"Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'" Lk 1: 41-42
More often than not, especially if we have good friends, a problem shared is a problem halved. The story of Mary's visit with Elizabeth always lifts our spirits as Mary reaches out for her cousin who is also pregnant for the first time. Elizabeth's response is full of delight, "How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" No doubt when Mary stays with her for "three months," she is even more consoled.
The feast of the Visitation not only plunges us more deeply into the mystery of God's unfolding love for us in Jesus, it suggests very practical advice for our everyday lives. When we try to interpret God's action in our lives without another set of ears, we risk conceit and self absorption. Elizabeth and Mary, both living the mystery of God's love for them in extraordinary ways, offer us a compass for our own lives. In Latin we say nemo judex in causa sua, no one is a judge in her own case. When faced with discerning how best to respond to God especially when we doubt our own insight, the counsel of a soul friend is essential.
Today, listen to the voice of a friend as you ask God for direction and peace.
What steps do you take when faced with decisions about how God is acting in your life?
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Fear
"Those who followed were afraid." Mk 10:32
Assuming they would be faithful to Lord as he marched on Jerusalem, James and John boldly ask the Lord for a place at his right hand, and we wonder what they were thinking! Jesus is clear about the sorrowful and painful journey that awaits him, but James and John seem able to think only of his triumph. Denial, as they say, is not just a river in Egypt.
The soldier or the Christian who does feel fear is too often reckless. Committed to the idea that their cause is just, they believe the Lord will rescue them from every hazard and restore them to their rightful place among the elect. Because they judge fear to be a weakness, they lack caution and preparedness for the war that awaits them.
Living a simple gospel life that does not seek power over others can feel like war. With so many others urging us to buy and possess things that we do not really need to want, we sometimes believe that having a new Ipad or Smartphone will make us powerful and give us status in our community. More dangerously, it gets is the way of Christ's reminder to his disciples that he has come, "not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." Mk 10:45
Today, don't buy anything you don't need.
Whose life of service to others most impresses you with its gospel power?
Assuming they would be faithful to Lord as he marched on Jerusalem, James and John boldly ask the Lord for a place at his right hand, and we wonder what they were thinking! Jesus is clear about the sorrowful and painful journey that awaits him, but James and John seem able to think only of his triumph. Denial, as they say, is not just a river in Egypt.
The soldier or the Christian who does feel fear is too often reckless. Committed to the idea that their cause is just, they believe the Lord will rescue them from every hazard and restore them to their rightful place among the elect. Because they judge fear to be a weakness, they lack caution and preparedness for the war that awaits them.
Living a simple gospel life that does not seek power over others can feel like war. With so many others urging us to buy and possess things that we do not really need to want, we sometimes believe that having a new Ipad or Smartphone will make us powerful and give us status in our community. More dangerously, it gets is the way of Christ's reminder to his disciples that he has come, "not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." Mk 10:45
Today, don't buy anything you don't need.
Whose life of service to others most impresses you with its gospel power?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Peter's Complaint
"Peter began to say to Jesus, 'We have given up everything and followed you.'" Mk 10:28
It is natural to complain from time to time about the treatment we receive from God, and it is good to express this in prayer. Unless we learn how to speak of our disappointment to God as if to a good friend, and to search more deeply within ourselves and our relationships for a fuller understanding and acceptance of our own faults and gifts, we will never really know the depths of God's love.
More often than not, our hurts and complaints about life and our relationships are reflections of unmet expectations. We expect our friends and God to be there when we need them in ways we understand or determine, and often we want our friends and God to take away our suffering and free us from ourselves as if my magic. In truth, this is not good for us, nor is it good when we try to do it for others. Real friends accompany and support, they don't try to fix us. Neither does God, because in our struggle to pray through life with faith, we learn who we really are and hope returns.
Today's gospel finds Peter complaining to Jesus about everything he and the apostles have had to give up to follow him, and though Peter doesn't get the words out, we suspect that he is wondering what reward he and the disciples will receive for their efforts. When Jesus assures Peter that all who let go of home, friends, family, and culture, will receive a hundred times as much, Peter seems satisfied. However, it will take time for Peter (and us) to understand that the hundredfold Jesus promises is not what he expects. In letting go into the arms of God, we receive the gift of the church, Christ's body, a community of billions of people to accompany us through life. Indeed, the hundredfold is more than we could ever imagine!
Today, try not to complain. Be grateful for those who walk with you in faith.
How do you manage your unmet expectations of God?
It is natural to complain from time to time about the treatment we receive from God, and it is good to express this in prayer. Unless we learn how to speak of our disappointment to God as if to a good friend, and to search more deeply within ourselves and our relationships for a fuller understanding and acceptance of our own faults and gifts, we will never really know the depths of God's love.
More often than not, our hurts and complaints about life and our relationships are reflections of unmet expectations. We expect our friends and God to be there when we need them in ways we understand or determine, and often we want our friends and God to take away our suffering and free us from ourselves as if my magic. In truth, this is not good for us, nor is it good when we try to do it for others. Real friends accompany and support, they don't try to fix us. Neither does God, because in our struggle to pray through life with faith, we learn who we really are and hope returns.
Today's gospel finds Peter complaining to Jesus about everything he and the apostles have had to give up to follow him, and though Peter doesn't get the words out, we suspect that he is wondering what reward he and the disciples will receive for their efforts. When Jesus assures Peter that all who let go of home, friends, family, and culture, will receive a hundred times as much, Peter seems satisfied. However, it will take time for Peter (and us) to understand that the hundredfold Jesus promises is not what he expects. In letting go into the arms of God, we receive the gift of the church, Christ's body, a community of billions of people to accompany us through life. Indeed, the hundredfold is more than we could ever imagine!
Today, try not to complain. Be grateful for those who walk with you in faith.
How do you manage your unmet expectations of God?
Monday, May 28, 2012
God's gaze
"Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, 'You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'" Mk 1o:21
How powerful it is to hear the evangelist say that Jesus looked at the rich young man and loved him. He did not scold him or reject him. He loved him with the hope that the young man would be able to take his advice.The same is true of all of us, although we often ignore or forget this simple request. That God looks at us with love is too much to believe, but whether we believe it or not is beside the point. God believes in us and loves us day after day.
It is also true that we need to let go in order to fully appreciate God's loving gaze. Until we experience loss, emptiness and the powerlessness that comes from trying to help others without success, we will never fully understand Jesus' command to sell everything and follow him. In fact, we do not need most of what we have, and if we have the faith to let go even that which we think we need, life will be very different. God's gaze of love will sustain us in our emptiness and show us the path to a full gospel life.
Today, let God look at you with love.
Who has looked at you with unconditional love simply because it is the gospel thing to do.
How powerful it is to hear the evangelist say that Jesus looked at the rich young man and loved him. He did not scold him or reject him. He loved him with the hope that the young man would be able to take his advice.The same is true of all of us, although we often ignore or forget this simple request. That God looks at us with love is too much to believe, but whether we believe it or not is beside the point. God believes in us and loves us day after day.
It is also true that we need to let go in order to fully appreciate God's loving gaze. Until we experience loss, emptiness and the powerlessness that comes from trying to help others without success, we will never fully understand Jesus' command to sell everything and follow him. In fact, we do not need most of what we have, and if we have the faith to let go even that which we think we need, life will be very different. God's gaze of love will sustain us in our emptiness and show us the path to a full gospel life.
Today, let God look at you with love.
Who has looked at you with unconditional love simply because it is the gospel thing to do.
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