Reflecting Him

Daily Reflection – 2/13/2023

Sacred Scripture

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. (Mark 8:11-13)

Reflection

 Today’s Gospel talks about the hunger by people for signs.

The Christian mystics tell us that the spiritual life involves two distinct but related phases: a period of consolation, and that of desolation. God, they say, sends us both.

Think of those moments when you feel everything’s alright; when your heart feels like it wants to sing God’s praises because everything’s going well. Such moments of consolation, the mystics tell us, are God’s gifts.

But then, these moments pass, and instead of feeling on top of the world, you suddenly feel barren, arid and dry, not only spiritually. No matter how hard you pray and ask God to rid you of the dryness, you can’t seem to get rid of the feeling of emptiness.

But the absence of signs is itself the sign. At such moments, paradoxically, the presence of God is known through his very absence. We should recognize that sometimes in being absent that that there is an invitation that God is extending. It’s the invitation to ask ourselves why we chose to follow Him in the first place. Was it because of the signs God had given us?

For it is when we experience the dryness and desolation of the spiritual life that we are able to discern the gifts from the Giver, the signs from the One they signify. And as we slowly distinguish the two, we come to realize that it isn’t the gifts, or the consolations, or the signs that must ultimately matter to us, but God himself, and Him alone.

Theresa of Avila’s prayer book had a bookmark on which she wrote:

All things pass: God never changes, Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.

Jesus’ death on the cross opened for us the floodgates of God’s merciful love and healing forgiveness.

We need to live in that reality. Truly live in it. When we do, we can enjoy the moments of consolation and walk through the moments of desolation. Please take that into your heart. Remember that throughout the day. Say the words to yourself each day . . .

” I am surrounded by God’s love. It is my shield, and it protects me. It gives me strength through difficulties. I am never alone because he holds me.”

I wish that I was there to pray these words with you.

The occasional absence of signs—the spiritual dryness we all go through every so often—is an invitation to deepen our faith and mature in our vocation to follow Christ. Why are there no signs? The answer is simple. Christ wants us to follow him, know him, be intimate with him, and slowly learn to give up looking for signs.

Prayer of The Day

Lord Jesus, thank you for the signs you have already placed before me – most notable The Sign of The Cross on which you gave your life so that I may know life eternal. Help me to deepen my faith so that I come to see your presence in my life through the real things you have already down for me.

Daily Note

The fact is that it takes time and effort and a life of dedication to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. We laugh at the disciples sometimes because they are so slow to “get Jesus.” But we’re the same way. Having the advantages of a Resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we’re still slow to “get Jesus.” We need to have the courage to believe even without any signs. This is what true faith means. 

Daily reflection – 2/20/2023

Sacred Scripture

 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished, and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ( Mark 7:31-37)

Reflection

Even though Jesus knew that reports of miracles and prodigious events would lead people to think of him merely as a wonderworker and consider his Kingdom to be merely another earthly reign, he couldn’t resist the pleas of those who were suffering. The miracles were meant to be signs, confirmations of the truth of his teachings, and invitations to trust and obey him. Unfortunately, although many people were willing to be cured by him, few were willing to suffer with him – that became clear at the time of his passion.

And yet, to be a citizen of his Kingdom means both enjoying his benefits and living under his rule. Now some might bridle at the phrase “living under his rule,” but it’s not giving up your freedom. Rather it is bringing our thoughts, words, and actions into line with his standard and example.

But too often, we find ways to justify why we are not living His word. We treat the Lord more as a remote deity who is there when we need Him. When he asks too much of us, when he demands more of us than we are willing to give, we move away from Him. We make excuses as to why we can’t. So, for the moment, we put him in a box – similar to a Jack In The Box. When we need him, we push the button. When we want it our way, we close the lid.

Yet, every moment of our lives, we are in the presence of God. Every moment of our lives Jesus walks with us. Our lives have been flooded with the example of His love for us and those we love.

Why then can’t we give back some of that love?

After four plus decades of active ministry, I can tell you that the most common reason is that we truly have not entered an active relationship with Jesus Christ.

Active. Relationship.

Active means that each day, we need to find a way to both talk with God and to listen to God. Talking with God is just that. Converse with His son, Jesus. Tell him of your day, your week or parts of your life that you no longer talk about but still are part of who you are. Make the time each day to do that. Then add on a few more minutes where you sit silently and just listen. Listen to the thoughts that begin to form. Image Jesus with you. Sitting across from you. Look at His eyes and see the love that He has for you. What is he guiding you to do ?. It will work. Perhaps not in a day but if you take the time each day to do that, you will begin to feel the presence of Jesus within you.

