thoughts and observations on the daily readings
Friday of the Octave of Easter Readings may be found here Stories are the most powerful means of communication. Think about it, you read or listen to news “stories” every day. Stories can leave us thinking even of fictional characters as friends and companions. If you want to explain yourself to another, what do you do? You tell “your story.” Large parts of the Holy Scriptures are cast as stories. Sometimes they are fictional, think of the parable of the prodigal, but powerful nonetheless. Other times, we hear the stories of real people such as Moses, the prophets, or the disciples of Jesus. And of course, the gospels themselves are narratives – stories. They offer us the Story – the accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the Scriptures make it clear that His Story is in some sense our story. In the passage from John today, we see a kind of layering of stories. In this third appearance of the Risen Jesus to His disciples, Jesus is seated by a charcoal fire – a clear reminder of the last time Peter found himself by a charcoal fire in the courtyard of the High Priest. Now as Peter rushes towards the Lord rather than away, he will find that Jesus will rewrite Peter’s story of denial as a moment of conversion and renewal. Likewise the passage from Acts reveals a similar layering. We saw over the last two days that Peter and John have made the healing work of Jesus their own, restoring the lame man in the “name of Jesus.” Now we see that as was the case for Jesus, this good work provokes a mixed response. These men, like the Lord, will experience rejection and persecution. His Story is now their story. And this truth offers meaning and hope in the midst of struggle. In our struggles, we look to the Story of the One Who offered His life’s blood to set us free. With eyes of faith, we see Him beside us in our moments of despair and pain. And we believe that His triumph is our triumph, His life our life. Let His Story be our story and we will acclaim with the Psalmist: “His mercy endures forever!”
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Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Readings may be found here Names are very important. To know a person’s name is to grow closer to them. In the book of Exodus, when God reveals the Divine Name to Moses, the Lord links that name, often translated as “I Am Who Am,” to the notion that God is with the people, in relationship with them: “I am the God of your father, he continued, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob…” (v. 6) The Lord goes on to speak of His desire to deliver the people from their suffering. Even the Name itself might be read as “I am with you.” In the Old Testament and Jewish tradition, there is a deep reverence for the Name of God. In fact, the Name itself is never pronounced. Instead, wherever the Name appeared in the text, readers would substitute “Adonai,” or “the Lord” for the Divine Name. (When there was still a Temple, the High Priest uttered the Name in the Holy of Holies on the day of Yom Kippur.) The New Testament is clear in proclaiming that Jesus is more than a holy man or great prophet. He is the Visitation of the Living God. In the gospels and the letters, He is often called “Lord” or “the Lord.” This language reveals the conviction of His exalted status, for this is the language used by Israel to address the Most High God. In the Acts, we heard yesterday how the Apostles preach and heal in “the Name of Jesus” – again an indication of the identity of the Risen One. In the passage from Luke today we hear again of the message to be preached “in His name.” Paul proclaims it as well – “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…” (Phil. 2:10) Yet even as the New Testament draws on the reverence for the Name of God, there is something changed and new here. For Christian believers do pronounce the Name! By the faithfulness of Jesus, we have been drawn by Him into a new possibility of communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit. We do not fear to pronounce His Name, we shout it from the rooftops. What’s in a Name? Mercy, forgiveness, redemption, everlasting love! Wednesday of the Octave of Easter readings may be found here Today we hear about the miraculous healing of a lame man in the Temple precincts. Peter and John came upon the man who was begging alms. Peter had no money for him, but “in the Name of Jesus Christ,” Peter commanded him to rise and walk. The man, now healed walked and leaped for joy. This scene is important first because it reveals the disciples of the Lord now participating in His work of healing and reconciliation. We should also notice that the miracle itself brings attention to the transformation that has occurred in the Peter and the other disciples. They were “lame” during the events of the Passion and even in the hours and days after the Resurrection. And yet now here they are courageously and openly proclaiming the Name of the Lord Jesus. They too have been healed and empowered. They too now walk in the way of the Lord and leap for joy that He lives. The lengthy gospel passage relates the famous “Road to Emmaus” scene near the end of Luke’s Gospel. The passage is important for many reasons. The fact that these disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread points to the central importance of the Eucharist in the ongoing life of discipleship. And today, I would like to draw our attention to the fact that Jesus appears to them as they are walking “on the road” or “on the way.” In the Gospel of Luke and Acts, “The Way” becomes the way that disciples of Jesus refer to their faith and their community. It is really an Old Testament metaphor as Israel was frequently called upon to walk in the “way of the Lord.” This name for