Trinity Sutter Creek
Members
to all the women and men
of our church
who contributed to this
Lenten gift.
in this booklet
bring a deeper meaning
to our Lenten journey
our Risen Lord.
| Ash Wednesday - February 6 Luke 18: 9-14 |
| He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." |
| In preparing to write this meditation, I pulled out a stack of books. There were several Bible translations, Barclay's Bible commentary and an array of writings by other spiritual authors. Somehow hoping that reading all these works would inspire me to write a meditation that would be intellectual, inspirational and perhaps even mind-boggling................... impressing one and all!
Then in comes my mentally handicapped daughter Heather. She is 34, but functions as a 6 year-old and has limited language abilities. Heather is living at home after some aggressive behaviors precipitated her having to leave her residence at a group home for the handicapped. Heather has been extremely upset about how she has acted and about the resulting consequences. One day during this time Heather came in, sat next to me on the sofa, laid her head in my lap and said, "God, help me-attitude." It was in that moment that Heather showed me the meaning of this parable in Luke more profoundly then any theologian could have articulated. So for today on this our Lenten journey, won't you join me in prayer with Heather, "God, Help Me-Attitude." By Susan Wahlstrom
|
| Thursday - February 7 John 17: 1-8 |
| Father, the time has come. Reveal the glory of your Son so that he can give the glory back to you |
| I stood atop an 80 foot pine today,
Stretching with all my might,
Prepared to meet my Father.
He said "Are you ready" - And I said "I am"
A sparrow lit beside me
"I once knew a babe, afraid of the world,
She slept at this tree's trunk, hiding.
Are you that babe?" - And I said "I am"
A wolf called from below.
"I used to chase a child round this tree; tormenting her.
She'd scramble up, never able
To grasp a branch and again she'd
Fall back into my nipping teeth.
Are you that child?" - "I am"
An old vulture circled overhead
"I once feasted upon the flesh of a young woman wolf chased up.
Not wanting to fall again, she
Dared to climb farther than ever before
But she was not ready and she fell."
Are you that young woman?" - "I am!"
"Child" they sang together
"You were asleep, but have awakened.
You were afraid, but still you climbed.
You were dead, but stand before us alive.
Who are you? - And I said "I am"
The cosmos opened and angels sang
I reached to the heavens
And the voice of God called
"They need one to help them awaken and climb,
To come fully into life with me.
I need your help;
Are you ready?" - And I said "I AM"
By Margaret Lewis
|
| Friday - February 8 John 17: 9-19 |
| This passage is Jesus' prayer for the eleven faithful disciples. I don't believe it is a prayer of exclusivity. While He says that He is praying for them specifically and not for the world in general, John 3:16 tells us "for God so LOVED the world…" So, even though the "world" was against Him at this time, Jesus also prayed for the "world," as He hung on the cross, for the Father to forgive them.
As Jesus nears the end of His earthly, human existence, He is turning over His followers to the Father. God gave the disciples to Jesus for him to love, nurture, and share the message of God's Word. Jesus was and is the message and the messenger.
Sometimes when I revert back to worrying about my children and grandchildren, and I think it is up to me to solve their problems or control the outcomes of their actions; I am reminded that God does not have grandchildren. God is the Father of us all! Each of us, like Jesus, is made in His image, and we are His flock-His children. I have to remember to pray for God's will for them, and not just for what I think would be in their best interest. God's plan is always a better one anyway. When I keep taking the control back, I have to use my God Box. I can write my concern on a piece of paper, put it in my God Box, and literally turn the box over, giving the outcome back to God!
By Gail Sweet
|
| Saturday - February 9 John 17: 20-26 |
| I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one is us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, righteous one, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them. (The Jerusalem Bible) Reflection: We are Stardust |
| Mathematical cosmologist Dr. Brian Swimme says "The universe began as an eruption of space, time, matter and energy out of all-nourishing abyss, the hidden source of all creativity." Jesus instinctively recognized this hidden source as the creator, God. Simply put, God is creation as creation is God. Jesus made known to us our relationship with that source and with himself - that we are all one; that we are in God as God is in us.
We believe that all creation is the generous gift of a loving God. We are the gift of a loving God; we are gift to each other as well as to all creation. All creation is gift to us. At the center of this gift is love freely given. Through his love, Jesus brings that message to us - across space and time to the now, to where we live and move and have our being.
Dr. Swimme further states that "each person lives in the center of the cosmos . . . the actual origin of the universe is where you live your life." We invite you to reflect on where you live your life in relationship with Jesus and with the gift of creation from our loving Creator.
By Brian Gray and Caryl Callsen
|
| Sunday - February 10 John 12: 44-50 |
| ...and Jesus said, "I have come as light into the world that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." |
| I recall that it was some 65 years ago, that I was awakened from a deep sleep by my Mother's gentle prodding; "Jimmy, time to start a new day. Your papers were just dropped off on the front porch. It's time to go to work." That was my first day on the job as a paper boy for the Southwest Wave. I knew at that moment of awakening that I was not ready to face the fearful darkness of our neighborhood in Southwest Los Angeles much less walk through it without a light to guide me. But I did, whistling and walking very fast while dropping each paper on a front porch. I held out hope that dawn's early light would come quickly and absorb all of the fears and anxiety of the thickly experienced darkness that moved against each step I took towards completion of that early morning calling so many years ago.
That lad of eight is now an old man...still hearing and doing his best to follow the light...still experiencing the lonely darkness that often times shrouds the journey. But also, Thank God, gratefully accepting the redemptive grace of Christ's light in my life. Father Neuned, a mentor for Mother Teresa commented, "A sure sign of God's hidden presence in the darkness of our journey is our thirst for God. The craving of at least a ray of His light. No one can long for God unless God is present in his/her life."
God grant us, through Christ our Lord, a thirst for His light and love in those times of darkness in our lives. Amen
By Jim Wahlstrom
|
| Monday - February 11 Mark 1: 1-13 |
| "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." …The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness [for] forty days, tempted by Satan; … with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. |
| Have you ever had an important revelation or understanding just to have it immediately challenged? Immediately after God declares he is well pleased with Jesus, Spirit hurries him off to the wilderness for 40 days to hang out with Satan and wild beasts - AND ANGELS. Does this say something about privilege and responsibility? Something about balance? As we are chosen and anointed as 'beloveds,' so we are given assignments and responsibilities - with support. We have "angels" waiting on us all the time as Jesus did in the wilderness. Yes, we are "tempted by Satan" and spend time "with the wild beasts" but we are not alone. Sometimes I have been so caught up with how I should be able to take a "holiday" from the wilderness and how scary it is, that I forget about the angels part. So I now pray:
By Janet Kendig
|
| Tuesday - February 12 Mark 1: 14-28 |
| We are told that Jesus went into the synagogue and taught "as one having authority and not as the scribes." (verse 22). Webster's New World Dictionary (2nd ed) describes a scribe as "a person employed by the general public to write letters, etc." Another definition from the same source, and perhaps more in the context of Jesus' time, is "a person learned in the Jewish law who makes handwritten copies of the Torah." My profession as a medical transcriptionist falls into the category of "scribing."
What do I do as a medical transcriptionist? I listen to, interpret, and scribe what a physician or other provider is trying to say, using his or her own style as much as possible.
However, the Jewish scribe, the commercial scribe, and the transcriptionist have a basic similarity. None of us is writing on our own. The Jewish scribe may be of high intellect and understanding, but he is not creating something new. The commercial scribe writes what is asked, perhaps making it a bit more readable, but is not writing for or from him/herself. The medical transcriptionist creates a document that says what the author wants. All three of us have this in common - We are not writing from personal authority!
One can pretty much understand how this preacher, just starting his ministry, looked to the bystanders. He was speaking as one who was not just mouthing or writing something somebody else had written but was speaking as an original source! An authority!
We as Christians have the opportunity to do either. We can mouth what somebody has said or written (and hope and trust that this person is an authority), or we can reach inside ourselves, grab what God has given us to say or do, and claim God's authority to bring it out to the world.
By Mary Krauthamel-Lane
|
| Wednesday - February 13 Mark 1: 29-45 |
| "When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by;
Let us (said he) pour on him all we can…" George Herbert--The Pulley
|
| After I'd read the Gospel for today several times and began my mulling process this bit of poetry kept popping into my mind. Hmmmmmmm.
Jesus never stops pouring out the blessings of love, compassion, healing, such availability. He takes an old lady's hand, her fever disappears and she is happy to serve, getting the supper ready for her son-in-law and his friends. For the leper, Jesus offers a look of pity, an outstretched hand, another touch, another healing. The leprosy is gone. Jesus is available, no matter if it's the whole town that comes by after dinner.
Compassion and love, the constant flow, is always present, there for the taking. The only requirement is to seek. Two thousand years ago, when Jesus was wandering and teaching it might, perhaps, have been easier to comprehend the presence of the holy. Today we have the "distractions" of 21st century, the electronics and all such "toys" which can make our lives so easy and busy. We have all the benefits that various branches of science have brought us. All this accumulation of knowledge isn't bad, just something to distract from the presence of the holy. The holy can become distant. Was it easier in the past to approach, to reach out, make a reciprocal touch to be healed, to feel the holy?
V 35 "…very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed." Another blessing poured out; to be able to sit with little thought, to sit without asking, to sit resting in the Presence. This can bring the compassionate healing so close. He blesses us with this example, too.
By Emmi Felberg
Thank-you MAT
|
| Thursday - February 14 Mark 2: 1-12 |
| This reading is both a hope filled memory and a constant challenge to me. When I reflect back on the many times that life's tragedies left me "paralyzed," bound physically and emotionally to my bed of doubt and fear, it was my faith-filled friends who carried me back to the feet of Jesus where I could find healing. At those times when clouds crowded out the light at the end of my tunnel, my active, and often aggressive, friends carried me on their faith through the crowd of my conflicted emotions and helped me see the light which shown brightly. At times that have threatened my life, it was in the strength of my friends arms where I found rest and my own faith. Time and time again, it was their faith, not mine, that pointed me back to Jesus.
The challenge for me is two-fold. First, I have to keep my faith strong, through prayer, reflection and meditation so that when life's tragedies hit, and they will, I am not paralyzed by the impact. Of course, if I do become paralyzed, I know I have faith-filled community full of friends. The second part of the challenge, is to be an active and when necessary an aggressive friend who is strong enough to help carry those who are afflicted in any way. One who isn't afraid to dig through the mud to help someone in need of a little faith and healing. This reading can remind us that healing only happens through the arms of faith filled friends who hold us or haul us into the presence of Jesus.
By Pam Afindios
|
| Friday - February 15 Mark 2: 13-22 |
| Follow me.
Levi rose to take Jesus into his heart and into his home, and celebrated with a feast.
When the righteous Pharisees complained, Levi did not shrink. He was not embarrassed by their judgment, nor fearful of their scorn.
Levi freely took on the tasks that Jesus put before him, and did the best that he was able. He saw that even he, a traitorous tax collector, was worthy of God's love. Jesus told him directly. He knew it was true. He believed.
Stand firm in the love of God. Listen to your own calling. Strive to do the best that you are able. Have no fear of what others may say. Forgive with love in your heart. Jesus has shown the way.
God's love is there for all. It is not limited or reserved for a few. It is a dependable, abundant supply that can be applied in enormous quantity for all in need.
Hold fast to the knowledge that God loves you, and go forth in world with the Spirit in your heart.
Believe.
By Elizabeth Gibson
|
| Saturday - February 16 Mark 2: 23-3:6 |
| Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart… |
| Today I think we have the same standard of righteousness that Jesus was teaching about in this Gospel. As Jesus was being observed by those whose standing in society gave them the power to have him arrested, he did not turn away from a person in need of healing. Looking around him as he stood in the synagogue with the man who had a withered hand he asked "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than destroy it?" and no-one answered him. No-one had the guts to step forward and fly in the face of convention and say "Yes!"
Jesus continues to ask us to look beyond what is accepted as right and lawful by society when there is an opportunity to help or accept another person as our brother. In Jesus time as now there are behaviors and associations that many people frown on. "We don't do it that way" or "that's not right" can still be heard today and sometimes we have to ask "Why?" Jesus, in his love and his teaching calls on us to ask why, and to answer with love. In every situation where righteousness threatens to over-take healing, or where there is need, Jesus is standing in the Synagogue again asking us to care for those who are hungry, or hurt, or less fortunate than we are. Even if it means we have to stick our neck out once in awhile for His sake, just like He did for us.
By Elizabeth Rhoades
|
| Sunday - February 17 John 5: 19-24 |
| The Jesus we see in the verses of this gospel tells us that "…the
Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise." This Jesus, according to John's words, was full of the Spirit to such a degree that the will, the vision, the love of the Father could not be distinguished from that of the Son. In fact, the writer of John continues, Jesus tells his listeners that the power of giving life, of receiving honor, and of bestowing judgment can be discerned in the Son, qualities normally used to describe the Father.
What is the writer of this passage trying to convey? Perhaps the writer is focusing on the great truth of the life of Jesus: that God's vision of goodness and grace lives on through those who follow the Son. Marcus Borg, in his eloquent treatment of rethinking both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, speaks of a transformation that is central in John's gospel: "…enlightenment as a religious experience involves communion or union with what is, an immediate 'knowing' of the sacred that transforms one's way of seeing." This transformation is the central truth in Jesus' words in John's gospel: to know the Father is to become one with the Father. For us reading these words, we can understand that Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God's vision. The writer of John wants us to know that we can also attain this transformation, this union with God, if we know God through Jesus.
