Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
St. Paul did not equivocate when it came to being thankful. But how can we be thankful in all circumstances? How can we be joyful? Are not my feelings beyond my control? Think of the last time someone pulled out in front of you in traffic? How can I be thankful if I have just been laid off from work? I have a family to feed, bills to pay, etc. These are big picture items that consume much of our lives. But we get lost in the big picture because we do not know where we are to begin with.
Where we are at this very present moment is where we are. The past has happened and we must let go of any regrets. The future has yet to come and so there is no need to be anxious. Jesus said this to us in His Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 6:34) But the truth of His Word needs to be experienced. This journey begins with the immediate NOW! This is where God is and where we must be to be covered by His Word!
Find a quiet place so that you may "be still and know the Lord". (Psalm 46:10) Take a simple object into your hand or look upon something like a flower. It can be something mundane like a coffee cup. Focus on the coffee cup. Feel the texture. How does it feel? Look at the design. How would you describe the design? Be slow and deliberate. Now think of the journey that coffee cup made from the designers to the engineers to the marketplace all the way into your hands now! Do not gloss over any detail. Now speak to God in Heaven giving thanks for all these things that make up the mundane coffee cup. Identify the joy that you find in this coffee cup. Thank God again for what He has shown you to be thankful in this very moment. You will notice the past was of no consequence in this moment and there was so much presence in the coffee cup that tomorrow had no demand on you. Practice this exercise daily and several times a day wherever you are. By doing so you will catch up to God where He is, in the present moment. For it is this moment, the present, that is the only circumstance at hand! Everything else will become inconsequential!
PONDERING WITH THE PADRE: This is a place where I, when inspired by the Holy Spirit, can sow seeds to help each and everyone of us grow as true Christians. I believe God is Lord of all of His creation. All we can do is seek His will for our lives. We cannot please God by our own good works. The fruits of our faith are fruits of repentance, of a new heart!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
All Soul's Day
"Today is All Soul's Day. This is the day we remember those who have died. Our reading from Wisdom yesterday is repeated today and is worth a reflection:
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect. (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The notion that we are gold in a furnace should describe our life here on earth. Everyone of us is imperfect. But so is gold until it is exposed to the refiner's fire. As we are tested and tried, we come closer to perfection. A woman once asked a silversmith how long he exposed the silver to the flame and he replied, 'Until I see my image.' Likewise, God, the divine refiner, wants to see His image in each one of us. And like gold, each one of us is precious. So our trials, and especially those trials by fire, draw us closer to the image God has for us."
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect. (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The notion that we are gold in a furnace should describe our life here on earth. Everyone of us is imperfect. But so is gold until it is exposed to the refiner's fire. As we are tested and tried, we come closer to perfection. A woman once asked a silversmith how long he exposed the silver to the flame and he replied, 'Until I see my image.' Likewise, God, the divine refiner, wants to see His image in each one of us. And like gold, each one of us is precious. So our trials, and especially those trials by fire, draw us closer to the image God has for us."
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Difference between Vampires and Saints!
This Halloween I thought I would examine two symbols of the overlapping histories of these Feast Days that make up Halloween and All Saints Day. Traditional Christians will know that Halloween is a contraction of All Hallows Eve which is the day before the feast of the Holy Ones or All Saints Day. And what greater contrast can one draw than between vampires and saints.
Saints of course means people who have been consecrated for God or made holy for His purpose. One does not have to be dead to be a saint. One does have to be once living and now dead to be a vampire. Vampires are referred to as the walking dead! So let us look at the differences of these two symbols.
A vampire shuns daylight. They work in the dark. Saints let their light shine so that others may see their good work and glorify their Father in Heaven.
Vampires cannot look upon a cross. Saints look to the Cross!
Vampires cannot see their reflection in a mirror. Saints read Scripture to get a true reflection of themselves in the light of God's Holy Word.
Vampires suck the blood from the living. Saints draw strength from the Blood of Christ. Let us look at this last point more thoroughly.
Have you known anyone who saps your strength when you are around them? They are so needy that you sigh when you hear their name as if they are sucking your life out of you. That's right! I believe vampires walk among us today. If you are spiritually dead, you are a vampire. "Let the dead bury the dead", Jesus says. We are all called to draw our life from Christ. If we don't we will draw life from others. People who do things in secret are using darkness to cover their acts. Have you known anyone who is always name-calling or making accusations against someone else. A Christian is reflective and will examine the log in their eye and remove it but offering judgement. Because vampires cannot see themselves, St. Paul's admonishment that when we judge others we judge ourselves makes no sense!
So this Halloween, let us look at ourselves in the light of Scripture and consecrate our life to God!
