.”
12 “So where is he?”
“I don’t know.”13 They marched the man to the Pharisees.14 This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath.15 The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, “He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “Obviously, this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”
Others countered, “How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this?” There was a split in their ranks.
17 They came back at the blind man, “You’re the expert. He opened your eyes. What do you say about him?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”18 The Jews didn’t believe it, didn’t believe the man was blind to begin with. So they called the parents of the man now bright-eyed with sight.19 They asked them, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he now sees?”20 His parents said, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.21 But we don’t know how he came to see—haven’t a clue about who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask him? He’s a grown man and can speak for himself.”22 (His parents were talking like this because they were intimidated by the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone who took a stand that this was the Messiah would be kicked out of the meeting place.23 That’s why his parents said, “Ask him. He’s a grown man.”)24 They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind—and told him, “Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor.”25 He replied, “I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see.”26 They said, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”27 “I’ve told you over and over and you haven’t listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?”28 With that they jumped all over him. “You might be a disciple of that man, but we’re disciples of Moses.29 We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”30 The man replied, “This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes!31 It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will.32 That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever.33 If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.”34 They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!” Then they threw him out in the street.35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”36 The man said, “Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”37 Jesus said, “You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?”38 “Master, I believe,” the man said, and worshiped him.39 Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”40 Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.
He Calls His Sheep by Name
1 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler!2 The shepherd walks right up to the gate.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.5 They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”6 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about.7 So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep.8 All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them.9 I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.12 A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf.13 He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.14 “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.15 In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.16 You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.17 This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.18 No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”19 This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks.20 A lot of them were saying, “He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?”21 But others weren’t so sure: “These aren’t the words of a crazy man. Can a ‘maniac’ open blind eyes?”22 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter.23 Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch.24 The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”25 Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words.26 You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep.27 My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.28 I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand.29 The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him.30 I and the Father are one heart and mind.”31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to throw at him.32 Jesus said, “I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many good actions. For which of these acts do you stone me?”33 The Jews said, “We’re not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said—this blasphemy of calling yourself God.”34 Jesus said, “I’m only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, ‘I tell you—you are gods.’35 If God called your ancestors ‘gods’—and Scripture doesn’t lie—36 why do you yell, ‘Blasphemer! Blasphemer!’ at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?37 If I don’t do the things my Father does, well and good; don’t believe me.38 But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him.”39 They tried yet again to arrest him, but he slipped through their fingers.40 He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and stayed there.41 A lot of people followed him over. They were saying, “John did no miracles, but everything he said about this man has come true.”
42 Many believed in him then and there. --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Autobiographical Manuscript B, 4r°
The good use of riches
Oh Jesus, I know that love is repaid with love alone, and I have searched and found the way to soothe my heart by returning to you Love for Love. «Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world's goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.» (Lk 16:9) That is the advice you gave your disciples, Lord, after telling them that «the children of darkness are more capable of looking after their affairs than the children of light.» As a child of light, I understood that my desire to be everything, to embrace every vocation, was a wealth that could easily make me unrighteous, so I used it to make friends for myself. I remembered Elisha's request of his father Elijah when he dared to ask him for a «double portion of his spirit» (2 Kings 2:9), and I came before the angels and saints and told them: «I am the smallest of creatures, I know my poverty and weakness, but I also know how much noble and generous hearts love to do good. So I beg you, Oh blessed inhabitants of Heaven, I beg you to adopt me as your child. To you alone will be the glory that you let me acquire, but deign to hear my prayer. It is foolhardy, I know, however I dare to ask you to obtain for me a double portion of your Love.
What is “the work of the Messiah” to which you are called today?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
What do I find is the most difficult part of letting go?
Spiritual life is always about letting go of unnecessary baggage so that we’re prepared for death’s final letting go. That can only happen if we’re willing to know that our protected self-image is not the deepest me. Our passing personas are important and a good part of the journey and they even help us to taste moments of the Great I Am that is God. But there’s so much more.
Finally, like the great Paul, we can all say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me” (Galatians 2:20). My deepest me is always God.
Adapted from Hope Against Darkness, p. 133
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart
First Reading: Romans 15:14-21
14 Personally, I’ve been completely satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. You seem to me to be well-motivated and well-instructed, quite capable of guiding and advising one another.15 So, my dear friends, don’t take my rather bold and blunt language as criticism. It’s not criticism. I’m simply underlining how very much I need your help in carrying out this highly focused assignment God gave me,16 this priestly and gospel work of serving the spiritual needs of the non-Jewish outsiders so they can be presented as an acceptable offering to God, made whole and holy by God’s Holy Spirit.17 Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I’d even say proud, but only in that context.18 I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders.19 In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece.20 This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped.
21 My text has been,
Those who were never told of him—
they’ll see him!
Those who’ve never heard of him—
they’ll get the message!--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 98:1-4
1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
2 God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God’s work of salvation!
4 Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!--The Message
Gospel: Luke 16:1-8
1 Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses.2 So he called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? You’re fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.’3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What am I going to do? I’ve lost my job as manager. I’m not strong enough for a laboring job, and I’m too proud to beg. . . .4 Ah, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’ll do . . . then when I’m turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.’5 “Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 “He replied, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’
“The manager said, ‘Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now—write fifty.’
7 “To the next he said, ‘And you, what do you owe?’
“He answered, ‘A hundred sacks of wheat.’
“He said, ‘Take your bill, write in eighty.’8 “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits.--The Message
If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble Him; If I love Jesus, I ought to love what He loves, what He does, what He prefers to all else: humility. How may we acquire this virtue? Neither logic or reflection will help us any; thinking nice thoughts about it or taking heroic resolutions would lead us to believe we had already acquired it, and we would content oueselves with that. We must examine our actions to see if we not sought our own interest in them. Let us repeat often, " Jesus, so humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine."-- St. Peter Eymard
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 9:23-28
23 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren’t needed anymore, having served their purpose.24 For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins.25 He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own;26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.
28 Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation. --The Message
KEY VERSE: Christ . . . entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence (Heb. 9:24).
On Our Side
A commercial jingle for an insurance company says that they are on your side. A person who is in trouble with the law but can't afford an attorney has a public defender to plead his case in court. Someone has been elected to the House of Representatives from my district to speak for me in Congress.
We all want to have someone "on our side." Of course, the person from the insurance company doesn't know me. The public defender may only be doing a job. While my name is on the election rolls, my representative in Washington doesn't know who I am.
How wonderful that we have One who is our Advocate in heaven, who really knows us and loves us. He understands us and is aware of every struggle, every fear, or sorrow. The Lord Jesus Christ, who "appeared once . . . to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself" (v. 26) now appears "for us in God's presence" (emphasis added). He never loses interest in us. Having paid such a price for our redemption, He is on our side, fully able to keep us from falling and lead us safely home.--Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.
"Arise, My Soul, Arise" by Charles Wesley
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Developing Christian leaders in Honduras.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
PROGRAMME OF BELIEF BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Believest thou this?" John 11:26
Martha believed in the power at the disposal of Jesus Christ, she believed that if He had been present He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a peculiar intimacy with God and that whatever He asked of God, God would do; but she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha's programme of belief had its fulfilment in the future; Jesus led her on until her belief became a personal possession, and then slowly emerged into a particular inheritance - "Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ. . . "
Is there something like that in the Lord's dealings with you? Is Jesus educating you into a personal intimacy with Himself? Let Him press home His question to you - "Believest thou this?" What is your ordeal of doubt? Have you come, like Martha, to some overwhelming passage in your circumstances where your programme of belief is about to emerge into a personal belief? This can never be until a personal need arises out of a personal problem.
To believe is to commit. In the programme of mental belief I commit myself, and abandon all that is not related to that commitment. In personal belief I commit myself morally to this way of confidence and refuse to compromise with any other; and in particular belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ, and determine in that thing to be dominated by the Lord alone.
When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me - "Believest thou this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing, and I am staggered that I was so stupid as not to trust Him before.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat) BY BOB DYLAN
There's a long-distance train rolling through the rain, tears on the letter I write.
There's a woman I long to touch and I miss her so much but she's drifting like a
satellite. There's a neon light ablaze in this green smoky haze, laughter down on
Elizabeth Street
And a lonesome bell tone in that valley of stone where she bathed in a stream of pure
heat. Her father would emphasize you got to be more than street-wise but he practiced
what he preached from the heart.
