Sunday, January 13, 2008 - Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34-38; Matthew 3: 13-17
To name this feast the baptism of the Lord instead of Jesus is the first and primary act of faith in the early church. Jesus is Lord! Once we celebrated three manifestations or epiphanies of Jesus: to the wise men, at the baptism, and at Cana. From today’s readings we learn a lot about the adult Jesus and his mission. He is the one in Isaiah who will be en-spirited in order to bring justice to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind and to bring out prisoners from the dungeon. In the second reading, he is the one anointed with Power (the Spirit) to go about doing good and healing. Finally, in the gospel the heavens open and God’s voice proclaims over the waters of the Jordan: “This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”
Ask the Spirit to bring world history to mind and remember how Jesus has brought justice to the nations, has set prisoners free, has healed and reconciled tribes and nations. Where shall you ask the Spirit to send his freeing, reconciling power today?
Worship him in silence as Lord of all nations, of all creation, God’s Beloved and your own.
Thank you for anointing us in our own baptism with the power of your Spirit to be peacemakers, reconcilers, healers of relationship. Keep us free, with eyes and hearts open.
Monday, January 14, 2008
1 Samuel 1: 1-8; Psalm 116; Mark 1: 14-20
We begin two continuous readings in Samuel and Mark. The first sets the scene for the birth of the last judge and first prophet of Israel, Samuel, whose mother, Hannah, we learn today, had been barren. In Mark, Jesus calls us out of our own barrenness to repentance: “Believe in the good news. The kin-dom of God has come near.” So, the psalmist asks, With such good news, what return can we make to our God? We offer a thanksgiving sacrifice, taking up the cup and calling on the name of our God. (NB: sacrifice does not necessarily entail pain and blood).
Where in your life do you feel barren, empty? Where in the world is there emptiness and alienation? Good news: we are called to a new kin-dom, a brotherhood and sisterhood where we need never be alone. Emmanuel does not disappear when we put away the crib set. What return will you make to God?
Lead our world, Jesus, away from the emptiness of so much of our first world culture. Open our hearts to people who live in the desert, the actual desert or the desert of loneliness and fear.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
1 Samuel 1: 9-20; Canticle of Hannah, 1 Samuel 2; Mark 1: 21-28
In our first reading, Hannah models how to pray fervently. Her tears are judged by the priest Eli as drunkenness. She responds: “I have been pouring out my heart to the Lord…speaking out of my great anxiety.” She wants a baby, and Samuel is given to her. The Canticle she sings in her joy is the model for Mary’s Magnificat: God listens to the lowly and puts down the mighty. Mark’s gospel more than the others is concerned with Jesus’ power to cast out demons, and here is first demonstration. He who teaches with authority is supported by this exorcism in the synagogue. “He commands and even the unclean spirits obey him,” the congregation exclaims.
What do you want so badly that you pray with tears? What do you want Jesus’ power to do for you? What unclean spirit do you need cast out? What unclean spirit does our world need cast out? Can you pray for that with Hannah’s fervor? Try.
Give us great desires, Jesus! Please both deepen our desires and broaden them to include all your desires for us and for our world. You command; we obey.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40; Mark 1:29-39
Hannah who so desperately wanted a child sends him to minister at the shrine in Shiloh. In the night the boy hears his name called, and asks the priest Eli what he wants.
Eli assures him he had not called. Finally Eli instructs Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Psalm 40 reminds us that God does not need our sacrifices but an open ear, a willingness to say: “Here I am,” available to God. Jesus demonstrates that open ear when, after praying all night, Peter finds him and says, “The whole town is looking for you” to heal them. Instead, Jesus wants to move on to other towns, “for that is what I came to do.” He leaves to preach and cast out demons.
Which voices to listen to? The whole town’s, Peter’s, one’s own inner spirit, the authentic vocation? For about five minutes can you pray: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”, and then listen? Then another five minutes saying: “Here I am,” leaving time to listen again. Thirdly, “What do you want me to do?” (whether just today or major choice), and again, listen.
Speak, Holy Spirit, and help us to listen all day long. Thank you for continually praying within us, putting our unutterable groanings and desires into words that God understands.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
1 Samuel 4: 1-11; Psalm 44; Mark 1: 40-45
“Our enemies have taken the spoils,” the psalmist wails, in response to the narrative of the first reading. In it the Philistines engage in war with Israel (Palestine derives from the word Philistia; they are very ancient enemies!). Israel sends to Shiloh for the Ark of the Covenant, which first frightens the Philistines, but they encourage each other and not only Israel falls, but the Ark is captured. In the gospel, Jesus heals a leper who challenges him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” “I do want to,” Jesus responds, and touches the leper.
Challenge, courage. What is challenging you right now? Will you have the courage to say to Jesus, “If you want to”? For what do you ask? Remember that Jesus stands before the face of God continually making intercession for us. Be bold in your asking and know that he will continue your prayer.
You do want to, Jesus! There is so much you want: God’s glory, God’s will to be done, your people fed their daily bread, forgiveness, unity and peace. Let us share your great desires.
