3rd Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 5: 27-32
2. Psalms 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
3. Revelation 5: 11-14
4. John 21: 1-19

• I'm not worthy
• The challenge in following Jesus is that He calls each of us in different ways.  We are all called to bring about the Kingdom on earth, but just what our proper contribution to make that kingdom happen differs.
• How does it make you feel when you see someone preaching at a street corner?
• Do you think that sort of evangelization is truly effective?
• What sort of evangelization is effective?
• Do you think that all of us are called to be evangelists?
• How will you ever know if you're doing a good job?
  

• Dancing for Jesus
• Sometimes, when God intervenes, it's not so much to change the circumstances themselves, but to change our attitude toward those circumstances.
• Have you ever been transformed such that you found joy in something that had previously filled you with anger, anguish, or despair?
• How did that transformation/resurrection happen?
• How did that change you?
  

• Finding time to worship
• Much of what we experience on this earth is meant to prepare us for our eternal destiny.  Worship is one of them.
• Would you like more time for worship?
• How much is enough?
• How much is too much?
• What does your worship time do for/to you?
• Is it better alone or with other people?
  

• Follow me
• Renewal of wedding vows can be a meaningful occasion for a couple to reflect on their relationship to each other, give thanks for the time that they have had together, and resolve to continue to deepen and enrich that living relationship.  It's not a bad idea to do the same with Jesus.
• Have you ever been in a "dry" spell in your faith walk, a time when your relationship with Jesus seemed all but dead?
• What do you think caused that?
• What did you do about that season in your life?
• What finally brought you out of that "dry spell"?
• Do you think that you're a better person for experiencing that?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to be more welcoming?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater hope?
• Does God have my worship, or someone else.
• Can I rededicate myself to God in any measurable way today?
  

Burning

is my heart within me watching those coals on the beach.

Their flames dancing before my eyes with the same warmth -

That same warmth that I see in the eyes of my Master.

 

Yes, I backed down,

Yes, I turned away from Him,

Yes, I let my fear become certainty.

 

Yet, here He is, gazing intently into my eyes.

Seeing everything in me,

Knowing everything about me.

 

Yet still loving

Affirming,

Taking radiant joy in me.

 

He offers no guarantees of safety, security, nor shelter.

Just a life full of meaning, heart-felt wonder, and a home for all eternity -

Beginning here, now.

When first I met Him

I set aside my nets and my boat

Because they had become too small for me in that moment.

 

Today, today I set aside my shame, my fear, my pride.

Knowing that they too have become too small for me.

Knowing that Jesus offers me freedom.

 

If I will just accept it.

 

Shalom!

2nd Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 5: 12-16
2. Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
3. Revelation 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
4. John 20: 19-31

• Doing the work of Jesus
• My nephew once sported a T-shirt with the image of a bearded man, in a long flowing robe, hang gliding, with the caption "what wouldn't Jesus do?"  You have to wonder how those early disciples were able to decide how to go about being Jesus' Presence in their world with Him no longer there to give them advice.
• How have you been inspired by Jesus in your life?
• How have other people, perhaps closer to home, inspired you to live differently, maybe more generously, or more boldly?
• What do you think it really means to imitate Christ?
  

• Opening up to joy
• Imagine yourself suffused with a joy that is unquenchable, that triumphs over whatever you experience, not by tamping down those hurts, but by transforming them into avenues for grace.
• What gives you the most joy in your life?
• What is it about that which makes your heart soar?
• How has that joy changed you through the years?
  

• Sharing your distress
• Distress, stress, trauma, tragedy, call it what you will, all of these can isolate us from those closest to us.  We can feel cut off from our loved ones because our pain puts us into a strange, unexplored twilight that is all but unreachable.
• How have you found it possible to reach out to others in great pain?
• How did you learn that?
• Why do you think it makes a difference how you reach out to, touch those in need?
• How has that touch changed you?
  

• Afraid to hope
• I took Thomas as my confirmation name for two reasons, it was my father's first name, and I always felt that Thomas at least ought to get credit for being honest.  Were I in his shoes, I would be afraid to hope because hopes can be dashed.  Personally, I think that the greatest sign in this week's Gospel reading is Jesus' love and mercy toward Thomas.
• Imagine that you're in that locked room with the rest of the disciples (and yes ladies, I believe there were women there, so don't let that slow you down) and Jesus suddenly is there with you.
• He turns and gazes at you.  Suddenly, you feel as though the room is empty except for you and Jesus.
• You clasp His hands, feel the cruel nail marks, the warmth of His flesh, the strength of His hands in yours.  You suddenly know that He never really left you, and that He never will leave you.
• What expression is on the face of Jesus as you gaze at Him?
  