Saints of course means people who have been consecrated for God or made holy for His purpose. One does not have to be dead to be a saint. One does have to be once living and now dead to be a vampire. Vampires are referred to as the walking dead! So let us look at the differences of these two symbols.
A vampire shuns daylight. They work in the dark. Saints let their light shine so that others may see their good work and glorify their Father in Heaven.
Vampires cannot look upon a cross. Saints look to the Cross!
Vampires cannot see their reflection in a mirror. Saints read Scripture to get a true reflection of themselves in the light of God's Holy Word.
Vampires suck the blood from the living. Saints draw strength from the Blood of Christ. Let us look at this last point more thoroughly.
Have you known anyone who saps your strength when you are around them? They are so needy that you sigh when you hear their name as if they are sucking your life out of you. That's right! I believe vampires walk among us today. If you are spiritually dead, you are a vampire. "Let the dead bury the dead", Jesus says. We are all called to draw our life from Christ. If we don't we will draw life from others. People who do things in secret are using darkness to cover their acts. Have you known anyone who is always name-calling or making accusations against someone else. A Christian is reflective and will examine the log in their eye and remove it but offering judgement. Because vampires cannot see themselves, St. Paul's admonishment that when we judge others we judge ourselves makes no sense!
So this Halloween, let us look at ourselves in the light of Scripture and consecrate our life to God!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Where is Jesus in the Healthcare Debate?
A post on the the Daily Politics Blog had this heading: Religious Right Opposes Health Care (but Where is the Religion?) http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/26/religious-right-opposes-health-care-but-wheres-the-religion/ . After reading the post, I agree with with the heading. More specifically, where is Jesus in the debate. When we make ideology the end of our faith, we lose sight of the One whom we live for. Here are some facts that we need to consider. In out country, we have free medical care. It is called the emergency room. Many triage nurses are called upon to provide care for the running noses of poor mothers who cannot afford a doctor. Much of our national debt pays for this. According to several authorities, 43 millians Americans are uninsured! These are just the facts of our national economics. Now let us look at the fact of Jesus.
Much of Christ's ministry was healing. It could be said that His inauguration text was Isaiah 61:1-2. He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...and recovery of sight to the blind.... Jesus could not have limted this prophecy to the spiritually blind as He healed the physically blind as well. He commissioned the apostles to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. I would think from Jesus' teachings and His practice, health care would be an interest of His. If any religious group in the Name of God believed that the government should not reform a system that is not reaching a vast number of people, then one must ask, Why?
I could see the Church oppose health care reform if the church said with a loud voice matched by action, we will provide health care for all! But it is not. We allow our government to tax us to provide services. Should not one of these services be the provision of equal access to medicine? Health care based on whether you have a job and your employer provides whatever they choose to afford is a system that is exclusive based on the god of mammon. I would think Jesus would see health care as His will for all!
I would say we could debate government involvement as the only option. But the rugged individualism of the religious right excludes our sibling humans who have little resources to provide for themselves. Which leaves us to look to government to provide for all who are entitled to health care as a moral and civil right! This is not new. The religious minority of the First Century saw government as God ordained for their protection. St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans:
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Chapter 13) "The authorites are God's servants, sent for your good! Why not entrust them with our health care!
St. Peter, too, had a similar understanding of the role of government: For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. (I Peter 2)
Based on these texts government is not the enemy of God and these texts were written in times where the government was not the friend of Christians. Until we all become our brothers and sisters keepers, A public or susidized option is not anathema to God's will!
Much of Christ's ministry was healing. It could be said that His inauguration text was Isaiah 61:1-2. He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...and recovery of sight to the blind.... Jesus could not have limted this prophecy to the spiritually blind as He healed the physically blind as well. He commissioned the apostles to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. I would think from Jesus' teachings and His practice, health care would be an interest of His. If any religious group in the Name of God believed that the government should not reform a system that is not reaching a vast number of people, then one must ask, Why?
I could see the Church oppose health care reform if the church said with a loud voice matched by action, we will provide health care for all! But it is not. We allow our government to tax us to provide services. Should not one of these services be the provision of equal access to medicine? Health care based on whether you have a job and your employer provides whatever they choose to afford is a system that is exclusive based on the god of mammon. I would think Jesus would see health care as His will for all!
I would say we could debate government involvement as the only option. But the rugged individualism of the religious right excludes our sibling humans who have little resources to provide for themselves. Which leaves us to look to government to provide for all who are entitled to health care as a moral and civil right! This is not new. The religious minority of the First Century saw government as God ordained for their protection. St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans:
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Chapter 13) "The authorites are God's servants, sent for your good! Why not entrust them with our health care!
