His Ways - His Thoughts

May 29, 2010 – Saturday Meditation (A New Way of Thinking)

2010-05-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed or things didn't work out. That's okay. We serve a God of restoration. It's time to get a new vision for your life. It's time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can move forward and receive all the blessings God has in store for you!

Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Jude 17, 20b-25

Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6

Mark 11:27-33 And they came again to Jerusalem . And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?" 29 Jesus said to them, "I will ask you a question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me." 31 And they argued with one another, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will say, `Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, `From men'?" -- they were afraid of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you accept the authority of God’s word and submit to it with trust and obedience? Many religious leaders took offense at Jesus because they could not accept his authority. After Jesus had dramatically cleansed the temple of the traders and money-changers the Jewish leaders question Jesus to trap him. If he says his authority is divine they will charge him with blasphemy. If he has done this on his own authority they might well arrest him as a mad zealot before he could do more damage. Jesus, seeing through their trap, poses a question to them and makes their answer a condition for his answer. Did they accept the work of John the Baptist as divine or human? If they accepted John’s work as divine, they would be compelled to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They dodged the question because they were unwilling to face the truth. They did not accept the Baptist and they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus told his disciples that “the truth will make you free” (John 8:31). Do you know the joy and freedom of living according to God's word of truth?

“Lord Jesus, your word is life and truth. Instruct my heart that I may grow in the knowledge of your truth and live according to your word”.

Supplementary Reading

A New Way of Thinking

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins". Mark 2:22

Are you ready for increase? Are you ready to go to the next level spiritually, physically and emotionally? In today's verse, Jesus is basically saying that you can't go to a new level with an old way of thinking.

I've found that many people hear the truth that God has more in store for them, and something resonates on the inside. Their spirit comes into agreement with God. But often times, their natural minds will try to talk them out it. Thoughts come like, "It's not going to happen for you. You're not going to have a great year. You know what the economy is like." Or, "You're never going to get well. You saw what the medical report said." "You're never going to get married. You've been single so long."

Friend, those are the old wineskins that you have to get rid of. This is a new season. What's happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed or things didn't work out. That's okay. We serve a God of restoration. It's time to get a new vision for your life. It's time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can move forward and receive all the blessings God has in store for you!

Father in heaven, today I choose to get rid of old wineskins. I choose to release old thinking, old habits, and anything that would keep me from Your best. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that I can live my life in a way that pleases You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 28, 2010 - Friday Meditation (Move Past your Mountain!)

2010-05-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

You've been where you are long enough. God is saying, "This is a new day. Get your fire back. Where you are is not where you're supposed to stay." If you'll be determined to move past your mountain, He will lead you and empower you to live in favor and blessing in every area of your life!

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

1 Peter 4:7-13

Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13

Mark 11:11-26 And he entered Jerusalem , and went into the temple; and when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany , he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. 15 And they came to Jerusalem . And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; 16 and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he taught, and said to them, "Is it not written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, "Master, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered." 22 And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses"

Meditation by Deb Fortina

1 Peter 4:7-13 “…Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ…”

Psalm 96: 10, 11-12, 13 “…The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity…”

Mark 11: 11-26 “… Peter remembered and said to him,“Rabbi look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.’…”

St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes, (1614-1645) Born in Quito Ecuador, the youngest of eight, both her parents were aristocrats, but they died when she was young and so she grew up under the care of her oldest sister and her husband, where she later lived as a hermit. Many websites speak of a phenomenon displayed in the sky at her birth which signaled the type of Faith life she would lead. She became a Third Order Franciscan after being refused entrance into a religious order. She was able to work many miracles, with the sign of the cross or by sprinkling holy water. She was tremendously at the service of our Lord, in constant prayer and living on the daily Eucharist she received. She publicly offered her life to spare Quito from a large plague that had hit the city, and died shortly after. She is the patron saint of Ecuador , the Americas , people who aren’t accepted into religious orders, or who have lost their parents, as well as sick people.

It’s not that I don’t believe God’s Word, but lately the readings have pointed out to me how much I take my Faith for granted. From today’s reading in 1st Peter, I was surprised to see the parallel to today. He was talking to the people and telling them not to be surprised at the trial by fire they were experiencing. Earlier in the day, I had heard a guy on the radio saying that through suffering comes purification. And I thought about the sex abuse scandals, and how there is much suffering on both sides of that issue. And then Peter says we should rejoice when we suffer, because we can join with Christ in His sufferings. And the saying I’ve heard all my life began to make so much sense to me, the one about offering our suffering up. I’ve always thought, no I just want the suffering to end. But, really we suffer a little everyday, and sometimes we suffer a lot. It’s happening everyday. When we hear of someone who is ill, or is about to die, we suffer. Through the advancements in communication, we know what is happening to everyone of us anywhere in the world, and we’re all connected to each other. We can’t really escape suffering, and so the reading today really helped me understand the words said over and over throughout my life to unite our suffering with Christ, and if finally made sense. If you’re going to suffer, how much more powerful than to concede the feeling or pain and offer it up to the Lord to be used to bring about some good. It’s almost like it s not wasted, but can be converted for some good.

And, Mark’s Gospel had Jesus overturning the money changer’s tables and reminding them of an earlier prophecy, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.” And then he gives us some incite into the strength of our Faith when he tells the Apostles they can move a mountain into the sea, if when they pray, they believe it will happen. This really made me stop and think about how firmly I believe when I ask for something. When I really want something, I always say Thy will be done. But, Jesus said, first “forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions”. I’m pretty sure I haven’t considered that step in my prayer requests.

Lord I’m thankful for learning about the life of Mary Ann of Paredes; and for your wonderful teaching on Faith during these Ordinary Times….Amen

Supplementary Reading

Move Past Your Mountain

"…you have stayed long enough at this mountain" - (Duet 1:6, NIV)

Let me ask you, do you go out each day knowing that favor is already in your future? Or have you gotten stuck in a rut staring at a mountain of disappointment, setbacks or difficulty?

That's what happened to the people of Israel . They were headed toward their promised land. They had big goals and big dreams, but along the way they hit some setbacks and had some disappointments. They got so discouraged that they gave up on their dreams and just settled where they were. One day God said to them, "You have dwelt long enough on this mountain." He was saying, "It's time to move past this and embrace the blessing in your future."

I believe God is saying that to each one of us today. You've been where you are long enough. God is saying, "This is a new day. Get your fire back. Where you are is not where you're supposed to stay." If you'll be determined to move past your mountain, He will lead you and empower you to live in favor and blessing in every area of your life!

Heavenly Father, I give to You every area of my heart. I give You my questions, my disappointments, my doubts and fears. I choose to trade my sorrow for Your joy. I choose to press past my mountains so I can embrace the promises You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 26, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (He Will Fill You!)

2010-05-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

When I think of being filled, I think of being satisfied. I think of having more than enough to meet my needs so that I can be a blessing to others. But it all starts with our level of expectancy.

Memorial of St. Philip Neri

1 Peter 1:18-25

Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

Mark 10:32-45 32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem , and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." 35 And James and John, the sons of Zeb'edee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Meditation by Maryanne Rouse

Feast of St Philip Neri, Priest (1515-1595)

St. Philip Neri, for me a familiar name and not just because there is a Catholic parish here in Omaha named for him. My faith roots began with my Baptism at St. Philip Neri in Chicago . Because we moved from that area just before I went to kindergarten, I was never a student in the parish school.

Just for fun, I checked the internet and discovered that the parish is still going and the school has grown into an education center for that area of Chicago , south and very near Lake Michigan .

I appreciate the prompting to check and see what has happened to a piece of my history that this reflection assignment spurred. Strangely comforting, to find it intact and even having thrived over the decades.

Philip Neri came from Florence , but moved on from there to Rome to study theology and pursue a life of ministry to God. Among the friends he met was St. Ignatius where though he did not become a Companion, he did send others toward that Company of Jesus.

At the age of nearly 30, Philip was counseled to become a priest, though humility had kept him from this path until then. After ordination, he took to the counseling of young men and heard confessions several hours per day. What appeared to fortify him throughout his life was his ability to take himself and others lightly.

I found this prayer and pass it on to you as worth our consideration:

“Saint Philip Neri, we take ourselves far too seriously most of the time. Help us to add humor to our perspective -- remembering always that humor is a gift from God. Amen”

In today’s Gospel, James and John seek the most prominent places next to Christ in heaven, to be seated on his right and left sides. And as some of my older relatives would have said “Imagine! With Him not yet cold in His grave!” The other apostles, upon hearing this became indignant, which provided Jesus with the teachable moment of explaining “servant leadership,” His way of leading and required for those who would follow Him.

Not an easy concept or practice, but perhaps when sprinkled with a dose of Philip’s humor a little more attractive. Perhaps today, we can intend to be aware of the opportunities for exercising a style of servant leadership as our day progresses and see how we and others engage this style—or not.

Remember, though, with a light touch!

Supplementary Reading

He Will Fill You

"'…My people will be filled with My bounty,' declares the LORD" - Jeremiah 31:14

When I think of being filled, I think of being satisfied. I think of having more than enough to meet my needs so that I can be a blessing to others. But it all starts with our level of expectancy. My question for you today is what are you believing for? What are you expecting? You might say, "Well, Joel. I don't think I'll ever meet my sales goals this year with the economy like it is." Or, "I don't think I'll ever get promoted. I'm not that qualified." "I don't think I'll ever get well." The problem is you're not looking for those good breaks. You're not expecting increase. You're not positioning yourself for God to fill you, and unfortunately, you won't be disappointed. Jesus said in the scriptures, "According to your faith it will be done unto you." He might as well have said, "If you've got a cup, I'll fill you with a cup level of blessing. If you've got a bucket, I'll fill you with a bucket level of blessing." But if you'll take the limits off of God and believe for supernatural opportunities, if you'll go out each day expecting far and beyond favor, you won't be disappointed. He will fill you and satisfy you with His goodness and show His favor in ways beyond your wildest dreams!

Father God, thank You for blessing me so that I can be a blessing to others. Today, I choose to open my heart and mind to You and expect that You will fill me with Your bounty. I choose to take the limits off my thinking so that You can have Your way in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 25, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Take a Stand for Truth & Righteousness!)

2010-05-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

Should we be surprised if we lose favor and experience ridicule, intimidation, and injury when we take a stand for truth and righteousness? In place of material wealth, Jesus promised his disciples the blessing and joy of rich fellowship with the community of believers. No earthly good or possession can rival the joy and bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity he grants to his disciples.

1 Peter 1:10-16

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Mark 10:28-31 Peter began to say to him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

Meditation by Don Schwager

What's the best investment you can make with your life? The gospel presents us with a paradox: we lose what we keep, and we gain what we give away. When we lose our lives for Jesus Christ, we gain a priceless treasure and an inheritance which last forever. Whatever we give to God comes back a hundredfold. Generosity flows from a heart full of gratitude for the abundant mercy and grace which God grants. Do you give freely and generously? And why do you give, for reward or for love?

Right after a wealthy young man refused to follow Jesus, Peter, somewhat crudely wanted to know what he and the other disciples would get out of it since they had freely accepted Jesus’offer to follow him unconditionally. Jesus spoke with utter honesty: Those who left all for him would receive a hundred times more now, even in this life, as well as unending life in the age to come. Jesus’disciples can expect opposition and persecution from those who are opposed to Christ and his gospel.

Should we be surprised if we lose favor and experience ridicule, intimidation, and injury when we take a stand for truth and righteousness? In place of material wealth, Jesus promised his disciples the blessing and joy of rich fellowship with the community of believers. No earthly good or possession can rival the joy and bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity he grants to his disciples. The Lord wants to fill our hearts with the vision of heaven and with his joy and peace. Do you know the joy of following the Lord as his disciple? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the joy of the gospel and the knowledge of God’s personal love.

"Lord Jesus, I want to follow you as your disciple and to love you wholeheartedly with all that I have. Fill my heart with faith, hope, and love that I may always find peace and joy in your presence."

Supplementary Reading

Increase Your Capacity to Receive

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back…" - Isaiah 54:2

God has many blessings in store for you! He has favor in your future like you've never imagined. He wants to take you places that you've never even dreamed of. But in order for us to partake of all these blessings, we have to increase our capacity to receive.

Think about this: if you have a one-gallon bucket and someone has fifty gallons to give you, the problem is not with the supply. The problem is that you don't have the capacity to receive the fifty gallons. But, if you get rid of that small container and get something larger, then you will be able to receive more. It's the same way with God. If we think we've reached our limits, the problem isn't that God doesn't have the resources or the ability. The problem is that our container is too small. We have to enlarge our vision and make room for the new things God has for us. Our attitude should be, "Yes, the economy is down, but I know God is still on the throne. I know wherever I go His goodness and mercy follow me." When you have that kind of attitude, you're increasing your capacity to receive so that you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.

Father in heaven, today I choose to increase my capacity to receive from You. I let go of limited thinking and old mindsets, and I open myself to everything You have in store for me. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 24, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Let His Praise be continually in our Mouth!)

2010-05-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don't let that spirit rub off on you. Instead, choose to bless the Lord at all times. Let His praise continually be in your mouth. Remember, the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter and brighter until the full day.

Monday of the Eight Week of Ordinary Time

1 Peter 1:3-9

Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9+10c

Mark 10:17-27 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God !" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God ! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God ." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."

Meditation by Maureen McCann Waldron

There is very little wiggle room in today's Gospel. Jesus is clear – too clear for my comfort. When the rich young man asks what more he must do to enter the Kingdom of God , Jesus says it simply: Go, sell what you have and give it to the poor.

Great, Jesus. You have my attention now. But come on, you don't really mean that. Not quite that strongly. Sell what I have and give to the poor? I don't think you want me to move out of my house and spend my life caring for the poor. I have a job! I give to the poor now, not only money but all my leftover things.

I go to church every week and I listen to the Gospels. Jesus, your words are really inspiring. Really though, they are adapted from another culture and translated from a foreign language written centuries ago. I am pretty sure that the exact words would make sense for the culture of your time - not my time. If I lived two thousand years ago in an adobe hut in a town like Nazareth , this would probably be for me, wouldn't it? But right now, today in my life, we need to adapt your words. I think you want me to be generous to the poor – not sell everything I have and give it to them.

At that statement, the young man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

I am ashamed. In my rush to cling to what I have, I am ignoring what you ask. I am not very free, Jesus. I am surrounded by things, people, situations and a job that let me pretend that I am in control of my life. I hear what you say next in the Gospel and my face falls. “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God .” I almost despair.

Help me, Jesus, to understand how to live out this message in my own life, the way you really want me to. What are you calling me to, Jesus? Where will I get the courage to answer?

Then I re-read this Gospel and it is there: For us it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible with God.

And the young man who asked first started this discussion? I think of what a failure he must be in your eyes - and what a failure I must be. Yet instead of disappointment in the young man, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him." I quiet myself and feel the same warm gaze, and the same love for me. I am grateful and pray for a more generous heart.

Supplementary Reading

Set the Tone

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises" - Psalm 34:1

When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favor and blessing?

It doesn't matter what happened yesterday, last week, last month or last year; today is a new day. This moment, you have the power to make a change in your life. Things may be bad all around you. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don't let that spirit rub off on you. Instead, choose to bless the Lord at all times. Let His praise continually be in your mouth. Remember, the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter and brighter until the full day.

Stay determined to set the tone for each new day by speaking words of faith over your future. As you do, you'll enlarge your vision and make room for God to do amazing things in every area of your life!

Father in heaven, I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times. I choose to constantly speak Your praises! In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 23, 2010 - Pentecost Sunday (...And they Spoke of the Great Things God has done!)

2010-05-22T00:51:00.000-07:00

From the breathing of God over the chaos, through the overshadowing by the Holy Spirit over the emptiness of Mary’s womb, through this event of the sending of the Spirit upon the apostles, and in our own days, the work of the Spirit is “incarnation” or visibility, or the revelation in each of our lives, that the mysterious God desires to show off.

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done.” Acts 2, 4

Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-11

Ps 104:1+24, 29b-30, 31+34

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

John 20:19-23 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

PREPRAYERING

We pray for our making Jesus larger and more visible in this shrinking world. We pray that all Christians become more the church based on the excitement and preaching of the early apostles. We pray that the Spirit of the One God will mend Christ’s fractured body and that all who speak various languages will one day understand each other more compassionately.

We need an inflation, an expanding economy of God’s Spirit and a more personal investment with high interest and great returns, that our world will be God’s Kingdom.

REFLECTION

Fifty days have passed since the Jews, now gathered together for the second great feast of the year, celebrated the first feast which is the Passover or Feast of the Unleavened Bread. The last of these will be a final harvest thanksgiving. Fifty days for the spring wheat and grains to have ripened and now are presented before the Lord. All the farmers of this agricultural community acknowledge their radical dependence upon God’s care in sending rain and sun.

Luke pictures the raining down of God’s Spirit within the context of this Jewish agricultural festival. They are gathered to send up their prayers for all that has grown in their fields. God sends the Spirit of growth so that there will be even more produce, but of a new kind. The newness is that while the sun and rain bring forth fruit of the fields; the Holy Spirit will bring forth a completion of creation as the ultimate expression of God’s love. The people are gathered to praise and thank God. Luke, in this Book of Acts, will picture the Spirit moving them out and beyond the territory of the Jews so as to bless and bring about the final harvest of God’s peace and justice. They all speak different languages, which is a consequence of the Tower of Babble . They will continue speaking their various languages, but the message is to go out from them to all the world.

In today’s Gospel, we hear John’s account of Jesus’ sending, or “breathing” the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. As in Luke’s account in Acts, there is a gathering. John’s version has the group hiding for fear, but both, upon reception of the Spirit, are blest and then “sent”. Jesus’ breathing the Spirit echoes Genesis’ description of the creating God breathing form out of the abyss of nothingness. For John, the process of creation is to extend God’s peace to the, now “deformed” world.

The Holy Spirit comes constantly from the ever-loving Trinity. We are not praying in such a way that maybe God will breathe again upon our creation. We celebrate that we might be open to the Spirits’ work of giving Christ new dimensions, new visibility and new gestures of revelation within us as individuals and us as God’s people. We are praying in celebration that God is constantly sending the “breath” upon; this is not a maybe. What we do pray is that we may be more open to the Spirit’s creating of us.

We use an expression for those who think too highly of themselves: “That person has an inflated self-image.” What that means literally is that he/she is full of “air”, coming from the Latin word for wind, “flatus”. We might say, “hot air”. “Deflation” means the air has “run out”. What the early Apostles heard sounded like a strong wind and Jesus breathed air upon the hiding eleven. The Spirit was not in-flating, but in-carnating.

Pentecost is a celebration of the fruitfulness of the land, blest by the sun and rain and “breath” of God. In the Christian community, we celebrate how the Spirit, “wind” of God has “in-spirited” human hearts to live “highly” of themselves. The work of the Spirit is that all creation and that includes human beings, radiate, in-flesh Jesus. As the Spirit came upon Mary whose womanhood gave him flesh, so that same Spirit hovers over our bodies that Jesus might take new flesh. We think highly of ourselves all right, but not full of air, but Spirit, not totally Jesus yet, but the Spirit is not done with us.

Recently there was a news item about, of all things, an inflatable church. It sounded both crazy and interesting, but anything is possible. I am not kidding. This is not exactly the kind of church to which Pentecost is calling us.

The early Apostles, “air-borne” in a sense, flew outward from hiding into humanity, from amorphous shame into figures of faith.

No balloons or blimps are we. This day we re-up for loving the flesh-bound “bone house” that gives Jesus attractiveness for all whom he meets through us. As he went about, blest by the Spirit at his anointing, so we do not float, but walk, run, limp, wheelchair, crawl, or sit, and give his light our personal refraction. The Church now, as were the first Apostles, is full of its blessed self when it longs and labors to inspire God’s good earth to bring forth fruits of holiness - not hollowness, substance not emptiness.

From the breathing of God over the chaos, through the overshadowing by the Holy Spirit over the emptiness of Mary’s womb, through this event of the sending of the Spirit upon the apostles, and in our own days, the work of the Spirit is “incarnation” or visibility, or the revelation in each of our lives, that the mysterious God desires to show off.

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done.” Acts 2, 4

The Tongue of the Wise

Supplementary Reading

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" - Proverbs 12:18

It's easy to see how words can be used as a weapon. We've all either been "cut" by the words of others, or we've used words to put someone "in their place." The truth of the matter is when we use words recklessly or in a way that cuts others, we are not being wise. The scripture tells us that the tongue of the wise brings life and healing to others.

Today, look for ways to be wise. Find something nice to say about someone or share an encouraging word. You never know how you can bring healing to a person's heart by sharing a kind, gracious word. And remember, words are like seeds. When you plant words of life and blessing into others, you're sure to reap a harvest of blessing in your own life in return.

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be wise. I submit my tongue to You and choose to use it for good and not for evil. Show me ways to be a blessing to others. Help me find creative ways to encourage the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 22, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Be On Fire!)

2010-05-22T00:48:00.000-07:00

Pentecost is considered the birth of the church. We have been seeing the past seven weeks since the resurrection how the disciples continued the mission of Jesus in Jerusalem, in the surrounding areas, to the farthest parts of the known world, and all the inhabitants of that world, Jew and Gentile alike.Surely Peter, Paul and the other disciples caught the fire of the Holy Spirit and warmed the hearts of those who heard them.

Saturday in the Seventh Week of Easter
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
Ps 11:4, 5+7
John 21:20-25 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 23 The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Meditation by Tom Shanahan, S.J.
Both of the readings for today’s liturgy are literally last words. The first reading contains St. Paul’s voice concluding the Acts of the Apostles; and the Gospel of John closes with a question by St. Peter. Peter and Paul, the disciples most closely associated with spreading the Good News of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is surely a fit ending. What comes to an end today, the season of Easter celebration, culminates in the feast of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit to the disciples – which we will celebrate tomorrow.
Pentecost, then, is the final segment of God’s plan for rescuing us through the mystery of the resurrection (including the resurrection itself, the ascension of Jesus back to His Father and finally Pentecost). We have been celebrating throughout the entire Easter season the work of the apostles as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. The disciples are lead by the Holy Spirit to share with others the wonders and the joy of Easter.

Pentecost is considered the birth of the church. We have been seeing the past seven weeks since the resurrection how the disciples continued the mission of Jesus in Jerusalem, in the surrounding areas, to the farthest parts of the known world, and all the inhabitants of that world, Jew and Gentile alike.Surely Peter, Paul and the other disciples caught the fire of the Holy Spirit and warmed the hearts of those who heard them.

And so these last words are, from our perspective today, in many respects a kind of beginning. We are invited to be like Peter and Paul: just as they preached the joy of the Christ Risen, so are we invited to receive that same Easter joy and then to share it with those with whom we come in contact.

And so we pray today at the end of this Easter season: Keep us faithful to your Word which begins in you and comes to us through the preaching of the Apostles. Help us to receive the joy that you desire us to experience in the Risen Christ and to bring that joy to your people as they seek you, the source of their goodness

Supplementary Reading
Protected by Love

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" - James 3:16

All throughout scripture, God commands us to love. In fact, 1 Corinthians tells us that love is the greatest thing. Love is all that matters on this earth, and it's all that will last in eternity. But do you realize that we are protected when we walk in love? When we are selfish or self-seeking, the scripture tells us that it opens the door to confusion and every evil work. But when we walk in love, when we choose to put others first, when we choose to be patient and kind and walk in unity, we are protected by love. We close the door to the plans of the enemy in our lives.

Today, check your love walk. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and see if you emulate the characteristics of love. Remember, love is not a feeling; it's a choice. When you choose love, it's like you are covered by a force field of protection that cannot be penetrated.

Father God, I humbly come before You today asking that You search my heart. Remove any selfish way in me and help me to always walk in love. Thank You for protecting me through Your promises. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 21, 2010 – Friday Meditation (Position of Power

2010-05-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule, or got upset because your child wouldn't eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you're doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you live in peace and move forward in the power and victory the Lord has for you!

Friday in the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 25:13b-21

Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

John 21:15-19 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Meditation by Carol Zuegner

Follow me.

A simple command. Not a command, really. An entreaty, a beckoning. Come this way.

We hear it often. The advertisers say it: Follow me to a good deal. The patient teacher uses her outdoor voice to corral a wiggly gaggle of third-graders on their way in from recess. The tour guide encourages a foot-sore group to experience yet another historic site.

It seems pretty simple to be a follower. We let someone else lead the way. But it’s not so simple when it is Jesus beckoning us to follow him. When Jesus says, “Follow me” to Simon Peter and the apostles and to us, it means more. It means everything.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves him. At the last time, Peter says: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

When Jesus says follow me, he starts with love, a love that can help us find our way. The journey won’t be easy for the apostles like Simon Peter. Jesus asks Peter to tend his sheep and feed his lambs. Jesus says the way won’t be easy. We also must tend to his sheep and feed his lambs. When we follow Jesus, we have to follow with our hearts, our souls, our minds. We have to expect roadblocks, setbacks, detours. When we follow with love, we can climb over the roadblocks, recover from the setbacks and maneuver the most winding detour.

