Living in Darkness

"I am going away and I will come back to you." Jn 14:27

Knowing or grasping God completely is impossible, but we must keep trying, and the scriptures offer us any number of images of God all of which can help at different times in our lives. The book of Deuteronomy reminds us to praise and exalt God at all times, and to remember that God is a healer, someone who is anxious to be with us and make us whole. No matter how broken our life might feel, God's compassion and kindness will triumph over the darkness if only we let God be God.

Today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus told his disciples that he was going away but that they should not be overly troubled because he also promised to return.  How important it is for us to remember Jesus' promise to be with us always even when it feels like he is nowhere to be found. And it is equally important to be steady in faith especially when friends or family are struggling to believe

Today, try to say nothing to those who are angry or disappointed in God.

What about our faith helps you most when you are living through dark times?

Humility in the face of Praise

"There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas." Acts 14:5

Sts. Paul and Barnabas led something of a schizoid life. Hated and attacked both by Jews and Gentiles in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas, in order to escape being stoned, fled to Lystra and Derbe, but when they arrived there they were given names of the Greek gods because people wanted to worship them as miracle workers. In both circumstances, Barnabas and Paul knew they could not abandon the path God had set before them. They had to continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus and insist they were neither devils nor Gods, but instruments commissioned by Jesus to announce the Good News.

Knowing who we are as Christians is vital both for our own spirituality and the life of the church. If, at times, our passion for the Gospel overwhelms our good and common sense, we will appear to others as extremists who want only to convince others of our opinions, not the truth of Jesus. When Paul and Barnabas reacted strongly to stop those who were trying to worship them, they were living the faith. Their actions reminded everyone that they were about Jesus, not themselves.

Today, remember who you are and offer another person some simple service in Gods's name.

Whose humble faith most convinced you to live more simply so that Christ might increase and you decrease? (John 3:30)

The Tenderness of God

"Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away." Rev 21:4

Do we give people a reason to love God by our lives of tender service, especially to those most in need? This is a fundamentally important question for anyone wanting to follow Jesus and love Jesus. When people encounter others who are tender to everyone, it often changes them. Almost everyone understands being tender with children, the elderly and the diabled, but when we are tender towards prisoners and bullies, we witness to the power of the Gospel in challenging and compassionate ways.

The Easter season is all about deepening our convictions about the tenderness of God who allowed his son to suffer and die for our sake. When believers model their lives on the life of Jesus, especially in his willingness to live totally for others without regard for their social standing or importance in the society, we proclaim God's goodness in ways that everyone can see and understand.

Today, be tender to someone who lives a totally self centered life.

Who taught you the value of tenderness in your life? 

Trusting God to Hear Us

"Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you." Jn 15:13

Who or what is your refuge? As children, most of us sought protection in our parents and teachers. Realizing our vulnerability, our elders watched out for and over us, making sure that we did not place ourselves at undue risk. While these safeguards are necessary and helpful, at some point, as we enter adulthood, we are forced to find our own places of refuge.

Some find solace and safety in nature. No matter what happens to upset us, they can go outdoors, dig in a garden or take a walk on the beach and find peace. Others seek out friends for a conversation when they are troubled, but in the end, as believers in Jesus Christ, our only lasting peace is in God who assures us that whatever we ask in his name will be given to us.

Listening to Pope Francis over the last few years, I am struck by his insistence that we "confess" Jesus Christ if we want to be authentically Christian. While we honor and celebrate all people who seek the good of others through Non governmental organizations (NGO's,) foundations and other charitable agencies, Christians must be rooted in Christ as disciples if we want to proclaim the fullness of the Good News.

Today, take some to rest in Christ as our ultimate refuge and hope.

What does it mean to you to confess Jesus Christ?