Scripture: John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Reaction: My question to the Lord during my meditation today was “How do You know me?” The answer was: I have known you from the beginning of time. I know all of your strengths and your weaknesses, and I am pleased that you are seeking me. I will give you all of the tools you need to follow Me and do My will, if you continue to pray and have faith in Me. Don’t believe in Me because of any ‘signs’ you think you see, but feel My presence in your heart. Know that I am with you and that I love you, and I want to draw you closer to me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Trying to See Jesus
Scripture: Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
Reaction: Lately I’ve been selecting the scriptures for my meditations based on the Catholic lectionary, which lists the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year. The passage above is the assigned gospel for the Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time. At first this reading did not strike me as very meaningful, and I was tempted to choose another. But as I lay back to contemplate on it, the Lord did speak to me.
At first I was simply reminded of all the different ways I seek to see Christ: through His word, in nature, through other people, and even in myself. My hope is that by coming to see and know Christ, I will be able to live a life that is pleasing to Him, one that fills me with joy and fulfillment. Again I felt that the Lord was close to me, acknowledging my desire to know Him better, and filling me with peace.
Later in my meditation I realized that Herod was not seeking to see Jesus so that he might know Him, worship Him, and please Him. Herod’s motives stemmed only from his own self-interest. This is a common theme for me, too: I am often concerned about my own selfish motives as I move to a more spiritual existence. But I realize that I this is one of my human failings, and God is well-aware of it. Still, He loves me and accepts me, and encourages me to continue to seek Him with a sincere heart. Even when my heart is not as pure as I would want it to be, it is never a bad thing to try to see the Lord. May His presence and His grace purify my heart as I continue on my journey.
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
Reaction: Lately I’ve been selecting the scriptures for my meditations based on the Catholic lectionary, which lists the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year. The passage above is the assigned gospel for the Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time. At first this reading did not strike me as very meaningful, and I was tempted to choose another. But as I lay back to contemplate on it, the Lord did speak to me.
At first I was simply reminded of all the different ways I seek to see Christ: through His word, in nature, through other people, and even in myself. My hope is that by coming to see and know Christ, I will be able to live a life that is pleasing to Him, one that fills me with joy and fulfillment. Again I felt that the Lord was close to me, acknowledging my desire to know Him better, and filling me with peace.
Later in my meditation I realized that Herod was not seeking to see Jesus so that he might know Him, worship Him, and please Him. Herod’s motives stemmed only from his own self-interest. This is a common theme for me, too: I am often concerned about my own selfish motives as I move to a more spiritual existence. But I realize that I this is one of my human failings, and God is well-aware of it. Still, He loves me and accepts me, and encourages me to continue to seek Him with a sincere heart. Even when my heart is not as pure as I would want it to be, it is never a bad thing to try to see the Lord. May His presence and His grace purify my heart as I continue on my journey.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
In the name of Jesus
Scripture: Mark 9:38-41
At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
Reaction: I received two messages from today’s reflection. First, that I should continue to perform deeds which I believe are good and pleasing to God even if I don’t feel I have been ‘commissioned’ to do them. I am speaking of small acts of charity through various volunteer groups, as well as my daily interactions with others. None of these can be considered ‘mighty’ deeds, but they are from my heart. If my motivation is to serve others and please God, then I am certainly not against the Lord, nor can I speak ill of Him or represent Him in an evil way. The other message is that even though I have resolved to offer everything I do for the glory of God, I rarely present my offerings in the name of Jesus. In my conversations with other Christians and in my dealings with the needy through St. Vincent de Paul, I often wish others well or tell them that I will pray for them, but I do not advocate for their needs ‘in the name of Jesus’. This is one small thing I can do to reinforce my trust in the Lord, get over my reticence when it comes to vocalizing my faith, and to become more like an apostle of Christ.
At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
Reaction: I received two messages from today’s reflection. First, that I should continue to perform deeds which I believe are good and pleasing to God even if I don’t feel I have been ‘commissioned’ to do them. I am speaking of small acts of charity through various volunteer groups, as well as my daily interactions with others. None of these can be considered ‘mighty’ deeds, but they are from my heart. If my motivation is to serve others and please God, then I am certainly not against the Lord, nor can I speak ill of Him or represent Him in an evil way. The other message is that even though I have resolved to offer everything I do for the glory of God, I rarely present my offerings in the name of Jesus. In my conversations with other Christians and in my dealings with the needy through St. Vincent de Paul, I often wish others well or tell them that I will pray for them, but I do not advocate for their needs ‘in the name of Jesus’. This is one small thing I can do to reinforce my trust in the Lord, get over my reticence when it comes to vocalizing my faith, and to become more like an apostle of Christ.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Bear fruit Through Perseverance
Scripture: Luke 8:5-15
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand. This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
Reaction: During today’s meditation, I imagined my heart as rich soil, where God’s word was taking root and growing into green shoots. Some of these shoots blossomed into hearty plants, bearing wholesome fruits such as service and compassion. Other plants, from the seeds of humility and selflessness, starting growing among thorny weeds, and became stunted. I felt the need to be more persevering in clearing out the weeds of temptation, anxiety, and worldliness, so that all of the seedlings can mature and bear fruit. Even though the ground may be rich and fertile, constant care is needed to cultivate the soil. My meditation ended with an image of the Holy Spirit showering my garden with sun and rain. These elements too are needed to produce an abundant harvest.
