 istening
to the Spirit:
Reflections for
March 30 - April 5, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008 - Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 2: 42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
First, fear and a locked door. Then Jesus came, stood, spoke peace. Jesus showed them his wounds and spoke peace to them again. (They still don’t get it!). But then! Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit...” According to this passage from John, on Easter night, we have a first coming of the Spirit. “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” is the mystery of faith, the core of baptism, eucharist and the gospel. Actually we should profess: on Easter night, Christ HAS come again and remains with us, the Holy Spirit living deep within us, continuing to speak peace, to forgive, to mission us as peace-makers and reconcilers in a divided and divisive world.
What do you need from the Spirit deep within you in order to make peace and unity in the world, in your nation, in your family, in your workplace, among your neighbors? Ask for what you need. Then let go, trust. What would delight the heart of Christ more than that you should join him in “making all one,” gathering into one new family all the scattered children of God?
Although we do not see you, we trust you, Jesus. Make us more devoted to the community, to the breaking of bread, to prayer. Add more and more people to our number, we ask.
Monday, March 31, 2008 - The Annunciation of the Lord
Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1: 26-38
One acclamation links our readings: “Here I am! I come to do your will.” And Mary’s, “Be it done to me according to your word.” In Luke’s gospel, Mary is open to the word of the angel; in Matthew’s gospel she is obedient to the announcement Joseph offers her, after he dreams of Jesus, the savior. We usually do not converse with angels, but find God’s will in more ordinary circumstances. We are called to obey reality, our bodies, our families, our communities, our doctors.
In all that frustrates you, in all that enlivens you, try to say: Here I am! I obey your will! Look at the circumstances of yesterday and see how the Lord was announced to you. Look at today and tomorrow. How might it be done in your life according to God’s word?
O God, grant us the serenity and trust to accept the things we cannot change. Help us to find your Word, Jesus, in all the circumstances, all the reality of our daily lives.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 93; John 3: 7-15
“The community of believers were of one heart and one mind...” (Acts 4:32). Being of one heart and one mind includes dialogue, speaking one’s truth in community. To become one mind, one heart is the Spirit’s work. We, however, cooperate with the Spirit when we put our needs, wants and hopes (not expectations) before the community. Then the Spirit can lead us all into honest dialogue and to wise decisions that prosper the community. Like the wind, as Jesus instructs Nicodemus, the Spirit blows where it will, and sometimes blows in new and surprising ways. That is why every voice, every mind and heart is needed to contribute to building or uncovering community truth.
In what ways do you/can you foster dialogue in your family, parish, community? Ask the Spirit to show you any block to speaking your truth, and to give you the courage to contribute to the wisdom of the group. Ask the Spirit to share the Spirit’s own creativity with you.
Make us one in heart and mind, Risen Christ. You promised that all would be drawn to you when you were lifted up. You are raised so please draw us. Make us one with all creation.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Acts 5: 17-26; Psalm 34; John 3: 16-21
Our gospel for today has unfortunately become an almost mindless slogan, draped over stadium walls: John 3:16. We “insiders” recognize “God so loved the world...” but what is our understanding of God’s “giving” Jesus to the world? In this season so close to the Passion we might think of God as handing Jesus over to torturers to pay for our sins. We need continually to rethink our faith and our understanding, our images of God, Jesus and what salvation means. God gave Jesus to us in the whole of what incarnation means. We did not torture him.
What do you believe in so strongly that you -- like the apostles who were jailed in today’s first reading, and eventually martyred -- would be willing to die for? Are there any beliefs so strongly rooted in you that you would risk excommunication, for example, rather than recant? Where does such faith come from? Ask for a deepening of faith.
Draw us more closely to the light that we may live in truth. Let all our works bear fruit for your glory; may our works “be clearly seen as don in [you].” God of grace and glory.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Acts 5: 27-33; Psalm 34; John 3: 31-36
Our two readings are linked today by the theme of obedience. Peter and the apostles tell the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than human beings.” In John’s commentary we are told the source of our obedience: the Spirit. “God does not ration the gift of the Spirit...” Obviously filled with the unlimited outpouring of the Spirit, the apostles’ courage impels them. They conclude their defense before this gathering (of what would be bishops to us) with this boldness: “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey the Spirit.”
All Christians are bound to obedience. All of us are made prophets in baptism, called to speak in the Spirit, to comfort the afflicted and to critique unjust structures in both society and church. We probably are more comfortable comforting, perhaps even critiquing society. But to obey the Spirit, to use prophetic wisdom, also means to critique the unjust structures we find in the church. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes, ears and mind to see where any injustice may lie. Ask the Spirit to give you the wisdom and creativity to change what you can, even in some small way.
You are close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit, you save. Thank you for sharing that ministry with us. Free your Spirit in us, Jesus, that we may speak the truth.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Acts 5:34-42; Psalm 27; John 6:1-15
We see prophetic courage and wisdom in the flesh. The Sanhedrin is so “infuriated they wanted to put them (the apostles) to death.” A Pharisee, Gamaliel, “respected by all the people”, suggests that this ruling body do nothing to the apostles. If their movement is from God nothing will destroy it, and if it is not from God, it will destroy itself. While agreeing with Gamaliel’s rationale, the Sanhedrin vented their violence by flogging the disciples. The apostles however rejoiced to be found worthy to suffer dishonor, and even more boldly kept proclaiming that name, Jesus.
Violence. Jesus. All around the world, in so many nations and in so many homes--violence. Jesus’ name heals and sets free. Picture all the situations of violence which the Spirit will call to your mind and, bowing your head, pronounce the powerful name of Jesus over each situation.
You are our light and our salvation, Jesus, so whom should we fear? Remove the barriers that our fears create so that we can appreciate all people, all nations, all religions. Give us peace.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; John 6:16-21
Our alleluia verse proclaims: “Christ is risen...and has shown mercy on all people.” Within that framework, we look at the dissension within the early Christian community. Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews, who believed in Jesus as Messiah) complained against the Hebrews (Aramaic speaking Jews, also believing in Jesus as the Christ), and particularly the Twelve. The Hellenist widows were being neglected. The Twelve did not want to “wait on tables”. Jesus was one who indeed waited on table, washed feet, cooked breakfast on the beach. Now the “deacons” (because diakonia in Greek means service) would work and the apostles pray. Soon the community organized the widows into the “order of widows” to serve the daily needs of the community. Just a few years after the Jesus is raised as Christ, he needs to show mercy to the widows, the minorities, and the apostles who had once again forgotten his teaching and example!
Do you have trouble balancing work and prayer? Ask the Spirit to bring to mind all the dissensions in our Christian community: locally, diocesan, world wide church. Then ask the Spirit which groups are being neglected. What can you do to reach out, in service (diakonia) to someone who may feel neglected in your family, your circle of friends, your parish?
As you filled the seven chosen to wait on table with the Spirit and wisdom, fill us and free our hearts from egoism, self-serving and elitism. We serve you in the least.
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rayer
brings our whole religious life into focus; it supports the
rhythm of our lives emphasizing now the person, now the community,
now the world we serve.
ister
Rea McDonnell, SSND, offers daily reflections on the Liturgical
Readings for each day. If
you wish to share your own reflections or have comments or
questions, please feel free to