The Resurrection of the Lord
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

April 23, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042311.shtml

The last time I did daily meditations as my Lenten discipline was in 2008, and I am surprised by a change in the intervening years.  Back then, there was a separate set of readings for Holy Saturday.  So I was surprised, when I went to the USCCB readings site today, to find that the only readings shown are those for the Easter Vigil.  I'm not complaining -- being a person who has always participated in the Triduum, I found it sort of odd to treat Holy Saturday like something other than the day of the Easter Vigil. 

The Easter Vigil is, to my mind, the most beautiful service of the year.  It starts with a bonfire outside, from which the Easter candle is lit.  Then we process in with candles, and sit through the readings in the darkness...the account of the creation of the world, Abraham showing that he was willing to sacrifice Isaac for God, Moses parting the Red Sea, Isaiah's song of praise to God and other prophecies, and finally, the discovery that Jesus has risen from the dead.  The lights come up and there is joyous celebration, singing alleluia and gloria.  Those who have been preparing to join the church are welcomed in baptism and confirmed.  Then the entire congregation, including the new members, share in the celebration of the eucharist. It is a long service, and by the end, as a choir member, I am usually physically tired.  But spiritually,  I feel totally energized.  All the symbols and sacraments of the church are allowed to shine at their best in that one service.

Darkness into light; fear into joy; the old made new; celebration and exaltation and joy unbridled.  That's how I experience the core message of the church, and never do I experience it more than on this evening.  I really feel like burdens are lifted from my heart, like I want to laugh and sing and dance for joy.  I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way, because following this long service (and it is a long one!) I never hear any complaining, and no one ever seems to be hurrying home.  No, everyone seems to want to stay and fellowship, to welcome the new members and visit with old friends in a great communal glow.  I would say that it feels more like a family reunion than anything else.  I find myself looking around at people I see every week through the year and noticing how much I appreciate them. To coin a phrase the Bishop used in our Holy Thursday homily, "The presence of God in me senses the presence of God in them." 

Of course, our Easter celebration is both a culmination and a beginning.  The expectation is that we will go out from there and live as saved people.  We who lived through the discipline and self examination of Lent, who shared in the passion and death of Christ, who rejoiced in the resurrection, are now supposed to go out and act on the teachings of Jesus.  We are supposed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give aid to the poor.  We are to extend the hand of human kindness to the outcast, to love those who don't make it easy to love them.  In a very real way, the annual celebration of Easter is a bit of a way to fill our tank, to fuel us up for another year of service.  And at least for me, it works.  I will leave the service ready to go try a little harder.  I'll stumble along the way and not always do a good job, but I really believe that God gives partial credit.  In fact, I'm counting on it!

This will be the last new post for this year's Lenten journal.  I want to say a profound thank-you to those who walked this journey with me.  Though Shannon was the only one who ever posted a reply -- and Shannon, I can't say how much I appreciated it -- others did mention it to me here and there, so I know there were other readers.  Knowing you were there helped give me the discipline I needed to stay with it.  The effort of these six weeks has inspired me to return to blogging on a more regular basis.  I won't attempt to maintain the daily pace, but having done it for six weeks, I'm convinced I can write a few times a week faithfully.  So if you're interested in joining my ongoing ruminations on this and that -- a lot more secular stuff than this one -- please join me moving forward at http://www.candidlysusan.blogspot.com/.

Holy One, I thank you for the act of salvation you so selflessly gave, and I thank you for the ancient tradition of the Easter Vigil that so beautifully focuses us on it.  I worship you and praise your name with every fiber of my being, Lord.  I give you all glory and honor and praise; I exalt your name and thank you.  I know that those who have shared this journey with me also share in praising you.  Please strengthen us in our resolve to live to your glory.  Pour out your Spirit, Lord, and strengthen our resolve to live our lives in ways that give you glory every day.  Help us to reflect glory to you in our every word and every deed.  In your glorious name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray.  Amen  ¶ 10:24 PM 1 comments

  Good Friday

April 22, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042211.shtml


  ¶ 11:31 PM 0 comments

  Holy Thursday

April 21, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042111a.shtml

I can hardly believe that we are here, at Holy Thursday, the start of the Triduum!! The long Lenten journey is coming to an end, as we take the last few steps that lead us to Easter.

I always forget from one year to the next what amazing readings we get for Holy Thursday.  Any one of the three would be fodder for a week of meditaitions, and on this day, we get them all together!

In the Old Testament reading we get the story of the Passover, still a central celebration of the faith of our Jewish brethren.  I have been so blessed as to share a Seder meal with a Jewish family who are close friends of ours a few years ago, and I wish everyone could have that experience.  It is no wonder that we see our later reading tying our faith to this observance, because it marks another time when God dramatically saved his people.

Then we have the second reading, in which Paul repeats the words of consecration, the words Jesus used as he instituted the Eucharist.  It feels slightly unseemly to talk about a "favorite" sacrament, but let's just say the Eucharist has always been a sacrament that I feel I understand better than some, and for which I have a special appreciation.  It seems to me that I can actually feel that real presence in me, strengthening and supporting me.  I am so grateful that God chose this method of providing this grace, and that I am blessed to receive it regularly.

