Joe Killian - The Journey Blog

Authentic Versus False Identity

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:24:15 GMT

The story continues...I'm still working on the pondless waterfall in our front yard. I shared this project with you two weeks ago in Playin' In the Dirt. Since then I've had to rework sections of the stream three different times because we were losing too much water. I am now an expert on evaporation rates and excessive splash, two causes of water loss. This morning I tore the whole thing apart and I'm starting over.

I am not only really frustrated but I've been getting down on myself. As I mentioned in Playin' In the Dir t , I love the creative side of these kinds of projects. However, I am sometimes prone to making mistakes when it comes to the details and it's hard not to blame myself. There is an inner dynamic that I'm experiencing that illustrates a profound truth about our identity. We can be our own worst enemy when we believe lies about who we are. We doubt ourselves and this can lead to a spiral of negative thoughts. But this is not of God!

Our authentic identity is rooted in Him––from the very beginning:

"Let us create them in our image after our likeness." Genesis 1:26

We also find the roots of false identity in the beginning as well:

"Did God really say" and "you will be like gods." Genesis 3:4-5

God desires that we journey through life with Him as He created us to be. Satan, our enemy, twists God's truths in ways that tempt us to doubt God and ourselves. What doubts do you have about your identity? What lies do you believe about who you are?

Life can be messy, just like my waterfall project. It can be hard enough without us beating ourselves up or allowing the enemy to do so.

Here are a couple of verses to rely on when you find yourself challenged with doubts and lies:

Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Your story continues...God is still working on you which can be painful and frustrating. By focusing on your relationship with Him, God can help you to recognize your false identity. When He does, you can trust that He wants you to know and embrace who He knows you to be in your authentic identity. Remember Jesus' words:

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Kung Fu Panda

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:51:36 GMT

Have you ever watched DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda? I stumbled across it recently and thoroughly enjoyed Jack Black's performance as a bumbling, noodle selling, kung fu enthusiast, giant panda named P o. Set in ancient China, it is more than a humorous slapstick comedy. The core message of the story jumped out at me as I have been focusing recently on the concept of being. Po is shockingly identified as the Dragon Warrior and he reluctantly enters training. The goal of the training is to receive the Dragon Scroll, which is believed to hold the secret to limitless power. Now I don't want to spoil the big reveal but I will say that what Po realizes is the same as what I speak to in the concept of being and authentic identity. So, where do we find the secret to our "power?"

I praise You, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works! My very self You know.

Psalm 139:14

God knows it; and we must seek Him with all of our hearts in order to find it. As it was in the movie, the answer is stunningly simple. Our authentic identity is already within us. The challenge for Po in the movie was in seeing himself accurately and not the way others saw him. Even his teacher scoffed at the idea that Po was anything more than an underachieving dreamer who overate when he was anxious.

Po's problems are rooted in the fact that he believes the lie of his false identity much more than he does his authentic one. Is it possible that you do the same? Who could have imagined that beneath all of Po's girth lived the Dragon Warrior? What's hidden from view in you? Seek God for understanding as to who He created you to be.

Spoiler Alert: the secret of your limitless power is already in you. God placed it there and He wants you to be who He authentically created you to be.

Playin' in the Dirt

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:17:15 GMT

Maria and I have been playing in the dirt a lot recently. First we replaced our French drain and then we embarked on a creative project intended to change the entire look of our front yard. My brother Jeffrey and I installed a new front step.

The intention with the elevated step onto the front porch was to create the visual effect of a creek bed running under a bridge. The next phase was to install a pondless waterfall that would provide the actual water...

I have to admit that the creative side of this project gets me really excited, especially when the work involves "getting my hands dirty." As I've focused recently on the "being" aspects of this blog series I am constantly reflecting back on God's creative nature and how we can find our being in Him.

This is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—there was no field shrub on earth and no grass of the field had sprouted, for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth and there was no man to till the ground, but a stream was welling up out of the earth and watering all the surface of the ground—then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being . The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:4-8

God intentionally created us in His image and placed us where we are––each and every one of us. Take a moment to appreciate the world around you. I mean stop and take in some aspect of nature around you and really dwell on the beauty of God's creation. Next, reflect on the fact that you are more beautiful in God's eyes than all you see in nature. Now let's be more specific. Think about your uniqueness, those characteristics that make you who you are. These can be physical characteristics, personality traits or ways of being. For some this may be hard to do. If so, think of how others describe your positive characteristics. The bottom line is that God placed these characteristics in you from the beginning.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.. .

Jeremiah 1:5

Here is the question. If God made you a certain way doesn't it stand to reason that He wants you to be the person He created? That is why this concept of "being" is so important. That is why finding joy in who you are is so significant in life. What can you embrace as one aspect about yourself that God placed in you?

I experience great joy when I create. My authentic being comes forth when I get to "play in the dirt" and it gives me great joy because it comes from God. I'd like to share our latest creation with you. Today for the first time, a stream welled up out of the earth in our yard...

The Acorn and the Oak

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 01:44:11 GMT

On a recent walk with Maria, we picked up an acorn lying near the road. It looked different from the ones we were most familiar with but looking skyward there was no doubting where it had come from. The majestic one-hundred-foot oak tree towered over us. Having grown up with two oak trees in my back yard, each more than a hundred years old, I have always loved acorns. Within the acorn is a tiny embryo that bears the potential to become a mighty oak tree. In fact, that is the only thing an acorn can become. That is God's design.

Then God said: Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. And so it happened: the earth brought forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:11-12

Take some time to reflect on the acorn and the oak. My question to you is do you know who you were created to be? There is no doubt in God's mind who you are. Can you embrace the idea that God has placed in you all you are meant to be? You are full of potential. That is God's design.

"Faith sees a beautiful blossom in a bulb, a lovely garden in a seed, and a giant oak in an acorn.” -- William Arthur Ward

Pivot

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 20:46:02 GMT

Maria has worked remotely for many years and so she spends a ton of time on the phone and online in meetings. The larger corporate meetings can be somewhat tedious as a parade of presenters all take their turn at "pumping up" the troops. Maria and her friends occasionally comment on the overuse of certain words and phrases. They have even laughed at the idea of playing buzzword bingo. Recently we've noticed the frequent use of the word pivot in today's business world. Our fast moving/changing world requires businesses to pivot regularly in order to keep up with the competition. Learning to pivot has become a skill necessary for businesses to survive and thrive. This can be true for the individual as well.

For me personally I have experienced multiple pivots in my career. I have worked for a small recruiting firm, a very large data processing corporation, a small training company and as an entrepreneur. Here is a story of a "pivotal" moment for me from the section in Our Journey WITH God entitled Redirecting Our Path.

"Looking out of my office window on a cold, rainy October day as the last of the leaves were being washed from the trees, I realized that it was time to let go of my business. I knew deep down God was calling me to something new, but it wasn't until I said the words, "This is your business now, God," that I had truly submitted my will to His. Those words, which I tearfully spoke as a willing submission of my whole self to God, allowed me to move forward on my journey with Him. It was simultaneously a will-breaking and spirit-filled moment. Not only was I learning that God had a plan for me, I was also beginning to embrace who I was authentically created to be in Christ Jesus."

Here I am writing this to you nearly 20 years later. I had no idea where God was leading me back then and to be perfectly honest with you I am not totally clear on where he's leading me today. My point is that God wants to direct our lives. We must be willing to go where He wants us to go. How do we know where that is?

They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia.

Acts 16:6

Paul's journeys provide us with the answer. The Holy Spirit is our guide. Our journey with God can be filled with uncertainty that causes us to feel unsettled and even fearful when we are not in control. While that is understandable in tumultuous times, we have a Person to turn to to see us through it all.

In recent weeks we've explored staying with God in Sojourn as well as being Adrift in the midst of a significant number of distractions. Last week's post about Authentic Identity hints at where my writing is pivoting to in the coming weeks. Next week I'll share the details of a new series I'll be posting. So if you're wondering about your future, or current events are causing you to question your current direction in life, or if you simply want to focus more intently on God, you'll want to join me as we progress through this series focusing on what it means to "be".

Perhaps God's Spirit will guide you to pivot in an exciting new direction with Him!

Authentic Identity

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 17:20:52 GMT

It was a unique opportunity for me to coach four individuals who all had the same job but who managed four different geographical areas. Typically, I coach members of a team who have varying responsibilities. Because we were all still living in "quarantine" mode we began the process in an online retreat where I introduced the concept s of the Our Journey WITH God book to the team. We then scheduled coaching sessions that allowed me to guide each individual through the four sections of the book.

In the early phase of the coaching process we talk through the concept of false identity. This is helpful because it allows us to recognize those times when we are living as someone other than who we truly are. This happens because long held beliefs and habits permeate our perceptions of who we are and we unknowingly behave in ways contrary to our authentic self. In fact, it is one of the most common things I observe in the people I coach. The pressure we face to be something we are not is relentless. This can cause us to be prone to doubting and even demeaning some of their most uniquely authentic qualities. I reminded each person that even though they were all doing the same job, they should be doing so in their own unique way. This is because they all have different authentic identities.

In the last section of the book I make a clear distinction between being and doing with God. To be precise I say: "The primary starting point and emphasis of our journey must always focus on knowing and being with God, not just doing for God." This concept goes beyond prayer time with God, which is, of course, incredibly important. What we learn in spending that time with Him is a greater understanding of who He created us to be, uniquely––authentically. This was the message that God had made so clear to me while coaching other teams last year. What I was hearing God say was, "I want them to be who I created them to be."

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139 13-14

What beliefs do you harbor about yourself that may not be true and authentic? Do you have habitual behaviors that continually frustrate you because they leave you feeling empty and less than whole? Where might you be living falsely? Ask God to help you uncover this false identity so that you can live authentically, true to who you are.

Know full well that God desires that you live as He created you to be, in your authentic identity!

Click here to learn more about Joe's coaching ministry.

Adrift

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 19:42:35 GMT

It was a difficult feeling to describe. I'd been unsettled for days and couldn't figure out why. Finally, the word hit me. I was feeling adrift. It wasn't as though I was lost. No, I was very engaged in my latest DIY project. For years rainstorms had been depositing increasingly bigger pools of water directly in front of our porch and eventually into our basement. We had installed a French drain when we first moved into this house over 20 years ago but it was obviously not working very well. Take a look...

I hired our nephew, Andrew, to help me excavate the old drain. We discovered that water would still flow through the pipe to the creek. But the gravel and pipe had been covered over with so much soil that the water never made it down into the drain. It was in the middle of all this work that I began to feel adrift.

I prayerfully thought about why and found my answer in the rainwater. Just as the eroded soil had blocked the water's ability to get deep enough to soak into the French drain, my spiritual focus had eroded. I had become fixated on my French drain project along with a number of other issues. You might be familiar with some of some of those issues––a global pandemic, social unrest and a contentious political climate. The attention I was paying to these issues along with my drain project had caused me to lose connection with God as my foundation, thus my sense of being adrift. I found my solution in Luke's Gospel:

That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

Luke 6:48-49

In my last blog I wrote about Sojourn , a temporary stay. In this case I had allowed other things to cause me to sojourn away from God. What is distracting you or causing you to feel unsettled or adrift? Who and what are you "listening" to right now? How are you "acting" in ways that might be causing you to sojourn away from God? Focus on your foundation in Christ, your rock. Go deeper with Him and experience the connection that brings peace in the midst of any storm.

Oh and check out how the "rock" in our front yard solved our water problem!

Sojourn

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 21:25:21 GMT

"Joe, are you familiar with the word sojourn?" My spiritual director recently asked me this question. While I had a sense of the word's meaning, I had to look it up to be sure. The definition was not what I expected. Sojourn simply means a temporary stay. Having recently published a book called Our Journey WITH God I was obviously intrigued.

While it is not a word we commonly hear today, it is very relevant. We have all been forced to sojourn as the pandemic quarantine ordered us to "temporarily stay" at home. This sojourn has had a wide-ranging impact on us individually and collectively.

The Bible is full of examples of God's people being on a sojourn:

There was famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, since the famine in the land was severe.

Genesis 12:10

Joseph and Mary sojourned in Egypt with the infant Jesus.

“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. "

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Matthew 2:13-14

Threatened by the ruling class of the Hebrew people, Paul experienced multiple sojourns as God prepared him for his ministry.

Then he(God) said to me, ‘Go, I shall send you far away to the Gentiles.’

Acts 22:21

In each of these incidents we see that the sojourn was precipitated by a threat. We have always had the benefit of looking back on these and other stories to see God's hand at work in the midst of difficult times. We know that His people were most able to endure every threat when they kept their eyes and hearts turned toward Him, trusting that He would provide.

We are threatened by an unseen enemy to our health and well-being. This threat is not something you and I can control or defeat. We are left to wait for the all-clear that it is safe to "return" to normal. Turn your eyes and heart toward God. Regardless of where you are and what you are experiencing, Jesus makes this promise that will see you through your time of sojourning:

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

John 15:7

We are in the midst of unsettling and sometimes scary times. Where do you see God's hand at work? What are you asking from Him currently? Is that prayer one of trusting in Him to do as He wills? Our prayers may not be answered in the way we want or in our desired timeframe but if we remain in God, can you imagine a better place for our hearts to stay!

Reduce Speed Ahead

joe@joekillian.com (Joe Killian) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 17:33:29 GMT

While driving home from a visit with Joshua, our youngest son, we were surprised at how light the traffic was as we traveled through the city of Chicago on a Wednesday morning. As the trip continued I became aware of how few passenger cars were on the road. Truck traffic was the same but their presence only made the lack of cars more obvious. Things were different. One thing that hadn't changed were the numerous construction sites along our route. The ever present orange barrels and flashing merger signs were always preceded by one sign in particular:

Nearly ten hours of windshield time gave me a great opportunity to reflect on the road we've all traveled recently. Of course we can expect the slowdowns caused by highway construction during the summer but a global pandemic that brought the whole world to a near standstill could hardly be anticipated.

Slowing down has many advantages. On the highway it keeps us safe, especially in narrow construction zones. In life it can provide an opportunity for us to do things our hurried lifestyles cause us to miss. Both situations can shift us from our current path onto a new one. These detours can be frustrating, especially on a long journey. That's why the "End Construction Zone" sign can be such a welcome site. As I yearned for an end to the quarantine and a return to normalcy a familiar verse has been resonating with me.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:11

Just as the construction zone "Reduce Speed Ahead" signs do, the pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to slow down. Do so right now....Reflect on the verse and notice that God is asking us to do even more than slow down. He asks us to stop. "Be still..." If you don't slow down how can you stop? And if you don't stop how can you––"Be still and know that I am God"?

Make a commitment to yourself to "Reduce Speed Ahead" and give yourself a chance to know God better. Ask Him, "Do You have a new path for me to take?" Or, "Do You want to do some construction work in me?" And then be still and wait for His answer.

Gracious Uncertainty

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 21:13:00 GMT

It wasn't supposed to be like this. For almost six years as I toiled to write the book, I dreamed of getting out on the road and sharing the message God had given me. In the months just before publication I began to make plans for promoting the book. I even took an online course about how to build an "Author Platform". During a trip to the publisher in Florida I was really encouraged when the agent we were meeting with got excited when I described myself as a speaker who writes. It seemed to energize her and she shared my statement with other staff members. Many authors are overwhelmed and intimidated with the prospect of having to speak about their books. I not only knew what it meant to have a platform, I was experienced at speaking and looking forward to doing it. Our Journey WITH God was sure to be a hit!

But, God had other plans...

Even before the book was published God opened the door for me to do coaching for two different local parishes. This wasn't what I expected but I eagerly jumped in. This was an opportunity to do a deep dive into the content of Our Journey WITH God with those I was coaching. And I was learning a ton. What great material for my talks! Even in the midst of my busy coaching schedule, which included as many as 12-14 sessions a week, I was cognizant of my desire to build my "author's platform". I couldn't wait to go on tour to share all God had given to me. I remembered how much I enjoyed my years on the corporate speaking circuit and now I had a message of eternal importance! Let's get going, Lord!!

But, God had other plans.

Even though I was really busy with my coaching I was still striving to come up with plans to promote the book. But as Fall moved into Winter, I was hearing a clear and consistent message that God wanted me to wait. Additionally, I was becoming more and more clear through my coaching that He was revealing an almost singular message. We are first and foremost called to––BE! "So Lord you're asking me to wait on you, and while I'm doing so, to simply be with you?"

I have to be honest, this has been really hard for me, especially in the midst of the quarantine. That's why I wanted to share this message with you. We are all having to wait and we aren't even sure what it is we are waiting for because everything has changed. This morning I was reading My Utmost For His Highest, a devotional by Oswald Chambers. It was entitled Gracious Uncertainty and this is the verse it is based on:

...it has not yet been revealed what we shall be... 1 John 3:2

This verse and Chambers' words really resonated with me, "Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life––gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring." That's it! Just as I wrote in the end of Our Journey WITH God , He reveals things in His time. That was the most consistently profound insight for the people that I was coaching. They could look back through their own life's stories and see how God had always been with them and in those moments of revelation they saw what it meant to "be" as God created them to be. We are created to be. Regardless of what happens in and around us we must acknowledge that God is always with us.

When we do, we live with gracious uncertainty .

Empty But Alive!

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 14:27:12 GMT

Like the tomb, our church buildings are empty. But the Good News is that, like Jesus, the Body of Christ is alive!!

He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6

Today, from our homes, as we worship God on Easter Sunday be reminded of Jesus' words, "...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Embrace the hope and joy that regardless of what is happening around us we, as the Body of Christ, shall prevail. Never forget the Good News that Jesus was, is and always will be––in the Resurrection business.

Have a blessed Easter!

Eye of the Storm

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:44:33 GMT

With lots of time on my hands I decided to tackle a task I'd been putting off for months. A little background will provide context for an unexpected blessing. I began blogging almost ten years ago. Initially, I used a small email list at the church I was working at to share my reflections of the weekly Gospel. The list slowly grew as I gathered email addresses from attendees at our adult education sessions. When an illness forced me to quit my church job six years ago I continued blogging on my website.

As I neared the completion of my book, Our Journey WITH God , I decided to pause my blogging to focus on finishing the book. Once the book went into production I turned my attention to this, my newly rebranded website - www.joekillian.com . The rebranding left me with over 150 blog entries on my old website. I was paying monthly for the old website for the sole purpose of archiving the tens of thousands of words until I transferred them to the new website. In the midst of that tedious, and at times frustrating slow process I experienced an incredible blessing. After reading dozens of my reflections, rooted in scripture, I came to realize that almost all of them brought me peace and comfort in this challenging time. The reason is simple, God is at the center of it all.

Even if you don't read a single blog entry on my website I encourage you to take the time to watch this video of Ryan Stephenson's Eye of the Storm. God is present in all things, especially in the eye of the storm––where He remains in control!

Public Displays of Affection

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 16:22:05 GMT

How do you feel about PDAs? First of all let me give you the definition from the Urban Dictionary:

Public Displays of Affection, can be seen in the form of kissing, touching, groping, licking, nuzzling, cuddling, crossing hands into each other's opposite back pockets, etc. Usually spotted among new couples, frisky teenagers, and occasionally the "young at heart" (god help us). A PDA is also a handheld computer of sorts - Personal Digital Assistant.

While you read through this week's Gospel I have a question for you to ponder. Who is guilty of a PDA in this story?

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred day's wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly."

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:36-50

The sinful woman puts on an elaborate display of affection that causes quite the stir at Simon the Pharisee's dinner. A little perspective. The life of a Pharisee was as proper and rigid as any. They lived according to a highly defined rule of law and unbending code of conduct that made it very easy to find wrong in others. Even the slightest infraction was considered sinful and required elaborate cleansing rites for purification. That is what makes the sinful woman's PDA so glaring in light of the culture of the Pharisees.

But the sinful woman isn't the only one in this story exhibiting a PDA. Jesus not only graciously accepts her affection but He also holds her up as a model of proper behavior. He forgives her sins. He offers her His peace as He sends her on her way with the assurance that her faith has saved her from her sins. Jesus said and did all of this publicly to demonstrate His love for the woman. Now that is a Public Display of Affection! Come to think of it Jesus constantly displayed His love for others publicly. When we really stop and think about it is there a greater public display of affection than the cross of Jesus Christ?!?

Because He loved us first we must demonstrate our love for Him. Have you ever been guilty of a PDA for Jesus?

Do What You Love?

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 02:14:21 GMT

Have you ever had a phrase keep forcing its way into your consciousness? Lately, "do what you love" has done that with me. "Do what you love and love what you do." Sounds good, right? Or how about "Do what you love and never work a day in your life." There is even a book titled, Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow . My Google search also produced, “Doing what you love is where happiness lives.”

Wonderful sentiment but is it realistic that we can follow our desires to contentment, financial success and happiness? The website that charged $233 for an online course sure seemed to think so. Here is the banner for that course. Do What You Love: The life-changing e-course. Design your life the way you want to live it! As I looked through the outline of the course something immediately struck me. The first section of it was titled, Choose Your Destination. In other words, begin with the end in mind.

I'm not suggesting that you take this course; no, my advice is quite the opposite. Instead of beginning with the end in mind begin with the beginning in mind. “Let us make them in our image, after our likeness.” The Our section of Our Journey WITH God begins with this all-important passage from Genesis. When we embrace the deeply profound significance of this verse we begin a journey to knowing who God is, which leads to knowing who we truly are. First and foremost, we were created uniquely. Being precedes doing. In understanding who God created us to be we then discover our divine purpose.

While doing what you love might make you happy, being who you are impacts the world as God planned for you. Take this phrase with you today, “Be who you were created to be.”

The Abandoned Cart

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 22:06:43 GMT

In the first week of selling Our Journey WITH God , I noticed on the dashboard of my online book store that there were 14 abandoned carts. My first reaction was, "Oh no! How do I get in touch with those people to make sure they get their book?" A part of me wanted to "run through the store" to reconnect the abandoned carts with their owners. After laughing at the notion of chasing virtual cart owners around a digital store a thought occurred to me.

How must God feel when we "abandon" Him? Even with the best of intentions to spend time with God we allow all sorts of distractions and wanderings to draw us away from Him. Depending on the circumstances of our day we may return to Him or rush off into something altogether different.

In fact, the longer I reflect on this the more I recognize how frequently I allow this to happen. "Gosh, I'm really sorry, Lord. Please help me to get reoriented toward you so I can figure out where you're leading me on my journey today." A simple prayer like that helps me immensely. I find that God's Spirit helps me to return to Him. And in those moments I no longer feel distracted and adrift because the God of the universe is there waiting to embrace me. "Thank you, Lord, for never abandoning me."

In God's Time...

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 20:37:10 GMT

Our Journey WITH God is finished!!! . .. IN GOD'S TIME

It has been 5 years, 7 months and 23 days since I started writing this book, but hey, who's counting?!? It has been an incredible experience, unlike any other and I'm really excited to share it with you!

Maria, my wonderful, lovely, patient, selfless wife, was my editor from beginning to end. One day, near the end of the process, she mentioned writing another book. I said, "Stop right there! When you were giving birth to our children, did I tell you I wanted to have "another" one?!?" (Moms: please understand that I'm not suggesting that this was as tough as child birth, only that it was a labor of love that I needed to "recover" from). Maria and I laughed as she apologized and we agreed to put "another book" on the back burner, preferably on a stove somewhere very far away. While a due date for the birth of a baby is somewhat of an estimation, I have to admit I missed the "due date" of Our Journey WITH God by...a lot!!!! Not days or weeks, but months!!!!!!

I guess I should have known. If you're answering the call to write a book about a journey with God, you should expect to—go on a journey with God. I did, but like so many things in life, (especially parenting) I had no clue what was in store for us. Days of excitement about a new concept or completed section were often followed by frustrating delays driven by mass deletions and whole section re-writes. Simply put, this was...a journey. God has been good to us throughout the ups and downs and twists and turns of authoring this book, just as He is in all of life.

In God's time, the book was finished. I give God the glory and look forward to what He has prepared for me in this next phase of my journey and I hope you'll purchase the book to join me on the journey.

Click here to buy Our Journey WITH God and I'll sign it for you and ship it for free!

A Special Child

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:03:00 GMT

When Joey, our oldest son, was five years old we signed him up for an instructional soccer league. At one of Joey's first practices, the coach broke the large group of boys and girls into teams. Joey quickly demonstrated a knack for dribbling a soccer ball that most of the other kids didn't seem to have yet. Before long Joey was scoring goals almost at will. Even placing him on defense didn't slow him down as he ended up with seven goals. One of the father's observing this, commented to me about Joey saying, "He's intense!" The thought crossed my mind that Joey might be special. This plays out in the Gospel this week as well.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. Luke 1:57-66, 80

Some context is important here. Elizabeth was barren and both (she and Zechariah her husband) were advanced in years, so her pregnancy was special. Additionally, the naming of the baby was also unusual. The expectation to give children the "family" name was a powerful one in biblical times. No one would have blinked an eye if Elizabeth's son had been named after his father, Zechariah. This progression of events pointed to something special about baby John as everyone wondered, "What, then, will this child be?"

Later in Luke's Gospel, as John has actually faded from the scene, Jesus makes a profound statement about him. "I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John..." Elizabeth and Zechariah's little John became the forerunner of Jesus, the Christ. He really was special but as Jesus followed up this pronouncement about John He said, "yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." In other words, special in God's eyes is very different from that of the world.

Joey was a special soccer player when he was young. But he never even played varsity soccer in high school. "What, then, will this child be?" Joey's natural intensity and passion have made him an exceptional 8th-grade math teacher. He also revived his school's soccer program in just a couple of short years. He impacts the lives of impressionable, underprivileged kids in ways he probably will never know. John the Baptist became the person God had created him to be. I love knowing that Joey is doing the same. I wonder about how well I'm doing on the same account. How about you?

A Happy Ending?

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:01:27 GMT

Everyone loves a good story, right? Did you hear the one about the raccoon climbing up the outside of a skyscraper in St. Paul Minnesota? It was first reported by Minnesota Public Radio News and quickly became an internet sensation. The raccoon's story began trending on social media with the hashtag #mprraccoon. Some people were reported as following the story until 2:30 in the morning when the raccoon was finally captured. Why were so many people captivated by this story and how does it apply to this week's Gospel?

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. Mark 4:26-34

In 46 different instances, Jesus uses parables to deliver His message. In these particular ones, Jesus speaks to the growth cycle of the Kingdom of God. As is typical, there is dual meaning in Jesus' stories. The literal meaning of the message is meant for the "general" consumption of the crowds. The symbolic or deeper meaning was saved for the disciples.

What were the crowds seeking as they listened to Jesus? We never really know. What we do know is that it is a part of human nature to be captivated by a "good" story. Here is a photo of people who stopped to watch the raccoon in Minnesota.

With their eyes turned upward they wait to find out whether or not the raccoon will make it. Is that why we follow these stories, with hope for a happy ending? Or is there something deeper at work? Jesus understood that not everyone sought the deeper meaning that His "stories" contained. The bottom line for you and me as His followers is that we need to seek to understand Jesus' message. This is true as we observe and live life. With our eyes turned upwards we look to the Kingdom of God and the happy ending that awaits us.

It's Not Fake News

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 17:00:13 GMT

Do you watch the nightly news? I haven't in years. We stopped having the newspaper delivered to our house as well. It all seems so depressing to me so I limit my intake of the news. In order to keep from living with my head in the sand, once a day I check the news app on my phone. Imagine how our information overloaded culture would have treated Jesus' message. How would this week's Gospel message have been filtered down to us?

J esus came home with his disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives o ut demons." Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:20-35

Jesus' relatives, hearing of the crowds around Him, tried to seize Him. The scribes spoke of Jesus as possessed by the devil. Jesus' responded in typical fashion, with a parable. The message in HIs parable certainly did nothing to calm the noise surrounding Jesus. He then responds to the crowd with a surely perplexing answer about His mother and brothers and sisters. Finally Jesus points everything back to His Father. "For whoever does the will of God..."

Stop and think about how this event in Jesus' life might have been reported today. Well, depending on where you got your news it could have been spun in a number of different ways. In fact, with access to the internet, it's pretty easy to find news that fits what we want to hear. How then do we interpret this challenging Gospel message? I believe it is by focusing on the core of Jesus' message... "For whoever does the will of God." That is the Good News!

The Commencement Speaker

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 18:54:14 GMT

We just attended our nephew's commencement ceremony as he graduated from high school. Of course, the message of being prepared for the future was a common theme amongst the various speakers. Seeing the potential of each graduate as they walked across the stage was inspiring but I found myself wondering what the future held for these 18 year-olds? Preparation is also part of the message in this week's Gospel.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Preparing for the Passover meal was a regular occurrence for these Jewish men. What they could not have been ready for were Jesus' words during the meal. "This is my body." And if that wasn't unexpected enough, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many." More importantly, there could be no preparing for the actuality of what the disciples would experience as Jesus' words came to pass. Jesus was describing a unique experience and no matter what He told the disciples they simply could not be prepared for their coming future. They were about to "commence" a new journey. In time, the disciples thought back on Jesus' words at the Passover supper they eventually came to realize that He had not only prepared them for their future but was providing for them as well.

Commencement speakers try to give the perfect advice to the graduating class. Young, idealistic graduates are told they have been prepared for the journey ahead. In reality, there is no way they can know what awaits them. It is important for them to remember that the foundation has been laid in their school and family experience. But life can be full of surprises, many unpleasant. That is why we need to trust in Jesus' "commencement" words. Only He prepares us and provides us what we need for our journey with God, His body and blood!

The Rest of the Story

Fri, 25 May 2018 19:10:23 GMT

The oncologist had gone to examine the blood samples I had given upon arriving at his office. The 20 minutes that Maria and I sat waiting seemed like an eternity. He finally returned and sat down on his wheeled stool without making eye contact which caused no small amount of alarm. The doctor had a message for us that he did not seem in a hurry to share. We braced for the bad news. Eventually, he looked up at our concerned faces and immediately apologized. His hesitation came, not from what he could tell us, but what he could not. I didn't have cancer but he could not tell me what was causing my seriously debilitating symptoms. In this week's Gospel Jesus holds back some of His news.

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you." John 15:26-27, 16:12-15

Jesus is sharing these words with His disciples on the night He was arrested. They have no idea what awaits Him and themselves in the coming days. The essence of Jesus' message is that the things that are about to happen are necessary. They are not yet ready to hear the bad news. He does tell them the good news. In time His Spirit will come in truth. Jesus clearly states that the Holy Spirit will "declare" what is to come. In that time they will come to understand why everything happened the way it did.

With hindsight, we know that Jesus' promise of the Spirit brings the ability and courage to "declare" His Good News to the world. But the disciples were hearing these words without knowing the rest of the story. They had to wait, just as Maria and I awaited the news from the doctor. The uncertainty was deeply disconcerting. While uncertainty is a part of our journey with God we are blessed to know the rest of the story. Receive the Good News and declare it with the confidence that His Spirit brings. As for me, I am healthy! But you'll have to stay tuned to the Weekly Journey to hear the rest of the story!

No Doubts!!

Fri, 25 May 2018 19:07:39 GMT

Do you have doubts? Me too. We all do about one thing or another. Why is that? Did you know that the very first thing Satan said in the Book of Genesis was intended to create doubt? He said to Eve, "Did God really say?" Doubt has been a part of our common human condition since the beginning of time. We read about doubt throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, we frequently read about the disciples' doubt. In this week's Gospel, it appears at a significant moment in time.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20

In this case, the disciples' doubt occurs concurrently with their worship. How is that possible? When the resurrected Jesus appears their first response is to worship Him. And then they doubt. Jesus' response to their worship and doubt? As God, He commissions them to "go" and do for God. Then Jesus concludes with a statement that leaves no doubt. "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Doubt originated in the Garden of Eden. Doubt is the human part of our relationship with God. But as we see here in Jesus' concluding statement, there is no doubt in God. He is always and forever with us. If we are honest with ourselves, it is natural to doubt that things are going to work out the way we want. What do we do with our doubts? We must rely on the words of Jesus, "I am with you always, until the end of the age." That leaves no doubt!

Get to Work!

Thu, 10 May 2018 19:30:58 GMT

I had a conversation with my brother yesterday where he excitedly told me about his pending graduation. Jeffrey has gone back to school in order to start a second career. As a highly thought of student, he is receiving job recommendations from his instructors. I asked him what he was looking for in his new career and employer. He made it clear that he wants to work for a company that will provide a mentor for him as well as a chance to grow professionally. We see this same dynamic in this week's Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. Mark 16:15-20

Jesus has very high expectations of His followers. He details some of the things that they can expect to see after He departs. Surely they marveled at His words and more importantly at the actual signs as they occurred. There is a pattern here that is important. Jesus predicts what will happen. The disciples go forth in faith preaching Jesus' Good News. Jesus comes through on His prediction. There is one element of this pattern that can't be overlooked. Note the phrase, "...while the Lord worked with them". Jesus is actively engaged with His followers to bring about His purposes.

I hope Jeffrey can find a job and an employer who will mentor him and give him a chance to grow. He will know once he starts working whether or not the employer lives up to their promises. We should have no such question in our work for Jesus. We simply need to go to work trusting that He will mentor us and give us a chance to grow.

We Need an Answer

Fri, 04 May 2018 19:36:16 GMT

It has only happened three times in my entire life. The first time I held each one of our children my heart nearly jumped from my chest. In looking at photos from those days in the hospital I re-live a little bit of that feeling. While I still love Joey, Sarah and Joshua deeply, there was something about that first time that was truly unique. Just how much love are we capable of? This week's Gospel explores the depths of love.

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another." John 15:9-17

Jesus, at the Last Supper, is on a mission. This time with His disciples is special. It will only happen once. He knows what's coming but His disciples are unaware. Jesus wants to make sure that they really understand His message. Jesus uses His most important, deepest relationship to explain His point. Jesus speaks of the love that exists between He and His Father, the kind of love that surpasses all others.

Recently I have been putting a lot of time into writing my book. It has been four and a half years since I started and I just finished the draft of the first section last night. Here is an excerpt from the book that I believe describes this love that Jesus is talking about:

God lovingly created us desiring that we would freely choose to identify with Him and belong to His family. It seemed like a “perfect” plan except that free will opens the door to choosing to disobey God. Why would God allow us to choose if our choices might end in death? In a word, the answer is love. I’m not sure I understood the true reason behind God’s decision to do this until I became a father. Inherent in a child’s willful behavior we see the incredible choice that God the Father made to allow us to choose. Only a God who embodied unconditional, unlimited love could allow His creation to freely choose to reject Him over and over. This is where we understand why God would risk our disobedience and rejection. God lets us choose because He wants us to choose Him, out of love. (From Our Journey With God)

We will love one another when we learn to remain in God's incredible, unconditional, sacrificial love!

A Desire to Remain

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 19:42:45 GMT

I really didn't want to leave. I've always said I've wanted to live in a place like this so leaving was tough. This past weekend for Maria's birthday we went to stay with our friends Jan and Andy at their beautiful home at Lake James in North Carolina. Here is the view from their boat dock.

As I have reflected on our time there in light of this Sunday's Gospel, I've gained a fresh understanding of what it means to "remain" in Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." John 15:1-8

Jesus is speaking to His disciples after having shared His last supper with them. He makes it clear that He is the Vine and the disciples, if they remain in Him, are the branches that bear fruit. This "if" has profound implications. Those "branches" that do not remain on the Vine will be thrown out and eventually burned. "If" on the other hand His words remain in them they can ask for whatever they want and they will get it.

That brings me back to the lake house. I experienced a sense of peace and deep connection in this breathtaking place. So much so that I started thinking about what it would be like to live there, to remain there. The connection I felt prompted a strong desire and it set my mind in motion with thoughts of buying a neighboring piece of land. The reality is that right now we couldn't afford to buy it even if we wanted to. But that is not the point of my story.

I prayed to Jesus that I wanted that same strong desire for Him. I want to remain in Him. Will you join me? Imagine Jesus saying to you, "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

I Know A Guy

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 19:54:55 GMT

Have you heard the saying, "I know a guy"? Today I made a U-turn and drove twice as far as I needed to buy tires from my favorite service guy. Brad has been absolutely top-notch in every interaction I've had with him for the four years I've been driving a Mazda. He takes a very proprietary interest in me and my car. This week's Gospel provides clarity on an even more elevated level of care.

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." John 10:11-18

Jesus, in calling himself the good shepherd, explains very clearly that He is willing to die for His sheep. He is also clear as to why. It is because of the love between Jesus and His Father. This kind of love is otherworldly in that it is unconditional, agape love. It is not an emotional love. It is a choice freely made. In the case of the good shepherd, Jesus is making it clear that His care for HIs sheep is rooted in love, not duty or obligation.

The sacrificial nature of this kind of love emanates from a loving God who loves us beyond our ability to grasp. We know unconditional love when we see and experience it just like we do when we receive excellent service. Our good shepherd knows what we need and He provides it exactly when we need it. We simply have to trust.

THE Answer

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:03:43 GMT

When I read this week's Gospel I realized that I needed to share with you what I'm going through in spite of the fact that it's very personal. My recent struggles are deeply personal and they are getting in the way of what I know to be true. I'm in a strange place and I'm not sure what to do or where to go. It feels like I'm taking one step forward followed by two steps back. For example, we went to a concert last Friday night. Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher headlined the Worship Night in America show. It was wonderful. I truly felt God's presence and my spirit was lifted in spite of my recent struggles. However, three days later I'm back in my funk. Why does this happen? Is my answer in the Gospel?

He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:35-48

Even though they experienced Jesus' presence and their "hearts had been burning within them" the disciples still struggled. They were troubled and had questions in their hearts. Jesus proved to the disciples that He was present with them in body. Not only did Jesus show them HIs scars but He also ate fish to demonstrate His physical presence. Once He established this Jesus spoke truth. In a few sentences, He brought clarity to everything that had happened, was happening and if we read further what was to happen. (The coming of the Holy Spirit... "And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father...")

The answer to our struggles, doubts and fears are always found in Jesus. I'm not being flippant. If we listen to what He said to the disciples in this Gospel passage, Jesus' coming, suffering, death and resurrection applies to all of humanity's ills. You and I are no different. As I wrote these words today Jesus helped me to understand the why of my struggles. More importantly, He showed Himself to me in His Words (read the Gospel above) and in them, I have found the peace that has escaped me for some time. "I am a witness to these things!"

The Greatest Reminder

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 20:20:38 GMT

It strikes me as odd that I need to be reminded that I have a Reminders app on my phone. I use it sparingly but when I do it can be extremely helpful in my busy and often distracted life. Siri hears me and repeats my message to ensure that she got it right and then she promises to remind me. Then at the appointed time, up pops my reminder. In this week's Gospel we hear about the most important "reminder" of all time.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

Many thoughts surely swirled through the minds of the disciples as they hid in fear. "This isn't what we expected to happen." "What now?" Then Jesus appeared. When He does greet the disciples, Jesus actually repeated Himself. "Peace be with you." Jesus states before and after showing the disciples His wounds. In the midst of their joy in Jesus' resurrection, the disciples are reminded of His death. The nail marks and the wound in Jesus' side remain on His resurrected body. They remind the disciples of the reason Jesus came in the first place.

Because we look back on Jesus' life, death and resurrection we have the advantage of seeing the big picture. We see God's story of creation, the fall in the garden along with the struggles of the Israelites to remain true to God prior to Jesus' coming. Most importantly, we see salvation through His cross. In all of this, we see God's purposes. Therein lies the Greatest Reminder...

"...that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

He Has Risen

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 20:34:29 GMT

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. John 20:1-9

Have a blessed Easter!

What Just Happened?

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 20:43:10 GMT

Have you ever had an experience that caused you to stop and say, "What just happened?" We just had a family emergency that caused me to look back and ask that question. I'm still trying to make sense of everything that happened. With Palm Sunday upon us, I'm wondering about how those around Jesus might have answered that question in the days surrounding His crucifixion.

As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, "Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted again, "Crucify him." Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. They brought him to the place of Golgotha — which is translated Place of the Skull — They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross." Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down." Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Mark 15:1-39

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, those closest to Him must have constantly wondered about everything that was swirling around Jesus. The Sanhedrin, Pilate and the crowds all played a part in an emotionally charged "trial", where the defendant passively accepted His brutal and gruesome fate. The question, "What just happened?" would have elicited many answers depending on the individual.

We do hear an answer from one person, the centurion at the foot of the cross. This man showed up for an ordinary workday. (Yes it was ordinary for a Roman centurion to be a part of a crucifixion.) He witnesses the death of another "criminal" he may never have laid eyes on before. However, something causes him to come to an extraordinary conclusion.

The experience of listening to Jesus' passion and crucifixion each year provides us with an opportunity. We can ask ourselves, "What just happened?" Depending on where we are in life at that instant we will have a unique response. The Lenten journey allows us to reflect on what happened to Jesus. We must, at the same time, remember Who He was. The centurion helps us in that. "Truly this man was the Son of God."

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Enduring the Death of Winter

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:50:33 GMT

It’s snowing again this morning. March in southwestern Pennsylvania; it was three times warmer in February! I wonder if the poor flowers that sprouted early will survive? Those bulbs beneath the frozen ground eventually bring us the first glimpse of spring. It is almost here. I can’t wait!!! The Gospel does the same this week.

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

"I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. John 12:20-33

in the midst of the Passover Feast Jesus’ presence has created a buzz. The Greeks from afar want to see Him. The disciples have their expectations of Jesus’ role but His words continue to puzzle them. Jesus, on the other hand, clearly understands His purpose. Jesus provides an unsolicited explanation of the meaning of life and death. Death must come in order for new life to spring forth.

Our winters are the same. All flowers wilt and eventually die in the fall. Green turns to brown and the snow buries everything in winter white. And yet hope lies beneath the surface. The disciples surely struggled to understand the meaning of Jesus' prediction. Death? Jesus demonstrated what it meant to live through death. We are called to do the same. We must be willing to die to self so that we can live in Him. This is the harsh reality of the Christian life. But the beautiful fruit that results is worth enduring, just like our winter!

What Does God Look Like?

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 21:57:42 GMT

I recently read a book about God and the human brain. In the book, researchers asked people what they thought God looked like. The question produced a lengthy pause in most adults. This was significant to the neuroscientist because it meant that a great deal of neurological activity was taking place as different parts of the brain attempted to put into words a concept that defies the parameters of language for many people. In this week's Gospel, we hear about someone who surely wrestled with a description of what God looked like.

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. John 3:14-21

Nicodemus receives multiple images for God in his conversation with Jesus. The first is of the Son of Man, then he hears of God as a loving Father. Next, Jesus describes God as light coming into the world. What a profound experience this must have been for Nicodemus. What must his brain have been experiencing as Jesus' descriptions challenged his previous images of God?

When you read this Gospel what does God look like to you? I imagine two images. One is of Jesus suffering unbearably on the cross. That image comes in a variety of forms as I recollect everything from various crucifixes and paintings I've seen to the brutally graphic depiction of the crucifixion in the movie The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson. The second image I imagine is more vague. In fact, I struggle to even explore it because I can't fathom its depth. As a father, my brain can't even begin to grasp what God the Father saw as life ebbed away from the body of His beloved Son.

What does God look like? I can't think of a better answer than, "God so loved the world..."

God's Timing

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:03:28 GMT

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DISCLAIMER: I want to be completely transparent here. This is not just "a crummy commercial!" In fact, I had to have my editor approve this particular message before, during and after writing it. Timing is everything right? For the last four years I have been writing a book entitled, Our Journey With God. No, I am not announcing its completion but I do want to share with you what is about to happen. The time has arrived for me to take the Our Journey With God message public. Read through this week's Gospel and you'll catch the drift of what I'm saying.

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:12-15

These few short verses mark a pivotal point in Jesus' life as well as John the Baptist's. St. Mark treats Jesus' time in the desert rather briefly. This is especially interesting compared to the story of Jesus' three temptations by Satan in Luke and Matthew. The point is that after His baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus is immediately led into the desert by the Spirit for a time of preparation before beginning His public ministry. After that comes Jesus' proclamation: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel."

For me, Our Journey With God is kind of like my proclamation of the Gospel. It has been an amazing journey up to this point but when I was asked to lead a Lenten parish mission it felt like God was saying to me "It is time, Joe." For four consecutive evenings, I will share the Our Journey With God message as Maria leads worship with songs we've chosen to enhance the message. The message, in a nutshell, is that "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel."

This message is as true today as it was 2000 years ago. And if people think it's a crummy commercial, so be it. I'm delivering the Gospel message He has given to me! Will you?!?

Finding a Cure

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:53:45 GMT

Flu shots begin months before the season hits in hopes of keeping things under control. In spite of this, we find ourselves in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons on record. We take all kinds of additional precautions to stay healthy. I found this to be an interesting parallel to this week's Gospel.

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. He said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. Mark 1:40-45

Lepers were complete outcasts in Jesus' time. In the Book of Leviticus we hear, "He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp." Much of Leviticus is oriented towards living in ways that allowed for people to stay healthy. In biblical times separation was the only truly effective way to control an infectious disease. People would go out of their way to avoid the lepers who were required to announce themselves as unclean. That is why Jesus touching the leper was so astonishing. It appeared that Jesus was throwing caution to the wind.

The leper sought out Jesus. The leper's enthusiasm for his healing created a frenzy that forced Jesus to remain separated from the towns in which He wanted to minister. Think about the irony of that. People needed to come to Jesus instead of Him coming to them. The same is true today. People need the spiritual healing that Jesus brings but if we don't present Him as the "cure" how are they going to find Him?

In knowing Jesus, we have what the world needs! The question is, are we enthusiastically pronouncing it to others?

On Purpose!

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:19:58 GMT

"I didn't do it on purpose!" There were lots of times when our young children would quickly explain their role in how something "got" broken. They wanted us to know their intent wasn't to break something. In this Gospel we clearly see Jesus' intent and purpose.

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Mark 1:29-39

As word spreads of Jesus' healing miracle, He is mobbed. The whole town showed up! Imagine Jesus finishing dinner and instead of relaxing, He heals many who were ill and possessed. Then St. Mark tells of Jesus' next act. "He left for the nearby village." Jesus was clear that, it was "on purpose" that He had to travel throughout Galilee. His message was and is meant to travel.

We must deliver the message of Jesus to "the nearby villages." On purpose! When we do our part then Jesus can fix what is broken in our world!

Who Inspires You?

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:43:10 GMT

The Winter Olympics are almost here and I'm excited. While I love the competition I especially look forward to getting to know the athletes and their life's journey to the Olympics. I just read an article about Maame Biney, a 17 year-old American speed skater who is expected to do great things in PyeongChang, South Korea. She was asked about how her life has been different since she qualified for the Olympic team. Her response, that her new-found fame has been overwhelming, made me think about this week's Gospel.

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

It is important to recognize that the conversation in this passage is between Jesus and the unclean spirit. It is the voice of the spirit that speaks to Jesus acknowledging who He is, "the Holy One of God." Those that observed Jesus driving out the demon immediately change their impression of who He is. As the story continues Jesus' fame spreads and the crowds surely follow.

The question we need to ask is, why did they seek out Jesus? There surely was a level of fascination that accompanied Jesus' "performance". What draws us to Jesus? Is it what He has done for us? Or is it our hope that He will do something astonishing for others we love? What should we be focusing on?

To me the draw of the Olympics is getting to know the people who perform sometimes astonishing athletic feats. I love the response that Maame Biney had to the question of being a role-model. "I don't think of myself as a role model because I'm 17 years old and still a kid. But that's amazing, and I hope to inspire everyone to go for it." Maame knows who she is. Jesus did too. Knowing 'the Holy One of God' is what should inspire us all. "Go for it!"

Can You Hear Me Now?

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:56:05 GMT

It amazes me how many different ways that God speaks to me. (When I'm paying attention!) From the morning's sunrise to the song on the radio to the smile from my beautiful wife Maria, I try to hear God as often as possible. As the sun rose this morning, HIs message came to me through a book I am reading on discipleship. Not only was this book speaking of Jesus' calling of His disciples (This week's Gospel) but it also referred to another book I read years ago. So what is God saying?

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

In his telling of Jesus' calling of His disciples, Mark's style comes through. His Gospel version is fast-moving and action-packed. Jesus calls and the disciples respond, leaving everything behind. Before long the disciples were watching as Jesus heals a demoniac, Simon's mother-in-law and as Mark continues, "He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons..." All of this happened before the end of Mark's first chapter.

Sometimes we read these passages and wonder why things aren't moving more quickly on our journey with God. I know I often hope God will heal and move mountains and bring peace...NOW! But the reality is that we need to grow in our relationship with God, continually. Jesus calls us all to follow Him. That means that we must accept that being a disciple of Christ requires that we leave the world behind us. As the the disciples did, we must spend time with Jesus getting to know Him better. Through our relationship with Him we become a part of Jesus' time of fulfillment, bringing His Kingdom to the world. Will you respond to His call today?

"Come after me..."

What's In A Name?

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:02:19 GMT

I spoke to a friend today who just became a father for the first time. After months of waiting the baby had arrived. I immediately wanted to know what Rory's little girl's name was. Madeline Noel, how beautiful! Names are obviously important in this week's Gospel:

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —, "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" — which is translated Christ —. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" — which is translated Peter. John 1:35-42

Jesus is referred to by no fewer than four names in this short passage (six if you count the definitions of two of them). Names were critically important in biblical times. Zechariah gave John (the Baptist) his name after hearing from the angel Gabriel. John pronounced one of Jesus' names as "Lamb of God." Andrew, knowing the significance of John's pronouncement immediately followed Jesus. Next is Simon who hears the long awaited name, Messiah, from his brother Andrew. When Simon meets the "Christ" he receives a new name, Peter.

Parents choose their children's names with care, often giving names with great family meaning. So what is really in a name? Identity. We are identified by our names. In the case of Jesus, understanding His identity means we must understand the meaning of His many names. We also learn of His purpose. John's identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God speaks to why Jesus came. He came to be God's final sacrifice for sin.

Jesus died for Rory and Madeline and for you and me. So what's in a name? When it comes to Jesus' name as the Lamb of God, He suffered and died so that our names could be written in the "Book of Life."

Gifts That Keep Giving

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 19:13:45 GMT

This morning Maria and I reflected on 1 Corinthians 12. It sparked some interesting conversation about gifts. In this passage Paul talks of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are meant for the whole church. As I sat down to write, the connection between that passage and this week's Gospel became clear to me.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. Matthew 2:1-12

The story of the magi's visit to Jesus is well known for many reasons. Among them are the gifts they bring to the newborn king. Matthew's Gospel mentions three specific gifts each of which had important meaning in Jesus' time. In a writing that dates back to 248 AD, the Church Father Origen explains the three gifts this way, "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God." This acknowledgement of Jesus' true identity came from magi who had journeyed some distance to see this king, this man and most significantly, this God.

I Can't Wait

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 19:44:31 GMT

Years ago I built a manger out of Maria's grandfather's barn wood. This year we decided to leave it empty in anticipation of the arrival of the Christ child on Christmas. In all honesty it has been hard to wait, especially as we see the nativities in our neighborhood filled with figurines looking in awe upon the baby Jesus. Imagine the anticipation of the virgin Mary once she received her angelic visitor.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Mary could not have anticipated the surprise visit she received from the angel Gabriel. Her initial reaction was one of fear and Gabriel comforts her with words of affirmation and peace. But things were just starting to get interesting. After hearing that she will bear a son Mary learns that her child will be, "...great and will be called Son of the Most High , and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever , and of his kingdom there will be no end ."

Hold on! Those are some heavy duty expectations!! For nine months Mary carried her baby knowing all of this. For 30 years she waited and wondered. For three days she mourned. And then...the Son of the Most High rose from the dead and eventually rose to His throne to rule forever!!! To say that Mary's wait was worth it is an obvious understatement but how did she endure the waiting?

We find out how in Mary's trusting response to the angel Gabriel, "May it be done to me according to your word." Mary accepted her role as Jesus' mother unconditionally. She did so not knowing what it all meant. She simply trusted God, waiting for His Word to come to pass.

And I can't wait to put my manger figurines out in my front yard?!? Mary models a graceful acceptance of God's will. We too need to wait on His coming at Christmas and everything that comes everyday beyond.

I AM...

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 19:52:17 GMT

Did you ever notice how often the phrase "I am" comes up in the Bible? Do you know where it originates? You have to go way back to Exodus where Moses asks God His name to understand its origin and significance. In this week's Gospel John the Baptist distinctly says, "I am not" several times before saying "I am". Read on to find out why.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, "Who are you?" He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Christ." So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said." Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:6-8, 19-28

John the Baptist's presence caused a stir and the religious elite wanted to know who he was. As they question him John first clarifies who he is not; the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. The Jewish people were always looking for their promised Messiah. John eventually does say, "I am..." as the messenger who tells them that they aren't recognizing the one among them who is...I AM.

Further along in the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to the Jewish leaders directly. "...before Abraham came to be, I AM.” His use of God's name first spoken to Moses at the burning bush was pure blasphemy to the Jewish leaders. They never even spoke these words out of reverence to God and His Name, I AM. For this man, Jesus, to not only speak God's Name but to also refer to himself as I AM caused a fury and they tried to stone Jesus.

It is in the context of these two words that John the Baptist's announcement to the Jews was that I AM had already come. The same is true today, but we pause to acknowledge a profound truth...

We need to celebrate that I AM came to us as a baby to die for our sins so that we might be with Him forever!

Our Broken Sidewalk

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 20:03:19 GMT

Our house is about 50 years old. The sidewalk to the front door is made of flagstone that over the years has broken down. Because this is the main walkway to our front door it gets a lot of use. Each year I find myself needing to replace one or two of the two foot by three foot stones to ensure a safe path to the entrance of our home. This week's Gospel speaks of a different kind of path.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:1-8

This narrative at the beginning of Mark's Gospel tells of the preparation of a path for Jesus' coming. Let me give you a breakdown on what I think it means to you and me.

John the Baptist was responsible for laying down the path to repentance that made a way for Jesus and His Spirit to enter the hearts of the Israelites.
We are called to prepare our hearts at this time of year so that when Jesus arrives at Christmas we can receive Him and His Spirit.
We need to hear John the Baptist's call to repentance and we need to live our lives accordingly so that others are also led to Jesus.

Oh, and as for our sidewalk... when I repair it next spring I will be reminded that this "way"into our home is a tangible example of how we are called to live. Others should recognize the welcoming path we have laid that point to life with Jesus.

What Are You Watching?

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:33:48 GMT

Last night instead of retiring to my favorite position on the couch to distractedly flip through the channels looking for something to watch, I opened YouTube. Not really a big difference you might say. However it was the content of what I "watched" that mattered. This week's Gospel focuses on watching as well.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'" Mark 13:33-37

This passage in the thirteenth chapter of Mark's Gospel is the last of several prophetic descriptions Jesus gives His disciples of what is to come. From the destruction of the temple to a description of the end times and the coming persecution along with the great tribulation, the disciples are given ample warning that they are to be alert and ready for...

The Coming of the Son of Man!

In this first week of Advent we begin the journey to Christmas and... the coming of the Son of Man. During Advent our preparation is for the coming of the Christ Child. At this time of year it is often a challenge to avoid the distractions of life and Advent reminds us of our need to watch for Him.

I wonder if our struggles with distractions during the busy time prior to Christmas is indicative of a larger malaise that causes us to lose our general watchfulness?!? Jesus' second coming that is referenced in this week's Gospel is something we all must be "watching" for. What we do while we are about our "own work" is critical to how we remain watchful.

As for my YouTube time last night, I watched worship videos. It was a minor thing but it made a big difference for me. Instead of watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory I was focused on the one who initiated the Big Bang in the first place. In so doing I was much more alert to God in my life. The grateful feeling I carried to bed allowed me to look forward to the start of another day where I expectantly watch for His coming in all things.

Grateful

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 20:43:42 GMT

God's provision never ceases to amaze me. I am grateful to Him for so many things. I simply share this week's Gospel on Thanksgiving weekend with a grateful heart.

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

Are You Wasting Your Talent

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 20:56:04 GMT

Have you ever used the phrase - what a waste of talent? I've been using it a lot recently but not because of this week's Gospel. Check out the Gospel and then I'll tell you what I've been doing with my talents.

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21

Jesus shares this particular parable directly with His disciples. In it Jesus makes clear reference to talents which in their most basic form are a measure of weight. A Roman talent would have weighed about 70 pounds. When this measurement was done using precious metals there was potentially great value in the talent. Jesus' message was that the servants are expected to increase the value of the Master's talents. In so doing they are affirmed by the Master and given even more talents.

As is typical in Jesus' parables there is explicit meaning as well as deeper meanings. In this case the explicit is that Jesus is talking about a financial "talent" that is meant to be invested wisely. There is also the implicit understanding that talent can be understood as ability. Carrying that analogy through, points you and me to our God-given "talents". And that is where I have been spending a lot of my time lately.

I just recently certified as a Strengths Finders coach. It is an assessment that identifies a person's strengths, ordering them from 1 through 34. Most people start with the basic assessment that identifies their Top 5 strengths. I coach people through their strengths so they understand how God has equipped them. As we begin, I explain that Strengths exist as a result of investing effort to develop a God-given Talent.

Therefore, there is no guarantee that we produce a return on our Master's "investment." Talent can be wasted! We are all called to invest in our God-given talents in a way that builds the Master's kingdom. The coolest part of Strengths Finders is that in each of our Strengths (talents) there is a uniqueness that God has hard-wired into us. Mathematically it is a 1 in 33,000,000 chance that you will meet someone with your same Top 5 strengths in the same order. As Psalm 139 says, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made."

We are all called to invest in the talents that God has placed within us. When we do we can look forward to hearing our Master's words: 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

Wait For It!

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 20:40:33 GMT

19 years ago as I was beginning to open up to God's call on my life He used a particular verse to get my attention. Over a period of several days this verse popped up in three different places. When it happened the third time I thought, "Hmmm, maybe I should pay attention to this." Wanna know what it was? You'll have to wait for it. In the Gospel we have a story that is similar in content and meaning to that verse I received:

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

Foolish and wise. Jesus makes it clear from the start who the winners and losers were going to be in this parable. Surely the disciples all felt that they were wise and would "bring their oil" with them so they could enter into the wedding feast. As Jesus proceeded through the parable He makes it clear as to why they need to be prepared. "...the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him." The wise were prepared ahead of time for his coming. The foolish, who were not prepared, found a locked door.

Imagine finding the door to the Kingdom of Heaven locked! Yikes! I don't know about you, but that scares the bejeepers out of me. How do I know that I'll be ready? We find the answer in Jesus' response to the foolish. "I do not know you." Entrance to the wedding feast is gained by knowing the bridegroom. In other words, the door to the Kingdom of Heaven is opened for us by the bridegroom because He knows us. The message of this Gospel is that once we enter into that relationship with Him we recognize the need to be prepared and ready to meet Jesus, the Bridegroom, when He comes. That preparation is an ongoing, lifelong process and it requires nothing less of us than our whole body, soul and spirit seeking to know Jesus.

Oh, I forgot, you've been waiting for that verse that God reached out to me nearly 20 years ago. It was from Thessalonians. In it Paul was praying that the disciples in Thessalonica would be "ready" for the return of the Bridegroom. My prayer for you today is the same:

"May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23

World Champion Humility

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 19:53:25 GMT

The Houston Astros won the World Series the other night. Maria and I stayed up late to watch because we have become Astros fans. Maria's favorite is Jose Altuve. He is one of the shortest players in the game but has become one of the best players in all of baseball. My favorite is George Springer who, like Altuve, plays with a childlike joy. Watching these guys celebrate their victory made us a smile, especially in light of the devastation that the people of Houston have endured. We see a lot of self-promotion and attention grabbing in the sports world so it was nice to see these men humbly pointing to the people of Houston as their motivation to win. Check out an opposite motivation in this week's Gospel.

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus singles out the scribes and Pharisees for their attention grabbing behaviors. Jesus points to the many things they do to honor themselves, particularly in public. Using them as examples of what not to do, Jesus teaches that humble service is the way to go.

It is easy to see a lack of humility in people. We don't need to look far in our media saturated world. But the real question is, are we humble? As someone who is in front of audiences frequently, I know how hard it is to not draw attention to myself. I believe the answer lies in what motivates us. Are we motivated by our love for God? It takes a lot of work to get to the core of our motivations, even as we serve. Humility is hard earned and it doesn't come easily. True humility comes from a profound motivation to pursue God and live for His purposes.

The Houston Astros are World Champions, for the first time in their history. They achieved this through years of hard work. Finding a purpose greater than themselves and their baseball team allowed them to bring joy to many hurting people. That is what true humility does.

That Wasn't My Intention

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:07:22 GMT

Have you ever found yourself answering a simple question with a rambling tangent that totally misses the mark? I have done that more times than I can count. The look on the face of the person asking me the question usually lets me know I'm confusing them. While that is never my intention I often feel like I need to provide background and support for my eventual answer. I would have loved to see the faces of the Pharisees when Jesus answered their question in this week's Gospel:

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40

The leaders of Jesus' day continue to ask Him questions that are intended to trap Him. Jesus, always aware of their motivations, answers their questions in a number of ways. In this exchange, Jesus' directly answers the question about the greatest commandment but he doesn't stop there. He answers a second question of His own asking. In doing so Jesus points to love of neighbor as a way to love God. Then Jesus pulls everything together with His final statement. "The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." In this statement Jesus puts an end to the discussion.

In essence, the answer to every question is always, love God! Simple, right? Not so fast. Even though the Pharisees, as lovers of the law, would have agreed with Jesus' first answer they would have stumbled on the second. Imagine their faces. "Dang, He did it again!" They might have said. "We do love God, but our neighbors? And wait a minute we were trying to trip you up."

Isn't it interesting and wonderful how everything truly does come back to these two commandments?!? If we honestly look to our intentions we will almost always find that the deeper we look the more likely we are to find our true motivation. Is it our love of God and neighbor or are we seeking our own selfish desires? I can answer that one simply.

Love God first and neighbors second! End of discussion!

What's Your Opinion?

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:15:32 GMT

When I check out the news feed on my iPhone I always skip over those articles entitled Opinion. I am glad they are labeled that way because I'm not interested in people's opinions of the news. I am just trying to discern what the real news is. Now before you go all political on me I am simply trying to make a point, one that is played out in this week's Gospel:

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." Matthew 22:15-21

After telling Jesus that they know He doesn't care about other's opinions the Pharisees surprisingly ask for His. Of course Jesus sees through to their true intentions to trap Him. Jesus answers their question with a question of His own which in effect turns their trap back on the Pharisees. Jesus' response to His own question and answer by the Pharisees pretty much puts an end to the discussion. The wisdom of Christ far surpasses that of the wise of His day, the Pharisees.

This is true today as it will always be. God's Truth, embodied in His Son, is above all. I believe that is how we as Christians are called to view today's news, not with our opinions but with the Wisdom of God. I am not talking about using Scripture to make our points in the debate. I'm talking about allowing our perspective to be illuminated by the Spirit of Truth so that our opinions are not included at all. We must respond to the news of the day lovingly seeking God's wisdom in every situation.

But that's just my opinion.

A Wedding Invitation

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:34:11 GMT

As I reflected on the meaning of this week's Gospel I couldn't help but compare how the whole concept of wedding invitations has evolved. Google 'wedding invitations' and you get 50,000,000 results in less than a second. I narrowed my search to 'wedding invitation etiquette' and there were only 1,650,000 results. Now that's more manageable! To my surprise there were almost as many results for 'wedding invitation responses'. This particular response from the Emily Post Institute caught my eye: "A guest’s first duty is to respond promptly to any wedding invitation." Responding to the invitation is where the Gospel gets interesting.

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:1-14

The chief priests and the elders must have loved this parable. (insert sarcasm) Could they have been happy about the professed son of the King preaching at them with this story? The answer is in the verse that follows this passage. "Then the Pharisees* went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech." Not only did they not get Jesus' message, they were turned off enough by it that they went away to plot against Him.

They did this in spite of the fact that their decision to do so placed them squarely in the parable in less than a flattering way. The chief priests and elders don't just ignore the message as some ignored the invitation to the wedding feast. They behave more like those who "mistreat" the messenger. Eventually these same men are complicit in the killing of the King's Son as they shout "Crucify him!" They totally missed Jesus' point. Now there's an understatement!

Where are you and I in this particular parable? Surely, we aren't plotting to mistreat and kill the King's servants. We aren't ignoring the King's invitation. Are we? What about the guest who comes to the wedding feast without a proper wedding garment? Jesus' parable is meant for all, just as the King's invitation is. We must prepare our "wedding garment", ourselves, to attend the feast. This is done each and every day. Accepting His invitation as a prepared guest makes us one of the chosen. Are you ready to attend?

A Holy Mic Drop

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 15:59:04 GMT

Perhaps you've seen the cheesy commercial where actor and Verizon spokesman, Thomas Middleditch, drops several microphones as he introduces Verizon's new Unlimited Data Plan. The joke, directed at Verizon's competitors ends up being on Middleditch as his mic drops fail to produce the intended "impact" as they silently land on the carpet.

This weeks Gospel could very well have been an actual mic drop moment:

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." Matthew 21:33-43

In this dialogue Jesus takes the lead in the questioning of the chief priests and elders instead of the other way around. Jesus' parable and subsequent question is ripe with messages that the chief priests and elders miss. They obviously do not recognize Jesus as the son of the vineyard owner. Nor do they realize that their answer to the parable question ends up condemning their own behavior. Jesus follows that up with another question that references the cornerstone from their beloved Scriptures (Psalm 118:22-23). And in so doing Jesus clarifies His message and thus condemns the "wretched men."

Much like a comedian who drops the mic on a heckler, Jesus has the last word. The question this raises for you and me is are we producing fruit for the kingdom of God?

CANNONBALL!!!

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:17:02 GMT

Two weeks after hernia repair surgery I got the approval from my surgeon that it was okay to enjoy our pool again. To impress our four-year old Godson I decided to do a cannonball to make a "big wave." I'd like your opinion on something important. When is it too late to change your mind? Well, in my case, once my feet left the pool deck there was no turning back. In this week's Gospel Jesus talks about people changing their minds.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." Matthew 21:28-32

The chief priests and elders quickly jumped in with the correct answer. The son who changed his mind after initially rejecting his father had done the right thing. He did what his father had asked him to do. Jesus then rebuked the chief priests and elders by reminding them of their unbelief. They had passed the simple quiz but failed the bigger, more important test.

We can say we believe but we need to remember the original example Jesus uses here. God the Father expects us to obediently go out into the vineyard for Him. If we haven't made up our minds to do so, are we any different from the chief priests and elders? Saying we believe and doing something about our belief are two different things. Our faith in Jesus requires a change of mind that prompts us to actively demonstrate our obedience to God.

It's kind of like doing a cannonball. Once we leap for Him there is no turning back. That is the way it should be in our relationship with God.

Enjoy the Ride

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:31:54 GMT

I really like my car! A year ago I bought my pearl white Mazda 6 with two tone leather interior and Bose sound system. It's a fun car to drive and I think it looks pretty cool. And yet I'll be driving, and a "nicer" car will catch my eye. I then go through this weird mental exercise that demonstrates an unpleasant truth about myself. Check out this week's Gospel to find out what it is.

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." Matthew 20:1-16

The envy demonstrated by the laborers who had worked all day is to some degree understandable. The laborer earns his wage and is typically paid accordingly. But this isn't about the world. Jesus' parable demonstrates two profound truths.

God's generosity is other-worldly.
We as believers must trust His generosity and grace - for all.

Each time I read this parable I have to admit there is a part of me that says, this isn't fair. And the reality is, in a worldly sense, it isn't. If I am honest with myself I believe that envy might be the single most frequent sin I am tempted to commit. Is it me or is this a human condition that is especially prevalent in our consumerist culture? I believe the answer is yes to both.

Perhaps we need to begin with what we have and be grateful to God who provides all that is good. With that starting point it is much more likely that we aren't tempted to begrudge God's generous blessings for others. Once we do our ride is much more joyous.

Tailgaters Beware

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:38:19 GMT

On our ten hour Labor Day weekend drive to visit our son Joey in Boston, we encountered drivers who weren't always as courteous and gentle as I was. (I am joking of course, but in all honesty I am much better than I used to be.) I made a conscious effort on this trip to respond differently to those who were tailgating, driving distracted or might have cut me off. I decided to say a simple prayer of blessing for the "offending" drivers. This was different than the glare or shout I might have given them in the past. This change in focus helped me to understand an important truth about myself that is reinforced in this week's Gospel.

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you,

unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:21-35

Peter is looking for a prescriptive answer that limits how many times he had to forgive. Jesus gives Peter a whole lot more to think about. The story of debts, payback, compassion and the human heart illustrated the much deeper message of the kingdom of heaven. The lack of compassion shown by the forgiven servant results in not only a scalding verbal response from the master but torture until his original debt is paid. Jesus uses this story to point out to Peter and the others that the condition of the heart is what ultimately matters.

That brings me back to our drive to Boston. Even though I was working to change my behavior, I was still capable of getting angry at those I felt had offended me. When I read this Gospel I realized a deeper truth. I am not fully aware of the condition of my heart. If a tailgater can elicit a less than compassionate response, what might I be harboring in my heart towards those that have truly offended me? As this occurs to me I am compelled to pray again.

"Lord help me to forgive. Show me where my heart has not forgiven. I look to your cross for the strength to forgive others regardless of the offense. Have mercy on me Lord, a sinner."

Dance Lessons

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:49:52 GMT

Maria is a really good dancer. Me? Not so much. In fact, I am intimidated by her natural ability to move in perfect time with the music. I can't even clap my hands on beats two and four without serious concentration. Dancing is a good metaphor for the marriage relationship because both parties play a role and when it is done well, it is a thing of beauty. On the other hand, when one party "steps on the other's toes" things can get ugly. The same is true in the relationships found in families, teams, businesses and churches. Check out Jesus' advice to the disciples about improving their "relational dancing."

Jesus said to his disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus clearly lays out a process for the church community and its members as to how to handle sinful behavior. These are deliberate steps designed to win the sinner over. Jesus has emphasized the power that the members of the church have in dealing with sin. He then explains the power of prayer as it pertains to those same members. Most importantly, Jesus reminds the disciples that He will always be present with them as they gather together in His name.

Now for the dance metaphor:

The Dance is the relationship
The Sin is the misplaced step onto another's toes
The one-on-one Conversation with the "sinner" is the explanation of the misplaced step including the pain it caused and the need for a correction
The one or two Others are other dancers who reinforce the need for correction
The Church is the dance troupe who after further reinforcement for the need for correction decide whether or not the offending dancer is allowed to continue dancing

Now let's look at the gathering together in Jesus' name. In our metaphor, Jesus is The Dance Instructor . He has provided the painted steps on the wooden floor of the dance studio. By being present with the dancers Jesus provides a way to overcome the painful missteps that sometimes occur during "the dance." He brings the wisdom and grace that allows both parties to correct their mistakes. However, this can't happen if the dancers are not willing to take "dance lessons" from Him. This is especially true in difficult times when the dance has gotten out of step. The Dance Instructor provides the correction that allows the dancers to perform at their best.

It could be a newly married couple in their first dance together as husband and wife. It might be a line dance where everyone is in perfect step moving to the beat of the music. When dancers are willing to follow Jesus' instruction and leadership it can be a beautiful thing. Imagine the impact on couples, families, teams, businesses and churches if everybody took lessons from and danced in the name of The Dance Instructor .

Into Harm's Way

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 18:06:47 GMT

Desmond Doss is the Medal of Honor awardee whose life story is told in the movie Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield. Doss, a conscientious objector, served in World War II as a combat medic. He heroically returned to the battlefield multiple times to save dozens of wounded soldiers. What motivates someone to so willing rush into harm's way? This week's Gospel answers this question.

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "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 will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct." Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus' rebuke of Peter who wants to protect Jesus from persecution seems incredibly harsh. "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Peter might have thought, "I'm only looking out for you Lord." Jesus made the predictions of His suffering and death knowing His Father's greater purpose. His disciples didn't know, so the thought of Him willingly accepting His persecution and death surely confounded them.

I ask the question again. What motivates someone to willingly choose to enter harm's way? Desmond Doss had a clear sense of his purpose, informed by his faith. Before he ever entered into battle Doss had consciously made a number of decisions that influenced his actions on and off the battlefield. Simply put, Desmond Doss was willing to die for his fellow man because he was motivated by a greater purpose. Are you?

Think through the ramifications of what Jesus is saying here. If you are a disciple of Christ you are expected to give your life for Him. It may not be in as dramatic fashion as Jesus or Peter, or even Desmond Doss, but we must be willing just the same. Prepare yourself as a soldier for Christ, poised to sprint out onto the battlefield of life. Now imagine receiving your very own medal of honor from Jesus who says, "He will repay all according to His conduct."

Don't Lose Sight

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 18:14:27 GMT

Last week's blog made it clear that I was a baseball fan so I have a confession to make. I did not watch my beloved Pirates win an extraordinary game last night. In spite of being no-hit into the tenth inning the Pirates won with a dramatic home run. And I missed it! I share this with you because instead of spending my morning time with God I allowed myself to get caught up in all kinds of negative stuff when I started surfing on my phone through the news stories. It was amazing to me how quickly I got caught up in what people were saying online about any number of topics. Before I knew it I was anxious and had to put my phone down and refocus on God. In this week's Gospel Jesus asks His disciples about what the people are saying.

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus is not really concerned about who the people say He is. His intent comes through in the followup question to His followers. Peter hits a home run with his answer. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter is not at all confused about Jesus' identity in spite of all the talk amongst the people. And Jesus affirms Peter's profession with an amazing profession of His own about Peter and his role in the Church.

My experience this morning reminded me of how easy it is to get caught up in all that is happening around us. Josh Harrison was the savior for the Pirates last night with his game-winning home run. We don't have to look very far in our media saturated world to find debates about who and what will save us from everything that ails us. This morning I got sucked into the news and it distracted me. I lost sight of the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter's profession is profound because it was the first of its kind. Have you professed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God? Recently? Publicly? We sometimes argue vehemently about everything from sports to politics. But how passionately do we profess our faith in Jesus Christ?

Choosing Sides

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:07:41 GMT

As I kid I was very fortunate to have the best Wiffle ball backyard in the neighborhood. We played with as few as two players but the best games were when we had bunch of kids. The challenge was choosing fair teams. We relied on an "ancient" ritual.

This particular ritual provided a somewhat fair way to at least begin the "Choosin' Up" as Norman Rockwell's painting is titled. From there, teams were chosen primarily based on skill level. When a small number of kids were playing, the winning team was often determined by who "won" the coveted first pick. Of course it was never a good thing to be chosen last but we'll get back to that later. How does this apply to the Gospel you ask? Read on to find out.

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour. Matthew 15:21-28

"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This seems very exclusionary as Jesus reminds the disciples that His ministry is to those Israelites who have strayed from God. Jesus' words to the Canaanite woman seem even more harsh as He makes reference to non-Israelites as dogs. In this scenario the Canaanite woman doesn't seem to have a chance at even being the last one chosen. The message can't be more clear. You don't belong.

However, there is a different dynamic at work here. Something very significant happens. This story, in the middle of Matthew's Gospel, cracks the door to salvation for the Gentiles. Jesus came for all! Everyone belongs. While Jesus never physically left Israel, the salvation He brought through Israel was for all. With hindsight you and I understand that.

As His disciples we are responsible for inviting everyone to follow Jesus. In our world where people are separated by every imaginable boundary this can be challenging. Jesus sees no boundaries, no differences, no barriers. Are you living to break down those barriers? Or do you get caught up in the divisiveness that is so prevalent today? Jesus doesn't need an ancient ritual to choose sides. He died for all!

Oprah, Tom Brady and Jesus

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 17:19:51 GMT

How do you think Jesus, if he were present in human form, would be covered in the media compared to the transcendent figures of today? I just read online articles about two of today's most well-known individuals. Oprah Winfrey and Tom Brady have experienced sustained success at the top of their professions for decades. Oprah has achieved a level of success that her first name alone is recognizable worldwide. And Tom Brady just won his record-setting 5th Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, at the age of 39! In the Gospel today we see Jesus in a "transcendent" moment.

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus' inner circle got an unprecedented look at history. Two of the most famous figures of their storied past appear beside the transfigured Jesus. And if that wasn't enough, the voice of God Himself speaks of His Son. The disciples were overwhelmed to the point of falling face down on the ground in fear.

I can't say I blame them. What happened next was, to me, the most surprising part. Jesus instructs the disciples not to say anything. No Tweets! No Instagram posts!! Nothing!!! Imagine their thoughts. "We have to wait to say anything about who we saw? Whom we heard?? Who you are, Lord???" How utterly antithetical to today's culture. Jesus didn't need nor want a PR machine promoting who He was. In fact, He often sought to move around somewhat anonymously. In spite of this, the crowds still found Him. Word still got around about this amazing person.

That is the difference. Like Oprah and Tom Brady, Jesus was an amazing person. And as all humans eventually do, He died. But Jesus' life was just the beginning. Unlike the transcendent of today, His death, resurrection and ascension are what ultimately matter. What the disciples saw on the mountain that day long ago prefigured THE truly transcendent figure who is alive today and forever. You and I need to share that news as often as possible.

The Parable of the Front Yard

Fri, 21 Jul 2017 17:26:51 GMT

We all have the opportunity to shine as we share the story of God's Kingdom with others. When we do so by relating everything back to Him beautiful things happen in His Kingdom. In the video link below I share my own parable that ties into this week's Gospel.

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

He proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'"

He spoke to them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened." All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear." Matthew 13:24-43

Did You Hear What I Said?

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 18:06:01 GMT

I'm sure many a husband has been accused of not listening to his wife. I know I have. Maria has occasionally caught me paying attention to something other than her during a conversation. I had a little trick where I used to frustrate her by recalling the last thing she had said. I would then say, "See I was listening." As I repeated her statement back from short-term memory that is when I would truly hear and understand what she had said. Jesus talks about a similar phenomenon in this week's Gospel.

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

The disciples approached him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: you shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted, and I heal them.

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

"Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold." Matthew 13:1-23

When Jesus uses parables to make His points He continually mentions "seeing" and "hearing." That is especially the case in this particular parable. The disciples wanted to understand so they asked Jesus to explain the deeper meaning behind the parable. Notice the first word of Jesus' explanation. He says, "Hear then the parable of the sower." The meaning of this particular word was more than just the physical act of hearing. Jesus is saying that to hear His words is to obey them as well. In essence, Jesus is saying that He is meant to be heard, understood and obeyed. In so doing the hearer (the seed) bears fruit for the sower (Jesus).

The deeper meaning of the parable of the sower for you and I is that we (the soil) are to not only hear the Word (Jesus) but to obey It (Him). As fertile soil we must:

seek to understand the true meaning of the Word which ensures that the enemy doesn't steal it from us.
expect that trial and tribulation may come and when it does maintain our faith in the Word.
resist becoming anxious about worldly issues.
avoid getting caught up in the pursuit of worldly riches.

Only then will we bear fruit for the sower. I wish I could say that I always hear, understand and obey Jesus' words. I don't! However, what I have learned over the years is that if I really tune into the Word I understand Him. Then it is much easier to obey Him. My prayer at that point is to be fruitful for Him. I have also matured in my relationship with Maria. I seek to hear and understand her. The result is a trust in one another that hopefully allows us to live as fertile soil for Jesus our Sower.

Love Revealed

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:13:05 GMT

Pulling off a really good surprise is hard work. This past Monday was my birthday and Maria was being coy about what we were going to be doing that day. She told me to pack a bag and just be open. Even though I was tired from doing a lot of work around our house I took a deep breath and went along for the ride. We met Joshua, our youngest son, for lunch and here is what happened:

I was totally shocked and overjoyed that Joey and Sarah had traveled from Boston and Orlando just to be with me on my birthday. Maria and the kids had kept this from me for months as they prepared and planned. The "reveal" was worth more than words can describe. This week's Gospel speaks to an even greater reveal.

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew 11:25-30

Prior to Jesus' incarnation God had always been largely hidden from all but a few privileged prophets. It was obviously challenging for the people of Israel to understand what Jesus meant when He talked about His relationship with His Father. In this passage we hear Jesus clearly say that He alone reveals His Father. Jesus also goes on to explain how He Himself is there waiting with open arms to embrace us and to support us in all we do in life.

I can not describe to you just how wonderful and fulfilling that embrace was with Joey and Sarah. While Joey and Sarah were only here for three days we had many moments where we connected in a deep and loving way. I saw it in their eyes and felt it in their hugs that they know how much I love them. Words cannot express how grateful I am that they sacrificed their time in the midst of their busy lives to be with me for my birthday. They revealed their love for me, which in turn allowed me to truly appreciate that my children know my love for them.

I can only hope and pray that they always know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am here for them. The most amazing thing is God loves us even more than we love our own children. Here is my prayer today.

"I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth! You have revealed to me, as a father, the gift of Your love for us, Your children. I am grateful, Lord, that we as a family know love as you intended it to be. Thank you Father for sharing your Son with us all. May we always "Come to Your Son" for that loving embrace that gives us rest. And may we in turn be given the strength to meekly and humbly reveal Your love to the world."

It's Not About Me

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 18:32:24 GMT

As the brand new religious education director at St. Barbara I had just met Angie when she enrolled her daughter in the first grade. We had had a lengthy conversation about Angie's story and her serious health issues. I was inspired by her courage. In the second week of the program I conducted my annual parent meeting. A week later, Angie excitedly said she couldn't wait to share a story with me. She had been invited out to breakfast with a group of women who had just heard me speak at the parent meeting. One of the women complained saying, "I don't think I like this new director." Angie asked her why. "Because he is telling us that our faith is more important than all of our other family activities." Angie told me how she had responded to the woman. "Think about what you just said." After a long pause the woman said, "Oh my! I think I do like this guy."

I want to emphasize that this story is not about me. However, it clarifies this week's Gospel:

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." Matthew 10:37-42

Keep the context of Jesus' words in mind. He has mentioned division, persecution and even death as He prepares the apostles for their ministry to the lost of Israel. "...more than mother and father...daughter or son?" Can you imagine the thoughts of the apostles? "Wow, people aren't going to like this message." But the reality is that some did accept this challenging message from Jesus. And Jesus makes it clear that for those who do so, the reward is great!

Angie had the courage to help the woman see past my words to the core of my message. But it's not about me. Or you. Or our families. It is about Jesus Christ. He must come before all else. Once we place Him there we can courageously proclaim Jesus' message to all.

God Loves the Scruffy

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 19:00:52 GMT

I met Scruffy the other day and Edna, his owner, warned me that, "He will sniff you but won't let you pet him." I took that as a challenge during our two days working at Edna's. I eventually won Scruffy over. This past Sunday, I joined 124 others on a mission trip to Webster Springs, WV. On Monday I joined a team assigned to rebuild Edna's railing from her front porch up to the highway where her pickup truck was parked. I share this story because it relates to the Gospel.

Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father." Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus assures His apostles that they have nothing to fear "in the world." He speaks of the loving care of the Father for His creation. Those that acknowledge God are secure. Relationship with God is at the root of His followers responsibility to share the Good News with others. This is true regardless of circumstance.

When I met Edna and Scruffy I was immediately struck by Edna's strength and fortitude. She described her upbringing and her struggles in raising her own children. She had lived a hard life. And yet she had great faith in God. She had taken Scruffy in from an abusive owner and the two of them lived together happily.

We were there to minister to Edna. However it was her faith and trust in God, living such a meager life, that was truly an inspiration for us all. Even Scruffy seemed to demonstrate a certain fearless fortitude. We must all live that way. We must trust God and as Edna does, fearlessly proclaim God's saving message.

Thank you Edna for demonstrating your fearless faith!

Enough Said

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 19:07:26 GMT

I couldn't possibly say it any better. Please take the time to watch the entire video.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18

A Promise Kept

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 19:30:36 GMT

Mark Victor Hansen shares this story in one of the Chicken Soup For the Soul books. In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake struck Armenia, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of utter devastation and chaos, a father left his wife securely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building had been flattened as a pancake. After the traumatic initial shock, this man remembered the promise he had made to his son: “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” And tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked at the pile of debris that once was the school, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his commitment to his son.

He began to concentrate on where he walked his son to school each morning. Remembering his son’s classroom would be in the back right corner of the building, he rushed there and started digging through the rubble. As he was digging, other forlorn parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying, “My son!” “My daughter!” Other well-meaning parents tried pulling him off what was left of the school, saying: “It’s too late!” “They’re dead!” “You can’t help!” “Go home!” “Come on, face reality, there’s nothing you can do!” “You’re just going to make things worse!” To each parent, he responded with one line: “Are you going to help me now?” And then he proceeded to dig for his son, stone by stone.

The fire chief showed up and tried to pull him off the school’s debris, saying, “Fires are breaking out, explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. We’ll take care of it. Please go home.” To which this loving, caring Armenian father asked, “Are you going to help me now?” The police came and said, “You’re angry, distraught, and it’s over. You’re endangering others. We’ll take care of it. Go home.” No one helped. Courageously, he proceeded alone because he needed to know for himself: “Is my boy alive, or is he dead?”

He dug for eight hours…12 hours…24, and 36 hours. Then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a boulder and heard his son’s voice. The man screamed his son’s name, “Armand!” He heard back, “Dad? It’s me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you’d save me, and when you saved me, they’d be saved. You promised, ‘No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!’ You did it, Dad!”

“There are 14 of us left out of 33, Dad. We’re scared, hungry, thirsty, and thankful you’re here. When the building collapsed, it made a wedge, like a triangle, and it saved us.” “Come on out, boy!” “No, Dad! Let the other kids come out first, because I know you’ll get me. No matter what, I know you’ll be there for me.”

As we celebrate Pentecost this weekend we are reminded of God's promises.

Jesus stood up and exclaimed, "Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me." He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39

In the Old Testament the prophet Joel wrote of God's promise for the coming of His Spirit. "Thus says the LORD: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." Joel 3:1 Jesus made multiple references to the coming of the Spirit as John details in the above Gospel. Very specifically, during the Last Supper, Jesus promised the coming of the Advocate, "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7

In Acts we see the promise kept: "And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." Acts 2:1-4

Do you believe God keeps His promises? Do you believe that He once rolled back a boulder to free His Son? Do you believe in God's promise to send His Spirit? To us all? Just as young Armand waited for his Father to fulfill his promise, you and I can trust that God will keep His promise. No matter what. Be filled with the Holy Spirit!!!

Meet My Dad

Thu, 25 May 2017 19:39:59 GMT

Let me tell you about my Dad. I have always said there is nothing my Dad can't fix. When I was young, it never occurred to me just how gifted he was. I've seen him fix cars inside and out, I've seen him lay brick, finish concrete, redo kitchen cabinets, rewire rooms, repair furniture, install flooring and the list goes on. Here he is during our kitchen remodel.

My many fix-it abilities reveal a lot about my experience of being Joe "Pap Pap" Killian's son. That kind of revelation is the essence of this week's Gospel.

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you." John 17:1-11

This prayer encapsulates Jesus' relationship with His Father. It also clearly defines Jesus' purpose which was to "give eternal life to all His Father gave Him." Jesus revealed His Father to the world because eternal life comes from knowing God the Father, the only true God. This knowing is rooted in love and is deeply personal.

Jesus came to reveal His Father and out of love for Him suffered and died to fix broken, fallen humanity's way back to His Father. In other words, Jesus spread His arms and allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross so you and I could meet His Dad.

Are You Connected?

Fri, 19 May 2017 19:46:02 GMT

This is a photo of the Holter heart monitor that I was sent home from the hospital with yesterday. I have been experiencing some tightness in my chest and at 55 doctors don't take chances, especially with my family history. The good news is that after a battery of tests my heart has been deemed healthy. As a precaution they asked me to wear the monitor for an additional 24 hours. I'll be happy to get rid of the wires and the irritating electrodes that are stuck to my chest. The heart is one of those things that we really don't pay much attention to until something isn't right. I am blessed with a good heart that I will be paying even more attention to now. See if you can identify the connections to this week's Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." John 14:15-21

Imagine how the disciples must have felt as Jesus spoke these words on Holy Thursday. These sentences are incredibly complex and even convoluted if you remember that Jesus had yet to be crucified and raised from the dead. However in the middle of this passage is the key. "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you." Everything is connected. Father to Son. Father and Son to the Spirit. And most significantly Father, Son and Spirit to you and me.

Connected to the machines in the lab, I began to run faster on the treadmill. Surrounded by two technicians, the cardiologist and lots of technology I couldn't understand what it all meant. Out of the corner of my eye I watched my heart rate on the screen. As it went over 150 beats per minute I thought, I can't do this much longer. Just then the technician injected the "radioactive isotope" into my catheter and the cardiologist said, "One more minute." WHEW! I finished the stress test and was congratulated for being in good shape. I am still not completely clear how the injection at that moment worked but the smile of the cardiologist after he looked at the report made all the difference. My heart is healthy!

The Holy Spirit, our Advocate, is our connection to the Father and Son. Even in the midst of uncertainty, we are still connected. The more we pay attention to that the better. It's like the heart monitor. It reminds me of my heart just as the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Father and the Son. Stay connected and experience the love of a healthy heart with God.

Do You Know the Way?

Thu, 11 May 2017 19:50:56 GMT

In college I had the opportunity to compete in an orienteering challenge. The race, through the wooded hilltop of a nearby forest, required us to use only a compass and a map as guidance tools to find markers on the course as fast as possible. Competitors are timed but start in one-minute intervals so no one can simply follow another competitor.

I took off up the hill and quickly found the first marker. I consulted my map and compass and headed off towards the second marker. Half way through the race I knew I had to be doing well because I had passed a number of other competitors. Then I lost my way. I had to stop running and figure out what had gone wrong. I wandered around the woods for a while trying to get reoriented in the right direction. I got turned around once or twice and thought about following someone else but realized they might be lost as well. Eventually, using my compass and map I got back on track. I reached the next marker and eventually made it across the finish line. Unlike a typical race you don’t know who won immediately because you have to wait until everyone finishes.

When the results were announced I was both disappointed and excited to have finished second. If only I hadn’t gotten lost! My competitive nature had allowed me to do very well in spite of my inexperience and lack of skill in “orienteering”. What I learned at the time was how important it was to stay focused on the true north of the compass. My guide. That is the message straight from the "Guide's" mouth in this week's Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:1-12

Thomas, as though he was figuratively lost, asked a legitimate question. "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" This dialogue occurs in the midst of the Last Supper. Thomas and the other disciples are about to feel literally lost in the coming days. Jesus is preparing His disciples for the future, both immediate and eternal.

Where is this future and how do we get there? Thomas asks. Jesus strongly emphasizes that "the way" is in "knowing" Him and His Father. However, the knowing that Jesus shares with His Father is somewhat lost on Thomas and Philip. They struggle with the deeper meaning of this kind of deep and abiding, knowing relationship.

When we don't understand what it means to know Jesus it is like being lost in the woods. We find ourselves turning in circles chasing after the wrong people and things. It is only when we "know the Way" that He can guide us to the Father's dwelling place. Knowing Jesus provides us with an internal compass that guides us in the right direction. Do you know your guide?

Whose Voice Do You Hear?

Fri, 05 May 2017 19:57:02 GMT

My friend John made an interesting statement this morning. He said that because he has been busy lately he hasn't followed the news and social media for the last four days. I was a little surprised because John usually pays a good bit of attention to the "media" that is so readily available through modern technology. I asked him how it felt and he said, "Great! The world isn't such a bad place." I agree with him and to be honest I instituted my own media filters some time ago in an effort to minimize the number of voices I hear.

In this week's Gospel we hear a voice we all need to be listening to:

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:1-10

Thanks to one of the positive aspects of technology I can actually share my voice with you on this topic.

What Did You Expect?

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:06:41 GMT

Marriage is an interesting phenomenon. Wouldn't it be cool if there was a sure fire way to ensure that every marriage succeeded? Why do so many fail? Why do many of those that endure do so with less than "happy" results? After nearly 31 years of marriage to my wonderful bride, Maria, I am convinced that one very important factor is continually necessary for a successful marriage. It is to have proper expectations. I believe this can best be summed up with this quote:

Marriage is not about finding the right person as much as it is becoming the right person!

Having proper expectations about who someone is is critically important to how well the relationship functions. Improper expectations can cause significant disillusionment and even pain between people. This week's Gospel provides just such an example:

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. Luke 24:13-32

The Emmaus road travelers are met by a "stranger" who quizzes them about their discussion. They are surprised that this stranger is apparently unaware of the most recent events. This stranger, Jesus, asks for their explanation of these events. In the midst of their explanation they share their expectations about Jesus with Him. "But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel..." Their expectations frame their way of seeing and understanding everything that has happened. Then Jesus helps to reframe their expectations by explaining everything from GOD's perspective. That changed perspective allows them to truly encounter Jesus as He breaks bread.

From that initial encounter with Jesus our expectations must change. Just as married couples must grow in their relationship with one another we must do so in our relationship with Jesus. The really cool thing about having a relationship with Jesus is that He is "The Right Person!" Perhaps even more cool is that you and I can expect to become the right person as our relationship with Him grows.

I Have No Doubt!

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 20:34:36 GMT

The news stunned me! Joshua, my youngest son, had texted me asking me if I had heard. What? NO WAY!! He couldn't have. It can't be true. All kinds of thoughts and emotions passed as I tried to process how one of my favorite Pittsburgh Pirates had been caught using performance enhancing drugs and was subsequently suspended for 80 games. Starling Marte, the closest player talent-wise to my beloved hero, Roberto Clemente, was a cheat?!? It seems to be clear that Marte broke the rules and he has admitted it and has accepted the consequences. And yet, I just didn't want to believe it. Once I read the article and encountered the truth, I believed. This kind of dynamic plays out in this week's Gospel:

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

Thomas doubts! He doesn't believe his friends who share the news that Jesus is alive. He needs first hand proof. What exactly is Thomas expressing? He clearly states that unless he sees Jesus' scarred hands and probes His side he will not believe that Jesus is alive. Jesus comes again and offers proof to Thomas. In that moment Thomas encountered the Risen Christ. Thomas believes and professes his belief with a powerful statement. "My Lord and my God!" (emphasis added)

The Gospel then switches to you and me. First, Jesus speaks of those who have not seen Him and still believe. Then Saint John speaks directly to you and me. He explains that Thomas' story is shared with us over many other signs so that, "...you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

Here are two question that you and I have to answer for ourselves. "Have you come to believe that Jesus is the Christ? And if so, have you had a personal encounter with that same Jesus the Christ, the Son of God that you might have "life in his name"? Once we have that encounter we profess as Thomas did, "My Lord and my God!" It is in this belief that we are able to overcome every doubt on our journey to everlasting life with the Risen Christ. If you haven't had that encounter, ask Jesus to show Himself to you. I have no doubt that He will.

The Journey From the Cross

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 20:47:18 GMT

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you." Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10

How confused, bewildered and devastated Jesus' followers must have been when He suffered and died. The cross had brought pain, grief, sorrow, doubt, fear and hopelessness. But the cross was necessary. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary began to understand. Jesus had to suffer a torturous death to pay the price for humanity's sin.

The Temple had been built so that the sins of the people could be forgiven. There was an intricate sacrificial system officiated by the priests. The Jews of Jesus' time understood the sacrificial nature of forgiveness. Do we? What does Jesus' sacrifice mean for you and me? We don't have to pay for our sins; not that we could. We do have to accept His willing sacrifice. Our journey with God must pass through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. The cross, where Jesus died for us, became the gateway to everlasting life. We simply have to accept this most gracious of gifts. When we do it must be with the expectation that it is the anchor for our lives going forward.

Our journey from the Cross may be full of pain, grief, sorrow, doubt, fear and even death. However, there is always hope because we know that in the Cross of Jesus Christ there is life.

LIFE EVERLASTING!!!

The Journey To the Cross

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:54:19 GMT

In a blog entitled the Weekly Journey it is obvious that I focus on our individual and collective passing through time on our way to... so where does this journey end? As we reflect on the Palm Sunday Gospel it seems to end in death.

Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Pilate, who questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?" But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?" For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him." The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They answered, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!" But he said, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Let him be crucified!" When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. Look to it yourselves." And the whole people said in reply, "His blood be upon us and upon our children." Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha — which means Place of the Skull —, they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!" Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "This one is calling for Elijah." Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, 'Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him." But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:11-54

As Jesus "gave up his spirit" His journey does seem to end in death. From the heights of Jesus' kingly entrance into Jerusalem to the earthshaking moment of His death Jesus experienced a "weekly journey" like no other. That is because His journey to the cross was necessitated by humanity's sinful, fallen nature. "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

All of humanity finds itself at the cross of Christ. We cannot overcome sin and death on our own. You and I must journey to the cross of Christ. It is at the cross that we must accept our need for salvation from the wages of sin - death. Our earthly, physical journey does end in death just as Jesus' holy week journey did. However, the story does not end at the cross.

The journey continues. Stay tuned for next week's exciting edition of the Weekly Journey!

Just In Time!

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 21:02:57 GMT

This past weekend Maria and I traveled to Florida to help her brother, John, and his wife, Holli, move into their new home. We were surprising them and the anticipation leading up to our arrival was palpable. We excitedly rang the doorbell. When John opened the door he was totally shocked. We didn't know it but their help had backed out just before the closing that morning. We had arrived just in time. That is exactly what happens in this week's Gospel.

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him saying, "Master, the one you love is ill." When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." He said this, and then told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him." So the disciples said to him, "Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved." But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, "Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him." So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go to die with him."

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "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. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, "The teacher is here and is asking for you." As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Sir, come and see." And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him." But some of them said, "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?"

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me." And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."

Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. John 11:1-45

Jesus doesn't immediately depart for Bethany when he hears of Lazarus' illness. He knows that God's timing is perfect and Jesus expects the unexpected. Everyone around Jesus sees the immediate circumstances and they respond accordingly. Understandably, there is a sense of desperation as Mary and Martha send for their friend Jesus. The disciples are concerned for Jesus' safety in light of the past threats on His life.

What we see transpiring throughout this story is Jesus moving at "just the right pace" in spite of the urgency of the situation. We, on the other hand, have a tendency to seek the fastest route to resolving our problems. The reality is that we often have no real control over the situations that confront us. But God the Father does! And Jesus demonstrates His confidence in HIs Father's timing. How often do we fuss and fret that things aren't happening as we had hoped? When we walk in God's timing everything falls into place, Just In Time!

Maria and I had no idea just how much of a blessing we were going to be to John and Holli. But God the Father did! And we all gave Him the glory for bringing to life John and Holli's new home just as He does in all things. JUST IN TIME!!!

How Do You Want to Be Labeled?

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:09:28 GMT

I recently read an article about a basketball prodigy who is being compared to some of the all-time greats. The amazing thing is that this kid is in 9th grade... 9TH GRADE!!! Can you believe it?!? Our culture loves to label people. Sometimes these labels can be grandiose and overwhelming. Other times they can be hurtful and degrading. They can be tough to live up to and even tougher to shake. Note in this week's Gospel how many times labels impact the story:

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" — which means Sent. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is, " but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am."

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see." So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him. John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

The blind man (Label) is no more. He has been healed. And yet his neighbors and the Pharisees (Label) get caught up in the fact that he is/was a blind beggar (Label). They then try to understand who it was that healed the blind man. As the blind man identified his healer as a prophet (Label) the Pharisees threw the blind man out.

Jesus returns to the man after hearing this and asks the defining question. "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (Label) Underlying all man-made labels is the unique truth of who God is and who He created us to be. Once the man realizes this truth, "I do believe, Lord" (THE LABEL) he worships Jesus. Everyone else is left to figure out their labels.

What does all this mean? All too often we put labels on people so that we can make sense of what is happening in our world. Just as the Pharisees did with the blind beggar, in our humanness we seek to justify our limited understanding of things by discounting others' experiences and forcing them into labels that fit our mindset. In the midst of all of this we are blind to the miracle and He who performed it. If we correctly keep our eyes on Him everything comes together.

So let's get back to labels. Here are two that we need to always remember. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, aka GOD! and for all who have seen Him and believe, BELOVED!

Coincidence? Not Likely!

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 21:28:58 GMT

"Jesus, tired from his journey..." The name of my ministry and the title of the book I am writing made this particular phrase jump off the page at me. For the last 3 1/2 years I've been eating, breathing, writing and speaking about JOURNEY. To be honest with you I get tired too. At times this all feels like a grind and I want to take a break. I need to sit down like Jesus did and...

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" — For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans. — Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, 'you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.

Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back." The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.' For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything." Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one speaking with you." At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?" The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, "Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?" They went out of the town and came to him.

Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work."

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done." When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." John 4:5-52

...Jesus didn't get much of a break, did He? Isn't it interesting that He was alone when the Samaritan woman appeared? Jesus had been traveling with his disciples but they had left Him alone at the well. Coincidence? Not likely! This allows Jesus to connect with the woman and their conversation gets deep and intimate pretty quickly. She begins to trust Him and Jesus leads her to the realization that "I am he, the one speaking with you," the Messiah. Notice what happens in the next instant. "At that moment his disciples returned..." Coincidence? Not likely! As the story continues, Jesus teaches His disciples about the "fields being ripe for harvest" and then the Samaritans arrive. Another coincidence? Not likely!

It is easy to see how this all makes perfect sense when we look back. But what about when you and I are journeying through life, especially when we are tired, upset or frustrated? Do we recognize that God has allowed each person to cross our path? Are we aware that the fields are ripe for harvest? Do we seek to point people to the Messiah? Sure it's okay to take a break but that doesn't mean that someone might not appear before us in need of the saving love of the Messiah. In fact, doesn't everyone need Him?!?

Okay, I get it now. I can't take a break from sharing the love of Jesus. I'm ready. Send me the next coincidence Lord!!

Coming Down From the Mountain

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 22:42:25 GMT

Last weekend Maria and I had the incredible opportunity to lead an Alpha retreat for 200 people from two separate local parishes. Words can't describe it adequately. It was one of those "You just had to be there" experiences. At the end of the retreat I was making some closing comments and I mentioned that this was a mountaintop experience. This week's Gospel is just such an experience for three of the disciples.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9

Matthew's description of Peter's response is surely muted. His description of Jesus is not. Notice the words he uses to describe Jesus, transfigured, face shone like the sun, clothes became white as light. On top of all that two of the greatest figures in the Jewish history appear beside Jesus. And they've both been dead for centuries!!! This is not just your everyday gathering. This is one of those "You just had to be there" moments, right?

THEN, GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY SPEAKS FROM HEAVEN!!!!

This is more than the disciples can handle and they fall to the ground. They were so afraid that Jesus needed to comfort them. As the original party of four descends the mountain Jesus commands the disciples not to share what they had seen until after His resurrection.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME LORD?!? I can imagine something like that going through the minds of Peter, James and John. I can't even fathom the looks on their faces! Everything has changed! The disciples will never be the same again. This was simply indescribable. So what is this mountaintop experience supposed to mean to us?

This past weekend on the retreat, we experienced the Lord's presence in powerful ways. It really was a mountaintop experience for us. And I am sure many people were changed. However, the meaning of the mountaintop is that God never changes! We simply get to know Him better. He gives us glimpses of His glory. We experience his forgiving mercy. We feel His infinite love. But none of this happens until after Jesus' resurrection. Our hearts need to be resurrected in Him. Then we can come down from the mountain and share what we know with others. Glory to God!

God Loves the Patriots Too

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:49:00 GMT

I don't want to get political. Hmmmm. But it would be a great way to make the point of this week's Gospel message. I have a better idea. I'll talk about Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. If you're not aware of where my allegiance lies, let's just say I grew up bleeding the black and gold of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. When my son Joey moved to Boston after graduating from college I thought it might become a "problem" for us if he found someone from New England who liked the Patriots. Enter Liz. She and I are having fun with some good natured smack talk about our "hatred" for each other's beloved teams. I know this isn't real but I believe that understanding the dynamic might help us to embrace Jesus' difficult words in this week's Gospel.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus provides clear instruction as to His expectations. We are to go above and beyond. No it isn't supposed to be easy. In fact, to be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect, is impossible. So how can we do what Jesus is asking of us? Context is very important here. This passage in Matthew lies near the beginning of a three chapter discourse of Jesus' teachings on various issues. It begins with the Beatitudes and ends with this phrase, "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."

Framed within those passages, the difficult command to love and pray for our enemies, becomes possible. We cannot live the way we are supposed to... without Jesus as our foundation. We can only go above and beyond in His strength. As Paul says in Philippians, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

So what does my rivalry with Liz and her New England Patriots have to do with this? The point is that this is not about the "team", be it sports, politics or religion. It is about the person. Just as I love Joey, Liz is the beloved child of her parents. More importantly, she is beloved of our heavenly Father, in spite of being a Patriots fan!

Okay, enough with the jokes. This is serious. Just as I need to look past the blue and red of Liz's Patriots jersey to the person inside, we need to ask Jesus to help us look past our emotions to our enemy's heart and soul. Jesus died for them as well. If I trust Him as Lord and Savior then I must rely on Jesus to give me the strength to love my enemies sacrificially as He does. God's love transcends all else. When we live in it, we truly can do all things!

From the Inside Out

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 23:03:34 GMT

Two summers ago Disney Pixar released Inside Out which is about Riley, a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, whose world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco.

While the movie was entertaining and quite humorous at times, it effectively highlighted the inner struggle that we all go through at different periods in life. The title itself identifies the crux of the challenge. In this week's Gospel we see the essence of this same inside out struggle.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." Matthew 5:17-37

Imagine the disciples sitting and listening to these words from Jesus. He starts off telling them that their righteousness must surpass the most righteous in Israel, the scribes and Pharisees who sought to follow the "smallest part" of the letter of the law. And if that was not enough Jesus ratchets up what it meant to be truly righteous. It isn't just the action but the inner condition of the person that matters. And if that challenge wasn't tough enough, Jesus then suggests the drastic measure of removing the offending "member" completely from the body. Finally, He emphasizes preeminence of God by removing all possible doubt as to where their allegiance or oath must lie.

How overwhelming this all seems! Until we stop and acknowledge what makes it all possible. We are incapable of achieving the righteousness that is required of us. It is not possible for humans in our fallen condition to be perfect, unless our heart is right. A heart given over totally to God. A heart fully surrendered to loving Him above all else. This is an inside out job. We must focus all of our energies, efforts and our emotions towards the only truly righteous One. From the inside out.

As I was working on this I was listening to some worship music when this song came on. It confirmed for me that this challenging passage of scripture that always troubled me really wasn't as intimidating as I thought. Here are the words for the chorus of From the Inside Out by Hillsong United.

In my heart and my soul

Lord I give You control

Consume me from the inside out,

Lord, let justice and praise

Become my embrace

To love you from the inside out

The impossibility of living a perfect life is made attainable when we realize that the perfect life is one focused totally on He Who is perfect.

I know this has been a long one but let me encourage you to persevere a little longer. Here is a link to the song that I believe will bless you today as you seek to live your life for Him from the inside out.

Inside Out by Hillsong Unite d

How Salty Are You?

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:37:47 GMT

Salt is good for days like today. Its unique properties interact to melt snow and ice. In a different way salt seasons the food we eat. We hear about this in this week's Gospel.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus uses two separate metaphors here to demonstrate how His followers are to live. Salt and light each in their own unique ways impact their surroundings. By using two separate metaphors Jesus provides us with varied ways to understand our role in the world. The challenge that we face is knowing exactly how we individually are supposed to be salt and light.

In his recently published book, More: Find Your Personal Calling and Live Life to the Fullest Measure , Todd Wilson provides a systematic way to understand how we can be "salt and light." Wilson breaks the process down into two categories. One, our primary calling which all Christians have, and a secondary calling which is unique to each individual believer. Here is a brief description from the website along with a graphic that depicts the BE - DO - GO model.

"More starts with who we are, and that we are uniquely created with a unique identity and design. Who are we created to BE? This identity is one we actively discover and participate in activating. Our BE or identity overflows into and shapes our mission. What are we made to DO? Finally, our DO requires a context, or a position where it is lived out. Where are we to GO?"

The reality is that there are as many ways to BE, DO and GO as there are people. If we truly believe that God is in control, we must seek out His will for our life. Wilson walks us through the process. I highly recommend the book to those who are interested in following Jesus' command to BE, DO and GO out into the world as salt and light. Jesus expects each of us us to do so... "that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

Here is the link to the website that provides some great insight into Todd Wilson's book and ministry. www.personalcalling.org

Live Like That

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:01:55 GMT

I wonder if this is the problem with Christianity? It seems to me that if we who profess to be Christians did this we could change the world. The darkness that seems to permeate our world would have no chance against the light that Jesus would bring through us. If only we did this...

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. Matthew 4:12-23

These Galilean fishermen actually walked away from their way of life. We see that Simon and Andrew dropped their nets and James and John walked away from their nets, their boat and very symbolically, their father. Stop and think about this for a moment or two. This was a stunning act of faith. Or was it reckless abandonment?

Put yourself in the brothers' shoes. Picture them walking through Galilee with Jesus. They listen to Him teach in the synagogues. They hear His proclamation of the Gospel. They witness the miraculous as Jesus cures the sick. For all we know their nets were still lying on the shore. Zebedee?!? What must he have been thinking? The brothers are only at the beginning of a journey that leads from Galilee to the cross, to Pentecost and to their own deaths. What if they knew beforehand what this decision to leave their "nets" behind meant?

In a way, you and I do know. We are told in scripture that following Jesus will not be easy. But the reality is that we can't know ahead of time what that actually means. Like the disciples, we, too, must step out in faith with reckless abandon if we are to change the world like they did.

Make no mistake; Jesus is calling us to follow Him. So what is this problem with Christianity? Is it Christians who are the problem? Could it be that we haven't truly "dropped our nets"? Are we afraid to be recklessly abandoned to Jesus?

Here's a four minute challenge. Click on the image below and listen to this song and as you reflect on the words ask yourself if you're willing to live like the disciples did:

LIVE LIKE THAT

A Face Down Epiphany

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 15:21:16 GMT

"I just had an epiphany!" Erica excitedly said. Then she began to share her story about how, years ago, things aligned in her life to lead her on a new career path. As she filled in the details for us I waited for the big news. Eventually, I couldn't wait any longer so I said, "Tell us about your epiphany." You can probably guess this week's Gospel.

The magi traveled a great distance to "do him homage." Once they found the newborn king of the Jews they joyously prostrated themselves to pay Jesus homage. It is important to note that these important men actually entered into Jesus' presence and lay face down on the floor in front of a child! This was a sign of complete submission.

Jesus' Epiphany, God's revelation in human form, caused the magi to drop what they were doing and travel to a distant land to offer gifts to a child. Perhaps most importantly, they offered themselves in an incredibly humble manner.

When is the last time you saw someone lay face down in a public show of reverence to another? I can't think of an example either. That is why I was so intrigued by Erica's declaration that she had had an epiphany. I knew she was using the word to describe a revelation from God. The look of amazement on her face was beautiful. She was actually struggling to put into words what she was feeling. I imagine the magi feeling the same way.

Like the magi, Erica is seeking the "newborn king of the Jews." She wants to know God's will for her life. That desire is all God wants from us. He has placed that desire in all of us. I might suggest that you get down on your face and seek Jesus in your heart. He is already there waiting to meet you in your very own epiphany.

A Joyous Morning

Thu, 29 Dec 2016 17:06:11 GMT

Just yesterday I talked with Zack, a 30 year-old father of two young children, about Christmas morning. He glowingly spoke of the joy of his son's first glimpse of the gifts under the tree. Days after Christmas Zack still held this memory close to his heart. This week's Gospel provides us with a glimpse of a Christmas gift:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:16-21

In the midst of the story of the shepherds visit we are given a glimpse of Mary's experience. A brand new, young mother receiving confirmation from strangers, the shepherds, that her newborn baby boy was the Messiah. Now that's a memory not soon forgotten! This time of year we tend to be reflective. We share stories of our favorite Christmases past. We seek to spend time with loved ones. We exchange gifts. All because of that first Christmas gift.

Like Zack's little boy we are to look upon the gift of the Christ child through eyes of wonder and joy. Then, we are to be like the shepherds who "glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen" share that wonder and joy with everyone we meet.

Positive Pregnancy Test

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:14:15 GMT

I remember my reaction to seeing Maria's positive pregnancy test. It was a unique and indescribable experience. In the case of Joshua our youngest son, I was on the phone with a college friend when Maria held the positive results in front of my face. I immediately stopped talking and it was obvious to my friend that something had happened. The warmth and love that spread through me was incredible. Imagine Joseph's reaction when he received Mary's positive pregnancy announcement.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:18-24

Joseph went to sleep with a heavy heart. Because of Mary's illegitimate pregnancy he had decided to end his marriage with her before it even got started. Joseph woke up feeling very differently. In his dream Joseph received a positive pregnancy test like no other. He also knew Mary was having a son and that Son... "will save his people from their sins." Talk about unique and indescribable! And even with this promise from the angel of the Lord, Joseph and Mary could never have anticipated what was in store for them and their son.

As parents, Maria and I have been blessed three times by God to bring a child into this world. The emotions we experienced then and over the last 26 years have covered the whole spectrum of parental roller coaster rides. But like Joseph and Mary we have had to trust God with our children's lives, just as we do with our own.

As we await the coming of the Christ Child this Christmas let us all fully entrust ourselves and our loved ones to God's loving hands. God is always looking to bringing forth "new birth". May we be open and willing this Christmas season to accept God's will and His plan for our lives. We can't know what might come but we can know that "God is with us!"

Is It Really You?

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 17:32:39 GMT

Just this afternoon I had a conversation with two women, Sue and Rosemary, from a local church who are planning to run the Alpha course. I've been heavily involved with Alpha for the last two years and they were asking me for advice. From my perspective they have already done a good job in preparing to run the course but they are well aware of the fact that they aren't quite "there" yet. Having never run Alpha leaves them with doubts. We see something similar in this week's Gospel.

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:2-11

The disciples of John the Baptist were surely struggling to grasp the meaning of his imprisonment. They had followed him with willing hearts. They witnessed the crowds responding to his message of repentance. Then John was arrested. In the midst of all this they faithfully sought Jesus with a measure of hope and perhaps doubt about who He was.

When Jesus told them to witness about what they had heard and seen, things became clear. John's disciples experienced Jesus, the One. Not only did they experience Jesus but they knew of His works as well. Being out in front of Jesus with John the Baptist was a challenging task. These disciples had to trust in John and more importantly trust in the promise of the coming Christ.

Sue and Rosemary also need to trust in the promise of the coming Christ - in the Alpha course. Until the participants come to the course and meet Jesus and see His works they can't know. It is up to Sue, Rosemary and their team to prepare the way... That takes great faith, the same kind of faith that John the Baptist and his disciples demonstrated. The key is in the answer to John's original question. Is it really you? Are you the One?

If we believe that Jesus is the One we are all called to prepare the way for Jesus in the lives of the people Jesus brings across our path. Jesus does the rest because He is the One!

A Christmas Special

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:44:06 GMT

If you want, you can watch Christmas specials pretty much non-stop at this time of year. There are even networks that devote their entire schedule to Christmas shows. I challenge you to find one about John the Baptist and his message.

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:1-12

Many people were drawn to John the Baptist in spite of his "unusual" appearance. It was his message they came to hear. Those who sought baptism for the purpose of true repentance had appropriately "acknowledged their sins" and were baptized. However the Pharisees and Sadducees were singled out by John as perhaps having the wrong motives. John's challenge to the elite of Israel points to their need to prove that they have truly repented of their sins. He informs them that it is not their familial lineage that matters. It is the production of fruit that matters. There is no automatic pass into heaven. John made it clear, true repentance must be demonstrated by the fruit that follows.

Then, after making his point, John makes his big announcement. There is another One coming! And it is He who separates the true wheat, the fruit, from the pretender, the chaff. It is the repentant soul that differentiates the two. John the Baptist's message wasn't an easy, feel-good message.

He is telling us that we have to intentionally seek to pursue something that isn't always pleasant. It might even be harder than finding a Christmas special about John the Baptist. However, we do so because we await the One who comes after him. Imagine how special it will be when Jesus does return!

A Hero's Choice

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 21:50:29 GMT

When it comes to the heroic, I like to dream. I am a big fan of action adventures where the hero overcomes insurmountable odds to save the day. I like to think I would have the courage to choose to be a hero. This week's Gospel focuses on a hero's choice.

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:35-4 3

Jesus chose a difficult path. He did so again and again. In what appears to be the end of Jesus' journey He hung dying on the cross. Some of those present sneered, jeered and reviled Jesus. They looked upon Him as a failure, taunting His inability to save Himself. It appears that the hero has lost. But the hero knows what others don't. He knows that there is a greater purpose in His suffering and dying. The hero has made a choice to live and die for others. Is there anything more courageous and noble?

As we gaze back in time upon the crucifixion we have the ability to understand Jesus' noble purpose. We understand the true meaning of the crown of thorns that was meant to mock and torture Jesus.

Jesus accepted that crown. In so doing, our "hero" chose not to save Himself but to save you and me. Here is the hard part. When it comes to following this hero, The King of the Jews, our purpose must be bigger than ourselves. We must trust God to lead us. Our sense of purpose must be for His Kingdom. Will you choose to follow His path? It is easier said than done. In my devotional this morning was this line by Oswald Chambers, "By any road Lord, and at any cost." That is the meaning of being a hero for Christ.

My Kind of Politics

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 22:34:28 GMT

I don't even know who he is but today I am grateful to Eric Nelson. As I drove to an appointment this morning I saw two of Mr. Nelson's large campaign signs along the road. Plastered across his name was a large Thank You! His gracious gesture made me smile. It also made me reflect on the fact that we live in a free country, flawed but free. We can't know what is in store for us when our next president takes office. Regardless of your political leanings, Jesus has instructed us on what to expect as His followers.

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Luke 21:5-19

This is part of Luke's passage on the end times. Each of the Gospel writers talk of it. Jesus' prophetic words surely must have unsettled His audience. One minute they are talking about the temple and the next minute Jesus is dropping some pretty heavy apocalyptic news on them. Their first reaction is to want to know when these things will happen and how they will know. Jesus then moves from general destruction to personal persecution. He warns that death is even a possibility for some.

We as Jesus' followers must live with the expectation that persecution is a very real possibility. That is even true in our "free" country. We must trust in Jesus and His Spirit in all circumstances. Our hope must be in Him. I found this article to be helpful in light of the election. Written by Scott Sauls, it is entitled, What Do the Politics of Jesus Look Like? You might want to read it for some perspective. In the section below I found peace. I pray you will also.

Jesus gains power by surrendering power.

Put Barabbas to death and it ends his revolution.

Put Jesus to death and it launches his.

As the crowds panicked and grasped for power, Jesus sat quietly and non-defensively, resolved and ready to die

as He awaited His unjust sentence from the Roman state.

Panic and grasping for power is the way of the world.

Remaining calm, loving, and non-defensive, no matter what the political outcomes, is the way of Jesus—

and of His followers who have their kingdoms rightly ordered.

Stupid Question?

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:17:56 GMT

When I was young I remember people asking if God could make a rock so big that he couldn't lift it. I'd think about it and then pass it off as one of those things I just wasn't going to be able to figure out. This week's Gospel provides an example of this kind of question.

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Luke 20:27-38

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Therefore, they obviously have ulterior motives in asking Jesus this convoluted question about marriage and remarriage. The Sadducees are using the law of Moses to demonstrate their authority while seeking to discredit Jesus. In fact, St. Luke places this story amongst several others that are all intended to "trap" Jesus.

As He typically did Jesus answers the question on a deeper level. His answer redirects the conversation to what truly matters. Jesus speaks not of the dead but the living! Jesus does not get caught up in the question of the law. He focuses the discussion back to the Law Giver.

Jesus speaks not of the rock but of God, not of the dead but the living. He is speaking of "...the children of God." Now as an adult I find myself with a completely different approach to these kinds of questions. When we have a personal relationship with the living God we need not worry about the right answers. We can focus on being a child of Him Who has all the answers. We can focus on living, not dying. Yes we can think about life after death but let's respond as I did as a child, "I'm not going to be able to figure that out." Embrace St. Paul's words from his second letter to the Thessalonians.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.

Think about that for a while!

An Amazing View!

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 14:25:00 GMT

I love to climb trees. I always have. Here I am 70 feet up in the 180 year old oak tree in the backyard of my childhood home. The view from there was amazing as I looked over the roof of our house at our entire neighborhood. It was a unique perspective.

We see a man seeking a unique perspective of Jesus in this week's Gospel.

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was. He didn't want to miss the opportunity before him so Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to have a better view. Jesus recognized Zacchaeus' desire to know Him. Jesus then invites Himself to Zacchaeus' home. Once there Jesus says, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham."

We must take note of why this happened to Zacchaeus' household. The key element isn't that Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, was willing to give up much of his wealth. The key is that as a descendant of Abraham, Zaccheaus is able to receive his inheritance as a child of God. All He had to do was to seek God. Jesus did the rest.

What obstacle is in your way that is keeping you from God? Make it your mission to overcome any obstacle that is between you and Jesus. The view will be pretty amazing!

The Heart of the Matter

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:45:08 GMT

I once attended a men's Bible Study where the men discussed the merits of living life righteously. Being the new guy I sat back and listened. When the facilitator asked me for my opinion I said, "I think it depends on where a person's heart is." The debate continued as the guys all gave their definitions of living a Christian life. When asked for my thoughts a second time I said, "It depends on where a person's heart is." "But!" was the first word spoken by several guys as they sought to explain themselves. Who really has the right concept of living? Here is how Jesus deals with the issue in this week's Gospel.

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

In his mind the Pharisee actually thinks he is "better" than everyone else. He lists the flaws of humanity that make him feel good about himself. He describes his good behaviors, fasting and tithing, that make him grateful. But Jesus obviously sees things differently because He sees where a person's heart is.

As I write this I realize that I have set myself up for a pat on the back. (This isn't sounding very humble, Joe.) I had gotten to the core of the issue in the Bible Study and the facilitator eventually agreed by coming back to my statement. "Joe I think you might be onto something with the heart." This week's Gospel makes it very clear. We see in the tax collector a contrite heart that acknowledges his need for mercy. His humility demonstrates a "right" heart towards God. It is not what we think of ourselves and our behaviors that matters. A humble heart! That is authentic Christian living.

Where is your heart right now? Oh and as for me being right about righteous living, here's what I have to say now.

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

Regardless of Life's Storms

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 15:36:46 GMT

Our Sarah just moved into her new apartment in central Florida. Typically, I have only worried about hurricanes in the past when they hit the gulf coast because I have family there. Now as Hurricane Matthew nears the Atlantic coast I find myself paying more attention than usual. This is potentially the worst hurricane in decades.

That realization gave me pause as I thought about Sarah's safety and then about those in the path of this huge storm. Every indication is pointing to potentially catastrophic devastation. Hundreds of thousands of people are being told they must evacuate their homes and businesses. In this week's Gospel we see Jesus interacting on a personal level with those who had experienced a life altering, devastating illness that required them to be "evacuated" from society to protect the general population.

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Luke 17:11-19

Obviously the healing of the lepers is an important part of this Gospel. However the unknown backstory of the lepers is important. Imagine these people living their lives when an illness appears that changes everything. Leprosy had no cure so lepers had to be completely quarantined from the rest of society. Think of the "storm" they faced in their personal lives, as leprosy separated them from everyone and everything they knew and loved. Forever! If they were healed and approved by the priests they could return to society but that rarely happened. That is why the response of the ten men is so important to the message here. Their lives had been given back to them. Most likely they had no hope of ever returning to their normal lives and yet Jesus restored everything. And yet only one of the ten returned to thank God his savior.

Take note of what Jesus says to the one who did return. "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." The man has already been healed of leprosy. Jesus is now speaking of the man's salvation. Shouldn't the others be just as grateful? Shouldn't you and I? If we've trusted our life to Jesus as savior He has restored us to the life we are intended to have. A life with God that lasts forever!

Glory to God! Thank you Jesus!

I feel compelled to pray! "Lord God you are our creator and redeemer. We trust you in all things. As this storm nears the densely populated coast may you protect all who are in its path. Comfort those who have already lost loved ones and their homes. In the end you are the true savior. Please protect those in harm's way that they might gratefully give You the glory. In Jesus mighty name I pray."

May the Force Be With You

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:58:27 GMT

I saw this tee shirt the other night and just had to take a picture.

I am a fan of Star Wars so it made me laugh. No I am not suggesting that we look to a Jedi Knight as our savior. However, I did find an interesting connection in this week's Gospel message about the tiny mustard seed.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” Luke 17:5-10

The apostles have asked Jesus to increase their faith but His response probably wasn't what they expected. Jesus uses the analogy of the mustard seed to explain how powerful faith can be. Then He goes on to make it clear that faith is not simply a matter of belief but of action as well. Here is the key to Jesus' definition of faith, "When you have done all you have been commanded..."

We have to step out in faith and do what God has commanded in order for the Spirit of God to work through us. Our faith is in the power of God and it is that Power that does great things.

In Star Wars we see a similar kind of power in the Force. The saga details the faithful actions of Luke Skywalker and his tiny band of rebels who overcome the forces of the dark side and defeat the powerful Empire. Along with Yoda, Obi-wan Kenobi was Luke's mentor. His was the voice that Luke heard as he learned to use the Force. His voice guided Luke in his successful attack on the Death Star in the first movie.

You and I have our own Force in the Holy Spirit. Just as Luke did, we need to faithfully do all that we have been commanded, trusting in the Spirit to guide us and with Him accomplish great things!

Horrifying!!!

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:06:33 GMT

Sarah surprised Maria and I last night by telling us that her friends had talked her in to going to Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. Sarah has only watched a couple of scary movies in her life because she doesn't see why anyone would want to put themselves through the experience. She is admittedly giving in to peer pressure but has given her friends very specific instructions as to how they must surround her at all times throughout the night.

When I looked at the Universal website I was even more shocked to realize just how frightening this thing was going to be. I took a screen shot of the website so you could get a sense of just four of the nine "attractions."

We live in a culture where this type of thing has become commonplace. And it has desensitized many to the culture of death it represents. That is why this week's Gospel may not make the kind of impact Jesus made when He told the story:

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

In our Walking Dead culture Jesus' story isn't very scary. But to the Pharisees it surely caught their attention. There are clearly those who go on to be with Father Abraham and those who will NEVER be with Him. Jesus is making the point to the rich man that by ignoring the needs of poor Lazarus and enjoying life for himself he will live forever in torment.

I don't see how we can soft sell the blunt message that Jesus has shared with the Pharisees. We have a choice as to where we will spend eternity. Is there anything more horrifying than being separated from our Father in heaven?

Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 16:11:29 GMT

I just read an article about Mother Teresa in this month's Columbia magazine. She has long been a hero of mine so I was curious to learn more about her. Here is one excerpt that really caught my attention: "In 1987 after the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors voted to donate $10,000 a month to her congregation, Mother Teresa returned these checks, explaining that it would make her sisters too dependent on regular support rather than depending on the providence of God."

In this week's Gospel we see a man who could have learned a great deal from Mother Teresa.

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Luke 16:1-13

Jesus uses this story to illustrate the challenges of dealing with wealth while seeking God's Kingdom. Mother Teresa understood. Our needs are met by God. She simply allowed God to take care of her needs as she loved and cared for God's poorest children.

Our money can make a difference. But perhaps we should live by these words spoken to the Knights of Columbus by Mother Teresa. "...help us with the soup kitchens and our work with the poorest of the poor."

Don't Make Me Wait

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:22:06 GMT

Who really likes to wait? Here is one definition of waiting I found on the internet: the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. I never really thought about it this way before but waiting is an active process. That's what makes waiting so challenging. Some are better at waiting than others. But the more we look forward to something, the harder it is to wait for its arrival. In this week's Gospel we hear several examples of individuals having to endure the challenge of waiting.

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:1-25

Jesus uses three separate parables to make his point about about God's love, mercy, grace and the joyous effects of His redemption. The stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son provided a wealth of lessons to Jesus' audience who weren't necessarily looking for one. Jesus emphasized that the lost being found was cause for celebration and rejoicing. This was Jesus' way of responding to the Pharisees and scribes complaints about the sinful people who were drawing near to Him. Jesus' point was clear; the lost needed to be found. And when they were, it was reason to celebrate.

We, too, can find many lessons in this teaching. Stop and reflect on this one for a moment. Think about the waiting. Think about waiting for the lost to be found. Think about the shepherd waiting fearfully to find the lost sheep. Think about the desperation of waiting to find a lost treasure. Think about a Father sadly and yet hopefully waiting for the return of the lost son.

God, as our Father, awaits our return to Him. Regardless of our current state of sinfulness, our Father in heaven is so loving, merciful and gracious He is willing to wait as long as it takes for us to "be found". Imagine Him running out to meet you. Imagine the celebration He will have in your honor! Why wait?!? Turn to Him right now and be found!

Know the Cost

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 16:37:57 GMT

Dayton Moore is the General Manager of the World Champion Kansas City Royals. When he took over in 2007 the Royals had been one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball for decades. It took awhile to rebuild the culture but the team finally had a winning season in 2013. And just last fall they won the World Series. Inherent in Moore's story is the difficulty of running a professional sports team. General managers are notorious workaholics who sacrifice personal and family time for the team.

Dayton Moore is different. He meets the challenges of his profession not only with a personal emphasis on family but he encourages everyone in the Royals organization to do the same. Even more impressive, Dayton Moore's most important relationship is obvious to all who know him. He provides us with a modern day example of what Jesus is saying in this week's challenging Gospel.

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33

Imagine the buzz Jesus created with the words "hating father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life." Did the crowd even hear the rest of what Jesus said after the hyperbole of His opening statement? If they did, one of the phrases they might have remembered is, "cannot be my disciple." It's almost as if Jesus didn't want people to follow Him.

The reality is that Jesus always made it very clear about what it meant to be a disciple. Know the cost, might have been the title for this particular sermon. We must accept the cost of discipleship because it is challenging, especially in our hectic, demanding world. Dayton Moore's life couldn't be more demanding and yet he keeps it all in perspective because his priorities are right. Moore begins each day with God. His spiritual mentors are amazed at Moore's relentless reading of scripture every morning. Moore unabashedly lives his life guided by God. Everything else follows that commitment. A sk yourself, "How can I live this way in my life?"

After You. No, You First!

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 16:59:17 GMT

Have you ever arrived at a door at the same time as someone else and the two of you both try to allow the other to go through first? It can be an amusing and uncomfortable experience as no one wants to be first. If you stop and think about it there is something very profound in this often quickly forgotten interaction. In this week's Gospel Jesus clarifies this profound truth.

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:1, 7-14

Who is most important? Jesus emphasizes internal motivation as the key to those who are most honored and distinguished in God's kingdom. It is those who do not seek the honored place. In fact, Jesus extends His teaching about seeking honor for ourselves to offering the honored place to the least when we are having "a banquet". In essence, He is telling the Pharisees and their guests that they should always humble themselves.

All behaviors are rooted in the internal motivation of the person. It is relatively easy to open a door for another. There are also opportunities to honor the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. But Jesus challenges us to do so with the right internal motivation, a humble heart. Where does that humility come from? It comes from a heart totally surrendered to God and His purposes.

Jesus opens the door of understanding as to how we are to behave towards one another. Our motivation must be driven by our desire for God's Kingdom, for communion with Him. When we live for Him, our response should always be to choose others first. Here is some motivation for you to do so; imagine Jesus holding the door of heaven open and saying, "After You!"

While You Were Out

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:58:40 GMT

Early in my corporate career I worked as a recruiter for a large data processing company. I spent a great deal of my time on the phone each day. When the office manager asked for a volunteer to cover the switchboard while they took the receptionist for lunch on her birthday, I naively raised my hand. How hard could it be? Answer the phone and take messages for those who were out to lunch. I could handle that, especially with these helpful pink message pads:

Boy was I in for a surprise! It wasn't long before I was anxiously awaiting their return from lunch. I had made quite a mess of the whole thing. This week's Gospel speaks of the vigilant servant awaiting the master's return.

Jesus said to his disciples: “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. 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, the master will put the servant 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.” Luke 12:32-48

Jesus reinforces the need for His disciples to remain vigilant for the return of their master. He does so by reminding them that they are required to do more than just await the master's return. They are also called to be faithful to the job the master has given them. Peter questions Jesus as to whether this applies to those closest to Him or to the average believer. As He commonly does Jesus goes even deeper with His lesson. With the backdrop of unfaithful servants being severely punished Jesus tells His disciples that they will be held to an even higher standard.

If we have decided to follow Jesus, in essence, we have volunteered to work for the master. But even with the best of intentions, life gets in the way! All the more reason for us to diligently pursue Jesus and the role He entrusts to us.

Imagine handing Him this "WHILE YOU WERE OUT" form each day in prayer.

To: Jesus, my Master

Date: Today

WHILE YOU WERE OUT

MESSAGE: As people came across my path I did my best to love and serve them as you called me to do. Many times I was challenged and made a mess of things but you knew my heart and you forgave me when I sought forgiveness. Thank you for your trust in me. I give you my life as I joyfully await your return.

I love you,

(enter your name here)

Retirement Planning

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:07:34 GMT

How much time do you spend thinking about your retirement "nest egg"? Personally, I only paid attention to it when our quarterly statements came in the mail. Don't get me wrong, at 55 I am very well aware of our financial situation. And to be honest with you "it" could be better. A mortgage, college tuition, cars, home repairs all add up. Now that our "nest" is empty Maria and I have really begun to reflect more on our possessions. Jesus' parable in this week's Gospel tells the story of someone doing the same thing.

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

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 all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Luke 12:13-21

Jesus doesn't answer the question about inheritance directly. In the parable of the rich man Jesus points out that a bountiful harvest has provided the rich man with an opportunity. The rich fool chooses to take care of himself. I wonder if he had looked at his "quarterly statements" and decided that he had enough to live comfortably. That seemed to be his goal in life. Jesus makes it clear that possessions and being rich are not God's goals.

Imagine going to the mailbox and finding a statement from God about your treasures that have been saved up with Him. Perhaps it's time to review your heavenly portfolio before it's too late!

Persistence Pays

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:17:53 GMT

Observing the boy in the grocery cart, I cringed as the question was asked. "Can I have some candy?" It began gently enough but then escalated into a battle of wills pretty quickly. This week's Gospel gives us an opportunity to see this struggle in a different light. Check it out:

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread

and forgive us our sins

for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,

and do not subject us to the final test."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" Luke 11:1-13

The disciples have observed Jesus in prayer, likely on multiple occasions. They ask Him to teach them to pray. Jesus shares what we refer to as the Lord's Prayer or the Our Father. The prayer focuses on praising God and His Kingdom and then on the needs of the person praying. It has been the prayer of the Church since Jesus shared it with the disciples.

The teaching that follows the actual prayer might not have been what the disciples expected. Jesus teaches on the need for persistence. He emphasizes the need for them to ask, seek, knock. Finally, Jesus encourages them that the prayers of His children will be answered by their Father in heaven.

Now put yourself in that grocery cart. Once you stop laughing, think through the interaction. Ask, seek, knock, kick, cry, scream! We must keep asking but in doing so we must trust that what our Father in heaven has in the cart behind us is what we need, not what we want on the candy shelf near the cash register.

Mixed Up and Scattered

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:40:21 GMT

I finished my work early yesterday and decided I needed to get some things done around the house. Of the many things on my mind, the new tile in my bathroom was only about 25% complete and I was feeling pressure to get it done. First I had to clean things up because I stopped abruptly when laying the last section of tile. That activity lead to tidying up my workbench that was desperately disorganized. Before long I was caught up in the midst of... A photo explains it better:

What does this mess have to do with this week's Gospel you ask? Read on and hopefully you'll understand.

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42

In this well-known dialogue between Jesus and His friend Martha, Jesus must have surprised Martha with His response. Because she was busy doing "good" things, Martha expected Jesus to correct Mary's behavior. Surely it was better to be doing something and not just sitting around. No! Mary had chosen the better part. "There is need of only one thing." Sit at the feet of the Lord! Be in His presence!

I sat down on the garage floor and began organizing the bolts, nails and screws that were all mixed up and scattered around. I often find my mind scattered and my thoughts all mixed up. Have you ever felt that way? Yesterday the simple act of being present in that moment brought me peace and allowed me to relax. My priorities changed and I wasn't as worried about all that needed to be done. My anxiety about the floor tile had vanished and the mess is gone!!!

Now imagine the impact in our lives when we choose to sit down at the feet of the Lord and listen to what He is saying to us. I am convinced that the more we sit in His presence the "better". This is especially important when we are mixed-up and scattered. And ultimately because we are focused on the Lord, more of the truly important things get done.

Let Me Make This Perfectly Clear

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:51:07 GMT

I know I'm dating myself by choosing this particular title, "Let me make this perfectly clear." A more recent example might be , "Let me be clear." The first is a famous quote attributed to Richard Nixon while the second is a go-to phrase of President Barack Obama. No I'm not going political this week but I thought both of these statements could have appeared in this week's Gospel.

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

Jesus was frequently questioned by the elite of Israel. The intentions of the scholar who asks about eternal life are not initially clear. Jesus turns the question back on the scholar who answers it correctly. As the dialogue continues the scholar's intentions become clear. He continues to test Jesus. The scholar, who surely knew the prescribed answer, points to the letter of the law about loving God and neighbor. Jesus makes it clear as to what is truly expected of those who seek eternal life. In the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus contrasted the merciful behavior of the despised Samaritan with that of the elite priest and Levite.

This is where I see the above quotes fitting into the Gospel. There were many times that Jesus could have said, "Let me make this perfectly clear." The scholar needed clarification for what truly mattered. Jesus points to the mercy of the Samaritan as a demonstration of what it takes to inherit eternal life. He makes it very clear. It should be simple. It is, if our intentions are right.

Let me make this perfectly clear, "...do this (LOVE) and you will live." And if that doesn't do it for you, let me be clear, "Go and do (BE MERCIFUL) likewise."

What A Thrill!

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:00:48 GMT

I love action thriller movies! I admit it. I will find one while flipping through the channels and regardless of how many times I've seen a movie I will watch it again. Of course there are lots of actors that play the role of hero in these movies but one of my favorites is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. It caught my attention this morning when I saw that he had just been honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. I guess in the world's eyes that means Johnson has arrived.

In this week's Gospel we hear about the experience of the seventy-two and how they are treated upon their "arrival" in various homes and towns.

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

A lot happens in this story as Jesus sends out a large group of disciples with the assignment to announce that 'The kingdom of God is at hand.' Jesus gives detailed instructions as to exactly how the disciples are to handle each situation based on the receptiveness of those they encounter. Surprisingly, Jesus instructs the disciples to turn away from those who do not welcome them. Jesus knows that not everyone will embrace Him as He ushers in the coming of the Kingdom of God.

As the joyful disciples return to Jesus the thing they report is that, "even the demons are subject..." Jesus responds with a very interesting statement that directs their attention to what truly matters. While there is a need to deal with the "demons" we encounter in life our true joy must come from the fact that we will forever be with Jesus in heaven.

I'm guessing that if my name is written in heaven I'm not going to need to put my handprints in any concrete. But I am sure that when I arrive the joy on my face, like Dwayne Johnson's, will be never-ending!

No Turning Back

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:07:40 GMT

Maria and I always laugh at how often she starts singing a song because something reminds her of a line or chorus. It's one of those endearing little things that I love about her even though I give her a hard time about it. Now she can give me a hard time because when I read this week's Gospel I starting singing a song from my favorite group. Here is the Gospel:

When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:51-62

Jesus' words to those expressing their desire to follow Him might seem harsh. Jesus provides a reality check so that His followers are aware of what a commitment to Him truly means.

Now for the song I started to sing when I read this Gospel. I encourage you to listen to it in its entirety. It's less than six minutes long and I am hoping it will encourage you as you choose to follow Jesus.

Tougher Than You Think

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 16:10:55 GMT

Living in Oakmont, the site of the 2016 US Open Golf Championship, has been interesting these past few months. Now that the tournament has actually arrived it is hard to not get caught up in all the excitement. I had the opportunity to get on the course and watch the practice rounds this week.

As a casual golfer I especially enjoy watching the pros navigate what is known as one of the most challenging golf courses in the world. They make it look so easy. I find myself thinking, what a way to make a living! At the same time I realize that a tremendous amount of work and sacrifice go into being a professional golfer. In this week's Gospel we see a parallel:

Once when Jesus was praying by himself, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He scolded them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:18-24

Jesus acknowledges the excitement surrounding His presence by questioning the disciples. Jesus has allowed them to become intimate with Him. He predicts His death and resurrection directly to the disciples as He continues to prepare them to truly follow Him. This Jesus does with the disciples prior to pronouncing to the crowd, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

I recently read a quote by Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, that said "It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling of God." Chambers goes on to say that, "Salvation is easy for us, because it cost God so much. But the exhibiting of salvation in my life is difficult." Being a follower of Jesus requires sacrifice and hard work, every day! Jesus has promised us that following Him is going to be hard. In fact, as Peter and the disciples learned, it will be much tougher than we think.

The beauty of being a "professional" follower of Jesus is that the "championship" we win in the end is far greater than any we might experience in this world, and it lasts forever!

Extra! Extra!

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:49:02 GMT

"It's the Media's fault." If you haven't said it you surely have heard others say it. It can be very challenging these days to sift through the rhetoric and the spin to get to the truth of the "news". If you think about it the Gospels are news reports from four different "sources". Note Luke's reporting to his friend Theophilus about a newsworthy event in this week's Gospel:

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, crying out “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “ and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. Luke 7:11-17

St. Luke as a Gospel writer was many things including a historian. In his Gospel, Luke consistently sets the "historical stage" in his writing. Note his explanation in the first four verses of his Gospel:

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Luke was aware of the importance of providing an accurate account. Of course, we consider Luke as a trusted source. In his telling of this story, Luke sets the stage and describes Jesus' actions that raised the young man from the dead. Then Luke reports on the reaction of the people. That is what caught my eye. In particular, one short sentence jumped out at me. "God has visited his people." That is the headline I would have chosen if I were reporting on this event.

I wonder how it might be reported in today's media? I guess it depends on which source you follow. If you follow Jesus then you are called to report the Good News that God has visited His people!

Defying Logic

Fri, 27 May 2016 19:56:21 GMT

I love the looks I get when people find out I've jumped out of an airplane! Some people say I'd love to do that while others start slowly shaking their heads in... disbelief, fear, or are they thinking what a few have actually verbalized? "Why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" "Are you crazy?" Maybe, but I had to trust that the pilot and my tandem jump instructor knew what they were doing. The result of that trust was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life!

The story in this week's Gospel defies logic and it requires a leap of faith by all of us:

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets. Luke 9:11-17

Imagine the looks the disciples must have given Jesus at His command to feed the multitudes. Or maybe they just thought, "Has He gone crazy?" Having been with Jesus for a time they knew better than to argue. They placed their trust in Jesus and obediently brought Him the paltry offering of five loaves and two fish. Their trust is rewarded with the miracle of the loaves and the fishes. Imagine the expressions on their faces as thousands are fed by that one offering!

Our trust in Jesus' command to offer bread and wine is rewarded with the miracle of the Body and Blood of Christ. Our paltry offering miraculously becomes the Body and Blood of the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Savior of the world and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Yes, this defies logic!

Believing it is HIM is as exhilarating as anything we can do for our soul! Do you trust Him? Will you offer yourself to Jesus and see His Kingdom come as you allow Him to perform miracles through you as you faithfully receive His Body and Blood!?! Take the leap!

Self Driving Cars

Thu, 19 May 2016 20:09:19 GMT

I really want to go for a ride in Uber's new self-driving car! For those living here in Pittsburgh that reality might happen sooner than later. Here is the car driving on the North Shore with its hi-tech guidance system.

Pretty funky looking isn't it? I didn't realize that they were this far along in their development. In an article about Uber's self-driving car, Paul Sawers writes about the timing of their actual implementation:

We’re likely still some years away from seeing autonomous cars on roads in a non-test environment — there will be a long transition period, and it will probably happen gradually on a town-by-town or city-by-city basis.

Here is what John says about guidance systems in this week's Gospel.

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you." John 16:12-15

Jesus is explaining the Trinity's guidance system to His disciples. These words were spoken after the Last Supper when Jesus is preparing the disciples for His death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus knows what's coming. At that point the disciples can't fathom what's about to unfold in the coming hours. Jesus knows that His suffering has a purpose. He knows it is what His Father wants. He has the Spirit with Him. That is all Jesus needs to move ahead in the task before Him.

You and I have the same guidance system. From the beginning of creation we were designed "in the image and likeness" of the Trinity. At the same time we are always in the "development phase." In fact, gaining an understanding of the Trinity is surely a life-long process. But the best part of Our Journey With God is that They are always with us. They always have been and always will be with us! We can't know what's to come. I'm not even sure that I want to. However, our path has already been mapped out by The Guidance System. Will you trust Them enough to take your hands off the wheel of your life?

I Trust You

Fri, 13 May 2016 21:05:16 GMT

I sat there wrestling with God's Word. We were challenged to spend 45 minutes in prayer in the middle of the workshop I was facilitating. And I was really struggling. I had returned to this place of questioning God once again. Here is the verse from 2 Corinthians we were meditating on: "My grace is sufficient, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This was happening just last night. I could not accept God's gracious promise. I was too busy and had too much going on so I decided to skip this edition of the Weekly Journey. Then at 5:47 this morning He woke me up to read this Weekend's Gospel.

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.” He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39

But Jesus has been glorified! And the Spirit is with us! What does that mean to you and me? Rivers of living water? Yes! You and I have within us the awesome power to bring life to a dying world. The key? If we try to do it in our own strength we will fail. We have to accept and trust that this power is within us!

I have never completed this blog this quickly before. But after reading the Gospel I had to accept that I had the Spirit in me and I said, "I trust you Holy Spirit." And I began typing.

I am trusting that the Spirit is speaking through me. If you hear from Him please share with me what He said. More importantly, know that if you trust in His Power, His Spirit, living water will flow from within you! That is what Pentecost is to you and me today!

What On Earth...?!?

Fri, 06 May 2016 21:17:22 GMT

When I read this week's Gospel I asked myself, "What on earth are you going to say about this one?" The next thing that came to mind was, what an odd expression. What on earth? I Googled it hoping to learn about the expression's origin. What I found were a lot of questions by non-English speakers trying to understand this and various other idioms. Sometimes familiar things cause us to skip over things and take them for granted. This Gospel deserves more of our attention. Check it out.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God. Luke 24:46-53

The disciples have just witnessed Jesus' ascension to heaven. Just a few short weeks before they were completely devastated by His brutal death. Then they were astounded at His resurrection. Now... The disciples have just witnessed Jesus' ascension to heaven! This is totally unprecedented! The disciples have just witnessed Jesus' ascension to heaven!! It bears repeating. THE DISCIPLES HAVE JUST WITNESSED JESUS' ASCENSION TO HEAVEN!!!

What on earth? NOTHING!! There is nothing on earth that compares to the return of the incarnate Jesus to His place in heaven. We can study this like an "idiom" that is foreign to our way of life. But the reality is that there really isn't anything in our world that compares. Therefore, we have to accept it in faith. "What on earth?" was this other-worldly event that happened 2000 years ago. What we believe as Christians should cause others to say, "What on earth?" Think about it again.

The disciples have just witnessed Jesus' ascension to heaven. WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU BELIEVE?!

The Three of Them

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:36:40 GMT

If you've read the Weekly Journey for any length of time you are probably aware of my anecdotal style of writing. I always search for some story or image that captures what I believe is the essence of the Gospel message. This week is different. As I studied this passage I continually tried to find something that encapsulated the Gospel message. Nothing clicked. Why don't you take some time to read and reflect on it yourself:

J esus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.” John 14:23-29

Then as I read over it for the 'I don't know how manyth time' there it was, right in the middle of the passage.

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name" It struck me that there they are, all three, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I had been looking at the content of the message. There was so much to take in in these seven short verses that it is easy to lose sight of Who they are about. Once I saw Them everything changed.

This is about loving relationships. All of it! This passage, John's Gospel, the Bible. Everything is about God's love that emanates from the Trinity. This pure Godly love is available to each and every one of us. Once we enter into a relationship with God and realize how much "They" love us, being obedient becomes as natural as breathing. But we can't forget that love and obedience go together. It is what makes love unconditional.

In the two verses immediately following this passage we see the kind of love and obedience Jesus is talking about: I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go. John 14:30-31

What Jesus is sharing with His disciples and what we must realize is that the Father commanded the Son to suffer and die. And Jesus, out of love, did. Will we follow as His disciples did? "Get up, let us go."

Glorified Love

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 22:51:18 GMT

I recently read a story about Steph Curry, the uncontested best basketball player on the NBA's best team. After winning the Most Valuable Player award last year Curry lead his Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship. Personally, I love watching Curry and his unselfish teammates play. They have drawn a lot of fans not only because of their winning ways but they really seem to embody true sportsmanship and love of the game.

The incident in the article that caught my eye was about Curry making an appearance while at the NBA All-Star game. Curry's personal security guard had to "lead him on a dead sprint through a department store, running low like back in the days of a house raid, to escape a mob of fans" (Sports Illustrated 4/18/16). Here is a quote from a recent USA Today article, "Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry’s skillful, joyful and excellent play has not only helped make him the MVP, it has turned him into one of the league’s most beloved players." Even though Curry is only 28 and very much in the prime of his career he is being glorified by some as the best basketball player ever. The debate will surely rage on for some time. This week's Gospel gives us the opportunity to understand what true glorification means and how it should shape our lives and behaviors.

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:31-33A, 34-35

Here at the Last Supper Jesus is in the midst of what must have been an incredibly emotional experience for His disciples. These words are spoken after Jesus washes their feet. In the moments just hours before His Passion and death Jesus surely speaks from the depths of His being knowing how important these last words will be to His disciples. And we might argue that everything comes down to this short sentence:

Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34

In the passage above there is no doubt that Jesus is clearly speaking of His glorification as the Son of Man! Keep in mind the Son of Man has just humbly performed the lowly foot washing. What a tender and loving time that must have been. And then Jesus showed the world what true love really is. He willingly went to His death. Jesus spoke of the glory of God and the love that must accompany everything done in His name.

Steph Curry has become incredibly well known. The thing that I love the most about Steph Curry is his humility. In spite of all of his worldly success, Curry acknowledges his Lord and Savior after each one of his signature long-range rainbow three-point baskets. Interviews with people that know and interact with Curry acknowledge it too. People often point to his genuinely lived faith.

If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we are called to love as He did. As we live out our lives for Christ, loving as He did, we will stand out as a light for Him in this dark world. I believe this photo of Steph Curry captures that concept very well.

A Wagging Tail

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 23:07:40 GMT

Every weekday afternoon around 5:30 I hear the whistle. My neighbor Bill arrives home from work and as soon as he gets out of his car he whistles. For years his dog Mackenzie sprang to her feet and ran to the front door to greet him, tail wagging.

Mackenzie died this past year and Bill and his wife got a new dog. Bill still whistles everyday. Maddie, the new dog, hasn't quite figured out that her master is home. We hear of a similar dynamic in this week's Gospel.

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:27-30

Jesus speaks these words to the Jews gathered at Solomon's temple. As comforting as these words sound they are spoken in an emotionally charged setting. In fact, Jesus' life is being threatened. The unbelieving Jews want to stone Him because Jesus has called Himself the Son of God. Also in the crowd are those who do believe Jesus' claims. These "sheep" know their shepherd's voice.

Do you? This is a very familiar knowing that occurs in the most intimate of relationships. The challenge in today's world is that His voice can be easily drowned out by countless "other" voices. We must intentionally choose to follow our Shepherd's voice.

Just as Bill's new dog is learning to recognize his whistle, you and I must attentively listen for Jesus' voice. When we do and follow Him, Jesus gives us eternal life. Imagine a happily wagging tail for all eternity!

Forever Homecoming

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 16:32:42 GMT

What do you think of the videos of the soldiers returning from duty to surprise their family? Me, I can't get enough of them. I will sit crying, while watching one after another. There is something indescribably powerful in that first moment of recognition. The disbelief... The emotions... The sprint... The embrace... We see a great example of this in the Gospel this week:

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:1-19

Peter was a brash, impulsive, strong man who made his living in the fishing business. And yet he leaped from the boat like a child jumping into a pool on a sweltering day. Imagine him coming on to the shore after his 100 yard swim. Picture his loving embrace with his Lord Jesus. Now there is a video that would have gone viral!! In spite of his denials Peter realizes that Jesus still loves him. The conversation that follows brought everything together for Peter. Jesus makes him whole so that Peter can now embrace his role in the Body of Christ.

I believe that is what draws me to these videos. The joy of reunion. The loving acceptance. The sense of connectedness. Check out this video clip and I think you'll get my point.

The emotions that swell up in us as we watch pale in comparison to what these family members experience. Regardless of what you've done or where you have been Jesus is always there waiting to embrace you when you return to Him. That is an indescribably powerful homecoming that can last forever!

Believing Is Seeing

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:47:23 GMT

Every morning as I get out of bed I reach for my glasses because without them I really can't see much. My vision is bad enough that I need a pretty drastic correction. I view the world through my glasses. In this Sunday's Gospel we see one of the disciples who needed to have his vision corrected.

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Thomas can't take it on faith that his friends have seen the Risen Jesus. He needs to see and touch Jesus for himself. Imagine how Thomas must have felt when Jesus appeared right before his unbelieving eyes. Everything becomes clear for Thomas in that instant. Thomas sees that Jesus is alive. More importantly, he comes to understand and believe that Jesus is "My Lord and my God!" It is as if Thomas has put on a pair of glasses that brings everything into focus. Jesus continues to give additional "sight" to Thomas and the disciples by pointing out that, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

You and I have not seen the Risen Jesus in the flesh as Thomas did. But by that same Spirit that Jesus breathed upon the disciples we can believe in Him. Every morning when you wake up, reach for Jesus. View the world through His eyes. Allow Him to correct your vision because believing is seeing!

He Is Risen!

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:50:35 GMT

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. John 20:1-9

Have a Blessed Easter!

How Great Are You?

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 17:11:56 GMT

How did it get to be Palm Sunday already?!? When Easter comes this early I just don't feel ready. Admittedly, life has been hectic and I've experienced some emotional ups and downs. This week's Gospel caused me to stop and reflect. I am very familiar with Luke's Passion narrative especially from the Garden of Gethsemane forward. But the events leading up to Jesus' arrest are what caught my attention this time.

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

“And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:14-30

Stop and think about what the disciples had been experiencing. What an exhilarating week it had been. Now Jesus' mood and words turn very somber. After he predicts His suffering and betrayal, of course the disciples focus their attention on Jesus, right? Nope, first they debate about who might be the betrayer and then they argue as to who is the greatest among them. Are you kidding me? Now you guys become self centered?? In that context Jesus turns the definition of greatness completely upside down.

I have attached the most recent video I did for the #ShareJesus campaign. In it I explain Jesus' definition of greatness. I hope it helps you to regain your focus as Easter draws near.

Jury Duty

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 18:18:29 GMT

You have been summoned!

In our litigious society, a summons can be a scary thing. The first thing I thought of when my jury duty summons arrived is how can I get out of this? However, we have a civil duty to serve, so off I went to the courthouse this past Monday. Having never served before, I was curious as to the whole legal process. I arrived early and found my seat in the large room full of quiet people. Following the instructional phase of the process we were all asked to complete a Juror Information Questionnaire. One question made me reflect on this weekend's Gospel.

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” John 8:1-11

This impromptu public "trial" by the scribes and Pharisees is more than it appears. The real intent of the scribes and Pharisees is to trap Jesus using a seemingly clear cut case. The question they ask Jesus hints at their motives. "Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” Instead of being compassionately guided by the law they are manipulating it for their own purposes. In their minds Jesus will have to break the law of Moses or contradict His own teachings. Jesus directs his response back at them. "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Now the scribes and Pharisees are being tested. They must examine their own sinful hearts. Convicted by what they find each individual turns and shamefully walks away.

Back to my Questionnaire. Here is the question that really got my attention. Would you have any problem following and applying the judge's instruction on the law? In reading this question I realized the magnitude of my responsibility and I felt somewhat inadequate. Because this was in the criminal division my mind raced to the ramifications of the potential decision we might asked to make. Then I began to wonder what if the questionnaire had asked Jesus' question. I certainly would not be able to cast a stone. I shifted in my chair and answered that I would follow the judge's instructions. Jesus calls us to do the same thing. We are to follow His example and let Him guide our living, compassionately and lovingly.

The clerk of the court returned to the jury selection room after 90 minutes. She announced, "All of the cases today are going to non-jury trials. You are free to go." The reaction in the room was audible. Relief and excitement rippled through the room. We gathered our belongings and headed for the door anxious to get back to our normal routines.

Imagine the relief in the adulterous woman as Jesus sets her free! You and I are set free by the same compassionate and loving judge. But we must always remember Jesus' final words to the woman. "Go, and from now on do not sin any more."

NOTE: In preparing this Weekly Journey I watched Jeff Cavins video explaining all of the weekly readings. It is fascinating. If you'd like to learn more about the context of this Gospel click here:

Spiritually Handicapped

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:23:06 GMT

I recently had an interesting first time experience, handicapped parking. We spent the weekend in Ohio with our son, Joshua, who attends the University of Dayton. Maria's mom, Mary, came along so we had her wheelchair and handicapped parking permit with us. I have to admit, having the parking permit hanging from the rearview mirror initially gave me a sense of privilege.

The Gospel this week helps us look into our hearts. As you read this Gospel reflect on the various ways it speaks to you:

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

This story starts with people who are listening and observing Jesus. There are two separate groups each of which have very different perspectives. The tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus' message of redemption. The privileged Pharisees are complaining about Jesus' blatant disregard for their Jewish "rules". Jesus shares the Parable of the Prodigal Son which speaks to the two assembled groups. It provides a wonderful illustration of the basic condition of our all too human hearts.

My handicapped parking experience provided me with new insight into this parable. At one point I dropped my family off with Mary in her wheelchair. I then parked in a nearby reserved handicapped spot. As I got out of the car I realized how often I had self-righteously judged others for doing exactly what I was doing. It has always bothered me to see an able-bodied person park in a handicapped spot. I would often complain about these "sinners". Now I was wondering what others might be saying about me. I was no longer complaining like the older brother. Instead, I was looking into my heart and seeking forgiveness for my own sinfulness.

In that moment I saw how easy it was to become spiritually handicapped. During Lent we have the opportunity to search our handicapped hearts. We may find ourselves in the role of either of the sons. Regardless, we, like the brothers, need to experience the Father's merciful heart. This is the purpose of our Lenten journey with Christ.

Thank you Heavenly Father for allowing us to return to you. We are more privileged than we know.

Second Chances

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:34:34 GMT

We really enjoy landscaping our yard. But when we started almost 20 years ago we were totally overwhelmed. We decided to hire a landscape designer who created a beautiful layout that provided colorful blooms from spring through fall. One of the focal points in the front yard was an ornamental tree that was supposed to be covered in blossoms at the start of spring each year. I waited for blooms for the first three springs before losing patience and moving the tree to the back yard where it shriveled and seemed to die.

This week's Gospel is also about a barren tree:

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none so cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:1-9

Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree to drive home a point to the concerned people. They seem to be looking for some sort of sinful justification that caused the death of the Galileans and 18 others. Without the parable to make His point, Jesus' words to the people seemed harsh. "But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did." Once Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree the people learn of the merciful gardener who offers a second chance.

We hear this Gospel during Lent as we seek to turn away from our sinfulness. Lent gives us a season to cultivate the ground around us and to be enriched by the Merciful Gardener. It is important that we remember that behind the scenes we have an advocate who has provided us with a second chance. We need to flourish and bear fruit for Him.

A couple of years after I moved the tree to the back yard I noticed something amazing. A couple of unique blossoms appeared. I now know that the Red Bud was prevalent in biblical times and was known to herald the coming of spring with its beautiful blossoms that covered its bark and branches. I am glad our tree made the best of its second chance. It brings us great joy each spring. Make the best of your Lenten season!

AWESTRUCK!!!

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 18:40:51 GMT

What do you say when you meet someone that you really look up to or admire? Me, I couldn't tell you because I start rambling on about who knows what. It can be downright embarrassing! What is it that causes us to react that way? Check out Peter's response in this week's Gospel for a biblical example of the same thing:

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. Luke 9:28B-36

Peter, John and James progress from sleep to fully awake to...

Is it safe to say that what they experienced was indescribable? Peter attempts to capture the moment by suggesting that they "set up camp". I love the next line from St. Luke, "But he did not know what he was saying." There it is, "Peter, you were babbling." Peter was speaking on impulse which we know was his standard way of behaving. Amazingly, his words were met with what might have been an even more incredible occurrence;

THE VOICE OF GOD!!!

St. Luke's description of their response might be the greatest understatement in all of the New Testament. "They fell silent." OH REALLY!?! I'm guessing this was a whole lot more than a jaw-dropping, OMG, did you see that moment. Jesus gloriously transformed and then the God of all creation speaks!!!

I am at a loss for words! That's probably the way it should be in the presence of God.

Tempting, Isn't It?

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 19:24:46 GMT

Go to Google images and type in chocolate cake. This is one of the hundreds of images I scrolled through. It appealed to me for several reasons. The darker and richer a chocolate cake is the more I want to taste it. The sheer size of the sliced piece in this photo made my eyes pop and my mouth water. I also liked the choice of milk and coffee to wash it down. (Oh that's cream for the coffee you say? Not for me!) Having given up eating between meals for Lent I would have to make this my meal. How about breakfast? You make a cake with eggs, butter and flour. Don't you?

In all seriousness I chose this image because it looks really tempting to me. Temptation is the theme of this week's Gospel. Notice how the devil tempts Jesus in the end of His forty days in the desert.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. Luke 4:1-13

Jesus is surely starving after fasting for forty days but doesn't give in to the first temptation to feed Himself. Nor does Jesus forget Whom He is to worship. Lastly, Jesus doesn't take the bait to act out in pride to prove Himself. In each instance Jesus relies on something or better said, Someone, outside Himself. Jesus knows that His true food comes from the Word of God which He quotes in response to each temptation. The devil really didn't have a fighting chance because Jesus truly is the Son of God. And of course Jesus has an intimate union with the Father and the Spirit.

As for us, it's not so easy. The things that tempt us can be every bit as appealing as my chocolate cake. If we rely on our relationship with God we can overcome even the most tantalizing temptations. When we forget where our true food and strength comes from we are easy prey for the devil.

This Lent look past the things that tempt you to the One True Word who has overcome the greatest of tempters and the most powerful temptations.

Unworthy and Yet...

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:34:41 GMT

As you listen and reflect on each of the readings and the Gospel in particular at Mass this weekend, I have a challenge for you. Take note of Isaiah, Paul and Simon Peter's similar view of themselves. Here is Simon Peter's experience in Luke's Gospel:

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:1-11

When in the presence of God, Simon Peter, like Isaiah, instantly recognized that he was unworthy. Simon's sense of unworthiness was met with Jesus' comforting assurance. And in that moment something profound happened. Notice the progression. First, God made Himself known. Second, recognition of God caused an overwhelming awareness of unworthiness. And then, in that humbled state, Isaiah, Paul and Simon Peter all began a new relationship with God. In that new relationship, God had called them to a purpose.

When you and I come into God's presence we, too, should recognize our complete unworthiness. But by His infinite mercy, God calls us to join in His work. What an amazing love He has for us. Like Isaiah, Paul and Simon Peter we should feel compelled to follow God as a result of our love for Him.

Now take a moment to read the first two verses and the chorus of Michael W. Smith's song.

Never Been Unloved

I have been unfaithful

I have been unworthy

I have been unrighteous

And I have been unmerciful

I have been unreachable

I have been unteachable

I have been unwilling

And I've been undesirable

And sometimes I have been unwise

I've been undone by what I'm unsure of

But because of you

And all that you went through

I know that I have never been unloved

I don't know about you but this humbles me and makes me want to join God in His purpose.

Emotions

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:00:00 GMT

I can be a pretty emotional person so the timing of this week's Gospel is profound in a number of ways. If you read last week's post you know that my Father-in-law, Jack, passed away unexpectedly on January 20th. Queue the emotions! It has been a week full of emotional ups and downs as Maria's family progressed through this challenging experience.

Jack was laid to rest in his hometown of Coupon yesterday and we all came home to start living our lives without him. This morning I came to realize that today, Thursday, is the day that my Share Jesus video was being sent out to thousands of people. The interesting part of all this is that we recorded the video almost two months ago. I knew it was for this Sunday's Gospel but I had no idea what would be going on in my life when the video was emailed. God did! I am grateful to Him for this "personal" reminder.

Here is the video entitled, Dealing with Anger Towards God. I pray that God speaks to you wherever you are in this moment. Please #ShareJesus by sending this on to others and comment below about your emotional experiences with God.

Going Home

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 00:14:01 GMT

We will be sad at Mass this Sunday. My wife Maria's Dad passed away suddenly this past Wednesday. However, I expect that we will be comforted by this week's Gospel from Luke:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them,

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

When Jesus went back to Nazareth where He grew up it marked the beginning of a journey that ended at His excruciating death on the cross. We know that His bodily death was also a beginning because Jesus fulfilled his own prophecy by rising from the dead on the third day. Jesus conquered death so that we might have eternal life with Him.

John Mark Luther, Jack to his family, is going home to the place where he grew up. For Jack, that means to tiny Coupon, Pennsylvania in Cambria County. Population in the 2010 census was 73. Jack will be buried in the Saint Joseph Cemetery in his family's plot.

Jack was one of a kind! He loved his family in his own unique way. He loved to golf, bowl, tell stories with his Manhattan in hand and was always ready for a hearty debate. He will be missed. Jack believed what Jesus spoke of in this passage and he is no longer "captive" in this life. We mourn Jack's passing but look with hope to that day when we too go home!

Rest in peace, Jack.

Six Stone Jars

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 00:09:56 GMT

Six stone jars…

I love the image of these vessels in this week’s Gospel reading from Saint John. As inanimate objects they have the simple purpose of containing something. They are just “sitting there”. I wonder if anyone gave the jars a second thought after the miraculous conversion of water into wine? Let’s pay attention to them and see what they reveal.

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. John 2:1-11

These kinds of jars were always present in Jewish culture. But these "common" jars were vessels containing something miraculous. And they did so by simply doing what they were created to do.

As the mother of Jesus, Mary simply did what she was created to do. In being a willing vessel Mary participates in Jesus’ work of transformation and redemption.

You and I are God’s vessels. We have a purpose in His great plan of transforming and redeeming our fallen world. The question I have is whether we allow Jesus to change us? Mary and the disciples did and look what Jesus accomplished through them.

Are you ready and willing to be used by God for His purposes? Hear Mary’s words and, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Mistaken Identity

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 00:06:36 GMT

How many times have you been mistaken for Jesus? I can't think of any myself. While this might seem like a silly question I'd like to explore it in light of this week's Gospel:

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

There is something that the people are seeing in John that makes them wonder. As we know John the Baptist was very different, especially on the outside. But it was John's message and who he was on the inside that people were drawn to. John preached a hard message. It was one of repentance and change and yet the people were still drawn to...

Let's stop there and acknowledge what John says. "...one mightier than I is coming." "I am not worthy..." "He will baptize you..." John redirects their attention to Jesus. He had obediently delivered God's message and people were stirred to action. John then made sure they understood who the Christ really was.

As baptized believers you and I have the opportunity to deliver God's message as well. We can do so by our actions and our words. Maybe we will even be asked someday if we are Jesus?!? However that should never be our aim. We should always point to "...one mightier than I." In so doing we can expect to one day hear that voice from heaven saying, "You are my beloved son/daughter; with you I am well pleased."

Have You Heard the News?

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 00:02:06 GMT

“I have to share this with you!” That’s how I felt when I watched the video. Sharing videos and photos is second nature to us today. We are able to “connect” with those we know and love in an instant. Technology allows us to share with potential multitudes of people we don’t even know! Of course that hasn’t always been the case. Can you even imagine what it must have been like for Mary and Elizabeth? In this week’s Gospel we are reminded of the old fashioned way of connecting:

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:39-45

Mary immediately travels to Elizabeth's home in response to the angel Gabriel’s good news. Surely Mary wondered about these miracles as she journeyed. But Mary has to wait to confirm Gabriel’s message. Imagine the moment! Notice how Luke explains the encounter. At six months Elizabeth's pregnancy is visible. And yet Luke shifts the attention from Elizabeth’s good news to Mary’s Good News !!!

In an ancient way we hear of people connecting about their good news. Mary and Elizabeth’s connection occurs on a much deeper level. So much so that even Elizabeth’s unborn son responds to the Good News of his cousin’s arrival. This Good News changes the world, today just as it did 2000 years ago.

In the spirit of my message this week I do have a video I'd like to share with you. I am a big fan of Jeff Cavins. I have been receiving his Advent videos for the last couple of weeks. When I watched this week's video I thought, "I have to share this with you!" Jeff provides a wonderful explanation of just how profound the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth really was. Please take the time to listen to Jeff as he connects old and new in an enlightening way.

The Headliner!

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 23:58:43 GMT

Have you ever been to a concert when the opening band comes out and you’re surprised how good they are? In spite of the fact that you’re really looking forward to the headliner you actually enjoy the performance. They finish their short show and then there is a changeover on the stage as anticipation builds. The lights dim. The audience roars in expectation. Finally the star of the show comes out and somehow the crowd gets even louder! While the volume might not have been there we see this kind of process happening in this week’s Gospel:

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people. Luke 3:10-18

“One mightier than I is coming…” John acknowledges that as the opening act, he is pretty important. This actually allows him to build even more excitement in the people. We can see by their questions that he has their attention and they even speculate that John might be the One!

Here in Advent we expect the coming of the One, The Headliner, The Main Attraction! Filled with expectation we should ask ourselves, “What should we do?” John’s practical answers to his audience's questions point out that we should give of ourselves, our clothes and our food. We should also live mercifully and honorably and as this third week of Advent reminds us, joyfully! When we do, we can anticipate that when the headliner comes He will be just as happy to see us!

Remembering the Future?!?

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 23:55:21 GMT

I remember it like it was yesterday. My sister, Laurie, introduced me to Maria that beautiful fall day. I remember where I stood the moment we met, what she was wearing and how good her perfume smelled. I remember where we sat in Pitt Stadium for the football game against Miami. Or was it Florida? I don’t remember anything about the football game because I was pretty distracted. It was Saturday, October 17, 1981. Pitt, under head coach Jackie Sherrill, was on their way to a number one national ranking. The Panthers beat Florida State that day, 42-14. Dan Marino, our quarterback had a huge day. It was a special time for Pitt football. It was even more special for me because even in the midst of 55,112 there was only one person that mattered to me.

In this week’s Gospel, Saint Luke provides contextual details about an important biblical event. He does so by providing the details of its historical time and place. He also introduces a significant character who plays a major part in God’s plan of salvation.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the desert:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

Every valley shall be filled

and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

T he winding roads shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth,

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:1-6

The Gospel writer places John the Baptist’s appearance in a historical context. He also points to the prophetic prediction of the event from Isaiah’s ancient text. Luke is making the point that something really important is happening. Keep in mind that the Jews had endured great trials for thousands of years. Now this unusual man arrives on the scene. John the Baptist's appearance is important because it prepares the way for something even greater.

Can you imagine some of the Jews saying, “I remember the first time I saw him. He looked so wild in his camel skin coming out of the Jordanian desert.” Now think about those who came to know “the salvation of God” when they met Jesus. Surely they could describe the details of that encounter.

Advent is our time of year to “prepare the way of the Lord”. One way we do this is in our remembrance of the historic event of the coming of the Christ child. In the present, we encounter the living Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is this unique joining of past and present that brings the true meaning of the Advent season to life. As I reminisce about meeting Maria over 34 years ago my heart warms to the love that I still have for her today. Our lives together have a history and a present. We also have a future.

In Advent you and I have the opportunity to reflect on history. At the same time we must seek to encounter Christ in a profound way in the present. In so doing we await the best possible future in the “Salvation of God.”

Here We Go Again

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 23:48:13 GMT

Didn’t we just hear this message? …the references to the Son of Man coming? See if this weekend’s Gospel from Luke sounds familiar to you:

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

This Gospel should sound familiar because it contains one of the parallel verses that appear in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Just two weeks ago we heard the Markan version that came at the end of the Church’s year. Here is one of the nearly identical lines from Mark, “And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory.” This week, Luke’s gospel says the same thing as the new Church year begins with Advent. If you want to emphasize the importance of something you repeat it. Here in just two weeks time we are reminded that ‘the Son of Man is coming…’ And if that isn't enough? In case there is any doubt about who this Son of Man is, last week's reading made it very clear. Our liturgical year ended with the celebration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

As we begin Advent we mark the passing of another Church year. And with these readings it is as if end meets the beginning in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That alone should be enough to keep us awake and vigilant. However this must be a conscious, intentional act because life can get in the way during the holiday season.

Yes it all sounds familiar. But we shouldn’t allow that to lull us into a sense of complacency. We also don't want the hectic pace of life to cause anxiety. Let this first Sunday of Advent awaken in us not just a familiarity, but an excitement and newness, especially when it is the King of Kings whose coming we look forward to celebrating!

Who is Your Favorite King?

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 23:45:25 GMT

As I read this week’s Gospel I couldn’t help but notice Pilate’s struggle to label Jesus. One sure thing is that semantics played a part in this conversation.

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

The back and forth between Pilate and Jesus revolves around the question of whether or not Jesus is a king. In Jesus’ time people all had different notions of who Jesus was, particularly with regards to Him being a king. Jesus’ true identity was at the core of the controversy that led to His crucifixion. Ironically, Pilate labeled Jesus’ cross accurately, King of the Jews.

In our “pop based” culture the concept of a king is even more blurred by the many different ways we label kings. Google “The King” and you will find everyone from Aslan the King of Narnia, to Elvis, to Lebron James, to Yul Brenner in the King and I. Of course there is the king of pop, Michael Jackson, and then the creepiest of all kings:

One of my favorite depictions of a king is Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings series:

Aragorn descends to the dead in what proves to be the turning point that saves Middle Earth in the movie The Return of the King.

However, as kings go, I have always looked to one line in the Book of Revelation to clarify everything for me. Revelation 19:16 says, “He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Await with great joy and anticipation the return of the one true king!

A Text From Jesus?

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 23:38:26 GMT

How certain are you of where you are headed in life? Me? It depends. There are days when my path seems clear. Then I get a text or the phone rings and my whole world seems to shift. As you read this week’s Gospel imagine how the disciples must have felt after Jesus dropped this message on them.

Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. "And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Mark 13:24-32

Let me try and put this into context. Here are the headings of the paragraphs preceding this passage in the 13th chapter of Mark’s Gospel.