I am ready to follow. As I continue my journey, I echo today’s psalm: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name.”

Supplementary Reading

The Position of Power

"Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense" - Proverbs 19:11

Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated, or get offended. Maybe you had plans that didn't work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour, and it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences; but even though we can't always control our circumstances, we can control our reactions to those circumstances. I heard somebody say, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond."

We should always go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God's favor. But at the same time, we should recognize that most days are not going to go exactly as we planned. Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule, or got upset because your child wouldn't eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you're doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you live in peace and move forward in the power and victory the Lord has for you!

Father in heaven, today I release every care, concern, offense and disappointment to You. I choose to keep the peace that You have given me knowing that with You my best days are ahead! In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 20, 2010 – Thursday Meditation (God of the Breakthrough!)

2010-05-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting, keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today!

Thursday in the Seventh Week of Easter
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Ps 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
John 17:20-26 "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which you have given me in your love for me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Meditation by Elizabeth Furlong
In the first Reading, join me in visualizing this scene. Paul is imprisoned. Next, visualize a gathering of the Sanhedrin. Now, think about all the individuals who are in this scene – Paul, the commander, chief priests, the whole Sanhedrin, and prison troops. Which individual(s) are you drawn to? Which individual(s) do you think the most about? I am immediately interested in the commander. Here is someone who practices active listening and being open to the other and to new information. By the end of this Reading, I also know he has protective nurturing qualities as he uses his power to rescue Paul from death in this situation. I respect and value the qualities the commander had.
In the Gospel Reading, the message that I took was the trust that Christ had in his disciples. And, by metaphor, the trust he has in us as his disciples (through our word and behavior.) A second message I reflected on was God’s great love for us – and, for us to remind others of how they are being loved by God. The third message for me was to reflect – who, in our lives, are God’s gifts to us? Christ noted how “Father, they are your gift to me.”

Cinco de Mayo festivals were celebrated in some parts of the Hispanic world this weekend (May 2nd-4th). In Omaha, Nebraska part of the festivities included an annual Cinco de Mayo parade on Saturday morning. I was part of an entry, the Nebraska Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and we walked in the parade. We had served in a variety of countries and cultures globally, knew what it was like to ‘be the other’ and to be welcomed ‘as the other.’ We walked in solidarity to demonstrate our welcome message to immigrants in this city. Our couple mile walk was a way of being ‘open to the other’ and of transmitting a message of welcome, nurturance, and protection. We recognize their gifts to us.

Supplementary Reading
Sudden Breakthroughs

…the Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters…" 2 Samuel 5:20

God wants to give you a breakthrough—a sudden burst of His favor; an explosion of His goodness. He wants to release His power in such a way that it overwhelms you and drives out your enemies!

Maybe you've been praying about a relationship for years, and suddenly, things get into place. That's a breakthrough. Or you were trying to get a certain job. They said there were no openings; but suddenly, they call you back and you get the job. That's another breakthrough. Perhaps you've struggled with an addiction for a long time, but then something happens and it's not a struggle anymore. Those are all breakthroughs.

No matter what you've been facing, no matter how impossible things look, know this: the God of the breakthrough wants to visit your house. Get ready! Look for His favor and goodness. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting, keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today!

Father in heaven, today I am expecting Your goodness. I am looking for Your favor. I'm trusting that You, the God of the breakthrough, are working mightily on my behalf. Help me to live a life pleasing to You as I wait for Your hand to move mightily in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel and Victoria Osteen)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 19, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Saying "YES!" when God says "GO!")

2010-05-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

What is God nudging you to do (or be) today? To make that phone call? Or maybe write that letter you've been putting off? To say, "I'm sorry"? Or to take that first step toward the dream you've been holding in your heart?
Whatever it is - answer the call - do it now!

Wednesday in the Seventh Week of Easter
Acts 20:28-38
Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
John 17:11b-19 11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

Meditation by Tamora Whitney
Paul in the first reading is leaving the Church of Ephesus, and he’s worried about what will happen to it and the people after he is gone. He knows that he has been there for three years and he has worked with the people and kept them on path, but when he leaves, who will lead them? Who will keep them on the straight and narrow? When a group has a strong leader and rallies behind that leader, it’s easy to stay on task. When that leader goes, who do the people follow? At that point it’s easy for someone else to come in and take the reins. If that person is on the same track, good, but it’s also easy for the newly leaderless people to be lead astray. Paul worries that these people will be swayed by evilness, but also that his own words will be twisted. When someone is gone, it’s easy to forget what he said, or even think you remember, but you don’t get it just right. Like the game of “telephone” when a whispered sentence gets to the end of the line very different from how it started. Paul hopes he has started the people on a good path that they will be able to follow even after he is gone.
As a teacher, I hope my students get the benefit of my words and can use the information from my class even after the semester is over. I hope they get what they need from my class and can use it in the future. But I also know that they don’t always get it right. I see in exams my own lecture points twisted into something barely recognizable to me. I can’t go with them into the rest of their school life or into the world, so I have to hope they understand the information and use it well. Parents too have to give their children the best start they can, and then let them go into their own lives.

In the Gospel, Jesus is dealing with the same situation. He came and taught and tried to set his people on the right track, but he couldn’t stay on earth forever and trusts that we will now follow his path. He prays that his followers not be swayed by evil and that they will take his words as a true guide and not pervert their intention.

Supplementary Reading
Saying "YES!" when God says "GO!"

"This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand." -Exodus 12:11a

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared.” Great advice for people of all ages. In Exodus 12, God asks his people to be prepared - to eat with their "staff in their hand" (most of the Israelites were shepherds by trade). The message of this scripture is to be alert and ready to move without hesitation at God's call.

The Bible is filled with stories, events, and parables - many taught by Jesus himself - encouraging persons like you and me to remain alert to the call and voice of God in our everyday lives.

What is God nudging you to do (or be) today? To make that phone call? Or maybe write that letter you've been putting off? To say, "I'm sorry"? Or to take that first step toward the dream you've been holding in your heart?

Whatever it is - answer the call - do it now!

Lord God, my sandals are on my feet, my staff is in my hand…I'm ready to move at your command. I am willing, Lord, to move in loving ways for you today. Amen.

What have you resisted doing lately that you know will bless you or others? Why do you think you’ve procrastinated? (Jim Coleman)

For archive of previous Daily Meditaiton postings, pls visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

Live EL SHADDAI radio program: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 18, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (We are All Precious to HIM!)

2010-05-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

God is within each of us. This is a difficult concept to trust most of the time. We do not see ourselves as worthy of God’s presence. But, he made us, and what He makes is good and worthy of his love. He made each of us uniquely and he knows us better than we know ourselves. What a truly awesome idea that is to be so loved by our creator.

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 20:17-27

Ps 68:10-11, 20-21

John 17:1-11 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; 5 and now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made. 6 "I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; they were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; 8 for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours; 10 all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Meditation by Susan Tinley

The scene in today’s gospel provides a view of Jesus shortly before His Ascension. Jesus is preparing to leave his disciples and addressing His words to God the Father. He is telling the Father and, in so doing, also telling the disciples and us that He has completed his purpose for taking on a human nature he talks of how he has given glory to the father and the father has glorified him. This circular discourse seems to be for the benefit of the apostles and for us more so than for God the Father. Jesus goes on to tell the Father that he prays for the ones God has given him and that he has been glorified in those the Father has given him. That includes us.

How can Jesus be glorified in us?

God is within each of us. This is a difficult concept to trust most of the time. We do not see ourselves as worthy of God’s presence. But, he made us, and what He makes is good and worthy of his love. He made each of us uniquely and he knows us better than we know ourselves. What a truly awesome idea that is to be so loved by our creator.

He has given each of us specific talents. It is through the use of those talents that we are able to return the glory he has given us through our creation. So the circular discourse with God the Father is applicable to us also. It makes me wonder how I can ever be so terribly foolish to take this circular relationship for granted, to ignore the love that is given totally freely, to fail to recognize the greatest fortune that anyone can have. However, the times I do recognize it are cherished times of joy.

Supplementary Reading

He Collects Your Tears

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book" - Psalm 56:8

Do you know how important you are to God? He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares about your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. In fact, what you are going through is so important to Him that He records every sorrow and collects every tear you've shed. Why would God record your sorrows and collect your tears? Because He loves you so much, and He is your Vindicator. He's keeping account of every wrong that's ever been done to you so that He can make up for every single one of them. He wants to restore everything that has ever been stolen. He wants to heal every single hurt and pain. He sees the longings and desires of your heart, and you can rest knowing that He is working things out for your good!

So today, know that you are precious to Him. He has your best interest at heart. He is working to bring restoration and peace to you. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep doing the right thing because the One who collects your tears will restore every broken place in your life!

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and setting me free. Thank You for being my Vindicator. I choose to release every hurt, pain and sorrow, knowing that You will make all things new in Your time. In Jesus' Name, Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 17, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Get Excited About your future!)

2010-05-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

If you don't make the conscious effort to keep your joy, year after year you'll get more and more solemn. Not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, but he'll rob your family and friends of the gift that you have to give them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life.

Monday in the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 19:1-8

Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

John 16:29-33 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Meditation by Nancy Shirley

As I read the readings for today, the overarching sense to me was one of comfort. From St. Paul ’s baptisms in the name of the Lord Jesus to Jesus himself assuring the disciplines to be courageous, we find solace and a caring presence.

The first reading finds Paul in his travels discussing if they (the Ephesians) received the Holy Spirit. Imagine his surprise when they replied they had never even heard of it. Paul helped them to see the difference between a baptism of repentance and one of embracing Jesus Christ. While our reciting the Nicene Creed certainly affirms our beliefs, I am always pleased when we specifically renew our baptism vows. As a cradle Catholic, my parents and godparents affirmed that for me many years ago. Therefore, I love the opportunity to say these words myself and actively profess my faith.

In my prayer group, one aspect we address is the identification of our moments closest to God. These moments take many forms from feeling the presence of God in interactions with others (especially grandchildren!) to the wonder of every new flower in my garden (I sing them Christian music as I water them). Of course, as I have said so many times before, I feel the very real presence of the Holy Spirit so often through music. Perhaps it is the melodies or the rhythms that bring the scriptural words to life to touch my very soul. I wonder how the early disciples experienced it. Did they feel that glorious tingle throughout every cell of their being? Did their eyes brim with tears, as they were overwhelmed with feelings? Were they filled with joy and gratitude? We are told that they were able to speak in tongues and prophesize. Although I have never experienced such a consequence, I know I feel fortified and long to share the Good News. When I was a small child, it was the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost as we called it then) that I least understood. My childish views of God and his son, Jesus were at least something around which I could get my arms. The “Holy Ghost” was just too foreign a concept for me to comprehend then. Now, I pray “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful” and it is, indeed, very real to me.

When I first reviewed these readings a few weeks ago, I mused at the responsorial psalm. Certainly we know that the psalms are songs, but I chuckled that my assignment would include, “Sing to God” – one of my favorite ways to receive and express my faith. A coincidence? No way! Just another God-incidence to inspire and sustain me.

The gospel ends with a wonderful message to keep in our hearts. Lately, it seems that many friends and family are struggling with a variety of challenges (life!). I hold them in my prayers, encourage them to pray, and if local, urge them to visit a healing garden in our area that has the most inviting statue of Jesus. There can be much comfort in all of these but mostly in the words of John’s gospel:

“In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

How can I keep from singing?

Supplementary Reading

Get Your Joy Back

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" - I Peter 1:8

Have the pressures and circumstances of life taken away your joy? Today is the day to get it back! It's time to get excited about your future and learn to enjoy each and every day.

If you don't make the conscious effort to keep your joy, year after year you'll get more and more solemn. Not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, but he'll rob your family and friends of the gift that you have to give them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life.

Today, draw the line in the sand and say, "That's it. I'm not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. I'm going to put a smile on my face. I'm going to live my life happy." Choose to let your faith in Him fill you with inexpressible and glorious joy so that you can be a blessing everywhere you go!

Father in heaven, thank You for Your love. Thank You for choosing me and molding me into Your image. Today, I invite You to fill me with Your inexpressible, glorious joy so that I can be a blessing to the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 16, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Love-Letter from GOD!)

2010-05-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Jesus longs for His friends to receive that love as a part of their knowing and receiving themselves. The “world” is not here “the globe”, but those who do not and have not received Jesus as the Love-Letter from God. Jesus has been preparing His friends for their becoming incarnations of His love for the “world” to whom He is sending them.

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 7:55-60

Ps 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20

John 17:20-26 "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which you ve given me in your love for me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

PREPRAYERING

After the establishment of the Christian Community as the recognized official church of the empire, in the fourth century, the weekly liturgy was quite a big event. There was one church building, a basilica; the word comes from the Greek term for king, so it was an imperial residence. This was the usual place for the celebration. The faithful would gather in the center square and process to the building, but was already beginning the liturgy. They would sing and chant the Psalms as a part of the liturgy. This term literally means “work of the people”.

The Entrance Rite was literally just that, they were entering together from an already common experience of processing and singing. The presiding bishop would enter lastly and greet the community before the readings from Scripture. What remains of all that in our present liturgical form is the Entrance Antiphon or an opening song followed by the “Lord Have Mercy” which is all that is left from the longer processional litany.

These days our procession toward the places of liturgy are the streets, hallways, walkways, stairs and floors we have traveled since last we gathered. Our singing and chantings may have been emotional responses to the events of our lives as we walked or ran or crept or drove. We are a church “for distribution” and for “re-gathering” to hear and remember. We might reflect these days of procession upon the missions of holiness to which we are sent and from which we process to our King’s House. The Church is more than a building; it is the Way of processing with the King and His people.

REFLECTION

In our First Reading from The Acts of the Apostles, we will hear of the stoning and death of the first martyr of the Christian Way , Steven. We notice several similarities between his final moments and those of Jesus at His death. What lead Steven to this handing over his life was also similar to what led to the death of Jesus. Both did miracles and wondrous signs. Both were received by some and rejected by others, especially the religious authorities. Steven was confronted for his good works by those who made up falsehoods about what he had said about the Temple and the replacing of the Sacred Law by the teachings of Jesus.

Steven is taken before the officials who ask him about the truth of what he has been teaching. The previous fifty-four verses of the chapter from which our reading is taken is an historical recounting of God’s interventions with the Jewish people. He concludes with his telling the Jewish leaders that they were stubborn and had pagan ears. They were just like their ancestors who resisted and rejected the prophets before then.

As with Jesus, the leaders were threatened by these words and as with Jesus, they seized Steven, took him out of the city and killed him. His last words were echoes of the final words of Jesus, “Forgive them” and “Into your hands I turn over my spirit”. While all this is going on, there is a casual mention that the people were showing honor to a fiery prosecutor of these new believers, Saul. We will hear of him later and often.

The Gospel passage is taken from the last chapter of the last meal, class, prayer-service and conversation they would have with Jesus. It has the features of a “love-letter”. There are the expressions of a deep desire for union. Jesus is one with the Father and longs to share that with his friends and through them to the “world”. As with a love-letter, there are strong statements of being “sent” and a wishing to be received. Jesus knows that these friends are a “gift” from God to Him. He loves them as He knows the Father loves Him.

Jesus longs for His friends to receive that love as a part of their knowing and receiving themselves. The “world” is not here “the globe”, but those who do not and have not received Jesus as the Love-Letter from God. Jesus has been preparing His friends for their becoming incarnations of His love for the “world” to whom He is sending them.

These intimate sharings are going to be sacramentalised by the actions of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Love is shown in deeds as well as protested with words. Love is the exchange of all that one has with the other who does the same. Jesus has said the words, has lived the words and even to His totally handing over to us all the love He receives from His Father. Intimacy results in fruitfulness. All that He gave, He now gives. All that He shared with the apostles, He says now to us. He is sent to bring us to life and that life is our receiving and exchanging with that same world. Reception of a love-letter, of gifts, of any intimacy is not an end, but a beginning of living with and then beyond the experience of being so loved.

“This is the prayer of Jesus- that His believers may become one as He is one with the Father, Alleluia.” Jn. 17, 22

Supplementary Reading

Before Creation

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight" - Ephesians 1:4

Did you know God had a plan for you before the foundations of the earth? He created you to be holy and blameless in His sight. Why? He chose you to be His ambassador, His representative on the earth. God created you to reflect His glory. He created you to reflect His character, His righteousness, His holiness. Think about that for a moment. Part of your purpose on this earth is to be a representative for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. That should make you want to walk a little differently. It should make you want to talk differently. It should make you think a little more carefully about the places you go and the things you do.

Are you representing God's holiness today? Remember, God will equip you to do whatever He's called you to do. If there are things in your life that you need to change, God wants to empower you to overcome those things. Receive His strength and might today so that you can walk in holiness as His ambassador and live the destiny He has prepared for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me today. I ask You to search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing in Your sight. I accept Your holiness today. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 15, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Choose God's WORD!)

2010-05-15T00:13:00.000-07:00

The more you fill your heart and mind with God's Word, the stronger your faith will be so you can stand against the powers of darkness. Choose faith instead of fear by choosing God's Word.

Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter

Acts 18:23-28

Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

John 16:23b-28 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. 24 Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 "I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father."

Meditation by Tom Purcell

Both of today’s readings focus on Jesus as Messiah. In the story from Acts, Apollos is a follower of Jesus who is preaching (apparently effectively) of the need for repentance, the message of John the Baptist. This was a very traditional prophetic message, one that John and others presented to the Jewish people – “repent and make yourselves ready for the Lord, who is coming someday (soon).” And although Apollos “spoke and taught accurately about Jesus” two of Paul’s friends, Priscilla and her husband Aquila , felt they needed to call Apollos aside and explain the way things really were. There was much turmoil among the Jews at this time about whether Jesus was the Messiah, or instead a great prophet.

The Gentiles had a much easier time of accepting Jesus as Messiah. A few lines before today’s readings is an excerpt that relates the frustrations felt by Paul and others with the Jews who refused to believe in Jesus as Messiah, as the Son of God. Apparently Priscilla and Aquila convinced Apollos, and he became an ardent advocate for the belief in Jesus as Messiah.

Jesus is more indirect, but still clear, especially in the hindsight of Easter, that He is the Son of God. He tells his followers they will be answered favorably when their requests are made to God in the name of Jesus.

The psalm invites us to clap our hands, to shout in gladness, to sing hymns of praise, because the Lord is king of the earth, supreme guardian over all the earth.

I am a somewhat reserved person, but there are times I feel like clapping in delight, shouting in gladness, and singing hymns of praise, as the psalm invites me. This past weekend we heard our symphony offer a masterful performance of Aaron Copland’s Third symphony. When the last movement ended, I jumped to my feet and clapped and shouted with joy, moved by both their performance and Copland’s masterful composition. But I also had been reflecting during the piece of the powerful gift of hearing, the amazing gift of artistry of musicians, the subtle power of a conductor who blends all the pieces into a brief moment of incredible beauty, never again to be repeated in exactly the same way. I feel this same sense of humble, grateful awe at the sight of a sunrise breaking over the horizon as songbirds dance with the joy of the moment on slender branches; the sensual delights in experiencing the gorgeous blooms of spring after a long, cold winter; the deep love I feel in my wife’s eyes and embrace.

Perhaps a useful exercise to try today would be to return to one of those special times in your life where you felt especially grateful to be alive, to be aware, of the gift that life is for you. When you have settled on that feeling, consider again the incredible gift that is Jesus, and His life, and His sacrifice for us, and feel the emotion of gratitude for the salvation that comes from Him.

And so my prayer today is not just to know in my mind that Jesus is my salvation, but also to feel in my heart the power of gratitude for the greatest sacrifice of all time.

Supplementary Reading

Choose Faith Today

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" - Joshua 1:9

Did you know that fear works just like faith but in the opposite direction? In the same way that faith opens the door for God to work in our lives; fear opens the door for the enemy to work in our lives.

The Bible says that fear has torment. Fear has no mercy. If you act on fear instead of acting on faith, it will keep you depressed, miserable and lonely. And so many people today are missing out on God's joy, peace, and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They feed fear by what they watch on TV or read in the news or on the internet. Don't let that be you! Romans tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The more you fill your heart and mind with God's Word, the stronger your faith will be so you can stand against the powers of darkness. Choose faith instead of fear by choosing God's Word.

Remember, the power that is in you is greater than the power of fear. When thoughts come that say, "You're not able", choose faith by saying, "I can do all things through Christ!" Choose faith today so you can overcome fear and live in the freedom God has in store for you!

" Heavenly Father, I receive Your Word today which is life, health, and strength to me. I choose to close the door on fear by guarding what I say, what I listen to, and what I dwell on. Fill me with Your love and faith, and I meditate on Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen." (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 14, 2010 – Friday Meditation (Extravagant Love!)

2010-05-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

The distinctive feature of Jesus' relationship with his disciples was his personal love for them. He loved his own to the end (John 13:1). His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the good of others. His love was also sacrificial. He gave the best he had and all that he had.

Feast of Saint Matthias

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the love that produces immeasurable joy? Jesus speaks of the love which the Father and he have for those who belong to him. We can never outgive God in love, because he has loved us without measure. Our love for him is a response to his exceeding mercy and kindness towards us. Paul the Apostle tells us that we can abound in joy and hope because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:5). In God's love we find the fulness of grace, life, peace, and joy. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment – a new way of love. We are to love others as Jesus has loved us. What is the essence of this new commandment? True love is sacrificial. It gives all to the beloved. And there is no greater proof in love than the

sacrifice of one's life for the sake of another. Jesus proved his love for his disciples by giving his life for them, even to death on the cross. We prove our love for God and for one another when we embrace the way of the cross. What is the cross in my life? When my will crosses with God's will, then God's will must be done. Do you know the joy and contentment of a life fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?

Do you know the friendship of God? One of the special marks of favor shown in the scriptures is to be called the friend of God. Abraham is called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). God speaks with Abraham as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11). Jesus, the Lord and Master, in turn, calls the disciples his friends rather than his servants. What does it mean to be a friend of God? Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship which goes beyond mere duty and obedience. Jesus' discourse on friendship and brotherly love echoes the words of Proverbs: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). The distinctive feature of Jesus' relationship with his disciples was his personal love for them. He loved his own to the end (John 13:1). His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the good of others. His love was also sacrificial. He gave the best he had and all that he had. He gave his very life for those he loved in order to secure for them everlasting life with the Father.

True love is costly. Those who truly love give the best they can offer and are willing to sacrifice everything they has for the beloved. God willingly paid the price for our redemption – the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. That's the nature of true friendship and love – the willingness to give all for the beloved. True friends will lay down their lives for each other. Jesus tells us that he is our friend and he loves us whole-heartedly and unconditionally. He wants us to love one another just as helove s us, whole-heartedly and without reserve. His love fills our hearts and transforms our minds and frees us to give ourselves in loving service to others. If we open our hearts to his love and obey his command to love our neighbor, then we will bear much fruit in our lives, fruit that will last for eternity. Do you wish to be fruitful and to abound in the love of God?

"Lord Jesus, may I abound in hope, joy, and love. Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for my neighbor. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love."

Supplementary Reading

A Flood of Power

So [ Israel ] came up to Baal-perazim, and David smote [the Philistines] there. Then David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the bursting forth of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through]" - 1 Chronicles 14:11, AMP

Notice how David likened God's power to the bursting forth of waters. In other words, he described it as a flood. He was saying that when the God of the breakthrough shows up and releases His power, it will be like a flood of His goodness, a flood of His favor, a flood of healing, a flood of new opportunity.

Think about how powerful water is. Three or four inches of water can pick up a huge car that weighs thousands of pounds and move it all around. I've seen on the news whole houses floating down the river in big floods. Nothing can stop the force of that water! Anything that's in its way is moved!

Today, you may have difficulties that look extremely large, obstacles that look impassable, dreams that look unobtainable. But know this: when the God of the breakthrough releases a flood of His power, nothing can stop it. You need to get ready not for a trickle, not for a stream, not for a river. Get ready for a flood of God's favor, a tidal wave of His goodness, a tsunami of His increase! Dare to believe that God is going to overwhelm you with victory in every area of your life today!

Heavenly Father, I invite You to overwhelm me with You today. Take over every area of my life; my thoughts, my attitude, my body. Flood me with Your healing, favor, and strength today as I surrender my entire being to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 13, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (He Ascends that we may have His Spirit!)