Finally, the Gospel reading is the beautiful story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples and commissioning them to follow his example.  Again, I have been blessed to participate in the ritual footwashing at a Holy Thursday service in the past.  Even though it is just a symbolic foot washing, where one takes one shoe off and gets that foot washed by a priest or deacon, it is still very moving.  I found that it felt very intimate, awkward, and not at all comfortable.  Then to imagine that my foot wasn't just being pulled out of my clean leather dress shoe and washed, but coming out of a sandal, filthy with road dirt...being scrubbed, really, by Jesus himself.  How humbling...and what an amazing example.  And THEN Jesus actually says that we are to follow his example, making ourselves subserviant to each other just like this. There's a commandment I think makes us all fall short

I started to say that the theme that runs through all three of these beautiful readings, and the Psalm, is a picture of a God who loves us -- aggressively, passionately, demonstrably.   And that is certainly true.  But one other thing that just hit me is how all these beautiful images took place at the dinner table.  There's this whole movement in youth work in our country to try to encourage more families to share a meal together every day, because they have found that families that eat a meal together are more communicative, the parents have more influence on their children's lives, and the kids are less susceptible to risk factors like drugs, teen sex, and violence.  And here God was millenia ahead of us: he set some of his most important interactions, the stories his people would hear thorughout their lives, at the dinner table.  He knew how to reach his people.

Father, thank you for pouring your love out on us again and again.  Thank you for sparing the people of Israel at the Passover, and for using the Passover in Jesus' day to create the Eucharist and to set a perfect example of service. Touch our hearts and humble us that we might set aside our egos and willingly serve others, as you have taught.  Lead us on these final steps of our Lenten journey and open our hearts so that we can share in the fullness of joy at your resurrection. Amen  ¶ 10:31 PM 0 comments

  Wednesday of Holy Week

April 20, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042011.shtml

Today I can easily understand and appreciate the link between the Old Testament reading and the gospel.   The gospel tells the story of Judas going to the Sanhedrin and agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, then denying that it was he when Jesus told the group assembled for the Seder that one of them would betray him. In the first reading, Isaiah tells of faithfully passing along the words that God whispered to him, and then holding his head high and trusting in God as he is badly treated by those who did not want to hear God's word. Of course, the words of Isaiah could have applied equally well to Jesus: he did as his Father told him and held his head high, suffering no disgrace or shame no matter how shamefully he was treated, because he knew he was doing the Father's will.

I learned this year, for the first time, that in some parts of the world today is known as Spy Wednesday to commemorate Judas cutting his deal with the Sanhedrin.  In fact, I was horrified to learn, there is a tradition in Poland of young people throwing an effigy of Judas off a church steeple, dragging it through the streets, and ultimately drowning it in a nearby stream or pond.  Certainly the Jesus-like behavior I want to instill in youth!

I found a really interesting meditation on line where the writer had put herself into the frame of mind of Judas, and wrote about it from his perspective.  She did a great job of capturing the spirit of a disillusioned, disappointed follower.  Jesus was not turning out the way he expected and he couldn't see past his own expectations to accept the true path of salvation.   I think she did a great job of empathizing with this poor, broken man.  If you're interested, you can see her take on it at: http://revruth.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/meditation-for-spy-wednesday/.

I'm glad I wasn't raised in the tradition that focuses so very much on Judas and betrayal.  I mean, we certainly acknowledge the betrayal, but only as a stop on the road to Jesus ultimate victory over death.  Like Isaiah, we know that ultimately God triumphs.  As long as we are with God, no one can defeat us, not even the betrayal of a loved one like Judas.  So I see this reading as more of a cause to mourn for Judas than to condemn him.  He condemned himself, and took his own life, and then he had to answer to God.  How could I, a mere mortal with plenty of failings and weaknesses of my own, presume to judge him?  Even though he did a horrible thing, I can't know how he felt or what caused him to fall.  I see him as much like the woman at the well, whom Jesus said could be stoned by the one who had no sin.  Like the accusers of the woman at the well, I think I'd better just walk away.

Thank you for walking with us through Holy Week, Father. Thank you for giving us such rich imagery of what happened in that last week of Jesus life, and filling it with so many lessons for us.  Father, we pray again for the forgiveness of Judas soul, and we pray that you will forgive all who become disillusioned and make wrong choices -- especially when that description fits us.  We pray for those who are  hurt and disappointed, those who are bereaved, those who are ill and those who care for the ill. Show us where you want us to work to help them, and fill our hearts with compassion and forgiveness.  Use us to do your will, oh Lord, and strengthen us for the vicarious sharing of your passion and death that await on the next two days of this Lenten Journey.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.  ¶ 9:35 PM 0 comments

  Tuesday of Holy Week

April 19, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041911.shtml

The story continues building toward the passion. In today's gospel, Jesus predicts that he will be betrayed, Judas leaves to betray him, Peter proclaims his undying devotion to Jesus, and Jesus predicts that before the cock crows three times, Peter will betray him. Alone, there are several lessons one could take from this reading. But as part of Holy Week, sandwiched between the full story of the passion we heard on Palm Sunday and the story of the passion and resurrection we will hear at the Triduum, it just builds the drama and tension.  Within that greater context, we know that we are all Judas and we are all Peter.  We fail God at every turn, sometimes proactively like Judas and more often, through our own frailties, like Peter. And somehow, inexplicably, God loves us so much that he comes to die for us.