Friday, January 18, 2008
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22; Psalm 89; Mark 2: 1-12
We are not the only culture to keep up with the Jones’. Israel wants a king because all the other nations have one. God warns that a king will oppress his own people, “you shall be his slaves.” The psalm, a royal psalm, fits better with the gospel, the story of the friends who lower their paralyzed friend to Jesus through the roof. ‘Stand up,” Jesus commands. Everyone is amazed and glorifies God. Could they have sung today’s verses from Psalm 89: “Happy the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance…You are the glory of their strength.”
With whom do you identify? Are parts of your life paralyzed? Are you longing for a leader other than God? Are you a friend who will go to all lengths? Are you someone full of praise and festal shouts? Let your prayer today be simply praise, and perhaps a walk, in gratitude that you can walk.
Help us to obey you, Jesus, our leader and Lord. Help us to stand up. Stand tall for justice. Stand steadily for compassion. Stand strong in our trust of you. Stand for peace.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1; Psalm 21; Mark 2: 13-17
Saul is introduced, tall and more handsome than any other Israelite. Not surprising the Lord should choose him for Samuel to anoint as king. The psalm responds: “You meet him with rich blessings, set a crown of gold on his head.” All this meets our expectations of royalty. Except that Jesus, the anointed, the messiah, the christos, the king, is found in today’s gospel eating with sinners. He emptied himself, he chose footwashing as his way to lead. He is the physician come to tend the sick and the sinful.
In his day, so many were scandalized by Jesus’ choice of dinner companions. And ourselves? Would you rather associate with those well thought of, clean, well-educated? Would you invite a rich dictator to your table, or a homeless woman? Consider those with whom you eat. Ask for an even more open and hospitable heart.
Why do you eat with us, Jesus? Here we are, always sinful, always sick, always needing you. And you are always faithful, always forgiving, always welcoming. How can we thank you enough?
Return to top
Sunday, January 20, 2008 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Week of prayer for Christian Unity
Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; Psalm 40; 1Corinthians 1: 1-3; John 1: 29-34
This year we will have only three Sundays in ordinary time before we enter Lent on February 6. Even as we savor the ordinary, with the rush of Christmas behind us and the crib packed away, we return to the baptism of Jesus. The Alleluia verse recaps the season: “The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.” In Isaiah we read of the call of God’s servant who is given as a light to all nations. In the psalm, we cry “Here I am! I come to do your will…telling the good news of salvation in the great assembly!”
Paul writes of his call in common with the call of all the baptized community, called to be saints. The call, the mission, the light are all ours too, to hand on.
Ask the Spirit to teach you how you might, during this week of Christian unity, promote a bit more unity and peace in the world. Perhaps you are not called to proclaim to the great assembly, but who are the people who need to hear good news from you? Ask the Spirit to teach you, be still and listen.
Thank you, Jesus, for calling us to share in your baptism and your mission, your passionate desire that all may be one. Here we are! Let us be your light today.
Monday, January 21, 2008
1 Samuel 15: 16-23; Psalm 50; Mark 2: 18-22
Saul has hardly been king when he disobeys God. Samuel reminds him that God doesn’t want sacrifice but obedience. Obedience, Samuel tells us, and thanksgiving the psalmist tells us, is the sacrifice that God wants. Jesus teaches that there is no need to fast when the bridegroom is with them; rather we are, according to the Alleluia verse, discernment, to choose wisely in obedience as the Word, living and active, opens the heart and its intentions.
What did obedience mean when you were young? What does it mean now? What were the sacrifices of your youth? What do you find sacrifice means now? The bridegroom is still with us, so if you fast, what does it mean now?
We do bring you thanksgiving as our sacrifice, God of grace. Everything you give us you make holy, and you give us everything, especially your own Self! Thank you!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 89; Mark 2: 23-28
Although afraid of Saul’s wrath, Samuel obeys the Lord and goes to anoint one of the sons of Jesse in Bethlehem. As each young man is brought to Samuel, God is not satisfied. Finally, Jesse admits he has one more boy, tending sheep. When David comes, “ruddy, with beautiful eyes and handsome,” Samuel anoints him as king. A back-bencher we might call young David, for Saul continues on in public as king. David will become deeply entwined with his God, a man of great desires. A man free to enter the house of God and eat the Bread of the Presence. Jesus uses this favorite king to teach the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for people. Persons take priority over ritual.
What did freedom once mean to you? What does it mean now? How have you grown in freedom, in wisdom and grace over the years? What more do you want? Share that desire with Jesus.
You have found us, God of grace, as once you found David. You have anointed us in baptism as you once anointed him king. Thank you for counting us your servants.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
1 Samuel 17: 32-33, 37, 40-51; Psalm 144; Mark 3: 1-6
We wrestle in our time with war and peace. Jesus asks his enemies, as he heals a man with a withered hand, whether it is lawful on the Sabbath to save life or to kill? He then looks at them, grieved at their hardness of heart. Yet every Christian child who has heard Bible stories has heard of young David killing the giant Goliath with his slingshot.
When to kill, and when to save life?
