Scripture: Luke 11: 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.“
Reaction: I’m currently attending a seven week Lenten series that follows the book Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp. While I’m only in the second week, the experience thus far has been truly uplifting. The theme of today’s meditation was to imagine yourself knocking on a door that will be opened to you by the Lord. The door will lead you to your heart’s desire, whatever that may be. In the book Rupp offers a unique perspective on what we might ask for in our conversations with the Lord. She suggests that the ‘seeking’ Jesus speaks of might be those traits, graces, and attitudes that will enhance our relationship with God and bring us closer to Him. In other words, perhaps we should be seeking internal riches rather than external ones.
So in meditating on today’s scripture, I kept these thoughts in mind, and envisioned myself knocking on the door that would unlock the inner strengths that will help me to know, love and serve the Lord. The door I rapped on was one of many wooden doors in a house with many rooms. When the Holy Spirit opened the door, I entered into a beautiful sunroom, with lush plants hanging from the rafters, inviting, overstuffed armchairs, and a flood of sunshine beaming in through the lacy curtains. The room was very warm, but it didn’t make me uncomfortable; the heat penetrated right to my heart and filled it with strength and wisdom and love. It also imparted a sense of increased awareness to the world around me.
Awareness has been a recurring theme in my meditations due to its strong emphasis in Ignatian spirituality. But today the concept of awareness was put into the context of how I can apply it in my everyday life. I feel that if I’m more attentive to the unspoken needs of others, if I pick up on the little vibes they’re sending and react with love and generosity, I can better carry out God’s plan for me. I started to remember recent events where I was more attuned to others, and went out of my way to respond, perhaps with a small favor or with a sympathetic ear or simply with a prayer. I feel that the door to a deeper consciousness is being opened to me, and with it comes the grace to act on what I perceive. And when I find myself slipping back into the darkness of selfishness and indifference, I know that all I need to do is knock on that sunroom door and the Spirit’s gifts of awareness and discernment will shine on me once more.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Take Up Your Cross
Scripture: Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
Reaction: This reading is from a Daily Lenten Reflection booklet from C.S. Lewis. In today’s meditation, I pictured myself following Jesus through the narrow streets of Jerusalem as He carried His cross on the way to Calvary. Sometimes I would carry my own cross, or pick up part of His cross, or we would carry His cross together as a team. The message was that we are indeed a team, that He is always with me when I need Him, and that He wants me to always be close to Him, following in His ways.
I also felt that He was directing me to look at the world and my life in a new way: to daily find ways to die to self, serve others, and take of His ways of humility, gentleness, and peacemaking. Several people and situations came to mind as I reflected on these goals, and I now I’m beginning to look at some troublesome people and situations as opportunities to bring Christ to others by acting in their behalf.
Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
Reaction: This reading is from a Daily Lenten Reflection booklet from C.S. Lewis. In today’s meditation, I pictured myself following Jesus through the narrow streets of Jerusalem as He carried His cross on the way to Calvary. Sometimes I would carry my own cross, or pick up part of His cross, or we would carry His cross together as a team. The message was that we are indeed a team, that He is always with me when I need Him, and that He wants me to always be close to Him, following in His ways.
I also felt that He was directing me to look at the world and my life in a new way: to daily find ways to die to self, serve others, and take of His ways of humility, gentleness, and peacemaking. Several people and situations came to mind as I reflected on these goals, and I now I’m beginning to look at some troublesome people and situations as opportunities to bring Christ to others by acting in their behalf.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
No Separatation from the Love of God
Scripture: Romans 8:31-39
Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reaction: Today I was feeling down for various reasons, but my scripture reflection helped put things into perspective. I know that my woes are really trivial, nothing like persecution or famine or peril. I also know that my anguish and distress are, for the most part, self-imposed. But regardless of the cause or extent of my anxiety, nothing can separate me from the love of the Lord. As I lay awake last night, again suffering from insomnia, I called upon the Lord to be with me, and He answered my plea. I was able to put aside my troubles for a while and get back to sleep, imagining myself walking and talking with Christ. Today, even though my worries resurface periodically, I am to diffuse them by talking with the Lord, thanking Him for all of the good things He has given me, especially His love and salvation.
Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reaction: Today I was feeling down for various reasons, but my scripture reflection helped put things into perspective. I know that my woes are really trivial, nothing like persecution or famine or peril. I also know that my anguish and distress are, for the most part, self-imposed. But regardless of the cause or extent of my anxiety, nothing can separate me from the love of the Lord. As I lay awake last night, again suffering from insomnia, I called upon the Lord to be with me, and He answered my plea. I was able to put aside my troubles for a while and get back to sleep, imagining myself walking and talking with Christ. Today, even though my worries resurface periodically, I am to diffuse them by talking with the Lord, thanking Him for all of the good things He has given me, especially His love and salvation.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Growing in Faith
Scripture: Luke 13:18-21
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Reaction: Jesus has often referred to our faith as a seed which, when planted in good soil, will grow strong and healthy, bearing much fruit. So my first thought during today’s reflection was of my faith being the tiny mustard seed, gently sinking into the rich soil of my soul. It is not yet fully grown, not yet able to support a flock of birds or other creatures. But it has definitely taken root, with its weak branches sprouting leaves and flowers. In my meditation I considered that my mustard plant would never be ‘fully grown’, but would continue to develop infinitely, until it reached into the heavens. On the other hand, I felt that at times it might become dormant, especially during a very cold or dry season. But with the right growing conditions (the warmth of God’s love and the water of His grace), it would again expand and spread. I felt encouraged that even though my mustard plant is still small, it has great potential.
While reflecting on the second parable, I thought of the three measures of wheat flour as my faith, and the yeast as God’s grace. Again, it is God’s goodness and presence that allows my faith to grow. Without Him I can produce nothing.
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Reaction: Jesus has often referred to our faith as a seed which, when planted in good soil, will grow strong and healthy, bearing much fruit. So my first thought during today’s reflection was of my faith being the tiny mustard seed, gently sinking into the rich soil of my soul. It is not yet fully grown, not yet able to support a flock of birds or other creatures. But it has definitely taken root, with its weak branches sprouting leaves and flowers. In my meditation I considered that my mustard plant would never be ‘fully grown’, but would continue to develop infinitely, until it reached into the heavens. On the other hand, I felt that at times it might become dormant, especially during a very cold or dry season. But with the right growing conditions (the warmth of God’s love and the water of His grace), it would again expand and spread. I felt encouraged that even though my mustard plant is still small, it has great potential.
While reflecting on the second parable, I thought of the three measures of wheat flour as my faith, and the yeast as God’s grace. Again, it is God’s goodness and presence that allows my faith to grow. Without Him I can produce nothing.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
To Set the Earth on Fire
Scripture: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Reaction: I have always found this passage to be a bit unsettling, but today I did not focus on the division, but rather on the fire. Jesus has set so many hearts ablaze, and I am ever thankful that mine is one of them! I envisioned the division He spoke of to be the difference between the people in my life who feel the flame of God’s love and presence, and those who do not give much of a thought one way or the other to the Lord. I know many family members are in the second category, and during my meditation I had the feeling that what I need to do is simply to pray for them. I asked Jesus to set their hearts and minds afire with faith and lover for Him, and to help me show them, by my example, the joy that comes from a deep, warm relationship with God.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Reaction: I have always found this passage to be a bit unsettling, but today I did not focus on the division, but rather on the fire. Jesus has set so many hearts ablaze, and I am ever thankful that mine is one of them! I envisioned the division He spoke of to be the difference between the people in my life who feel the flame of God’s love and presence, and those who do not give much of a thought one way or the other to the Lord. I know many family members are in the second category, and during my meditation I had the feeling that what I need to do is simply to pray for them. I asked Jesus to set their hearts and minds afire with faith and lover for Him, and to help me show them, by my example, the joy that comes from a deep, warm relationship with God.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
To Know the Master’s Will
Scripture: Luke 12:39-48
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Reaction: My meditation today revolved around acting in accordance with God’s will. I have prayed many times in the past to discern God’s plan for me, but I really know the basics already: to love Him with all my heart, to believe in Him and trust in His providence, to keep Him as the most important aspect of my life through constant prayer and worship, to obey His commandments, to develop the Christ-like qualities He wants to see in me, to treat all of His people with love, compassion, and dignity, and to share my faith and love of Christ with others. This is the crux of my ‘mission’, and though I sometimes backslide as humans are known to do, I hope that the Master will arrive when I am acting with kindness, faith and charity, instead of when I’m falling into old patterns of selfishness, doubt or pride.