In this season of Lent we can read the words of Jesus from John's gospel, "…passed from death to life," with an understanding that these words describe a new way of seeing and living that is only possible through a transformation of the heart and mind. How can we experience this transformation that Jesus speaks of so powerfully in this text? We can experience this by opening our hearts to the Christ, whose Spirit is One with God. Jesus has shown us the Way which is the path from darkness to light, from sickness to wholeness, from death to life. It is up to us to allow this enlightenment, this transformation, this union with God, to begin today.
Spirit of God, open our hearts to the transforming love we see in Christ that we may be empowered with your Vision to bring justice, love, and peace into the world. Amen.
By Diane Christensen
|
| Monday - February 18 Mark 3: 7-19a |
| Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, . . . And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. |
| This reading reminds me of a great scene in the movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, where Jesus is walking through an area where lepers lived. The lepers came slowly out of hiding from behind rocks and doorways when they realized that the Healer was among them. They closed in around Him, reaching out to touch Him, all begging to be made clean. Jesus screamed with frustration, exhausted, for He had been drained from ministering to so many of those in need of curing and healing already that day.
He had nothing left.
That scene made a real impression on my heart and mind. I had never thought of Jesus having the need of renewing His spirit or His physical being.
God had given Him "the authority to cast out demons!" How dare He turn away those in need?
This example shows me His human side and His need to take time to renew.
As many of you know, I tend to over do.
But when I see something that I can do that would make someone's life easier, I tend to take it on to the point of my own exhaustion.
I really need to take the time to just be; to listen to that small voice; not to pray, not to even read His word; to just be - renewed - with Him.
By Mary Ann Tortorich
|
| Tuesday - February 19 Mark 3: 19b-35 |
| "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, mother." |
| This verse has "hooked "me before! It sure lets in a broad range of folks, doesn't it? We all pretty much know what the will of God is, of course: it's that "love" command again. Sometimes that is so easy, other times it feels worse than brain surgery. Yet I do believe that we are fellow pilgrims on a spiritual journey.
I remember when I was new in my walk with God. Pretty black-and-white in my thinking, very literal in interpretation of scripture. It certainly made for easier decision making, not having any of the "real world" grey in it. Simple, easy, I didn't have to think about it. How efficient! But what I slowly realized is that in order to do what God wants I needed to get rid of my simplistic all-or-none thinking. What was efficient was not particularly helpful and possibly sometimes hurtful to those I am supposed to love.
The implicit instructions to love my brothers and sisters haunt me. So to do the will of God is to love. And let me tell you, I've been blessed with lots of love, so I shouldn't be such a grump about loving others some days!
My reminder from this verse is to love in a way that does not add to a fellow pilgrims' pain, to be open to learning with new tools, so that I can be better equipped to "do the will of God," and love more people into Gods' kingdom.
By Jeri Miller
|
| Wednesday - February 20 Mark 4: 1-20 |
| This reading for our meditations is a good example, according to his disciples, of how Jesus taught as much as what he taught.
To refresh our memories, a parable is "a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or religious principle."
He related the parables of the fate of grain seeds sown in rough infertile ground rotted and perished in the heat of the day.
We must remember that Jesus' followers were ordinary people. Little or no education. Their learning consisted of what they were taught in the Temple.
Jesus' message was "I am giving you the secret of God's Kingdom." To those not privy to these words everything came in parables so that they (the outsider) may see again, but they do not understand. They hear, but do not comprehend, for the otherwise they might be converted from Judaism or the teachings of Athens to "The Way."
Jesus' words, as written, in this passage have more than one meaning. Listen, Hear and Measure the words and the surroundings in which they are spoken.
These words were not spoken to confuse, but to stimulate thought and meanings not readily apparent. Give consideration when and under what conditions the words were spoken.
For us today, this is sound advice. It supports a critical look at the Bible in light of the tendency to accept the writings without examination or challenge.
Make the study of Scripture a learning process, not an exercise in memory work.
By Steve Martin
|
| Thursday - February 21 Mark 4: 21-34 |
| Did you ever wonder what you were REALLY meant to do in this life? Have you ever thought that if you had made a different decision at a certain point in your life, how different your life would have been? I am sure we all have thought about both, many times over.
I am writing this on a beach in Molokai, Hawaii, which is a very good place to contemplate those questions as well as, what did Jesus mean when HE said "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground…"? (Mark 4:26-30)
I believe that the first two questions are somehow tied up in Christ's parable about the seed, that when sown, sprouts and grows up, we know not how.
Jesus is telling us that what we are meant to do as Christians is to deliver the message of the Gospel throughout our lives and that the message that we deliver will affect someone else who will affect someone else and so on. We cannot make a seed grow but we can plant many seeds and by doing so the Word will be spread throughout the world and the Kingdom of God will continue to grow.
We are REALLY meant to be messengers and that decision that we made - was our seed sprouting. God will do the rest.
By Keith Sweet
|
| Friday - February 22 Mark 4: 35-41 |
| But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" |
| Many times in our daily lives we are confronted with obstacles, or hurdles that are presented to us when we least expect them. Some people can handle these things one or two at a time as if they were no more than a gust of wind. But as more are added the gust of wind can become a storm. We've absorbed as much as we can and our lives have become overwhelmed with stress, uncertainty and fear. Sometimes, depending on our saturation level, we can quickly "deal" with all the obstacles in a seemingly pain free manner. But at what cost to ourselves? Other times, we can't handle anymore and we tend to fall into despair. A sense of failure, can overcome us, and it may feel as if we are incapable of resolving the obstacles in front of us
Where is Jesus? Why can't we just wake him up from his sleep on the cushion and rebuke these storms? Why does it feel like Jesus is so far away?
When we can no longer take on the crashing waves of our lives Jesus is on the boat with us, but he is not asleep on a cushion. He is reaching his hand out, ready to guide us through these difficult times. We just need to reach out for him and have faith in him that he will restore the peace and calm that we need within ourselves.
By Paul Lewis
|
| Saturday - February 23 Mark 5: 1-20 |
| This is a vivid narrative to digest. I cannot imagine what a sight this is of 2,000 swine with demons or unclean spirits in them rushing over a steep bank and drowning. What a lesson in Jesus' power over all evil in the world. It is a healing lesson. We can see story after story in scripture of his healing miracles. This is a very strong one and will get your attention. I do believe in our day, we confess the ills and our own little demons to him and he will take them away and give us a new sense of peace. He heals our soul and our physical body at the same time.
When we are in a state of anxiety-can he quiet our souls if we ask him in prayer? He does that for me. In this Lenten season, we can renew our trust in him and share that belief with others as he has told the healed man in the narrative to do.