We have been praying about wisdom, discernment and obedience all week. Let us pray the Alleluia verse: “Jesus preached good news to the people and healed the ones who were sick.” With that ringing in your ears, ask the Spirit to teach you about war, peace, and what to do about enemies.
Help us to be obedient to your Spirit, Jesus. In this week of Christian unity, open us not only to Protestant and Orthodox Christians, but to Jews, Muslims, Hindus—all those who worship God. Keep our hearts softened!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
1 Samuel 18: 6-9, 19:1-7; Psalm 56; Mark 3: 7-12
God had warned Samuel and the people about the dangers of having a king, and here Saul is overwhelmed with jealousy and rage because the women sing more about young David’s glory on the battlefield than Saul/s. Saul confides in his son Jonathan, “who took great delight in David” and who arranges for David to overhear his father’s plot. Jonathan’s pleading on behalf of his friend temporarily wins Saul over. The psalm is consoling: God keeps count of our troubles, saving our tears in a bottle. As the crowds in the first reading came out to praise Saul and David, in the gospel the multitudes, including those from Gentile areas, surround Jesus, pressing against him so that he has to “escape” to a boat off shore.
Let’s take a look at jealousy (regarding a person) and envy (regarding possessions) in our own lives. Ask Jesus to show you any unhealed parts of yourself, any sin that still clings to you. Press against him in hope. He will not escape from you. Picture him collecting each one of your tears in his heart. How will you respond?
Thank you for accepting all parts of us, Jesus, taking our angers and jealousies into your heart for healing. Give us your peace, and make us instruments of peace.
Friday, January 25, 2008 - Feast of the Conversion of Paul
Acts 22: 3-16 (or the first account: Acts 9:1-22); Psalm 117; Mark 16: 15-18
Three times in Acts Luke tells the story of Paul’s conversion; the first account (ch 9) has a bit more detail. The psalm is short and worth memorizing (we will use it for our prayer). The gospel pictures Jesus sending out his friends to preach the gospel to all creation. Jews and Gentiles, male and female, rich and poor, inanimate and animate, stars and seas—all creation is to receive good news.
How do you describe the good news? If all Bibles disappeared, what gospel (verse or verses) is written in your heart, indestructible and always motivating you? Sit quietly and see what the Spirit bubbles up from deep with you. Savor that good news all through the day.
Praise the Lord, all your nations! Extol God, all you peoples! For great is God’s steady love for us, and God’s faithfulness endures forever!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
2 Timothy 1:1-8; (or Titus 1:1-5); Psalm 96; Luke 10:1-9
While these two men, Timothy and Titus, who worked with Paul are only accorded a memorial (rather than a feast), they do have special readings. Not written by Paul, these instructions are from the Pastor, probably a disciple of Paul writing much later. They are still the Word of God for us. Today’s double readings give practical direction to the early church, but with warm affection. Jesus gives practical advice for the mission as well. Wish each household peace, Jesus urges, and say to them “The kin-dom of God has come near you.”
Travel in your spirit around the households with whom you have connection and wish them peace. Don’t forget to include the households in famine stricken, war violated lands. Remember when and how the kin-dom has come near you and respond.
We give you thanks day after day for choosing us, Jesus, and sending us to bear fruit. Help us to notice the fruits of today, and where your kin-dom breaks into our lives.
Return to top
Sunday, January 27, 2008 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17-18; Matthew 4: 12:-23
As Lent fast approaches, light is still a theme: light at Christmas, to welcome the new year, to manifest the baby to the nations, to illumine Jesus’ baptism, and now, to prepare us for Lent. Lent no longer means hardship, for Isaiah promises that gloom and deep darkness will give way to light. The psalmist hymns God as our “light and salvation.” The gospel announces that Jesus is such an attractive light that four fisherman give up everything –immediately-- to follow him, to be with him. And to the Corinthians, Paul preaches the foolishness of the cross which indeed is the saving power of God.
No sense in giving up everything during Lent unless we can fall in love with Jesus as his first four friends did. “Fall in love, stay in love,” Jesuit General Arrupe writes, “and it will decide everything.” The cross is power? It looks like ultimate weakness, pain and death. If power means rescue and fixing, the cross is foolish. If power means,
as we have been pondering the last two months, God-with-us, then the cross establishes God as deeply embedded in our losses and sufferings. Gaze on the crucifix and ask to fall more deeply in love.
You, Christ our light, are the stronghold of our lives. Of whom could we be afraid? Free us from fear, we beg you, so that will clear eye and ready heart, we may behold your beauty.
Monday, January 28, 2007
2 Samuel 5: 1-7, 10; Psalm 89; Mark 3: 22-30
Samuel had anointed David king when he was a boy, but now the people come to David as leader and shepherd and they anoint him. He led Israel to victory over the Jebusites and established Jerusalem as the city of David. The psalmist tells us neither Samuel’s nor the peoples’ anointing, but rather God’s anointing David affirms his leadership. In the gospel Jesus is accused of being demon possessed and casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Although Mark puts a rational argument in Jesus’
mouth, how that must have cut him. No wonder he promises that sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven.
