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? 

Help us to Know You

   "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 to find our own places of refuge.

Some find solace and safety in nature. No matter what happens to upset them, 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 time to rest in Christ as our ultimate refuge and hope.

What does it mean to you to confess Jesus Christ?

Thanking our Mentors

  "Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Jn 14:6

Relationships are the key to a gospel life. Without relationships rooted in faith there is no Good News. Though Thomas claims not to know the way, it is only because he has misunderstood Jesus, thinking the Lord is talking about a place to which he is going when he reminds his friends that they know the way. In fact, Jesus is the way. It is only in and through our relationship with him and one another in faith that we witness to God's saving love alive in us.

Most of us, thank God, know this truth intimately. From our earliest years we have been blessed with guides, mentors and soul friends, people who not only instructed us in the formal aspects of faith by teaching us our daily prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary, but also witnessed to faith by how they cared for others and reached out to the needy. Today, when we think of them, we are more grateful for the way they lived faith and loved us despite our weaknesses than the catechism lessons they taught us.

Today, pause to remember those who blessed you with unconditional love.

From whom did you learn how to honor God and serve others?

Humility

  "When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.'" Jn 13:16

When Jesus assumed the posture of a slave and washed the feet of his apostles, he startled them and us. That we ought to be kind to one another and welcoming to all, even our enemies, is clear, but that we should kneel down and wash others' feet made no sense at the time of Jesus and continues to feel alien to us. While we might offer someone access to a bathroom to refresh themselves, the idea of washing their feet would never occur to us.

In Jesus' day washing feet was common, but it was done by women and foreign slaves. Heads of household would never wash feet, and although many of the great figures of the Hebrew bible offered kind service to their friends and family, Jesus' willingness to stoop to wash his disciples feet signalled a new kind of leadership and a radical view of God.  Jesus' challenge was clear. We must see ourselves as less in order that God can be more.

Today, think about the God in others, not your own power or prestige.

Who taught you most about a life of Christian service?

St Matthias

 "And the lot fell upon Matthias." Acts 1:26

St Matthias seems a good choice as patron saint for all of us. Chosen by lot to be an apostle, he disappears. We hear almost nothing more of him except that he was martyred around the year 63 CE. Most of us have similar lives in faith. Chosen and called by name to follow the Lord, our lives, though largely unremarkable, are important, not because we have become famous or well known, but because we have remained faithful.

Upon reflection, most of us would admit that the people whose example we follow and remain as pillars of faith for us are not the great saints about whom everyone knows. They are the husbands and wives, the mothers and fathers, the grandparents, mentors and soul friends who are the "underground cellars" of our lives. Though few will remember their names or deeds, they form the foundation of the church that, despite power struggles and doctrinal battles among the elite, remain our hope for the future.

Today, ask St Matthias to help you be quietly faithful to the gospel.

Who are the people that continue to shape your faith life?

Strength in Weakness

 “'How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you and you do not believe.'"

Jesus' words are nothing but plain. Clear and straightforward for anyone who wants to listen, he tells his disciples and his opponents that he is the Messiah, the anointed one of God, but the Pharisees continue to bait him, trying to trap him into what they can call blasphemy. Jesus is not phased. Sure of himself and his role, he faces the Pharisees down and accuses them of not believing the works he does.

Honesty is a radically important virtue for any believer. Only when we admit and tell the truth about our faults and our faith can we hope to witness to the saving work of Jesus in a manner that challenges others to believe. Honesty about our weaknesses and the strengths given to us by God invites others to be honest about themselves and assures them that if they give themselves to God, potent change is possible. There is nothing more powerful than watching God work miracles in us and for others despite our weaknesses.

Today, admit your faults and see what God will do for you.

Has God ever worked good in you and for others through your weaknesses?

Spiritual Safety

   "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved." Jn 10:9

Are your home and parish spiritually safe places? Are your family members and fellow parishioners free to speak, question and challenge the unexamined assumptions that underlie so much of who we are and what we do?

No doubt for some these are threatening questions, but spiritual safety at home and in our parishes is critically important to our faith growth. Unless people can explore freely the foundations of their faith and question those in authority, not with intent to dissemble, but with the hope of learning more about God and entering more naturally into the life of the faith community, they will stagnate or wander away from the practice of faith.

In today's gospel Jesus reminds us that he is the source of safety for the sheep, and that whoever enters through him will be saved. Too many others, he insists, especially the leaders of the Jewish community, were not good shepherds to their flock. They did not look after them. They did not protect them against predators. Rather, they taught the law to reinforce their own power, not to advance the reign of God. How we avoid the misuse of power will be the test of our Gospel commitment in the 21st century.

Today, be a place of safety for someone who is struggling with belief.

Who helped you to trust God's shepherd like care when you were confused or hurt?