2010-05-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

God who descended to join us to himself and to destroy the power of sin for us – now ascends and takes our hearts with him (hopefully) so that “we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.” (Eph 1.18-19)

Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1: 1-11

Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Luke 24:46-53 Jesus said to the Eleven: "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany , and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Meditation by Eileen Burke-Sullivan

In the autobiography of Saint Ignatius the “pilgrim” (Ignatius) tells us that he bribed the guards at the Mount of the Ascension first with a penknife and then, later when he wanted to return for another few minutes, with a very precious pair of scissors. He did so in order to be sure that he got Jesus’ foot prints pointing correctly in his own mind . . . hmm

In many dioceses of the United States the solemnity of the Ascension is no longer celebrated on Thursday of the 6th week of Easter (10 days before Pentecost) but has been moved to the 7th Sunday of Easter – the Sunday that precedes Pentecost. The move has been made so that American Catholics have an opportunity to celebrate this critically important feast which we were neglecting in large numbers when the feast remained on (our very busy) Thursday.

So why is this feast so important to bump a Sunday liturgy during the Easter Season? What about the Ascension was so important to Ignatius to nearly get him arrested or have an international incident over it, and what about it has been so badly catechized that even though the Universal Church ranks it as equivalent in importance to our spiritual lives as Christmas, ordinary Catholics have simply failed to get it and absented ourselves in numbers large enough in some dioceses to cause the bishop to determine that the Sunday option was necessary?

As might be expected some clues to the importance of the mystery of the Ascension of the Lord will be found in the readings assigned to the liturgy today. The first reading from Acts narrates something of what the followers of Jesus experienced when, after forty days of being with them in his resurrected body, he told them to remain close to Jerusalem where God would baptize them in his Holy Spirit. They are to wait, one presumes in a little confusion, anticipation and possibly worry, for God’s Spirit to “drown” them in a way – to be poured out in such a way that those who received the Spirit would be born again into a new creation.

It seems to me that the Ascension event doesn’t make much sense – and therefore doesn’t have much meaning – unless we try to put ourselves into the situation of Jesus’ closest friends. After the terrible suffering of the loss of him through a humiliating death – that seems to have negated everything they were sure of – he returns to them, sporadically, in a “glorified” state. We aren’t sure what that actually looks or feels like but it certainly caused confusion and downright chagrin if some of the stories are to be taken seriously. He eats and drinks with them, even jokes a bit with them, but strikes awe into their hearts in his consoling and demanding presence to them. And to top it off, not everyone who had hung around with him before his death could see him – which had to have made those who did see him feel just a bit mad.

Now, having upset everyone’s emotional and spiritual apple carts quite thoroughly, he walked out to a hilltop at Bethany (remember, this is a place where he raised Lazarus from the dead) and went up – ascended – toward the blue sky above and was removed from their sight. The disciples had not yet received the fullness of the Spirit and I think it is safe to say that they were struggling to deal with their grief and loss, their confusion, their gratitude for the call, and any number of other possible feelings. But, paramount among all their feelings had to have been both fear and confusion. Over and over these past weeks since his resurrection, Jesus had been saying to them “don’t be a afraid.”

Right . . . the world has just turned upside down. Everything I ever thought about God has been knocked into the next county and he is standing here (I think) so bright I can hardly see, so glorious and so REAL, that whatever sense of God, of myself or my friendship with him has been shot through with light and power enough to completely blind me.

Perhaps the one thing those first friends knew absolutely was that Jesus is LORD – He is everything they ever imagined God would be like – He is truth and goodness, and he has commanded them to be patient. In their stunning confusion, one thing was certain and absolute – Jesus is LORD – all reality comes into focus ONLY in him and in the light of his love. More than physically ascending from earth to air, Jesus ascended to the thrones of their hearts, and rightly claimed their absolute loyalty. For THIS reason they could fully drown in God’s Spirit a mere 10 days later.

So why did Ignatius bribe the guards at the mount of Bethany not once but twice? Why was it so important for him to get a sense of Jesus’ physical orientation as the Lord ascended? I think because Ignatius knew that this grace of the Ascension is the Christmas grace – the mystery of the Incarnation from the other end of the story – God who descended to join us to himself and to destroy the power of sin for us – now ascends and takes our hearts with him (hopefully) so that “we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.” (Eph 1.18-19)

So why are Americans too busy to celebrate this central mystery on a Thursday in the spring?

If he has our hearts with him then soon he will have our whole selves in glory. It seems to me that’s worth clapping our hands and shouting to God with cries of gladness! (Ps 47)

Supplementary Reading

He Delights in Your Prosperity

"Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant" - Psalm 35:27

We serve a God of abundance! He doesn't want you to have just barely enough to meet your own needs; He wants you to be so blessed that you have more than enough to meet the needs of the people around you. He wants you to be so blessed in your finances that not only can you pay your bills and accomplish your own dreams, but you can be a blessing to others.

In the same way that a parent loves to see their children doing well and excelling, God wants you to do well and excel in every area. That's why the scripture says that He takes pleasure in prospering you. But the key is that you have to make room for it in your thinking. You have to expect that He wants to bless you.

Today, begin to thank Him for His abundance in every area of your life. Declare that because you walk in obedience, God's blessings are going to chase you down! Don't just settle for a "good enough" mentality; develop an overflow mentality because He delights in your prosperity!

Heavenly Father, today I surrender my thoughts to You. Give me an overflow mentality. Direct my thoughts toward You and teach me to be a blessing everywhere I go. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 12, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Truth Liberates!)

2010-05-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Some fear the truth because they think it will inhibit their freedom to act and think as they wish. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will set you free (John 8:32). The truth liberates us from doubts, illusions, and fears.

Wednesday in theSixth Week of Easter

Acts 17:15, 22-18:1

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

John 16:12-15 "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Meditation by Don Schwager

What would you give to know all truth! Truth, however, is not something we create nor is it our discovery. It is the gift of God who is the possessor and the giver of all truth. Jesus tells his disciples that it is the role of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true. How can this be? Skeptics of truth don't want to believe in an absolute Truth. If truth is objective then it must be submitted to as authoritative. Some fear the truth because they think it will inhibit their freedom to act and think as they wish. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will set you free (John 8:32). The truth liberates us from doubts, illusions, and fears. Since God is the source of all truth, then the closer we draw to him and listen to his word, the more we grow in the knowledge of him and of his great love and wisdom for us.

Jesus told his disciples that he would send them the Spirit of truth who will guide you into all the truth ..and declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:13). Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit poured out on the new community of faith on the day of Pentecost, we too are able to profess the same creed which the apostles proclaimed – that Jesus died, and was buried, and rose again on the third day, and will come again to judge, raise the dead, and give everlasting life (the Apostles Creed). We not only have the same faith given to the apostles and early believers, but we have the same Spirit in us who raised Jesus from the dead. The Lord Jesus gives each of us his Holy Spirit as our divine Teacher and Helper that we may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God. Do you listen attentively to God's word and allow his Holy Spirit to give you understanding of God's truth and will for your life?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in your way of life and truth. Free me from ignorance of your ways, and from deception caused by sinful pride and rebellion. May I love you wholly with all of my strength, mind, and will and seek to please you in all things."

Supplementary Reading

Increase More

"There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want" - Proverbs 11:24

In the book of Genesis, God set up a system of seedtime and harvest. Everything God does starts with a seed. The Bible also tells us that He gives seed to the sower. In other words, if you are a person who has a desire to bless others and sow seed, God will make sure you have plenty to give. Notice in today's verse what happens when we generously sow seed—we increase more! Just like planting a seed in the natural brings an abundant harvest, planting a spiritual seed brings an abundant harvest as well. You can't out give God. The scripture says that He will pour out blessings on you that you can barely contain.

God's blessings go way beyond the financial realm. He wants you to have blessed relationships, good health, and a happy career. Why don't you take a step of faith today and look for ways to start sowing. What do you have in your hand? Can you start by giving a smile and sowing joy? Do you have five dollars to help someone else at the gas pump? Choose to be blessing and watch how God brings increase in every area of your life.

Father God, today I choose to be a sower and a giver. Help me to see the people around me the way You see them so that I can bless them the way You want to bless them. Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life as I stay obedient to Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 11, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Faith that bears Fruit!)

2010-05-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Firm faith in Christ is one that believes that we are living safely in the hands of God, that these terrors are not so much something that God saves us from as it is that He asks us to accept and grow through them. Paul and Silas's faith in their tribulation bears fruit in those who witness it: the jailer and his family "believe in the Lord Jesus" and are saved, him and all his household.

Tuesday in the Sixth Week of Easter

Acts 16:22-34

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8

John 16:5-11 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Meditation by Chas Kestermeier, S.J.

The story of Paul and Silas is a tale of marvels, but possibly the biggest marvel is that we don't feel how untypical the attitude and actions of the two men are. The two of them are attacked by the crowd for their opinions and words, and yet they are the ones who are flogged and then jailed, treated as dangerous criminals with special precautions against their escape.

And as they are awaiting some sort of disposition of their case they respond by praying and singing hymns? It almost sounds as if they were rejoicing in the treatment they are receiving... After the earthquake which sets them free, why is it that they do not flee and that they even convince the other inmates to remain with them? What are Paul and Silas thinking? What is in their hearts that causes such results?

I think that it is just the results of a firm faith in Christ, in season and out of season, the kind of faith that believes that I am living safely in the hands of God, that these terrors are not so much something that God saves me from as it is that He asks me to accept and grow through them. Paul and Silas's faith in their tribulation bears fruit in those who witness it: the jailer and his family "believe in the Lord Jesus" and are saved, him and all his household.

I believe that the kind of faith that I seek in the Lord is not so much that He can save me from dangers and tests but that He Himself offers them to me as opportunities for growth, chances for me to see how He is my life and my hope. Can I sing hymns and give thanks in the midst of troubles, knowing that the Lord is near even then?

Supplementary Reading

What's Your Part?

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?" - Romans 10:14-15

It's amazing how God can take so many people in the world and set up a plan for us to work together for His purposes to build the body of Christ. We all have a part. One scripture puts it this way, some plant seeds, some water, and some bring in the harvest. No matter what role we have, when we work together, we are honoring God. It pleases Him when we partner with one another to share the good news of the Gospel.

Today, know that you have an important part in the body of Christ. Whether you minister in the pulpit or on the street corner, or whether you sow seed so that others can go, you are important. Don't ever underestimate the part you play because together we are building His kingdom.

Father God, I humbly come to You today. Thank You for giving me a part to play in building Your kingdom. I dedicate back to You the resources You have given me. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 10, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Cease from Strife...)

2010-05-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

May 10, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Cease from Strife...)

In our own lives today, most frustrations aren't worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honor.

Monday in theSixth Week of Easter

Acts 16:11-15

Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a+9b

John 15:26-16:4a But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; 27 and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 16) 1 I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Where do you find help and support when you most need it? True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour he was to be glorified – through his death on the cross and his resurrection – he revealed more fully to his disciples the person and role of the Holy Spirit.

What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life – the very life of God – and who kindles faith in hearts receptive to God's word. The Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally. He gives us experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit that the Father has indeed sent his Son into the world to redeem it and has raised his Son Jesus from the dead and has seated him at his right hand in glory and power. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit we become witnesses to the great work of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples that they could expect persecution just as Jesus was opposed and treated with hostility. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when we meet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage and perseverance with hope when you meet adversities and challenges?

"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Anselm,

Supplementary Reading

A Mark of Honor

"It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…" - Proverbs 20:3

Oftentimes, challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn't as friendly to you as you'd like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can't allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life.

In the Bible, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn't even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn't want to be distracted. He simply "turned away" from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren't worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honor.

Today, I encourage you to turn away from strife. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honor, and you'll move forward in the destiny He has in store for you!

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 9, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers out there!)

2010-05-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day.

Graduates refer to their schools as their “Alma Mater” which literally means “Nourishing mother”. Religious orders refer to their foundation buildings as “Mother Houses”. Miners hitting a large strike of ore would call that hitting the “Mother Load”. WE refer to this planet as “Mother Earth”. There is something precious, like gold, nourishing, sustaining and stable about the vocation of being a mother.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6+8

Rev 21:10-14, 22-23

John 14:23-29 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

Today in this part of the world there is the wonderful celebration of Mothers Day. It is the most popular day for the restaurant industry, the flower stores and in the memory departments of most of us. Graduates refer to their schools as their “Alma Mater” which literally means “Nourishing mother”. Religious orders refer to their foundation buildings as “Mother Houses”. Miners hitting a large strike of ore would call that hitting the “Mother Load”. WE refer to this planet as “Mother Earth”. There is something precious, like gold, nourishing, sustaining and stable about the vocation of being a mother.

As we prepare these days to remember our birth-mothers and journey toward the celebration, as well, of the Eucharist, we might reflect on how we relate with the mysterious God often as a Mother; stable, precious, tender, the Source. In most families we learned of God, not through Theology, or catechism, but through a gentle force which picked us up, sat us down, rolled us over, let us go and brought us back. We can pray with the memories of how our mothers brought us to life and played their part in bringing God to life for us as well.

REFLECTION

Relationships do change behavior. The early apostles were influenced greatly by their friendship with Jesus. They were religiously faithful to their Jewish traditions, such as circumcision, and other rituals of bodily and communal purification. Chapter seventeen of the Book of Leviticus relates clearly some of these laws which were the Word of God.

What we hear of in today’s First Reading is a developmental situation. The Acts of the Apostles is a book dedicated to the workings of the Holy Spirit in spreading the relationship with Jesus within a growing and non-Jewish community. The question Paul and Barnabas are facing is - what do converts from paganism have to do to be in the, what we would call, the Church. Do the men have to be circumcised? Are the purification rules for women and eating laws binding on the converts?

Some of the Jerusalem head-office have come down to Antioch and were instructing the new-comers that they must observe all the old Jewish rituals of purity. Paul and Barnabas, who were formerly quite religiously Jews, begin to reflect on just how Jesus, during His time with the apostles, dealt with these very same laws and rituals. They decide to have a literally, “Come-to-Jesus” meeting about this issue. What we hear is the letter or decree which is sent to the new communities. It is a long letter meant to restore peace of mind and heart to the newly converted. There are some things which are required which are stated near the end of the letter and which are mentioned in the chapter from Leviticus cited above. It is so helpful to remember that relationships change behaviors, but without the preexisting relationships, the changes are meaningless. Paul and Barnabas kept preaching about the Risen Jesus Who came to free all from mere practice of laws and called all to be brothers and sisters of His and each other.

The Gospel continues the last conference-talk Jesus is giving His disciples in John’s narrative leading to the betrayal of Jesus, His death and His Resurrection. There is a peaceful tenderness about Jesus’ words and still a doomful sense of leaving them, but not totally.

In two weeks we will celebrate the descending of the Holy Spirit upon the world through the Church and before that the Ascending of Jesus from the earth into heaven. This Gospel reading is a preparing for our not experiencing being left abandoned as a Church. This fragile reality, the Church, had its problems from the earliest days when two disciples wanted preferential treatment by being guaranteed top seats when the Kingdom was to arrive. Jesus offers us a peace that the world cannot give. The world gives a temporary stillness when there is perfection or accomplishment. Jesus is the Fullness of Creation and He associates from the beginning with the fragmented and incomplete. His peace comes from the embrace He extends to the disciples and through them to us. His peace is not predicated on our perfection or achievements. His peace flows from His perfect embrace of our imperfect struggles to follow Him in bringing this world to His peace. The world applauds, celebrates and moves on to the next superiffic person or persons. Jesus’ peace is a covenant, a completion of God’s creation.

My own mother gave peace to us not like the world gives. She, by her own self, had her husband, the father of us three, confined to a state hospital for six months to detoxify him from “the drink” as it was known in our Irish community. We have hand-written letters from Dad explaining how things were going to be lots better and a lot sooner if she would let him out. She didn’t! She was giving us and him peace in the many ways of God’s giving peace. It was neither through denial, avoidance, easy solutions nor through anger. She loved him beyond all that and loved us as well. She ordered peace through hope and got a job to sustain that peace, not as the world does.

Three more children later, for all those years later, our mother remained the source, the stable force, the precious stillpoint in a family which more than survived, but flourished and not as the world flourishes.

The Church which is the extension of the person and Mission of Jesus receives its peace from the active stillpoint of the peaceful hands even when it experiences its fragility, fragmentation and disorders. Jesus, give us Your peace.

Supplementary Reading

Line up Your Heart

"…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" - 1 Samuel 16:7

When the Lord looks at your heart, what does He see? Every one of us has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that the people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. Only you and God know what's going on inside of you.

Too many people go around today pretending—acting one way, yet on the inside they're thinking something totally different. Their heart and their actions don't line up. But we have to understand that God is looking on the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can't fool God. He would rather us be open and honest than go through life pretending.

Take inventory of what's going on inside of you today. Are you at peace? Are you overlooking offenses? Do you believe the best in people? Do your heart and actions line up? If not, ask the Lord to give you an undivided heart. Be determined to stay true in your mind and your actions. Line up your whole being with His Word so that you can be pleasing to Him all the days of your life!

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You today and ask that You search the deep places of my heart. Show me if there is any area where I need to line up my heart and actions. Help me to be authentic and true in my mind, heart, and actions. In Jesus Name. Amen (Joel and Victoria Osteen)

May 8, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Enjoy the Journey!)

2010-05-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

There are very few mountaintops like when you graduate from school, or you get married, or have a child, or go on vacation. The high times are few and far between. Don't get stuck living for the mountaintops. Learn to enjoy the path you're on. Learn to enjoy the people in your life. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you.

Saturday in the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 16:1-10

Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 5

John 15:18-21 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.

Meditation by Edward Morse

“And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” John 15:21

Today’s gospel speaks of divisions that arise on account of being united with Christ when others do not know Christ. Stephen immediately comes to mind as one who experienced this division in a dramatic way when people stoned him in response to his preaching about Jesus. (See Acts 7:54-60). Paul also demonstrated the truth of Jesus’ words in today’s gospel passage, as he endured much hardship for his fidelity to Jesus. (See II Cor. 11:24-27). Of course, Paul was once on the persecuting side, too, before he had his own encounter with Jesus.

Most of us living in the West today do not encounter such extreme hardships as Stephen or Paul on account of our fidelity to Christ. But like our predecessors in the faith, we often face difficult questions about how we choose to adapt and get along -- or confront and stand against – the patterns of life in our world. In today’s passage from Acts, it seems odd that Paul, who elsewhere taught that circumcision was a matter of the heart rather than the flesh (see Romans 2:28-29) nevertheless sought a fleshly circumcision for Timothy (who presumably acquiesced in this matter), presumably so that Timothy could minister more effectively. Would any of us go this far to spread the Gospel?

Although we may be disposed to see the theme of division in today’s Gospel in terms of a dichotomy between those who believe and those who do not, there is another dimension of this passage that suggests circumspection among those who believe. Sadly, believers are not immune to errors that cause hardship for others, which may also be rooted in our own failure to know and follow our Lord. How many times have we failed to forgive others for their wrongs to us? Do we hold on to our grudges as treasures because we do not know and treasure the forgiveness and mercy of God toward us? Can we truly claim to know the Father who sent Jesus the Son when our lives do not reflect His love and mercy?

We all have a journey ahead of us as we seek to know God. As Father Bill Harmless has written, “the way one becomes a Christian is the way one remains a Christian – that is, by conversion—the journey of conversion is lifelong, communal, and required of all.” I know my conversion journey is still ongoing. But isn’t it fun to be on a journey when you know you are going somewhere? And even moreso when there are fellow travelers to help and cheer us along the way? Thanks be to God that, even when we feel that our progress is slow, “the Lord is good; his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations.”

Supplementary Reading

Enjoy the Journey

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day"... Proverbs 4:18

Sometimes it's easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on our dreams that we overlook the simple things that we should be enjoying in our everyday life. But we have to remember that life is not really about the destination, it's about how we live all along the way. It's about the path we're on that shines brighter and brighter.

In this life, there is no such thing as a finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will give you another. When you overcome one challenge, there will be another. There is always another mountain to climb. If we make the mistake of just living for the destination, we'll look up one day and realize we've missed out on the biggest part of life because most of life is routine. Most of us get up every morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed and do it again. There are very few mountaintops where you graduate from school, or you get married, or have a child, or go on vacation. The high times are few and far between. Don't get stuck living for the mountaintops. Learn to enjoy the path you're on. Learn to enjoy the people in your life. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you.

Father God, thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for the good plan You have for me today and for my future. Teach me to enjoy the journey of life, to embrace each day with joy and enthusiasm. Help me to see the blessings of every moment You have given me. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 7, 2010 - Friday Meditation (Judged by Heart!)

2010-05-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you.

Friday in the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 15:22-31

Psalm 57:8-9, 10+12

John 15:12-17 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

Meditation by Janine ter Kuile

When you were a child, did you hear the old saying… “for the love of God!”? Today’s Gospel opens and closes with the command, “Love one another”. Obviously that is the theme. Jesus gave His life to friends and non-friends alike. Not something many of us know much about. His was a sacrificial love few of us understand. In other words, modern-day LOVE takes on an ephemeral quality, something written about in songs for young lovers, romantic melodies to slow-dance to, not one tied to reality.

So what is ‘for the love of God’? Google says, ‘sacrificial love is self-sacrifice with the pure motivation to alleviate the suffering of others. This supreme love is suffering love, love that requires involvement in the knotty problems of the world, love that bears with the failings and weaknesses of others, love that is committed to helping others regardless of the cost’. An experience that brought me closer to this, were the years I spent working with African youth refugees, here in Omaha . Out of the blue one day, the deacon at my church said, “You are a saint”, to which I interpreted him to mean, ‘You are crazy!’ Yet I was crazy in love about these people! I knew God so loved me to open that door.

The other day I rushed to the hospital after learning my daughter had had a seizure. That evening I suffered my love for her, not knowing if this would happen again. Strangely I felt I was sacrificing her at the altar, and I recognized my love for her deepened in a new way. We’ve all experienced that kind of love.

I also feel love when I am with people who suffer in a way I don’t understand. When I travel to Congo this summer, I will come face to face with women who suffer unimaginable atrocities. Just thinking about them puts me in a place that calls to sharing in Jesus’ divine life. When He said, “I have told you everything I have heard from my Father”, He alludes to the very nature of God. As He reveals His Father, He shows us a loving community of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is an intimacy, so loving, we can never know the depths of God’s love, His Son, until we meet Him face to face.

Creighton educators, Vasant and Prafulla Raval share in their newly published book ‘Finding Soul in Work and Life’, ‘that you only need to develop the power of self-observation to comprehend the cause of suffering of both self and others. Beware, it is a painful exercise initially. It will require sacrifices.

Supplementary Reading

Free for All

"…God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" - Acts 10:34-35

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom–and God's freedom is free for everyone! It doesn't matter what your nationality or heritage is, or who your family is. It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him!

God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honor Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you.

Don't let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessing in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honoring Him and doing what is right, and you'll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!

Father in heaven, thank You for loving and accepting me today. I choose to do what is right and honor You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that isn’t pleasing to You and help me live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 6, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (Holy Spirit Guided Voice...)

2010-05-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

We each have a voice – however small – in the disputes of our day. I pray that mine will be a Spirit-guided voice. Pentecost, soon upon us, is not just an historical remembrance, but an ongoing reality. Veni, sancte spiritu. Come, Holy Spirit!

Thursday in the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 15:7-21

Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10

John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Meditation by Robert P. Heaney

The late Fr. Raymond Brown, S.S., described the meeting in Jerusalem that is the subject of today’s first reading as perhaps the most important in the entire history of the church. Hanging in the balance was whether Christianity would be a sect of Judaism or the world religion which it has become. At stake also was maintaining the fragile communion of the Jewish and Gentile Christians. That this unity was crucial is highlighted by today’s Gospel reading, which is a part of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper. His plea was that His disciples would be one as He and the Father were one. (As is often the case in the Easter season, the Gospel from John interprets for us the underlying dynamic of the narrative set forth in Acts.)

Maintaining community was not an easy task as we see from the unfolding of the story from Acts (and Paul’s own version in his letter to the Galatians). Is this episode just an interesting historical vignette, or are there lessons here for us?

The question was whether you had to be a Jew first before you could be a Christian, that is, be circumcised and adhere to all of the provisions of the Mosaic law. Surely that is no longer a pressing issue. What is pertinent is that the resolution on this disagreement had to be handled in a human way – by discussion and argument, by trial and error, by experience and good will. There was no crystal clear blueprint provided by Jesus to guide the early church through this crisis – just the assurance that He would give them His Spirit to help them work things out – an assurance on which we can count today as well.

There would have been four voices in this debate. One, of course, was Paul, insisting that one could be Christian without first becoming a Jew. Paul brought along Titus as exhibit A. Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile, but plainly Christian, and one in whom the spirit was active. It would have been hard for Paul’s opponents to say to Titus’ face that he wasn’t a “true” Christian, a “real” Christian.