the Christian life emphasizes the truth that faith is a way of living, an active participation and journey with and towards the Lord. As the lame man leaps for joy, I wonder if we might take time today to rejoice that we who were once far off have been brought near by the grace of the Lord; we who once were lame have been healed and lifted up by His compassion and love. Maybe this Easter day is a good day to take a walk along the way and kick up our heals for joy! Monday of the Octave of Easter Readings may be found here In the aftermath of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the first disciples came to understand the importance of giving witness to what they had seen and experienced. The gospels are certainly clear in this emphasis – each of them invites and challenges believers to give witness. The Acts of the Apostles still stands out as the whole book is devoted to relating the story and content of the witness offered by the early Church. During the Easter season, the Church meditates on the Acts as the first reading will mostly be taken from Acts. In the passage today, we hear Peter’s testimony to the resurrection of the Lord. Even as he uses words and scriptural proofs, it’s fair to observe that the very act of Peter’s preaching is a kind of witness as the simple fisherman and frightened denier has now been transformed into the assured and bold preacher of the Good News. You and I did not ourselves witness the events of those long-ago days in Judea and Galilee. On one level, we depend upon the witness handed down from those first disciples. And yet we too are called to offer our witness. For it is also true that we are witnesses to the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection in the here and now. Even in these most trying days, we see the miracle of men and women full of faith and compassion living the gospel with and without words. Peter is right to say to us just as he did to his listeners in Jerusalem: “we are all witnesses!” Wednesday of Holy Week ("Spy Wednesday") Today in the passage from Matthew we recall the agonizing truth that Jesus was betrayed, denied, and abandoned by those closest to Him. Of course it is Judas that stands out in this regard. Notice that in his response “surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Judas indicates his failure of faith in his term of address – not “Lord” or “Master,” but Rabbi. As we have already seen this week, Judas will not move beyond self-interest and his own determination of how things should play out. While others will repent and return to the Lord, Judas will not entrust himself to the will and goodness of God. On this Spy Wednesday we are reminded of the danger of our own ego and willfulness. Our sins of today are a betrayal and denial of the Lord just as surely as the failures we see on display in the Gospel. As the passages from Isaiah, Psalm 69, and Matthew paint a portrait of a betrayed Messiah, ever faithful to the will of God – no matter the cost – our sins, our selfishness, our infidelity are all the more stark. How fortunate we are that this Suffering Servant is also the Lord of Mercy. He knows our failures and the darkest recesses of our hearts and He loves us nonetheless. He goes resolutely to the cross knowing how little we deserve His sacrifice. Let this moment be one of genuine contrition for sin and the desire to offer our hearts to the Lord who loves us so passionately and completely. Surely it is I, Lord, who have failed you time and again. Surely it is I, Lord, who beg your mercy. Surely it is I, Lord, who long for your love and your grace. Tuesday of Holy Week
Readings may be found here During these extraordinary days of isolation, all of us have the motive and opportunity to do some soul searching and reflection on matters of faith. The many details of life and work that typically crowd our day and our consciousness have been stripped from us. And truth be told, we are actively searching for insight, consolation, and strength. I know that “who are you?” is the question we are used to hearing. But today, I would like to think about “why are you?” as our scripture passages point us towards the critical question of our purpose in life. In a moment and world where life feels so very fragile, Isaiah offers us the model of the faithful servant who knows his calling, his purpose. He must speak the truth of God to the weary. He focuses on this purpose, faithful to the calling in the face of opposition and maltreatment. This is a God-given purpose and so the servant trusts that his purpose is a participation in the Divine plan for the salvation of the people. There has never been any human being more focused and faithful in His purpose than Jesus Christ. He knows His work, the work of reconciling us and all creation to the Father. He never wavers in His absolute devotion to revealing the Glory of God. Judas, in tragic contrast, does not know the purpose for which God has made him. He is lost in his own ego and self-interest. Peter is more fortunate. While he is confused in this passage and he will go on to make that terrible denial of the Lord, Peter will learn. And by the grace of that same Lord Peter will find his purpose and pursue it, proclaiming the Name of the Lord wven until his own martyrdom at Rome. These are days to consider again the purpose that God has called us to. What difference do and will I make to this world with the gift of life? Will I be another rat in the race or the disciple who takes up the call of the Lord Jesus to participate in His work of love and reconciliation? Why are you? You were made in love, by love, for love. Monday of Holy Week Reading may be found here In the second eucharistic prayer, we invoke the Spirit, praying that the Spirit will descend upon the gifts “like the dewfall.” At the time of