“Have you come to believe because you have seen me, (Thomas)? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jn 20:29
Doubting Thomas is a helpful Gospel figure to most of us. When we lose our way, or get hurt by someone from whom we were not expecting a blow, Thomas draws us to himself. It is natural to doubt, even necessary. No one can expect to skate through life without a crack in the ice. We trip, we fall, but most of all we rise again to begin our journey day after day.
At the same time, we should not take faith for granted. Thomas did not wander away from Christ because he was pursuing something or someone else. There is no scriptural evidence that he consciously chose to turn away from the One he thought was the Messiah. Rather, Jesus' awful, shaming crucifixion and death turned his world upside down and left him hanging over a cliff without a strong rope. Finding himself overwhelmed and lost, Thomas resisted listening to the testimony of others for fear he would be hurt again, until he encountered the Lord face to face. Only then did the mercy of Jesus reclaim him and set him free.
No matter how badly we fail, no matter how often we turn away from God, God will show us mercy if only we let go of our pride and shame and accept God's direction.
Today, show mercy to someone who is lost.
Who has shown you mercy when you least expected it?
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Authority of the Apostles
"Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed." Acts 4:13
While very few would suggest that education is unimportant, it can be overrated. My own parents were bright and wise people who had little formal education, yet they were respected in my neighborhood. They worked hard, had a deep faith and understood life from the inside. Though they were rarely asked their opinion, they knew what they knew and were not afraid to ask for help.
Jesus did not seem to worry much about the education of the the men he called to be his apostles, but the leaders of the Jewish people seemed to think this was a soft spot in the life of the new community. Anxious to stop Jesus' disciples from speaking about their Lord, they called them in and threatened them, only to have Peter and John insist that they had no choice but to speak of Jesus. Clearly, Peter and John were not worried about their lack of education and were not intimidated by threats from the Jewish leaders.
It is always good to take a few moments and ask ourselves to whom we are most likely to listen. Do the highly educated intimidate us into silence about important matters? Are we unwilling to speak of our faith to people of power and prestige in the community?
Today, take time to listen to someone you might otherwise ignore.
What most impresses you about the faith you witness everyday?
While very few would suggest that education is unimportant, it can be overrated. My own parents were bright and wise people who had little formal education, yet they were respected in my neighborhood. They worked hard, had a deep faith and understood life from the inside. Though they were rarely asked their opinion, they knew what they knew and were not afraid to ask for help.
Jesus did not seem to worry much about the education of the the men he called to be his apostles, but the leaders of the Jewish people seemed to think this was a soft spot in the life of the new community. Anxious to stop Jesus' disciples from speaking about their Lord, they called them in and threatened them, only to have Peter and John insist that they had no choice but to speak of Jesus. Clearly, Peter and John were not worried about their lack of education and were not intimidated by threats from the Jewish leaders.
It is always good to take a few moments and ask ourselves to whom we are most likely to listen. Do the highly educated intimidate us into silence about important matters? Are we unwilling to speak of our faith to people of power and prestige in the community?
Today, take time to listen to someone you might otherwise ignore.
What most impresses you about the faith you witness everyday?
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Letting go of a favorite fishing spot
"Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you caught anything to eat?' They answered him, 'No.' So he said to them, 'Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.'” Jn 21: 5-6
Easter seems never to stop challenging us. As soon as we think we understand our faith, Jesus changes everything. Why would he ask his disciples, experienced fisherman, to throw their nets to the right side of the boat? Aren't we supposed to find God and God's desire for us in the same actions and spiritual practices each day? Easter's answer is clear but upsetting. We must learn to find God everywhere, not just in the Torah or the Bible, in Judaism or Christianity.
Though familiar, Jesus' answer is demanding. We are not to throw away anything of the Law and Prophets, but find a way to fold in all that is, all people and all creation, into building God's reign. We are God's chosen people, not to isolate ourselves and delight in our call, but to proclaim God's goodness to all people, and to challenge them to see themselves as God sees them. All are God's children. Everyone has a right to the unconditional love of God, and unless we throw our nets to the other side of the boat, we will never discover this.
Today, let God guide your life. Take a different path or street on your way to or from work.
What most surprises you about the Easter mysteries?
Easter seems never to stop challenging us. As soon as we think we understand our faith, Jesus changes everything. Why would he ask his disciples, experienced fisherman, to throw their nets to the right side of the boat? Aren't we supposed to find God and God's desire for us in the same actions and spiritual practices each day? Easter's answer is clear but upsetting. We must learn to find God everywhere, not just in the Torah or the Bible, in Judaism or Christianity.
Though familiar, Jesus' answer is demanding. We are not to throw away anything of the Law and Prophets, but find a way to fold in all that is, all people and all creation, into building God's reign. We are God's chosen people, not to isolate ourselves and delight in our call, but to proclaim God's goodness to all people, and to challenge them to see themselves as God sees them. All are God's children. Everyone has a right to the unconditional love of God, and unless we throw our nets to the other side of the boat, we will never discover this.
Today, let God guide your life. Take a different path or street on your way to or from work.
What most surprises you about the Easter mysteries?
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Transformed by Love
“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Lk 24:38-39
Most of us are troubled by the unfamiliar, by what we don't recognize or understand. Sometimes it is something that can be easily corrected. We make a wrong turn, retrace our steps and find the road we intended to travel. But sometimes the new reality we are forced to accept demands a deeper change. Easter is like this.
While Easter signals a life we could only have imagined and promises us life forever with God, it also insists we make substantial changes in our life and lifestyle. If God is at the center of all that is and reminds us, like Jesus, not to be afraid, we must open our eyes to new possibilities.
Life is not about success, triumphs and wealth building in order to secure our future, but about deepening our relationship with God and one another as a sign of God's enduring love in Jesus. If success and wealth can help us do this, so much the better, but too often they cloud our judgment and blind us to the needs of others. Easter means living simply and using our blessings to provide a good life not only for our families, but for all who are hungry, homeless or in need in any way.
Today, be grateful for the day itself. Enjoy what is.
What are the biggest obstacles in your life to living the Gospel fully?
Most of us are troubled by the unfamiliar, by what we don't recognize or understand. Sometimes it is something that can be easily corrected. We make a wrong turn, retrace our steps and find the road we intended to travel. But sometimes the new reality we are forced to accept demands a deeper change. Easter is like this.
While Easter signals a life we could only have imagined and promises us life forever with God, it also insists we make substantial changes in our life and lifestyle. If God is at the center of all that is and reminds us, like Jesus, not to be afraid, we must open our eyes to new possibilities.
Life is not about success, triumphs and wealth building in order to secure our future, but about deepening our relationship with God and one another as a sign of God's enduring love in Jesus. If success and wealth can help us do this, so much the better, but too often they cloud our judgment and blind us to the needs of others. Easter means living simply and using our blessings to provide a good life not only for our families, but for all who are hungry, homeless or in need in any way.
Today, be grateful for the day itself. Enjoy what is.
What are the biggest obstacles in your life to living the Gospel fully?
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