Today was unusual in that I kept getting external reminders of the meaning of the week. An old friend of mine posted a very thought-provoking article on Facebook about how fast-paced our lives are, and how he thinks it is God's way of throwing us into the deep end of the pool, making us give up our illusions of control and learn to really trust in him.  Then I caught the last part of an NPR feature on Easter and family traditions, featuring an extended first-person piece on one woman's experience of Easter.  She told a story of one year when she went shopping for a dress with a friend who was dying from cancer.  When the woman tried on a dress and worried about her figure, the friend, with the perspective that comes from facing mortality, said "Girl, you don't have time for that stuff."  She said that was an aha moment for her, and the perspective she now brings to Easter.  Finally, I was at a meeting in which a Jewish friend had to run off to get home to the Seder meal her husband was preparing, which served to remind me, as Seder meals always do, of the Christian adaptation of that tradition into our Eucharist, which we will celebrate so beautifully Thursday evening. I take all these as little gifts of grace, sent by God to help keep me focused on what matters.

Because I sing in my church choir, I've always experienced Holy Week partly as a marathon.  We always have a final rehearsal with the instruments sometime in the first half of the week, then the services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, and some years, including this one, back for another service Sunday morning.  And I hate to admit it, but I've done my share of whining about it.  This year, I'm viewing it as more of a blessing.  And when I stop and think about what's different, I realize what it is.  They always teach that in Lent we should think about our mortality, but I guess it just never really clicked for me.  This year, I lost my little friend Delaney, I have four close friends fighting various cancers, and I learned that another friend, who gave a kidney to her oldest daughter 10 years ago, now has learned that her younger daughter needs a kidney -- and there are no other family members eligible to give.  This year, I think perhaps the message of mortality has reached me in ways it never did before.  And I suspect that is why I see the blessing of Holy Week a little more clearly.

Father, we thank you for the mercy you showed to Peter and the thieves who died beside you and those who put you to death.  We thank you for the mercy you showed to all of us by coming in the person of Jesus and dying for all of us.  I say a special prayer for those loved ones in my life who are dealing with life-threatening problems, and for the families who have lost loved ones.  Please bless and strengthen them, and thank you for allowing me to share in their lives. Help me to find ways to be a blessing to them, as well. Thank you for guiding us on our Lenten journey, and please be with us on these final days of it and lead us ever closer to you.  Amen  ¶ 10:12 PM 0 comments

  Monday of Holy Week

April 18, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041811.shtml

Today's gospel reading tells the story of Mary washing Jesus' feet with her hair and expensive oil.  Judas objected, saying the fine ointment should have been sold to raise money for the poor, but Jesus brushed aside his concern. 

On Sunday afternoon, I indulged in something I like to do during Holy Week:  I listened to Jesus Christ Superstar. Of course, this is one of the stories it retells, and one that I think Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber did an especially nice job with, really catching the spirit of each of the characters.

The point Jesus makes as he brushes aside Judas' complaint is that Mary was right to use her fine oil on him, because there would be plenty of time to care for the poor, but he would soon be gone.  Other than just carrying on the story that leads inexorably to the passion, I think this is the main point of this reading.  We are probably all guilty, from time to time, of being too focused on "doing," on "getting things done," and not enough on simply being with Jesus.

Speaking strictly for myself, I know that even though I am very active in my church -- sometimes BECAUSE I am so active in my church -- I don't always spend the time I should in quiet meditation.  I am occasionally brought up short when the opportunity presents itself and I realize that it feels like a rare treat. Though I certainly hope my motivations are different than those of Judas, I think the end result is still much the same: too much "doing" and not enough "being."  And I think that's one of the big benefits of Lent.  It pushes us to spend some time with Jesus, not doing, but simply being.

Thank you, Father, for calling us to spend time with you. Be with us in the last week of Lent and guide our footsteps more than ever on right paths.  Help us to center ourselves in you and find joy and peace in your presence, that we might arrive at the Triduum rightly prepared to share in your passion and your resurrection. Amen  ¶ 9:52 PM 0 comments

  Palm Sunday

April 17, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041711.shtml

Here we are at Palm Sunday again!  I can hardly believe five weeks of Lent have passed.  Now we stand at the beginning of Holy Week, where it all comes together.  And of course, it especially comes together today.  I've always found it fascinating how the entire Holy Week experience is covered in the Palm Sunday Mass, then played out again in more detail at the Triduum.

Actually, this one Sunday covers even more than the Triduum.  It starts with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ends with his death.  It makes this one Mass such an emotionally draining experience. First, the triumphant entry, with the crowds singing hosannah.  Then the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist.  On to Gethsemane, where Jesus prays while his followers doze, and then the betrayal. Then the interrogation, the condemnation, the opportunity offered to the crowd to spare Jesus, and on to the debasing, crucifixion, and death of Jesus.  By that time I always feel like I've been through a wringer.  Especially because at my parish, like most, they do the gospel reading with the congregation reading all the crowd parts, so you actually hear yourself saying "Crucify him! Crucify him!"  It becomes very moving and very disturbing.