A full-blooded Cherokee, he predicted to me the time and the place that the trouble would start.
There's a babe in the arms of a woman in a rage
And a longtime golden-haired stripper onstage
And she winds back the clock and she turns back the page
Of a book that no one can write.
Oh, where are you tonight?
The truth was obscure, too profound and too pure, to live it you have to explode.
In that last hour of need, we entirely agreed, sacrifice was the code of the road.
I left town at dawn, with Marcel and St. John, strong men belittled by doubt.
I couldn't tell her what my private thoughts were but she had some way of finding
them out. He took dead-center aim but he missed just the same, she was waiting,
putting flowers on the shelf.
She could feel my despair as I climbed up her hair and discovered her invisible self.
There's a lion in the road, there's a demon escaped,
There's a million dreams gone, there's a landscape being raped,
As her beauty fades and I watch her undrape,
I won't, but then again, maybe I might.
Oh, if I could just find you tonight.
I fought with my twin, that enemy within, 'til both of us fell by the way.
Horseplay and disease is killing me by degrees while the law looks the other way.
Your partners in crime hit me up for nickels and dimes, the guy you were lovin'
couldn't stay clean.
It felt outa place, my foot in his face, but he should-a stayed where his money was
green.
I bit into the root of forbidden fruit with the juice running down my leg.
Then I dealt with your boss, who'd never known about loss and who always was
too proud to beg.
There's a white diamond gloom on the dark side of this room and a pathway that leads
up to the stars.
If you don't believe there's a price for this sweet paradise, remind me to show you the
scars.
There's a new day at dawn and I've finally arrived.
If I'm there in the morning, baby, you'll know I've survived.
I can't believe it, I can't believe I'm alive,
But without you it just doesn't seem right.
Oh, where are you tonight?
Copyright © 1978 Special Rider Music
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Contradictions
We human beings are made up of contradictions. Part of us is attracted by the light and by God, and wants to care for our brothers and sisters. Another part of us wants frivolity, possessions, domination or success; it wants to be surrounded by approving friends, who will ward off sadness, depression or aggression. We are so deeply divided that we will reflect equally an environment which tends towards the light and concern for others, and one which scorns these values and encourages the desires for power and pleasure. As long as our deepest motivation is not clear to us and as long as we have not chosen the people and the place of our growth in its light, we will remain weak and inconsistent, as changeable as weathercocks.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 165
FIFTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A Ministry of Healing and Reconciliation
How does the Church witness to Christ in the world? First and foremost by giving visibility to Jesus' love for the poor and the weak. In a world so hungry for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and most of all unconditional love, the Church must alleviate that hunger through its ministry. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely, listen to those who are rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim the living Christ, whether we speak about him or not.
It is important that whatever we do and wherever we go, we remain in the Name of Jesus, who sent us. Outside his Name our ministry will lose its divine energy.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 7-10
1 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him.2 It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews.3 His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do?4 No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.”5 His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him either.6 Jesus came back at them, “Don’t crowd me. This isn’t my time. It’s your time—it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose.7 The world has nothing against you, but it’s up in arms against me. It’s against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions.8 You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don’t wait for me. I’m not ready. It’s not the right time for me.”9 He said this and stayed on in Galilee.10 But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself.11 The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, “Where is that man?”12 There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, “He’s a good man.” But others said, “Not so. He’s selling snake oil.”
13 This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.
Could It Be the Messiah?14 With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching.15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: “How does he know so much without being schooled?”16 Jesus said, “I didn’t make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me.17 Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it’s from God or whether I’m making it up.18 A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn’t tamper with reality.19 It was Moses, wasn’t it, who gave you God’s Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill me?”20 The crowd said, “You’re crazy! Who’s trying to kill you? You’re demon-possessed.”21 Jesus said, “I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you’re still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I’m up to.22 Moses prescribed circumcision—originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors—and so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it’s the Sabbath.23 You do this in order to preserve one item in the Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man’s whole body well on the Sabbath?24 Don’t be nitpickers; use your head—and heart!—to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.”25 That’s when some of the people of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this the one they were out to kill?26 And here he is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him. Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah?27 And yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from.”28 That provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, “Yes, you think you know me and where I’m from, but that’s not where I’m from. I didn’t set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don’t know him at all.29 I come from him—that’s how I know him. He sent me here.”30 They were looking for a way to arrest him, but not a hand was laid on him because it wasn’t yet God’s time.31 Many from the crowd committed themselves in faith to him, saying, “Will the Messiah, when he comes, provide better or more convincing evidence than this?”32 The Pharisees, alarmed at this seditious undertow going through the crowd, teamed up with the high priests and sent their police to arrest him.33 Jesus rebuffed them: “I am with you only a short time. Then I go on to the One who sent me.34 You will look for me, but you won’t find me. Where I am, you can’t come.”35 The Jews put their heads together. “Where do you think he is going that we won’t be able to find him? Do you think he is about to travel to the Greek world to teach the Jews?36 What is he talking about, anyway: ‘You will look for me, but you won’t find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?”37 On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.38 Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.”39 (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)40 Those in the crowd who heard these words were saying, “This has to be the Prophet.”41 Others said, “He is the Messiah!” But others were saying, “The Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee, does he?42 Don’t the Scriptures tell us that the Messiah comes from David’s line and from Bethlehem, David’s village?”43 So there was a split in the crowd over him.44 Some went so far as wanting to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him.45 That’s when the Temple police reported back to the high priests and Pharisees, who demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him with you?”46 The police answered, “Have you heard the way he talks? We’ve never heard anyone speak like this man.”47 The Pharisees said, “Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble?48 You don’t see any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or any from the Pharisees?49 It’s only this crowd, ignorant of God’s Law, that is taken in by him—and damned.”50 Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up.51 “Does our Law decide about a man’s guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?”52 But they cut him off. “Are you also campaigning for the Galilean?
53 Examine the evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee.”
Then they all went home.
To Throw the Stone
1 Jesus went across to Mount Olives,2 but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.3 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone4 and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery.5 Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?”
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt.7 They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.”8 Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.9 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone.10 Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
11 “No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
You’re Missing God in All This12 Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”13 The Pharisees objected, “All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on.”14 Jesus replied, “You’re right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I’ve come from and where I go next. You don’t know where I’m from or where I’m headed.15 You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don’t make judgments like that.16 But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn’t make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father.17 That fulfills the conditions set down in God’s Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses.18 And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me.”
19 They said, “Where is this so-called Father of yours?”
Jesus said, “You’re looking right at me and you don’t see me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father.”20 He gave this speech in the Treasury while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn’t yet up.21 Then he went over the same ground again. “I’m leaving and you are going to look for me, but you’re missing God in this and are headed for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me.”22 The Jews said, “So, is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by ‘You can’t come with me’?”23 Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms.24 I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.”
25 They said to him, “Just who are you anyway?”
Jesus said, “What I’ve said from the start.26 I have so many things to say that concern you, judgments to make that affect you, but if you don’t accept the trustworthiness of the One who commanded my words and acts, none of it matters. That is who you are questioning—not me but the One who sent me.”27 They still didn’t get it, didn’t realize that he was referring to the Father.28 So Jesus tried again. “When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am—that I’m not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me.29 The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.”
30 When he put it in these terms, many people decided to believe.
If the Son Sets You Free31 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.32 Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”33 Surprised, they said, “But we’re descendants of Abraham. We’ve never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘The truth will free you’?”34 Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave.35 A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house.36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn’t yet penetrated your thick skulls.38 I’m talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father.”
39 They were indignant. “Our father is Abraham!”
Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would have been doing the things Abraham did.40 And yet here you are trying to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth he got straight from God! Abraham never did that sort of thing.
41 You persist in repeating the works of your father.”
They said, “We’re not bastards. We have a legitimate father: the one and only God.”42 “If God was your father,” said Jesus, “you would love me, for I came from God and arrived here. I didn’t come on my own. He sent me.43 Why can’t you understand one word I say? Here’s why: You can’t handle it.44 You’re from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies.45 I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with me.46 Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
47 Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening—because you’re not on God’s side.”