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

The Signs of the End

The Coming Persecution

The Great Tribulation

WHOA! Heads up! Things are going to get interesting. Imagine the flurry of glances and responses while this message is being delivered. Jesus concludes this earth-moving message with one word. In verse 37 He says, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” The Greek root of this word is not the word we might use when asking someone to watch a YouTube video. It has a much more active meaning: to be vigilant and on guard, fully awake, aware, alert and intently focused. Jesus is instructing and exhorting His disciples so that they can remain faithful and obedient through the coming trials they will face.

I believe we are to read this message from Jesus in that same way. Our world can change with a simple text message. Regardless of the persecution or tribulation that it might bring we must trust in Jesus. If you have chosen to be one of His elect this is the only text message that ultimately matters:

It Hurts!

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 23:32:29 GMT

I get the point that Jesus makes in this Sunday’s Gospel. However, deep down I know I fall short in what He is saying. Check it out:

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." Mark 12:38-44

She gave from her poverty! All she had!! Her whole livelihood!!!

See what I mean?!? I can’t relate to what this woman has done. Ask yourself what is at the core of the woman’s giving? It is her motivation that matters. That is why Jesus contrasts her giving to that of the other contributors. They give but from a different place. Our world is oriented towards creature comforts. That makes it challenging to give in the same way this woman gave. Our perspectives have been altered by the world we live in. The question we must ask ourselves is if our hearts have been altered as well.

I believe that I can always give more and yet I don’t. Why is that? I don’t have a good answer. I need to give more! I admire Mother Teresa. Her words provide me with a guide:

“Give, but give until it hurts.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Mario's Smile

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 22:15:51 GMT

I met Mario yesterday at The Blessing Board here in Oakmont where I live. He was there to pick up furniture for his home. I was blessed to be there to help him. The Blessing Board (TBB) is a ministry that provides furniture and household goods to those in need. My friend Tom Mitlo founded The Blessing Board in his garage eight years ago. Tom likes to refer to TBB as a furniture bank similar to a food bank. Nearly twenty families a week back their U-Hauls into the huge warehouse. I am a part of the team that fills them with donated furniture.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. After reading it see if you agree with me that Jesus would approve of The Blessing Board.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

f or they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.” Matthew 5:1-12

The Sermon on the Mount is understandably one of Jesus’ most well known sermons. His message was so countercultural that many in His time rejected it outright. Have things changed much in 2000 years? I don’t think so. That doesn’t mean that the “Blessed” are not out there today.

For an hour yesterday I was blessed to spend time with Mario. I don’t know why he and his family are in their current situation. All I know is that God blessed Mario in a truly unforgettable way yesterday. My job is to escort clients around TBB showroom as they choose their furniture. When Mario sat in his “new” recliner for the first time his smile melted my heart. He couldn’t thank us enough as he drove off with a truck full of furniture.

When Mario woke up yesterday he had nothing in the way of furnishings for his home. Last night he and his young children slept on their new beds. This story is only partially about Mario. When we read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount we need to recognize that the blessed one in this story is my friend Tom. He gave up a lucrative business to be merciful to those in need. Tom will tell you that he did so out of obedience to God’s call on his life. You and I are called to live the Sermon on the Mount as Tom does.

What’s stopping you?

If you’d like to learn more about The Blessing Board or to donate, c lick here to visit their website:

Wait Until You See This!

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:05:21 GMT

This week's Gospel is about Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, receiving his sight. In that spirit I have something for you to see.

As you can see this week's blog is different. My good friend Andy Lesnefsky is a technology, social media guru. Andy was inspired to Share Jesus in a new way. He began a new online initiative through his web ministry, Redeemed Online . My video below is this week's installment in the ShareJesus campaign. When Advent starts in a couple of weeks the campaign will shift to daily videos that I promise will change the way you use social media. Give it a try. #ShareJesus

Let me know what you think after you see the video!

Are You All In?

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 22:00:43 GMT

The Favorite Child. The Talented Child. The Athletic Child. These three labels appear on Maria’s cell phone each time any one of our children calls her. Several years ago Sarah jokingly went into Maria’s phone and titled her contact as, “Sarah, My Favorite Child.” Joey, never one to be outdone, changed his contact to “The Talented Child” and Joshua, not wanting to be left out, became “The Athletic Child.” I still chuckle every time I see their incoming calls.

We live in a world where children are put on pedestals for just about everything. They are often taught that being the best is the only way to be successful. The focus is on being honored for our accomplishments. This week’s Gospel provides a valuable lesson along these lines.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:35-45

James and John are seeking places of honor with Jesus. Their priorities are misplaced and Jesus quickly explains why. Then Jesus capitalizes on the teaching moment as He explains the concept to the other disciples. Referring to the Gentiles, Jesus flips the worldly paradigm regarding those in places of honor. In a very direct way Jesus says, “…it shall not be so among you.” Then as if the idea of being a servant isn’t strong enough to make His point Jesus actually elevates the place of a slave. It could not be clearer, especially in light of the fact that Jesus concludes his lesson by predicting His death.

Of course it is part of our human nature to want to feel important and appreciated. And there is nothing inherently wrong in being honored, so what is at the heart of Jesus’ point? What “shall not be so?” When we seek honor at the expense of others we make ourselves more important. Jesus is asking us to place others before ourselves. This is a frequent and consistent admonition that Jesus makes throughout the Gospels. Then why do we struggle to live as Jesus commands? Because it is hard! And more than ever our world reinforces that life is supposed to be easy.

Our kids like to tease each other about their self-assigned titles of honor. However, upon graduating from college, Joey and Sarah have both chosen to serve with City Year. As a part of the City Year Corps, Joey and Sarah have worked to support students who need extra care and attention, focusing on attendance, behavior, and course performance through in-class tutoring, mentoring, and after school programs. (I got this from the City Year website so click here if you'd like to learn more.)

Joey and Sarah made a commitment to work through the challenging and sometimes heartbreaking situations they face with these underprivileged kids. They understood from the start that it was going to be hard but as corps members they were “all in”.

Jesus expects the same from me and you.

What Will You Inherit?

Fri, 09 Oct 2015 21:56:38 GMT

If you already consider yourself a follower of God’s commandments then you don’t need to read this week’s Gospel. You can take the week off! Go ahead and return to your normal life. Okay so I am being facetious but I think we need to be challenged as to what it truly means to follow Jesus.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother." He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." Mark 10:17-30

Something about Jesus has drawn this man to Him. He reverently kneels before Jesus and sincerely asks what may be the most important question anyone can ask.

Here is a visual walk-through of what happens next:

Did you see what happened? Jesus’ answer, not being what he expected, causes the man to turn away.

After the interaction with the wealthy man Jesus emphasizes His point to those still with Him. And He does so repeatedly! Look at how the conversation progresses.

That seems to be a fair question. Those who are following Jesus want to make sure. Jesus points to God. Peter points to those who have already done as Jesus commanded.

Now comes the good news!

Here is what I believe you and I need to do. We need to get down on our knees and ask Jesus:

Following Jesus is what it takes to inherit eternal life. It is a black and white issue!

What’s your answer?

Faith of a Child

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 21:45:23 GMT

This time it was a phone call instead of a text. Last week, Joshua texted me about a test he’d just taken. Now he was asking me to proofread his first big paper for his religion class. The assignment was to summarize, compare and critique two influential 19th century writers, Karl Marx and Max Weber. After reading Josh's paper my first response consisted of one word, presuppositions. Josh looked up the word on Google and read it aloud. “Presupposition is a thing tacitly assumed beforehand at the beginning of a line of argument or course of action.” Joshua immediately understood my point. Marx and Weber were making their arguments from different presuppositions about religion. Joshua had been pointing this out throughout his paper without realizing there was a word for it.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus points to a presupposition to answer the Pharisees’ questions. I challenge you to see if you can find Jesus’ explicit presupposition as you read.

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them,"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Mark 10:2-16

Did you see Jesus' presupposition? It follows His answer to the Pharisees’ question about Moses’ commandment on divorce. Jesus has clearly stated the most basic of Christian presuppositions. "But from the beginning of creation, God made..." Jesus' point? Begin with the presupposition that “God made” and His “answers” will make sense to you. His disciples then ask Jesus the same question. His answer, rooted in the same presupposition, leaves little room for interpretation and confusion.

Why is this so important? Our technology-driven culture inundates us with a dizzying amount of information. It can be daunting to even recognize all the moral questions of our time. Thus, it can be easy to lose sight of the Truth.

That is why I think it is profound that the last part of this week’s Gospel focuses on children. Jesus tells us that we are to accept the kingdom of God like a child. Children keep things simple. Their faith presupposes the truth that from the beginning of creation, God made!

Does yours?

How's This For Hyperbole?

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 21:42:31 GMT

Maria and I got a text from Joshua this morning that made us smile. He had just finished the first big exam of his freshman year at the University of Dayton. “So I breezed through it (Calculus) until the last question, and then I waged war for about 25 minutes on the last question, but I think I got it.” Waged war?!? What an interesting way to put it. Hyperbole. Josh emphasized his point by exaggerating his challenge.

Jesus uses hyperbole in this week’s Gospel. Keep that in mind as you read this passage from Mark because it should challenge you.

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.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'" Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

John's report prompts an interesting reply from Jesus. As we sift through the hyperbole of Jesus’ reply, we need to understand why He chooses to use exaggerated statements to make His point. Jesus obviously wants his disciples to clearly understand what is at the core of the issue. The answer is in the end of the first paragraph. “…will surely not lose his reward.” What is the reward? Jesus mentions it in the second paragraph when He says, “enter into the kingdom of God”.

Keeping this in mind we see how Jesus’ hyperbole points to the core issue. Temptation! Jesus has prescribed drastic measures intended to inspire the disciples to resist temptation. That should stop you and me in our tracks! The challenge for us is that we are not always aware of the things that tempt us.

Joshua was aware last night. I knew he was nervous about this test in spite of all the hours he had studied. He wondered if he should continue to study. He asked if I thought it was okay for him to have some down time before going to bed. What Josh was really asking me was if I thought it was okay for him to play some FIFA, his favorite PlayStation soccer game. He knew he was tempting himself by doing so. In the past, Josh has stayed up half the night playing entire soccer seasons on the PS4. My advice to Josh was to take a break and enjoy himself for a little while before going to bed early. He did and I expect a good grade on his calculus exam will be his reward.

Now with Joshua's help I'll try some hyperbole of my own.

WAGE WAR against your temptations because victory will be heavenly!

How Embarrassing!

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:38:50 GMT

We all have stories from our childhood that can be embarrassing.

One of my personal “favorites” was The Great Worcestershire Sauce Search. I was about five years old when my Mom sent me to our next-door neighbor’s house to borrow some “W” sauce for a recipe. Being shy and insecure I slowly ventured out the front door. Instead of walking up the slope to the Saxon’s front door, I made a right turn between the houses. I knew Mr. Saxon was home and I was not going to take the chance that he might come to the door. He really scared me! I wrestled with my fears and doubts between the houses for a few minutes. Then I went back to my Mom and told her that they didn’t have any “W” sauce.

After a quick phone call my Mom laughingly sent me out again to meet Mrs. Saxon at their front door. I was mortified that my brilliant “They don’t have any!” rouse didn’t work.

The disciples struggle with their own fears and insecurities in this Sunday’s Gospel.

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:30-37

Why do you think the disciples were “afraid” to question Jesus? We aren’t exactly sure but Jesus’ words about the Son of Man’s death must have unsettled them. Next, the disciples’ conversation points to deeper insecurities. Their desire to be the greatest suggests insecurity and misaligned priorities. In their embarrassment, the disciples are silent at Jesus’ revelation about their conversation. And if that wasn’t bad enough Jesus drives His point home as He elevates service to a child above all else. Talk about mortifying!!!

Why do we as human beings so frequently respond out of our weaknesses? Is it because we might be afraid of that big scary guy coming to the door? I believe, in part, it is. Without realizing it we can make choices out of fear or misguided priorities. This is most damaging as we choose ourselves over service to others. Jesus clearly defines our priorities – receiving others, especially the smallest. In so doing we also experience that big scary guy who isn’t so scary after all.

Questions & Answers

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 21:35:22 GMT

This is one of those passages that really makes me think. “I don't think I could have rebuked Jesus as Peter did!” I am reacting to the terribly painful words of Jesus’ rebuke. Read this week’s Gospel and be attentive to your response to it and the questions Jesus asks. And then I have some questions for you.

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.” Mark 8:27-35

What was your reaction to the whole passage?

Which part of it is most profound for you?

This particular story is well known for Jesus’ words to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan.” Poor Peter! He is always so eager and well intentioned. And what happens? He misspeaks and is severely rebuked. Peter is painfully aware that this walk with Jesus is not for the faint of heart.

That is why I want to challenge us all to look at the second part of what Jesus said. “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Now let me ask some more questions.

When (specifically) have you thought as human beings do?

How might God's thinking be different from yours?

Now let’s focus on another part of the passage. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” In all of Peter’s “misses” there is a powerful message. While following Jesus can be difficult, we do not journey alone. We journey with the Christ, the Anointed One, who brings God’s mercy, redemption and salvation. That is how God thinks.

Last question: Will you follow Him??? Your response should come from your answer to the question: “…who do you say that I am?”

If you say, He is the Christ; there is no one else to follow!

You Weren't Supposed to Tell!

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:32:19 GMT

When Joey and Sarah were young we had a little secret between us when Maria was out of town on business. In one instance I had stopped at the grocery store for some basics. While there, I decided on a dinner that I knew all three of us would enjoy. The next morning I dropped the kids off at daycare before heading off to work. Knowing that Maria was picking them up I reminded Joey and Sarah not to tell their Mom about dinner.

That afternoon as Maria buckled them into their car seats Joey blurted out our dinner secret! Sarah, who was only three at the time, said with disdain, “You weren’t supposed to tell her.” So much for Dad’s secret special dinner recipe…

We see a similar behavior in this week’s Gospel.

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:31-37

This passage begs two important questions. One, why is Jesus so emphatic about not telling anyone what He had done? I don’t know the answer to that question. One theory is the “Messianic Secret.” I’ll summarize it by saying that Jesus knew it was not time for His true identity to be known. The Jewish people had various conceptions of who and what the Messiah would be. Jesus realized that people would try to fit Him into their notion of a Messiah. He wanted to limit the number of people who were confused about His identity. We live with the knowledge of who Jesus is.

The second question I have to ask is, how could those following Him not obey His orders? I believe the answer to this question is simple. They could not contain themselves. As witnesses to the power of God they were compelled to share the Good News. “He has done all things well.” They had experienced something extraordinary. In the case of the deaf and mute man, Jesus had actually touched him. As this happened the people had to proclaim Jesus even though He ordered them not to do so.

Once Jesus touches us we are changed. That change should compel us to tell others about Him. If we aren't, we should ask ourselves why.

Joey was compelled to share our secret. He just couldn’t control himself. He needed to get the good news out. He was compelled to share his experience. “We had Lucky Charms for dinner!!!” I know it’s a far stretch from the Messiah, but Joey’s enthusiasm was real and contagious.

Oh that we would share our Messiah that way!

Get Out of the Fast Lane!

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 21:29:18 GMT

I'm on the road again! This time I am in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. I just drove down the Schuylkill Expressway and found my metaphor in the fast lane for this weekend's Gospel reflection. If you've never driven on this particular road let me say it is definitely on the list to avoid, especially in rush hour. You just get caught up in the stream of traffic and hope for the best. This morning I got behind a car in the left lane that was traveling well below the speed limit. Everybody else was weaving around us and I was pretty frustrated when I finally passed the car on the right. "IT'S A WOMAN!" I grumbled.

Now before you go off on me and my ignorant chauvinism please let me make a point that might help clarify Jesus' point in this weekend's Gospel.

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

This is one of the confrontations between Jesus and the leaders in Jerusalem that points to the fundamental relationship between faith and tradition. Jesus continually pointed out the hypocrisy of strict adherence to “human precepts”. Keep in mind that this is not a question of either/or. Jesus is making the critical point that the heart is the key to our faith. But what exactly did the word “heart” mean in Jesus’ time?

According to Vine’s New Testament Dictionary, the Greek word kardia (2588), rendered “heart” (English, “cardiac,”), is the chief organ of physical life (“for the life of the flesh is in the blood,” Lev. 17:11), occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition, the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements.

It is important to understand that when Jesus says, “their hearts are far from me” that He is referring to the whole of the inner being. In Biblical times, the heart was the symbolic center of the human person. There was no differentiation between heart, soul and mind, as we understand today. Why is all of this important? Because it points to an all too common misunderstanding of what should drive us in our “religious” pursuits. The bottom line is adherence to religious standards must flow from a heart given over to God.

When we come into relationship with Christ our hearts, our inner beings, are changed. It isn’t enough to simply be good at following the rules. We must first follow the Ruler. Notice that the hypocrites who are questioning the behaviors of Jesus’ followers are themselves followers of the rules. When we behave in “evil” ways we can be assured that while our behavior is from within it is coming from us and not God.

Now let's go back to my behavior this morning. This "woman" was not following the rules of the road that require slower moving vehicles to be in the right lane. I was right in what was causing my frustration. However, what came out of me was definitely wrong. My heart was far from Jesus. I need to remember that all the time. And it probably wouldn't hurt to get out of the fast lane once in awhile!

Eventually (Time to decide!)

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 21:24:29 GMT

Eventually… a decision is made.

Now the crowd must decide whether or not they can accept Jesus’ words. As they processed through their experience with Jesus they came to the conclusion that they must decide.

Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:60-69

Imagine this scene as the disciples surround Jesus as He speaks about the bread of life. The crowd is coming to the realization that Jesus is speaking literally. They can’t possibly grasp the complete meaning of what He is saying because He hasn’t died on the cross yet. They say, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” This is the most important point in the entire Bread of Life Discourse. The ramifications of what Jesus means are life altering. Once they understand what He means “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompany Him.” They decide to walk away from the Bread of Life.

Jesus then turns to His closest followers and asks them to decide. Of course, Simon Peter is first to respond. He basically says that we’re not going anywhere because we believe and are convinced of who you are!

As I reflect on Jesus’ words, I have to answer His question, “Do you also want to leave?” While my answer is similar to Simon Peter’s, I question whether or not I sometimes return to my “former way of life”. Unfortunately, I believe, the answer is yes. Why? Because His saying is hard! Jesus asks us to decide every day that He is the Bread of Life, the Holy One of God. In our world today, that is never going to be easy.

Eventually…we must decide. Acknowledge that, “This saying is hard.” Ask yourself, “Do I choose to accept it?” When we do our lives will be forever altered as we eat His body and drink His blood!

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.”

The Holy Eucharist! Amen! I believe and am convinced!

Eventually (Part 3)

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 21:20:37 GMT

Eventually… Jesus’ words cause a stir.

Look at the responses of the crowd through this “discourse”. Initially there was curiosity as the loaves and the fishes were multiplied. Then the crowd began to wonder. Now the intensity level rises as the meaning of Jesus’ words hit home.

Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:51-58

They quarrel! Notice the infusion of emotion as Jesus more explicitly explains what He means about being the bread of life. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” This is no longer an intellectual discussion. The crowd is now being confronted by Jesus’ claim in a way that cannot be ignored.

Have you “quarreled” emotionally with the full ramifications of what Jesus is saying? Are you stirred by what this means to you personally? As our understanding of Jesus expands we need to move beyond intellectual assent. Accepting what Jesus says requires an emotional commitment. And there is NO middle ground!

Eventually… a decision must be made!

(Stay tuned!)

Eventually (Part 2)

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:18:02 GMT

Eventually… they began to question the meaning of Jesus’ words.

The crowd’s initial response to Jesus in last week’s Gospel was pretty simplistic. Having been fed they were intrigued enough to follow after Jesus. However, being in His presence causes them to ask questions.

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven, ” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” John 6:41-51

The murmuring is a next step in the process for the crowd and their understanding of who Jesus really is. They question who He is based on their current knowledge of Jesus as the son of Joseph and Mary. While they as Jews are awaiting a Messiah, they surely aren’t expecting Him to be the offspring of their simple neighbors.

Jesus acknowledges their murmuring questions with a lesson designed to help them understand things in a new context. In this statement Jesus points to the Father as the source of all things. He then makes it clear that He is the One that the Father has sent. Interestingly, Jesus reveals something significant at this point that really challenges the crowd. “…the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Here is my question for you. Where in your life are you “murmuring” because of your current conception of who Christ is and what He is doing in the world around you?

This process is one that we all must go through, continually! We can’t ever fully understand who God is and what His plans are for us. What we can do is seek the full meaning of what Jesus is saying in this passage. “…the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” If that statement is not stretching us to embrace life with Christ in a greater and more powerful way then we might need to question our understanding of Him.

Eventually… we like the Jewish crowd, are going to be confronted by Jesus and that is when things get really interesting!

(Stay tuned!)

Eventually...

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 21:15:21 GMT

Eventually they got hungry again. Don’t we all? Remember in last week’s Gospel, Jesus had performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. We are in the midst of the readings known as the Bread of Life Discourse. Many of those whom Jesus had fed continued to pursue Him. In doing so they begin to be challenged by who Jesus is and what He is saying. Notice in this week’s Gospel passage that after meeting their basic physical need with food Jesus begins to point the crowd to something greater and longer lasting.

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:24-35

After having met their most basic need, Jesus draws the crowd in by whetting their appetite for something eternally fulfilling. Now Jesus has their ear as well. They want to understand what He means but it is obvious they are only beginning to glean the significance of His words. This passage ends with Jesus’ pronouncement that He is the bread of life.

This profound statement is uttered to a crowd of people who are beginning to acknowledge a need for more than just physical feeding.

Here is a quote from Pope Francis in his homily on the Bread of Life Discourse that speaks to what we need:

“As well as physical hunger, man also suffers from another form of hunger that cannot be sated with ordinary food. It is a hunger for life, a hunger for love, a hunger for eternity.” Holy Mass in the square of St. John Lateran, June 20, 2014

Once our physical needs are met we begin to recognize our greater needs. In today’s vernacular we might say the crowd is beginning to “wrap their heads” around Jesus’ words. In fact, the promise of eternal fulfillment is very appealing to many so they are eager to follow and listen. They even go so far as to ask what “work” they can do. This back and forth dialogue continues until...

Eventually…

(Stay tuned!)

A Modern Day Miracle?

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 21:08:42 GMT

For the last nine months I have had the joy of working in Johnstown with the people of Our Mother of Sorrows parish. In particular, we have had an incredible experience together taking and then facilitating the Alpha Course. We are in the midst of our third course and God has produced amazing results through our team. I marvel at how God provides for our 150 or more guests each week with a full meal followed by a video teaching and small group discussions. It is quite an operation that has had a profound impact on a lot of people!

Wouldn’t it be cool if I could share with you a miracle that occurred on our Alpha Course? …just like the loaves and the fishes story?

The stone altar and the mosaic of the fish and loaves of bread.

in the Church of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes at Tabgha.

Photograph: Yael Alef 2007

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone. John 6:1-15

According to John’s Gospel Jesus had already performed a couple of miracles prior to this point. The disciples had seen evidence of Jesus’ power but were not prepared for Jesus’ latest test of their faith. “No way!” Philip declares regarding the potential cost of feeding 5000. Then Andrew points to the five loaves and two fish with the seemingly rhetorical question, “…what good are these for so many?” They soon find out that with Jesus they need much bigger expectations.

No, our Alpha Course hasn’t produced a loaves and fishes kind of miracle. However, if you had talked with our team seven months ago and said that they would be a part of this amazing experience of running this course for several hundred people I am guessing they would say “No way!” Or maybe some version of “what good are we?” But the reality is that they all stepped forward in faith and something really special has been happening at Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS) in Johnstown.

Jesus has shown up and He is taking care of the multitudes through His OMOS disciples. Give Him the opportunity to do so with you. Willingly present your “loaves and fishes” in faith and watch Him work.

A Part of the Family!

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMT

As a father of young children one of my greatest joys was coming home from work to the delightful squeals of my children, “Daddy!!!” Often this was followed by a big hug that let me know I was home and truly loved. As the years passed and the kids got older the squeals ended and the hugs dwindled. What became even more apparent to me was that Tanner, our furry dog, continued to greet me wholeheartedly. His bushy tail wagged excitedly as he pressed against my legs for a rub behind the ears.

Last week Maria was away for training and since she has worked from home the whole time Tanner has been a part of our family he was really missing her.

I don’t know exactly what was going through his head but there was no doubt that he at times went to those places where he typically found her. I have to believe that the emptiness Tanner was feeling would only be filled when his “Mom” got home. Here he is against Maria’s chair in the living room.

In this week’s Gospel we see a people seeking, waiting and anticipating as Tanner did.

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:30-34

The people sensed that there was something in Jesus that they needed. Reflect on this sentence. “People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.” The people were seeking. They had waited for centuries for their Messiah. We know from scripture that the people of Israel had followed many false prophets and idols to fill the emptiness of their hearts. Now as they sensed that Jesus could fill that need they hurried to meet Him.

While Tanner at 14 doesn’t “hasten” to great me as quickly when I return home, our hearts are just as joyful at coming back together. Even though our children are moving away we all know that when we come together we are loved by Tanner, one another and most importantly our Good Shepherd, Jesus.

Oh that we would run to Jesus our shepherd! Invite Him into your heart right now and know a love that only comes from belonging to God's family.

Just a Walking Stick?

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:38:39 GMT

When we prepare for vacation as a family we use a lengthy packing list to make sure we don’t forget anything. Over the years the list has grown to multiple pages and dozens of items as we learn that we should have brought more sunscreen and less clothes. (Or you might suggest more clothes so we don’t need as much sunscreen!) As you read this week’s Gospel about Jesus sending the twelve disciples out notice what is on Jesus’ “packing list” in the first part of the passage.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:7-13

It is clear that Jesus is challenging the twelve to not worry about their normal everyday needs and comforts. The only things they are to take are a walking stick and their sandals. His message to them? “Trust in God to take care of your needs. I want you to focus on the task at hand.” In fact, the disciples could not have prepared themselves for what they were about to experience. They simply needed to be willing to do as Jesus asked.

How much of our lives are scripted and guided by lists and plans? Our plans! Are you willing to step out for Jesus with just a “walking stick and sandals”? Are you willing to trust Him wholeheartedly? I believe that our culture encourages us to eliminate the risk associated with trusting God and our human nature struggles with willfully seeking to control our results in all that we do. How do we overcome all of these pressures to trusting God?

Imagine for a moment the return of the disciples from their journey. I can imagine them breathlessly sharing their memories of the amazing things that God did when they trusted Him. Perhaps they shared with Jesus how people opened their homes to them so graciously. They might have talked excitedly about how things didn't turn out as they expected, which was a good thing!

Are you willing to put your lists and plans aside and trust God to see what He can do through you? It will not and should not be easy. Would we even need God if it was? The beauty of this kind of trust in God is that we can’t even begin to dream of the kind of breathtaking results He can produce.

We laugh about our Vacation Packing List. More importantly we marvel at what we experience that we could not have planned ourselves just like this unplanned but stunning photograph that my daughter Sarah took with her phone on one of our vacations.

Trust God to show you what He has in store for you over the horizon!

Are You Offensive?

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:54:55 GMT

Relationships can be so challenging. In the last few days both of my sons have turned to me for support and guidance in the midst of some very difficult and emotional times. As a parent I have experienced very real pain with each of them as they try to process through these relationship challenges. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and healthy but I know real life isn’t so smooth. How do I respond to them in a Godly way as I experience the rush of powerful emotions that accompany a father’s heart? Where do I find the strength to stand beside them and hold them up when my knees are weak? How do I speak truth to them about relationships without wounding our relationship?

I have to be honest with you. As my sons, young men, confide in me I realize that my heart is being stretched and challenged to respond lovingly. Let’s look at this week’s Gospel and see how Jesus responds to those close to Him.

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

There is a phrase that points to the core meaning of this passage. “And they took offense at him.” Note that these are not strangers that Jesus is interacting with. This is His hometown. These people have a relationship with Him. But their "offense" is based on who they think Jesus is.

Biblically, it is a sin to cause offense and it is a sin to be offended when none is given. The obvious question then follows; is Jesus guilty of causing offense to those He knows? Of course we can surmise that, being sinless, Jesus could not have been “at fault” in this situation. Therefore those that He is speaking to are guilty of the latter form of sinful offense. They are taking offense at Jesus because He is speaking the truth. In other words they are not rightly related to and with The Truth, Jesus. Jesus not only speaks the truth but Jesus is the Truth.

Jesus knows that their hearts are not right with Him. In fact He is “amazed at their lack of faith” in the Truth. When It comes to truth in relationships this is where we are challenged with this “offensive” principle. When “The Truth” is involved we must ensure that our hearts are rightly related to Him. Our focus must be on Christ. Our hearts must be right with Him if we are going to have the opportunity to share the truth as Jesus did. More and more, as our culture erodes, we are going to be challenged to stand up for the Truth. That is not to say that we can beat people over the head with our own current interpretation of the truth. This is not a license to assume Jesus’ role as we relate to those around us. We cannot condemn and judge! We are called to love, first and foremost. If our hearts are not rightly related to Him it is more likely that we will respond not in love but in condemnation and judgment, which destroys relationships. Relationship must come first! When we have loved others unconditionally, God’s Truth will speak through us. In essence we become a reflection of Him who is the Truth.