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand. This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
Reaction: During today’s meditation, I imagined my heart as rich soil, where God’s word was taking root and growing into green shoots. Some of these shoots blossomed into hearty plants, bearing wholesome fruits such as service and compassion. Other plants, from the seeds of humility and selflessness, starting growing among thorny weeds, and became stunted. I felt the need to be more persevering in clearing out the weeds of temptation, anxiety, and worldliness, so that all of the seedlings can mature and bear fruit. Even though the ground may be rich and fertile, constant care is needed to cultivate the soil. My meditation ended with an image of the Holy Spirit showering my garden with sun and rain. These elements too are needed to produce an abundant harvest.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Assurance of Things Hoped For
Scripture: Hebrews 11: 1-6
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Reaction: Continuing on the theme of faith, I revisited a passage I’ve meditated upon before. The phrase that struck me most was ‘without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Since I have been concentrating on pleasing God in the past several weeks, I was reminded that regardless of how I spend my time or what decisions I make, the most important thing for me to do is to remain steadfast in my belief in God, and in Jesus our Savior. I also got the feeling that I need to have faith (the assurance of something hoped for) that God has prepared a plan for me, just as he had a plan for the men and women of the Old Testament. This plan will be revealed in God’s own time, and all that is required of me is faith and a desire to please God and do His will. I believe God has already ‘rewarded’ me by revealing His presence to me in my everyday life. I know that my final reward lies ahead, when I will meet Him face to face in the next life.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Reaction: Continuing on the theme of faith, I revisited a passage I’ve meditated upon before. The phrase that struck me most was ‘without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Since I have been concentrating on pleasing God in the past several weeks, I was reminded that regardless of how I spend my time or what decisions I make, the most important thing for me to do is to remain steadfast in my belief in God, and in Jesus our Savior. I also got the feeling that I need to have faith (the assurance of something hoped for) that God has prepared a plan for me, just as he had a plan for the men and women of the Old Testament. This plan will be revealed in God’s own time, and all that is required of me is faith and a desire to please God and do His will. I believe God has already ‘rewarded’ me by revealing His presence to me in my everyday life. I know that my final reward lies ahead, when I will meet Him face to face in the next life.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A Solid Foundation
Scripture: Luke 6: 46-49
Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and not do what I tell you? Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Reaction: While reflecting on today’s reading, two messages came to mind. First, I was reminded that although I have been reading God’s word for many months, I sometimes fail to do what the Lord has instructed me to do: to love Him completely and put Him first in my life, to trust in His providence, to put others before myself, and to do everything for the glory of God. My impression was not so much an admonition as an encouraging reminder, as if Jesus were saying, “You have heard my words and often act upon them. Now keep on listening, and keep on doing as I ask. Then your faith will become stronger, and our relationship will grow even deeper.”
The second message from this passage was that my faith will see me through both bad times and good. Lately it seems like everything is falling into place for me; I have been very grateful to the Lord, as well as joyous and full of praise. But I know that life isn’t always easy, and that trying times are sure to reappear. Will I still be as thankful and joyful in my relationship with the Lord when everything isn’t going my way? If I dig deep and make sure my faith has a solid foundation, I believe I can stand firm when the stream breaks and rushes against me.
Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and not do what I tell you? Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Reaction: While reflecting on today’s reading, two messages came to mind. First, I was reminded that although I have been reading God’s word for many months, I sometimes fail to do what the Lord has instructed me to do: to love Him completely and put Him first in my life, to trust in His providence, to put others before myself, and to do everything for the glory of God. My impression was not so much an admonition as an encouraging reminder, as if Jesus were saying, “You have heard my words and often act upon them. Now keep on listening, and keep on doing as I ask. Then your faith will become stronger, and our relationship will grow even deeper.”
The second message from this passage was that my faith will see me through both bad times and good. Lately it seems like everything is falling into place for me; I have been very grateful to the Lord, as well as joyous and full of praise. But I know that life isn’t always easy, and that trying times are sure to reappear. Will I still be as thankful and joyful in my relationship with the Lord when everything isn’t going my way? If I dig deep and make sure my faith has a solid foundation, I believe I can stand firm when the stream breaks and rushes against me.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Encourage and Build Up One Another
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5: 6-11
“Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation. For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do”.
Reaction: Since I now have two pretty sure opportunities for part-time employment, I find myself slipping back into some old habits I thought I’d conquered. Lately I’ve been very preoccupied with the details of my daily schedule, as well as planning how much money I might earn and save. I know I will need to adjust my schedule to make room for the extra work hours, but I must also ensure that I still have time for daily prayer and for the opportunities to serve others that may come up unexpectedly. One thing I have learned from my meditations is to always be open to where the Lord is leading me, which may not be at all where I was planning to go! As for financial issues, it’s been pretty clear to me that the last thing I should be doing is storing up wealth. I pursued both of these jobs because I thought they would be fun, challenging, and a way to help others. I also knew that I needed to earn a little extra income to cover some unplanned expenses. So while it’s not all that bad to think about time and money, I really need to be more temperate in these matters. With this in mind, I looked for a scripture passage under the topic of Temperance, and I found a reference to 1 Thessalonians 5: 6-8.
While that particular passage didn’t really strike me, verse 11 certainly did. I recalled that both my job as a fitness instructor and as resume writer can be used to encourage and build up others. If that goal is my focus, then I believe my preoccupation with over-planning will begin to subside. I also remembered that my involvement in a recently formed Faith Sharing group is meant to inspire, uplift, and enlighten others as well as myself. Even the time I spend at ballroom dancing has had a great impact on my husband, who is quite cheered by his resulting recent weight loss and improved skills. In previous reflections I’ve noted that I need to focus on others rather than on myself; I must remember that this is still true even as I seek to adjust my life based on my new opportunities.
“Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation. For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do”.
Reaction: Since I now have two pretty sure opportunities for part-time employment, I find myself slipping back into some old habits I thought I’d conquered. Lately I’ve been very preoccupied with the details of my daily schedule, as well as planning how much money I might earn and save. I know I will need to adjust my schedule to make room for the extra work hours, but I must also ensure that I still have time for daily prayer and for the opportunities to serve others that may come up unexpectedly. One thing I have learned from my meditations is to always be open to where the Lord is leading me, which may not be at all where I was planning to go! As for financial issues, it’s been pretty clear to me that the last thing I should be doing is storing up wealth. I pursued both of these jobs because I thought they would be fun, challenging, and a way to help others. I also knew that I needed to earn a little extra income to cover some unplanned expenses. So while it’s not all that bad to think about time and money, I really need to be more temperate in these matters. With this in mind, I looked for a scripture passage under the topic of Temperance, and I found a reference to 1 Thessalonians 5: 6-8.
While that particular passage didn’t really strike me, verse 11 certainly did. I recalled that both my job as a fitness instructor and as resume writer can be used to encourage and build up others. If that goal is my focus, then I believe my preoccupation with over-planning will begin to subside. I also remembered that my involvement in a recently formed Faith Sharing group is meant to inspire, uplift, and enlighten others as well as myself. Even the time I spend at ballroom dancing has had a great impact on my husband, who is quite cheered by his resulting recent weight loss and improved skills. In previous reflections I’ve noted that I need to focus on others rather than on myself; I must remember that this is still true even as I seek to adjust my life based on my new opportunities.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Not as a horse or mule
Scripture: Psalm 32:8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not keep with you.
Reaction: This passage was listed under the topic of Guidance, something I am in need of at this time. My reflection brought me confidence that the Lord will help me in my journey to find a good balance in my life. He will grant me understanding, so that I don’t simply make go off blindly, but will have the insight I need to make the wisest decisions. I also felt God was telling me to listen for His counsel with my heart, but not to expect any blatant messages about the exact words to use or specific actions to take. He will grant me wisdom and understanding, but He won’t lead me around with a bit and bridle. I am free to follow one path or another, to determine how I will spend my time, to choose how to respond to those who offering me new opportunities. What I can expect from God is His love, His wisdom, and His constant presence, with His eye always upon me. It’s up to me to make the most of our loving relationship, and to use the understanding He grants me to follow the paths He wants me to travel.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not keep with you.