I Am Who I Am48 The Jews then said, “That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!”49 Jesus said, “I’m not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me.50 I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about.51 I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I’m telling you, you’ll never have to look death in the face.”52 At this point the Jews said, “Now we know you’re crazy. Abraham died. The prophets died. And you show up saying, ‘If you practice what I’m telling you, you’ll never have to face death, not even a taste.’53 Are you greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you are!”54 Jesus said, “If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn’t amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor.55 You haven’t recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I didn’t know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I do know, and I am doing what he says.56 Abraham—your ‘father’—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered.”57 The Jews said, “You’re not even fifty years old—and Abraham saw you?”58 “Believe me,” said Jesus, “I am who I am long before Abraham was anything.”
59 That did it—pushed them over the edge. They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of the Temple.
True Blindness
1 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.2 His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”3 Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.4 We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over.5 For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.”6 He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes,7 and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). The man went and washed—and saw.8 Soon the town was buzzing. His relatives and those who year after year had seen him as a blind man begging were saying, “Why, isn’t this the man we knew, who sat here and begged?”
9 Others said, “It’s him all right!”
But others objected, “It’s not the same man at all. It just looks like him.”
He said, “It’s me, the very one.”10 They said, “How did your eyes get opened?”11 “A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ I did what he said. When I washed, I saw.”
12 “So where is he?”
“I don’t know.”13 They marched the man to the Pharisees.14 This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath.15 The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, “He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “Obviously, this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”
Others countered, “How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this?” There was a split in their ranks.
17 They came back at the blind man, “You’re the expert. He opened your eyes. What do you say about him?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”18 The Jews didn’t believe it, didn’t believe the man was blind to begin with. So they called the parents of the man now bright-eyed with sight.19 They asked them, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he now sees?”20 His parents said, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.21 But we don’t know how he came to see—haven’t a clue about who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask him? He’s a grown man and can speak for himself.”22 (His parents were talking like this because they were intimidated by the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone who took a stand that this was the Messiah would be kicked out of the meeting place.23 That’s why his parents said, “Ask him. He’s a grown man.”)24 They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind—and told him, “Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor.”25 He replied, “I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see.”26 They said, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”27 “I’ve told you over and over and you haven’t listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?”28 With that they jumped all over him. “You might be a disciple of that man, but we’re disciples of Moses.29 We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”30 The man replied, “This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes!31 It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will.32 That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever.33 If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.”34 They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!” Then they threw him out in the street.35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”36 The man said, “Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”37 Jesus said, “You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?”38 “Master, I believe,” the man said, and worshiped him.39 Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”40 Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.
He Calls His Sheep by Name
1 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler!2 The shepherd walks right up to the gate.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.5 They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”6 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about.7 So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep.8 All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them.9 I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.12 A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf.13 He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.14 “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.15 In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.16 You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.17 This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.18 No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”19 This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks.20 A lot of them were saying, “He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?”21 But others weren’t so sure: “These aren’t the words of a crazy man. Can a ‘maniac’ open blind eyes?”22 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter.23 Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch.24 The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”25 Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words.26 You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep.27 My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.28 I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand.29 The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him.30 I and the Father are one heart and mind.”31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to throw at him.32 Jesus said, “I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many good actions. For which of these acts do you stone me?”33 The Jews said, “We’re not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said—this blasphemy of calling yourself God.”34 Jesus said, “I’m only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, ‘I tell you—you are gods.’35 If God called your ancestors ‘gods’—and Scripture doesn’t lie—36 why do you yell, ‘Blasphemer! Blasphemer!’ at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?37 If I don’t do the things my Father does, well and good; don’t believe me.38 But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him.”39 They tried yet again to arrest him, but he slipped through their fingers.40 He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and stayed there.41 A lot of people followed him over. They were saying, “John did no miracles, but everything he said about this man has come true.”
42 Many believed in him then and there. --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Autobiographical Manuscript B, 4r°
The good use of riches
Oh Jesus, I know that love is repaid with love alone, and I have searched and found the way to soothe my heart by returning to you Love for Love. «Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world's goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.» (Lk 16:9) That is the advice you gave your disciples, Lord, after telling them that «the children of darkness are more capable of looking after their affairs than the children of light.» As a child of light, I understood that my desire to be everything, to embrace every vocation, was a wealth that could easily make me unrighteous, so I used it to make friends for myself. I remembered Elisha's request of his father Elijah when he dared to ask him for a «double portion of his spirit» (2 Kings 2:9), and I came before the angels and saints and told them: «I am the smallest of creatures, I know my poverty and weakness, but I also know how much noble and generous hearts love to do good. So I beg you, Oh blessed inhabitants of Heaven, I beg you to adopt me as your child. To you alone will be the glory that you let me acquire, but deign to hear my prayer. It is foolhardy, I know, however I dare to ask you to obtain for me a double portion of your Love.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Reflecting God for Thursday, November 5, 2009
Today’s Question
How have you served God’s purposes lately?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How do my emotions help me to understand more deeply?
We must go through the stages of feeling, not only in the last death of anything but all the earlier little deaths. If we abort these emotional stages by easy answers, all they do is take a deeper form of disguise and come out in another way. So many people learn that the hard way—by getting ulcers, by all kinds of psycho-somatic diseases, depression, chronic irritability, and misdirected anger—because they refuse to let their emotions run their course, honor them consciously, or find some appropriate place to share them.
Emotions are not right or wrong, good or bad. They are merely indicators of what is happening, and must be listened to, usually in the body. People who do not feel deeply finally do not know or love deeply either. It is the price we pay for loving. Like Job we must be willing to feel our emotions and come to grips with the mystery in our head, our heart, and our body. To be honest, that takes years.
From Job and the Mystery of Suffering: Spiritual Reflections, pp.54-55
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Memorial)
First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-9
1 The Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall take away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and prop (all supplies of bread and water):
2Hero and warrior, judge and prophet, fortune-teller and elder,
3The captain of fifty and the nobleman, counselor, skilled magician, and expert charmer.
4I will make striplings their princes; the fickle shall govern them,
5And the people shall oppress one another, yes, every man his neighbor. The child shall be bold toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable.
6When a man seizes his brother in his father's house, saying, "You have clothes! Be our ruler, and take in hand this ruin!"--
7Then shall he answer in that day: "I will not undertake to cure this, when in my own house there is no bread or clothing! You shall not make me ruler of the people."
8Jerusalem is crumbling, Judah is falling; for their speech and their deeds are before the LORD, a provocation in the sight of his majesty.
9Their very look bears witness against them; their sin like Sodom they vaunt, They hide it not. Woe to them! they deal out evil to themselves.--New American Bible
Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14
1 Light, space, zest— that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.
4 I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
7 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
“Be good to me! Answer me!”
8 When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
9 Don’t hide from me now!
You’ve always been right there for me;
don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
you’ve always kept the door open.
13 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
14 Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God. --The Message
Second Reading: Romans 5:5-11
5 In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!6 Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway.7 We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.8 But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.9 Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way.10 If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!
11 Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!
The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift--The Message
Gospel: John 11:17-27
17 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead.18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away,19 and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother.20 Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.21 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.22 Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”25 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.26 And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”--The Message
Let us ask our Lord to work in us and through us, and let us do our utmost to draw Him down into our hearts, for He Himself has said: "Without Me you can do nothing."-- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 9:16-22
16 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.18 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion.19 After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries.20 And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.”21 He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture.22 Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.--The Message
KEY VERSE: Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22b).
Life Through the Blood
A bloodmobile appears occasionally at our nearby shopping mall or at other locations around town. People are urged to give a pint of blood and reminded that blood donors make the difference between life and death. Some people prefer to do volunteer work at the hospital or to send a check. Those good works are no substitute for the life-giving blood needed by surgery patients and accident victims.
When the plague of death was sent throughout the land of Egypt, only the blood of a lamb on the top and sides of the door frames of their houses spared the people of Israel (Exod. 12). Life was given and blood poured out that they might live.
Unbelievers admire Jesus as a good man or wise teacher. He is much more than that. He is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). We are not saved by His life, but by His death. Jesus took our sins and our death. He died, that we might live, forgiven and free. "The blood of Jesus . . . purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).-Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
"Nothing but the Blood" by Robert Lowry
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Many people in Honduras will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
PARTAKERS OF HIS SUFFERINGS BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." 1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what transpires in other souls so that you will never be surprised at what you come across. Oh, I can't deal with that person. Why not? God gave you ample opportunity to soak before Him on that line, and you barged off because it seemed stupid to spend time in that way.
The sufferings of Christ are not those of ordinary men. He suffered "according to the will of God," not from the point of view we suffer from as individuals. It is only when we are related to Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. It is part of Christian culture to know what God's aim is. In the history of the Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of God's order by a short cut of their own. God's way is always the way of suffering, the way of the "long, long trail."
Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp our personal ambitions right out? Are we prepared for God to destroy by transfiguration our individual determinations? It will not mean that we know exactly why God is taking us that way, that would make us spiritual prigs. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through; we go through it more or less misunderstandingly; then we come to a luminous place, and say - ' 'Why, God has girded me, though I did not know it!"
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Providence
The experience of Providence grows stronger with time, with the discovery that God has watched over the community in times of trial which could have destroyed it. Serious tensions have been resolved, people have arrived exactly when they were needed, there has been unexpected financial or material help, someone has found inner freedom and healing. Then the experience of God is no longer personal but communal, and this generates peace and luminous certainty. But this recognition of the action of God in community life demands a very great fidelity.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 157
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Mission of the Church
There are more people on this planet outside the Church than inside it. Millions have been baptised, millions have not. Millions participate in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, but millions do not.
The Church as the body of Christ, as Christ living in the world, has a larger task than to support, nurture, and guide its own members. It is also called to be a witness for the love of God made visible in Jesus. Before his death Jesus prayed for his followers, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). Part of the essence of being the Church is being a living witness for Christ in the world.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 4-6
1 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed2 (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people.3 So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.4 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria.5 He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.7 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?”8 (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”11 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’?12 Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”15 The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!”16 He said, “Go call your husband and then come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she said.
“That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’18 You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.”19 “Oh, so you’re a prophet!20 Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?”21 “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.22 You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews.
23 But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.24 God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”25 The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”26 “I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it.28 The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people,29 “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?”
30 And they went out to see for themselves.
It’s Harvest Time31 In the meantime, the disciples pressed him, “Rabbi, eat. Aren’t you going to eat?”32 He told them, “I have food to eat you know nothing about.”33 The disciples were puzzled. “Who could have brought him food?”34 Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.35 As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!36 “The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant.37 That’s the truth of the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’38 I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.”39 Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!”40 They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days.41 A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say.42 They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!”43 After the two days he left for Galilee.44 Now, Jesus knew well from experience that a prophet is not respected in the place where he grew up.45 So when he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, but only because they were impressed with what he had done in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, not that they really had a clue about who he was or what he was up to.46 Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king’s court whose son was sick.47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death.48 Jesus put him off: “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”49 But the court official wouldn’t be put off. “Come down! It’s life or death for my son.”
50 Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.”
The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home.51 On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, “Your son lives!”52 He asked them what time he began to get better. They said, “The fever broke yesterday afternoon at one o’clock.”
53 The father knew that that was the very moment Jesus had said, “Your son lives.”
That clinched it. Not only he but his entire household believed.
54 This was now the second sign Jesus gave after having come from Judea into Galilee.
Even on the Sabbath
1 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem.2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves.3 Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves.5 One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years.6 When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”7 The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”8 Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.”
9 The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
That day happened to be the Sabbath.10 The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath. You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.”11 But he told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your bedroll and start walking.’”12 They asked, “Who gave you the order to take it up and start walking?”13 But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.14 A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.”15 The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.16 That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath.17 But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.”
18 That really set them off. The Jews were now not only out to expose him; they were out to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, putting himself on a level with God.
What the Father Does, the Son Does19 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does.
20 The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.
“But you haven’t seen the half of it yet,21 for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses.22 Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son23 so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.24 “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.25 “It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive.26 Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself.27 And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.28 “Don’t act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice.29 Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment.30 “I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders.31 If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness.32 But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all.33 Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn’t he?34 “But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved.35 John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light.36 But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.37 The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance.38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.39 “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!40 And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.41 “I’m not interested in crowd approval.42 And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda.43 I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms.44 How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?45 “But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser.46 If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me.
47 If you won’t take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?”
Bread and Fish for All
1 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias).2 A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick.3 When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples.4 It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.5 When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?”6 He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.7 Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”8 One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said,9 “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them.11 Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.12 When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.”13 They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.14 The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, “This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!”15 Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.16 In the evening his disciples went down to the sea,17 got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned.18 A huge wind blew up, churning the sea.19 They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless,20 but he reassured them, “It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.”21 So they took him on board. In no time they reached land—the exact spot they were headed to.22 The next day the crowd that was left behind realized that there had been only one boat, and that Jesus had not gotten into it with his disciples. They had seen them go off without him.23 By now boats from Tiberias had pulled up near where they had eaten the bread blessed by the Master.24 So when the crowd realized he was gone and wasn’t coming back, they piled into the Tiberias boats and headed for Capernaum, looking for Jesus.25 When they found him back across the sea, they said, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “You’ve come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free.
The Bread of Life27 “Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”28 To that they said, “Well, what do we do then to get in on God’s works?”29 Jesus said, “Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God’s works.”30 They waffled: “Why don’t you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what’s going on? When we see what’s up, we’ll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do.31 Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”32 Jesus responded, “The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread.33 The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world.”34 They jumped at that: “Master, give us this bread, now and forever!”35 Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.36 I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me.37 Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.38 I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.39 “This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole.40 This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.”41 At this, because he said, “I am the Bread that came down from heaven,” the Jews started arguing over him:42 “Isn’t this the son of Joseph? Don’t we know his father? Don’t we know his mother? How can he now say, ‘I came down out of heaven’ and expect anyone to believe him?”43 Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me.44 You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.45 This is what the prophets meant when they wrote, ‘And then they will all be personally taught by God.’ Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning, comes to me to be taught personally—to see it with his own eyes, hear it with his own ears, from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father.46 No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father—and you can see me.47 “I’m telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life.48 I am the Bread of Life.49 Your ancestors ate the manna bread in the desert and died.50 But now here is Bread that truly comes down out of heaven. Anyone eating this Bread will not die, ever.51 I am the Bread—living Bread!—who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live—and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood self.”52 At this, the Jews started fighting among themselves: “How can this man serve up his flesh for a meal?”53 But Jesus didn’t give an inch. “Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood, the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you.54 The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and will be fit and ready for the Final Day.55 My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56 By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you.57 In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me.58 This is the Bread from heaven. Your ancestors ate bread and later died. Whoever eats this Bread will live always.”
59 He said these things while teaching in the meeting place in Capernaum.
Too Tough to Swallow60 Many among his disciples heard this and said, “This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow.”61 Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, “Does this throw you completely?62 What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from?63 The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.64 But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this.” (Jesus knew from the start that some weren’t going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.)65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”66 After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him.67 Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”68 Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.69 We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”70 Jesus responded, “Haven’t I handpicked you, the Twelve? Still, one of you is a devil!”71 He was referring to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. This man—one from the Twelve!—was even then getting ready to betray him.--The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Ludolph of Saxony (c.1300-1378), Dominican then Carthusian at Strasbourg
Prayers to Jésus Christ, CLD
Come, seek your lost sheep
Lord Jesus Christ, to teach us the summit of virtue you ascended the mountain with your disciples and taught them the Beatitudes and highest virtues, promising them the rewards applicable to each. Grant that my weakness may hear your voice, that I may apply myself through their practice to acquire the merit of the virtues so that by your mercy I may receive the promised reward. As I consider the payment do not let me refuse the effort of the labor. Make my hope of eternal salvation sweeten the bitterness of the cure, inflaming my soul with the splendor of your work. Out of the wretched person I am, create one of the blessed; from the blessedness here below lead me through your grace to the blessedness of the homeland.
Come, Lord Jesus Christ, in search of your servant, seeking your erring and exhausted sheep. Come, Spouse of the Church, in search of your lost coin. Come, Father of mercies, welcome the prodigal son returning to you. Come, then, Lord, for you are the only one able to call back the sheep that has strayed, to find the lost drachma, to reconcile the runaway son. Come, that there may be salvation on earth and joy in heaven! Turn me towards you and grant that I may carry out a true and perfect repentance so that I may become an occasion for joy among the angels. Sweetest Jesus, I pray you, by the immensity of your love for me, a sinner, grant that I may love you alone above all things, that I may be consoled by none but you, my sweetest God!
How have you served God’s purposes lately?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How do my emotions help me to understand more deeply?
We must go through the stages of feeling, not only in the last death of anything but all the earlier little deaths. If we abort these emotional stages by easy answers, all they do is take a deeper form of disguise and come out in another way. So many people learn that the hard way—by getting ulcers, by all kinds of psycho-somatic diseases, depression, chronic irritability, and misdirected anger—because they refuse to let their emotions run their course, honor them consciously, or find some appropriate place to share them.