Now you have come to the relationship. You are not new to Jesus but meeting him every day may be. That is the absolute joy of our faith. The ability for us to know Jesus in our lives. And I believe His joy is enhanced because He who created you, He who loves you, He who has forgiven you over and over and will continue to forgive you, can now mark you as His child.

I know this may sound simplistic to some. But humanity has found a way to build faith into an institution. Institutions are there to serve us. Institutions sometimes wind up getting in the way (that’s spoken by a person who is part of an institution), Nothing should ever come between you and God.

Let Jesus say to you: “Ephphatha!” “Be Open” Be Open to His love filling your life.

Prayer of The Day

I want to follow you, Lord. You are faithful, and you govern my life and the entire world with perfect wisdom. Open my eyes, enlighten my mind, so that I will discover your presence and your will in each moment, in every circumstance. You never cease to draw me to yourself; never let me stop seeking your face.

Daily Note

The people’s response to this miracle testifies to Jesus’ great care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden was too much for Jesus’ careful consideration. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves.  Do you love others and treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?

Daily Reflection – 2/9/2023

Sacred Scripture

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. (Mark 7:24-30)

Reflection

Faith.

One word. A word that has been written about throughout history. A word that is foundational in a discussion of theology and religion.

 But a word that has become diluted by humankind because it has become a part of our vernacular. Politicians use. Coaches use it. Parents use it. Commercials use it. . . and on and on.

You and I have an avid interest in it because we believe in Him and want to actualize his faith in our life.

In today’s scripture, a Gentile woman teaches us so much about bringing our faith alive. She was willing to suffer rebuff in order to obtain healing for her child. Just as most of us would do. She would not be “put off.”

Her example offers us further insights into our understanding of faith.

She had great spiritual insight. She was not asking the Lord to alter the way he was implementing the plan of God. She was simply asking for a “crumb.” We may not know the will of God, but we understand that his goodness and love permeate our life.

This mother illustrated the connection between faith and unfavorable circumstances. Great faith will rely upon the Son of God. Faith becomes stronger in times of distress for those who tenaciously depend on God (cf. James 1:2-4). We must never give up on our belief in God’s mercy. He is always there and will always be there for us.

This woman demonstrated that great faith seeks the welfare of others. Those who trust in God will intercede for others. How much more ought we to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of those we love? In today’s world our love and compassion is needed desperately.

The Gentile lady showed the relationship of faith and humility. Her humble disposition complimented her genuine faith. Great faith is seeing one’s complete dependence upon God. That’s difficult for some but to know God is to live a life that is truly depended on Him.

She taught us that great faith endures. She was steadfast and resilient in her request of the Lord. Reminiscent of the woman who pursued the unjust judge, she reminds us to always pray and never give up (cf. Luke 18:1ff).

The distressed mother exemplified that great faith in the Son of God will result in a great deliverance. What a relevant message. We need to cultivate great faith so that we may obtain the greater deliverance through the Great Physician — the healing and the salvation of our souls.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord, your love and mercy knows no bounds. May I trust you always and pursue you with indomitable persistence as this woman did. Increase my faith in your saving power and deliver me for all evil and harm. “

Daily Note

The faith of the Woman in today’s Gospel grew in contact with the person of Jesus. She began with a request and she ended on her knees in worshipful prayer to the living God. No one who ever sought Jesus with faith — whether Jew or Gentile — was refused his help. Do you seek Jesus with expectant faith?

Daily Reflection – 2/8/2023

Sacred Scripture

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine? But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mark 7: 14-23)

Reflection

In our scripture today, Jesus criticized a portion of his own community for paying God lip service, exalting human precepts, abandoning divine commandments. Like a beam of laser light, he cut through to the real issue: their hearts are far from God.

He wants us to get back to the basics of truthful worship of God. He cuts through the forest of minute rules and regulations and reveals the whole purpose of God’s law . . .  to protect and foster love for God and each other. Good law should provide a framework in which love can grow. Bad law stifles real love.

That’s why inner purity is far more important than outward cleanliness. What really matters is the way we think, our inmost desires and longings. These lead to the way we behave

The very essence of what Jesus taught us was love and compassion. Our daily goal and our life’s goal is to build a legacy marked by those two virtues. If we love Christ, we live Christ. It’s truly that simple. It only becomes complicated because we live in a world that puts a premium on other things. That world seeks to draw us into its standards, its guidelines, its immorality. That’s why today’s scripture is so important to actualize in our lives.

There are only two forces in our world – good and evil. They pull at each other every day and seek to draw us into their sphere. As Christians, we know what we must do. But the darker force nibbles at our innermost thoughts 24/7. We say “love” and it answers, “If you have the time and it suits you.” We say “I must find a way to help and to reach out”. It answers “Why? You are too busy. You have enough going on in your life.” We say “I really shouldn’t participate in this “ and it says “ A little won’t hurt you.” We say “I really should worship with others so I can support them and they me.” It says “Look how much you have to do. Go look at nature and that like going to Church.”

We don’t recognize enough that those forces invade our minds and spirits each day. The only way to manage them effectively is to continually focus on the two great commands. Our Lord died for us so that we may live. What a gift. Let’s not throw that away.

We honor that gift through living out His words. By pushing back on every thought, every intention, every voice that takes us off course.

We do that by making our lives a prayer to the one who loves us most. Make your life a prayer. What a legacy!

Prayer of The Day

Lord Jesus, let the fire of your Holy Spirit cleanse my mind and my heart that I may love you purely and serve you worthily”.

Daily Note

Jesus refers his followers to the prophecy of Isaiah (29:31) where the prophet accuses the people of his day for honoring God with their lips while their hearts went astray because of disobedience to God’s laws.
If we listen to God’s word with faith and reverence, it will both enlighten our mind and purify our heart – thus enabling us to better understand how he wants us to love and obey him. The Lord invites us to draw near to him and to feast at his banquet table. Do you approach with a clean heart and mind? Ask the Lord to cleanse and renew you with the purifying fire of his Holy Spirit.

Daily Reflection – 2/7/2023

Sacred Scripture

Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace, they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is corban”’(meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.” (Mark 7:1-13)

Reflection

Today’s scripture should strike home with all of us. The simple subject is hypocrisy which all of us are guilty of. With some, it happens seldomly. With others, its al most a way of life.

The problem is that we don’t recognize how damaging its effects are on us. When we deceive others, we deceive ourselves. The dishonesty of the actions or the words open the door to further dishonesty. The more dishonest we are, the more corrupt we become. It’s like a tree with deep roots. Dishonesty sinks deeper and deeper in our lives and ultimately wraps itself around our very being, our very soul. We can’t see the truth because we have built our own truth. The world now is judged by our standards, our beliefs, our litmus test of what is right.

Look around us today and we see it everywhere. But truth is we have it in ourselves.

The greatest tragedy is that it damages (and sometimes destroys) our having a relationship with God.

Our relationship with God is at the very base of our life. More than anything in the world, we should want to not only have that relationship but have it alive every minute of our day. When it is, our life changes. We see others in His light. Our words are guided by His truths. The physical world looks different because we recognize His creation. Our fears, our sorrows, our hurts become more bearable because we know He walks at our side.

We know that we are loved.

The life of Jesus Christ secured for us much more than a new set of traditions. Jesus Christ rescues us from our failure to obey God and He builds in us hearts capable of love. Love of Him and love for others.

You and I need to close the gap between our lips and our hearts. If we believe in Jesus Christ, if we love Jesus Christ, then our lips need to speak of love, our actions need to reflect His teachings, our hearts need to sing a song of love and peace.

If we do that then we are born again. We know that we can’t be dishonest. We know that we can’t spread lies. We know that we must avoid those that spew hate, those that ridicule others, those that seek their own glory and not His glory.

Let Jesus Christ become fully alive in you. See the world with His compassion and His love. As you do this every day, you will feel His presence in you.

And here’s the good news. Jesus wants that for you. That’s why He gave himself to the cross. He took that cross of wickedness, of tyranny and bigotry and His blood washed it clean and made it a cross of love for you and me.  

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and make my heart like yours. Strengthen my heart, mind, and my will that I may freely choose to love what is good and to reject what is evil.”

Daily Note

Compassion, care, inclusion, and love are at risk in our world today. God is calling each one of us to do what we can to live by the core messages of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not by trying to “contain” God but by living the moral and ethical demands that Jesus calls us to fulfill.

Daily Reflection: 2/6/2023

Sacred Scripture

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. (Mark 6:53-56)

Reflection

How would we react if Jesus appeared to us today? Would we seek Him out and ask Him to heal us? What is the healing that we would ask for? Or would we be skeptical and watch Jesus from a safe distance? What is it that might keep us from approaching Jesus and asking Him for what we desire: fear, a sense of unworthiness, skepticism or shyness? For answers, perhaps we need to revisit the scene from today’s Gospel.

The response to Jesus and his power to heal had grown exponentially. After having attempted to escape the crowd for prayer, rest, and renewal, Jesus once again is recognized “and people rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.”

There were two predominant emotions at play here. Hope and Faith. The same two emotions are prevalent today. It is hope that draws us to Jesus as well—the hope that in him we might find some meaning for our lives, courage in the face of overwhelming foes, healing of spirit or body, peace in the midst of turmoil. We come to Jesus with faith in his power to accomplish what we alone cannot do. Some might say that this is little more than wishful thinking, but wishful thinking is based upon luck, the alignment of the stars, or pure chance. Our hope is anchored in the faith that the one to whom we turn knows us personally, cares for us individually, and by the power of his victory over sin and death reigns as the Lord of all creation.

Jesus is in our midst today and every day! However, we may not “see” Him as the people in His day did. However, if we have “eyes of faith,” we will see and experience Jesus. And He will gift us with the grace we need for this day. Trust and believe that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of the mind and help us to understand, accept and believe God’s word. As we learn and live God’s word, more spiritual gifts will be given to us.

It truly is all about our ability to have open eyes and believing hearts! We need to be on the lookout for Jesus. We need to believe that His presence surrounds us. We need to hold fast to the belief that when we need Him, He WILL be there. True, we do not know the day nor the hour nor the way he will appear. However, if we are “awake” we will experience Jesus in some way . . . even at this moment. Our faith is the most enduring and precious gift we receive. Let it grow in you. Let it be your guide to meeting  Jesus Christ.

Prayer of The Day

Lord Jesus, let my heart sing for joy in your presence.  Give me eyes of faith to recognize your presence and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in your way of love and peace.

Daily Note

Do you pray to the Father with confidence that he will show you his will and give you what you need to follow him?  Ask the Lord to increase your faith and gratitude for his merciful love and provision for your life.

Daily Reflection – 2/3/2023

Sacred Scripture

King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak, he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish, and I will grant it to you.” He even swore (many things) to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So, he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:14-29)

Reflection

While today’s scripture is gruesome in detail, it is also full of grace.

Grace that points us to the path of God. Allow me to explain.

Herod was a weak man. He sought to please those he deemed important to him. He wants to seem like a generous ruler to Galilean society but still seem powerful to the rest of his kingdom. Basically. he is trying to please many different groups of people and still find a way to keep his own integrity.

This is a position many of us can relate to. How many of us must make decisions every day that affect different people? And how often do we feel as if no one is happy with a decision? How often do we make decisions that only satisfy our ego? How many times can we affect a decision but choose not to say anything for fear of “standing apart from the crowd?”

We too must face those crossroads daily. Albeit without the drama. But every day, we make decisions that define our lives and character.

From my perspective, those decisions give us the opportunity to stand up for God. No matter how trivial or great.

The question I raise for us today is simple: When we make decisions, is the way of God at the top of the list that will affect that decision?

If you look at our world today, it doesn’t seem that way. Many of the leaders around the world wear the mark of a Christian. Yet those same leaders make decisions every day that are totally contrary to the ways of Christ.

They have an opportunity to be faithful but their lust for power and riches clouds their perspective. Their mentality not only affects the world but trickles down to us. We become emotionally fatigued and withdraw.

That is exactly what we can’t do.

We are called to keep the lights bright in the City of God. We are called to be one of those lights. Not to keep the light burning behind a closed door. Not to keep the light hidden in the secrecy of our minds and prayers. But to stand boldly and declare our belief in Jesus Christ. To help the marginalized, to loudly decry wickedness, to don the armor of a soldier for Christ. Those words may seem dramatic, but they are the truth. That is our obligation, that is our call. I believe that with all my heart and soul.

If we frame every decision we make as a chance to let grace into our lives, then we might make different decisions. It is easy to make choices to please those around us, but as we learn from Herod’s choice, this is not always the right thing to do. Herod had an opportunity for grace, but he decided against it. So, let’s learn from Herod’s mistake. Before we make a decision, let’s ask if we are making our decision to protect ourselves or to build up the kingdom of God? Because personally I would rather build up the kingdom even if it means missing out on things/events that, on the surface, might be more tempting.

Today, let each of us ask Jesus for the courage to speak and act on the beliefs of a follower of Christ. If each of us did more of that, perhaps our world might change.

Prayer of The Day

Lord God, as I face this day, let me remember the reason why I live it. I live it for you. I live it for your glory. I live it to bring your light to others. Allow those thoughts to guide my words and my actions today.