You know, seeing anyone go through this series of events would be horrendous and disturbing.  But to think that it is God's own Son, a person without sin, makes it exponentially worse.  It is beyond comprehension.  Personally, my self-preservation instinct is so strong that on my own, I cannot allow myself to really, totally allow myself to feel how painful it really is.  And yet I know that is what we are called to do, in order to truly be ready to share in the joy of  the resurrection. So here we are.  One week to ponder the imponderable.  May God's Spirit help us.

Father in heaven, we thank you for the unspeakable sacrifice that you made for us.  Thank you for suffering beyond all our human suffering that we might be spared.  Thank you for loving us that much.  Help us to open our hearts to understand and share that suffering, so that we can truly share in your resurrection.  Strengthen our resolve to walk with you in the bad times as well as the good.  Pour out your Spirit and empower us to love you beyond our human capacity.  Amen  ¶ 9:36 PM 0 comments

    ¶ 10:33 PM 0 comments

  Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

April 15, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041511.shtml

The gospel picks up the story from yesterday, with the religious leaders wanting to stone Jesus. They accuse him of blasphemy for "making  himself a god," but Jesus tells them to judge him by his works.  They still try to stone him, but he escapes.  I think it is interesting to read this beside the Jeremiah reading. In it Jeremiah talks about how all around him are out to get him, but the Lord is with him, and he knows he will triumph because of that. Quite parallel stories, really.

Of course, we know that Jesus will triumph ultimately, but not before a great deal of suffering and his eventual death.  One week from tonight is Holy Thursday, the start of the Triduum. (For those of other traditions, this is the term Catholics use for the service that begins on Holy Thursday, resumes on Good Friday, and is completed at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night.)  That means that for those of us who try to walk the Lenten journey with Jesus, we are entering into the toughest part.  Soon we will see him deserted by his followers, betrayed, captured, denied, tortured and killed.  After that we will see him risen, of course, and celebrate.  But these last steps on the road that lead there are tough.

This is a short entry, but it doesn't seem that there is anything else to say. We are entering the tough times, and while we know that we will emerge triumphant with Jesus, we know all too well what we have to go through to get there.  We have to continue leading our daily lives, going about our business each day, while at the same time staying centered in the experiences of your final days.  It's a challenge.

Father in Heaven, please walk with us this week even more than usual. Fill us with your Spirit and give us the strength to fully open ourselves to the reality of your suffering, that we might more fully share in the wonder of your resurrection.  Help us to be aware of your presence in all aspects of our lives.  Strengthen our resolve to do your will and help us to shine with the light of your love.  Amen  ¶ 10:13 PM 0 comments

  Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

April 14, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041411.shtml

The tie between the readings is stronger today than on many days.  First we hear God make his covenant with Abraham, the one that is at the core of the Jewish faith.  Then, the psalm response is "The Lord remembers his covenant forever."  Finally, Abraham plays prominently in the gospel reading. I love it when a plan comes together!

In the John reading, I can practically see the Jewish leaders pulling their hair out as Jesus answers their questions....with each answer seeming more far-fetched than the last. First they taunt him that he must think he is greater than Abraham, thinking that will put him in  his place. But he replies that Abraham rejoiced to see his day.  The religious leaders scoff: “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” And Jesus replies that he was there before Abraham.  I can only imagine how upset they were at that. It says that they picked up stones to throw at him -- I'll bet they were so angry and offended and appalled they couldn't see straight.  This sounded like the ultimate heresy to them! 

Of course, having been raised in the light of the New Testament, to me this sounds just like our God:  changing things up, turning the conventional wisdom on its head.  We were raised on the passage "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  That's much the same message as Jesus saying he was there before Abraham.   But in the days in which Jesus lived, this was an altogether new idea.  Father Abraham was revered and Jesus of Nazareth was a nobody.

But for all that, the most important part of the reading is probably the first part.  Jesus says, "Whoever keeps my word will never see death." That's the promise we count on.  We believe that in Jesus, we will have life everlasting and that our earthly life will be life more abundant.  Pretty exciting stuff! All we have to do is stay focused.

Thank you , Father, for loving us so much. Thank you for keeping your covenant with Abraham and for making a new covenant with us through Jesus. Now please help us keep our end of the covenant.  Send your Spirit to strengthen and guide us to live our lives in a way that gives you glory.  Help us to use the remainder of the Lenten journey to prepare ourselves so that we can rightly remember your suffering and death, then share in the joy and freedom of your resurrection.  Amen  ¶ 10:19 PM 0 comments

  Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

April 13, 2011

To see the readings, click here:  http://www.usccb.org/nab/041311.shtml

I love this Daniel reading.  It's the wonderful story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. If you've ever had the good fortune to watch the animated Vegie Tales version of this story, you will never forget it. (In it they are called Rak, Shak and Benny.) In this story, the three refused to bow down and worship the golden statue of king Nebuchadnezzar. He became furious and had them cast into a fiery furnace. Though his servants kept stoking the furnace, Shardach, Meshach and Abednego continued singing praises to the true God while they were in there. In astonishment the king looked in and saw not just the three men, but one with them who "looks like a son of God." And the king marveled at their faith and the power of their God.