Let us pray today for those who exercise leadership locally or globally. Let us pray that those who oppose leadership can find rational ways to critique, not the name calling that Jesus endured. Let us pray for those countries fractured by racism, tribalism, factions of any kind. Let us pray for justice and the peace that flows from it.
Forgive us, Jesus, for our name-calling, our dismissing of whole groups of people.
Heal our church and make us instruments of your justice, peace and unity.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
2 Samuel 6: 12-15, 17-19; Psalm 24; Mark 3: 31-35
David showed strong leadership in leading the Ark of the Covenant into the holy city, dancing, sacrificing animals and feasting with his rejoicing people. David blessed the people in God’s name. Jesus blesses us all in today’s piece of Mark’s gospel. His is not only a kingdom of God, God’s reign of justice and peace, but a new kin-dom available to all God’s children. Who are his mother, brothers and sisters? “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” We are all kin.
What is the will of God that you will “do” today so as to be in deeper relationship with Jesus and all of his people? “Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of Christ Jesus to the glory of God.” Just today. Plan your day, leaving space for surprises. Know that in those surprises and in your plans rest the will of God for you.
Here we are, God of glory. We come to do your will, to give you glory. Thank you that we belong to Jesus and your new family. Thank you for being with us always.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
2 Samuel 7:1-17; Psalm 89; Mark 4: 1-20
The US version of the first reading omits the context, which the Canadian version spells out. David is worrying because he is living in luxury while the Ark stays in a tent. God is not complaining. As Jeremiah and John’s gospel put it, we have a tenting God, moving with us. God has no complaint against David with his house of cedar, and goes on to promise him much more, a “house” of descendants. The psalmist praises God’s faithfulness. Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen,” God says to David. What covenant have you and God made? How have you experienced God’s fidelity? Ask the Spirit to help you remember. Be still and know your God.
Thank you for making us your chosen, for anointing us, for placing us with Jesus in your new family. Help us to hear your word and to bear fruit today. Move with us and within us today.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
2 Samuel 7: 18-19, 24-29; Psalm 132; Mark 4: 21-25
David listened to God’s promises and “went in and sat before the Lord, saying, ‘Who am I, Lord God?” David is overwhelmed that God will build him a house and asks for God’s blessing. Jesus tells a parable that is more proverb than the usual story with a punch line. We don’t put lamps under beds or bushel baskets, (imagine the resulting fire!) but on the lampstand to light up the house. He continues: the more we give the more we get.
Like David, day after day you go before the Lord and your computer and sit with all your feelings. What are your feelings today? Show them, give them to God. God is blessing with you, handing over to you all that God is. Overwhelming! Where have you put the light that you have been given?
So often, we experience that the more we give the more we are blessed. We believe; help our unbelief, our trust that you want to give us more than we can ask or even imagine.
February 1, 2008
2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17; Psalm 51; March 4:26-34
Jesus speaks of the smallest of seeds, the mustard seed, which becomes the greatest shrub of all. Small sins can often mushroom into heinous injustice. It is bad enough that David spies on the beautiful Bathsheba, and abuses his power “to get her” and in fact gets her pregnant. To cover his sin he brings Uriah her husband home from the battlefront so that all will think Uriah is the father of the child. Uriah, in solidarity with this own men, will not take comfort in his wife. From adultery, David moves directly to murder, although again, covertly. Because tomorrow is a feast we break our continuous reading and will not hear the confrontation between David the sinner and Nathan the prophet. Please continue to read from 2 Samuel for a classic piece of literature and a most successful “speaking truth to power.”
Psalm 51 is thought to be David’s confession of sin and begging for mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God according to your faithful love…A clean heart create in me, O God, and a steady spirit renew within me. Do not take your holy Spirit from me. The bones you have crushed shall rejoice. Give me back the joy of your salvation.” Pray this prayer as a personal cry for kindness, and then change the pronouns to first person plural. For whom do you speak when you pray, “…create for us,” etc?
Only you, you alone, our God of grace, can forgive the horrors humankind has rained down on the poor, the voiceless, the hungry, the outcast. Give us a steady spirit!
Saturday, February 2, 2008 - Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3:1-4; or Hebrews 2: 10-11, 13-18; Psalm 24; Luke 2: 22-40
We know the story. We have questions. Where did the family go after the manger that homeless night? Where did we get the idea Simeon is an old man and a priest at that? We have verses that cling to our unconscious, “Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant,” surfacing when everything is just over the top! The real piece for our pondering is from Hebrews. Jesus became like us in everything so that through his death he might destroy death and set free (yesh) “those who all their live were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
When, where, why, how are you afraid of death? In the freeing process that Jesus came to effect, how far along are you? Tell him what you need, and want. As you look around for a special Lenten practice, the slow and prayerful reading of Hebrews might offer an experience of Jesus, weak and suffering all that we do.