Let us pray the collect for Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, an guide our feet into the way of Peace; That, having done your will with cheerful-ness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
By Teddy West
|
| Sunday - February 24 John 5: 25-29 |
| What do you hear?
Now, at this very moment, stop, relax, and tune your ears to listen to the world around you. What do you hear? Background music? The hum of a motor? Another's conversation or laughter? The whirl of a fan? The chirp of a bird or chatter of a squirrel? The distant roar of a jet passing high overhead? The buzz of a light? The rustle of leaves in a soft breeze? There is a myriad of sound in our busy world. So much that we unconsciously choose what our ears hear and screen out the rest as background noise.
What do you hear?
Now, at this very moment, stop, relax, and tune your heart to listen to the world inside you. What do you hear? A happy memory? A never-ending list of things to do? A surge of strength? A nervous twitch of fear? A long forgotten regret? A warmly anticipated event? A comforting love? An angry hurt? A deep desire? A voice of prayer? There is a myriad of sound in our hearts. So much so that we unconsciously choose what our hearts hear and screen out the rest as background noise. Take a bit of time every day to choose what you hear with your ears and with your heart. Stop, relax, and listen quietly. Can you hear the soft loving voice of God?
By Elizabeth Gibson
|
| Monday - February 25 Mark 5: 21-43 |
| This wonderful scripture gives us three wonderful things our Lord was able to create for His people. First, as he travels with Ja'irus, he realizes He has been touched by someone. And as soon as it happened, the poor woman was healed. She didn't scream for help, she didn't make a scene. She touched his garment and was healed. And while he spoke with her, He is called again from the ruler's house to hear the little girl had died. Does He give up? No way. He journeys to the home with her parents and his disciples. And in a short time, He awakes her from her sleep. He didn't ask for praise. He didn't ask for adulation. He asked them to give her something to eat.
As I read this over and over, one word kept coming back to me. Coincidence. A number of years ago I read there are no Coincidences. It is the miracles for which God chooses to remain anonymous. I believe God gives us so many gifts that we don't expect… little surprises and big miracles. Each one makes our life brighter. But, too often, we forget the special happenings in our life are the gifts from our Lord. We need to remember and share so others can know, too, of His generosity.
By Bert Tremont
|
| Tuesday - February 26 Mark 6: 1-13 |
| Jesus came to his own home country and his disciples came with him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue and those who heard him were astonished by what he had to say. They were offended because they considered him one of them. He stated that a prophet was not without honor, except in his own house among his own kin and his own country. I believe this holds true to-day where any human being that tries to communicate to those that are very familiar with one person that tries to spread the word by preaching to the ones they are very familiar with.
Jesus said that he could not do any great work there because of their disbelief. He sent his disciples out two by two and gave them the authority to teach to rid the population of unclean spirits. They were not to take anything except a staff. They had to work for their food and shelter and stay at a house where they could teach and not to bother with the houses that would not allow them to do so.
The disciples were able to do many good deeds by not spending a lot of time trying to convince disbelievers of the word that Christ wanted to convey to everyone.
I have tried to simplify this scripture to bring out the importance of not trying to force someone to believe as you do, but to plant the seed so they can come to their own realization of what the truth actually is and not to waste valuable time when you can be doing good things to accomplish what God has intended us to do.
I don't remember who said "you reach no man (person) except through their own faith."
By Rolly Matson
|
| Wednesday - February 27 Mark 6: 13-29 |
| But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." |
| Herod must have suffered such pangs of regret! He was responsible for the death of John the Baptist, a man whom Herod had regarded as a holy and righteous man. When Herod later became aware of a prophet, teacher, and healer working among the people, he considered that John the Baptist must have been raised from the dead!
We can relate to those guilty feelings of Herod. We find ourselves having said something harmful or disloyal to another person, having done something that gives us that sinking feeling of wrongdoing, or perhaps having not acted when our heart has said, "DO THIS! IT'S THE GOOD AND RIGHT ACTION TO TAKE!!"
Stories in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament show us over and over again that God forgives us when we stray from the path toward the Light. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we can be forgiven, but it is there for us. We can recognize that we have strayed, and once again we can orient ourselves toward God.
We are so very blessed!
By Nancy Moore
|
| Thursday - February 28 Mark 6: 30-46 |
| When reading this passage, I am drawn to the idea of a "lonely place" and how the apostles are asked to come away for rest there - by themselves - not as a group. With no "leisure" even to eat, they are too busy to even take care of themselves. I see them going to a place to find rest so that they can learn to take care of themselves in some manner - possibly to meditate or think.
Somehow it makes sense to step out of your own patterns to find a new way to think and learn. When somehow they cannot see how the food is not the issue and that it is really what they provide for themselves, not in food, but in knowledge, they become more educated. They are provided the "nourishment" that they cannot find for themselves in their normal lives.
The boat seems to be the way that they find to get to the place in a way that they would not normally get there. They had to travel a different path and in an unfamiliar way to learn to take care of each other and become more compassionate with themselves. Jesus' compassion helps them see how to learn, to take care of themselves better, and to "feed" others as well.
I find that in my daily life I am trying my hardest to learn each day to take care of myself better and become more compassionate with others as well as my own family. Somehow to learn from someone who has compassion allows us all to apply it in our own lives.
By Jennifer Putnam
|
| February 29, 2008 Mark 6: 47-56 |
| While you alone, Lord, sit on the shore, we in the craft are rowing, rowing, grappling for hours in this tiresome storm. Terror, then, fills our boat espying a specter who walks the roiling waves. This makes no sense. No one sits any longer upon the shore. The frightening apparition speaks. It's your voice, Lord, though barely audible, what with the wind and all of our quaking . . . "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." Moments later, you enter our boat. The wind is no more, and we easily make shore. |
| We walk the Lenten journey individually and collectively. Each has a singular, private relationship with God. As a community we engage in a relationship with God. Within these New Testament verses, the Lord is apart on shore and walking on water. Climbing aboard the boat, Jesus joins the group, returning to community. Mark's verses speak to the interplay of divine and human, miraculous and mundane.
wholeness
sickness healing
hardened heart wonder
stormy sea calm water
fear faith
garment spirit
miracles toil
good cheer
By Lily Salisbury
|
| Saturday - March 1 Mark 7: 1-23 |
| The Pharisees and some of the religious scholars who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. They had noticed that some of the disciples were eating with unclean hands--- that is, without ritually washing them…Jesus said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters us from the outside makes us impure; it is what comes out of us that makes us impure." |
| Water, it cleanses us; it refreshes the spirit and gives life. It is not surprising that the Hebrew people would hold a cleansing rite in special reverence. Many of the ancient sites illustrate the Hebrews' passion for ritual cleansing. Mikvahs (micvah in the Hebrew) are stone immersion baths in which the penitent would immerse their whole body in hopes of emerging purified and pleasing before God. Such baths can still be viewed at many places in the Holy Land, like the ruins of the Essene community at Qumran, the 3rd century village of Chorazim, near Capernaum, the pool of Siloam in Jerusalem and even Masada where first century Jewish zealots revolted in a futile stand against the Roman government. The Pharisees embraced this belief that ritual cleansing was the way to refresh the soul and wash away sin. Jesus' words that things outside of us cannot defile us brought no understanding. They could not see that the way to salvation is gained, not through water alone, but through a baptism of both water AND the Spirit. When we profess our faith in Jesus as the Messiah, no one, no THING, can ever really hurt us again. We have only to turn to our God in faith, and we will be saved. It is through Christ and God's saving grace that we make our way to the kingdom. God loves us no matter how sin-filled, no matter how un-lovable we think we are. What a wonderful promise! Let us take some time today to reflect upon the powerful symbol of water and how Christ Jesus has made this symbol new for every one of us.