Part of my prayer session today was asking for the grace I need to be the type of person God wants me to be in my every-day life, so I can continue to live in His will. But I also had the impression that I must be especially vigilant and attuned to unique opportunities to do His will in very specific ways. These opportunities may involve going out of my way to do someone a favor, rearranging my own schedule to accommodate another, sharing my faith experiences to bring others closer to God, volunteering in a needed situation even if it’s not necessarily my favorite activity, offering food, hospitality, or goods to others in need … the list is endless! Lately I have been noticing these opportunities more and more, and when I actually pick up on them in a timely manner and act upon them, they bring me great joy! So I petition the Lord to bless me with open eyes, ears, and heart, so that I know His desires not just in general terms, but in very specific circumstances. And when these circumstances arise, I pray that I will recognize His call, make the necessary preparations, and act accordingly.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Reaction: My meditation today revolved around acting in accordance with God’s will. I have prayed many times in the past to discern God’s plan for me, but I really know the basics already: to love Him with all my heart, to believe in Him and trust in His providence, to keep Him as the most important aspect of my life through constant prayer and worship, to obey His commandments, to develop the Christ-like qualities He wants to see in me, to treat all of His people with love, compassion, and dignity, and to share my faith and love of Christ with others. This is the crux of my ‘mission’, and though I sometimes backslide as humans are known to do, I hope that the Master will arrive when I am acting with kindness, faith and charity, instead of when I’m falling into old patterns of selfishness, doubt or pride.
Part of my prayer session today was asking for the grace I need to be the type of person God wants me to be in my every-day life, so I can continue to live in His will. But I also had the impression that I must be especially vigilant and attuned to unique opportunities to do His will in very specific ways. These opportunities may involve going out of my way to do someone a favor, rearranging my own schedule to accommodate another, sharing my faith experiences to bring others closer to God, volunteering in a needed situation even if it’s not necessarily my favorite activity, offering food, hospitality, or goods to others in need … the list is endless! Lately I have been noticing these opportunities more and more, and when I actually pick up on them in a timely manner and act upon them, they bring me great joy! So I petition the Lord to bless me with open eyes, ears, and heart, so that I know His desires not just in general terms, but in very specific circumstances. And when these circumstances arise, I pray that I will recognize His call, make the necessary preparations, and act accordingly.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Treasures of the Heart
Scripture: Luke 12:16-21, 32-38
Then He told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich for God."
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."
Reaction: The above passages were part of the assigned Gospel readings for yesterday and today. While meditating on yesterday’s readings, I repeated the phrase, “Do not store up treasure for yourself, but be rich for God.” This led me to think of all the ways my life could be rich for God: having a deep relationship with Him, a fruitful prayer life, a satisfying bond between family and friends, days and nights filled with hope, love, and a sense of well-being. A footnote in the reading showed another translation of the verse: to be "rich in what matters to God." My thoughts then turned to the things that matter most to God: my faith, trust, love, obedience, compassion, generosity, and humility to name a few. If I try to build upon these traits, I will have plentiful treasures indeed.
Today’s Gospel focused on being watchful, observant and mindful of what the Lord expects from us. This reflects another goal I have set for myself: to always be tuned in to the needs of others and aware of how I might serve them. I often feel that I have missed opportunities to serve, but lately I’ve been more responsive, and this makes me feel very blessed and rewarded, adding to my spiritual treasures.
In between the two day’s Gospels were several verses which dealt with God’s providence. The phrase that especially struck me was “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” But what occurred to me was that really, where my heart is, there is my treasure. As I continue to strive to become more Christ-like, to be more aware of God’s presence in my life, and more attentive to where He is trying to lead me, my heart and my life are being filled with the treasures that really matter.
Then He told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich for God."
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."
Reaction: The above passages were part of the assigned Gospel readings for yesterday and today. While meditating on yesterday’s readings, I repeated the phrase, “Do not store up treasure for yourself, but be rich for God.” This led me to think of all the ways my life could be rich for God: having a deep relationship with Him, a fruitful prayer life, a satisfying bond between family and friends, days and nights filled with hope, love, and a sense of well-being. A footnote in the reading showed another translation of the verse: to be "rich in what matters to God." My thoughts then turned to the things that matter most to God: my faith, trust, love, obedience, compassion, generosity, and humility to name a few. If I try to build upon these traits, I will have plentiful treasures indeed.
Today’s Gospel focused on being watchful, observant and mindful of what the Lord expects from us. This reflects another goal I have set for myself: to always be tuned in to the needs of others and aware of how I might serve them. I often feel that I have missed opportunities to serve, but lately I’ve been more responsive, and this makes me feel very blessed and rewarded, adding to my spiritual treasures.
In between the two day’s Gospels were several verses which dealt with God’s providence. The phrase that especially struck me was “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” But what occurred to me was that really, where my heart is, there is my treasure. As I continue to strive to become more Christ-like, to be more aware of God’s presence in my life, and more attentive to where He is trying to lead me, my heart and my life are being filled with the treasures that really matter.
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