Save us who are bathed in comfort and security from the fear of death, Jesus, Lord of life and death. Clear away at least some of our distractions this Lent that we might face our fears with courage
Return to top
Sunday, February 3, 2008 - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Psalm 146; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5: 1-12
We conclude our brief “ordinary time” with a reminder of what constitutes the ordinary holiness to which we are all called and for which we are all gifted: the Beatitudes. The blessings. When God blesses us we receive all that God is. As we listen, we are receiving, foundationally, the blessing of God’s weakness, foolishness, lowliness in that first beatitude: happy are the poor in spirit. “God chose what is low and despised in this world…” Paul reminds us. Happy are we to share in God’s work, delineated in the psalm; happy are we, receiving all that God is, when we are one with Jesus in his weakness, his humility and meekness.
The psalm is Jesus’ mission statement: do justice, give food, set free, open eyes, lift up, care for strangers, orphans and widows. Don’t ask what Jesus “would do” in your life today. He is doing it, through you. Where can you foresee that you will be called on
to share his mission today, this week? Is there anything/one (don’t forget footwashing) to which you and he can reach out, united in serving?
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts one with yours. Help us to lift up those who are bowed down in any way. Please give us opportunities to encourage and serve.
Monday, February 4, 2008
2 Samuel 15: 13-14, 30, 16: 5-13; Psalm 3; Mark 5: 1-20
The pain of it all. These readings are preparing us for Lent. Absalom, David’s son, has risen in rebellion against the king. “David went up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, head covered and barefoot.” He is cursed, and stops his men from beheading the cursing one, for David acknowledges that if his own son wants to kill him, he can endure this curse. In the gospel we read of one of the most tormented persons in the gospels, a man who gashes himself with rocks, whose fury allows him to tear off his shackles, who lives among the tombs,“ howling and bruising himself.” Jesus casts about 2,000 demons from the man.
If anyone whom you have loved has betrayed you, you might try to enter David’s pain. If you have ever been tormented, you might come howling to Jesus for help, remembering your mental and emotional suffering. Pray for those who are in such agony anywhere in the world. Pray for the deepening of your com-passion.
How much you have done for us, Jesus, how much you have already healed us. Thank you for your compassion and mercy. Make us instruments of your kindness today.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
2 Samuel 18: 9-10, 14, 24-26, 30-19: 3; Psalm 86; Mark 5: 21-43
It would be worth your while to read all of 2 Samuel, but the gist is that Absalom has been killed by David’s general Joab. Instead of being relieved, David wishes it were he who died. “Absalom, my son, Absalom,” he wails. In the gospel Jairus is pleading for the life of his daughter and Jesus responds. Would he have healed the girl’s illness had not a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years stopped him? All things work together for good. Not only is the woman healed, but Jesus does an even mightier work in raising the girl from death.
When have you been afflicted for a long time? Or felt the sharp pain of grief like David’s. Was it physical, mental, spiritual, emotional suffering? Did you have the courage to stop Jesus, for your own healing? When did you beg him to heal your loved one (s)? How did/does he respond?
Jesus, we bring you all the pain of the world, our own, our loved ones’, and all our sisters and brothers around the world. Thank you for “bearing our sickness and enduring our suffering. Alleluia.” [that is the Alleluia verse today, the last time we will sing it until Easter!]
During Lent, in which we use the same readings year after year, we will try something different for our prayer, focusing on only one word or phrase from each day’s readings.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - Ash Wednesday
Joel 2: 12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
Turn, return. These two words could sum up all 40 days of Lent, a time of turning or “conversion” from the Latin. “Version” means turning, but we do it “con”, with. With whom will you turn this Lent? We do not do this alone. Jesus turns toward the desert, and invites us to journey with him. What will have to change if we venture into the desert? Conversion in Greek is metanoia, and in Hebrew is shuv. “Metanoia” means a change of attitude. Is there any attitude which you hold that God might want to melt and mold, reshape? “Shuv” means turning. To whom might God want to turn you toward this Lent? We are indeed dust and we are returning not only to dust but to God, closer and closer each day. Tell Jesus how that feels.
Imagine yourself lying next to Jesus on the cold desert floor in the middle of the night. Look at the stars with him. Consider the universe and all that God has made. What feelings and desires arise as you lie next to Jesus? Share them.
Clean hearts create in us, O God, and steady spirits make strong in us. Give us the joy of your salvation, and help us to trust your turning us to yourself.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Luke 9: 22-25
Choose life. Although this urging is attributed to Moses, it is easy to hear God’s voice to each of us. Jesus, paradoxically, reminds us that to save our life we must choose to lose it. Life is God’s great gift to the universe. Muslims believe that even inanimate objects are given life. Most of us probably would not choose death, but the psalm reminds us that we might simply wither. What is withering now in your life? What is less sturdy, less hopeful? Share that with Jesus who himself must be fainting with hunger, and the extremes of heat and cold in the desert. Ask him where he finds the courage to choose life. How might you share his experience?
Imagine yourself in the desert with Jesus, hungry and thirsty for what? You are planted near the source of living water himself. Watch your union with him send fresh life into all that is withering in you. How will you respond?