the new translation there was much chatter about this wording, but I love it because I believe that it captures an essential aspect of Divine grace. Today, Isaiah prophesies concerning the “Servant of the Lord.” This passage is one of several “Servant Songs” that Christians now understand as speaking prophetically of the Lord Jesus. Notice that the all faithful Servant is absolutely gentle – “not crying out,” “a bruised reed he will not break,” “a smoldering wick he will not quench.” In this, the Servant reflects the qualities of God. Recall that the original sin consists in the rejection of divine love and the will to our own illusory sense of power and entitlement. God’s power, the only true power, is the power of love – it does not exercise control or dominate. It seeks the good of the beloved. And love always longs for a free response. God did not force Adam and Eve to bend to His will and God will not crush our freedom even to save us. His servant is gentle and self-sacrificing, and His spirit descends “like the dewfall,” the gentlest of ways for life giving water to appear. In the passage from John we see that Judas, a man who would control and manipulate events to his own ends, condemns the extravagant and loving gesture that Mary offers the Lord. Judas has failed to understand the nature of God’s ways. Jesus’ rebuke of Judas is not a diminishment of His frequent calls to care for the poor – rather it is His recognition that Mary has understood and responded freely to the power of love. May we do likewise! Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent The readings may be found here The Prophet Ezekiel offered a vision of hope to a people suffering and broken hearted in exile. The promise here of renewal and restoration resonates beyond that original moment of crisis and fear. His words became a prophecy of what God would accomplish in the gift of His Son and the new and everlasting covenant brought about by the Self offering of Jesus Christ. And that prophecy now speaks to us in our exile, our fear, our mourning. In the passage from the Gospel of John, we move ever closer to the events of the Passion. The opposition to Jesus is intensifying. It is ironic that the High Priest who opposes Jesus speaks the ironic truth that the Lord will give His life to save the people. The mention of the approach of Passover emphasizes that this is a moment fraught with the danger of death and the promise of deliverance. As we hear or read this passage we recall other words from this same gospel: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (10:11). The Lord Jesus is indeed the “shepherd who guards his flock.” He will die “for the nation” and for the “dispersed children of God.” And He will fulfill the vision of Ezekiel of a people delivered and renewed. Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Readings may be found here In our first reading from Jeremiah and in the gospel passage from John today, we have an intentional parallel between both of these rejected and persecuted prophets. We also see that glimmer of hope – even as the Lord Jesus provokes deadly opposition, some among His listeners are pierced to the heart. They respond with belief. This sign and the confidence of Jeremiah who knows that the Lord will not abandon him remind us that God brings light from darkness. That is the faith expressed so beautifully in Psalm 18 today. Of course, Psalms are prayers as much as they are scripture and we would do well to spend some time today with this resonant prayer. It gives voice to the person in the greatest danger, the most fearful circumstances. It cries out with confidence in the saving power of the Lord and finds there a “rock,” a “stronghold,” and “salvation.” A good prayer for us in the midst of the storm. Thursday of the Fifth week of Lent
Readings may be found here In the Book of Exodus, after the Lord commissions Moses to announce delivery to Israel, Moses asks for a name that he can announce to the people. (Exodus 3:12-13) The Lord responds “I am who I am. Then he added: This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you” (v. 14). The Hebrew for the Divine Name revealed to Moses is notoriously difficult to render in translation. It is fair to say that it is a verb form and this is expressed in the English translation, “I am Who am.” What’s missing in that translation is the sense of presence communicated by the Name. It is discernible in the context as earlier (V. 8) God self identifies as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Likewise, in verse 12 God tells Moses “I will be with you.” The Name communicates this active presence of God to Moses and the people. In the first reading for this Thursday, we hear from early in the narratives about Abraham in the Book of Genesis. We hear today about the relationship that God establishes with a new family through the call of this faithful man. The Psalm plucks a similar tune, praising the fidelity of the Lord to the family. The passage from the Gospel of John is more difficult as we are continuing to hear disputes between the Lord Jesus and His opponents. At issue is the question of Jesus’ origins and identity. He invokes that family relationship, but He goes on to say something abslotely remarkable: “before Abraham came to be, I AM.” In that electric phrase, Jesus confirms and asserts the truth already revealed in His deeds of compassion and mercy. He is no mere prophet; He is the revelation of the Living God. And just as in the case of that passage from Exodus, he uses the language that emphasizes His presencewith us. As Saint Paul proclaimed so passionately, it is now this Divine Name Jesus at which “every knee shall bow…” (Philippians 2:10). Praised be the Name of Jesus Christ, now and forever! |
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