By Kathy Adams
|
| Sunday - March 2 John 6: 27-40 |
| "I am the Bread of Life. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. Those believing in me will never thirst." |
| Just half way through the Lenten journey and already we are parched. The time of opening ourselves up to our own desert walk, the time of exposing our deepest difficulties, the time of allowing ourselves to be fully opened and present to all that we are - leaves us thirsting for peace and rest; leaves us longing to once again be filled.
Just as Jesus knows of His father's love for him, just as Jesus cites that it was not Moses who gave manna to those in the wilderness so too must we remember that there is nothing that will satisfying our hunger except for He who is the Bread of Life.
If we desire to no longer hunger or thirst, even in the midst of the longest journey, we must allow ourselves to come fully into the presence of He who loves us most - difficulties and pain, love and joy, every piece of our being opened and present to all that we are. For in the midst of this openness, this raw honesty, we can choose to be most open to the loving presence. It is in these times, when all else we attempt to cling to has been swept aside, when we can no longer hide behind the facades of that which protects our tender images of ourselves, it is in these times, when our thirst is greatest that the flavored nectar tastes most sweet upon the tongue.
By Margaret Lewis
|
| Monday - March 3 Mark 7: 24-37 |
| In those times people had little understanding of causes, so attributed many problems to "demons." Even today, a frustrated angry parent might say, "I'll beat the devil out of you," with devastating results.
The mother in this passage believes her daughter has been taken over by a demon, and the story implies the woman has been trying to starve the demon out by throwing the girl's bread to the dogs. Jesus says this isn't right. Feed the child. She replies, "Yes, but the dogs will still get the crumbs." That sounds a little foolish, but he is kind. Because they have talked, he tells her, she will find the demon has gone out from her daughter. And because she has faith in Jesus, she does see her daughter differently, and undoubtedly treats her differently, and the "demon" is gone.
This passage follows those in which Mark tells us of all the people Jesus heals, yet Jesus tells the woman who touched his robe that her faith has healed her. He even sends his disciples to heal others, and their faith heals them. Right before this story, Jesus has said: "Do you not know that whatever enters into a man from outside cannot defile him? It is what goes out of man that defiles the man. From within, from the hearts of men, come evil thoughts." He names a whole list, ending with foolishness.
By Helen Bonner
|
| Tuesday - March 4 Mark 8: 1-10 |
| Miracles, I wonder if you, like I, have often thought, "Where are the miracles of today?" Recently I was discussing healing with a friend who is praying for the miracle of healing for a loved one with recurrent cancer. She asked why doesn't God heal my loved one? I related the following story to her about my dear friend who was dealing with the same issue. I, and many others, were praying for the miracle of healing. He was not healed and passed after 3 years. This sounds like a very sad story, but during his battle with cancer we all said many times "This is a miracle!" Our friend never lost hope or entertained thoughts that he would not be healed. He fought every recurrence with whatever treatment the medical community would try. He went through extremely difficult treatments with a positive approach and made every good week meaningful, spending quality time with family and friends; doing all the things he loved. Miracle! Oh so many! His wife, a nurse, was his constant companion in all the ups and downs. In the beginning we all felt she could not keep a positive attitude and would break under the stress. She did not, that was a miracle! They were blessed by friends and family supporting their every action and in the end we were all in awe of their success living in the midst of death.
As I reflect on this situation, I can only say, I would rather have the miracle of cure, but there were so many miracles! I always felt the grace of God in their life and I thanked God for their courage and strength so that truly they went through death living every moment to the fullest. So I said to the friend I mentioned in the beginning, your loved one is doing the same and you are helping along with many other family members and friends. Thanks be to God!
I pray that each of us will be part of the miracle in a broken world by being the Christ to each other. We don't have to feed the multitude, but we do need to feed each other.
God Bless all of us in this journey.
By Sue Hansen
|
| Wednesday - March 5 Mark 8: 11-26 |
| Jesus said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." |
| There's a haunting story about a beggar who came into the bakery one day and sat down saying, "I want bread." The one in the kitchen said "You are wise for coming. You have come to the right bakery." So the cook pulled down the cookbook and began to tell him all that he knew about bread. He spoke of flour and wheat, grain and barley. His knowledge of bread was awesome. But the beggar wasn't smiling. The knowledge didn't feed him. And so he said again, "I want bread."
The baker applauded his choice, "You are wise. I will show you our bakery."
Down the hallowed halls he was led to where the dough is prepared and the ovens were amazing. The baker boasted that they had bread for every need. They even had a room for inspiration with stained glass windows where people could contemplate the subject of bread baking. But the beggar would not speak.
"Yes, it leaves me speechless too," said the baker. "People come for miles around to hear me speak. Once a week my workers gather and I read to them the recipe from the cookbook of life. Would you like to hear me?" The beggar answered, "I would like some bread." "You are wise" the baker replied. "You know up and down this street you will find many bakeries. But be careful because they do not serve the true bread. I know of one baker who adds two spoons of salt rather than one. I know of another whose oven is too hot. They may call it bread, but it's not according to the recipe book."
Finally, the beggar turned and walked away. The baker was shocked, "Don't you want bread?" The old man stopped, looked back and shrugged, "I guess I lost my appetite." And the baker shook his head and returned to his office, and he said quietly to himself, "I guess the world just isn't hungry for true bread anymore."
For Jesus . . . it should be the aim of our religion to find God not just in ideas and not just in the Bible, but in all the ways he is enfleshed in the world! Jesus Christ is most clearly enfleshed in each of us!
Each of us is called to be a loaf of bread and a cup of wine upon the altar; each of us is called to be the real communion for those who approach us. (Not always on bended knee, I might add) with the simple words upon their lips: "I want bread."
When we become Communion for the world then we help people see. I don't believe we help them read the letters at the DMV office with more clarity, but they see the love of God with more clarity; we DO help the blind to see.
You've heard the phrase, "You are what you eat?" Well we need to consume Christ and then BECOME Christ in the flesh . . . Why?
Because there's a whole world out there that's afraid. They've met the bread of Herod, in the hallowed halls of judgment and exclusion, and they were hurt and driven from the church of Christ by self acclaimed bakers who had all the pat answers. When all along those people wanted bread; they wanted to hold the hand of a very real and living, breathing Jesus. They needed to hold your hand and be fed by the Communion you have become.
Have a blessed Lent! You are my communion, and I shall be back with you soon. I love you all!
By Fr. Bill
|
| Thursday - March 6 Mark 8: 27 - 9: 1 |
| … he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" . . . they told him, "John the Baptist; others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets. And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" |
| Our EfM class sat around the table together as we do most Thursday nights, reading and considering the passage. As we talked, reflected, and broke cookies together, we developed our offering to share with our Trinity family.
We feel Jesus' question, "Who do YOU say that I am?" speaks to ALL of us. Who do we say that he is? He is speaking to us now as much as he spoke to them then. "Why do we follow him?" we asked each other.
"He is consistent. His hand never gets tired as it is always extended to me. He's always there."
"His life to me is salvific-all the things he did were to show us how we can live our lives. He came to people who thought they were the chosen, but who had apparently missed the point. Jesus showed us how to live."
"He is my hero. I can look up to and depend on him. His selflessness, peace, and love are his example of how to live."
"He is an example of how to live a life in abundance, peace and relentless love. No matter what you do, where you go or wherever you turn, when you turn back, there is Jesus!"
"He's my ideal. I like that he is a rebel with a cause, preaches love and peace, and wants to shake up the establishment and status quo."
"I follow Jesus because he is real, not a 'savior in a box.' As our brother he calls us to hold his hand and be not afraid."
"Jesus is the unconditional love I receive from my wife and kids; the strength when I feel weakest; the silence of snow falling. Without him, I would miss much of life that is right in front of me."
And now it's your turn. Who do you say Jesus is?
The Thursday night Education for Ministry seminar group: Pam Afindios, Armen Kendig, Janet Kendig, Paul Lewis,
Gerry Moore, Margaret O'Neill and Sandi Pietronave
|
| Friday - March 7 Mark 9: 2-13 |
| This passage truly shows what a rough lot in life it was to be an apostle. They were always right in the middle of a story that they could never quite figure out. They seem vain, meddling, and you kind of wonder why Jesus puts up with them, until you realize that unlike you, they don't know how the story is supposed to play out. As a result they always seem such buffoons who never quite understand what should be as plain as the nose on their face. Faith, my dictionary tells me, is the ability to believe what is unseen. It also means the ability to put off judgment, to say things are going to make sense later on. That a person who seems nutty now is going to seem very wise later on.
In this passage, they are treated to the transfiguration of Jesus. He becomes totally translucent, "Whiter than any bleacher" and communes with Elijah and Moses. Peter, the only one to speak, seems to want everyone to feel at home, even wants to make tents for everyone. One kind of thinks that Peter is really kissing up. He is, after all, hoping for a leadership role at some point. Yet, his reaction becomes understandable when one realizes that earlier he has been rebuked for showing too much concern for Jesus' well being. His ears are probably still ringing from the "Get behind me Satan" remark and he wants to make good. Yet, for all this, they are once again told to keep it a secret. All we can safely say is that Jesus seems unmoved.
One has to wonder how everyone knows who Moses and Elijah are.
It is supposed to make sense later on. After Jesus' death, this will be one of the many stories that prove he was divine all along, that he knew about his death, that he was the son of God. We are supposed to say, he talked to Moses and Elijah, a voice from a cloud at the same time said, "This is my son." A feeling of awe is supposed to come down on us, as we say like the Roman Centurion that this is the son of God. It doesn't, however, make total sense, why does Jesus commune with Moses and Elijah in a culture that looked down on any communication with the dead. One remembers how King Saul called upon the spirit of Samuel and received nothing but grief for it.
Yet, again this is not meant to be the end of the story. Jesus' death after all is the precursor to yet another ending, the end of everything. Perhaps then this is our part in the story that we must put up with mystery now as the apostles did and hope that as the story continues to unfold, we too will eventually understand it all.
By Paul Dinger
|
| Saturday - March 8 Mark 9: 14-29 |
| Got Faith?
"Why yes!" you say, "Of course! I'm sitting here reading this, mediating, and praying. This is a ridiculous question. I have faith. I believe."
When that famously effective "Got Milk?" slogan was first translated into Spanish, it was an unexpected failure, because every good mother had milk. It was a ridiculous question. It was not until the slogan was translated to literally read - "Do You Have Enough Milk?" - that it enjoyed its usual success.
Yes, we have faith. But do we have enough faith? Or do we secretly think, "Yes, I believe, but…" Do you dare to hope? Do you dare to dream? Do you dare to step out in faith and try?
The disciples could not cast out a demon from a boy. His father implored Jesus to help not only his son, but to help his own faith. Jesus used the power of prayer to heal both father and son.
It is said that you pray for faith until you have it. Then because you have faith you pray.
By Elizabeth Gibson
|
| Sunday - March 9 John 8: 46-59 |
| Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives and proclaims his Messiahship to the Jews, the children of Abraham. As he spoke, many believed in him but others did not believe, would not hear his message, and accused him of being of the Devil.
Jesus answered that if they were of God, they could hear the truth in his words and would know that what he said was true, because he was speaking God's words.
When Jesus tells the unbelieving Jews that if a man keeps his words he will never see death, instead of listening and trying to understand Christ's message, the Jews begin to argue with Jesus that Abraham and great prophets have died and to argue the semantics of death.
Jesus just continues to quietly speak his truth, testify that he was of the Father, that Abraham knew of and rejoiced in his mission, and Jesus again declares his Messiahship.
In this scripture, Jesus taught us that if we are truly following Christ, and listening to his words, then the words will ring true in our heart and we will know that the message is what God would have us hear. We are able to receive the words if we are open and receptive to the message given.
Once we know the truth of Christ's message in our heart, then we must quietly speak and live that truth and be true to our mission on earth. When those that cannot hear and do not understand argue that our message is not of God, we are able to stand firm, live our truth and know in our heart that we are following the Savior as he taught us the way God would have us live.
By Sarah Hart
|
| Monday - March 10 Mark 9: 30-41 |
| Anonymity is a spiritual principle reminding us to stay out of the way and let God shine through us. Jesus must have understood this as he sought to keep a low profile on his journey with the disciples to Capernaum. He told his disciples that the son of man would be killed, then rise up after three days. The idea that God's greatness would be persecuted by human smallness was incomprehensible to the disciples. They were unable to understand his plain language.
Instead, they argued greatness among themselves, forgetting that there is no limit to the amount of good that can be done when one ceases to worry about who gets the credit. How like us these disciples of 2000 years ago.
If you want to be first, you must be last. The paradox described by Jesus rings true today and serves as a reminder in this season of Lent. To serve is to gain the kingdom and hold onto the reward. Easier said than done. Even for Jesus.
What is the reward which won't be lost if we but offer our best - God's living water - to another of God's kids? Jesus promised he would send the Holy Spirit to comfort us, that we could experience life in abundance and gain peace which passes all understanding. As we prepare in the Lenten season for the heartache of crucifixion and the amazing joy of resurrection, let us seek to find our rightful place in the queue, loving our God and seeking to serve God's creation.
By Rosalie Pryor Escamilla
|
| Tuesday - March 11 Mark 9: 42-50 |
| home is fairly small so everything is amplified… BUMP, THUMP, BANG, "HE HURT ME," everything including my not-always-so-calm response of "BOYS!!!"
They, my boys, were the first thing that came to mind when I read today's read. Gosh, have we even discussed sin or temptation with them? The truth of the matter is I don't think we've ever used the word "sin." We've never found the right context for 2 and 6 year olds. I suppose the best I can offer my children are good examples and "teachable moments" as one of my professors used to say. The greatest thing I can do is to live my life as Christ-like as possible, to explain to them and remind myself that we do sin, and that our Lord who created us and knows us inside and out loves us unconditionally. If I can teach my children through example that God is all-knowing, ever-present, and forgiving, I can help them to develop self-control, face temptation, be thankful, loving, generous, honest, and hard working young men that have the confidence and strength to face their own sins and life's challenges head on.
My heart is warmed and I know I'm doing something right when in the aftermath of all the fighting, hurt feelings and unkind words I hear the unprompted "I sorry, Mason" followed by a sincere and cheerful "I forgive you, Micah," marked with the kind of hug that ends with giggles and a tumble to the floor.
By Congetta Davie
|
| Wednesday - March 12 Mark 10: 1-16 |
| Is legalism more important, my child, than allowing me to love you? Is your desire to cross the t's and dot the i's more important than trusting my love and resting securely in my complete, unconditional acceptance and passionate love for you? Can you not lay aside efforts to control and direct others' lives long enough to know how my enduring love for you can change your life forever? Do you not know how my joy in you can make your life a song of peace?
You seek definitions, rules, regulations, restrictions and limits. Are you so afraid of the freedom of living within my boundless love? Is there something about the freedom of unconditional love you cannot face? Without doubt, to live in the aura of such love will open your eyes to how you live now. To know my love is to recognize your responding love cannot be less accepting, more conditional than my own. In learning to live with the love I have for you, you are certain to recognize you will have to love others with the same freedom-honoring compassion. No longer will you be able to allow yourself to impose limits on others by creating conditions for love. Perfect love is perfectly free and perfectly responsible to honor that freedom.
Why do you hold so tightly to the fear, such agony preventing you from a Spirit-filled life of freedom from that fear? Does a child fear to accept love? Does a child refuse to trust love? I would hold your life and your heart in complete love, as you hold your infant son or daughter. I would seek to share with you the best there is just as you long to give that to your own child. You, as a young child, never questioned your mother's love, unconditional and enduring. Why do you question and doubt my love? It is even more that hers. Her love for you is the channel through which I share my Reality, my passion and unending life of joy and goodness.
I honor you, dearest child. I honor your choice, whether to accept and to love in return, or not. Your fear to open to my love will not change my love for you. I shall love you for no other reason than this: I am Love and I exist for being Love.
Unsigned
|
| Thursday - March 13 Mark 10: 17-31 |
| "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-and in the age to come eternal life." |
| I admit, I have issues with discussions that focus too much around "eternal life." Why? Because in that discussion sometimes is lost the idea that our lives are in the here and now.
Jesus seems to have been centered in being wholly present with those around him, in the moment. He is responsive, loving and daring in the way he spends time with people. He is not preoccupied with pointless rules and laws. Nor is he what we would call today a "suck up." He balanced his time between taking care of his internal needs as well as spending many hours, days and weeks with others teaching them using masterful pedagogy about how life and a world blessed by God really works. Not in the future, not in the past, but in the present (at hand).
The part we (I) sometimes forget is that there is an inherent reward in present time (in this age) for living in the present. Our relationships are better, the sun is brighter, our blessings more forthcoming. Do you think maybe Jesus had such down to earth advice for us as to live in the present and be the best we can be now, and not worry about what is past (i.e., getting stuck in feeling guilty)? What a concept! Let's try it today! Thanks be to God!
By Janet Kendig
|
| Friday - March 14 Mark 10: 32-45 |
| But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. |
| I know a woman, who when presented with an opportunity to sacrifice for the sake of someone else will often agree to assist with the quote -"I live to serve."
We do see to be called to - live to serve. But are we to interpret what Mark is telling us as a command to live out our lives in martyrdom? To ultimately lay down our very life to serve others as Jesus did?
Jesus knew what his sacrifice was to be as he journeyed to Jerusalem. What if we can interpret what Mark is telling from Jesus' point of view?
When we find that we are walking in our own desert with the co-worker that can't seem to work with anyone or the family member that only sees their point of view, we can choose to perpetuate the animosity that may exist Or, we can choose to respond to what Jesus is telling us - we can choose to live our lives by serving God through our service to others for the highest good of all.
By Paul Lewis
|
| Saturday - March 15 Mark 10: 46-52 |
| "Go your way; your faith has made you well." |
| I often wonder whether or not I have enough faith. Bartimaeus' story seems simple enough, but life is rarely that simple. If I want to be well, all I need is faith?
I have known many people who had great faith, and yet they didn't get well, they died. What does that say to me about faith? Were they lacking in their faith? Am I lacking in my faith? Maybe they didn't pray hard enough. I'm sure I don't pray enough. How are we to know how much is enough? Maybe, just maybe, I am looking at the wrong thing. Could it be that being well isn't really about physical health at all?
I'm reminded of many places in scripture where Jesus forgives people's sins and then they are healed physically. I know my spiritual health will carry me throughout eternity, not my physical well being. Nevertheless, I have a hard time letting go of the physical aspect of being well.
I do know that when I am spiritually and emotionally happy my physical health improves. My faith in Christ can overcome any illness of the soul -that I do know. It is time to be on my way.
Christ is enough! My faith is enough! I am well.
By Fr. Mike Kerrick
|
| Sunday - March 16 Luke 19: 28-40 |
| And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Beth'phage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any one asks you, `Why are you untying it?' you shall say this, `The Lord has need of it.'" So those who were sent went away and found it as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" And they said, "The Lord has need of it." And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their garments on the colt they set Jesus upon it. |
| In this passage I was drawn to the owners of the colt. If I came upon someone taking my truck and they assured me that the Lord had need of it, I am fairly certain that would not be the end of the discussion.