Emotions are not right or wrong, good or bad. They are merely indicators of what is happening, and must be listened to, usually in the body. People who do not feel deeply finally do not know or love deeply either. It is the price we pay for loving. Like Job we must be willing to feel our emotions and come to grips with the mystery in our head, our heart, and our body. To be honest, that takes years.
From Job and the Mystery of Suffering: Spiritual Reflections, pp.54-55
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Memorial)
First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-9
1 The Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall take away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and prop (all supplies of bread and water):
2Hero and warrior, judge and prophet, fortune-teller and elder,
3The captain of fifty and the nobleman, counselor, skilled magician, and expert charmer.
4I will make striplings their princes; the fickle shall govern them,
5And the people shall oppress one another, yes, every man his neighbor. The child shall be bold toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable.
6When a man seizes his brother in his father's house, saying, "You have clothes! Be our ruler, and take in hand this ruin!"--
7Then shall he answer in that day: "I will not undertake to cure this, when in my own house there is no bread or clothing! You shall not make me ruler of the people."
8Jerusalem is crumbling, Judah is falling; for their speech and their deeds are before the LORD, a provocation in the sight of his majesty.
9Their very look bears witness against them; their sin like Sodom they vaunt, They hide it not. Woe to them! they deal out evil to themselves.--New American Bible
Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14
1 Light, space, zest— that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.
4 I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
7 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
“Be good to me! Answer me!”
8 When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
9 Don’t hide from me now!
You’ve always been right there for me;
don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
you’ve always kept the door open.
13 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
14 Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God. --The Message
Second Reading: Romans 5:5-11
5 In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!6 Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway.7 We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.8 But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.9 Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way.10 If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!
11 Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!
The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift--The Message
Gospel: John 11:17-27
17 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead.18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away,19 and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother.20 Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.21 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.22 Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”25 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.26 And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”--The Message
Let us ask our Lord to work in us and through us, and let us do our utmost to draw Him down into our hearts, for He Himself has said: "Without Me you can do nothing."-- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 9:16-22
16 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.18 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion.19 After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries.20 And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.”21 He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture.22 Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.--The Message
KEY VERSE: Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22b).
Life Through the Blood
A bloodmobile appears occasionally at our nearby shopping mall or at other locations around town. People are urged to give a pint of blood and reminded that blood donors make the difference between life and death. Some people prefer to do volunteer work at the hospital or to send a check. Those good works are no substitute for the life-giving blood needed by surgery patients and accident victims.
When the plague of death was sent throughout the land of Egypt, only the blood of a lamb on the top and sides of the door frames of their houses spared the people of Israel (Exod. 12). Life was given and blood poured out that they might live.
Unbelievers admire Jesus as a good man or wise teacher. He is much more than that. He is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). We are not saved by His life, but by His death. Jesus took our sins and our death. He died, that we might live, forgiven and free. "The blood of Jesus . . . purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).-Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
"Nothing but the Blood" by Robert Lowry
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Many people in Honduras will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
PARTAKERS OF HIS SUFFERINGS BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." 1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what transpires in other souls so that you will never be surprised at what you come across. Oh, I can't deal with that person. Why not? God gave you ample opportunity to soak before Him on that line, and you barged off because it seemed stupid to spend time in that way.
The sufferings of Christ are not those of ordinary men. He suffered "according to the will of God," not from the point of view we suffer from as individuals. It is only when we are related to Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. It is part of Christian culture to know what God's aim is. In the history of the Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of God's order by a short cut of their own. God's way is always the way of suffering, the way of the "long, long trail."
Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp our personal ambitions right out? Are we prepared for God to destroy by transfiguration our individual determinations? It will not mean that we know exactly why God is taking us that way, that would make us spiritual prigs. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through; we go through it more or less misunderstandingly; then we come to a luminous place, and say - ' 'Why, God has girded me, though I did not know it!"
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Providence
The experience of Providence grows stronger with time, with the discovery that God has watched over the community in times of trial which could have destroyed it. Serious tensions have been resolved, people have arrived exactly when they were needed, there has been unexpected financial or material help, someone has found inner freedom and healing. Then the experience of God is no longer personal but communal, and this generates peace and luminous certainty. But this recognition of the action of God in community life demands a very great fidelity.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 157
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Mission of the Church
There are more people on this planet outside the Church than inside it. Millions have been baptised, millions have not. Millions participate in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, but millions do not.
The Church as the body of Christ, as Christ living in the world, has a larger task than to support, nurture, and guide its own members. It is also called to be a witness for the love of God made visible in Jesus. Before his death Jesus prayed for his followers, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). Part of the essence of being the Church is being a living witness for Christ in the world.--Henri J. M. Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 4-6
1 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed2 (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people.3 So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.4 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria.5 He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.7 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?”8 (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”11 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’?12 Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”15 The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!”16 He said, “Go call your husband and then come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she said.
“That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’18 You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.”19 “Oh, so you’re a prophet!20 Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?”21 “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.22 You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews.
23 But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.24 God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”25 The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”26 “I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it.28 The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people,29 “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?”
30 And they went out to see for themselves.
It’s Harvest Time31 In the meantime, the disciples pressed him, “Rabbi, eat. Aren’t you going to eat?”32 He told them, “I have food to eat you know nothing about.”33 The disciples were puzzled. “Who could have brought him food?”34 Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.35 As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!36 “The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant.37 That’s the truth of the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’38 I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.”39 Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!”40 They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days.41 A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say.42 They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!”43 After the two days he left for Galilee.44 Now, Jesus knew well from experience that a prophet is not respected in the place where he grew up.45 So when he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, but only because they were impressed with what he had done in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, not that they really had a clue about who he was or what he was up to.46 Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king’s court whose son was sick.47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death.48 Jesus put him off: “Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.”49 But the court official wouldn’t be put off. “Come down! It’s life or death for my son.”
50 Jesus simply replied, “Go home. Your son lives.”
The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home.51 On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, “Your son lives!”52 He asked them what time he began to get better. They said, “The fever broke yesterday afternoon at one o’clock.”
53 The father knew that that was the very moment Jesus had said, “Your son lives.”
That clinched it. Not only he but his entire household believed.
54 This was now the second sign Jesus gave after having come from Judea into Galilee.
Even on the Sabbath
1 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem.2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves.3 Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves.5 One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years.6 When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”7 The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”8 Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.”
9 The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
That day happened to be the Sabbath.10 The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath. You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.”11 But he told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your bedroll and start walking.’”12 They asked, “Who gave you the order to take it up and start walking?”13 But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.14 A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.”15 The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.16 That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath.17 But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.”
18 That really set them off. The Jews were now not only out to expose him; they were out to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, putting himself on a level with God.
What the Father Does, the Son Does19 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does.
20 The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.
“But you haven’t seen the half of it yet,21 for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses.22 Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son23 so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.24 “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.25 “It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive.26 Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself.27 And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.28 “Don’t act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice.29 Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment.30 “I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders.31 If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness.32 But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all.33 Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn’t he?34 “But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved.35 John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light.36 But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.37 The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance.38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.39 “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!40 And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.41 “I’m not interested in crowd approval.42 And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda.43 I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms.44 How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?45 “But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser.46 If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me.
47 If you won’t take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?”
Bread and Fish for All
1 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias).2 A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick.3 When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples.4 It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.5 When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?”6 He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.7 Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”8 One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said,9 “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them.11 Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.12 When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.”13 They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.14 The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, “This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!”15 Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.16 In the evening his disciples went down to the sea,17 got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned.18 A huge wind blew up, churning the sea.19 They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless,20 but he reassured them, “It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.”21 So they took him on board. In no time they reached land—the exact spot they were headed to.22 The next day the crowd that was left behind realized that there had been only one boat, and that Jesus had not gotten into it with his disciples. They had seen them go off without him.23 By now boats from Tiberias had pulled up near where they had eaten the bread blessed by the Master.24 So when the crowd realized he was gone and wasn’t coming back, they piled into the Tiberias boats and headed for Capernaum, looking for Jesus.25 When they found him back across the sea, they said, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “You’ve come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free.