Daily Note

Today the faces have changed but the need for truth has not gone away. As we engage in our own tentative steps towards the truth it may be that sooner or later, we too must make our own choices whether to act. Have we ever encountered immorality which is a direct contradiction of what you believe your faith encourages you to stand for? Yet, we choose not to comment? Have you listened while a good person was maligned but you did not object? Have you ever sacrificed core beliefs because now, it was unpopular to rise against them? The choices are clear when we walk the path of Christ.

Daily Reflection – 2/2/2023

Sacred Scripture

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7-13)

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus instructs the Twelve as he prepares to send them out to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Normally, when we go on a trip, especially if we’re not accustomed to traveling, we prepare a list of the things we need to pack in our suitcase so that we don’t forget anything.

Jesus likewise prepares a list for the apostles, but it’s precisely a list of things not to take. He needed His disciples to be focused on the mission and committed to carrying out His word. He wanted them to depend on Him and to be free of any baggage that would slow them down.

Excess baggage slows down any traveler.

As we move through life, each of us faces that in the spiritual baggage we carry on our backs. It’s heavy, weighs us down and impedes us from living a fuller Christian life. Jesus is asking us to leave behind the bags of our hurts, our fears, and our dreams.

None of us can move through life without being hurt in one way or another. Someone treats us with disrespect, dishonesty or even violence. A person we trust betrays us. Someone we love walks away. Even after we remove ourselves from the circumstances in which the hurt occurs, the scars from that hurt can still follow us. They become heavy baggage that we carry from one place to the other. Such baggage says to us, “You are broken. You are worthless. You are damaged goods.” Jesus asks us to leave behind the baggage of our hurts.

Likewise with fear. Fear is not a bad thing. Fear serves a positive purpose of identifying and preparing us for danger. But, once we have done all that we can have to prepare, fear loses its value. Then, holding on to fear can turn into a continual worry that undermines us and paralyzes us. It is like carrying a bag of heavy stones with us wherever we go. Fear says, “The worst is going to happen. It is not going to work out. Things will certainly fall apart.” Such fear allows us to do very little. Jesus asks us to leave the bag of our fears behind.

Usually, we think of dreams in a positive sense. They can be so when they motivate us and inspire us. But there are some dreams that are impossible, and these dreams hurt us. They are dreams we want but have very little chance of achieving. Some goals are illusionary. Some people will not change. Some circumstances will not improve. When we insist on holding on to such false dreams, they become like a heavy cargo trunk that weighs us down. It robs us of our rest. It robs us of our joy, because we are always chiding ourselves for doing what cannot be done. Jesus asks us to leave the trunk of false dreams behind.

Clearly Jesus sends us out on a mission of love and service. But he wants us to travel light. What kind of useless burdens do you insist on bringing with you? What kind of heavy luggage are you determined to check for your flight? Jesus reminds us that such luggage is unnecessary. He asks us to leave the bags of our hurts, our fears, and our false dreams at home and fly free. When we learn to do that, we understand the power of depending on Him.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus, make me a channel of your healing power and merciful love that others may find abundant life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the treasure of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness the joy of the Gospel both in word and deed.”

Daily Note

By travelling light, the apostles would also come to know poverty of spirit. “Poverty of spirit” frees us from greed and preoccupation with our possessions and makes ample room for God’s provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for His glory. The more we can detach our occupation with the materiality of the world, the closer we come to depend on Him and the closer we come to living out His word.

Daily Reflection – 2/1/2023

Sacred Scripture

He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:1-6)

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to his people and teaches in their synagogue, but he is rejected by them.

It doesn’t seem to be because of his words that Jesus is rejected. The people who reject him do not even discuss what he has taught them. Maybe it was out of social snobbery, or maybe it was out of the petty jealousy that Jesus was one of them but he is able to teach with an authority that they could not hope to possess?

No matter what wonderful teaching Jesus gave, no matter what great works he performed, there were some people who were pretty much going to reject him anyway. Jesus departed “amazed at their lack of faith.”

This rejection of Jesus in Nazareth points to a truth in our lives: sometimes it is the people who are closest to us who do not understand us and will not support us. How painful it is to have our gifts and talents accepted by many, but not accepted by those who are closest to us. How hurtful it is to wait for the approval of a mother, father, or grandparent; to wait for the acceptance of a brother or sister, and yet, never have that acceptance or that approval come. How debilitating it is when we find that those we are related to by blood or by marriage do not accept us.