We are rooted and planted in you, Jesus, source of our life. Send our roots rain that we may grow sturdier in our trust and hope this Lent.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Isaiah 58: 1-9; Psalm 51; Matthew 9: 14-15
The fast that God chooses. Why do we fast when the bridegroom is with us? Jesus is always with us and within us. What does fasting mean to you? Now let us see what fasting means to God: loose the bonds of injustices, break every yoke, share your bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into your house, cover the naked, do not hide from your own kin. “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a spirit broken and contrite.”
Imagine yourself in the desert with Jesus, fasting. How can you do “God’s fast” out there in the wilderness? Do not hide from Jesus, your own kin. What secret sin might you have to talk about with him? Offer God the sacrifice of your contrite heart.
Cleanse us from our unknown faults. Let this be a time of being aware of, praying for and serving the poor rather than giving up “stuff.”
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Isaiah 58: 9-14; Psalm 86; Luke 5: 27-32
Hesed. God abounds in steadfast hesed, the Hebrew word that we translate as steady love, kindness, mercy, tenderness, a love that is abundant and unconditional. It is another name for God, found in Exodus 34: 6 as the “beautiful” name for God, found in most of the psalms and all through Isaiah. Jesus puts flesh on the hesed of God as we read today in the call of the tax collector, Levi, who then gives a great feast, inviting his tax collecting and sinful friends to honor Jesus. It is mercy, hesed, that God wants, not sacrifice.
You are in the desert with Jesus, talking about God’s hesed in your life. What stories will you tell Jesus? What stories might he tell you? Listen.
You, O God, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love for us who call upon you. Answer us for we are poor and needy.
Return to top
Sunday, February 10, 2008 - First Sunday of Lent
Genesis 2; 7-9, 16-18, 25, 3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5: 12-19; Matthew 4: 1-11
Temptation. From our origins we have been tempted, and not by serpents but by our own personal desire to be “like God, knowing good and evil.” Jesus’ temptations in the synoptic gospels are so dramatic. How could we ever be tempted by “all the kingdoms of the world?” No, we are more tempted to judge either ourselves (either negative, denying the God within, or puffed up), or others (Jesus always warns about that). Nor, Jesus says in the gospel today, are we allowed to test God. We call those who test their relationships neurotic. Sometimes we call temptation to sin sin itself. Who will save us from all this? Paul’s response is always: grace, God’s life and action within us, and abundance of grace.
What good and evil do you want to know? When do you want to be not only like, but be God? If kingdoms don’t tempt you, what does? When have you blamed God for testing you? We were once taught that even to think about or begin to want something sinful was already to sin. Or is that temptation? Who are you judging harshly right now?
Ask for an abundance of grace.
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” and from judging the motives of those we consider evil. Deliver us from all useless anxiety and deepen our trust in your saving grace.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Leviticus19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19; Matthew 25: 31-46
Be holy. For the Jews, being holy meant keeping the Torah, the Law. Paul said he was perfect in keeping the Law (Philippians 3) and he didn’t mean just ten commandments but the 600 plus laws of Torah, some of which are noted in today’s first reading. Paul, after coming to know Jesus, counted his perfection so much garbage. For Paul, the Spirit has set us free and our obedience to the Spirit cannot be measured. For the Christian, today’s gospel might only serve as a new Law by which we measure ourselves: how we care for the least of this world. There is no way to measure how we are doing in God’s eyes. We cast ourselves on God’s mercy to be made holy, not counting on our achieving “holiness.”
A paradox: we are not, Genesis teaches us, to try to be “like God” (cf yesterday), but we are to be holy, for God is holy. “For” is a key word, for any holiness of ours can only flow from God’s. Holy in Hebrew means just. Pray for the gift of justice, for God is just. Pray for the gift of knowing where the Spirit leads, and for the gift of obeying the Spirit.
We pray today, Holy God, for all the people of this world who, no matter what their religion, care for the least among us. Make us all holy, for you are holy.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Isaiah 55: 10-11; Psalm 34; Matthew 6: 7-15
Broken-hearted. Jesus warns us not to “heap up empty phrases” when we pray. God’s word penetrates our hearts and does not return to God empty. Let us examine today’s psalm closely to see if we really believe what we are praying.
How do you magnify the Lord, be transparent so that people can see God in and through you, make God’s glory greater? When have you experienced that when you called on God, you were delivered from fear? When have you looked to God and your face (and/or heart) became radiant with joy? When were you broken-hearted and felt God present and active? When were you crushed in spirit and knew God’s love? How will you respond?
God with the powerful Word, speak peace to all those broken-hearted and crushed in our world. We believe your Word does what it says; help our unbelief.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Jonah 3: 1-10; Psalm 51; Luke 11: 29-32
A review: turn, repent, temptation, broken-hearted.
Repetition in prayer lets God’s grace sink in more deeply. Today’s readings tell of Jonah’s calling Nineveh to turn from their evil ways, and shows God repenting, turning away from fierce anger with the city. Jesus calls his generation evil because they are always asking for a sign, tempting God. We too sometimes ask for proof from God. So the psalm is our cry for God’s “abundant mercy”: “A broken, humbled heart you will not scorn.”
Ask the Spirit to point out to you all the situations since Lent began when you have experienced God’s abundant mercy. If you started Lent with zeal and slacked off, pray for mercy and the grace to begin again today, praying “Put a new and steadfast spirit within me.”