St. Peter, too, had a similar understanding of the role of government: For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. (I Peter 2)
Based on these texts government is not the enemy of God and these texts were written in times where the government was not the friend of Christians. Until we all become our brothers and sisters keepers, A public or susidized option is not anathema to God's will!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
What Gifts has God Given You?
When I ask people what gifts people have to offer to God, I get various replies from ‘hearing complaints’ to ‘gardening’ to ‘making jams‘. These are all nice things to do. But what concerns me is that Holy Scripture tells us what gifts we can have to offer to God for His service. The first list is found in Romans chapter 12:6-8: “God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.” The second list appears in I Corinthians 12:7-11: “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.” In summary, the gifts that come from God are serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, kindness, prophesying, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles and the discernment between spirits.
This is a lot. But St. Paul reminds us that not everyone has all of these gifts. They are divvied up among the members of the body. It is important to note that these gifts come from God. It is what He wants us to have for us to serve Him. So why can’t we just garden or make jams? That question is best answered by what is the greatest gift God has given us? Hopefully, you will say salvation. Can we save ourselves from death? No! Likewise, can we serve God with our own gifts? No! God gives us what we need to serve Him! Our life on earth is about serving God! He knows what the world needs and has given us the tools to serve Him in the world.
Every Christian needs to pray that each and everyone of us asks that God shows us what gifts He has given us. And then we must pray that we use holy boldness to serve God by being selfless in the sharing of our gifts. Easter we received the salvation of God by Christ’s death and resurrection. Lest us receive the Holy Spirit and all the gifts he has to offer!
Fr. Allen
This is a lot. But St. Paul reminds us that not everyone has all of these gifts. They are divvied up among the members of the body. It is important to note that these gifts come from God. It is what He wants us to have for us to serve Him. So why can’t we just garden or make jams? That question is best answered by what is the greatest gift God has given us? Hopefully, you will say salvation. Can we save ourselves from death? No! Likewise, can we serve God with our own gifts? No! God gives us what we need to serve Him! Our life on earth is about serving God! He knows what the world needs and has given us the tools to serve Him in the world.
Every Christian needs to pray that each and everyone of us asks that God shows us what gifts He has given us. And then we must pray that we use holy boldness to serve God by being selfless in the sharing of our gifts. Easter we received the salvation of God by Christ’s death and resurrection. Lest us receive the Holy Spirit and all the gifts he has to offer!
Fr. Allen
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
God is writing your story!
Just finished a meditation on Genesis 1 & 2. These verses plumb the depths of creation that only in eternity can we know God's love for us.
I am struck by the number of times the phrase "And God said" is expressed followed by "And it was so" followed by "And God saw that it was good" followed by "And God blessed them saying..."
We are created by God's Word. He is the authority of our creation as He alone authored us. We are the pages of God's story. Look in a mirror today. Look closely. Do you see God's reflection? (Genesis 1:26)
We cannot change the past. Those pages have turned. But now at this very moment in time God, the author, is still writing your story. His desire is a happy ending. (Romans 8:18-25)
Is there any part of your life you are ashamed of, past or present? The prophet Jeremiah reminds us God will not count our sins against us (Jer. 31:34) Neither should we. This same prophet reminds us God knows the ending of our story,'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) God will not abandon what he wonderfully made. He is just not finished with you yet. Part of our story is Jesus and His cross (I John 2:2) As the author of Hebrews states, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Look in the mirror today. Literally, I mean this. Take a few minutes and stand before a mirror. See what God, our Father in Heaven, sees". Do you see Him?
IHS,
Allen+
I am struck by the number of times the phrase "And God said" is expressed followed by "And it was so" followed by "And God saw that it was good" followed by "And God blessed them saying..."
We are created by God's Word. He is the authority of our creation as He alone authored us. We are the pages of God's story. Look in a mirror today. Look closely. Do you see God's reflection? (Genesis 1:26)
We cannot change the past. Those pages have turned. But now at this very moment in time God, the author, is still writing your story. His desire is a happy ending. (Romans 8:18-25)
Is there any part of your life you are ashamed of, past or present? The prophet Jeremiah reminds us God will not count our sins against us (Jer. 31:34) Neither should we. This same prophet reminds us God knows the ending of our story,'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) God will not abandon what he wonderfully made. He is just not finished with you yet. Part of our story is Jesus and His cross (I John 2:2) As the author of Hebrews states, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Look in the mirror today. Literally, I mean this. Take a few minutes and stand before a mirror. See what God, our Father in Heaven, sees". Do you see Him?
IHS,
Allen+
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