The Bread of Life27 “Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”28 To that they said, “Well, what do we do then to get in on God’s works?”29 Jesus said, “Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God’s works.”30 They waffled: “Why don’t you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what’s going on? When we see what’s up, we’ll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do.31 Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”32 Jesus responded, “The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread.33 The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world.”34 They jumped at that: “Master, give us this bread, now and forever!”35 Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.36 I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me.37 Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.38 I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.39 “This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole.40 This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.”41 At this, because he said, “I am the Bread that came down from heaven,” the Jews started arguing over him:42 “Isn’t this the son of Joseph? Don’t we know his father? Don’t we know his mother? How can he now say, ‘I came down out of heaven’ and expect anyone to believe him?”43 Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me.44 You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.45 This is what the prophets meant when they wrote, ‘And then they will all be personally taught by God.’ Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning, comes to me to be taught personally—to see it with his own eyes, hear it with his own ears, from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father.46 No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father—and you can see me.47 “I’m telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life.48 I am the Bread of Life.49 Your ancestors ate the manna bread in the desert and died.50 But now here is Bread that truly comes down out of heaven. Anyone eating this Bread will not die, ever.51 I am the Bread—living Bread!—who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live—and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood self.”52 At this, the Jews started fighting among themselves: “How can this man serve up his flesh for a meal?”53 But Jesus didn’t give an inch. “Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood, the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you.54 The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and will be fit and ready for the Final Day.55 My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56 By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you.57 In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me.58 This is the Bread from heaven. Your ancestors ate bread and later died. Whoever eats this Bread will live always.”
59 He said these things while teaching in the meeting place in Capernaum.
Too Tough to Swallow60 Many among his disciples heard this and said, “This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow.”61 Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, “Does this throw you completely?62 What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from?63 The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.64 But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this.” (Jesus knew from the start that some weren’t going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.)65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”66 After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him.67 Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”68 Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.69 We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”70 Jesus responded, “Haven’t I handpicked you, the Twelve? Still, one of you is a devil!”71 He was referring to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. This man—one from the Twelve!—was even then getting ready to betray him.--The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Ludolph of Saxony (c.1300-1378), Dominican then Carthusian at Strasbourg
Prayers to Jésus Christ, CLD
Come, seek your lost sheep
Lord Jesus Christ, to teach us the summit of virtue you ascended the mountain with your disciples and taught them the Beatitudes and highest virtues, promising them the rewards applicable to each. Grant that my weakness may hear your voice, that I may apply myself through their practice to acquire the merit of the virtues so that by your mercy I may receive the promised reward. As I consider the payment do not let me refuse the effort of the labor. Make my hope of eternal salvation sweeten the bitterness of the cure, inflaming my soul with the splendor of your work. Out of the wretched person I am, create one of the blessed; from the blessedness here below lead me through your grace to the blessedness of the homeland.
Come, Lord Jesus Christ, in search of your servant, seeking your erring and exhausted sheep. Come, Spouse of the Church, in search of your lost coin. Come, Father of mercies, welcome the prodigal son returning to you. Come, then, Lord, for you are the only one able to call back the sheep that has strayed, to find the lost drachma, to reconcile the runaway son. Come, that there may be salvation on earth and joy in heaven! Turn me towards you and grant that I may carry out a true and perfect repentance so that I may become an occasion for joy among the angels. Sweetest Jesus, I pray you, by the immensity of your love for me, a sinner, grant that I may love you alone above all things, that I may be consoled by none but you, my sweetest God!
Reflecting God for Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Today’s Question
How do you resonate with today’s reflection?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How have I learned to walk through the stages of dying?
We must learn how to walk through the stages of dying. We have to grieve over lost friends, relatives, and loves. Death cannot be dealt with through quick answers, religious platitudes, or a stiff upper lip. Dying must be allowed to happen over time, in predictable and necessary stages, both in those who die graciously and in those who love them. Grief is a time where God can fill the tragic gap with something new and totally unexpected. Yet the process cannot be rushed.
It is not only the loss of persons that leads to grief, but also the loss of ideals, visions, plans, places, and our very youth. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross helped us name those stages as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. Grief work might be one of the most redemptive, and yet still unappreciated, ministries in the church. Thank God, it is being discovered as a time of spacious grace and painful gift.
Adapted from Near Occasions of Grace, p.99
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (Memorial)
First Reading: Romans 13:8-10
8 Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.9 The law code—don’t sleep with another person’s spouse, don’t take someone’s life, don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t always be wanting what you don’t have, and any other “don’t” you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself.10 You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9
1 Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
2 Their children robust on the earth,
And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
4 Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God’s grace and mercy and justice!
5 The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
9 They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.
An honored life! A beautiful life!--The Message
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
25 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them,26 “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple.27 Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.28 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it?29 If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you:30 ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’31 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other?32 And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.-The Message
When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer.-- St. Louis de Montfort
SCRIPTURE READING: Leviticus 16:15-17
15 “Next he will slaughter the goat designated as the Absolution-Offering for the people and bring the blood inside the curtain. He will repeat what he does with the bull’s blood, sprinkling it on and before the Atonement-Cover.16 In this way he will make atonement for the Holy of Holies because of the uncleannesses of the Israelites, their acts of rebellion, and all their other sins. He will do the same thing for the Tent of Meeting which dwells among the people in the midst of their uncleanness.17 There is to be no one in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Holy of Holies until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole community of Israel.--The Message
KEY VERSE: Christ is the mediator of a new covenant (Heb. 9:15a).
The Better Covenant
Contracts and agreements can leave us disappointed. We learn the flood insurance doesn't cover wind damage. We are not eligible for some benefit we thought we had purchased. The car bought at a bargain price falls apart on the way home, but we can't take it back! Maybe we failed to read the "fine print" in the contract.
Can you imagine how it would feel if an employer who just hired you phoned to say he wanted to give you a higher salary! Or you bought a certificate of deposit, and the bank called to offer you a better rate of interest. Of course, the world doesn't work like that. Those who make contracts look out for their own interests.
There was no "fine print" in God's covenant with the people of Israel. The terms were clearly written for the honor of God and the blessing of His people. They failed to keep their covenant with Him, but Jesus intervened for us and established a far better covenant. He became the sacrifice for sins. By His blood, we are cleansed and set free to live in fellowship with Him, as we look forward to the inheritance He has promised us.-Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
(1)Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.
(Chorus) Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
(2)Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
(3)Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's Sword, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
(4)Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
"Standing on the Promises" by R. Kelso Carter
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Extension education for training Christians in Guatemala.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me" (Jer. 32:40).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR TODAY
THE AUTHORITY OF REALITY BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:8
It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God. The responsibility must be left with the individual, you cannot act for him, it must be his own deliberate act, but the evangelical message ought always to lead a man to act. The paralysis of refusing to act leaves a man exactly where he was before; when once he acts, he is never the same. It is the foolishness of it that stands in the way of hundreds who have been convicted by the Spirit of God. Immediately I precipitate myself over into an act, that second I live; all the rest is existence. The moments when I truly live are the moments when I act with my whole will.
Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. Record it, with ink or with blood. The feeblest saint who transacts business with Jesus Christ is emancipated the second he acts; all the almighty power of God is on his behalf. We come up to the truth of God, we confess we are wrong, but go back again; then we come up to it again, and go back; until we learn that we have no business to go back. We have to go clean over on some word of our redeeming Lord and transact business with Him. His word "come" means "transact." "Come unto Me." The last thing we do is to come; but everyone who does come knows that that second the supernatural rush of the life of God invades him instantly. The dominating power of the world, the flesh and the devil is paralysed, not by your act, but because your act has linked you on to God and His redemptive power.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A L'Arche Companion's Retreat with Stephen
Last July, Stephen and I lived a strong spiritual experience together as "companions" at a week-long retreat in a beautiful setting on the water in Montreal. We were one of 25 pairs (including the two pairs who gave the retreat) from L'Arche communities across Canada who came together to take time to nourish our spirits and our call in L'Arche.
Like all of the companions, Stephen and I met regularly for three months of preparation, reflecting together on certain themes that would later be part of the retreat experience.
Then, during the retreat itself, we had lots of time to take walks together and to talk with each other about themes such as "daily life," "forgiveness," "beauty and brokenness," and "the mission of L'Arche." As well, there was time for prayer, liturgy and meals in silence (not so easy all of the time!) We also enjoyed very much the time in the art room and with our small sharing group.
What did I learn? First, the importance of art and creative expression as part of the retreat experience. Second, the extraordinary gift of all the core members, who are a transparent channel for God's grace and presence. Third, how the mutuality in relationships that we endeavor to live in L'Arche and the willingness to risk to be vulnerable with one another touched and nourished my heart once more. Thank you, Stephen! --Joe Egan, L'Arche Toronto
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Cry of a Community in Pain
Sometimes during a meeting of the International Council of L'Arche, we speak of one of our communities as a problem. It has been in crisis for such a long time; assistants do not want to stay and the people with a handicap are not well, and so on. We forget that before being a problem, the community is poor and in pain. In some mysterious way God is present there. The cry of a community in pain is also the cry of the poor. We must approach such a community with great love and respect.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 156
FIFTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Poverty of Our Leaders
There is a tendency to think about poverty, suffering, and pain as realities that happen primarily or even exclusively at the bottom of our Church. We seldom think of our leaders as poor. Still, there is great poverty, deep loneliness, painful isolation, real depression, and much emotional suffering at the top of our Church.
We need the courage to acknowledge the suffering of the leaders of our Church - its ministers, priests, bishops, and popes - and include them in this fellowship of the weak. When we are not distracted by the power, wealth, and success of those who offer leadership, we will soon discover their powerlessness, poverty, and failures and feel free to reach out to them with the same compassion we want to give to those at the bottom. In God's eyes there is no distance between bottom and top. There shouldn't be in our eyes either.--Henri J, M, Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 1-3
1 The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,2 in readiness for God from day one.
3 Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.
4 What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
5 The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn’t put it out.6 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God7 to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.8 John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
9 The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life
he brings into Light.
10 He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn’t even notice.
11 He came to his own people,
but they didn’t want him.
12 But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
13 These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.15 John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word.”
16 We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
17 We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding—
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
18 No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
Thunder in the Desert19 When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest.20 He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?”
“I am not.”
“The Prophet?”
“No.”22 Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.”23 “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”24 Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party.25 Now they had a question of their own: “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”26 John answered, “I only baptize using water. A person you don’t recognize has taken his stand in your midst.27 He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
28 These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.
The God-Revealer29 The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out,30 “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I’ve been talking about, ‘the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.’31 I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.”32 John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him.33 I repeat, I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34 That’s exactly what I saw happen, and I’m telling you, there’s no question about it: This is the Son of God.”
Come, See for Yourself35 The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching.36 He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”37 The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus.
38 Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”
They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus.41 The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”).
42 He immediately led him to Jesus.
Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, “Come, follow me.”44 (Philip’s hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.)45 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!”
46 Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”
But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”47 When Jesus saw him coming he said, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.”
48 Nathanael said, “Where did you get that idea? You don’t know me.”
Jesus answered, “One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree.”49 Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!”50 Jesus said, “You’ve become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven’t seen anything yet!
51 Before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and God’s angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.”
From Water to Wine
1 Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.2 Jesus and his disciples were guests also.3 When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.”4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”6 Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim.8 “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did.9 When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom,10 “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”11 This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum along with his mother, brothers, and disciples, and stayed several days.
Tear Down This Temple . . .13 When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem.14 He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.15 Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right.16 He told the dove merchants, “Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a shopping mall!”17 That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture, “Zeal for your house consumes me.”18 But the Jews were upset. They asked, “What credentials can you present to justify this?”19 Jesus answered, “Tear down this Temple and in three days I’ll put it back together.”20 They were indignant: “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you’re going to rebuild it in three days?”21 But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple.22 Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.23 During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him.24 But Jesus didn’t entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were.
25 He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them.
Born from Above
1 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews.2 Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”3 Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”4 “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”5 Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.6 When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.7 “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak.8 You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”9 Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?”10 Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics?11 Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.12 If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?13 “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man.14 In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—15 and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.16 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.17 God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.18 Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.19 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.20 Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure.
21 But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
The Bridegroom’s Friend22 After this conversation, Jesus went on with his disciples into the Judean countryside and relaxed with them there. He was also baptizing.23 At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant.24 This was before John was thrown into jail.25 John’s disciples got into an argument with the establishment Jews over the nature of baptism.26 They came to John and said, “Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he’s now competing with us. He’s baptizing, too, and everyone’s going to him instead of us.”27 John answered, “It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about eternal success—without heaven’s help.28 You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready.
29 The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start?
“That’s why my cup is running over.30 This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.31 “The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God. The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the heavenborn is in a league of his own.32 He sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven. No one wants to deal with these facts.33 But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth.34 “The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces.35 The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts.
36 That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274), Franciscan, Doctor of the Church
The Life of Saint Francis, Legenda major, ch. 2 (©Classics of Western Spirituality)
Saint Francis renounces everything to follow Christ
Francis' father led this child of his before the bishop. He wanted to have Francis renounce into his hands his family possessions and return everything he had. A true lover of poverty, Francis showed himself eager to comply; he went before the bishop without delaying or hesitating. He did not wait for any words nor did he speak any, but immediately took his clothes and gave them back to his father... Drunk with remarkable fervor, he even took off his underwear, stripping himself completely naked before all. He said to his father: "Until now I have called you father here on earth, but now I can say without reservation, 'Our Father who art in heaven' (Matt. 6:9), since I have placed all my treasure and all my hope in him."
When the bishop saw this, he was amazed at such intense fervor in the man of God. He immediately stood up and in tears drew Francis into his arms, covering him with the mantle he was wearing, like the pious and good man that he was. He bade servants give Francis something to cover his body. They brought him a poor, cheap cloak of a farmer who worked for the bishop. Francis accepted it gratefully and with his hand marked a cross on it with a piece of chalk, thus de signifying it as the covering of a crucified man and a half-naked beggar. Thus the servant of the Most High King was left naked so that he might follow his naked crucified Lord, whom he loved.
How do you resonate with today’s reflection?
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.
CHOOSE LIFE—CHOOSE DEATH
Question of the Day:
How have I learned to walk through the stages of dying?
We must learn how to walk through the stages of dying. We have to grieve over lost friends, relatives, and loves. Death cannot be dealt with through quick answers, religious platitudes, or a stiff upper lip. Dying must be allowed to happen over time, in predictable and necessary stages, both in those who die graciously and in those who love them. Grief is a time where God can fill the tragic gap with something new and totally unexpected. Yet the process cannot be rushed.
It is not only the loss of persons that leads to grief, but also the loss of ideals, visions, plans, places, and our very youth. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross helped us name those stages as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. Grief work might be one of the most redemptive, and yet still unappreciated, ministries in the church. Thank God, it is being discovered as a time of spacious grace and painful gift.
Adapted from Near Occasions of Grace, p.99
Current Mantra:
Lord, teach me to choose life.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (Memorial)
First Reading: Romans 13:8-10
8 Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.9 The law code—don’t sleep with another person’s spouse, don’t take someone’s life, don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t always be wanting what you don’t have, and any other “don’t” you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself.10 You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.--The Message
Psalm: Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9
1 Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
2 Their children robust on the earth,
And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
4 Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God’s grace and mercy and justice!
5 The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
9 They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.
An honored life! A beautiful life!--The Message
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
25 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them,26 “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple.27 Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.28 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it?29 If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you:30 ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’31 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other?32 And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.-The Message
When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer.-- St. Louis de Montfort
SCRIPTURE READING: Leviticus 16:15-17
15 “Next he will slaughter the goat designated as the Absolution-Offering for the people and bring the blood inside the curtain. He will repeat what he does with the bull’s blood, sprinkling it on and before the Atonement-Cover.16 In this way he will make atonement for the Holy of Holies because of the uncleannesses of the Israelites, their acts of rebellion, and all their other sins. He will do the same thing for the Tent of Meeting which dwells among the people in the midst of their uncleanness.17 There is to be no one in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Holy of Holies until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole community of Israel.--The Message
KEY VERSE: Christ is the mediator of a new covenant (Heb. 9:15a).
The Better Covenant
Contracts and agreements can leave us disappointed. We learn the flood insurance doesn't cover wind damage. We are not eligible for some benefit we thought we had purchased. The car bought at a bargain price falls apart on the way home, but we can't take it back! Maybe we failed to read the "fine print" in the contract.
Can you imagine how it would feel if an employer who just hired you phoned to say he wanted to give you a higher salary! Or you bought a certificate of deposit, and the bank called to offer you a better rate of interest. Of course, the world doesn't work like that. Those who make contracts look out for their own interests.