Of course if I knew the Lord really needed it I would gladly hand it over. I might even mention to a few people what a willing instrument of God I just happen to be.
It comes down to a distinction between trust and faith. To my mind, to trust is to believe in something because of empirical evidence that reassures you, while to have faith is to believe despite the lack of that evidence, or with much more ethereal evidence.
I think now that for years I have been searching for a path to trust God. I am now looking for faith. I find myself willing now to put my cloak over the back of the colt. I am less willing to put it on the ground, lest I take the chance that it might become ruined. I am willing to loan my truck, but I still insist on driving.
I hope to come to a place where I not only hand over the colt, but help untie it and follow proclaiming "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
By Mark McKenna
|
| Monday - March 17 John 12: 1-11 |
| Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair. |
| It's important to note what was going on around Jesus and Mary at the time she was anointing His feet. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead; many people present were curious on-lookers who wanted to see this healer, and many of Jesus' followers were there too. But there were also people at the scene that had malice on their minds, and intended to see Jesus arrested at the first opportunity.
Into this setting imagine Mary, a woman who wanted to give Jesus a precious gift, not only of the fine oil, but of her touch as well.
This may be one of those acts of "radical love" that Father Bill has taught us about. Here is a woman, by her gender alone not a powerful person in that time and place. What can she do to demonstrate that she loves Jesus with her whole heart? How can she minister to Him as He has ministered to so many? Does she stop to consider that what she is about to do may be seen as offensive to some? Does she care?
In my mind's eye I see her humbly approach Him as He reclines at the table, and with-out saying anything, while keeping her eyes downcast, she opens the oil and gently rubs it onto His feet. Right away someone objects to her caring action with a scolding comment about wasting precious oil! But what does Jesus say? "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial." Perhaps Mary knew that Jesus would soon be killed, and she was led to do this final act of "radical love" before the end, no matter what the consequences might be. It seems to me that we are all called to demonstrate pure love sometimes, even if others might not understand or agree.
By Elizabeth Rhoades
|
| Tuesday - March 18 John 12: 20-36 |
| And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him. Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. |
| We are all planned children of God, given the opportunity to live a life to love and share or live in the dark by ourselves. Jesus says to "follow me." The opportunity to journey a path of light and love has been given to all of us. Those who choose to know God is to be enlightened. By living a life of enlightenment will bring us to be more like God in this life.
By Debbie Peterson
|
| Wednesday - March 19 John 13: 21-32 |
| When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. |
| Jesus knew that the time had arrived to be with God and knew who was to betray him. He did not want all to know who was going to betray him because it would have caused problems among the others. Peter found that it was Judas who was the betrayer from John. This is probably was the reason Peter took his sword to the garden. Jesus, metaphorically, gave the rope to Judas to hang himself after the betrayal thereby averting a disastrous situation among the disciples.
Meditating on this passage gave me insights about certain situations. That is if there is a situation that might be problematic and has the potential of resolving itself without involvement of everyone concerned, then let it play itself out.
By Armen Kendig
|
| Thursday - March 20 John 13: 1-17; 31b-35 |
| "I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you." "And so I am giving a new commandment to you now - love each other just as I have loved you." |
| The first Ten Commandments we often learned in childhood Sunday school pale in comparison by way of practical difficulty, to Jesus' commandment to love one another. Not because loving is foreign to us, but because he first instructs us to "do as I have done to you" and to love…."as I have loved you." He doesn't ask us to go with our societal norms and love all of the people who think like us, who look like us, who share our values and morals. No, he commands us to love each other as he loved us; there is no more clarity than to love one another. No limitations, no exceptions.
How did Jesus love his disciples?
He lowered himself to the role of servant, took their dirty feet in his hands and cleansed them. Humility is not thinking oneself more or less important than other, but of thinking less often of oneself and more often of others. Jesus loved his disciples through absolute humility and the representation of the love of His father.
Can we bring ourselves to love in this way? Can we truly love in any other?
Imagine if you can a person with whom you have difficulty. Closing your eyes, the invitation is to imagine that you are at this person's feet; cloth in hand. Can you lovingly wipe away the grime of that person's day? Can you help to wipe away that dirt of life that is clinging to his/her very body? Can you bring yourself to love in this way? Can you truly love in any other way?
By Margaret Lewis
|
| Friday - March 21 John 18: 1 - 19: 42 |
| These passages are a lot to absorb. I will try to focus on some of the people who are so interesting in this gospel.
Judas, the betrayer, did not want to be the one to identify Jesus.
After Jesus said he was the one they were seeking, Peter, the impulsive one, let his temper get the best of good judgment. He probably thought he was protecting his Lord. As we all know, Peter was afraid of harm, and denied three times knowing Jesus.
Jesus was led to the high priest Caiaphas and then to Pilate. Now Pilate found no crime had been done by this man. So Pilate washed his hands of the whole mess. He did not want to be the one who sentenced Jesus. In my thoughts about Pilot, he was a coward, a pawn for Caesar.
Jesus was prepared in a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate said I have the power to save you or crucify you. Jesus said you only get your power from above.
Pilate brought Jesus before the crowd and they cried, "CRUCIFY HIM." There could only be one king and that was Caesar.
Jesus saw his Mother and friends from the cross and said "Woman, behold your son." The disciples took her away. I can't even fathom how gut-rendering sadness Mary must have felt, to see her son hanging on a cross.
The days following Jesus' death were depressing for this family and friends. Their spiritual leader was gone, how could they go on.
Ask yourself, how could you go on with your life without your Lord?
By Joy Blair
|
| Saturday - March 22 John 19: 38-42 |
| As the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. |
| What is the invitation in seeing Jesus lay in the tomb?
Unbound and taken down from the ugliness of the cross, wrapped by loving hands in spice and linen cloth, Jesus is finally laid to rest.
We watched in horror yesterday as he was hanged and we watched him die.
We know of the promise of the resurrection that awaits us with the breaking of tomorrow morning's first dawn.
But now - tonight - in this moment, we sit in the time between the no longer and the not yet. No longer our brother on earth, not yet our Risen Christ.
How many times in life do we sit in this grey area of unknowing? How many times do we haunt ourselves by striving to change that which cannot be changed? We are not comfortable in the place of uncertainty.
We cannot stop the crucifixion. It has happened. It is done.
We cannot speed the coming of the new day.
We have no choice but to wait. But we do have a choice about how we wait. We can wait in faith or we can choose fear. We can fight and struggle with what has occurred or we can rest into the knowing of what is to come. We can allow ourselves time to grieve and time to prepare for the new way of life that lies before us.
How do you choose to spend the time when you are between the no longer and the not yet.
By Margaret Lewis
|