• What is it that Jesus has to say to you today?
• How do you respond?
• Happy Easter!

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to bring hope to another?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater hope?
• How is God inviting me to be closer to Jesus today?
• Where might God be inviting me into a miracle? 
  

Warm

is the flesh I clasp in my calloused hands.

Warm the glance, the gaze, the caress of His eyes upon me.

Warm my heart as I gaze back and find my courage in His eyes.

Find my salvation at the shores of eternity in His flesh embracing mine.

 

My heart knows what my mind could scarce believe:

I am loved, I am accepted, I am called -

Just as I am, right here, right now.

And that's all that I really need to know.

 

I am resurrected  out of the tomb of my own despair.

Given power over the chains of my own fears.

Filled with a joy based in Jesus and Him alone.

Knowing that all I need to know is the step right before me.

 

Jesus sees my face light up.

He throws back his head and laughs with me.

And I know that He is in me and I in Him.

And that I never want to leave His side.

 

Hallelujah!

 

Shalom!

Palm Sunday

Our readings for Palm Sunday:

1. Isaiah 50: 4-7
2. Psalms 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
3. Philippians 2: 6-11
4. Luke 22: 14 - 23: 56

• Seeking a well trained tongue
• A person in great need is often hard to reach.  They can feel isolated, alone, cut off from the rest of humanity by their tragedy.  This can especially happen to those grieving the loss of a loved one.
• Have you ever been confronted by someone whose need was so deep that you had no idea what to say to them?
• What were you able to say/do for them?
• How did you come to that response to their need?
  

• Feeling abandoned
• What is something that God has done for you just lately that you're grateful for?
• Were you seeking that blessing, or did it come as a surprise?
• What were you praying for at that time?
• Why do you think that God answered you the way that He did?
• What does that tell you about God?
• What does that tell you about yourself?
  

• What wondrous love
• Jesus' gift of Himself was no snap decision, no single impulsive act that committed Him to His death.  Rather, His whole life among us was one decision after another, one giving of self after another, one death after another.
• What do you think that it means to imitate Christ?
• What good can come of trying to live a life as Jesus did?  Didn't Jesus live that self-denying life so that we would not have to?
• What has denying yourself ever gotten you?
  

• Hangin' with Jesus
• You have to feel awe that Jesus was able to extend mercy to St. Dismas even in the midst of his own agony, shame, and isolation.
• Have you ever ministered to someone else when you were troubled in one way or another?
• What made you think to look outside yourself, and touch that other person?
• How were you able to get past your own problems in that moment?
• Did that offering of yourself help you in any way?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to bring hope to another?
• Am I honest with God in prayer?
• How is God inviting me to be closer to Jesus today?
• Where might God be inviting me into a miracle? 
  

Splinters In My Shoulders

 I hate the Romans.
They find an endless litany of ways to remind you that they are the dominant force on the planet.

Their soldiers can demand that you carry their arms and armor for a mile.

Every transaction is an opportunity for another tax.

Even the money bears the image and likeness of the emperor.

 

The wood that they pressed upon me was stained,

Heavy,

Rough in places, worn smooth in others.

And I wasn't sure which revolted me more: the bloody stains

Or the smooth spots worn down by the spasms of agony of former victims.

 

I wanted nothing to do with it.

But, of course, like all things with the Romans,

What I wanted did not matter.

So they lashed that hateful instrument of torture to my back.

And bid me walk for the pathetic, beaten, mutilated man beside me.

 

I could tell that he was barely hanging on.

Putting one foot in front of the other through sheer act of will.

Meanwhile, the soldiers just wanted to get his execution over and done with,

So that they could get home to their families and get a little rest

For my part, I was already trying to decide how I would describe today to my wife.

 

Even in the midst of His agony, He comforted others.

Telling them to take heart,

No cries for pity parted His lips.

No screams of outrage or mourning tumbled out of his bruised and beaten frame.

His eyes always seeking others, to meet and comfort them.

 

Finally, he looked at me.

And suddenly I joined the crowd of mourners,

Reduced to tears at his cruel fate.

Reduced to groans and sighs in the face of such cruelty.

He held me in the embrace of his eyes and thanked me for my service.

 

I could not leave His side after that.

I knew that I had to stay close to Him as long as possible.

I did not know what would come of that impulse, 

But I knew that I would be forever incomplete if I left His side.

And I have found my best self on that via dolorosa ever since.

Shalom!