This is the disturbing truth of today’s gospel. But in this scene, there is also a thread of consolation. If Jesus himself was unable to avoid rejection by those who were closest to him, then why should we be surprised if such rejection happens in our life? If Jesus who was Son of God nevertheless found himself helpless when his family refused to accept him, then certainly he will know our pain if we are denied acceptance.

Jesus endured that hurt. He also showed us how to respond to it.  The last line of the gospel says, “Jesus made his rounds of the neighboring villages and continued to teach.” When he was rejected in Nazareth, Jesus did not let that rejection undermine his identity or value. He did not reject his calling. He did not wrap himself in self-pity. He moved on.

 He moved on to the neighboring villages and there continued to teach to those who would listen and to those who would respond. In the same way if we were to experience rejection by those who are closest to us, we too are called to move on. We cannot make anyone love us, but we can refuse to allow rejection to dictate our future. We still have gifts to give. We still have people to love. We must believe that our gifts and love are real.

That is why you are never alone. Of course, life’s struggles may weigh us down. The loss of a spouse can momentarily weigh us done. But Jesus Christ is there, at your side. Acknowledge His presence. Talk to Him. Let your tears rush forward. Then when it’s done, lean on Him. Take another deep breath and move forward to help someone in distress.

ALWAYS remember that, in the God revealed in Jesus Christ we are never alone, we are never turned away, and we are always loved.

With that strength, we move on, and give our gifts to those who will receive them. Share you love with those who will respond to it. Believe that there still is life and love to be found, even if it is not in your own hometown.

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings grace, truth, freedom, and abundant life. Guide me always to go forth and live your words.”

Daily Note

“Pray as you can, not as you cannot.” Different people will pray differently. But somewhere in all this we should tell God what hurts and grieves us in plain and unvarnished words and place these things in God’s hands and ask for healing and strength. We might not have all the explanations to give to God, but we can trust God to hear us and to understand, to love and accept us. And as the prayer develops and grows, we can learn to listen to what God has to say in reply in the depths of our hearts.

Daily Reflection – 1/31/2023

Sacred Scripture

When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.  She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat. ( Mark 5:21-43)

Reflection

Two people standing on the precipice of emptiness. Two people who wanted desperately to have the circumstances of their lives changed. Two people who believed, even before they experienced, that Jesus would change their lives.

What happened in their lives? What gave them hope when all around was despair? Those questions can and should be asked in the year, 2023.

Many are leading a life that is filled with blessings. Many feel spiritually empty. Many feel anger at the world in which they live.

Today’s scripture is a wake-up call. It reminds us that we need to do an inventory of our beliefs. It beckons us to live a life that is bound by His words. And it should present a case for not only believing in Jesus Christ but recognizing that we can’t live one way and say we are His follower. We can’t go to Church on a regular basis and then take to our laptops and spew anger. We can’t say that we live the teachings of Christ and then begin to distinguish people because of color or orientation.

No, we need to be filled with Jesus.

Jairus knew that. The hemorrhaging woman knew that. They believed without seeing. THAT’S where we need to be.

Filling ourselves with Jesus means that we have to have an encounter with Jesus. That happens when we set time aside each day to be with Him. To talk to Him. To acknowledge our frailties to Him. To understand that the emptiness we sometimes feel is because there is a void in our lives which only He can fill. To come to the realization that no matter how much we love people in our lives, there is one love greater than that.

Those are the hallmarks of a living faith.

The “reward” for living a life circumscribed by His teachings is that not only is our life filled. Not only do we positively affect the lives of others. We begin to know Jesus in our lives. To know Jesus.

Our role models in today’s Gospel knew Jesus. You can as well. It will give you a lamp in the darkness. It will cause you to joyfully life a life centered on another rather than your ego. It will allow you to make a positive change in the lives of those around you.

And when we are feeling lost or beleaguered or anxious, your faith will be there to steady you, to fill you and remind you that nothing is lost as long as we have Him in our lives.

Faith reminds us that love conquers all. If we just could reach out to touch Christ’s garment, if we could just bring Him to the place where we feel death is most real, like Jairus, then we will find healing. That is a faith that does whatever it takes to get to Christ for healing.

Prayer of The Day

Lord, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal love.  Touch my life with your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness of life.  Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to others.

Daily Note

Do you have the faith to fight the crowds to get close to him? Do you believe that all one needs to do is reach out in faith and simply catch a thread of his garment, a strand from the vestment of the King, and that person will be healed? That is a faith that radically changes the world. That is the faith that can radically change us!