“'Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, 'How can I, unless someone instructs me?'” Acts 8:31
Unfortunately, in a Twitter world where all communication is limited to 280 characters, too many believers cling to or focus on one phrase from the Gospel and use it as a lens for their spiritual lives. Doing this almost always leads to misunderstanding and confusion. The New Testament cannot be fairly read or understood when we remove it from its own cultural context and setting.
An example might help. The Ethiopian eunuch reading the scriptures alone knew he needed help and asked Philip to instruct him. There should be little doubt that Philip responded to this seeker's request using all the information and skill he had, not 280 characters, but whatever it took to help the Ethiopian seeker to know Jesus and the Good News. Blessed with so much wonderful scholarship and insight, we ought to follow Philip's example in the 21st century. Study of the Scriptures can only help us.
Today, pick up a Catholic study bible and read the introduction to one of the Gospels.
Who or what most helped you to understand the scriptures more deeply?
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
God's Mercy is always Available
"I will not reject anyone who comes to me." Jn 6:38
Mercy is a constant theme for Jesus. Always concerned that the poor and crippled, who often thought of themselves as unworthy of God's love, would to be afraid of God or fear they were being punished for their sins, Jesus reminds them that his Father's love was not a gift for the successful but for the faithful. No longer should anyone think their worth was determined by their status in the community.
Jesus reminds the leaders of the Jewish community and us that mercy is the path we must take if we wish to know God's desire for us. In the 11th chapter of the prophet Hosea we read:
Mercy is a constant theme for Jesus. Always concerned that the poor and crippled, who often thought of themselves as unworthy of God's love, would to be afraid of God or fear they were being punished for their sins, Jesus reminds them that his Father's love was not a gift for the successful but for the faithful. No longer should anyone think their worth was determined by their status in the community.
Jesus reminds the leaders of the Jewish community and us that mercy is the path we must take if we wish to know God's desire for us. In the 11th chapter of the prophet Hosea we read:
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
But the more they were called,
the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them. (1-4)
If God bends down to feed us, must we not do the same to those who are hungry for mercy?
Today, offer a hand of mercy to someone who expects rejection.
How do you understand God's mercy?
Monday, May 6, 2019
Religious Intolerance
"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them;' and when he said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7: 59-60
The reasons we reject others are many. Sometimes we don't like or trust the person. At other times, their message annoys or upsets us, and unfortunately, there are some who reject others because of race, religious, ethnicity, culture or sexual orientation. Although most of us have been raised with the bromide, Don't judge a book by its cover, we all have our prejudices.
Stephen was rejected simply because he was preaching the salvation of Jesus Christ, a message that frightened traditional religious types who used their power to control others' lives. When Stephen's wisdom and spirit began to sway people towards Christ and away from the synagogue, his fate was sealed. Some scholars believe that Stephen had attended and worshiped at the synagogue in which he was preaching, making his sin even greater. To draw others away from the Talmud was bad enough but to do it to one's neighbors and friends was a much worse offense.
Today, be grateful for those who live and speak our faith with power no matter the cost.
Have you ever been attacked or rejected because of your religious faith?
The reasons we reject others are many. Sometimes we don't like or trust the person. At other times, their message annoys or upsets us, and unfortunately, there are some who reject others because of race, religious, ethnicity, culture or sexual orientation. Although most of us have been raised with the bromide, Don't judge a book by its cover, we all have our prejudices.
Stephen was rejected simply because he was preaching the salvation of Jesus Christ, a message that frightened traditional religious types who used their power to control others' lives. When Stephen's wisdom and spirit began to sway people towards Christ and away from the synagogue, his fate was sealed. Some scholars believe that Stephen had attended and worshiped at the synagogue in which he was preaching, making his sin even greater. To draw others away from the Talmud was bad enough but to do it to one's neighbors and friends was a much worse offense.
Today, be grateful for those who live and speak our faith with power no matter the cost.
Have you ever been attacked or rejected because of your religious faith?
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Feed Someone
"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life." Jn 6:27
While Jesus accepted the people who followed him for who they were, he also knew that some sought him out for the wrong reasons, and he regularly corrects and challenges them and us not to look to him only for miracles and food, but to pray and work for a food that will last.
Although we know this side of Jesus, it can be difficult to accept his directives, especially when we are struggling. Anxious to be free of suffering for ourselves or others, we pray for God's intervention without bothering to think or even wonder whether our desire will help build God's reign.
When we read the scriptures about the people Jesus healed, we are reminded not to focus too narrowly on the wonder of healing, but on the life of faith which the healed person led. Mark's gospel is especially telling in this regard. "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." (Mk 10:52) Ultimately, the healing of Jesus is for others. Jesus expect those he heals to "go" and announce the Good News by the way they live and care for others.
Today, feed someone with kindness.
What most interferes with your following Jesus freely?
While Jesus accepted the people who followed him for who they were, he also knew that some sought him out for the wrong reasons, and he regularly corrects and challenges them and us not to look to him only for miracles and food, but to pray and work for a food that will last.
Although we know this side of Jesus, it can be difficult to accept his directives, especially when we are struggling. Anxious to be free of suffering for ourselves or others, we pray for God's intervention without bothering to think or even wonder whether our desire will help build God's reign.
When we read the scriptures about the people Jesus healed, we are reminded not to focus too narrowly on the wonder of healing, but on the life of faith which the healed person led. Mark's gospel is especially telling in this regard. "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." (Mk 10:52) Ultimately, the healing of Jesus is for others. Jesus expect those he heals to "go" and announce the Good News by the way they live and care for others.
Today, feed someone with kindness.
What most interferes with your following Jesus freely?
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