Thrursday Fifth Week of Lent

John 8: 51-59 

There are many people that can't accept that the man Jesus was the Christ.  It seems unlikely that a Spirit that creates the world and all the contents and laws therein would care so much to be involved in my life.  Who really cares what my day is like? 

Jesus came into the world to be part of the human experience.  Jesus came that we may have hope in an eternal life. 

One of our virtues is hope and when hope keeps us going we can see on a foggy day.  Hope finds its root in Love and Love springs from the eternal well of the living spirit of God.  People that lose hope lose sight of God, and the days and nights are too troublesome to be in a position to see hope and so some fall into depression and despair.

If we can trust in the word of God and hold on to hope we will soon experience the flow of Love.  Hope will bring us joy and peace. 

I often repeat this mantra throughout the day "We wait in joyful hope!" and the rest of that will do away with depression "for the coming of our savior Jesus Christ" 

Hope in God and you will be free!  Find your identity in Christ, not an institution or a person, and Hope will show us Love.

Wednesday Fifth Week of Lent

John 8:31-42

Violence and darkness spread across the world and we can get lost in the theme of violence and hatred fueled by fear.  

When we turn on media sources it is difficult to watch without finding ourselves feeling desperate or hopeless or angry or hate-filled.  We look for leaders to calm and reassure our security by their words and actions in times of great distress and unsure times.

When we say we are a follower of Christ we are saying that we will do as Christ does. Love. 

Love in the face of hatred.  Love in the face of violence.  Love in the face of your executioners. Love when we are falsely accused.  Love when we are cast away from society.  Love when we don't get our way.  Love when we are misunderstood.  Love is the way to the heart of Christ and the way of Peace.  Always Love.

Jesus knows how we feel and why we feel the way that we do.  Trust Him and ask Him to open our hearts to His Love. 

Tuesday the Fish Week of Lent

John 8:21-30

There is a real sense of Hope today.  The community of believers struggled to find the depth of Jesus' messages.  Today, the Pharisees seem to really miss the mark again.  Salvation comes from the forgiving victim.  

Our sinful nature is met with Love and Love wins.  Look at the crucifix.  When we sit and contemplate the mystery of Christ entering the human story as a vulnerable child, suffering as an innocent victim, and rising again we are met with a God who knows what it means to suffer, we have a God who knows what it is like to be fully human and continue to be the Divine image of the Father. 

Jesus met the corruption of humanity head on and tells the people in the gospel that He is the one to follow to salvation.

Sit and take some time to think about the Love that hung on a cross and died, only to defeat the chains of death with more Love than the world can ever imagine. 

Monday Fifth Week of Lent

John 8: 1-11

There is a woman "caught in the very act" of adultery in the gospel.  Caught in the act of a "crime" and now the righteous look for a way to trip up Jesus. 

He bends down, meeting the woman where she is, reducing the effect of superiority, and shows empathy.  He draws in the sand and retorts the killing with his unveiling of the truth and says to the righteous to go ahead and throw the stones if they haven't sinned.  

That makes for a shut and closed case for the woman.  Eyewitness accounts of being caught in adultery is a death penalty.  The woman knew what was in store for her and there are no words from this woman in scripture except after Jesus scatters the accusers.

Jesus already knows and gets right to the point. 

Jesus just doesn't ask for a laundry list of sins to repent for, HE says; "Neither do I condemn you"  What a relief to hear that the one that has the power to forgive sins has forgiven her and without her asking for it.  Jesus knows the heart and the motives and intentions behind every action.

Today's gospel is an indication of the reach of Love that Christ has for us.  He Loves, unconditionally.  Did you hear that? unconditionally. 

Friday Fourth Week of Lent

John 7: 1-2, 10: 25-30

John gives us a bit of insight here on the climate of the time.  It's hostile toward the community of believers.  Jesus understands what is going on and yet He still continues on the mission.

When we think about Christianity across the globe we are faced with similar problems.  People are killed and jailed every day because of their belief.  We face calvary in a very real way when we follow the way of the Lord.

We are also reminded that in God's time will all come to pass.  Be still and be firm in faith.  The final chapter has already been penned. 

The result of an all knowing ego based society will be one that separates, categorizes and tries to remove any perceived opposition.    

When Christ calls from the cross "forgive them" He is talking about you and me.  We persecute Him every time we persecute others.  When we isolate others, when we oppress others, when we hurt others.

He forgave us our trespasses, so, let us forgive our own faults so we may join Him in peace.

Thursday Fourth Week of Lent

John 5: 31-47

Today we focus on relationship.  The relationship that is the Divine working in and through us requires us to be honest with God.  We don't use empty words, empty words are words without meaning.  We mean what we say and say what we mean. 

Talk to God with love and honesty and He will be moved to fill you up with perseverance and fortitude.  The problem may not go away, but there will be clarity and a sure way out.  We can get trapped in our minds about God because we may see God as far, distant, unattached to our life, and perhaps a God of wrath and jealousy that spurs violence and damns humanity for not following a set of rules.  That is a tough place to start. 

God entered human history to share with us and to experience the human journey.  Christ, with the Father from the beginning of time, has made the relationship with the Divine something that is attainable and ready to access!

Jesus showed the apostles the marks of His crucifixion, the marks of His human experience, and He held no grudge, He sought no revenge, He ordered no troops to attack.  Jesus said; "Peace be with you"

The price has been paid the relationship is established. 

Today, we focus on meeting people where there are in their journey and foster a life giving relationship with the Divine in all. 

Wednesday Fourth Week of Lent

John 5:17-30

The work we do to build the kingdom on earth is an important mission.  Bringing others to Christ by our words and actions is the mission of the christian.  Jesus talks about the work he has to accomplish in the gospel and all the work finds its origin in the Father who sent the Son, who sends the Spirit, that is alive and working in you and me.  We can listen to the spirit or ignore it for our own selfish reasons.  "I'm not smart enough" "I'm not good enough" I'm not . . ." all true because without being open to the help of the spirit of God we can't do anything of His will.

Pope Francis was asked about those who are not in favor of his work with the direction of the church and His response is one to remember; "They do their work and I do mine."  

Striving to work for peace, and understanding, the message of the forgiving victim, for those in the world that are oppressed and marginalized requires seeing with the eye of God, hearing with His ear, working with His body, and you don't have to travel far to do it.

Recently, I was asked to explain two predominant cultural theories on truth and afterward the man said "yeah, I guess I can find a soup kitchen to work in." I told him to find the manger, seek Christ in your home, your school, your town and care for Him there.  

Our work is right where we are and we have much work to do before we die!!