Today's readings: April 6, 2009
Reading One: Is 42:1-7;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14 ;
Gospel: Jn 12:1-11;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
When people are about to do things they are ashamed of, like how Judas yells at Mary, Lazarus' sister because she is putting perfumed nard on Jesus' hair and washing his feet, Judas yells at her saying that this money could have been saved for the poor. But today we learn of his real motivation - Judas was dipping in the money bag and getting stuff for himself. Often times, when we are so angry at others, we are really angry with ourselves.
Yet we all make mistakes - as we are all sinners. The important thing is to look at our response to our foolishness - how we react to our own sinfulness. Peter denied Jesus three times, and felt so terrible, he wept. In Peter's weakness - God gave Peter great strength. Read the Acts of the Apostles after Easter and see how Peter is totally different man. He won't deny who Jesus is, and furthermore - you will see how Peter becomes a man of great courage, as God gave him the strength to become brave. Contrast the reaction of Judas to his sinfulness. He falls into despair, because he cannot allow himself to reach out to God in his moment of darkness. Judas does not turn to God asking for mercy - he wallows in his despair and ultimately, takes his own life. Judas refuses to acknowledge God's greatness and has no understanding of God's mercy. Perhaps the saddest part about Judas, is that he might have become a great saint - if only he trusted more in God than his own opinion.
Showing posts with label gospel according to John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gospel according to John. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday - Fourth Week of Lent
Today's readings: March 24, 2009
Reading One: Ez 47:1-9, 12;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 ;
Gospel: Jn 5:1-16;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
John's writing about Jesus in his Gospel is much different than the other three (Matthew, Mark & Luke, duh). John was different - he was the disciple Jesus loved, the only one we believe was not martyred for his faith, the only one at the foot of the cross, and Jesus tells John that Mary is his mother (and vica versa) while he is on the cross. For John, Jesus' divine origins are never in doubt. He tries to spell it out all mathematically, logically - like breadcrumbs, just follow the trail and stop being so hard in the head and heart. Over the past few days, we are given 3 signs that show that Jesus is all that He says He is. The first sign, was at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turned the water into wine upon's Mary's request, and also her display of total faith (Do as He says), see John Chapter 2). The second sign was yesterday's reading, about the Royal Official and his sick son in Chapter Four. And today is the third sign, Jesus healing the blind paralytic in Chapter Five. I mean, the signs are not everyday happenings. And what is so amazing, is that big wigs in power don't deny these things happened. Their problem is that Jesus did this on the Sabbath (I am laughing as I think of Walter on The Big Lebowski, and his bowling tournament conflicts, but I digress). Anyway, it is a good practice to understand how John's Gospel is different, and why and to contemplate that as you read his words about Jesus.
Today we stopped at verse 16 in chapter five, but the next 28 verses are important, as Jesus explains how God the Father testifies to the divinity of Jesus, and that He is God's son. Same thing with John, there's never any question about this, Jesus being the Christ - John is just trying to get the exact words of what he heard Jesus says about it.
Also of note about today's Gospel, it continues the whole theme of joy that began on Sunday with laetare sunday. Laetare comes from the words often used to commence a mass - Laetare, Jerusalem - which roughly translates Rejoice, O Jerusalem. It also marks the halfway point in Lent. And indeed, there is so much to be joyful about if you have faith in God. With faith, you have extra resolve and hope, even in hopeless situations - because with God anything is possible, and if you place your trust in God, you are covered. He sets you free, He gives you strength and courage, and as you grow closer in love with Him, He loves you even more, or perhaps - He still loves you the same, you just are more aware of it. Either way, it is a wonderful feeling. So be joyful. And I hope you enjoy John's Gospel - his faith is contagious.
Reading One: Ez 47:1-9, 12;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 ;
Gospel: Jn 5:1-16;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
John's writing about Jesus in his Gospel is much different than the other three (Matthew, Mark & Luke, duh). John was different - he was the disciple Jesus loved, the only one we believe was not martyred for his faith, the only one at the foot of the cross, and Jesus tells John that Mary is his mother (and vica versa) while he is on the cross. For John, Jesus' divine origins are never in doubt. He tries to spell it out all mathematically, logically - like breadcrumbs, just follow the trail and stop being so hard in the head and heart. Over the past few days, we are given 3 signs that show that Jesus is all that He says He is. The first sign, was at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turned the water into wine upon's Mary's request, and also her display of total faith (Do as He says), see John Chapter 2). The second sign was yesterday's reading, about the Royal Official and his sick son in Chapter Four. And today is the third sign, Jesus healing the blind paralytic in Chapter Five. I mean, the signs are not everyday happenings. And what is so amazing, is that big wigs in power don't deny these things happened. Their problem is that Jesus did this on the Sabbath (I am laughing as I think of Walter on The Big Lebowski, and his bowling tournament conflicts, but I digress). Anyway, it is a good practice to understand how John's Gospel is different, and why and to contemplate that as you read his words about Jesus.
Today we stopped at verse 16 in chapter five, but the next 28 verses are important, as Jesus explains how God the Father testifies to the divinity of Jesus, and that He is God's son. Same thing with John, there's never any question about this, Jesus being the Christ - John is just trying to get the exact words of what he heard Jesus says about it.
Also of note about today's Gospel, it continues the whole theme of joy that began on Sunday with laetare sunday. Laetare comes from the words often used to commence a mass - Laetare, Jerusalem - which roughly translates Rejoice, O Jerusalem. It also marks the halfway point in Lent. And indeed, there is so much to be joyful about if you have faith in God. With faith, you have extra resolve and hope, even in hopeless situations - because with God anything is possible, and if you place your trust in God, you are covered. He sets you free, He gives you strength and courage, and as you grow closer in love with Him, He loves you even more, or perhaps - He still loves you the same, you just are more aware of it. Either way, it is a wonderful feeling. So be joyful. And I hope you enjoy John's Gospel - his faith is contagious.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday - Third Week of Lent
Today's readings: March 15, 2009
Reading One:
Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 ;
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:22-25 ;
Gospel: Jn 2:13-25 ; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
I found an old book with reflections for Lent on the shelf today and picked it up for some reason after it sat on the shelf for 6 years unopened,since Lent 2003. Why, I have no idea. And I found the day that corresponded to today's readings that offered some thoughts from a priest named Father Richard Veras. He shared that for many people, Jesus is the nicest, sweetest, and kindest person we could ever imagine - and how we can begin to follow a figment of our imagination regarding who Jesus is and what he is about. We become like a little kid who dreams about finding Mr/Mrs Right and how our dreams are limited by our imagination, as opposed to what is actually the truth. The Jesus of our imagination can be malleable, and we can fall into the trap of manipulating this dreamy Jesus to rationalize every sin and leave unchallenged every attitude and behavior.
In today's reading, Jesus refuses to stay in the box of our imagined world. He breaks out of our imagined world and shows himself to be very real, and honestly it is kind of scary too. His disciples are also very confused.
But Jesus does not trust Himself to men because He understands our human nature all too well. He knows how we manipulate the truth and explain away things or situations that make us uneasy. So, what are supposed to do?
He asks us to trust not in ourselves or the imagined Jesus, the one we can put into a box with our limits - but to the Jesus that is beyond our understanding. The Jesus that is very real. The Jesus He really is. Our minds can actually make Him something less than He is if we fall into this trap. His Love is very much like a fire that can refine and purify but that will not be an easy or pleasant process a lot of the time. I spoke with a friend yesterday who told me she once prayed over and over again for patience. And in the course of the next year - so many difficult things happened where she learned to be patient because she had no choice. I laughed because I remembered similar experiences relating to prayer. And I said - you know what is funny, it didn't, in my own experience, have to be so hard, but my stubborn nature made it so. I actually did have a choice, I just needed to trust in Him, and not my imagined Jesus.
There's a good book on this subject that is called Your God is Too Small. Check it out for the first time or read it again if you find yourself in spot where your faith is dry or that you find yourself getting little out of your relationship with God. Have a great day of rest, and please pray for those you know that could use a prayer, including yourself. We all need prayers for ourselves and each other. And please, if you can - say a prayer for me.
Reading One:
Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 ;
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:22-25 ;
Gospel: Jn 2:13-25 ; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
I found an old book with reflections for Lent on the shelf today and picked it up for some reason after it sat on the shelf for 6 years unopened,since Lent 2003. Why, I have no idea. And I found the day that corresponded to today's readings that offered some thoughts from a priest named Father Richard Veras. He shared that for many people, Jesus is the nicest, sweetest, and kindest person we could ever imagine - and how we can begin to follow a figment of our imagination regarding who Jesus is and what he is about. We become like a little kid who dreams about finding Mr/Mrs Right and how our dreams are limited by our imagination, as opposed to what is actually the truth. The Jesus of our imagination can be malleable, and we can fall into the trap of manipulating this dreamy Jesus to rationalize every sin and leave unchallenged every attitude and behavior.
In today's reading, Jesus refuses to stay in the box of our imagined world. He breaks out of our imagined world and shows himself to be very real, and honestly it is kind of scary too. His disciples are also very confused.
But Jesus does not trust Himself to men because He understands our human nature all too well. He knows how we manipulate the truth and explain away things or situations that make us uneasy. So, what are supposed to do?
He asks us to trust not in ourselves or the imagined Jesus, the one we can put into a box with our limits - but to the Jesus that is beyond our understanding. The Jesus that is very real. The Jesus He really is. Our minds can actually make Him something less than He is if we fall into this trap. His Love is very much like a fire that can refine and purify but that will not be an easy or pleasant process a lot of the time. I spoke with a friend yesterday who told me she once prayed over and over again for patience. And in the course of the next year - so many difficult things happened where she learned to be patient because she had no choice. I laughed because I remembered similar experiences relating to prayer. And I said - you know what is funny, it didn't, in my own experience, have to be so hard, but my stubborn nature made it so. I actually did have a choice, I just needed to trust in Him, and not my imagined Jesus.
There's a good book on this subject that is called Your God is Too Small. Check it out for the first time or read it again if you find yourself in spot where your faith is dry or that you find yourself getting little out of your relationship with God. Have a great day of rest, and please pray for those you know that could use a prayer, including yourself. We all need prayers for ourselves and each other. And please, if you can - say a prayer for me.
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