I think it's important to note that these three had been in the king's very good graces until they refused to worship the statue. They were living the good life. If they had just gone through the motions of compliance, they would have gone on living the good life. But they knew that worshiping an idol was fundamentally wrong, and they refused to do it. They said their God could save them, but even if he didn't, they would still rather perish for doing what was right than live by doing what was wrong. (Hmm, harkens back to Susanna of the Daniel reading of a few days ago, doesn't it?) In the end God did save them, and in quite a flashy manner -- but the point is, they were willing to die if they had to rather than sin in this way.

In their shoes, wouldn't it be easy to come up with some rationalization for why it only made sense to play along? My mind jumps to the many Christians -- and I believe many were true, believing Christians -- who "went along" with the Nazis during the holocaust. They told themselves that one person couldn't make a difference. They asked, how could it possibly help God's cause for me to sacrifice myself -- it wouldn't make a difference, would it? And they kept their mouths shut or worse, they actively complied. I say this not in judgment, but in sympathy. I truly wonder whether I'd have the strength to face near-certain death for my convictions. I hope I would -- but I don't think we can know until we are there.

Thank you, Father, for all the wonderful examples you give us of people who acted on their convictions.  Please live in us and help us to grow ever more grounded in you so that we, too, will have the strength to do what is right if put to the test.  Help us to use this Lent to let go of even more of our self-centeredness and the things distance us from you, and to arrive at Easter stronger and closer to you than ever.  Amen  ¶ 10:01 PM 0 comments

  Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

April 12, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/041211.shtml

My first reaction as I read the lesson from Numbers is that I sure am glad that God doesn't send snakes any more!  I mean, we all have snakes in our environments, but I'm pretty sure God doesn't send them as a response to our disbelief any more. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.

Then we get to the reading from John.  One thing I like about this reading is that it is one of the few where Jesus actually alludes to a difference between his human response to something and the response he shows because he is one with the Father.  At least, that's how I interpret it when he says, “I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.” I don't presume to know what it felt like to be in Jesus' unique situation, truly human and truly God, but it seems to me that this verse is a real insight into how it must have felt:  on the one hand, reacting just like you or me, wanting to punish people who were hurting him and were not grasping the truth, wanting to lash out in a rage, but on the other hand, filled with the true love and compassion of the Father and wanting only to reach them. 

When I read the two lessons together, I actually wonder if part of the reason we see a more compassionate representation of God in the New Testament might not be because he and Jesus were truly one, though separate, and that seeing our world through Jesus' eyes changed God.  I don't think that's such a stretch -- even in the Old Testament we see times when Moses or Abraham or other leaders of the people wrestled with God on a specific subject and actually got him to change his mind.  So is it such a stretch to believe that seeing us through the eyes of Jesus, even experiencing the anger and frustration that is part of being human, through Jesus, made a more profound change in God?  Maybe the reason we see more examples of the God who lovingly reaches out to us and less examples of the God of wrath and punishment in the New Testament is that God developed insight into how humans are motivated.  Throughout both testaments we consistently see a God who loves us and wants to be in communion with us, but who is hurt by our constant rejection and wandering.  Maybe God has moved more in the direction of the carrot rather than the stick because, in his love of us, he came to realize it is more effective at drawing us to the path he wants us to follow.

Father, thank you for your relentless love of us.  Thank you for leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and for giving them so many wise and good leaders to help them throughout history. Thank you for sending your Son to live among us and ultimately suffer and die for us.  We can barely fathom how painful that must have been, and we know it is a sign of the depth of your love.  Help us in this last leg of the Lenten journey to open ourselves to you fully.  Open our hearts, Lord, and help us to see your face -- in all its manifestations.  Amen  ¶ 6:08 AM 0 comments

  Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

April 11, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041111.shtml

It hardly seems fair to have put two such good readings on the same day!  I just love the reading from Daniel -- it is such an engaging story.  Susanna shows great faith and integrity, choosing to do what is right even when it looks like doing the wrong thing would end up better for her.  And then Daniel comes forward with great wisdom and catches the bad guys in their lies, and ultimately Susanna is spared.  There's a lot that could be said about the examples both of them set. I always think, when I read this, that I sure hope I would have the strength of Susanna if put in such a difficult situation.  I don't think any of us really know until we face it.

But I think I'm going to have to turn my main attention to the story from the gospel reading. It is the famous story of the woman caught in adultery, who is brought to be stoned.  They ask Jesus about it, and he says “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  This was such a  clever answer.  It didn't in any way suggest that Jesus was trying to overthrow the law that said she should be stoned, and yet it put the religious leaders in a position that they couldn't really move forward, either.  Like Daniel in the first reading, he was very cunning.  In fact, throughout the final days we see this side of Jesus: walking a fine line so that he highlights how far off course the religious leaders of the day were, without saying anything that could actually give them grounds to arrest him. 

And after the crowd slowly filters away, convicted by their own consciences, Jesus establishes that no one is left to condemn her and adds “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Such gentle, kind words.  It's not that he doesn't acknowledge her sin; it's just that he releases her from it.  That's how I believe he deals with each of us, too.  He knows all our sins, knows the punishment we deserve, and chooses to release us from it.  All he asks is that we go and try to do better. 

