The JOYS of Lent

Today's Readings

"Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people." Isaiah 65: 18-19

The Spirit of Laetare: We are in the fourth week of Lent, and passed the midway point of our Lenten journey, so there's room for rejoicing!  The week begins with Laetare Sunday, and the rejoicing of the Father upon the return of his wayward son (Luke 15: 11-32), and continues this week with Isaiah's joyful tone in Isaiah 65: 17-21 (quoted above), and the healing of a royal official's son in John 4: 43-54.  We celebrate Ezeiel's vision, and the water of life flowing from the Temple to fortify the land so as to bear much fruit (Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12), and the healing of yet another in John 5: 1-16 (but this time on the Sabbath to make things interesting).  And finally, we join the Psalmist as we acclaim that "the Lord is good to all!" (Psalm 145: 8-9)

While Lent is not meant to be a season of JOY, it does have its joyful tone, now and then, to remind us that all of this journeying is worth it!  We can all come home and "rejoice with our Father!  We are all healed in the loving presence of our Lord!  We can all be fortified by the living water of our God, so as to bear much fruit to a world that desperately needs its nourishment.  And we can all do our part, working for the good of others, so as to affirm that the Lord is kind and merciful!

PS: Another Reason to Rejoice... Laetare Sunday also marked the 18th birthday of my eldest kid Michelle.  Her sister, Megan decorated the house, and my wife broke out the family manicotti recipe made with my Mom's amazing sauce, and we  had a good 'ol family feast... It truly was a great day!

A.S.K.

Today's Readings

"Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7: 7-8

ASK

• Take a second and bring God into mind and your heart...
• Take a deep breath and think...
• Take that deep thought and wonder...
• Take the spirit of that wondering, and...
• ASK

SEEK

• Make a plan to journey with God, day by day...
• Make the first step...
• Make a friend along the way...
• Make a commitment to keep on looking, and...
• SEEK

KNOCK

• Act on your impulse to try...
• Act on the urge to do...
• Act with the Lord in heart...
• Act with faith, hope, love and purpose, and...
• KNOCK

Lent I: You Must Believe!

Todays Readings

Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart —that is, the word of faith that we preach—, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all,enriching all who call upon him.  Romans 10: 8-13

The Lord is Near You! This comforting concept is one that we hear often, "Don't worry, God is here!" But an equally popular concept is the age old reality that "seeing IS believing".  Where do we see the Lord, or from what loudspeaker, or pulpit do we hear Him?  I'd love to know the answer so as to write it here, but that would feed your need to have to see to believe.  Today, is it possible for us to let go and truly believe in our God without condition?  The answer is YES, but a few steps must be considered along the way.

Confess with Your Mouth, and Believe with Your Heart!  This is a simple truth, but a hard act to follow.  St. Paul is writing to the Roman people (but includes all, whether jew or greek), who need to change their ways.  They need to be honest with themselves, and consider that their way of living might be the reason why they feel so lost, or unfullfilled.  In my quasi-counselor chair, I would certainly agree that people who hurt should talk about it, and speak to their responsibility (for that hurt) before blaming the world around them.  Speaking about things encourages reflection, and reflection opens the heart, and strengthens one's spirit.  This opens the door to belief and salvation!

When our Lord Jesus is tempted in the desert, he reminds Satan, and the rest of us that:

• We Need the Lord, More Than Food!  So don't try to tempt me with lavish food, items or empty promises!

• When We Worship the Lord, We Are Saved!  So reclaim your purpose, and love the God who has always LOVED YOU!

• We Are Supported by the Lord, and We Do Not Walk Alone!  So let the angels come and greet you, and after a long and happy life, lead you to Paradise!

• Don't Test the Lord, Trust Him!  So relax!

St. Paul reassures the Romans, and us, that, "no one who believes in the Lord will be put to shame".  This whole Lenten concept, and the challenge for us to journey is truly worth the trouble.  May the Lord strengthen you in avoiding the temptations, and bless you in your efforts to speak and believe!

Walking the Call Day to Day

In my world, and I'm sure its true for others, Saturday mornings are sacred. Maybe I shouldn't use such a special word for such a day other than the Sabbath, nor do I want to open up that argument; I'm just thinking that the quiet of a Saturday morning, with nothing to do makes for a joyous moment!

On the other hand, the spirit with which I write this should also be the Spirit that I take to my prayer life, and that time that I am trying to walk this path that has been chosen for and with me. A faith journey is definitely day to day, and should not just be celebrated when there is extra time.

The goal, therefore, is to harness this moment and make sure that it is a reality on Monday at 6:15am, or Tuesday at 10:45am, or Wednesday at 1:23pm, or Thursday at 4:15pm, or Friday at 5:00pm. Whether this time next week is relaxing or not, I hope that we all can say that we've taken "Our Time" each day to simply relax in the Spirit!

50 ways to Get Through Easter... Continuance!

“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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21: 15-18)

Today’s word: Continuance!

For those keeping track, today is the 15th Day of the Easter Season, and we are CONTINUING our Easter journey reflecting on 50 Ways to not only get through it all, but also celebrate the life given to us by God!

The Gospel for this Sunday is John’s witness of the disciples fishing. This is different than the other Gospel accounts in that it takes place after Jesus’ resurrection. It’s almost like the disciples have resigned to the fact that they must go back to work, for the “show is over”, and Jesus is gone, leaving them to make some sense of everything. Jesus reveals himself to them, asking them to throw their nets for a big catch. In seeing Him, Peter jumps into the water (very baptismal, don’t ya’ think?) and swims to the shore! This is where the journey ahead is laid out before them in one simple question, and three different answers. “Peter (or insert YOUR NAME here), do you love me?” Most of us would respond similarly to Peter by saying, “Of course, you know I love you Lord!” Jesus’ answer is, “then feed my lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep!”

The challenge before us today is that our Easter journey includes some very specific tasks, with a very uncertain outcome. I believe we are all called to CONTINUE TEACHING, feeding the little lambs with knowledge, and love and hope for the their future. I believe we are called to CONTINUE LISTENING, tending the sheep, working with our peers by walking together and offering support along the way. I believe we are called to CONTINUE SERVING, feeding the older sheep and concentrating on helping the needy! I believe, like the quote from John outlines, that someday you and I will be called to CONTINUE on our path, and be taken to a place where “we may not want to go”. In those times, the teaching, and the listening, and the serving, will come back to us, for the one’s that we’ve shared the love of Christ with, will in turn share that love with us!

Today it’s about CONTINUING this journey that we’ve all started. It’s about moving forward, and doing the work of the one who sent us. It’s about trust, and courage!

“Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel
(See this alternate version)

Don't give up
'cause you have friends

Don't give up
You're not the only one

Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed

Don't give up
You still have us

Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are

Don't give up
You know it's never been easy

Don't give up
'cause I believe there's the a place...

There's a place where we belong