5th Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent are:

1. Isaiah 43: 16-21
2. Psalms 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
3. Philippians 3: 8-14
4. John 8: 1-11

• What's new with you?
• We always greet each other with the question of what has happened in their life lately.  We don't ask just to find out the news.  What we really want is to know how life affects that other.
• Have you ever thought to ask God how events impact Him?
• Why is that?
• What do you think He might say?

• Great things
• What are some of the great things that God has done for you?
• What do all of those have in common?
• How have those gifts changed you?
• Are all of those gives things that you would have asked for on your own?

• You haven't changed a bit?
• At my age, it is common practice to tell someone that "you haven't changed a bit".  As if, at some point in the past, they had reached the climax of their life, and the remainder of their time here on this earth is all about trying to retain that essence as long as possible.  Fie on that I say.  Read The Opening of Eyes by David Whyte at: https://www.davidwhyte.com/english-poetry#Lightest.
• What are some things that you have had to leave behind so that you could move forward in life?  Maybe they were attitudes that held you back, relationships that crippled you, prejudices that threatened to shackle your imagination.
• Were any/all of those intrinsically evil?
• Or were they just evil for you?

• Being there
• You have to wonder about the positioning of the characters in this Gospel story.  I picture Jesus right next to the woman, as if He's as much in danger of stoning as she is.
• Has anyone ever defended you from others?
• How did that make you feel about them, about yourself?
• Who do you think Jesus is defending today?
• How can you help?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How can I companion Jesus today?
2. What should I be praying for?
3. What is God calling me to leave behind as I draw closer to Him?
4. Is there anyone in my life who needs defending?

The Rocks and Trees Still Whisper His Name

I have a piece of quartz on my desk to keep me connected.
I found it in a toolbox that my son gave me once.
It reminds me of his childhood and mine.
I used to believe that if I understood rocks, I understood the earth.

Deep down, I think that I hoped that understanding the earth would help
Me to understand all that went on within it.
But I soon realized that there was a great deal to this earth.
And even more to what goes on within it.

I settled for understanding the immediate things, those right in front of me.
Even though that fragmented view didn't bring the satisfaction of the larger.
It was enough, for practical purposes, to serve the immediate needs
Of getting the mortgage paid, food on the table, the kids vaccinated.

Now that I'm older, I appreciate connections.
I try to be open to them, just let the web of existence that I'm in be.
And celebrate my place in that web.
And in so doing find God.

That piece of quartz is igneous, formed from the fires of earth's core.
Heat descended from earth's creation.
Heat descended from the creation of the universe.
To touch it is to touch all time, the when of God's presence.

That little boy who treasured this rock is gone now.
Replaced by a fine, strapping young man.
Who has so many worries and concerns crowding his attention.
I can only pray that someday, I'll be able to give him back this rock.

So that he too, can use it as a passport to the universe.

Shalom!