Grant to us, O God, a heart renewed. Recreate in us your own mercy, God. Make us instruments of mercy, especially to those who are broken-hearted.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Esther 14: 1, 3-5, 12-14; Psalm 138; Matthew 7:7-12
Ask. “Queen Esther, filled with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord, and prayed…” Jesus begins his teaching on the hillside with “Ask, and it will be given to you…” and continues with two vivid examples. If your child asks for bread, will you give him a stone, or if she asks for fish will you give her a snake? In Hebrew there is no other word for pray than ask. Catholics know about petition, intercession, ranking it lowest among other forms of prayer such as adoration, thanks, and contrition. Yet Jesus lives to make intercession for us, Hebrews assures us, so it cannot be such a low form. In fact, on Valentine’s day, we might consider the intimacy stemming from the root of the Hebrew word for ask. It means to stroke the face of God.
Use your hands in this prayer. With one hand cupped, offer all the deadly anxieties, fears and panic situations of your life to God, and with the other, stroke the face of God. Breathe deeply and try to keep your mind quiet. If some thing intrudes, let it rest in your cupped hand as an offering to God, and return to the quiet.
We stroke your face, dear God. We love you with all our hearts. Be our valentine! Rain your love down on the desert parts of human hearts and desert places in our world.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130; Matthew 5: 20-26
Be reconciled. Pelagius whom Augustine argued against centuries ago keeps rising up in Catholic life. Today’s Gospel Acclamation: “Rid yourselves of all your sins
and make a new heart and new spirit.” Only God can recreate our hearts and spirits. What we can and must do, Jesus urges us, is to leave our gifts at the altar and go, be reconciled with those who have something against you. Note, not with those whom you have something against. That is taken for granted. Re-conciliare from the Latin means to talk again. If the dialogue breaks down…
If you have something against someone, what do you do? Say? When you suspect that someone has something against you, what do you do? Say? Perhaps you have tried to talk again and have been rebuffed. Jesus doesn’t urge nagging. Talk about these folk with him and ask him to guide you.
Reconcile us, Prince of Peace, nation with nation, women with men, rich with poor, native with immigrant. Help us respect, and talking, listening, learn from one another.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Deuteronomy 26: 16-19; Psalm 119; Matthew 5: 43-48
Love your enemies. What!?! With today’s gospel concluding with “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” we will not be urged to perfection!? What is perfection according to this piece of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew? It is precisely to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Not bomb them, not sanction them. The Qur’an has quite the same injunction: Muslims are to love their enemies. So who is perfect? Only God. God makes sun shine and rain fall on the just and unjust alike. God loves God’s own enemies and takes pains to let the enemy know it.
Many of us do pray for our enemies, those on an international scale and sometimes those in our own families or neighborhoods. Today, let us pray for ourselves that we might be open to talking and learning from those we consider enemy. In other words, ask for the grace to be reconciled.
Today you call us your treasured people, gracious God. It is not that we are strong and powerful that you treasure us, but because we are weak and needy. Thank you
Return to top
During Lent, in which we use the same readings year after year, we are trying something different for our prayer, focusing on only one word or phrase from each day’s readings.
Sunday, February 17, 2008 - Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17: 1-9
Transfiguration. Commentators often note that the story of Jesus’ transfiguration is meant to give us hope for the long journey ahead. Another possibility is that what has happened to Jesus is meant to happen to us. Lent is a time for our transfiguration. The second reading notes that “not according to our works, but according to God’s own purpose and grace,” we are called to receive the revelation of our Savior Jesus who “brought life…to light.” We behold the glory of God shining on the face of Jesus. And on our own. “May we come to share the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity.”
Look for life coming to light throughout your day to day. Look for the glory of God shining through every creature in your path today. Ask for the grace of coming ever so slowly to share Jesus’ humanity and divinity. Ask yourself: how might that happen?
Then ask the Spirit to teach you.
May we be transformed from glory to glory. Such is the influence of your Spirit (I Cor 3:18), Lord Jesus, king of endless glory. Help us to surrender to your Spirit’s power.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Daniel 9:3-10; Psalm 79; Luke 6:36-38
Forgiveness. Daniel, so loved and protected by his God, pleads for his people in exile: “Open shame falls on us.” Then he reminds God that “to our God belong mercy and forgiveness.” Forgiveness characterizes God. So Jesus challenges us to “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful…Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
Who needs your forgiveness this Lent? With whom will you attempt reconciliation? Pray for your people: your family, community, parish, nation, church, world, admitting how “open shame falls on us” and how we need God’s mercy.
Enfold us in your mercy, God of ultimate and everlasting forgiveness. We know Jesus loves sinners, and so we trust that you love us ever more deeply through him.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, 27-28, 31; Psalm 50; Matthew 23: 1-12
Thanksgiving sacrifice. (US translation: sacrifice of praise) Of course, the word “thanksgiving” in Greek is euchariston, and many of us are making an extra effort to celebrate Eucharist during Lent. We celebrate Eucharist, not just the priest. This sacrifice to which God refers in the psalm comes from our hearts, our daily lives. Again from the Greek, Jesus reminds us that we are not to call anyone “rabbi” because he is our teacher, “and you are all “brothers and sisters.” Nor are we to be called “instructors” because Christ is our “leader” in the Greek. Jesus seems to be downsizing the hierarchical structure of his community and ours. He berates those who lay heavy burdens of guilt on others. There is, in his Body, no power over, but rather service of.