A second voice was Peter, recalling a similar experience he had had with the Roman centurion Cornelius, in whom Peter too had experienced the spirit at work (Acts Ch. 10). Then James, the head of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem , chimed in that the law had, indeed, allowed Gentiles and Jews to live together in community, with only a few restrictions on what the Gentiles could do.

Missing altogether from Luke’s account is the fourth voice – those who maintained that you had to be a Jew first (converts from the Pharisees according to Luke). Fr. Brown suggests that their argument would have been: “Jesus didn’t admit Gentiles into the company of His disciples. Therefore we can’t either.” Fortunately, that position did not prevail. But how many times have we heard that same argument articulated in the ensuing centuries?

Jesus didn’t experience the circumstances of subsequent ages and thus He had no way to model our response for us. That’s why He gave the church His Spirit, why He still gives us that Spirit today. We’re still learning how to be church, and we will have to continue to learn until God finally establishes His kingdom in our renewed creation. We each have a voice – however small – in the disputes of our day. I pray that mine will be a Spirit-guided voice. Pentecost, soon upon us, is not just an historical remembrance, but an ongoing reality. Veni, sancte spiritu. Come, Holy Spirit!

Supplementary Reading

He's Working in You

"…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" - Philippians 1:6

Sometimes when God is doing a work in our lives, things can get a little uncomfortable. We may encounter people who are hard to get along with or have circumstances that seem beyond our control. When this happens, instead of complaining, getting sour, or trying to change everything around you, why don't you look deep inside and say, "Lord, thank You for doing a work in me." See, I've learned that God is more interested in changing me than He is in changing my circumstances. If I choose to stay sour because I'm not getting my way or discouraged because things aren't happening on my time table, that's going to keep me right where I am.

If you want to see change, if you want to see God open up new doors, the key is to bloom right where you're planted. You can't wait until everything gets better before you decide to have a good attitude. You have to be the best that you can be right where you are. When you bloom where you're planted, you're allowing God to work in you, and He will be faithful to complete what He's started in you!

Father God, thank You for doing a work in me. I choose to align myself with Your plan by blooming where I'm planted. Help me, by Your Spirit, to be an example of Your love and life everywhere I go. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 5, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Be Willing to be Pruned!)

2010-05-04T04:48:00.000-07:00

Pruning hurts but the alternative is to be cast into the fire. Outside of Jesus, we can do nothing for Jesus is the true vine.

Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 15:1-6

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

Meditation by George Butterfield

The first reading is a reminder of how much has changed since the beginning of the Church. Today, who would think that a person must become a Jewish convert before becoming a Christian? Yet that is what a number of Jewish Christians believed and that is what they taught to the Gentile converts. At first there was a question as to whether or not Gentiles could be saved under any circumstances. That issue was settled when God called Peter to visit Cornelius. So now the only issue was, How are they saved? Is it through faith in Jesus Christ and following his teachings? Or is it through faith in Jesus, following his teachings, circumcision, and keeping the Mosaic law? Today this teaching would not likely create dissension and debate but probably just cause the hearers to wonder what planet the person had been living on. In the first century it was a real issue and required a trip to Jerusalem to settle the matter. This first reading is only an introduction to what has come to be known as the Jerusalem Council which wrestled with this question. In the meantime, the text emphasizes that, even in the midst of this controversy, there was great rejoicing that the Gentiles were coming to believe in Jesus and embrace this way of life.

The responsorial psalm calls the worshiper to go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. The tribes go up to Jerusalem to give thanks to the name of the Lord. The psalmist rejoices simply because someone said, “Let’s go up to the house of the Lord.” What wonder fills his heart! Our feet are within your gates, O Jerusalem! I could never really understand this until Saturday, April 10, 2010. I am a permanently professed domestic member of the Brothers & Sisters of Charity. Our motherhouse, the Little Portion Monastery, is located outside of Eureka Springs , Arkansas . We have domestic members who live around the world. Two years ago Charity Chapel, the common center, library, dining areas, everything but the homes of the monastic members, burned to the ground. It was in Charity Chapel that I experienced my first Mass. It was there I became a Novice and then made my Temporary and Permanent professions. It was there that I was always greeted with “Welcome home, brother.” I rejoiced when I heard them say, “Let us go to the Little Portion Monastery.” Then it was all gone. Yet, rising from the ashes, Charity Chapel was rebuilt and finally dedicated by Bishop Anthony of Little Rock on April 10th. Only then could I understand the joy of simply having my feet within that church. “Our feet are within your gates, O Jerusalem.” What wonder! What awe! Holy ground!

In the Gospel Jesus tells how we become his disciples: we remain in him even as his words remain in us. When Jesus’ word remains in our heart, then we bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, we are removed from the vine, from Jesus. If we do bear fruit, the Father prunes us so that we bear even more. Pruning hurts but the alternative is to be cast into the fire. Outside of Jesus, we can do nothing for Jesus is the true vine. Abiding in Jesus we can ask for anything and it will be done for us. Hold on to Jesus, brothers and sisters, even as he holds on to us. If we do this, the Father will be glorified, we will bear much fruit and, by his grace, become his disciples.

Supplementary Meditation

Stay above Strife

"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out" - Proverbs 17:14

Too often, people fall into the trap of strife. Someone says something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, there is tension, quarreling, and division. The Bible tells us that strife opens the door to "every evil work." It's the enemy's greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. But you don't have to fall into the trap of strife, you can rise above it. Like today's verse says, you can simply drop the matter before it turns into something bigger than it needs to. You don't have to sink down to somebody's level and argue with them and try to prove that you're right. You weren't put on this earth to correct everybody around you.

If you are going to be all that God's called you to be, you have to learn to stay above strife. Instead of letting disagreements pull your relationships apart, look for common ground to draw you closer to the people in your life. Look for peace. Look for ways to be a blessing. Stay above strife so you can enjoy your relationships and experience the blessing He has for you!

Heavenly Father, I choose to stay above strife. I choose to honor You by seeking peace in my relationships. Empower me to walk in love and be a blessing everywhere I go. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 4, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Peace that Conquers Fears and Anxietes)

2010-05-04T04:45:00.002-07:00

The world's approach to peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make it less.

Memorial of Blessed Joseph Rubio, S.J.

Acts 14:19-28

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

John 14:27-31 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the peace which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)? In his farewell discourse Jesus grants peace as his gift to his disciples. What kind of peace does he offer? The peace of Christ is more than the absence of trouble. It includes everything which makes for our highest good. The world's approach to peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make it less. Jesus also speaks of his destination and ultimate triumph over the powers of evil in the world. In the eyes of the world the cross stood for shame, humiliation, and defeat. Jesus went to the cross knowing that it would lead to victory over the powers of sin and of Satan. Jesus also knew that he would return to his Father in glory. The cross brought glory to Jesus and to the Father and it is our way to glory as well. In the Cross of Christ we find true peace and reconciliation with God. Do you live in the peace of Jesus Christ?

"Lord Jesus, may your peace be always with me. May no circumstance, trouble, or vexation rob me of the peace which passes all understanding. You, alone, O Lord, are my Peace. May I always reside in that peace by believing your word and by doing your will.”

Supplementary Reading

You are Somebody's Miracle

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us"... 2 Corinthians 5:20

As a believer, God wants to do His work on the earth through you. You are His ambassador or representative. You have been given His authority and power. It's easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realize that you are equipped to be somebody else's miracle?

Every single day, we have opportunities to show God's love and compassion to others. We have the opportunity to meet their needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement. Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an eternal harvest.

I encourage you today to look for ways to be a blessing to someone else. When you pour into others and help meet their needs, God will make sure that others pour into you. Let's continue to work together to build His kingdom to the glory of God!

Father God, thank You for choosing me and using me. Once again, I surrender every area of my life to You. Show me ways to be a miracle to others so that my life brings glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 3, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Only One of us to Love!)

2010-05-04T04:45:00.001-07:00

Saint Augustine says the Lord loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love.

John 14:21-26 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Meditation by Don Schwager
Do you know the love that surpasses all, that is stronger than death itself (Song of Songs 8:6)? In Jesus' last supper discourse he speaks of the love he has for his disciples and of his Father's love. He prepares his disciples for his imminent departure to return to his Father by exhorting them to prove their love for him through their loyalty and obedience to his word. He promises them the abiding instruction and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Saint Augustine says the Lord loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love. God’s love for each of us is as real and tangible as the love of a mother for her child and the love of a lover who gives all for his beloved. God made us for love – to know him personally and to grow in the knowledge of his great love for us. How can we know and be assured of the love of God? The Holy Spirit helps us to grow in the knowledge of God and his great love. The Spirit enables us to experience the love of God and to be assured of the Lord’s abiding presence with us (see Romans 8:35-39). The Holy Spirit also opens our ears to hear and understand the word of God. Do you listen attentively to God's word and believe it? Ask the Holy Spirit to inflame your heart with the love of God and his word.

"Lord Jesus, in love you created me and you drew me to yourself. May I never lose sight of you nor forget your steadfast love and faithfulness. And may I daily dwell upon your word and give you praise in the sanctuary of my heart, You who are my All."

Supplementary Reading
He Orders Your Steps

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…" - Psalm 37:2

Sometimes, when we encounter difficult situations, we can be tempted to wonder if we are on the right path for our lives. And yes, sometimes we make poor choices that get us off course. But if your heart is following after God, if you're determined to stay in faith and put Him first in your life, you can be confident that you are right where you are supposed to be.

You might say, "Joel, that couldn't be right. I'm uncomfortable. Somebody isn't treating me right." God will not allow a challenge to come into your life unless He has a divine purpose for it. I've found nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us. God uses those difficult things to grow us and stretch us and take us to another level. Remember, He orders your steps. Stay in faith, keep a good attitude, and let Him lead you into the good plan He has for you!

Father in heaven, thank You for ordering my steps. I trust that You are at work in my life even during times when I don't understand it. Give me the strength and courage to do what is right in Your sight. I bless You today and always. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

May 2, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Called not to Fix People but to Love!)

2010-05-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

So often, people try to make others fit into their mold and be just like them. We think, "If they would just change, then I wouldn't get upset. If they would just do it the way I want, then they wouldn't get on my nerves." But really, we need to give people room to be who God created them to be. Life is too short to spend it trying to fix everybody.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 14:21-27

Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

Revelations 21:1-5a

John 13:31-35 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

PREPRAYERING

I went shopping today at a tea store. There were hundreds of options and the teas were in large containers and the nice person weighed each of my selections. There was nothing prepackaged and I had a sense of being in touch with authenticity. The experience was contrasted by next visiting a plastic-wrapped, cellophane-secured-from-germ store. There was no person waiting and weighing, except the check-out somebody wishing me a “great Day” which also seemed cellophaned.

As we prepare to celebrate our next Eucharist we might pray with the temptations to be plastic. For me, this means being predictable, standard, distant, germless, indirect, formally-gracious, but not necessarily a grace. I was surprised by the personal attention and interaction of the tea-lady today. While waiting for my purchases, I was singing softly to myself and she said I had a good voice and would I sing a song for her. I did! Right out loud!, she did not reduce the price for all that.

Jesus was wrapped in authenticity as human as well as divine. Our reception of His Body is the authentic Life and Love of God waiting to be wrapped in all that is graciously graceful of our humanity. We can pray with the chances given to us to let Him out and making Him real.

REFLECTION

In our First Reading for this liturgy, we hear the conclusion of a great experience of being on mission. Paul and Barnabas did some wonderful things, so wonderful that the people shouted that Zeus and Hermes, Greek gods were visiting them. The two preachers shouted the louder that they were only humans doing the work of bringing good news to them.

They had their hardships of course and grew through them in their trust of God’s love and God’s use of them. We hear of their returning to the place where they had been given the mission of proclaiming the Word and initiating communities of faith. They were grace-charged humans, instruments in the hands of God. Those through the centuries who have entered into this instrumentality have known also their being in those same Hands.

This past Holy Thursday we heard in the Gospel the verses leading up to those we hear today. Jesus has washed the feet of His followers; Judas has dirtied his hands by his betrayal. Jesus is back at the table and John pictures Jesus as beginning the Good-News, Bad-News of His last hours with His friends, whom He regards as “My Children”. The bad news is that He is going to be with them for only a little while longer. The good news is that He will be revealed in all His glory, upon the Cross. Jesus, according to John, will spend the next four chapters making sure His message is stated as clearly as possible.

What is most clear and which will be repeated exactly in chapter fifteen, is that He wishes them to love one another and by this love stay together as well as increase in fruitfulness. By this mutual reverence the love that is the “glory” of God will be experienced by others and so will be drawn into the company of believers.

John’s Gospel takes various elements from the book of Genesis. Here John has Jesus giving “a new commandment” which is to “love one another”. The first and newest commandment was creation, “Let there be……..” Light, order, life and fertility were results of a divine creative command. The Fall resulted in darkness, disorder, living outside the original context and fertility was to be experienced in pain.

Jesus commands a “new” kind of creational love which is meant to bring back light, reverence, respect for what is and a relational exchange of interiors. The disciples are commanded to love each other into more and more life as Jesus had done with them. Jesus had given them as much as they could handle. Now He was urging them to love outside the circle, beyond the eleven elect. They were to encourage others to reverence themselves as gifts prepared to be given in gratitude to others.

Not all of us enter the process of bringing new sacred life into this circle of love. We all are commanded to co-create, co-sculpture, and co-recover the lives within our life’s circle. When understood, this “new commandment” urges us beyond the emotional experience of love. We are missioned to continue God’s creational, resurrectional love. I am how God continues to say, “Let there be light” because of me. “Let there be order” because of how I live. Imagine all that! That is mighty “new” and yet a commandment which surpasses all others.

Obviously we have the opposite power as well. There is our ability to also de-create, it is the “old commandment” which the Devil gave to Adam and Eve. Jesus is inviting His disciples and us to accept our being loved by the Creating God and having accepted that, we are urged gracefully to be instruments of attracting others into the circle of life. If I love you, I will want you to be, not more than you can be, but more of the God-loved person you are. The more my love for you helps you to love yourself, the more the circle will be created larger, deeper. The more you have of your true self, the more you will want to share and give others their life.

Jesus was handing His life over to us before He handed His life over to death. We are now commanded to be the instruments, sacraments, making His creative love a real presence in the circle of life.

“I am the vine and you are the branches, says the lord; he who lives in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, alleluia.” Jn. 15, 5

Supplementary Reading

Love Each Other Deeply

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers…" I Peter 4:8, NIV

So often, people try to make others fit into their mold and be just like them. We think, "If they would just change, then I wouldn't get upset. If they would just do it the way I want, then they wouldn't get on my nerves." But really, we need to give people room to be who God created them to be. Life is too short to spend it trying to fix everybody. Sure, we should encourage people and help them grow and come up higher. But we have to come to the point where we step back and say, "All right, this is who God made them to be, and I'm going to accept them the way they are. Just because they don't have my same strengths, I'm not going to let that frustrate me." We have to choose love every day because love covers over our differences and offenses. Love is what allows us to appreciate what others bring into our lives, and it brings us together in unity.

Today, above all, choose love. Choose to focus on the things that make your relationships stronger because in the end, love is all that remains.

Father in heaven, today I choose to set my heart and mind on You. I choose to love others the way You have commanded. Give me the strength to walk in Your ways and understand Your love more each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

May 1, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Whatever You Do...)

2010-04-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).

Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

Gen 1:26-2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24

Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14+16

John 14:7-14 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14 if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

Meditation by Maria Teresa Gaston

Prayer to St. Joseph

St. Joseph,

Patron Saint of Workers,

We ask for your blessing upon all of our efforts.

May our work each day be a blessing

Which allows us to recognize the dignity of human labor.

May we see our work as an opportunity

To build up the Kingdom of God .

With you as our model and example,

May we be instruments of the love and peace

Which the gospel calls us to share

In every aspect of our lives.

Help us in our daily labor and encourage all those

Who seek meaningful work. Amen

Today the Church gives us an opportunity to celebrate a second feast in honor of St. Joseph and to unite with many around the world who celebrate Labor Day. I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect a bit with these readings and with this feast about the spirituality of work.

I have been reflecting quite a bit about work and life-vocations lately. My 18-year-old son is deciding which college to attend. He has been accepted at three good schools to study violin performance. I am mystified by this path of tremendous discipline and focus. He is confident, yet he harbors fears and doubts. Is there something else that I’m “supposed to” do, he wonders. How does music help the world with all its suffering and injustice? I don’t often let him know, but I give thanks that he even has these questions.

They are good, important questions, though unsettling.

We can’t entertain these big questions all the time. It is like uprooting a plant – too much is very disturbing and inhibits growth. But once in a while, perhaps during a spring gardening day or a summer retreat day, we can contemplate, how, through our work, do we co-operate with God in bringing new life and healing to our world?

The words of St. Paul to the Colossians offer something to ponder in reflecting on our work. “Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord.” “Over all these things put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.”

The teachings of the Church, and particularly, John Paull II’s writings on work, offer further rich compost for our spring contemplation. I was recently given a couple of small books on this subject of Catholic teaching and work that this daily reflection spurred me to read. I recommend them to you: Catholic Administrators and Labor Unionsby William Droel and Ed Marciniak, 2009, (obtain this through http://www.catholiclabor.org/NCL.htm ) and Pope John Paul II’s Gospel of Work with Introduction and Commentary by William Droel, Twenty-Third Publications, 2008. The first book is a small treasure of practical Catholic advice filled with examples of how administrators in Catholic institutions can benefit from a mutual respect model of relating to union and bargaining efforts. The second book is structured to be used in small group study and sharing on the Catholic perspective on work of all kinds taken from the writings of John Paul II. It is filled with substantive and relevant quotes that can strengthen our resolve make possible high standards of dignity and meaning in all work.

I’ll close with one of Pope John Paul II’s quotes that St. Joseph would surely have celebrated.

It is within the everyday world that you (laity) must bear witness to God’s kingdom; through you the church’s mission is fulfilled by the power of the Holy Spirit. The (Second Vatican) Council taught that the specific task of the laity is this: To “seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and in ordering them according to the plan of God.”

You are called to live in the world, to engage in secular professions and occupations, to live in those ordinary circumstances of family life and life in society from which is woven the very web of your existence. You are called by God… to work for the sanctification of the world from within, in the manner of leaven…

Supplementary Reading

The Skillful Worker

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. ~ Proverbs 22:29

The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as workplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:1-5).

Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14).

Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on-David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.

I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work? May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 30, 2010 - Friday Meditation (The Thomas in Us!)

2010-04-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

We all have gifts and we all fail to use them at various points in our lives. Maybe that makes us all a little bit like Thomas. But look how much Jesus loved Thomas, because rather than rebuking him Jesus responds with one of the most loving passages in the Gospels: ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Friday in the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:26-33

Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

John 14:1-6 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."

Meditation by Patrick Borchers

Today’s readings juxtapose two figures that are well known to Christians: Paul and Thomas.

In the first reading we see the preaching of Paul. It is probable that Paul never knew Jesus prior when He was crucified and resurrected but came to know Him when Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus . Despite not having known Jesus during Jesus’s earthly ministry, Paul’s heart clearly was on fire. Twenty centuries later, one can almost hear the power of his voice urgently proclaiming the Good News that Jesus died to atone for our sins.

And then we have Thomas in the Gospel. Thomas is apparently the disciple who wants to make sure that everything is in order before being convinced. Before being sure that Jesus actually rose, he wanted to touch his hands and sides. Then, even in the face of Jesus’s soothing words that the Father’s house has many rooms and that Jesus will come back to guide the disciples home, this isn’t good enough for Thomas; he wants to know exactly where Jesus is going for fear that Thomas will get left behind.

Of course it’s easy to admire Paul and belittle Thomas, but I know I have a lot of Thomas in me and I bet I’m not alone. It seems clear to me that Thomas wasn’t in any way a person lacking in faith. He was just a bit of a worrier. He worried about what would happen the next day and about whether Jesus and God would really be there for him. I imagine he worried about a lot of the things that many of us do.

There aren’t really that many Pauls among us. I know I’d have a hard time running into a place of worship and boldly proclaiming the Resurrection to a bunch of people that I didn’t know. But that was Paul’s great gift.

We all have gifts and we all fail to use them at various points in our lives. Maybe that makes us all a little bit like Thomas. But look how much Jesus loved Thomas, because rather than rebuking him Jesus responds with one of the most loving passages in the Gospels: ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If Jesus was there for Thomas he’s here for us now.

Supplementary Reading

Understanding What God Has Given

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:12

God desires for us to know what He has freely given to us. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to reveal His plans and purposes to us. They may be hidden for a time, but if we seek Him with our whole heart, we can know what He has given to us.

John the Baptist understood this principle. When asked if he was the Messiah, he replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (Jn. 3:27). John understood his role in the Kingdom of God . He came to pave the way for the Messiah; he was not the Messiah himself. His ministry on earth was very brief, yet Jesus described his life in this way: " 'I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' " (Mt. 11:11).

Once we understand what God has given to us, we can walk freely in our calling. However, if we strive to walk in a role that He never gave us, it will result in frustration and failure. God wants to reveal His plan to us by His Spirit. This requires a willingness to seek and accept what He gives us. It may be different from what we thought. It may require adjustments to follow His path for our lives. As we learn from the life of John the Baptist, obedience requires death to our own wills.

Ask God to reveal what He has freely given to you. Pray that you receive and embrace only those things He has reserved for you to receive and to accomplish in your life. Then you can be assured of a life full of meaning and purpose, and you can look forward to hearing those all-important words someday, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

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GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 29, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (Receive the Father in Jesus)

2010-04-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

"Amen, amen I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena

Acts 13:13-25

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25+27

John 13:16-20 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."

Meditation by Marcia Shadle-Cusic

In the reading today from Acts of the Apostles, I found myself reflecting on the "actions" of the original Apostles, who lived with and knew Jesus face to face. I thought about how difficult it might have been for these Apostles to travel across the sea to Pamphylia and to Jerusalem . What an extra ordinary effort they must have made in their desire to spread the news about Jesus.

Paul stands up in the Temple and begins to remind the congregation about their shared history. He reminds them of the many years they suffered together and triumphed together. Paul reminds them that God, who has now come in the form of man, Jesus, took care to organize them as a people by providing wise judges and outstanding Kings. Paul reminds the congregation, gathered in the Temple , about David and David's relationship with God. "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus."

The Responsorial Psalm also makes reference to the importance of recognizing our shared history, knowing that God has blessed us. "My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted." What a great reminder that is through "the grace of God" that we are indeed blessed with opportunities, challenges and resources. We are reminded that our gifts are given to us to use and in using these gifts we need to remind ourselves and to humbly tell others that these gifts come from God.

Finally, the Gospel reading encourages us to Find God in other people and in life experiences . "Amen, amen I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. If we acknowledge that Jesus was sent from God to strengthen our relationship with God and to strengthen our relationships with other people we must come to appreciate all that has been recorded in scripture, especially the greatest command from God which is to Love one another as God has loved us throughout history.

Supplementary Reading

Significance

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. ~ Psalm

90:17

Peter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so during the night God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.

Sometimes we are so bent on our particular belief that the Holy Spirit must do something miraculous to change our paradigm.

I was once asked to attend a conference overseas. At the time, finances were such that the very idea was ridiculous to me. The very next day a man I had met only once before informed me of this event and asked if I would come if my expenses were covered. I was dumbfounded! The Lord had sent a messenger to change my paradigm because He knew I didn't have the faith to think of the possibility. He knew I needed help.

Do you need a paradigm shift in some area of belief? The Lord still intervenes in the lives of His people every day. Don't be surprised when God begins to change your paradigm by giving you a vision or sending you a messenger of His choosing.

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 28, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (A Place of New Beginnings!)

2010-04-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

As workplace believers we often become so focused on the goal we forget to meet God at our own Mount Horeb . This was the place God met both Moses and Elijah. It was a place of renewal, a place of new beginnings, a place of personal encounter with the living God.

Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 12:24-13:5a

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6+8

John 12:44-50 And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And he who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me."

Meditation by Mike Cherney

I have enjoyed the change from Lent to the Easter season. The readings carry a very different tone than they did a month ago and the weather we experience seems to support this positive change to new life. It is a time for growth and branching out in new directions. This was a hard winter and it took quite a toll.

These are the last days of the academic semester. We are very busy, but we are not overwhelmed. As in the reading from Acts, we are overcome with activity, but it is positive activity. We feel a greater purpose.

My son counts the days until he can leave school (again) and join the workforce (again). This time he leaves with credentials in mathematics. He shows the excitement and fearlessness of the young. Like the missionaries in the first reading he is driven by a personal commitment to something greater. He is starting a teaching career in one of Chicago ’s most troubled high schools. He has the courage and energy to tackle the world’s truly great challenges. I would have started slower, but he has the faith and the zeal required for such work.

I wonder if the parents of the men in the first reading had the same fears for their sons that I feel. As they watched their sons heading off into potentially hostile places, they saw the excitement and sense of purpose that the young men possessed. Nevertheless I still worry.