Superficially, you could say that both these readings are about potential stonings.  Not an insignificant topic, since in that part of the world that form of punishment is still practiced today.  But from the perspective of the church, I think it is more important that both stories are about redemption.  Susanna is redeemed because she really made the right choice and would have died in innocence; the woman in John is redeemed from her sin by a word from Jesus.  This is what I think the gospel is all about: no matter what we do, we are redeemed by the loving sacrifice of Jesus.  All we ever have to do is open our heart to accept what is already given.

On a side note, I thought this was interesting: I wrote my journal on yesterday's readings that I know some people think life after death is the main point of our faith, whereas I tend to focus more on the difference it makes in our lives here and now.  Then when I heard a sermon on those readings in church, my pastor talked about life after death in terms of how we all face many "death"s -- not just the literal one at the end of our life, but the death of a relationship, the loss of a job, the alienation of a family member, things like that.  I thought it was interesting to use the language of "death" to describe those life situations -- it seemed to really marry the concept of life after death with the idea of life lived more fully.  I felt somehow affirmed by that.

Oh God, we thank you so much for redeeming us all.  Like the woman in the gospel reading, we have sinned and we know it.  Thank you for speaking a kind word to us and releasing us from our sins.  Pour out you Spirit upon us so that we can be stronger and sin less as we move forward.  Help us to keep our eyes on you and your example, and to do all that we can to repay your gracious gift.  Thank you for bringing us this far on the Lenten journey and help us to hear your voice and know where you would lead us for the rest.  Help us to be ready to receive the Easter miracle anew when the time comes.  Amen  ¶ 9:24 PM 0 comments

  The Fifth Sunday of Lent

April 10, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041011.shtml

Sundays, of course, are not actually part of Lent.  I say that to make it seem less wrong that yesterday, I said that the readings are getting darker and more challenging, and today, they are all about rising from the dead.

The gospel is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  In it, we hear Jesus say, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."  I think a lot of people view that as the core message of the gospel.  In general, I've always been partial to the effect believing has on living life in this world, so I might not think it is the MOST important thing, but clearly it is an essential message.

With the recent death of my little friend Delaney, though, I will admit that the notion that she has gone on to eternal life feels pretty important.  She had a long, slow decline after a far too short life.  I really want to believe that she is with Jesus today in some sort of paradise.  (I only phrase it that way because I know there are various theories about how life after death works. Normally, I've never felt a great need to know the specifics -- I've always felt that knowing there IS life after death is enough..)

In the reading from Paul's Letter to the Romans, he also talks about how you are not in the flesh if only the Spirit of God lives in you. I had the good fortune to sing at the confirmation Mass at our parish on Saturday.  It was a very beautiful service, and the Bishop preached a moving homily.  I belong to a really big parish, so there were a bunch of kids confirmed -- something like 85 at the Mass I sung at, and as many in an afternoon Mass.  If you believe that the Spirit of God descends on those kids with that sacrament, that's pretty amazing.  Think of how much Spirit of God was in that room!!  I hope and pray that they all allow the Spirit to live on in them. 

God the Father, I thank you so much for bestowing your Spirit upon us, and for sending your son Jesus to be the resurrection and the life. Thank you for giving us the blessed certainty that when a loved one dies in you, that they are with you.  Thank you for the certainty that when our time comes, we need not fear death.  Please help us to live our lives every day in ways that give you glory and reflect that gift.  Amen  ¶ 10:33 PM 0 comments

  Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

April 9, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/040911.shtml

We are drawing closer to the end of Lent, and the gospel readings begin to take a darker turn.  The meat of today's lessson is that those who had listened to Jesus speak believed that he was the Christ, but that the learned men, who had not heard him speak, scoffed because he did not meet their expectation of what the Messiah would be like. 

If there is one thing that seems consistent in the Hebrew scriptures and then even more so in the New Testament, it is that God works in unexpected ways.  Our God chooses an old man and his old, barren wife to be the progenitors of a great nation.  In last Sunday's reading, he says he is going to anoint one of Jesse's sons and then rejects all that are brought before him, waiting for the one too young to be considered.  In his parables, a priest walks by one in need without helping but a Samaritan turns out to do good. 

Raised as Christians, hearing these lessons year after year, I think we tend to settle into a position of contempt for the Pharisees for their pig-headedness.  After all, we know how the story ends.  But when I set that aside, I find I can rather relate to them.  Personally, I'm prone to one-track thinking.  I like things neat and orderly, I like to know what's coming next, and I find things that upset the applecart very disturbing.  

People who know me know that my son is nearing the end of his junior year of high school, and we've been college shopping.  They also know that my son doesn't fit the mold of a perfect little college prep kid.  As my husband puts it, "he not only marches to a different drummer, he sambas."  So as we visit colleges and talk about the future, I am trying to get my head around the idea that he probably will not just go off to school for four years, bring home good grades and pretty co-eds, and proceed in an orderly manner into a career.  I have to anticipate that his road will be more circuitous, and I'm trying to prepare myself for that eventuality.  But at some primal level, I really get that feeling the Pharisees have in this story of, "That's not how it's
supposed to work, not what I've prepared for, and it scares me!"