This week’s Gospel has really convicted me. I realize that my responses to others might be coming from a heart that is not fully turned towards Jesus. I realize that I have not cornered the market on Truth. In fact, it is a pretty sure sign that when I am convinced that I have the truth, I need to sit down with The Truth to find out what is in His heart. Then I need to ask His Spirit to show me what is truly in my heart. Instead of asking for the "right" answer I need to ask how I can love in these situations. That is why I want to love Joey and Josh and allow them to find the Truth on their own.

I believe a big part of our problem as Christians today is that in our humanness we are convinced that we know the Truth. Here are a few questions to ponder. Do I have more to learn? Can I continue to grow in my faith? Am I holding stubbornly to some previous understanding of who Jesus Christ is when He wants me to know Him more deeply? These questions look inward. They challenge us to focus on our heart.

God is infinitely greater than we can know. Who are we to think we know His heart in all things? I have very prayerfully considered challenging you with these questions and conclusions. I don't want to "offend" you. However, the truth is...we are called to The Truth. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with Jesus. And the Truth is Jesus died for all out of His infinite love. Therefore we are to love until it hurts! That is the opposite of speaking our truth that hurts others. Jesus brings the Truth. He can only do so as we build relationships with those He loves. If someone takes offense at our words that are grounded in our current set of beliefs we may be guilty of "being offensive". If they take offense at our self-sacrificing and loving behavior then we hopefully can rest assured we are not guilty of giving offense.

Back to Joey and Josh. As they struggle to mature as men I realize that I too am continuing to mature. My relationship with them has to grow along with them. How I parented them when they were young is no longer adequate for the men they are becoming. There it is! That's the key. We must continually BE-come more like Jesus Christ. Only then will we be a reflection of He who is, the Truth to the world. In so doing we might even "amaze" Him with our faith!

Summer School

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:48:39 GMT

Joshua, our recent high school graduate, was talking with me about his transition from high school to college. He asked me if I thought his deliberate, methodical approach to studying and taking notes was going to be a problem in college. I asked him why he thought it might be a problem. He explained that he knows that the academic demands of college are going to be much more challenging as compared to his experience in high school and he was just wondering. I reminded Joshua that it was his motivation to learn that made him successful in high school. I told him that his approach, the how, to learning was secondary to his desire to learn, the why.

HOW we approach things (and people), and WHY we approach them the way we do are important but they may not be the ultimate key. I have a challenge for you this week. Let’s go to school on this week's Gospel passage.

Remember these literary questions we learned in English? Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Here is your assignment. This Sunday’s Gospel is a long one but I encourage you to read through it in its entirety. As you do so ask yourself, “How am I approaching God’s Word right now?” and “Why am I doing so?” Be honest with yourself. This is not a test! It is an opportunity to learn.

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

The lesson from the passage.

On the surface this passage is about healing. We could walk away from our first reading and know that Jesus heals. However, as is often the case, there is much more to learn when Jesus is teaching.

First let’s look at the approach, the HOW, of our protagonists.

Notice that Jairus and the woman approach Jesus differently. Jairus, an important, synagogue official approaches Jesus in a public display before the large crowd. The woman, a scorned outcast, takes a much more subtle approach as she touches Jesus’ cloak without anyone but Him knowing.

Now let’s study their WHY.

Both are highly motivated in their pain and suffering. I can’t imagine the desperation that Jairus felt as his daughter lay dying. The woman has suffered in a number of ways for twelve years. She has sought the help of experts only to suffer even more as her affliction worsens. Both seek healing as they reach out to Jesus in desperate hope. They are both greatly motivated to achieve their goal. Not even the large crowds can deter them from… What?

Here is another question to ask. Who? Ask yourself, who is at the core of this message? Of course it is Jesus. Now, notice how He responds. It doesn’t matter who these people are. Jesus plays no favorites. In spite of the desperate situation of Jairus’ dying child, Jesus stops to minister to the woman. So what are we to learn from this passage? There are many lessons.

I believe the true lesson in this is not the how or the why but the Who. How we approach isn’t the key. Our why is important but we learn from Mark’s Gospel that the Who is what matters most. It is the faith of Jairus and the woman that matters the most. That faith is in” The Who” that they approach. Jesus is the Who that answers all of our questions and meets all of our needs.

The Ultimate Answer!

Approach Him. Do so wherever you are, no matter when or how or even why. The other questions are not as significant as the ultimate question of WHO.

Have faith and experience the power of the SON OF GOD who brings healing, answers, comfort and above all else, eternal life.

How about a little homework assignment? Here is a little nugget embedded in the depths of this passage. Notice that the woman’s bleeding began around the same time, 12 years, that the little girl was born. Hmmmm. Jesus. What are you saying to me in that?

Stormy Seas

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 18:42:48 GMT

When Maria and I lived in the Baltimore-Washington area we used to serve as the crew on a friend’s 29-foot sailboat as he raced on the Chesapeake Bay. We usually didn’t do very well in the actual races but it was a joy for us to simply be out on the open water. As novice sailors we especially enjoyed our captain, Rowan’s, lessons on sailing. In those moments when the mainsail caught the wind just right, the feeling of skimming across the water was indescribable.

I remember preparing for one race as Rowan expressed his trepidation because the weather forecast was less than ideal. It would be hit or miss as several ominous looking storms were in the vicinity. I was anxious to get going and voted that we give it a try. When the rain started mid-race I thought, “Oh well, we’ll be cold and wet but this isn’t so bad.” Then the wind picked up. That was when the terrifying reality set in that we were not only out of our league but we were truly at the mercy of the wind and the sea…

I clearly remember the intensity of that day on the Chesapeake. This week’s Gospel provides us with a powerful image for what it means to journey with God. Keep in mind as you read this passage that many of those on the boat with Jesus were experienced fisherman.

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” Mark 4:35-41

Think about this. The experienced fishermen on board were well aware of the danger they were in that evening. They knew that when the boat started to take on water they were no longer in control of their destiny. Jesus, who of course is secure in His destiny, was resting. The carpenter was asleep while the fishermen were in a panic! It is in our nature to want to control our destiny, especially in stormy times. Jesus’ disciples had journeyed with Him but were still learning who He really was and what His true identity meant for them. This particular journey across the water provided an unexpected loss of control that caused them to incredulously question Jesus’ concern for them.

In our journey with God we, too, must turn over control to Him not only in the midst of the storm but in our everyday lives as well. When I got sick in the fall of 2013 I found myself questioning the purpose of my suffering. With each new round of tests I hoped for answers to my varied symptoms. Eventually I turned everything over to God and “waited out the storm.” In the midst of my waiting I was inspired to begin writing a book. I had a theme and ideas that I excitedly captured in handwriting, on my computer and through dictation on my phone. The theme was the most intriguing part of the writing process. The concept of Our Journey With God had been stirring within me since I began my weekly emails back in 2010. Now it was taking shape in the midst of one of my most challenging life experiences.

I share this with you because out of that particular storm came a clearer sense of my life’s purpose. My ministry which is called Our Journey With God has continued to evolve. I’d like to share one aspect of it with you in light of this Gospel passage. The WITH in Our Journey With God is actually an acrostic that in my ministry stands for Willing, Intimate, Trusting and Humble.

Like the disciples who willingly followed Jesus out onto the water we must be willing to follow Him throughout our journey. We must embrace our journey with God as a process of growing more intimate and trusting of Him. That may mean we experience the pain and humiliation of disappointing Him and others.

Through it all we must remember that our destiny lies in He who truly captains the boat. For Maria and I, we were fortunate that Rowan knew what he was doing. We really could have perished that stormy day. Looking back on it now I realize that God had other plans. He always does. He was and is in control and He desires that we have faith in Him. Our Journey With God can be an indescribable trip that challenges our faith to the limits. But if we truly journey "WITH" God, no matter how stormy life gets, our destiny is secure in Him.

The Grass IS Greener!

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:38:12 GMT

As this year’s spring showers nourished our newly reseeded and fertilized front yard I have really enjoyed the dark, thick, green grass. This hasn’t always been the case. For years I tried to keep up with the nearly eight-month process of caring for our lawn. While I had some success the elements would eventually win out and I would be frustrated at the less than ideal results. A few years back we decided to hire a lawn care specialist. Brian had a very detailed plan for attacking the challenges of our specific situation. Now we are seeing that plan come to fruition. I have been able to sit back and enjoy because someone else is “taking care” of our grass.

This is how I found myself relating to this weekend’s Gospel and the parables that Jesus uses:

I know, it is a bit of a stretch for me to suggest that my front yard is like the “Kingdom of God” but please hear me out. We know that Jesus frequently used parables when he spoke to the crowds. The true meaning of His message was often lost on His audience. Even Jesus’ disciples needed Him to clarify for them. The fact that the disciples knew Jesus intimately only gave them access to Him and not necessarily the immediate understanding of His message.

That is why we need to wrestle with the meaning of these parables because we need to apply them to our lives and pursue our role in… the kingdom of God. My grass is, for me, a visual parable in my life. As I reflect on my lawn care experiences I can relate to the bigger picture that Jesus is presenting.

In the first parable Jesus references the crops that were scattered around Israel. His audience knew very well how important the life cycle of these crops were. A bad harvest could have catastrophic implications. (See the Genesis stories of Israel’s journey into Egyptian slavery because of the famine.) A good harvest meant that food would be plentiful. This parable ends with the coming harvest.

The second parable has a similar but different message. It is important to understand just how small a mustard seed really is. From this tiniest of seeds comes the majestic mustard tree.

While the second parable also speaks to the Kingdom of God, the emphasis is different. From the tiniest of beginnings grows a huge tree. That tree then provides shelter for the birds. The point? Even our smallest efforts for God can have a big impact! When we sow seeds for Christ we need to keep the big picture in mind. At the same time we need to understand our limitations. My grass is so much healthier now than it was for years because I rely on someone who knew more than me. I still work on my lawn but I leave the true growth to a higher power. I play my role in the process and let God do the rest.

If you and I are going to be Jesus’ disciples here is a question we need to be asking ourselves in light of His words: When we sincerely seek the answer to this question we find that in the Kingdom of God, when we do our part with Jesus, the grass truly is greener!

Goose Bumps and Chicken Skin

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 18:30:40 GMT

One of my greatest joys as a Catholic is when I get to serve as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Irenaeus, my home parish in Oakmont. Each week, four ministers step up in front of the altar to assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion. First we receive Communion ourselves and then take our places to distribute It to the rest of the congregation. This past week something surprising happened to me. Fr. George placed the host in the palm of my left hand. As I said “Amen” and picked up the host I noticed…

For background I encourage you to read this coming Sunday’s Gospel:

Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”” Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

What I noticed there beneath the host were three tiny pieces of the host. I carefully picked them up and consumed them. I took the chalice and consumed the wine, which I then shared with the other ministers and the rest of the congregation. I shared my story with the other ministers prior to returning to our seats. They excitedly commented on the fact that they had goose bumps and chicken skin – which I have never heard of before – because I saw “three” pieces on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. What an odd way to react? Right?

It might seem odd to the outside world but to those of us who celebrate the great mystery of the Eucharist it sometimes induces a physical reaction like tears or goose bumps and chicken skin. Or sometimes we may simply react with a deep sense of peace and joy that He is in us. Our “Amen” as we receive the body and blood of Christ says that we truly believe!

When I returned to my seat I immediately grabbed the Missal to confirm something about the next week’s Gospel. Yes, I realized that this week we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). At that moment I knew what I would be sharing with you in this edition of the Weekly Journey. In those three tiny pieces of bread, just as in every consecrated host and chalice of wine, are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

AMEN! I believe it because He said it! "Take it; this is my body. This is my blood.” There they are again, goose bumps and chicken skin.

Power and Presence

Thu, 28 May 2015 18:26:06 GMT

Are these words of Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel directed at you and me?

Or are they meant only for those who actually work for the Church?

I believe the answer is, both! This passage has guided the mission of the Church for 2000 years. However, to “make disciples of all nations”, “baptizing” and “teaching all that I have commanded you” is an immense task. I think that is especially true for you and me as individual believers. And I must confess that at times I have my doubts about my role and my ability to accomplish the task.

However, when I read the passage again I realize that as Jesus commissions the disciples He frames it with two statements. Before He says, “Go” Jesus makes a profound declaration. I am going to say it with emphasis,

“ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME.”

Then after His commissioning statement Jesus reminds the disciples of a paramount point. Again with added emphasis,

“I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE.”

My point is that the task that Jesus asks of us is to be done in His power and presence. Think about that for a second. He is referring to the power and presence inherent in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus assures us of His power and presence no matter what He calls us to do. When I think of it that way all my doubts disappear.

Some Gave All

Thu, 21 May 2015 18:08:57 GMT

Last week as we traveled to Washington DC we caught a glimpse of Arlington National Cemetery. When I lived in the DC area for several years I always tried to take visiting friends to see the seemingly endless rows of tombstones. In a big metropolitan city with a lot of huge monuments I found the thousands of small individual monuments to be incredibly powerful and sobering. I guess that is why I had the reaction that I did while reading this Sunday’s Gospel which happens to be on Memorial Day Weekend.

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

Here is the thing that struck me so profoundly. As Jesus speaks of the Trinity he also uses the word “you” nine times in this brief passage! Jesus is, of course, speaking to His disciples on the night He was betrayed. He is preparing them for His departure and the coming of His Holy Spirit. Tradition tells us that most of those disciples present with Jesus that night, died for their faith in Him. They believed strongly enough in Christ that they gave their lives for Him. Many of those whom we celebrate on Memorial Day died for their beliefs as well.

Like Memorial Day, Pentecost is not just a historical event. It happens continually. Jesus sent His Spirit to all of us to give us the inner strength to live and die as so many have. This weekend, please remember that as a disciple of Christ “you” are called to give your all.

Into the World

Thu, 14 May 2015 18:04:55 GMT

This past Saturday, our Sarah graduated from James Madison University. If you know our family you know Sarah's cheering section was one of the loudest in the whole stadium. We all felt a special pride and happiness for Sarah. Here she is joyfully acknowledging us after her walk across the stage to receive her diploma.

I have to be honest that I personally experienced some very mixed emotions throughout the weekend. I was so very proud of my little girl. At the same time the fact that she isn't a little girl anymore made me a little sad. As I watched this beautiful, accomplished young woman getting ready to make her mark on the world I felt a little trepidation. Then I would see Sarah's glowing smile and it would warm my heart. Graduation is every bit as much of a beginning as it is an end. As Sarah's time at JMU ends she is beginning her journey out “into the world” to use Jesus’ words from this Sunday’s Gospel.

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” John 17:11b-19

As parents experiencing the graduation of a beloved child, we have a little bit of the sense of how Jesus must have felt as He prayed to HIs Father about His spiritual "children". Maria and I have poured our hearts and lives into our children and we hope for nothing but the best for them. We, like Jesus, pray for them continually. At the same time we know from experience that life can be tough. However, because Jesus included us in His prayer I have great hope and expectation for each of our children. In Sarah's case, I know that her love for Jesus will carry her through whatever the "world" brings.

Congratulations Sarah! As you go out into the world, never forget that you will always be my little girl. (And God's, too!)

A Father and His Kids!

Fri, 08 May 2015 02:30:12 GMT

This past Tuesday evening I left Johnstown at 8:38 p.m. I know the exact time because I have been making this commute every Tuesday for the last four months and I know it takes me 1 hour and 25 minutes to get home at that time of night. This particular drive was challenging because I was pretty tired. I have been so busy recently that I hadn’t had the chance to rest and recharge over the weekend. I was thinking I would touch base with Maria and Josh when I got home and then head straight to bed because I had to leave early the next morning for a day of training. As I drove I sensed how irritable and anxious I was and I was just hoping to get 6 or 7 hours of sleep.

I had no idea what was in store for me when I got home.

Joshua is a senior in high school and we were looking forward to attending his National Honor Society ceremony the next evening. He is the president of NHS and therefore gets to give the speech on Leadership. When I arrived home at 10:06 p.m. he asked me to look the speech over. I was happy to do so and quickly forgot how tired I was.

Joshua is an excellent writer and was excited about the theme he had come up with for the speech. He read through the speech and I gave him a few suggestions to fine-tune it. Before we knew it, time got away from us and I realized it was 12:15 a.m. I helped Josh to print out the speech on my printer and as I turned to head to bed he opened up his arms and gave me a big hug. I’m not a “hugger” but I really embraced this one!! Josh said, “Thank you and I love you.” My heart melted! Even as I type this I am still filled with a love that defies description.

While some of this love is emotionally driven there is a depth to it that goes beyond the wonderful feelings I’m experiencing. As a parent I find it hard to describe how much I really love all three of my children. Here is the amazing thing; I believe that is where God’s love for you and me begins. In this week’s Gospel we hear of the love between Father and Son and Jesus gives us His explanation of how that love extends to and through us.

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.” John 15:9-17

Joshua’s speech was a hit! With a title of Leadership Is Like Pizza, how could it not be!?! What a joy it was to see our son shine. I really love that kid!

And imagine this, your Father in heaven loves you and me, His kids, even more! Now go as His Son commanded, and love one another!

Itchy Eyes

Fri, 01 May 2015 02:21:42 GMT

Every Spring I look forward to a certain ritual. We are blessed with a beautiful property that bursts into a variety of colors through April and May. I love to get outside with my pruners and shape the many shrubs and small trees throughout our landscaping. I really enjoy this pruning process because I see such positive results in such a short period of time. I also look forward to the long-term results that the pruning yields in the future.

The problem is our trees and shrubs are covered with allergens that cause my eyes to get so itchy that I actually look forward to the incredible burning sensation of my antihistamine eye drops. Spring pruning can be a painful process for me! But the long-term effects are worth the suffering because it is on the pruned branches that the most beautiful, aromatic blossoms come forth.

This photo shows one of our "unpruned" favorite flowering shrubs, a Viburnum.

You can see the long bright green shoots that extend beyond the blossoms. This is the new growth that I will cut back to ensure bountiful blossoms next year. The severity of the pruning produces a beautiful flower that fills the air with an incredible scent for a couple of weeks. Since I don’t have a grape vine this at least provides a visual example that helps us to understand this week’s Gospel.

Jesus talks about the importance of the pruning process to explain how we can bear more fruit in our lives.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:1-8

Pain and suffering yield beautiful results when we allow God to see us through those pruning seasons. However we must be clear as to where the fruit comes from. It comes as a result of our willingness to “remain” in the Vine. Jesus uses this word seven times in this brief passage. At its root the Greek word means, “to be one with another.”

If you’re going through a painful time, stop and think about the fact that it may be that the Vine Grower is pruning you. He is doing so because He cares for you and He wants you to bear beautiful sweet smelling fruit. Remain in Jesus, His Vine, and allow Him to see you through the pain and suffering. Eventually the pruning ends and you’ll be able to appreciate the experience, just as we do when we smell our viburnum.

And here is the best part…the kind of fruit you produce will last forever!

To Know and Be Known

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:15:20 GMT

As I prayed and reflected on this weekend’s readings, this idea of “knowing” that weaves through all three really resonated with me. I realized that those of you who read this might know me but there may be some things that you don’t know about me. So let me start in the beginning. I was born on July 3, 1961… Just kidding! In all seriousness I do want you to know about a certain beginning in my life.

Upon graduating with an MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh I began my own consulting firm. Within a few years I was becoming well known. I had developed an impressive client list and had coauthored a book. However in the midst of all this success I was not very happy at all. The harder I worked the more clients I developed, the more money I made. But for what?

Some of the people that I knew started to talk to me about meeting someone new. Being the adventurous type I eagerly listened but couldn’t bring myself to commit to meeting him. Finally, as my unhappiness reached a low point I reached out to this new person. In a moment of despair, I asked this God, that my friends had been talking about, to show himself to me.

It was a Thursday and I was preparing to travel to a National Speakers Association workshop in Norfolk, VA. I was still very unsettled but looking forward to learning from some of the most well known speakers in the world. While they were great it was a little known speaker that really touched me. As she shared her story about meeting Jesus personally, I realized in that moment that God was showing himself to me as I had asked. All I had to do was walk up and meet Him. The talk concluded with an invitation to commit your life to Christ. Resisting a tug of doubt, I went forward and prayed to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I now knew Him. That was 17 years ago and it is an understatement to say my life has never been the same. How could it be? Let’s look at the Gospel to understand why.

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me , just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” John 10:11-18

I want to encourage you that if you don’t know Jesus personally; all you have to do is ask Him to show Himself to you. When He does, you will begin a journey with God that is…

You’ll have to wait and see for yourself!

A Sudden Appearance

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 01:52:00 GMT

When was the last time that you were startled or terrified? Last night I was startled by the sudden appearance of a raccoon on the road in front of me. While I wasn’t terrified, I’m guessing the raccoon was! Something physiological happens to us in those moments that induces the fight or flight instinct. I swerved safely around him and continued down the road. I hoped the raccoon had been sufficiently terrified to take flight for safety.

He suddenly appeared again…

…to the disciples in Jerusalem. (No not the raccoon. That would have been terrifying!)

Notice how, in this week’s Gospel, the “startled and terrified” disciples experience Jesus’ sudden appearance.

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:35-48

I find it interesting what Jesus does after bringing the disciples through this emotional roller coaster. He basically delivered a lesson as only He could. “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Think about that for a minute! What must it have been like for the disciples to experience that?

Once the disciples are convinced that Jesus is alive and real, they are able to receive what Jesus shares with them and that they are to share with others. As we know from the Scriptures many of them “preached in His name” without fear, even unto death.

Are you convinced that Jesus is alive and real? Our faith in Christ must be rooted in the fact that He is! When it is, we don’t run for safety in the face of a challenge, instead we become witnesses to all the nations.

Blinded by Fear and Doubt

Sat, 11 Apr 2015 01:19:08 GMT

As I slowly moved forward in the afternoon rush hour, the blaring sound of the Emergency Broadcast System startled me. As the National Weather Service detailed the dangerous storm in Ohio, West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania I listened for the locations wondering if I was heading into the storm. A minute later my answer came as I crested the hill and looked towards an ominous sky. Then the lightening flashed out in front of me. A second, more severe, alert came. This time people were being warned to take cover in their homes and to stay away from windows. I said a little prayer for their safety. By the time I took the off ramp, the rain was coming down in sheets and then all of a sudden I couldn’t see anything. Fear and doubt instantly overcame me as I struggled to see where I was going.

Fear and doubt is a critical part of this week’s Gospel. With those emotions in mind let’s join the disciples as they are gathered in the upper room.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

Jesus’ death was an unexpected storm in the disciple’s lives. When Jesus died everything the disciples believed in and hoped for was gone! Fear and doubt took hold. Doors were locked. Surely, they wondered, “What now?” It was Jesus’ appearance and words that brought peace to the disciples. Thomas, having not seen Jesus, requires more. His doubt was blinding him in spite of the testimony of the others.

As with the disciples, in times of doubt and fear we too must dwell on Jesus. The difference is that we must do so in faith. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” This Gospel message reminds us that regardless of what is happening around us our peace must be in He who passed through the storm to end all storms. He did so, “…that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

Like Thomas, I cried out, "Lord!” and in that instant I passed through the blinding sheets of rain. When I pulled into the parking space as the wind and rain continued to buffet my car I realized to my surprise, that I was at peace. No fear and no doubt.

Run With Joy!

Fri, 03 Apr 2015 01:08:49 GMT

I must confess I am not a huge art fan. While I appreciate good art and the talent of the artist that creates it I don't really spend much time pursuing it. That is why my reaction the first time I saw Eugène Burnand's Peter and John Running to the Tomb surprised me so much. I remember the moment clearly. I bounded up the stairs, skipping every other step, until I arrived on the landing where I stopped short...

Their faces! What must they be thinking?

"Could it be true?"

Think about what they had experienced in the previous days. Notice Peter's hand over his broken heart, John's prayerful clasp. And their faces! I can't imagine being able to capture so many emotions in one image.

With this image in mind reflect on this Easter Sunday's Gospel:

" On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead." John 20:1-9

As a former runner I always saw myself as "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" who ran faster, reaching the tomb first. Now as a 53 year old man with creaky joints I relate to the older Peter. Regardless of how we get there, on Easter Sunday our heart's question is answered.

JESUS IS ALIVE!!!

"It is true," so believe and run to our resurrected Savior with the same expectant joy that Mary, Peter and John surely had.

I Thought Super Heroes Lived Forever

Sat, 08 Nov 2014 01:28:53 GMT

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of young Trey Mitlo. The youngest of Jay and Rachel Mitlo's three children, Trey's heroic, four-year battle with cancer has ended. Jay and Rachel made the decision several years ago to endure this journey in an incredibly courageous and in quite a public way, through social media.

Jay's website contains the above picture of Trey, affectionately and appropriately known by countless supporters as the Young Warrior . I encourage you to visit Jay's website to learn about this amazing family. In all honesty I do so with the hope that Jay's poignant and heart-wrenching descriptions of their journey might bring some needed perspective to you and your loved ones today.

For me, the first perspective is that life is more precious and fleeting than we ever want to admit. After reading Jay's posts please take the time to express your love to those that matter to you.

Secondly, and because it pertains to eternity, most importantly, Jay and Rachel are unabashed witnesses for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As they mourn the loss of their beloved son, they do so with the hope of the resurrection that God's beloved Son attained for us all. Trey lived and died loving Jesus. Jay and Rachel are enduring this heartbreaking loss with the hope of being reunited with their little superhero. They have placed their trust in Jesus. Have you?

This is a reunion you won't want to miss!

What a Victory!

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:23:43 GMT

This is Joshua, our high school senior, after scoring the winning goal in overtime against our biggest rivals. If we had lost the game our high hopes for this season would have ended. Josh's tradition this year has been to point to me each time he scores. Today, I pointed back, my eyes brimming with tears and my heart about to burst. In my mind I kept repeating, "Thank you Jesus!" A little background...

Each summer for the last 14 years our kids have attended Summer's Best Two Weeks, a Christian sports camp in Somerset county. The campers range in ages from 8 to 18 and are divided into two teams, Romans and Galatians, that compete against one another throughout the term. At the end of each competition the "winning" and "losing" teams cheer for one another. They conclude their cheer in unison answering the question, "Who gets the glory? JESUS!!!"

I admit I was thrilled that our boys were going to the playoffs. And yes I am incredibly proud of Joshua for that beautiful header that won the game. Joshua's acknowledgement brought a nearly indescribable feeling to me. It made me wonder, how proud is our heavenly Father when we win for His kingdom?!? I can only imagine that He smiles just as I am now.

What a victory!!! Who gets the glory? JESUS!!!

Change in Perspective

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 19:28:17 GMT

On this beautiful autumn afternoon the kids were excitedly ending their week at Saint Irenaeus School. I could hear their boisterous enthusiasm just outside the Religious Education office. In the midst of everything I heard the fire whistle and noticed that it was a long one. The fire trucks came shortly afterward and I returned to my task at hand with barely a thought until another set of fire trucks neared... and then another. At this point we all knew that something was really wrong nearby. When I learned that Saint Paul's Baptist Church was on fire, I immediately called my Dad who lives four doors down from that church. Oddly enough, he was at my house and said it couldn't be Saint Paul's because he had just left his apartment. I walked to the end of the school hallway and looked over the trees and saw the smoke. With dread I said to my Dad, "Come and get me."

The roads were blocked off so we had to park in the next block. As we walked towards the church we realized how bad things were. This was a very different kind of boisterous activity.

The fire departments from Oakmont and six other communities were desperately trying to save the building. My Dad and I watched with that helpless feeling wishing there was something we could do to help. I prayed. I decided to call Father George, our brand new pastor at Saint Irenaeus, to let him know I was at the fire and would offer any assistance to the people of Saint Paul's.

Eventually, I met Pastor Shane Austin and expressed our sorrow for their loss and offered the help and prayers of Saint Irenaeus. Just then, the ground shook as the fireman pulled the back wall of the 130 year old building down. We walked around to see the charred remains of the inside of the church.

Talk about a change in perspective...

We continued our sad vigil as the fireman slowly made their way into the building. Just then I noticed one of our Oakmont firemen walking back to the truck. I hurriedly snapped a few photos hoping to capture him.

I quickly forwarded the picture to Pastor Shane with this quote from the Gospel of Matthew, "The fires of hell shall not prevail against it." Pastor Shane's response provided me and all of us with another change in perspective.

He simply answered, "Amen!"

A New Path

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 18:35:46 GMT

It has been a long time since I sent out my weekly Our Journey Together With God. Or has it been? In fact, the last email went out nearly a year ago. To me it seems like a really long time. I guess that depends on your perspective.

In that time I have experienced a lot. One of the most significant things is that I left my job as a Director of Religious Education. After more than ten years it seemed that God was calling me out on a new adventure. I am now working independently in a ministry called, Our Journey With God.

I have a few clients and am working on a website of the same name. A book, God willing, may be in my future as well. I am really enjoying the process of developing the website; although it hasn't progressed as quickly as I had planned. I had been searching for months for the right "journey" photo for the homepage and nothing seemed to be just right. The moment I inserted this one I knew...

I took this photo as Maria and I journeyed this summer to Florida for a family wedding. We had crossed the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia dozens of times but had never stopped to look at it. Talk about a different perspective!

My hope is that I will be sending out my weekly email again very soon. In the meantime email me and let me know what your "Godly" perspective is about this photo.

Blessings,

Joe