Are there any on whom you lay burdens of guilt and shame? Beg for Jesus’ help to respect and, like him, to share their burdens “and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).
Who is your leader? Whom are you willing to follow, and how far will you go? Ask for the grace to go anywhere Jesus leads.
We offer you thanksgiving and praise, Jesus, for your coming among us, leading us, teaching us, and leaving us your Spirit. Help us to continue your mission of sharing the burdens of our brothers and sisters.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Jeremiah 18: 18-20; Psalm 31; Matthew 20: 17-26
Servant. Just yesterday we reflected on service rather than power over, and here comes the mother so James and John to ask Jesus for thrones. Jesus has just promised nothing but torture, mockery and death, and still those sons of Zebedee let their mother plead for them. How often Jesus must have sighed in frustration! He teaches all over again: if anyone wants to be great, he or she must be a servant, even a slave. The Son of Man, he concludes, that glorious figure hoped for in the book of Daniel, comes “not to be served but to serve.”
What would “being great” look like to you? How much do you want that? How willing are you to serve the other(s) in that quest? When have you experienced that when you are weak, God’s power is strong? Savor those memories and ask for open eyes to see where you might serve today.
You are our servant, Jesus. You are a suffering servant, and still you march through the desert, through nights alone in prayer, and now to Jerusalem. Let us serve you along the way.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Jeremiah 17: 5-10; Psalm 1; Luke 16: 19-31
Trust. “Blessed are those who trust,” Jeremiah exclaims, he who was himself a suffering servant, so persecuted. He knows that the human heart is devious and perverse, he himself a victim of it. And yet those who trust in human beings are like those in desert places. In the gospel parable, poor Lazarus could not trust the milk of human kindness in the man by whose door he languished. He evidently trusted God, and flourished in the next life, while the rich man thirsted in agony in the flames. “Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees who loved money.”
And how do you feel about money? About the poor languishing at your door? About the poor languishing at “the door” of the rich nations, especially Canada and US?
Pray about your personal attitudes toward money, and write a letter to your government about forgiving world debt. Trust that your small effort will help.
Forgive us our closing our eyes so often to the poor among us and across the seas.
Thank you for entrusting to us the care and service of the helpless ones in your Body.
Friday, February 22, 2008 - Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23; Matthew 16: 13-19
Shepherd. We in no way worship chairs, but we do honor the early Christians of Rome who remembered their dead on this day, especially “their” apostles, Peter and Paul. When their feast was shifted to June 29, Romans continued to celebrate their bishop who holds “the chair of Peter.” The gospel’s question by Jesus: “Who do you say that I am?” is always relevant, but today we focus on another title of Jesus: Shepherd. When Jesus spoke of shepherds in the synoptic gospels he was referring to God, but in John’s gospel and here in 1 Peter, Jesus is called the “chief Shepherd.”
How do you experience Jesus? Who do you say he is for you? Servant? Leader? Shepherd? Other titles? Namely, ______. Shepherd in Latin is pastor. How is he your pastor? How are you called to continue his work of pastoring, even without ordination?
Pray for pastors, clerical and lay, in our church and other Christian churches. Pray for vocations to pastoring: priests, lay ecclesial ministers, women and men religious.
Jesus, chief Shepherd, let us share your mind and heart. We are your kin, not a flock, but one with you and each other. Help us help you call all to your kin-dom with you as our one Shepherd.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Micah 7:14-15, 19-20; Psalm 103; Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
‘Emet. Very often in the Hebrew text of the psalms and Isaiah hesed (cf. February 9’s reflection) and ‘emet are linked. Indeed today collects many of the words we have been pondering since Ash Wednesday: turn, shepherd, forgiveness (the prodigal son parable), trust. Trust is one possible translation for ‘emet. It also means steady, faithful, everlasting, enduring, and today in the psalm, “steadfast love”. Like the father in the parable, God’s love is enduring and steadfast, always waiting for our return. Micah promises us that God will cast our sins into the depths of the sea, and the psalm, that God will crown us with steadfast love and mercy.
Psalm 103 is a long meditation on God’s steady and unconditional love. Why should God’s love be unconditional and faithful? Because, unlike ourselves who can be deluded into thinking we are “somebody,” “God knows how we are made, God remembers that we are dust.” It is worth looking up and praying this entire psalm, choosing a verse to memorize, letting it sink in, learning it “by heart.”
How can we ever thank you for such faithfulness to us, when we are so often unfaithful to you and our kin? We take the cup of salvation and call out our thanks to you!
Return to top
Sunday, February 24, 2008 - Third Sunday of Lent
Exodus 17: 3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8; John 4: 5-42
&
istening
to the Spirit: