Today's readings: March 16, 2009
Reading One: 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4 ;
Gospel: Lk 4:24-30; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
The one who is the greatest - is the one who is the least, a slave. I think the message for today is all about humility. Namaan was a great man, who contracted leprosy - and he heard from the slave girl about a great prophet who might be able to heal him. His heart was ready - but when Elijah told him to do something simple, he balked at the remedy, until a simple slave set him straight. Likewise, the folks in the Gospel reading thought Jesus was great, but when he told them some stories from the Old Testament, stories they knew and believed, they turned on Jesus in anger because the stories made them feel like they were no longer the chosen people of God. They lost their humility.
On Tuesday evenings, I teach an amazing group of 6th graders, but in truth - it is always these kids who teach me. They teach me what innocence is, they teach me about having a pure heart, they teach about so many things it is not possible for me to write them all down. Thank you to all my sweet kids in 6th grade religious education, who instruct the teacher.
Last week I shared with them a way to help understand humility, and how God fills us with His strength when we are weak. How in weakness, we become strong, because we are filled with God's strength. I did not make up this demonstration, I do not know who did, but I will pass it on. I went over to the sink and filled up a coffee carafe with water. I said to them, this water represents God's life giving water. The I took a balloon and said this represents our pride, how full of ourselves we might be, or as the expression goes - having a big head. I put the balloon in the carafe filled with water and blew it up. The air, hot air no doubt - displaced the God's life giving water and it spilled out over the sides and into the sink. I explained, when we have a big head, there's no room for God's life giving water. But when we are humble, the life giving water can fill up our souls. I let the water out of the balloon and filled up the carafe. I am not sure if they really understood the lesson that night, but I prayed that they might one day when they need it most. And I have faith that my prayer was heard, and hope that God in his kindness, will help them out when they get too full of themselves, and that this simple lesson might serve them well, giving them the real strength that only comes from God. At the times they will need it most. And also, that they will learn to stay humble, like they are now as children, so that they will always be filled with God's strength, which is so much more than a bunch of hot air. Please pray for me - I need to learn this lesson every day, and to apply it every day. Because at some time during the day, I screw up and start blowing up the balloon.
Showing posts with label strength in weakness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strength in weakness. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday - Second Week of Lent
Today's readings: March 14, 2009
Reading One: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 ;
Gospel: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son, who returns home to his father after a life of dissipation. Note the juxtaposition of Psalm 103, which offers a song about how the Lord is kind and merciful, is not an accident of nature. Just like the father in the story, he forgives all His sons (and daughters too I would think). He is kind and merciful. But you say the one son who stayed home and didn't waste his life away like his younger brother who was acting like a fool. But he came home, and stopped doing what was wrong. And wasn't the older brother angry at his brother, and also his father too because it seemed unfair to him. Why was his father so happy to see the difficult son return, and then make him a succulent feast of fresh roasted lamb. Doesn't it seem unfair? I think most of us has played each of the characters in this story. The prodigal son, the loyal son, and also the father who forgives everyone in the story. The Lord is kind and merciful, ready to heal all the things you hold inside that might fill you with anger or animus, or all the things you want to get red of. It is such a shame we have to so often come home to God, like the prodigal son who followed his own designs. The funny thing though - all too often it is the older good son who takes longer to heal, because that character often feels a sense of righteous indignation. and this keeps him from changing his ways. The character we should strive for, is the father, who forgives each of sons. But that is God. Recognize all his children are less than God, who doesn't need us for anything. Still, he loves to help us. God helps you let it go, whatever that might be, and he live you live again, not afraid to love, if you only allow yourself to see, the things in yourself - where you are the prodigal son, and in situations where you are the older son who bears a grudge, or a chip on their shoulder. Let it go, give that up for Lent okay, you will make us all happy. Gos is the best doctor, and faith in Him is your medicine. that sometimes needs to be washed down with some humble pie.
In case you missed the photos from Black Mountain, Asheville and Cornelius NC posted yesterday, here's a link. (in a new easy, handy dandy photo album. Thank Brad for his helping hands and neurons installing the RPM Library and doing a few php tweaks.
Reading One: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 ;
Gospel: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son, who returns home to his father after a life of dissipation. Note the juxtaposition of Psalm 103, which offers a song about how the Lord is kind and merciful, is not an accident of nature. Just like the father in the story, he forgives all His sons (and daughters too I would think). He is kind and merciful. But you say the one son who stayed home and didn't waste his life away like his younger brother who was acting like a fool. But he came home, and stopped doing what was wrong. And wasn't the older brother angry at his brother, and also his father too because it seemed unfair to him. Why was his father so happy to see the difficult son return, and then make him a succulent feast of fresh roasted lamb. Doesn't it seem unfair? I think most of us has played each of the characters in this story. The prodigal son, the loyal son, and also the father who forgives everyone in the story. The Lord is kind and merciful, ready to heal all the things you hold inside that might fill you with anger or animus, or all the things you want to get red of. It is such a shame we have to so often come home to God, like the prodigal son who followed his own designs. The funny thing though - all too often it is the older good son who takes longer to heal, because that character often feels a sense of righteous indignation. and this keeps him from changing his ways. The character we should strive for, is the father, who forgives each of sons. But that is God. Recognize all his children are less than God, who doesn't need us for anything. Still, he loves to help us. God helps you let it go, whatever that might be, and he live you live again, not afraid to love, if you only allow yourself to see, the things in yourself - where you are the prodigal son, and in situations where you are the older son who bears a grudge, or a chip on their shoulder. Let it go, give that up for Lent okay, you will make us all happy. Gos is the best doctor, and faith in Him is your medicine. that sometimes needs to be washed down with some humble pie.
In case you missed the photos from Black Mountain, Asheville and Cornelius NC posted yesterday, here's a link. (in a new easy, handy dandy photo album. Thank Brad for his helping hands and neurons installing the RPM Library and doing a few php tweaks.
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