There was no "fine print" in God's covenant with the people of Israel. The terms were clearly written for the honor of God and the blessing of His people. They failed to keep their covenant with Him, but Jesus intervened for us and established a far better covenant. He became the sacrifice for sins. By His blood, we are cleansed and set free to live in fellowship with Him, as we look forward to the inheritance He has promised us.-Juanita Nelting
SING TO THE LORD
(1)Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.
(Chorus) Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
(2)Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
(3)Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's Sword, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
(4)Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. (Chorus)
"Standing on the Promises" by R. Kelso Carter
REACH OUT IN PRAYER
Extension education for training Christians in Guatemala.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me" (Jer. 32:40).
SECOND THOUGHT FOR TODAY
THE AUTHORITY OF REALITY BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:8
It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God. The responsibility must be left with the individual, you cannot act for him, it must be his own deliberate act, but the evangelical message ought always to lead a man to act. The paralysis of refusing to act leaves a man exactly where he was before; when once he acts, he is never the same. It is the foolishness of it that stands in the way of hundreds who have been convicted by the Spirit of God. Immediately I precipitate myself over into an act, that second I live; all the rest is existence. The moments when I truly live are the moments when I act with my whole will.
Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. Record it, with ink or with blood. The feeblest saint who transacts business with Jesus Christ is emancipated the second he acts; all the almighty power of God is on his behalf. We come up to the truth of God, we confess we are wrong, but go back again; then we come up to it again, and go back; until we learn that we have no business to go back. We have to go clean over on some word of our redeeming Lord and transact business with Him. His word "come" means "transact." "Come unto Me." The last thing we do is to come; but everyone who does come knows that that second the supernatural rush of the life of God invades him instantly. The dominating power of the world, the flesh and the devil is paralysed, not by your act, but because your act has linked you on to God and His redemptive power.
THIRD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A L'Arche Companion's Retreat with Stephen
Last July, Stephen and I lived a strong spiritual experience together as "companions" at a week-long retreat in a beautiful setting on the water in Montreal. We were one of 25 pairs (including the two pairs who gave the retreat) from L'Arche communities across Canada who came together to take time to nourish our spirits and our call in L'Arche.
Like all of the companions, Stephen and I met regularly for three months of preparation, reflecting together on certain themes that would later be part of the retreat experience.
Then, during the retreat itself, we had lots of time to take walks together and to talk with each other about themes such as "daily life," "forgiveness," "beauty and brokenness," and "the mission of L'Arche." As well, there was time for prayer, liturgy and meals in silence (not so easy all of the time!) We also enjoyed very much the time in the art room and with our small sharing group.
What did I learn? First, the importance of art and creative expression as part of the retreat experience. Second, the extraordinary gift of all the core members, who are a transparent channel for God's grace and presence. Third, how the mutuality in relationships that we endeavor to live in L'Arche and the willingness to risk to be vulnerable with one another touched and nourished my heart once more. Thank you, Stephen! --Joe Egan, L'Arche Toronto
FOURTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Cry of a Community in Pain
Sometimes during a meeting of the International Council of L'Arche, we speak of one of our communities as a problem. It has been in crisis for such a long time; assistants do not want to stay and the people with a handicap are not well, and so on. We forget that before being a problem, the community is poor and in pain. In some mysterious way God is present there. The cry of a community in pain is also the cry of the poor. We must approach such a community with great love and respect.-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, p. 156
FIFTH THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Poverty of Our Leaders
There is a tendency to think about poverty, suffering, and pain as realities that happen primarily or even exclusively at the bottom of our Church. We seldom think of our leaders as poor. Still, there is great poverty, deep loneliness, painful isolation, real depression, and much emotional suffering at the top of our Church.
We need the courage to acknowledge the suffering of the leaders of our Church - its ministers, priests, bishops, and popes - and include them in this fellowship of the weak. When we are not distracted by the power, wealth, and success of those who offer leadership, we will soon discover their powerlessness, poverty, and failures and feel free to reach out to them with the same compassion we want to give to those at the bottom. In God's eyes there is no distance between bottom and top. There shouldn't be in our eyes either.--Henri J, M, Nouwen
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 1-3
1 The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,2 in readiness for God from day one.
3 Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.
4 What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
5 The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn’t put it out.6 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God7 to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.8 John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
9 The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life
he brings into Light.
10 He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn’t even notice.
11 He came to his own people,
but they didn’t want him.
12 But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
13 These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.15 John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word.”
16 We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
17 We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding—
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
18 No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
Thunder in the Desert19 When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest.20 He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?”
“I am not.”
“The Prophet?”
“No.”22 Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.”23 “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”24 Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party.25 Now they had a question of their own: “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”26 John answered, “I only baptize using water. A person you don’t recognize has taken his stand in your midst.27 He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
28 These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.
The God-Revealer29 The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out,30 “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I’ve been talking about, ‘the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.’31 I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.”32 John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him.33 I repeat, I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34 That’s exactly what I saw happen, and I’m telling you, there’s no question about it: This is the Son of God.”
Come, See for Yourself35 The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching.36 He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”37 The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus.
38 Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”
They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus.41 The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”).
42 He immediately led him to Jesus.
Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, “Come, follow me.”44 (Philip’s hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.)45 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!”
46 Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”
But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”47 When Jesus saw him coming he said, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.”
48 Nathanael said, “Where did you get that idea? You don’t know me.”
Jesus answered, “One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree.”49 Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!”50 Jesus said, “You’ve become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven’t seen anything yet!
51 Before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and God’s angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.”
From Water to Wine
1 Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.2 Jesus and his disciples were guests also.3 When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.”4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”6 Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim.8 “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did.9 When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom,10 “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”11 This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum along with his mother, brothers, and disciples, and stayed several days.
Tear Down This Temple . . .13 When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem.14 He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.15 Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right.16 He told the dove merchants, “Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a shopping mall!”17 That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture, “Zeal for your house consumes me.”18 But the Jews were upset. They asked, “What credentials can you present to justify this?”19 Jesus answered, “Tear down this Temple and in three days I’ll put it back together.”20 They were indignant: “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you’re going to rebuild it in three days?”21 But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple.22 Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.23 During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him.24 But Jesus didn’t entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were.
25 He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them.
Born from Above
1 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews.2 Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”3 Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”4 “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”5 Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.6 When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.7 “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak.8 You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”9 Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?”10 Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics?11 Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.12 If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?13 “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man.14 In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—15 and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.16 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.17 God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.18 Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.19 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.20 Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure.
21 But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
The Bridegroom’s Friend22 After this conversation, Jesus went on with his disciples into the Judean countryside and relaxed with them there. He was also baptizing.23 At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant.24 This was before John was thrown into jail.25 John’s disciples got into an argument with the establishment Jews over the nature of baptism.26 They came to John and said, “Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he’s now competing with us. He’s baptizing, too, and everyone’s going to him instead of us.”27 John answered, “It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about eternal success—without heaven’s help.28 You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready.
29 The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start?
“That’s why my cup is running over.30 This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.31 “The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God. The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the heavenborn is in a league of his own.32 He sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven. No one wants to deal with these facts.33 But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth.34 “The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces.35 The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts.
36 That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” --The Message
All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. WordAction.com
Commentary of the day :
Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274), Franciscan, Doctor of the Church
The Life of Saint Francis, Legenda major, ch. 2 (©Classics of Western Spirituality)
Saint Francis renounces everything to follow Christ
Francis' father led this child of his before the bishop. He wanted to have Francis renounce into his hands his family possessions and return everything he had. A true lover of poverty, Francis showed himself eager to comply; he went before the bishop without delaying or hesitating. He did not wait for any words nor did he speak any, but immediately took his clothes and gave them back to his father... Drunk with remarkable fervor, he even took off his underwear, stripping himself completely naked before all. He said to his father: "Until now I have called you father here on earth, but now I can say without reservation, 'Our Father who art in heaven' (Matt. 6:9), since I have placed all my treasure and all my hope in him."
When the bishop saw this, he was amazed at such intense fervor in the man of God. He immediately stood up and in tears drew Francis into his arms, covering him with the mantle he was wearing, like the pious and good man that he was. He bade servants give Francis something to cover his body. They brought him a poor, cheap cloak of a farmer who worked for the bishop. Francis accepted it gratefully and with his hand marked a cross on it with a piece of chalk, thus de signifying it as the covering of a crucified man and a half-naked beggar. Thus the servant of the Most High King was left naked so that he might follow his naked crucified Lord, whom he loved.
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