Today’s readings are stories that foreshadow triumph. The text in John that precedes today’s Gospel is one of worry and disbelief. The message of the Gospel answers this disbelief. The Responsorial Psalm is call for a sign. Success in earthly endeavors, which grow out of a heart following the right heading, may point others in the same direction.

My prayer today is for faith and praise. I pray for the desire to share praise when there is success. I pray for the desire to be proud of the effort when there is less success. I pray for the ability to give support to those who are sent forth by a greater light.

Supplementary Reading

A Place of New Beginnings

So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God . ~ 1 Kings 19:8

Elijah and Moses were men of great zeal. They were passionate about their causes. Moses sought to free the Hebrews from the tyranny of slavery by killing an Egyptian with his own hand. Elijah, after calling down fire on the evil prophets of Baal, found himself spent physically and emotionally to the point he asked God to take his life.

Immediat ely after these two events, 500 years apart from one another, both men were led to the same Mount Horeb , the mountain of God . In Hebrew, Horeb means "desolation." This barren environment mirrored the condition of Moses and Elijah. For Moses, it was 40 years of barrenness. For Elijah, it was 40 days without food. Elijah became tired of standing alone for God.

As workplace believers we often become so focused on the goal we forget to meet God at our own Mount Horeb . This was the place God met both Moses and Elijah. It was a place of renewal, a place of new beginnings, a place of personal encounter with the living God.

Perhaps Elijah's greatest virtue was his zeal. Indeed, we shall see that twice in his communication with God, Elijah speaks of having been "very zealous" for the Lord. But zeal, unattended eventually becomes its own God; it compels us toward expectations, which are unrealistic, and outside the timing and anointing of God.

To remain balanced, zeal must be reined in and harnessed by strategic encounters with the living God. We otherwise become frustrated with people and discouraged with delays. We step outside our place of strength and spiritual protection. Many of us become so consumed with our battles that we are no longer aware of the presence of Jesus. We have been traveling in our own strength. [Francis Frangipane, Place of Immunity (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Arrow Publications, 1994), 5.]

Pray that Jesus will teach us that intimacy with Him is the greatest measure of success. Lord, guide us to the mountain of Your presence.

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 27, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (No One Can Snatch Us from Our Father's Hands!)

2010-04-26T01:54:00.000-07:00

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, S.J.

Acts 11:19-26

Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

John 10:22-30 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem ; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

Meditation by Sue Crawford

All you nations, praise the Lord.

Barnabas sees people seeking God. Although originally suspicious outsiders whom he is sent to investigate, he sees the Spirit at work and sets to work encouraging and empowering them. According to the text Barnabas sees so much potential in the people at Antioch that he seeks out the premier teacher of the Gentiles for them and decides to stay a while to continue encouraging the new Christians.

Jesus, on the other hand, sees people who hunger for spectacle or self-righteousness. He wastes no time encouraging them.

What do we learn from the juxtaposition of these two stories? Can we see the grace of God at work in people outside of our normal circles? Are we willing to go out of our way to encourage and teach those who seek God?

Do we fall prey to spending time proving ourselves to people who seek to disprove our value or do we, like Jesus, dismiss their questions? Do we believe that God’s grace can reach all nations and watch to see God at work? Do we rejoice at the diverse ways that God works in our world? Are we ready to step in to encourage and invest in those who seek God?

Do we allow ourselves to instead spend our limited time defending ourselves from those who do not want to learn and grow? Do we regularly pray for wisdom to see God’s grace at work and pray for wisdom to respond appropriat ely ?

May we all become more like Barnabas and Jesus. May all nations praise the Lord.

Supplementary Reading

Iron Sharpens Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"... Proverbs 27:17

One of the best things I've learned is that God does not bring people into my life so I can make them just like me. God wants us to be different. He's given us different personalities, different strengths, different hobbies and different looks. He's made us all different so we can sharpen one another and cause each other to rise up higher in life.

If you're going to be happy and enjoy your relationships, you've got to learn how to appreciate the differences and learn from the people in your life. If you don't focus on the right things, you'll end up allowing the little irritations to cause you to become resentful. Remember, nobody is perfect. If you're going to grow, you've got to be willing to overlook some things. Our assignment is not to fix people. Our assignment is to love people. Our assignment is to sharpen one another so we can move forward in the good plan God has prepared.

Father God, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me see them the way You see them. Help me to appreciate the ways we sharpen one another so that we can help each other fulfill Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 26, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Shepherd of My Soul!)

2010-04-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

Just as a shepherd kept watch over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesus stands watch over his people as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to God?

Monday in the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 11:1-18

Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

John 10:1-10 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own? The Old Testament often speaks of God as shepherd of his people, Israel . The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).

What can shepherding teach us about God and our relationship with him? At the end of each day the shepherd brought his sheep into shelter. They knew the voice of their shepherd and came at his beckoning. So familiar was the shepherd and his sheep, that each was called by a distinct name. In the winter the sheep were usually brought to a communal village shelter which was locked and kept secure by a guardian. In the summer months the sheep were usually kept out in the fields and then gathered into a fold at night which was guarded by a shepherd throughout the night. He was literally the door through which the sheep had to pass. The scriptures describe God as a shepherd who brings security and peace to his people. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore (Psalm 120:8).Even the leaders of God's people are called shepherds: they shall lead them out and bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Just as a shepherd kept watch over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesus stands watch over his people as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to God?

Augustine writes: “He has accomplished what he taught us: He has shown us what He commanded us to do. He laid down his own life for his sheep, that within our mystery he might change his body and blood into food, and nourish the sheep he had redeemed with the food of his own flesh. He has shown us the way we must follow, despite fear of death. He has laid down the pattern to which we must conform ourselves. The first duty laid on us is to use our worldly goods in mercy for the needs of his sheep, and then, if necessary, give even our lives for them. He that will not give of his substance for his sheep, how shall he lay down his life for them?” (Tr. 46 in John, 5th century). Do you look to Jesus the Good Shepherd, to receive the strength and courage you need to live and serve as his disciple?

"Lord Jesus, you always lead me in the way of peace and safety. May I never doubt your care nor stray from your ways. Keep me safe in the shelter of your presence."

Supplementary Reading

This One Thing

"…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead" Philippians 3:13

Are you determined to forget the past? I know many people don't fully understand what that means. They wonder, "How can I forget something that's happened to me?" But one definition of the word forget is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. In other words, you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn't keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don't let go of the old, we'll never be able to embrace the new.

It doesn't matter what's happened in your history, it's time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to look forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He's working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!

Father in heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don't want anything to hold me back from the good future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me, by Your Spirit, to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 25, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Choose to Trust!)

2010-04-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

The Lord does not spare us from all trouble. In this life we will experience pain, suffering, sickness, and death. But through these the Lord will lead us to ultimate victory and safety in his everlasting home. Even in the midst of our sufferings we can find a peace and security which no one can give except God alone. We can confidently follow the Lord wherever he leads, trusting that nothing can keep us from God if we surrender our lives to him. Have you placed your life secur ely in God where it belongs?

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5

Revelations 7:9, 14b-17

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own? The Old Testament often speaks of God as shepherd of his people, Israel . The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).

Jesus made three promises to his followers. He promised them everlasting life. If they accept him and follow him, they will have the life of God in them. Jesus also promised them a life that would know no end. Death would not be the end but the beginning; they would know the glory of indestructible life. Jesus promised a life that was secure. Jesus said that nothing would snatch them out of his hand, not even sorrow and death, since he is everlasting life itself. Our lives are safe in his hands. The security Jesus offers is an abiding relationship with the living God, and membership with his flock, the people of God. Jesus also promises the security of peace and protection from evil and the greatest harm that could befall us – eternal destruction. The Lord does not spare us from all trouble. In this life we will experience pain, suffering, sickness, and death. But through these the Lord will lead us to ultimate victory and safety in his everlasting home. Even in the midst of our sufferings we can find a peace and security which no one can give except God alone. We can confidently follow the Lord wherever he leads, trusting that nothing can keep us from God if we surrender our lives to him. Have you placed your life secur ely in God where it belongs?

Cyril of Alexander, a 5th century church father comments on Jesus as our Good Shepherd:

“He shows in what manner a shepherd may be proved good; and He teaches that he must be prepared to give up his life fighting in defense of his sheep, which was fulfilled in Christ. For man has departed from the love of God, and fallen into sin, and because of this was, I say, excluded from the divine abode of paradise, and when he was weakened by that disaster, he yielded to the devil tempting him to sin, and death following that sin he became the prey of fierce and ravenous wolves. But after Christ was announced as the True Shepherd of all men, He laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16), fighting for us against that pack of inhuman beasts. He bore the Cross for us, that by His own death he might destroy death. He was condemned for us, that He might deliver all of us from the sentence of punishment: the tyranny of sin being overthrown by our faith: fastening to the Cross the decree that stood against us, as it is written (Colossians 2:14). Therefore as the father of sin had as it were shut up the sheep in hell, giving them to death to feed on, as it is written in the psalms (Ps. Xlviii.16), He died for us as truly Good, and truly our Shepherd, so that the dark shadow of death driven away He might join us to the company of the blessed in heaven; and in exchange for abodes that lie far in the depths of the pit, and in the hidden places of the sea, grant us mansions in His Father’s House above. Because of this he says to us in another place: Fear not, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you a kingdom (Luke 12:32).

Do you listen attentiv ely to the voice of the Good Shepherd and obey his word?

"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. In you I place all my hope and I entrust myself to you complet ely . Increase my confidence in your saving grace and in your abiding presence."

Supplementary Reading

Choose to Trust

"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…" Psalm 40:4

Is your trust in the Lord today? Trusting in the Lord is a decision we make just like we choose anything else in life. You chose what to wear today, you probably chose what you would have for breakfast, and you can choose to trust God today, too! And just like the decision to receive salvation, when you choose to trust God, there is a peace that settles on the inside of your heart. There are blessings in store for you when you trust Him.

No matter what you are facing in life today, you can have faith that God will come through for you. You can trust that His Word is always true. In Psalm 32, David calls God his "hiding place." In other words, not only can you choose to trust God in the midst of your difficulty; you can actually hide in Him and find rest for your soul. When the circumstances of life seem to be overwhelming, choose to trust that God is ordering your steps. Find security in Him knowing that He's making your crooked places straight and leading you into the everlasting life He has prepared for you!

Father in heaven, today I choose to put my trust in You. I know You are a good and faithful God, and I trust that You have my best interest at heart. Help me stay focused on Your goodness today. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 24, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Make Adjustments

2010-04-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Adjusting our lives to God is the first thing that has to happen in order to begin experiencing Him in our daily lives. For some, it is simply following the advice of those above us. For others, it may require a major change in our job situation. Whatever the case, you can be sure that until we adjust our lives to God we will not receive His full blessing. Ask Him today where you need to adjust to Him.

Third Saturday of Easter

Acts 9:31-42

Psalm 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

John 6:60-69 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67 Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

Meditation by Joan Lanahan

“YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE”

What words does/is God speaking to you Today? Are they words of mercy, of healing, of God’s goodness, of your goodness. What are they?

The psalmist speaks of “all the good he (God) has done for me.” Some of us just wake up in the morning and are able to say, “thanks, Lord, I am awake and alive and it’s a new day.”

Today, driving around Omaha , I noticed signs of spring: forsythia, daffodils, magnolias, crocus. We longed for life and color during our long, hard winter. It’s easy to say: “thanks God for the beauty of your creation.”

In Acts, Peter heals Aeneas from a chronic illness and raises Tabitha to life from death. Many of us come to God for healing.

No doubt some of us are struggling with guilt and/or shame. Hopefully we will hear God’s words of mercy as we grope through our problems.

Recently I heard God’s healing wisdom in a relationship I have been struggling to understand. “You don’t have to do this anymore, Joan” was the gist of God’s truth. That showed me God’s goodness, my friend’s goodness and my own goodness.

Perhaps, like Tabitha, we have been dead to our own goodness or to life within and around us. It may be a dark period or depression.

God invites us to healing by working through our darkness. Seek the guidance and wisdom of others, especially professionals when needed. Listen to the voices who invite us to new knowings and releasing of pent up hurts…and freedom.

Jesus says today in John: “the words I give you are Spirit and Life”. Hear God’s words to you today. Listen and Live.

Supplementary Reading

Make Adjustments

..."Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." ~ John 21:6

A former client of mine was the marketing director of a large food brokerage company and told me a story about one of their client grocery stores located in the upper Midwest . It seems that the store could not understand why at a certain time every winter sales plummeted. They studied their product line and interviewed customers. They did everything possible to uncover the mystery. Finally, someone made a remarkable discovery that changed everything.

It seemed that whenever it was really cold outside, the manager raised the temperature in the store. When customers came into the store it was too warm for them, so they removed their coats and placed them in their shopping carts. This meant less room for food and resulted in reduced sales overall. They lowered the temperature of the store, and as a result, the sales climbed back to the levels they were accustomed to. Their adjustment resulted in restoring sales levels.

Jesus stood on the shoreline and watched Peter and a few of the disciples fish. Jesus yelled from the shoreline asking if they had caught anything. They had not. He then suggested they cast their line on the other side of the boat. Without knowing the person who was addressing them, they took His advice. They began catching so many fish they could not bring them in.

Adjusting our lives to God is the first thing that has to happen in order to begin experiencing Him in our daily lives. For some, it is simply following the advice of those above us. For others, it may require a major change in our job situation. Still, for others it could mean making changes in relationships. Whatever the case, you can be sure that until we adjust our lives to God we will not receive His full blessing. Ask Him today where you need to adjust to Him. (OS Hillman

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 23, 2010 - Friday Meditation (Friendship with the Lord!)

2010-04-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Active, repeated, conversion--a daily occurrence-- is a reflection of free choices made to acquire new understanding and a new identity before God; or simply to affirm your present relationship with the Lord and His church.

Third Friday of Easter

Acts 9:1-20

Ps 117:1, 2

John 6:52-59 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.

Meditation by John P. Schlegel, S.J.

On our spiritual journey from Easter to Pentecost we follow the progress in the growth of the church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Today we are presented with one of the more memorable incidents that had a huge significance on the growth of the nascent Christian community, nam ely the conversion of St.Paul as he travels to Damascus . We all know the story of the bright light, the jettisoned rider, the voice and the blindness that followed. In Caravaggio’s painting “The Conversion on the Way to Damascus ,” the artist is close to the account in Acts. The horse is there and Saul lies on the ground stunned, his eyes closed as if dazzled by the brightness of God’s light that streams down the white part of the horse onto Saul; but that the light is heavenly is clear only to the believer, for Saul has no halo. The drama is internalized within the mind of Saul. The artist makes religious experience look natural. There is no action, Saul’s splayed hands and discarded sword is frozen; all is stillness. [Perhaps so God can inaugurate the conversion process!]

We have all experienced conversions of one sort or another and of varying intensity. While bright lights, bells or voices are not part of my own conversion experience, they may be for you. But what is certain is that a conversion experience goes beyond mer ely human endeavor and must come from a contrite heart which responds to God’s mercy. How often the Old Testament prophets seek a contrite and forgiving heart rather than holocausts and burnt offerings! God says let your heart be turned to me. Let me replace your heart of stone with a heart of flesh! And in the New Testament we hear: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

We have finished Lent, that season of grace and renewal; we have celebrated the Great Triduum, a time for a conversion of heart and soul; the recent celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection poises us for the future, rooted in hope. So like Paul we are positioned for a conversion experience of modest or profound proportions. Like Paul we may, in our own time and place, on our own road to Damascus , be “God’s chosen instrument to carry His name forward…”

While there may not be a dramatic light show of divine presence, a spooked mount, or divine voices, the Easter season provides conversion “opportunities;” experiences that can offer a new reference point for self identity –be it the simple experience of a church at prayer across the Triduum, the crowd of ‘one day a year’ church goers on Easter Sunday or the on-going reflection on the post-Easter scripture readings. Even nature, as its springs into springtime allows us to experience the face and the presence of God. Active, repeated, conversion--a daily occurrence-- is a reflection of free choices made to acquire new understanding and a new identity before God; or simply to affirm your present relationship with the Lord and His church.

As Pope Benedict XVI noted: “conversion entails placing oneself humbly at the school of Jesus and walking meekly in his footsteps….In fact the only joy that fills the human heart is that which comes from God: indeed, we stand in need of infinite joy. Neither daily concerns nor life’s difficulties succeed in extinguishing the JOY that is born from friendship with God.”

And conversion is all about FRIENDSHIP with the Lord! Conversion is about familiarity with the Lord. Conversion empowers us to proclaim “Jesus is the Son of God,” as it did Paul.

Supplementary Reading

No More Reproach

...''Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you''.... ~Joshua 5:9

Joshua and the people had just crossed the Jordan River . They were camped at Gilgal. But before they could proceed they were required to circumcise all the males, because a whole new generation had grown up while living in the desert. This is where Israel , like a worm in a cocoon, was transformed. Circumcision is bloody, personal, and it exposes all that you are. God was saying that before you can become His army, you must roll away the reproach of the Egyptian way of life. You are no longer a slave to the ways of Egypt . It is a time to put aside the old way of life. Many are walking around as goats in sheep's clothes, practicing a form of religion without the true source of truth and power.

Sin in our midst testifies against us. It keeps us in Egypt and never allows us to enter the Promised Land. Our lives must be circumcised in order for us to come out of Egypt into our own Promised Land of spiritual blessing with God. This transformation marks the first time Israel begins to taste the fruit of the Promised Land. No more manna from Heaven. The manna stopped the day after they were circumcised. There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate produce from Canaan .

God is turning our plowshares into weapons of love to usher in a new generation of workplace warriors. But we will not be effective if we have the reproach of sin in our lives. Ask God to show you what needs to be confessed this day so that no reproach exists. The cross of Jesus takes away all reproaches. Enter the Promised Land with power. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 22, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (Stand Firm!)

2010-04-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

Do not be surprised when you find the way harder as a believer than when you were a non-believer. You now have more at stake among the spiritual forces that desire you to be defeated and ineffective. Stand firm against the evil forces that desire to keep you from walking in freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus is our victory for every battle that we will encounter.

John 6:44-51 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Meditation by Don Schwager

God offers his people abundant life, but we can miss it. What is the bread of life which Jesus offers? It is first of all the life of God himself – life which sustains us not only now in this age but also in the age to come. The Rabbis said that the generation in the wilderness have no part in the life to come. In the Book of Numbers it is recorded that the people who refused to brave the dangers of the promised land were condemned to wander in the wilderness until they died. The Rabbis believed that the father who missed the promised land also missed the life to come. God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness with manna from heaven. This bread foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers.

Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The manna from heaven prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper which Jesus gave to his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice. The manna in the wilderness sustained the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. It could not produce eternal life for the Israelites. The bread which Jesus offers his disciples sustains us not only on our journey to the heavenly paradise, it gives us the abundant supernatural life of God which sustains us for all eternity. When we receive from the Lord’s table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood and partakers of his divine life. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D.) calls it the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (Ad Eph. 20,2). This supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward.

Jesus offers us the abundant supernatural life of heaven itself – but we can miss it or even refuse it. To refuse Jesus is to refuse eternal life, unending life with the Heavenly Father. To accept Jesus as the bread of heaven is not only life and spiritual nourishment for this world but glory in the world to come. When you approach the Table of the Lord, what do you expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and rest for your soul? The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist or Lord's Supper is an intimate union with Christ. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ. Do you hunger for the "bread of life"?

"Lord Jesus, you are the living bread which sustains me in this life. May I always hunger for the bread which comes from heaven and find in it the nourishment and strength I need to love and serve you wholeheartedly. May I always live in the joy, peace, and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and in the age to come."

Supplementary Reading

Being an Overcomer

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

"Why does it seem that those involved in Christian enterprise find the way so hard? It seems as though it is harder for those who are committed Christians in business. Have you found this to be true?" This was the comment from a business associate recently. My answer was a definite yes. In fact, if you were not a Christian and sought to do a similar business without regard to maintaining a biblical philosophy, the way would be much smoother sailing. It makes us think of the prophet who asked, "Why do the wicked prosper?" (see Jer. 12:1)

It is a spiritual principle of which we speak. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan before they entered the Promised Land, they fought only two battles. Then after they entered the Promised Land, they fought 39 battles. The way of the cross is not paved with lilies; it is paved with grace. When we seek to honor God in our business life, we will be met with opposition from the spiritual forces of this world. This is why each of us must commit ourselves to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and to be as gentle as doves but as wise as serpents.

Do not be surprised when you find the way harder as a believer than when you were a non-believer. You now have more at stake among the spiritual forces that desire you to be defeated and ineffective.

Stand firm against the evil forces that desire to keep you from walking in freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus is your victory for every battle you will encounter. Call on His name. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 21, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Take Heart!)

2010-04-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

Be of good cheer. Now that may seem strange to say right after "in this world you will have trouble," but when we truly understand that we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, we can be joyful no matter what the circumstances look like.

Third Wednesday of Easter

Acts 8:1b-8

Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a

John 6:35-40 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; 39 and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Meditation by Paul Mahowald, S.J.

The readings in the Easter season are from Acts in the first reading and from John in the gospel reading. I have often felt that there seems to be much repetition in the readings in the Easter season from John’s gospel. In fact, today’s gospel is the fifth time in eight consecutive weekdays with a selection from chapter six – “The Bread of Life.”

The chapter begins with John’s description of the multiplication of five barley loaves and a couple of fish. Today’s reading emphasizes that Jesus has come down from heaven to do the will of the Father. We reflect on our own will when we receive Holy Communion: that this is the will of God to share this meal in memory of the message and sacrifice Jesus left us with on the cross.

This sign of God’s power and support of Jesus’ mission reaches the conclusion (later this week) with the multiple expressions of “… unless you eat my body and drink my blood, you will not have life everlasting.” But it is in this comment by Jesus also referred to in today’s text that some of his disciples no longer followed him. There were so many moments in the recent passion story when friends, disciples and others no longer followed him. And here after the Resurrection in the 21st century we note that this still occurs. Consider, for example, the many Christian denominations, many of which do not believe in the emphatic claim of Jesus in John 6 that he is “the Bread of Life!”

The first reading from Acts is just before Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus . The church in Jerusalem is being persecuted so the believers are “scattered throughout the countryside.” Just north of Jerusalem , in the region of Samaria , Philip (not the apostle but the deacon, cf., Acts 6:5) is well-received as he describes Jesus as the Messiah for whom they all have been waiting. Because of the faith of the listeners many miracles and cures were happening in this region. This acceptance comes from the part of Israel about which the Jews were so judgmental. The salvation won for all of us included the Northern Kingdom (called Samaria in this text) and indeed all people of good will.

In both readings today we see that trusting in the message of Jesus is rewarding. In Samaria there are many cures from so many ailments. In the gospel we ourselves are blessed for our faith in the reception of the Eucharist, knowing that this is the will of God that Jesus obeys in remaining with us in this sacrament.

Supplementary Reading

Take Heart

"…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" - John 16:33

Every day, things come against us in life to try to steal our joy and rob us of our victory. In fact, throughout your whole life, the enemy has had one mission—to kill, steal and destroy your hope, vision and happiness. But I love what it says in today's verse, "take heart." In one translation it says, "Be of good cheer." Now that may seem strange to say right after "in this world you will have trouble," but when we truly understand that we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, we can be joyful no matter what the circumstances look like. We don't have to allow our emotions to get rattled. We don't have to let our nerves go haywire. We can find rest knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm us.

We have to remember; the things that happen in this life are temporary. We are in this world but not of it. We need to keep our focus on eternal things, things above. Sure, we will have trouble in this life, but we can stay encouraged because in eternity, we are overcomers through Christ Jesus!

Father God, I humbly come to You today. I ask that You help me stay focused on eternal things. I choose to have joy and peace no matter what comes my way because I know I have the ultimate victory in You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 20, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Be Stable Minded)

2010-04-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

Don't allow yourself to be tossed around by your emotions any longer. Instead, choose to be stable-minded. Focus your thoughts on the Word of God so you can confidently move forward into the good plan He has designed for you!

Third Tuesday of Easter

Acts 7:51—8:1a

Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab

John 6:30-35 So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." Weekly Guide for Daily PrayerToday’s reading about Stephen reminds me of one evening a few years ago when my oldest daughter was six. We had watched Disney’s Lion King and Aladdin together, and I thought we’d give Beauty and the Beast a try. So we rented it, took it home, popped up some popcorn, and settled in on the comfy couch to watch the movie. We all enjoyed Belle cavorting about the house, and the singing kitchen implements, and even the manly-types bursting out in rambunctious song. As the movie went on, the Beast first appeared, and I smiled. What an imposing fellow he was! I turned to remark to my daughter just that when I noticed she had her eyes covered with her hands. Shocked, I looked back at the image. Sure he was darkly-clothed and had big teeth, but he was an animated character, for goodness sake. Certainly he could not be . . . scary.