Of course, we all know that from here, the Pharisees and scribes turn even darker, and eventually bring about Jesus' death.  We are getting into the part of Lent that can't be avoided, but is tough to live through every time.

Father, thank you for sending your son and shaking up the established ways so that we might be saved.  Help us to strive every day to be more open to your will no matter what form it takes and to go where you would send us.  Strengthen us for this final leg of the Lenten journey and help us to walk even closer with you. Amen  ¶ 6:36 AM 0 comments

  Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

April 8, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040811.shtml

I thought I had hit a rhythm here.  For the past week or so, I have looked at the readings and it wasn't long before I had some kind of inspiration.  But not tonight.  The Old Testament reading is almost impenatrable, and the reading from John isn't much easier!

Essentially, I guess, this is a variation on the theme of "A prophet is never respected in his home town."  The people in Jerusalem believe that Jesus can't possibly be the Christ because they know where he is from. Of course, the people are totally wrong.  And I suppose one lesson we can take from this is that often what we think we know, and the conclusions we draw from it, are wrong.  I sometimes jokingly, cynically, use the phrase "Never attribute to malice what ignorance can explain."  But setting aside the cynical part, I think there is some relevant truth there.  So often in life we suffer all kinds of doubt and hurt and sometimes even damage relationships because we act on wrong assumptions and misunderstandings. 

We are especially bad about making wrong assumptions about others' intent.  Someone says something that hurts our feelings or otherwise bothers us, and we assume the worst.  We assume that person set out to harm us.  Heck, a lot of the time the other person doesn't even know they DID offend.  They assuredly didn't offend on purpose. 

Of course, all that is more general life philosophy than it is really a meditation on the Lenten readings.  But Lent is supposed to be about examining our lives and thinking about how we live them, so I hope there is at least a slight tie-in and purpose to all this.

Oh Lord, please open our hearts and minds to your will and your perspective.  Help us to turn to you for help in how to respond to trying situations.  Be with us especially as we walk the Lenten journey; help us to let go of wrong assumptions and see new options through your eyes.  We pray a special prayer for those who are ill and suffering, and for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.  In Jesus name, Amen.  ¶ 10:12 PM 0 comments

  Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

April 7, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/040711.shtml

In today's reading from Exodus, it's hard to say which is the most striking:  the folly of the Israelites or the courage of Moses.  Looking at the Israelites, it is always sort of amazing how often they seemed to mess up.  Throughout the flight from Egypt, they were perpetually doubting, challenging, getting off track.  In this case, they had actually gone so far as to make a golden idol and worship it instead of the one true God!  It is amazing that God didn't destroy them all!

In their defense, though, I will say that they must have been awfully frightened.  Even after the seven plagues and all, they didn't really know what they were getting into as they fled from Egypt.  The trip was  hard, and although God did provide generously, he mainly did so in "just in time" fashion, so their faith was put to the test almost daily.  And as offensive as it seems to us to make a golden idol to worship, that was actually what they were familiar with.  It wasn't alien to them at all -- rather, it was slipping back into the comfort of the familiar.  I don't mean to excuse their behavior, because it was totally wrong, but in perspective it is a little more understandable.

But what an amazing leader Moses was!  We know from other passages, other times when they had done wrong, that it really hurt and upset Moses, too. In addition to everything else, it made him feel unappreciated, and horribly disappointed in them.  But every time, including this one, he immediately jumps to their defense, wheedling with God to spare them.  In this case, he argues that it will just make the Egyptians disbelieve in him, if his chosen people come this far only to perish in the mountains.   And this time, as every time, God relents.

I think Moses is a wonderful role model of a leader.  He wasn't perfect, he didn't seek out glory, and he often admittted that he didn't know what to do.  But he was always subservient to God, doing what he was called to do, and he was faithful to his followers.  He would argue their case before God even when he was so angry with them himself that you know he just wanted to bash a few heads together.  If that isn't leadership, I don't know what is.

Let's pray that we can all find it in ourselves to be a little more like Moses and a little less like the Israelites!

Father, thank you for ginving us such models of leadership in the Bible.  Help us to live our lives as Moses did, listening to your call and staying faithful to it.  Forgive us when we fall into sin, especially when it is the sin of the old and familiar.  Help us to listen to your voice as we walk on our Lenten journey and to continue learn to know you and do your will more thoroughly.  Amen.  ¶ 6:59 AM 0 comments

  Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

April 6, 2011


To see the readings, click here:Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

In today's reading from Isaiah, we hear that “The LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.” Isn't that beautiful? The Lord our God, who made the universe and has, quite literally, the weight of the world upon his shoulders, chooses to give comfort to us, and to show mercy to the afflicted.
  ¶ 10:16 PM 0 comments

    ¶ 9:42 PM 0 comments

  Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

April 4, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040411.shtml

In today's reading from Isaiah, God says "there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create." Isn't that a beautiful thought?  I think it is consistent with the rest of the Bible, too.  Again and again we are told to rejoice in the Lord always. 

I know we are in the season of Lent, where we are supposed to focus on our own shortcomings and prepare for the coming of the Lord, but I've always thought it is a delicate balance.  Yes, it is good to think about Jesus' suffering, and to examine ourselves tin order o try to become better.  I know it is all an important part of our Christian growth.  But at the same time, I can't help but think that focusing too much on those parts of the faith can distract us from the fact that gospel means Good News.

What we are preparing for is Jesus rising from the dead -- the ultimate source of joy.  I know we have to truly experience the despair of our sin, that we have to share in Jesus' suffering if we are to understand and share in his victory.  But it seems to me that as Christians, even as we immerse ourselves, even as we walk that dark road, we have a responsibility, also, to remain grounded in the joy of the Lord. If we are to be the light of the world, we have to shine forth in that joy, even during Lent. 

Thank you for saving us and for filling us with the joy of your salvation.  Help us to show that joy in our lives every day, that all might see your light shining through us.  Guide us to a proper observance of Lent, that we might be ready to fully experience the Easter miracle with you.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.  ¶ 9:43 PM 0 comments

  Fourth Sunday of Lent

April 3, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040311.shtml

The gospel reading today is very meaty, and I'm sure most of us will hear or heard sermons on it.  Since I don't feel I can do it justice, I am instead going to focus on the reading from Ephesians. In it, Paul tells us to "live as children of the light," and goes on to tell us what that means.  He tells us to "produce every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth," and to "learn what is pleasing to the Lord." It is so uplifting and encouraging -- and it makes me WANT to live that way. 

I love all this light imagery.  Like so many people in our culture, I am profoundly affected by light and the lack thereof. I am secretly of the opinion that EVERYONE suffers from seasonal affective disorder -- where you get depressed and low energy when you don't see any sunlight.  So I can totally relate to the idea that light produces goodness, righteousness and truth.  And joy and peace, while we're at it. 

Imagine: we have the power to live as children of the light.  I think -- I hope -- that means we can bring a little of that righteousness and truth and peace, too.  I think if we stop and think about it, we can all think of examples of people we have known in our lives who did just that.  People who seem to shine with the light of Christ, who make everyone a little happier and a little more at peace by their presence. 

And tying back into yesterday's lesson, those people are generally full of humility, too.  Often they are unaware of the beneficial effect they have on everyone they touch.  I doubt that is a coincidence.  You know, you could almost get the impression the Church fathers knew what they were doing when they put together the lectionary!

Father in Heaven, thank you for bringing the Light into the world.  Please touch each of us and help us to humble ourselves before you that we, too, might bring light to the world.  Help us to live our lives in ways that always reflect the light of your glory.  We praise you and thank you and give you all glory, now and forever. Amen  ¶ 9:12 PM 0 comments

  Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

April 2, 2011

To see the readings, click here: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040211.shtml

Today's gospel is another one that gives me pause about this whole Lenten blog idea.  In it, Jesus tells the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the temple to pray.  Of course, in typical parable fashion, it is the tax collector who is praised.  He stands back in a corner, humbly, beating his breast contritely.  The Pharisee, on the other hand, prayed in a way that was more like bragging, thanking God that he was better than others. 

The New Testament is full of parables and stories that tell us not to be like the Pharisees.  I find as I get  older, I have a lot of empathy for them.  Pride is a really easy sin to fall into, and it takes constant vigilance to fight it off.  I think it's because we humans are by nature so needy.  At some level, we're constantly seeking attention and affirmation.  And because of that, when we do get some little thing right, when we find that we CAN do something we set out to do, it's so easy to overreact and get full of ourselves.  And sadly, that is as true when what we get right is following some of God's commandments as it is when we shoot a lot of baskets or make a lot of money.

All of that background about how humans are only makes the humility of the tax collector even more impressive.  He went in to the temple knowing that everyone in the community hated him, and that they hated him legitimately for things he had done.  He knows that he has nothing going for him.  He bows his head and begs for mercy.  And I would argue that just because he has nothing going for him, that still doesn't mean that humility came easy.  It is pretty much contrary to human nature.

Of course, the point of studying these readings is to think about how to apply them to our own life.  I don't know anyone who goes into church and prays loudly, thanking God that he or she is better than others.  So I think the application must be a little more subtle.  I will say this: I sing in the choir, and in that visible role I think there are extra temptations to the sin of pride.  I have long thought that those who participate in the more visible ministries like choir, ushers, lectors, cantors, Eucharistic Ministers and the like have to take extra care.  It is easy to slip into doing those good things for bad reasons, or at least to take an unhealthy pride in them.  Similarly, just being a church going person can bring with it the temptation to feel just a little superior to those who don't go to church, or who only show up on Christmas or Easter.  We all need to remember that if the trip we need to make to keep God's commandments is a journey of 1,000 miles, all our good works together add up to about a walk halfway down the block: not really enough to make much difference.  The fact that God loves us anyway is all that matters.

Father, thank you for this call to humility.  Help us to keep our focus on you and do all that we can to give you glory without trying to take any for ourselves.  Watch over us as we walk this Lenten journey and help us to prepare ourselves according to your will.  We ask a special blessing on those who are ill, who care for ill loved ones, who have lost a loved one, and for those who are in crisis.  Bless them and help us to be open to their needs and give as you have given to us.  Amen  ¶ 10:03 PM 2 comments