Reaction: This passage was listed under the topic of Guidance, something I am in need of at this time. My reflection brought me confidence that the Lord will help me in my journey to find a good balance in my life. He will grant me understanding, so that I don’t simply make go off blindly, but will have the insight I need to make the wisest decisions. I also felt God was telling me to listen for His counsel with my heart, but not to expect any blatant messages about the exact words to use or specific actions to take. He will grant me wisdom and understanding, but He won’t lead me around with a bit and bridle. I am free to follow one path or another, to determine how I will spend my time, to choose how to respond to those who offering me new opportunities. What I can expect from God is His love, His wisdom, and His constant presence, with His eye always upon me. It’s up to me to make the most of our loving relationship, and to use the understanding He grants me to follow the paths He wants me to travel.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Magnificat
Scripture: Luke 1: 46-50
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
Reaction: Today I opened my Bible to Mary’s Magnificat, so I decided to contemplate on this passage. I was especially struck by the phrases “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” and “He who is mighty has done great things for me”, both of which are very true for me. Still, the phrase I kept coming back to was the very first one, “My soul magnifies the Lord”. I’ve never been clear on what is meant by this verse, but I kept repeating it nonetheless.
Eventually I came to feel that the little acts of kindness, compassion, and sharing that I may do, no matter how feeble or insignificant I feel they are, are sometimes magnified in the eyes of others to reflect the presence and glory of God. As I strive to be more open in sharing my faith, I hope that the goodness and mercy of God that I’ve come to recognize will be conveyed to those around me.
In addition, I know that God's greatness is often magnified in my eyes, whether it's in the beauty of nature of in the goodness of another human being. As I continue to become more aware of His presence in my life, my spirit can truly rejoice in God my Savior.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
Reaction: Today I opened my Bible to Mary’s Magnificat, so I decided to contemplate on this passage. I was especially struck by the phrases “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” and “He who is mighty has done great things for me”, both of which are very true for me. Still, the phrase I kept coming back to was the very first one, “My soul magnifies the Lord”. I’ve never been clear on what is meant by this verse, but I kept repeating it nonetheless.
Eventually I came to feel that the little acts of kindness, compassion, and sharing that I may do, no matter how feeble or insignificant I feel they are, are sometimes magnified in the eyes of others to reflect the presence and glory of God. As I strive to be more open in sharing my faith, I hope that the goodness and mercy of God that I’ve come to recognize will be conveyed to those around me.
In addition, I know that God's greatness is often magnified in my eyes, whether it's in the beauty of nature of in the goodness of another human being. As I continue to become more aware of His presence in my life, my spirit can truly rejoice in God my Savior.
Monday, September 7, 2009
To Think as God Thinks
Scripture: Mark 8:27-35
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”
Reaction: This is the reading for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is this upcoming Sunday. Our prayer group is meeting for the first time on Wednesday, and this is the passage will discuss.
During today’s meditation, the phrase that initially struck me was “You are thinking not as God does, but as humans do.” In the context of this gospel, the thought of Jesus suffering and dying was devastating to Peter, who was thinking as a human; however, in God’s plan it was necessary for the salvation of mankind. I know that God’s ways are often a mystery to me, but I too am thinking like a human and not as God does. I don’t know that I can ever think as God thinks, but one thing I can do is accept that God’s ways are best for His people. This means accepting everything that comes my way, and trying to find God’s goodness in all I encounter. This fits very well with the concept of ‘taking up one’s cross’, or accepting the burdens of life and offering them as ways to build up our characters and glorify God. As I reflected on this idea, I came to a new interpretation of the phrase ‘whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life…will save it.” Today, the message from this phrase was that instead of trying to plan my life to avoid discomfort, worries, and trials, I should simply surrender to God’s plan. I know I have a tendency to map out my life according to what I think is easiest and most pleasant for me, but this is the life I need to lose. When I walk with the Spirit according to God’s design, I come closer to living the life God intends for me.
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”
Reaction: This is the reading for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is this upcoming Sunday. Our prayer group is meeting for the first time on Wednesday, and this is the passage will discuss.
During today’s meditation, the phrase that initially struck me was “You are thinking not as God does, but as humans do.” In the context of this gospel, the thought of Jesus suffering and dying was devastating to Peter, who was thinking as a human; however, in God’s plan it was necessary for the salvation of mankind. I know that God’s ways are often a mystery to me, but I too am thinking like a human and not as God does. I don’t know that I can ever think as God thinks, but one thing I can do is accept that God’s ways are best for His people. This means accepting everything that comes my way, and trying to find God’s goodness in all I encounter. This fits very well with the concept of ‘taking up one’s cross’, or accepting the burdens of life and offering them as ways to build up our characters and glorify God. As I reflected on this idea, I came to a new interpretation of the phrase ‘whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life…will save it.” Today, the message from this phrase was that instead of trying to plan my life to avoid discomfort, worries, and trials, I should simply surrender to God’s plan. I know I have a tendency to map out my life according to what I think is easiest and most pleasant for me, but this is the life I need to lose. When I walk with the Spirit according to God’s design, I come closer to living the life God intends for me.
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