Meditation by Brian Kokensparger

In the first reading, we have a similar situation. Stephen, a man of God, was preaching to the people, dishing out some good old fashioned humble pie. They were infuriated. But then when Stephen mentioned seeing Jesus: that was too much for them. Like children, they “covered their ears,” then rushed him and stoned him, and set about planning his execution.

Having had a direct personal experience in the matter, I know fear when I see it. Stephen tapped into the people’s fear, and they reacted violently to protect what they had. They obviously felt threatened at a deep level, and responded to that threat by obliterating its source.

We all assume that the Good News is uplifting, calming, and assuring. But it’s a shock to us that – to some – it could also be . . . scary.

What is it that scared Stephen’s listeners? Certainly his scathing attack on their ancestry left them a bit miffed, but they did not become riled to action until Stephen mentioned seeing the “Son of Man” in the heavens standing at the right hand of God.

My suspicion is that there were many people at that time that preferred a dead Jesus to a risen one. A dead Jesus is a historical figure, an episode of the past. A risen Jesus is a continuation of the message that he preached, and a deepening of it. Now, no longer tied down to human mortality, a risen Jesus is at the same time the Truth and the verification of the Truth. He’s not just words any more: He’s proof. We cannot ignore the risen Jesus, because in His rising from the dead He has guaranteed a new world order.

So the Good News might be seen as bad news by those who find comfort in the old world order.

That’s why Stephen’s prayer that this sin not be held against them makes sense. He wasn’t forgiving them. He was recognizing their entrenched fear.

Now that Lent is over, it is still not too late to look at our own comforts. Do we find comfort in our current “world order?” Do we hold our hands over our ears (figurativ ely or literally) whenever someone broaches a certain subject? Maybe it’s time to admit that there are some ideas that are just plain scary to us. Knowing what those ideas are and perhaps why they scare us is the first step towards acknowledging that a risen Jesus is much better than a dead one.

Supplementary Reading

Be Stable-Minded

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" - James 1:6

If there's one thing that can lead you down a road away from your potential and seeing the awesome plan God has for your life, it's your emotions. Emotions are God-given, but oftentimes, people allow their circumstances to dictate their emotions and thoughts instead of the Word of God.

When we allow our circumstances to dictate our emotions, when we get upset by what we see or hear, it opens the door for doubt and fear to come in. The Bible says that when we allow doubt and fear in, we become unstable. We are tossed back and forth. But understand that the way you feel today has little to do with what God is actually doing in your life. He's working behind the scenes whether you realize it or not! Don't allow yourself to be tossed around by your emotions any longer. Instead, choose to be stable-minded. Focus your thoughts on the Word of God so you can confidently move forward into the good plan He has designed for you!

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I choose to meditate on Your Word knowing that it is the source of strength and faith. Help me to be stable-minded, and I set my focus on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 19, 2010 - Monday Meditation (What Are We Looking in Following Jesus?)

2010-04-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

They were searching for him, not to follow, not to be “fed” more deeply, but just to have more bread, just to see another miracle. But what are we looking for in these days of Easter? Perhaps it begins to satisfy a deep hunger that we have come to recognize and want to follow no matter what the cost. What are we looking for, today?

Third Monday of Easter

Acts 6: 8-15

Psalm 119: 23-24, 26-27, 29-30

John 6 :22-29 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiber'i-as came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper'na-um, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

Meditation by Rev. Rich Gabuzda

What Are You Looking for?

Jesus begins his teaching on “the bread of life” with a statement which both propels the dialogue that follows and that challenges us today: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”

The many verses of this teaching wind their way through Jesus’ statements about being the “bread of life” and “eternal life.” In his dialogue with them, Jesus attempts to take the crowd progressiv ely deeper into the mystery; some will follow, some will walk away. Perhaps it all goes back to that initial statement, which begs the question, “What are you looking for?”

In observing the miracle of the loaves, they failed to “see the sign,” that is, they failed to look deeply into the miracle and come to believe in the person of Jesus. They were searching for him, not to follow, not to be “fed” more deeply, but just to have more bread, just to see another miracle.

The days of the Easter season invite us to go deep into the mystery of Jesus, of his Eucharistic presence, of the demands of following him. But what are we looking for in these days of Easter? Perhaps our faith offers thin consolation in troubled times. Perhaps it begins to satisfy a deep hunger that we have come to recognize and want to follow no matter what the cost. What are we looking for, today?

Lord, Jesus, give us the courage to resist the superficial consolations of faith and to hunger deeply for you, no matter what the cost!

Supplementary Reading

The Little Foxes

"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines…" Song of Solomon 2:15

Most often, it's not the big things that happen in life that keep us from being happy; it's the small things. I've heard it said, "Tornados and hurricanes get more news coverage, but in reality, termites do more damage." That's what today's scripture is saying. Most of the time, we're not dealing with some major crisis like losing a job, a life-threatening illness, or a relationship breaking up. The big things are rare. It's the little inconveniences like not being able to find your car keys in the morning, or being in a hurry and getting behind a driver going 40 in a 60-mile-an-hour zone. It's the little interruptions and frustrations that get our emotions worked up and cause us to lose our joy and peace.

The way we handle the little things will determine what kind of life we will live. When we allow negative thoughts of frustration to come in, we are allowing the little foxes to spoil the vines. Make the decision today to "catch" those foxes by choosing to think on the right things. Let His Word bring new life to your emotions so you can move forward in the life of peace and joy the way God intends.

Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind, will and emotions to You. I choose to focus on Your Word and not allow the little foxes to steal my joy and peace. Keep me close to You and guide me in the way I should go. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 18, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Nobody Fills my Heart like JESUS!)

2010-04-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

What he comes to offer us is our lives as bread for others and the mission to follow him, to where we do not know. The emptiness of Peter’s boat was the last experience of emptiness in his life. Jesus continues meeting us where we would rather not be met. Jesus continues calling us to where we might rather not go and that is into the mystery of his love.

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

Psalm 30:2+4, 5-6, 11-12a+13b

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri -as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. - Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

PREPRAYERING

Proper English usage encourages the placement of prepositions not at the end of sentences. There is a very good reason for this rule. It is that the last word or words in a sentence expresses the proper emphasis of the ideas contained within the statement. As a general rule, the preposition should begin questions; “with whom are you going” is stronger than hanging the “with” at the end and having two different subjects for one verb.

The literal meaning of pre-position is a placing before. If the preposition is at the end, well, it is a simple contradiction. Enough of English already! It is just a peeve of mine, not a pet one of course!

The Resurrection is the most emphatic element in the long sentence of God’s loving history with all humankind. There had been many prepositions used within that sacred history. “Before” the world was made and “after” the Fall were important words indicating time. “Upon” is an indication of where, mountains of revelation and the body of the woman who gave the Word a sacred position.

We are praying and living with the position the resurrected Jesus has taken within our lives. His placement in history gives us the position of emphasis in this world. His Holy Spirit is within and with us urging us to take positions of revelation within our families, communities and our world. We pray these days with the growing sense of His final statement that our lives are a continuation of the long sacred sentence of God’s love.

REFLECTION

In verses which come before our First Reading, Peter and his companions in crime are locked up for having preached in the Temple. During the night, while under guard, an angel appears and sends them out, back into the Temple . When the officers go to fetch them from prison, not only do they not find them there, but news arrives of their being back at their dirty work of preaching in the name of Jesus, and in the Temple again. Their having been called and then called out of prison is getting them in more trouble.

What we hear in our First Reading are the jealous leaders of the religious establishment confronting Peter and the others with their being disobedient to previous orders to be silent.

After reviewing how Jesus had been silenced by his being hanged at the hands of these very leaders, Peter and the other apostles leave in high spirits, because they had been proven worthy by being treated in the same way as Jesus, except not physically - not yet.

There are some quite touching scenes in today’s Gospel. The first is that of Peter and his companions who decide to return to the life from which Jesus had called them . . . fishing. Jesus, who had told them at his washing of their feet that apart from him they could do nothing, do nothing for their all night fishing. When it was already dawn the great Fisherman appears and catches them according to what catches fisherman, a great catch of fish.

So here again we have the favorite theme of John, bad things happen at night and Jesus as light does great things during the daylight. They come to the realization that it is the Lord and the catch becomes secondary, at least for a while.

The second scene is a reunion at the breakfast table. Peter who had warmed himself by a charcoal fire while betraying Jesus, is invited to bring some of his catch to be cooked on the charcoal fire where Jesus was already cooking fish and bread. This is a socially awkward situation, but Jesus breaks the tension by distributing the bread and fish to them. Earlier in their relationship, Jesus had taken loaves and fish to distribute to them and many others. This scene ends with that symbolic gesture of reconciliation. They know who he is in the sharing of the bread.

The final scene focuses on the recommitment of Peter and the missioning of Peter by Jesus. Peter is invited to follow Jesus once more and this time for keeps. This scene ends with Peter’s following Jesus to a life which will imitate that of Jesus even to the manner of his death.

When going to visit the doctor I make sure I am wearing squeaky-clean underwear. When going to the dentist I make sure I have flossed and really scrubbed my molars. When found, we want to be found at our best. Jesus had the delightful and delighting habit of meeting people where they would rather not be met at all. A fisher-person does not want anybody to ask about how many fish have been caught if their stringer is empty. Jesus meets his beloved disciples quite fishless and quite sinful.

After the Resurrection, Jesus went about collecting his beloved women and men friends and usually in the socially and spiritually awkward settings. He continues doing the same thing in our lives. He does not check the under garments, but the inner. He does not check the molars for cavities, but asks what we are doing with our emptiness. He emptied himself by living his whole life even to his last. He emptied his tomb to fill our empty boats and lives with his Eucharistic presences.

What he comes to offer us is our lives as bread for others and the mission to follow him, to where we do not know. The emptiness of Peter’s boat was the last experience of emptiness in his life. Jesus continues meeting us where we would rather not be met. Jesus continues calling us to where we might rather not go and that is into the mystery of his love.

“Away grief’s grasping joyless days, dejection.” G. M. Hopkins, S.J.

Supplementary Reading

This is the Day

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" - Psalm 118:24

It's easy to come up with excuses to delay our happiness. All the time I hear things like, "As soon as I get out of this problem, Joel, I'll be happy." "As soon as I lose ten pounds...as soon as my business grows…as soon as my child straightens up…" No, if you don't put your foot down and decide to be happy right now, there will always be something to keep you from being happy. Let's get rid of the excuses and make the decision to enjoy life right now, today.

God never intended for us to put off our happiness. That's why David said, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." He was saying, "This is the day to be happy; not tomorrow, not when the weather clears up. Not next week, when I don't have to work so hard. Not next month, when I make it through this difficult time." No, choose to honor the Lord right now by choosing to enjoy your life because this is the day that the Lord has made!

Father God, thank You for this day. Thank You for another opportunity to sing Your praise. I choose to set my mind and heart on You, I choose to rejoice and be glad so that everything I do brings honor to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victora Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 17, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (In Him We Live, Move and Have our Being!)

2010-04-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

The disciples, on their own, are making little progress against the waves until they invite Jesus aboard. Then suddenly they are at their destination. Humans, alas, fragment and divide. God gathers and unifies.

Saturday in the Second Week of Easter

Acts 6:1-7

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

John 6:16-21 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caper'na-um. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, 20 but he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediat ely the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Meditation by Robert P. Heaney

In the Readings from Easter to Pentecost, the first (from Acts) tells us, in a more or less continuous narrative, of the growth of the early Church and its movement from Jerusalem to Rome . It’s a story of growth and development. Today’s first reading presents us with a much toned-down instance of a very early dispute within the new Jewish Christian community.

As is so often the case in human affairs, the argument was about something deeper than sharing resources with the widows of the “Hellenists”. It’s helpful to understand that about 90% of the Jews alive at the time had been assimilated into the predominant Greek culture and most lived outside of Palestine . Not surprisingly, they approached their religion differently from the still Hebrew-speaking Jews living in and around Jerusalem . Early conversions to Jesus as Messiah included both the Hebrew-speaking and the Greek-speaking Jews (the Hellenists), and they carried their prior differences into the new Christian community. It was, to begin with, a disagreement about how to be a Jew, and now, within the Christian community, how to be a Jewish Christian. Sadly, the same sorts of disputes abound today in every branch of the Christian church, with various factions referring to one another as “so-called” Christians/Catholics, etc., failing to extend even common courtesy to one another.

Peter’s genius in this story was to refuse to take sides in this standoff, but rather to set up an arrangement that made it possible for the two groups to co-exist and, effectiv ely , to express their Christianity in their different ways. The late Raymond Brown, SS, perhaps the dean of Catholic Biblical scholars, referred to this episode as the perfect expression of the Petrine office – a model for how the papacy functions best. Note that what Peter achieved was not conformity or uniformity, but simply unity – a unity that permitted diversity.

The Gospel story, from John, as is so often the case during the Easter season, helps us understand what is going on in Acts. The disciples, on their own, are making little progress against the waves until they invite Jesus aboard. Then suddenly they are at their destination. Humans, alas, fragment and divide. God gathers and unifies.

It is important to understand that, as a consequence of the incarnation, just as Jesus had to learn how to be a human as does any other young boy, so the early Church, like its Master, had to grow and develop and learn how to be “Church” – often by making (and correcting) mistakes, just as we individually, our families, and our organizations must do as well.

Supplementary Reading

Joy Comes in the Morning

"…weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning" - Psalm 30:5

The Scripture says in Psalms that joy comes in the morning. When you wake up each morning, God sends you a special delivery of joy. It comes knocking at your door. When you get up in faith and make the declaration that "this is going to be a good day," do you know what you just did? You just answered the door. You just received the gift of joy that God sent to you. The problem is that some people never answer the door. Joy has been knocking for months and months, years and years saying, "Come on! Let me in! You can be happy! You can cheer up! You can enjoy your life!"

I don't know about you, but I've made up my mind that I'm going to answer the door for joy. I'm going to wake up every morning and say, "Father, thank You for another beautiful day. I'm going to be happy. I'm going to enjoy this day. I'm going to brighten somebody else's life. I am choosing to receive Your gift of joy, today!"

Heavenly Father, thank You for joy. Thank You for peace. Thank You for walking me through the difficult times. I choose today to answer the door for joy every single morning so that I can walk in the strength You have given to me. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 16, 2010 - Friday Meditation (You are His Sanctuary

2010-04-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

When you begin to praise and worship God, either corporately in a church setting or privately in your personal time, God is there. You are His sanctuary.

Friday in the Second Week of Easter
Acts 5:34-42
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as. 2 And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!" 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Meditation by Andy Alexander, S.J.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. Acts 5

When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” John 6

I love and am challenged by the the image of the Apostles, in Acts, being flogged after leaving the Sanhedrin and then actually "rejoicing" to be found worthy to suffer in Jesus' name. I have to ask myself, "How often, when I suffer, even for the sake of his name - doing ministry or service or trying to love or build bridges - do I grumble?" Filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles have a profound unity with Jesus, which I desire. Imagine how powerful a grace it would be to have such an intimacy with Jesus that we would even experience that intimacy in suffering. Graces to which we are attracted are worth asking for.

We now begin Chapter 6 of John's Gospel. This is a powerful, rich chapter in which Jesus will reveal so much about himself and his mission for us. Throughout this special gospel Jesus will use the name God gave to Moses: I am. Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd, the Gate, the Vine. Here he is the Bread of Life: living bread, life-giving bread. We are given much to chew in the weeks ahead - much to nourish us.

It all begins with the loaves. He will say later that the people don't understand the meaning of the multiplication of the loaves. Why did Jesus provide so much bread for the people that day? What was the "sign" that we are supposed to see? The people seemed to follow him, with fascination. What else could he do? Of course, they missed the sign, but what was it?

He is going to reveal to us that he is the one who has come to give us his very self to save us: "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."(John 6:51) The sign is that he will become our nourishment to allow us to live forever. He will be broken and given for us. He will lay down his life that we might live. Ultimately, feeding the crowds shows us the one who gives us the Eucharist to be the food that keeps us in communion with him.

Thank you, Lord, for being food for our hungry journey in life. Please allow us to hunger only for you, the only food which will ever satisfy us. Feed us with your self-giving love that we might remain in communion with you, loving as we have been loved, being blessed, broken and given as you have been for us. Give us the ultimate intimacy of being able to be bread for our world, however you mission us to imitate your love in our everyday lives.

Supplementary Reading
You are His Sanctuary

"Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary" - I Chronicles 16:27

Do you need more strength and joy in your life? The Bible tells us that in God's presence there is fullness of joy—the most abundant and complete! And when you have His joy, you have His supernatural strength. There's nothing that can come against you when you are filled with the strength and joy of the Lord.

Notice this verse says that strength and joy are found in His sanctuary. One translation says they are found "where He is." And do you know "where He is?" His Spirit is alive in every believer, but in His Word He promises that He inhabits, or manifests, in the praises of His people. That means when you begin to praise and worship God, either corporately in a church setting or privately in your personal time, God is there. You are His sanctuary.

Anytime you feel depleted or overwhelmed by life, just begin to sing a song of praise to Him. Declare His goodness and faithfulness. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. He'll fill you with His joy and strength to live in victory all the days of your life!

Heavenly Father, I bless You today. I thank You for Your goodness in my life. Thank You for filling me with Your strength and joy as I praise and worship You this day. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 15, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (We Must Allow Jesus to Transform Us!)

2010-04-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

The apostles weren’t super-heroes any more than we are. As they show in the Passion gospel and throughout the New Testament they were often vain, dense and cowardly just like most of us. But in the end, they allow Jesus to transform them, just as we must.

Thursday in the Second Week of Easter

Acts 5:27-33

Ps 34:2+9, 17-18, 19-20

John 3:31-36 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; 33 he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; 35 the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.

Meditation by Eileen Wirth

“We must obey God rather than men.” Acts of the Apostles

In Luke’s version of the Passion (which I heard at Mass this Palm Sunday morning), the disciples demonstrate what ordinary people they were.

During the Last Supper, they argued about who is the greatest. Then when Jesus told Peter that he would deny him, Peter says no way. He’d risk prison and even death before that – and we all know how that one comes out.

Then during the agony in the garden, the disciples keep falling asleep and Jesus has to wake them up to try to get them to pray. The apostles aren’t highly visible during the crucifixion either, unlike the women whom Luke mentions several times.

Fast forward to today’s reading from Acts and juxtapose it against Luke’s account of the Passion and you get a sense of the amazing impact of the Resurrection in the lives of these men – and by extension the potential for transformation of our lives.

What a different bunch of guys (forgive the slang) Peter and company have become as they tell the Sanhedrin that they’re going to go on preaching about Jesus no matter what it costs. Here’s Peter who denied knowing Jesus actually carrying out his original promise to risk imprisonment and death. “We must obey God rather than men,” he says.

As I marvel at this transformation in the apostles, I have to ask if the Resurrection has made any change in my own life. Or is it just the annual joyful celebration that leads to business as usual after Lent?

The apostles weren’t super-heroes any more than we are. As they show in the Passion gospel and throughout the New Testament they were often vain, dense and cowardly just like most of us. But in the end, they allow Jesus to transform them, just as we must.

We won’t confront the Sanhedrin but sur ely we can live the Easter message more fully if we focus on transforming those faults that keep us from living Jesus’ message. We can all work to be more patient and forgiving – more willing to stick our necks out for our beliefs. If men as ordinary as the apostles could transform themselves (or allow Jesus to do so), we can too.

Supplementary Reading

Understanding What God Has Given

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has fre ely given us. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:12

God desires for us to know what He has fre ely given to us. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to reveal His plans and purposes to us. They may be hidden for a time, but if we seek Him with our whole heart, we can know what He has given to us.

John the Baptist understood this principle. When asked if he was the Messiah, he replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven" (Jn. 3:27). John understood his role in the Kingdom of God . He came to pave the way for the Messiah; he was not the Messiah himself. His ministry on earth was very brief, yet Jesus described his life in this way: " 'I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' " (Mt. 11:11).

Once we understand what God has given to us, we can walk fre ely in our calling. However, if we strive to walk in a role that He never gave us, it will result in frustration and failure. God wants to reveal His plan to us by His Spirit. This requires a willingness to seek and accept what He gives us. It may be different from what we thought. It may require adjustments to follow His path for our lives. As we learn from the life of John the Baptist, obedience requires death to our own wills.

Ask God to reveal what He has fre ely given to you. Pray that you receive and embrace only those things He has reserved for you to receive and to accomplish in your life. Then you can be assured of a life full of meaning and purpose, and you can look forward to hearing those all-important words someday, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 14, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Be an Example...)

2010-04-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

But, more than their words, it was the example of their lives and their willingness to give their lives for others that brought about the rapid spread of Christianity. That is no less true today. As disciples we are all called to proclaim the Gospel by the way we live our lives, using words only when necessary.

Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter

Acts 5:17-26

Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

Meditation

The beginning of today's Gospel may well be the best known and most wid ely publicized passage in the Christian Bible: "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life." Who has not seen some form of JOHN 3:16 in stadiums or other crowds throughout the USA ?

In many ways those lines are a beautiful summary of the Easter message, and one could hardly find a passage more pregnant with meaning upon which to reflect and pray. And so that we might not twist, miss, or water down the fullness of Mercy and Forgiveness promised in this passage, the author of JOHN goes on to say, "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." A consequence of this truth is that, since God loves us no matter what, everyone will eventually be saved. Does that sit well with you? If not, why?

Was this not the universal Good News proclaimed by the Apostles and first disciples, the Gospel which caused them to be persecuted, hunted down, imprisoned, and even killed for their message of universal amnesty on the part of a God Who is best defined as Love? In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about one of the few times when these first evangelizers were miraculously rescued from prison, so that they might continue their preaching and teaching. But, more than their words, it was the example of their lives and their willingness to give their lives for others that brought about the rapid spread of Christianity. That is no less true today. As disciples we are all called to proclaim the Gospel by the way we live our lives, using words only when necessary. Can each of us say in all honesty what the Psalmist proclaims in our Entrance Antiphon: "I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord, I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters, alleluia?" Then and only then are we truly Easter people!

A fitting conclusion to our prayer today is the Responsorial Psalm (THE LORD HEARS THE CRY OF THE POOR), beginning with "I will bless the Lord at all times," and ending with, "Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the one who takes refuge in God."

Supplementary Reading

Having Eyes for One

Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediat ely the boat reached the shore where they were heading. ~ John 6:21

The disciples were traveling across the lake to Capernaum when a strong wind arose and the waters grew rough. Suddenly they saw a figure on the water, and they were terrified until Jesus called out to them and identified Himself.

Isn't that the first thing we do when unexpected calamities or even something that we have never experienced before comes into our life? We panic until we can see that God is behind these events in our lives. In Romans, Paul tells us that, "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen" (Rom. 11:36). God has an eternal filter in which nothing can touch us unless He permits it. Even satan must have permission to touch us. And God may even use satan for His own ends, as in the case of Job.

God shows us a second principle in this story. The Scriptures say when the disciples were willing to take Jesus into the boat, they reached the shore where they were heading.

I was faced with some very difficult circumstances in my business. I had no income for some time, and I saw no immediate remedy to the situation. The circumstances created fear in my heart. The anxiety began to grow until, one day after my evening prayer walk, the Lord said, "How long do you want to keep your eyes on the circumstances instead of Me? Do you think I have brought you this far to throw you into the water?" The truth was that I was halfway in already because my eyes were looking at the "big waves" surrounding my boat. One night, in a support group for divorced men, the leader asked each of us to keep our eyes on two men who were going to walk from the room. One man represented Jesus, the other, our circumstances. "Now, I want you to keep your eyes on both people," he said. The men stood up and began walking across the room in opposite directions. It was impossible to keep looking at each of them at the same time. So we had to choose which we would focus on.

The lesson was clear. We could not keep our eyes on Jesus and our circumstance at the same time. (0S Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 13, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Power to Spread the Gospel : Holy Spirit)

2010-04-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

God not only redeems us, but he fills us with his own divine life and power that we might share in his glory. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit that we may have power to be his witnesses and to spread and defend the gospel by word and action, and to never be ashamed of the Cross of Christ.

John 3:7-15 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicode'mus said to him, "How can this be?"10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel , and yet you do not understand this? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the power of the cross of Jesus Christ? Jesus spoke to Nicodemus of the power of his cross and a "new birth in the Spirit." The Hebrew word for "spirit" means both "wind" and "breath". Jesus said to Nicodemus: "You can hear, feel, and see the effects of the wind, but you do not know where it comes from. In like manner, you can see the effects of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those the Spirit touches." Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of the crucifixion and resurrection by analogy with Moses and the bronze serpent in the desert. When the people of Israel were afflicted with serpents in the wilderness because of their sin, God instructed Moses: "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live"(Numbers 21:8).

The bronze serpent points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe. The result of Jesus "being lifted up on the cross" and his rising and exaltation to the Father's right hand in heaven, is our "new birth in the Spirit" and adoption as sons and daughters of God. God not only redeems us, but he fills us with his own divine life and power that we might share in his glory. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit that we may have power to be his witnesses and to spread and defend the gospel by word and action, and to never be ashamed of the Cross of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us his seven-fold gifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage, knowledge and reverence for God and his ways, and a holy fear in God's presence (see Isaiah 11) that we may live for God and serve him in the power of his strength. Do you thirst for new life in the Spirit?

"Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life for us. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in freedom and joy as a child of God and as an heir with Christ of an eternal inheritance."

Supplementary Reading

Hearing His Voice

He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. ~ John 8:47

Jesus said that the key to being able to hear God's voice is first to be one of His children. One of the great mysteries of the universe to my logical mind is how God can communicate with six billion people on the earth at the same time. It is one of those mysteries I must let go of because my "hard drive" would crash if I had to explain and understand this before I believed and trusted in Him. It is as though God places a computer chip in each human being, and when we place our faith and trust in Him, it becomes activated. We begin to communicate with Him. Jesus says that if we are children of God, then we can hear God's voice. He further explains this relationship in the following parable:

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice (John 10:1-5).

The Shepherd is always representative of Christ. Sheep are representative of God's children. This passage tells us that the Shepherd communicates with His children. We are called by name and we can listen to our Shepherd's voice. There is another comforting aspect to this relationship. The Shepherd goes before the sheep to prepare the way. Jesus has already gone before us today to prepare our way.

Knowing the Shepherd and His voice allows us to have the assurance that we will not be fooled by another shepherd's voice. The sheep know His voice. It is only when we are dull of hearing that we mistakenly hear another's voice and follow it. Sin can create a poor frequency in our communication with the Shepherd. Make sure your frequency is free of static (sin) today so that the Shepherd can lead you and go before you.

Finally, distractions can also keep us from hearing our Shepherd's voice. When the sheep get entangled in the fence or wander off, they get too far away to hear the Shepherd's voice. We must stay in close proximity to the Shepherd to hear His voice. Stay close to the Shepherd today. Listen and follow. He wants to lead you. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 12, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Be Born Again!)

2010-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

To be reborn is to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed, to live as his son or daughter, and to enter into possession of that life which comes from God himself, a never-ending life of love, peace, joy, and freedom from sin and the fear of death. Do you know the joy and freedom of new life in Jesus Christ?

John 3:1-8 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God ." 4 Nicode'mus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God . 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you nourish your faith with regular reading and prayerful reflection of the word of God? Nicodemus was hungry for God's word and became a closet disciple of Jesus. He sought Jesus out, though surreptitiously in the dead of the night. Why? Nicodemus was a "leader of the Jews", "a teacher of Israel " (John 3:10), and a member of the religious party most opposed to the teaching of Jesus. In fact, John’s gospel account states that it was Nicodemus' own group, the Pharisees, which intimidated the authorities against confessing Jesus (John 12:42).Instead he engaged him in a seemingly unrelated topic of conversation. Jesus said that rebirth was necessary to enter the kingdom of God . Of course, Nicodemus the Pharisee had already found religion, so he thought that Jesus must have referred to physical rebirth. No, Jesus responded, someone who is reborn spiritually knows the experience as sur ely as one who has been refreshed by an invisible breeze. How can a respected rabbi among the Jews not know this? And that is precis ely the point. Nicodemus is the first of what we might loos ely call the official clergy with whom Jesus has personal engagement. The Gospel portrays Nicodemus as a defender of Jesus' right to a fair trial (John 7:-51). Nicodemus also helped to bury Jesus with honor. Nicodemus did not understand the new birth which Jesus spoke of until after the resurrection.

What does it mean to be reborn? The new birth Jesus speaks of is a spiritual birth to new life and relationship with God as his sons and daughters. This new birth is made possible when one is baptized into Christ and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. God wants to renew all his people in the gift of new life in his Holy Spirit. This new life brings us into God's kingdom or heavenly rule. What is God's kingdom? God's kingdom is that society in which God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. To be reborn is to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed, to live as his son or daughter, and to enter into possession of that life which comes from God himself, a never-ending life of love, peace, joy, and freedom from sin and the fear of death. Do you know the joy and freedom of new life in Jesus Christ?

"Lord Jesus Christ, you offer us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Renew in me the gift of faith and new life in your Holy Spirit. Help me to draw near to you and to believe in your life-giving word. May your kingdom come and may your will be done in my life today and always."

Supplementary Reading

Building a Solid Foundation

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ~ Matthew 7:26

There were two kinds of people in the days of Jesus. Some heard the words that Jesus spoke and were awed by His wisdom and understanding, but did nothing about what they heard. Others heard those words and acted on them. Jesus said that those who heard the words but failed to put them into practice were foolish and likened them to building a house on sand. How foolish, indeed, it would be to build a house on sand.

The person who followed what Jesus taught was a person who would be sure to weather life's storms.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).

You never know how well your house is built until it is tested by the elements. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveal how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveal the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.

Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God's commands. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life's storms. How do we react when the trials come? Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriat ely when we don't get what we want? The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built on His rock. If so, you can be comforted to know that you can weather any storm that may come your way. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
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Apr 11, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Willing to be Sent?)

2010-04-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Our putting our hands out to receive His Body is the beginning of the untying the ribbons or strings, or ropes, or chains which prevent the gift of me to become a we. We are meant to be sent and as with the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, made available, made nourishing, made visibly present within the reality of our simple bodies. A good question is whether we doubt His sacred presence or our own.

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Acts 5:12-16

Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Rev 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19

John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Meditation by Larry Gillick

PREPRAYERING

Belonging is so basic to us. Being chosen, invited, inducted, and embraced are experiences we long for. We fear their opposites as well. Exclusion and rejection are equally fundamental to our humanity.

In the early sixties the big psychological problem seemed to be “Identity Crises”. I had one myself and I related that to my Novice Director. I figured I would be inducted into a special group of Crises Anonymous. He listened and asked me what I thought I was, “A blue bird?” I came to the realization that I and we were all growing into our identities and that was our identity.

We are living toward and out our true belonging, our real inclusion flowing from Easter into service. We can pray these days of Easter Week with a calm sense of our baptismal names. We are included, we have just celebrated our being inducted, invited and embraced as found-lings, sought for and sent. Easter is more than a day; it is our being rescued from not knowing who we are and living that identity through our many days.

REFLECTION

Our First Reading from The Acts of the Apostles follows a little scandal within the early Christian community. All the followers were selling their goods and putting everything in common for the betterment of all. Ananias and his wife, Sophira, kind of Adam and Eve all over again, pulled off a land deal. They decided to give some of the proceeds to Peter, but hold some back for themselves.

They get found out and are struck dead on the spot. This is a case of exclusion in the first degree. Their sin was greed and self-preoccupation, not unlike Adam and Eve who were likewise excluded.

The believers gathered together and many wonders were worked, but though others were impressed, they did not want to join, perhaps because of the sudden-death event they had witnessed. They also might have not wanted to sell everything and invest in the common good.

As the sick were healed by the power of the Holy Spirit, many others did come to follow the Way of Jesus through the preaching of the Good News. The early Church grew even though there was and would be persecution, suspicion and rejection and other scandals throughout its history.

The theme of exclusion/inclusion continues in today’s Gospel reading from John. There is a liturgical form wherein Jesus does a dramatic, but quiet Entrance Rite, greeting of peace, Penance Rite and then a Dismissal Rite - a sending. There is something missing and a someone, as well; Thomas who was out doing his own thing or dealing with his shame privat ely .

Jesus comes again and Thomas is there. Jesus offers him His Body and Thomas receives and believes. Intimacy leads to fruitfulness and the liturgy is completed by the fruitful lives and preaching of the Sent. Thomas does not come to believe through insights or logic, but through an unreasonable encounter with himself. Unreasonable it is, because love is beyond good reasons and deductions. All twelve have such an experience. They had denied who they were, but Jesus, having stayed faithfully obedient to Himself through His life and death, begins the reversal of the consequences of the “Old Adam”.

A few weeks ago I was given a shamrock plant at the end of a weekend retreat. I brought it to my room and forgot about its needing water. All the leaves and stems collapsed and so did my image of my being a good gardener.

Ah, but there is a second story, amazing what a little water will do. I now report new growth and the green symbol of my Irish roots flourishes. As I write the rain is beginning to wash away the old and bring new life to the earth, amazing. Jesus amazes His unfaithful old earthlings by breathing upon their oldness. Behold I am doing something new! Their old ways of falsifying their identities is over. They are met by Jesus in their apartness, their shameful-shadowful isolation from each other. Jesus pours the water of His relationship upon them and they are to experience their own resurrections. As with my little plant, they are to live, not just for themselves, just for the sake of living, but for the exchange, the reception of and distribution of life.

Above I mentioned that something was missing, besides the person of Thomas. It is quite beautiful the way Jesus comes back to literally handle the Doubter. Jesus invites Thomas to extend his hand and receive the resurrected Body. The liturgical setting is complete then, Thomas takes Jesus into his hands and touching and seeing, comes to believe. Reception begins the exchange. Jesus raises His New Body, the Church to give what they had received.

It is a tremendous idea to let go of the idea of bread becoming the Body of Jesus. Thomas was not converted by an idea. The more difficult to believe is that Jesus transforms me and you and us into more than shamrocks, but into His Body and distributes us as gifts of His living love. The big Easter experience is our moving past the ideas of being a gift and into the Easter exchange. Our putting our hands out to receive His Body is the beginning of the untying the ribbons or strings, or ropes, or chains which prevent the gift of me to become a we. We are meant to be sent and as with the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, made available, made nourishing, made visibly present within the reality of our simple bodies. A good question is whether we doubt His sacred presence or our own.

“Jesus spoke to Thomas, put your hand here, and see the place of the nails. Doubt no longer, but believe, Alleluia.” Jn. 20, 27

Supplementary Reading

Play to Your Strength

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4

Have you ever tried to do anything that you were not gifted to do? I am not a handy man. If there is a household project, like a plumbing leak or anything mechanical - forget it. God has not given me any "natural" gifts for such things. And I'd prefer not buying anything that requires assembly!

I have a friend who can fix or assemble anything. It comes naturally to him, and he loves to help me. This same person looks at some of my abilities and marvels. We appreciate the gifts God has given to each of us. These differences have created a need for one another. God wants each of us to need one another. The Scriptures describe the Body of Christ in the same way. Each person is a member of His Body with gifts and talents designed to make His Body perform as a multi-talented group, all playing to the same tune. It is when one member is "out of tune" or decides he doesn't like his gifts, or decides to do something he is not designed to do that the orchestra begins to sound off key. Imagine if the parts of the human body decided they didn't want to fulfill their parts any longer. That body would no longer function effectiv ely because one or more of its members were not performing the functions they were designed for.

What has He equipped you for? What role has he called you to play in God's Kingdom? When one link in the chain is weakened, the whole chain is susceptible to breaking. God made it that way so that we could help that weak link. He made it that way so we would be forced to depend on one another. Are you being a strong link in the chain of God's Kingdom? Ask Him if you are fulfilling your role as He designed. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 10, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Power of Testimonies!)

2010-04-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

The community of faith to which we belong is still led by the risen Jesus and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we find ourselves sometimes unbelieving and hard of heart, like the disciples who at first did not dare to believe the testimony of Mary Magdalene or the Emmaus couple, let’s listen once again to the testimony—the witness of the New Testament, plus that “cloud of witnesses” that populate the next two thousand years…

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 4:13-21

Psalm 118:1+14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

Mark 16:9-15 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

Meditation by Dennis Hamm, S.J.

The Gospel reading gives us an abbreviated account of three appearances of the Risen Lord. The first two show how the early church’s mission got off to a stumbling start. The risen Christ first appears to Mary Magdalene, but the guys don’t believe her. Then he appears to the couple on the country road, but again the other disciples don’t believe their report either. So when Jesus appears to the others, the eleven, he scolds them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, and then, now that they are convinced by first-hand experience, boldly sends them off “to preach the gospel to every creature.” Fortunat ely for us, they get up and do it.

It takes experience to move the mission forward. And the reading from Acts gives us a great example of how powerfully that works. The previous chapter, Acts 3, tells about the wonderful sign of the resurrection the Lord works through the mediation of Spirit-filled Peter and John. A beggar at the temple gate, paralyzed from birth, begs for aid, and Peter gives aid beyond the beggar’s wildest dreams. Peter says, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk!” Then he takes the man by the hand, hoists him up, and the man not only stands; he walks and starts leaping. Since the beggar was a familiar figure who had been begging there for some forty years, the by-standers were amazed. And the temple authorities were stunned. They thought they had quelled the popularity of Jesus and his teaching by having the Romans execute him. But here were two of his country-bumpkin followers, right there in the temple, performing a spectacular healing in the name of this executed man and causing even more of a stir than the Jesus they thought they had got rid of.

All that is behind today’s episode, where the Sanhedrin tries to intimidate Peter and John to get them to stop this talk about the dead teacher. But they discover that it is hopeless to stem the excitement around the healed paralytic, now leaping about in their temple precincts. They tell them to shut up about this Jesus; Peter and John say, pointedly, “Should we obey you--or God?”

Great story from the early church, you might say. But Luke wrote it, and the church continues to read it, not to have us reminisce about the amazing days of the early Church, but because Luke’s narrative tells about the people who follow Jesus after Easter and Pentecost—which of course includes us!

The community of faith to which we belong is still led by the risen Jesus and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we find ourselves sometimes unbelieving and hard of heart, like the disciples who at first did not dare to believe the testimony of Mary Magdalene or the Emmaus couple, let’s listen once again to the testimony—the witness of the New Testament, plus that “cloud of witnesses” that populate the next two thousand years and the heroes we know who demonstrate the vitality of the faith we share with them—and even our own experience of love offered and prayers answered. It is the same post-Easter Church that we meet in the Acts of the Apostles. Let’s raise our expectations!

Supplementary Reading

Being an Overcomer

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

"Why does it seem that those involved in Christian enterprise find the way so hard? It seems as though it is harder for those who are committed Christians in business. Have you found this to be true?" This was the comment from a business associate recently. My answer was a definite yes. In fact, if you were not a Christian and sought to do a similar business without regard to maintaining a biblical philosophy, the way would be much smoother sailing. It makes us think of the prophet who asked, "Why do the wicked prosper?" (see Jer. 12:1)

It is a spiritual principle of which we speak. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan before they entered the Promised Land, they fought only two battles. Then after they entered the Promised Land, they fought 39 battles. The way of the cross is not paved with lilies; it is paved with grace. When we seek to honor God in our business life, we will be met with opposition from the spiritual forces of this world. This is why each of us must commit ourselves to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and to be as gentle as doves but as wise as serpents.

Do not be surprised when you find the way harder as a believer than when you were a non-believer. You now have more at stake among the spiritual forces that desire you to be defeated and ineffective.

Stand firm against the evil forces that desire to keep you from walking in freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus is your victory for every battle you will encounter. Call on His name. (OS Hillman)

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 9, 2010 - Friday Meditation (And I will run to You!)

2010-04-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.

Friday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 4:1-12

Psalm 118:1-2+4, 22-24, 25-27a

John 21:1-14 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri -as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Why didn’t the apostles immediat ely recognize the Lord when he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias ? John gives us a clue. He states that Peter decided to return to his home district of Galilee, very lik ely so he could resume his fishing career. Peter was discouraged and didn’t know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus’ death! He went back to his previous career out of despair and uncertainty. The other apostles followed him back to Galilee . When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be ‘catching people” for the kingdom of God . Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord. Peter impulsiv ely leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.

Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The gospels, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his resurrection – that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles, after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. Peter’s prompt recognition of the Master and exclamation, It is the Lord! stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of his Master during the night of arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each of us as we open our hearts to receive his word. Do you recognize the Lord's presence in your life and do you receive his word with faith?

"Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Increase my faith in the power of your resurrection that I may never doubt your word nor stray from your presence."

Supplementary Reading

True Repentance in a Nation

When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. ~ 2 Chronicles 34:19

Josiah was a godly king in Israel . However, before he came to power, the nation had fallen into all kinds of evil. One man, Manasseh, had brought the nation to a condition of inexorable evil. God finally had enough.

Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down (2 Kings 21:12-13).

Josiah came into power just before this judgment. He began to clean up the evil by burning all the idolatrous temples, ridding prostitution and homosexuality from the streets, and destroying occult shrines. He did this without the benefit of even reading God's Word, but through the Holy Spirit working in his heart. Then one day the ancient Scriptures were discovered in the temple that had lain dormant for years.

They had a profound impact on King Josiah.

When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book" (2 Chronicles 34:19-21).

Josiah was broken. He tore his robes in repentance. He fell to his knees and repented for the wickedness of his nation. He stood in the gap, and God honored Josiah; however, it wasn't enough. God still had to judge the nation for its previous wickedness under the reign of Manasseh.

"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here." ... (2 Chronicles 34:27-28).

God spared Josiah during his reign, but after he died judgment came upon the nation.

No nation is immune from God's judgment. Pray for your nation today. Pray that your nation will have a repentant heart among the leaders and the people.(OS Hillman)

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 8, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (Shalom My Friends...)

2010-04-05T02:41:00.000-07:00

“Shalom be with you!” There is no greater gift God gives than Shalom. Shalom connotes a wholeness and well being that flows from communion with God. How desperat ely our troubled world needs Shalom!

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 3:11-26

Psalm 8:2ab+5, 6-7, 8-9

Luke 24:35-48 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem . 48 You are witnesses of these things.

Meditation by Dick Hauser, S.J.

Jesus’ regular greeting to disciples in his resurrection appearances is simple: “Peace be with you!” “Shalom be with you!” And so in today’s Gospel Jesus greets the “startled and terrified” disciples gathered to hear the account of his appearance in Emmaus in the breaking of the bread.

“Shalom be with you!” There is no greater gift God gives than Shalom. Shalom connotes a wholeness and well being that flows from communion with God. This gift unites the receiver through God with the entire human community and with the entire created universe.

It is important to remember that the Paschal Mystery does not conclude with Jesus’ death on Calvary . No, the culmination of the paschal mystery is the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of Shalom given by the Resurrected Jesus. Yes, Jesus’ death and resurrection not only pay the price for sins but simultaneously elevate us to sons and daughters of God. We become beloved children of God through this gift of Shalom, the gift of Jesus’ presence through his Spirit!

Note also the healing of the crippled man in the first reading. Why are there so many healing miracles in the New Testament? I think the answer is simple: human wholeness depends on faith in Jesus. Jesus regularly heals the blind and the deaf and the diseased and the crippled. Physical infirmities are signs of human need and limitation. Jesus’ healing of these human limitations are signs. These signs point to the total transformation of the human condition through faith in Jesus. Human wholeness depends on faith in Jesus!

How desperat ely our troubled world needs Shalom! This Easter Season let’s be especially attentive to the Resurrected Jesus’ greeting to us and to our troubled world: “Peace be with you!” “Shalom be with you!”

Supplementary Reading

Abundance

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap" Luke 6:38

God is a god of abundance! He wants to pour out His abundance on you until you are so full that you are running over with His abundance! But, notice how today's verse starts. It says, "Give and it will be given to you." That's because your giving sets the blessing of God into motion in your life. When you give, you plant a seed. If you were to plant an apple seed, you wouldn't just grow one single fruit. No, that one seed grows into a tree that produces an abundance of apples! That's what happens when you obey God in your giving. You get an abundant harvest in return. You reap so much that you have to give it away and the cycle just keeps repeating itself!

Is there something the Lord is telling you to give today? What do you have in your hand that you can bless someone else with? It can be financial or material, but take a step of faith today and open the door to His abundance in every area of your life!

Father in heaven, I receive Your Word into my heart today. Thank You for choosing to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. Show me ways to bless others and teach me to receive all You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel Osteen)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 7, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Road to Emmaus)

2010-04-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

St. Augustine of Hippo (5th century) reflects on the dimness of their perception: "They were so disturbed when they saw him hanging on the cross that they forgot his teaching, did not look for his resurrection, and failed to keep his promises in mind". How often do we fail to recognize the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us?

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 3:1-10

Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

Luke 24:13-35 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem , 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel . Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem ; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Why was it difficult for the disciples to recognize the risen Lord? Jesus' death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams. They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel . They saw the cross as defeat and could not comprehend the empty tomb until the Lord appeared to them and gave them understanding. Jesus chided the disciples on the road to Emmaus for their slowness of heart to believe what the scriptures had said concerning the Messiah. They did not recognize the risen Jesus until he had broken bread with them. Do you recognize the Lord in his word and in the breaking of the bread?

St. Augustine of Hippo (5th century) reflects on the dimness of their perception: "They were so disturbed when they saw him hanging on the cross that they forgot his teaching, did not look for his resurrection, and failed to keep his promises in mind" (Sermon 235.1). "Their eyes were obstructed, that they should not recognize him until the breaking of the bread. And thus, in accordance with the state of their minds, which was still ignorant of the truth (that the Christ would die and rise again", their eyes were similarly hindered. It was not that the truth himself was misleading them, but rather that they were themselves unable to perceive the truth." (From The Harmony of the Gospels, 3.25.72) How often do we fail to recognize the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us? The Risen Lord is ever ready to speak his word to us and to give us understanding of his ways. Do you listen attentiv ely to the Word of God and allow his word to change and transform you?

"Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart to recognize your presence with me and to understand the truth of your saving word. Nourish me with your life-giving word and with the bread of life."

Supplementary Reading

Restoration

"And the God of all grace…will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" I Peter 5:10

Have you experienced destruction in your past? God wants to complet ely restore you. He wants to make you strong, firm and steadfast—He wants to make you better than before!

Sometimes, when you are in the midst of difficulty, you can't quite see the restoration God has prepared. You can't quite see how He can turn it around for your good. But that's when you have to take a step of faith and trust that He is the God of restoration, and He is working behind the scenes on your behalf!

Father God, thank You for being a restorer and a rewarder of the people who seek You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes in my life, ready to bring Your restoration. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 6, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (That Your Joy Maybe Full)

2010-04-05T02:34:00.000-07:00

If there's an area of your life that you know you need to make some adjustments to in order to be in obedience to His Word, do it today. Don't waste another moment disconnected from the Father. Instead, choose to obey and choose love, that your joy may be full!

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 2:36-41

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22

John 20:11-18 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18 Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Meditation by Deb Fortina

Acts 2:36-41 “…’Repent and be baptized, every one of you…For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.’…”

Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22 “…upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full…”

John 20: 11-18 “… ‘Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, “Mary!”’…”

St. Crescentia Hoess, (1682-1744) Born in a town near Augsburg , her family was extrem ely poor. So much so the convent could not afford to take her in the first time she knocked on their door. St. Crescentia is known for her humility and kindness to everyone, especially the poor. She not only joined the order, but later became their Mother Superior. Her order began thriving after she took over, and had them focus on prayer especially in prayer in quiet. (See Saints of the day website)

I admit I had fallen away from some of my better prayer practices lat ely , the result of being too plugged into the world around me. And so today when I read the Gospel, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a call back to spend some quality time with the Word, and I gave myself permission to turn off the radio programs, and other news programs and just be with the Lord for the day. It was one of those gifts you could miss receiving, because the Lord’s voice is subtle and best heard when we are quiet.

The Gospel reading from John is about Mary Magdalene encountering the Lord at the Tomb after He has risen from the dead. Yes, the Easter Season is filled with good news, and this passage in particular is one of my favorites. In 1995, I was on a silent weekend retreat with Nebraska Contemplative Outreach, and we learned the practice of praying with scripture using lectio divina. It was this passage from John’s Gospel that was used by the retreat director and so reading it brought back fond memories. We were shown a monastic approach, and so the retreat director read the passage several times slowly; eventually letting one or two sentences remain with the others not being repeated. The words that remained in reading that passage are listed above, and capture the moment when Mary Magdalene realizes Jesus is risen, not taken away from the grave, but actually there in the graveyard in front of her. Her grief turns into so much joy, and you can tell Jesus is happy too, to be able to give her this gift. It is a glorious hope-filled moment. The experience of praying with scripture left a great memory, so much so that when I was asked to participate in writing a reflection during Lent in 1998, I took the plunge and said yes, and here we are today, twelve years later.

In the first reading from Acts, the difference in Peter is so noticeable; it doesn’t seem like the same person. Peter had moved along in the shadows, trying not to be noticed when Jesus was captured and dragged into the courts before being sentenced to death. And now he is speaking boldly about Jesus being “Lord and Christ” and calling people to repentance and conversion. As he is filled with the Holy Spirit he tells all of us we will be given the gift of this same Spirit too. We walk with Easter joy.

Supplementary Reading

That Your Joy May Be Full

"As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" John 15:9–11

Is your joy full today? When something is full, there really isn't room for any more. It's a feeling of complete satisfaction. God wants your joy to be full! But too many people drag through the day with a sour outlook, no enthusiasm. They hardly ever smile. They never laugh anymore. Everything is a burden. But God never created us to endure life, He created us to enjoy life. We’re not supposed to go around with a long face, negative, discouraged, sour, and grumpy. As believers, you and I are supposed to be the happiest people on earth. Everywhere we go we should be so full of joy that we brighten other people’s day. Here’s the key: we have to choose love by choosing to obey the commands of Almighty God. That’s how our joy is full and complete.

If there's an area of your life that you know you need to make some adjustments to in order to be in obedience to His Word, do it today. Don't waste another moment disconnected from the Father. Instead, choose to obey and choose love, that your joy may be full!

Father God, I humbly come to You today. I ask for You peace and wisdom to do what is right in Your site. Thank You for filling me with You joy as I choose love by choosing to obey Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 5, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Do Not Be Afraid! Tell the World... JESUS Lives!)

2010-04-04T02:50:00.000-07:00

For Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it is a fear of the unexpected and the unknown as they encounter an empty tomb. “Do not be afraid! Then he gives them the mission to spread the news and let others know that they will encounter him.

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 2:14, 22-32

Psalm 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

Matthew 28:8-15 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee , and there they will see me." 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, "Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Meditation by Maureen McCann Waldron

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed.…” Matt 28:8

From the moment we are born, we are brought into a world of the unknowns - and fear becomes a part of our lives. Today's Gospel offers us two very different but very human looks at fear.

For Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it is a fear of the unexpected and the unknown as they encounter an empty tomb. Just before this Gospel begins, the women are told by an angel, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.” They hurry away and their thoughts must been racing as they try to make sense of something incomprehensible. Jesus' body is gone? An angel has told them not to be afraid? What in the world has happened to Jesus?

And then he is there himself: Jesus is coming toward them, greeting them and we can imagine their stunned reaction and their joy as they embrace him. The first thing he says to them are the words we have heard him speak so many times, “Do not be afraid.” He is telling them to trust in him, to trust in this experience and in this unknown. Then he gives them the mission to spread the news and let others know that they will encounter him. Their fear has been turned to joy by the presence of Jesus in their lives.

The other fear is in the second part of the Gospel: while the Marys are hurrying back to the city, the guards, now wide awake and frightened, tell the chief priests what has happened. Jesus' body is gone! The elders and chief priests are also deeply afraid, but their fear is the kind all of us have rooted in the darker parts of our souls. Their fear is about losing power and control and having the people begin to believe in Jesus, this unlik ely King of the Jews. This kind of fear, so tangled in our insecurities and lack of trust, creates more complexities. Lies are created, money exchanged. In case the soldiers fear for their jobs, they are reassured: “if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

We can imagine the very different reactions to fear at the end of this story. Mary Magdalene running back, filled with joy, bursting with the incredible news for the Apostles: Jesus is alive! He is risen! In the face of their disbelief, her story of her encounter with Jesus will tumble out in joy and laughter and is rooted in the truth.

It is this same kind of knowing we see in the first reading as Peter feels the truth deep in his soul. It gives the timid and afraid leader the courage to fearlessly proclaim the story of the resurrection. Peter stands up and raises his voice loudly to tell to the crowd that God raised Jesus up, “releasing him from the throes of death.”

On the other side? The guards trudge home, puzzled, afraid of what they don't understand, afraid of being caught in this lie. The chief priests are soured with fears, lies and deceptions. Who among us can be trusted with the truth? Will the frightening truth leak out? Can we all keep our stories straight? What will we lose if people find out the real story? They move farther from the truth and the Good News of Jesus' life and resurrection.

Dear Jesus, on this great day after Easter, help us to hand our fears over to you. Today, in all of the terrors and anxieties that we face, both those that are real and those that are not, we ask for the light of your truth to shine in our hearts. Give us the sense of your presence deep in our hearts and fill us with your Spirit so that our hearts find a new courage to proclaim you with joy.

Supplementary Reading

Victory

"But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:57

God wants to pour out His favor on you so that you can live in victory in every area of your life. The scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! That means, no matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually, or emotionally? God's favor will bring you provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

Many times in the Bible when God's people were going into battle, the worshipers were out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are opening the door to His favor in your life. That's why I always say, magnify your God; don't magnify your problems! When you give praise to God, you'll see Him move on your behalf, and He'll lead you into victory in every area of your life!

Father in heaven, today I give You thanks for Your mercy and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for leading me into victory! I magnify You and bless Your holy name today. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 4, 2010 - Resurrection Sunday (Tell the World that JESUS LIVES!)

2010-04-03T01:52:00.000-07:00

The good news is that we believe the Good News that Jesus has risen and so have we. We have risen above the natural earthly demand for more light. Thank God, the two runners did not stay until they figured it all out. We would all still be in the dark.

Easter Sunday-The Resurrection of the Lord

John 20:1-9 Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Meditation by Larry Gillick

PRE-PRAYERING

We have been preparing for this Easter celebration with the prayer of Lent. We have been readying ourselves to welcome our newly-baptized members. We have been praying with the call back to our own baptismal innocence. We now pray forwardly; leaning towards the adventure of living Christ’s life within us more publicly.

We pray to toss out the old “yeast” and allow God’s “yeast of grace” to leaven our human dough and inspire us to rise to full stature as his body. We ask to be “untombed” ourselves from fear, self-negativity and agenda-driven convenience. If we do not rise then his rising remains mer ely His personal history. We can pray for the grace of making his rising our communal Good News!

REFLECTION

It has rained in our part of the world which is bringing the grass back from winter’s death-grip. This morning the sun’s warmth seemed to dust off our little lawn and I heard it say, “Now there, forget what winter has done. There is life again and I offer it to you and help you see it.”

Four months ago, just before Christmas, the sun began its return towards our half of the globe. The ancient celebrations of its return proclaimed hope, fruitfulness and life. We have Easter symbols of little chickens scratching their way out of eggshells. We have little baby rabbits hopping playfully around young children. We have Easter Flowers to sing the ancient hymn which I heard on our front lawn this morning. The sun rose and by its light we see all things anew. Death has been conquered and life belongs again to the living.

The Son of God rises and like the sun of the heavens, he springs into life, untombed himself, he says, “Death is no more the ultimate human experience. The soul’s winter is past. Come out and enjoy the Son’s shining warmth.”

We will be listening these next two months of the adventures of the early Church from the Acts of the Apostles. First, we hear from Peter who has been summoned from Jaffa to Caesarea by a centurion by the name of Cornelius who had a vision during his prayer. He was advised to fetch Peter who would enlighten him. What we hear is Peter’s little summary of Jesus’ call, life’s labors and how he was killed. He then relates how Jesus had been seen by believers and how faith in him continues Jesus’ ministry of healing. The result of Peter’s interpretation and then the proclamation of who Jesus is and what He did moves Cornelius and his fellow listeners to be baptized.

The Gospel opens with the darkness just before dawn. This again is an artistic form for the writer of this account; good things happen in the light and bad things occur in the dark. Something really good is about to happen, but not quite just yet. Mary Magdala comes to the tomb while still in the dark about Jesus’ having risen, but it is not night, but the dawning of the light is very near. She notices the stone’s having been rolled aside, but she is still in the dark about its true meaning.

Mary informs Peter and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” of her experience and so, they run back with differing times in arrival. They are moving slowly into something dawning on them. Jesus is not there, but having some little evidence, they believe what they see and begin living what they believe. This is exactly how history began becoming news, Good News. These two runners did not just sit down and try to figure this whole thing out. They remembered, they believed and they left Jesus’ tomb and began his resurrection in them.

We may be in the dark about how the Resurrection took place. We can intellectually stay in the tomb of our prideful minds until some light turns us on. The early believers saw what they saw and believed what they could not see. They began making news by their living in the light, in the day of hope. Seeing, having to see, demanding to see lead ultimat ely to frustration and back into the dark.

Dawn is such a wonderful Easter symbol. Many Christians celebrate Easter by attending “Sunrise Services”. At dawn though, which is the time in which we actually live, things are just coming into view. Peter and the other disciple saw, but it was the dawning of the dawn, not the noon of eternal clarity. I assume folks who wake up early to catch and celebrate the Easter sunrise, feel cheated or sad when clouds dim the sun’s light and warmth. The news from the early Church was and is that we have just the exact right amount to see and still believe. Having to see signs, evidence, written reports and such is a form of blindness; blinded by what we see or have to see.

We who believe are untombed to make news by how we live with what we have seen and not seen. The good news is that we have newly baptized members in our midst. The good news is that we believe the Good News that Jesus has risen and so have we. We have risen above the natural earthly demand for more light. I still hear this morning’s hymn on our lawn, “Winter’s grip has ended; look around and see what you see and believe.” Thank God, the two runners did not stay until they figured it all out. We would all still be in the dark.

“He fathers forth whose beauty is past change. Praise Him” G. M. Hopkins, S.J.

Supplementary Reading

Your Appointed Time

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarries, wait for it" Habakkuk 2:3

God has an appointed time to fulfill the visions, dreams, and desires in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time or because you've tried and failed doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Don't give up on those dreams! Don't be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it's been, no matter how impossible things look, if you'll stay in faith, your set time is coming.

Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it there. Not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Hold on to that vision today. Declare by faith, "My time is coming. God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!" As you continue to hold on to that vision and speak life over your dreams, it won't be long before you see them begin to take shape. You'll see your faith grow, you'll see your hope strengthen, and you'll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you!

Father in heaven, I receive Your Word which is life and health to me today. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen. (Joel Osteen)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
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http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
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http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 3, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (From the Grave to the Sky, LORD I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH!)

2010-04-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

It is significant that the disciples had to first deal with the empty tomb before they could come to grips with the fact that scripture had foretold that Jesus would die for our sins and then rise triumphant. They disbelieved until they saw the empty tomb. "To behold the resurrection, the stone must first be rolled away from our hearts" (Peter Chrysologus, 5th century)

EASTER VIGIL - HOLY SATURDAY

Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; 5 and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee , 7 that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Mag'dalene and Jo-an'na and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering what had happened.

Meditation by Don Schwager

On Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to pay their last tribute to a dead body. The disciples thought that everything had finished in tragedy. Neither were ready to see an empty tomb and hear the angel's message, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee , 7 that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." (Luke 24:5-76). The angel urged them to believe that Jesus had indeed risen just as he had promised. In joy then went to share the good news with the other disciples.

Is it any small wonder that it was the women, rather than the apostles, who first witnessed the empty tomb and the resurrected Lord? Isidore of Seville, a 7th century church father comments on this: "As a woman (Eve) was first to taste death, so a woman (Mary Magdalene) was first to taste life. As a woman was prescient in the fall, so a woman was prescient in beholding the dawning of redemption, thus reversing the curse upon Eve." The first to testify to the risen Lord was a woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons.

What is the significance of the stone being rolled away? It would have taken several people to move such a stone. And besides, the sealed tomb had been guarded by soldiers! This is clearly the first sign of the resurrection. Bede, a church father from the 8th century, comments: "[The angel] rolled back the stone not to throw open a way for our Lord to come forth, but to provide evidence to people that he had already come forth. As the virgin's womb was closed, so the sepulcher was closed, yet he entered the world through her closed womb, and so he left the world through the closed sepulcher." (From Homilies on the Gospels 2,7,24) Another church father remarked: "To behold the resurrection, the stone must first be rolled away from our hearts" (Peter Chrysologus, 5th century). Do you know the joy of the resurrection?

It is significant that the disciples had to first deal with the empty tomb before they could come to grips with the fact that scripture had foretold that Jesus would die for our sins and then rise triumphant. They disbelieved until they saw the empty tomb. Bede explains why the Risen Lord revealed himself gradually to the disciples:

"Our Lord and redeemer revealed the glory of his resurrection to his disciples gradually and over a period of time, undoubtedly because so great was the virtue of the miracle that the weak hearts of mortals could not grasp [the significance of] this all at once. Thus, he had regard for the frailty of those seeking him. To those who came first to the tomb, both the women who were aflame with love for him and the men, he showed the stone rolled back. Since his body had been carried away, he showed them the linen cloths in which it had been wrapped lying there alone. Then, to the women who were searching eagerly, who were confused in their minds about what they had found out about him, he showed a vision of angels who disclosed evidences of the fact that he had risen again. Thus, with the report of his resurrection already accomplished, going ahead of him, the Lord of hosts and the king of glory himself at length appeared and made clear with what great might he had overcome the death he had temporarily tasted." (From Homilies on the Gospels 2,9,25)

One thing is certain, if Jesus had not risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples, we would never have heard of him. Nothing else could have changed sad and despairing men and women into people radiant with joy and courage. The reality of the resurrection is the central fact of the Christian faith. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to know him and the power of his resurrection. The greatest joy we can have is to encounter the living Lord and to know him personally. Do you celebrate the feast of Easter with joy and thanksgiving for the victory which Jesus has won for you over sin and death?

"Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won new life for us. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of your great love and power."

Supplementary Reading

Fear Not!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

God calls each of us to engage in spiritual warfare at times. Whenever satan wants to come against one of God's children, he does so by trying to intimidate through fear.

Goliath's formidable size and arrogant boasting intimidated Saul and Israel 's army. And because God's anointing had fallen from Saul, he was unable to respond with courage to Goliath's charge. Fear paralyzes and torments. That is why Saul could not respond.

The anointing had fallen on David, who was just a young boy, but mighty in spirit. David did not cower at the size or shouts of the giant Goliath. He saw Goliath through the eyes of God, who saw him as a mere speck. David had righteous indignation for an affront to the armies of the living God.

David did not weigh the risk of failure because his faith was resting totally in God. That is another important factor in overcoming fear-complete trust in God.

When the Lord began training me to confront fear, the training grounds were a groundless lawsuit, intimidations, and calamity that confronted my very existence. Learning that these were mer ely tactics of the enemy, designed to instill fear, allowed me to stand firm in God's power to overcome.

Do not fear sudden calamity if you are walking uprightly before God. It may be setting the stage for a great victory that will bring praise and honor to your heavenly Father. These battles are training grounds for greater victories to come. (OS Hillman)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 2, 2010 - Good Friday Meditation (Triumphant Defeats!)

2010-03-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross. However, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth. Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men. New life came forth-new strength for the disciples. Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat."

Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 19:17-30 ( for fuller passage see: John 18:1-19:42)"So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews'. Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, 'Do not write, The King of the Jews', but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews'. Pilate answered, 'What I have written I have written'. When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be'. this was to fulfill the scripture. "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots". So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), 'I thirst'. A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit"

Meditation by Don Schwager

The cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone – all his disciples had deserted him except for his mother and three women along with John, the beloved disciple. And his death was agonizing and humiliating. Normally a crucified man could last for several days on a cross. Jesus' had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns pressed into his skull. It is no wonder that he died mid-afternoon. Pilate publicly heralded Jesus "The King of the Jews" as he died upon the cross, no doubt to irritate and annoy the chief priests and Pharisees.

Jesus was crucified for his claim to be King. The Jews had understood that the Messiah would come as king to establish God's reign for them. They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and foreign domination. Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messianic king. Little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than to conquer perishable lands and entitlements. We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his Son on the cross. Jesus' parting words, “It is finished!" express triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory. What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. Christ offered himself without blemish to God and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (see Hebrews 9:24-26).

Augustine (5th century) comments on those who stood at the cross of Jesus: "As they were looking on, so we too gaze on his wounds as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price offered by the redeemer, touch the scars of his resurrection. He bows his head, as if to kiss you. His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption. Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind: as he was once fixed to the cross in every part of his body for you, so he may now be fixed in every part of your soul." [GMI 248]

In the cross of Christ we see the triumph of Jesus over his enemies – sin, Satan, and death. Christian writers down through the centuries have sung the praises of the Cross of Christ. Paul the Apostle exclaimed, "But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). Hear what Gregory Nazianzen, a 6th century church father, has to say: "Many indeed are the wondrous happenings of that time: God hanging from a cross, the sun made dark and again flaming out; for it was fitting that creation should mourn with its creator. The temple veil rent, blood and water flowing from his side: the one as from a man, the other as from what was above man; the earth shaken, the rocks shattered because of the rock; the dead risen to bear witness to the final and universal resurrection of the dead. The happenings at the sepulcher and after the sepulcher, who can fittingly recount them? Yet no one of them can be compared to the miracle of my salvation. A few drops of blood renew the whole world, and do for all men what the rennet does for the milk: joining us and binding us together. [On the Holy Pasch, Oration 45.1]

Abbot Rupert of Deutz, wrote in the early 12th century: "The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the prize for our freedom." The Cross of Christ is the safeguard of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the throne of love. It is also the sign of God's mercy and the proof of forgiveness. By his cross Jesus Christ has pardoned us and set us free from the tyranny of sin. He paid the price for us when he made atonement for our sins. The way to peace, joy, and righteousness in the kingdom of God and the way to victory over sin and corruption, fear and defeat, despair and death is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Do you follow Jesus in his way of the cross with joy, hope, and confidence?

"Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won pardon for us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May I live in the joy and freedom of your victory over sin and death."

Supplementary Reading

Triumphant Defeats

This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. ~ John 21:14

William Wallace was a Scotsman who sought freedom from a tyrannical king of England in the 1200s. He initially took up this cause in retaliation for his own personal family losses. His cause grew among the people, and it became an insurrection against England . Wallace entreated Robert the Bruce, the future king of Scotland . However, Bruce betrayed Wallace in return for lands from the king of England . Wallace was turned over to the king of England to be tortured to death for crimes against England . Bruce realized his betrayal against Wallace and his own country. This remorse led to real repentance and a return to his commitment to the people of Scotland . He finally took ownership of the mission to free Scotland from England . He led the people of Scotland into subsequent battles against England and freed them. Wallace's defeat ultimat ely led to victory through Bruce. It took the lives of many, including Wallace, for victory to be accomplished. [James Mackay, William Wallace, Brave Heart (Edinburgh, Scotland: Mainstream Publishing, 1995).]

So often defeat is what is required before victory can be won. Jesus said that unless the seed dies and goes into the ground it cannot bring forth fruit (see Jn. 12:24). The death of a vision is often required before the fulfillment can really take place. Have you failed at something in your life? Have you not seen the vision fulfilled you thought you were given? The vision may yet happen.

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross. However, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth. Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men. New life came forth-new strength for the disciples. Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat."

"There are triumphant defeats that rival victories" (Montaigne, French philosopher). --- (OS Hillman)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Apr 1, 2010 - Maundy Thursday Meditation (Greatest Love of All!)

2010-03-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

Saint Augustine in his sermon for this day, wrote: “He had the power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only in his death.”

Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5 Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. 6 He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean." 12 When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Does your love waver when you encounter bitter disappointments and injury from others? As Jesus' hour of humiliation draws near he reveals to his disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had for them. He stoops to perform a menial task reserved for servants – the washing of smelly, dirty feet. In stooping to serve his disciples Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and that the rest would abandon him through disloyalty. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness or hatred. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supreme love. Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, even when they failed him and forsook him. The Lord loves each of us unconditionally. His love has power to set us free to serve others with Christ-like compassion and humility. Does the love of Christ rule in your heart, thoughts, intentions and actions?

Saint Augustine in his sermon for this day, wrote: “He had the power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only in his death. His body did not see corruption; our body will see corruption and only then be clothed through him in incorruption at the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us; without him we can do nothing. He gave himself to us as the vine to the branches; apart from him we cannot have life. Finally, even if brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought forgiveness to us. In this he gave us, not an example to imitate but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided “the same kind of meal” as they had received at the Lord’s table. Let us then love one another as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us.”

"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion , kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife."

Supplementary Reading

Suffering for the Salvation of Another

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. ~ Matthew 5:11

Recently, a friend told a true story about one of his closest friends who experienced great suffering for the soul of his persecutor. This man worked on a cargo ship. His boss was the captain. This friend was a committed Christian who shared his faith with others and was a good worker. One day the friend led the sea captain's girlfriend to Christ. The sea captain already hated and ridiculed the Christian worker because of his faith in Christ. When his girlfriend came to Christ, she stopped sleeping with the captain. The captain blamed the Christian man for the change in his girlfriend. One day he entered the restaurant where the Christian man was having lunch. He walked over to his table and began hurling obscenities and began beating him. The Christian man simply tried to defend himself but did not fight back. The captain kept beating him until eventually the man lay on the floor bleeding.

Two men entered the restaurant and saw what was taking place. They jumped the sea captain and took him outside and began beating him. The sea captain was beaten so badly that he needed immediate medical attention. The Christian worker saw the condition of the sea captain, came to his aid, and began helping him. The sea captain was so moved that this man could do this after he had literally beaten him bloody that he began to weep, not understanding what could move a man to have such love in the face of being beaten. The sea captain accepted Jesus at that moment.

The Bible tells us that while we were yet sinners Christ came and paid our penalty so that we might live eternally. Many in the workplace have never known the love of Christ. You might be the only one they ever meet who can introduce them to this love. Ask God to show you how to love the unlovable in your workplace today. (OS Hillman)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

Mar 31, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Blessed with Jesus' Friendship!)

2010-03-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

God has blessed us so often, so lovingly, that at times we take it for granted or worse, we feel we are entitled to his blessings. But any prayerful thought will lead us to feel true sorrow for how we have offended God because he is so good and loving and we have not responded properly to his friendship.

Wednesday of Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34

Matthew 26:14-25 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; 21 and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. 24 The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so."

Meditation by Paul Mahowald, S.J.

We find it easy to place ourselves in Jesus’ presence in the holy three days about to start. But we also see how Jesus is fulfilling the Israelite prophecies.

The first reading is Isaiah’s Third Suffering Servant Song. The following psalm reminds us that God constantly forgives us even as we selfishly sin again and again. The scene in the upper room is where Jesus identifies Judas as the one who will betray him. Even at this tragic moment Jesus seeks a conversion. His response, “You say so!” has the meaning that “yes, since you asked”, leaving space for Judas to be reconciled.

I wonder often what Jesus thought of the Suffering Servant Songs as he was becoming aware that they describe the messiah’s life, passion and death. (cf., Phillipians 2:6 ff.) My curiosity is “what did he know and when did he know it?”- to borrow a historical question from our recent past. Meanwhile Jesus is becoming aware that he is the Messiah all through his public life.

Isaiah is promising that the Lord will always be present to us, even as we suffer for righteous sake. Psalm 69 continues the same theme: that God will always be with us “in his great love” to help us in crisis.

The gospel today immediately follows Mt 26:13 but the action in the two parts of Mt 26 are so different. Jesus on his way to the City stops by at his friend’s house in Bethany . There an anonymous woman anoints him out of love and respect. And Jesus tells his disciples that she should not be stopped since she is anointing him for his death.

Then the very next verse takes us into the description of the preparation for the Passover meal. All Jews celebrate this event of their history but this “Last Supper” is different. It is the fulfillment of that first Passover promise.

But before the passion story is described we have the tragic scene of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. How do we transfer this event to be a lesson for us? We sin, of course, and occasionally in our life-time we have seriously sinned. But we the readers of these weekday reflections need to appropriate this betrayal into our own lives.

God has blessed us so often, so lovingly, that at times we take it for granted or worse, we feel we are entitled to his blessings. But any prayerful thought will lead us to feel true sorrow for how we have offended God because he is so good and loving and we have not responded properly to his friendship.

Our prayer these next three days is to enter into this mystery of God’s love and friendship so undeserved on our part.

Supplementary Reading

Beware of the Thief

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ~ Luke 12:39

What are the times when you and I are most vulnerable to being caught off guard by the enemy of our souls? One of those times is just after you've had a great victory. Consider Jesus when He was baptized and was about to begin His public ministry. He was taken away into the desert to be tempted by satan.

Leisure time is another place in which satan seeks to take us off our normal routine of personal quiet times. In the normal routine of life, our senses are tuned to the need to draw upon God's Spirit to see us through the activities of each day. However, when we get away from our routine and go on vacation, we can often drop these routines. We wrongfully think that we do not need to spend time with the Lord during leisure times. This is a grave mistake. The vacation becomes a test of character. During vacations we turn freely to what we love most. It reveals to us what is at the core of our existence.

A teacher in a large school reportedly said, "The greatest difficulty we encounter is the summer vacation. Just when we have brought a student to a certain discipline and place in their study habits, we lose him; when he comes back we have to begin all over again." It is the same in our spiritual lives. It only takes a small crack in the door of our heart to lose our spiritual focus.

This summer, be on guard when times of retreat are made available to you. Use these times for spiritual refreshment, not just physical refreshment, and you will keep the thief from entering your house. (OS Hillman)

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program : http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.