Luke 10:25-37 Readings
It was common for Jews, especially Scripture experts, to challenge one another with increasingly complex questions. When a lawyer asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus responded by asking what the Law said.
The lawyer replied that to love God and to love one’s neighbor were the prime commands. When Jesus agreed, the lawyer asked yet another question: “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). In reply, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan and then asked him: “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” (10:36). It wasn’t until the lawyer agreed that it was the Samaritan that Jesus finally made his point: “Go and do likewise” (10:37).
By choosing a Samaritan—one who was marginalized in Jewish society—as the hero of this parable and presenting the priest and Levite in a bad light, Jesus highlighted the difference between external and internal obedience to God’s law. It was against Jewish law for priests to touch a corpse, and had the Levite approached the beaten man and touched his open wounds, he would have become ritually unclean for an entire week. The Samaritan, however, was moved by compassion and in the end demonstrated true obedience to the heart of the Law: He loved his neighbor.
The key is love: “to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). This is all that God requires, and it is how we will be judged at the end of our lives. In fact, Jesus’ own life and death illustrate this truth perfectly. His love for his Father and his trust in his Father’s love filled him with the power to show us mercy.
Can I love? That is the only question that God is concerned about. Can I decide to show com-passion, just as I have received it from my Father in heaven? In prayer today, ask God to show you his mercy and love in a new way. Then look for ways that you can share that mercy and love with the people around you. It’s your turn to “go and do likewise.”
“Jesus, thank you for binding my wounds. By the power of your Spirit, help me to become more like you: a vessel of your Father’s love and mercy.”
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Matthew 21:33-43 Readings
One evening, an elderly man told his grandson, “I want you to have something.” Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a gleaming gold pocket watch, engraved with his initials. “I’m not always going to be around, so take this to remember me by.”
The boy took it, said, “Thanks, Grandpa!” and ran home. Unfortunately, he didn’t understand how valuable this gift was: He sold it a few days later to buy his favorite computer game.
We could never imagine treating a precious heirloom like this—but what about our faith? That’s the point behind today’s Gospel reading. The Pharisees were entrusted with the priceless gift of God’s law. But many of them, like the young boy, didn’t value this gift. Instead of leading Israel to righteousness, they used the Law to promote themselves and their positions of power. As a result, when Jesus came, they had no room in their hearts for his message.
Jesus has given us something very special—his own life, planted in the depths of our heart. He wants us to embrace that life so that we can bear fruit for his kingdom. But like the owner of the vineyard, he won’t force himself on us. He leaves it up to us to decide whether we will nurture our faith or, like the unfortunate tenants in the parable, disregard it.
Of course, most of us don’t decide one day that we’re not going to follow Jesus anymore. It’s usually in the simple decisions of our lives that we grow closer to him or move further away. Today, look for opportunities to be a disciple. They’re all around you, whether it means taking the time to pray in the morning, helping someone when you’d rather be doing something else, or simply smiling when you’re upset. Situations like these are God’s ways of giving you another chance to grow closer to him—and to bear fruit that reveals his glory.
“Lord, help me to be open to your grace, so that I can multiply everything you have given me a hundredfold!”
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Luke 10:17-24 Readings
Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name. (Luke 10:17)
Imagine being one of these seventy-two disciples whom Jesus sent out to preach. You probably don’t have a background in public speaking, and your theological training is nonexistent. You’re not used to praying over complete strangers, let alone expecting to see them healed. But none of that matters, because you saw Jesus feed five thousand people with just a few scraps, and you saw him raise a young man from his coffin (Luke 9:10-17; 7:11-17). Over and over again, you’ve seen how effective prayer and trust in God can be, and you’re eager to try it yourself. So with simple faith, you strike out. You are willing to take a risk because the reward is so great.
And what do you discover? It works! People are healed. Demons are driven out. Sinners are forgiven and transformed—all because you took a step of faith.
No matter how many times we see it happen or hear about it, we can still be amazed at the simple fact that the gospel really does work. God really does care about us, and he really is powerful enough to work wonders in our lives. What’s more, he loves each of us—and trusts each of us—so much that he invites us to become vessels of his healing, transforming power.
What about you? Do you believe that you can become a messenger for Jesus? Do you believe that you can pray with people and see their lives change?
Jesus praised his Father for revealing his power through the “childlike,” those seventy-two unknown followers of Jesus who took him at his word and performed the miraculous (Luke 10:21). All it took was a simple faith and innocent trust. In the final analysis, they knew that the results of their prayers did not depend on them but on a God whose wisdom and love surpass human understanding. So they were not worried if one person was healed and another was not. All they had to do was share their faith, pray with people, and leave the rest in their Father’s hands.
May we all become as simple and childlike as these unsung heroes and heroines!
“Jesus, I surrender my will and my agendas to you. Come, Lord, and use me as an instrument of your gospel.”
Friday, October 3, 2008
Job 38:1,12-21; 40:3-5 Readings
“Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place? … Have you seen the gates of darkness? … Which is the way to the dwelling place of light?” (Job 38:12,17,19).
Job is speechless before these questions. He no longer seeks an answer to the question that formerly agitated him: “Why are these bad things happening to me, a good person?” In the face of God’s command of light and darkness, Job has no more to say. He sees everything in a new light, and he repents of his audacity in complaining about “great things that I do not understand” (Job 42:3).
The dawning of light often has this effect. Everything looks different than it did in the dark. Think of a time when you half-woke in the middle of the night, terrified by an unfamiliar shape, only to discover the next morning that it was a harmless household object in an unusual spot.
Although light makes it much easier for us to function, it brings its own challenges. It can be blinding to emerge suddenly from darkness. Sometimes better light reveals areas that need further work: windows that need cleaning, cobwebs that need clearing away, weeds threatening to overtake a flower bed. And that can be discouraging—and intimidating. Consider how tempting it can be to stay in familiar semidarkness instead of coming into the light and having to deal with all that it reveals. But God, who commands the light and the darkness, invites us to turn our gaze away from the darkness of our faults and focus instead on the light of his presence. Because with him, even the darkness doesn’t seem so bad (Psalm 139:12).
Today, bask in the warmth of God’s love for you, and ask him to shed his light on just one area of your life that he wants to touch. Perhaps he wants to open your eyes to see more of his glory. Perhaps he will point out a sin you need to confess or a relationship in which you need to seek forgiveness. Maybe he wants to show you how much you have to offer people. Whatever it is, be sure to look at it in the light of God’s love for you and his transforming power at work in you.
”Father, you are the light of my life. Give me the courage to live fully in your light.”
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14 Readings
The Guardian Angels
Have you ever seen a child jump fearlessly into a pool toward the outstretched arms of her father or mother? Blissfully trusting in her parent’s protection, she knows no fear! What a wonderful image this can be for us as children of God—joyful, faithfully delighted in the protection of One so much stronger than we are.
When Jesus called us to become like little children, he was inviting us to regain our childhood innocence. When we are young, we are all ready to believe in a good God who watches over us and sends angels to guide our way. But as we grow older, these comforting images can lose their power. Life in the world can wear us down and make us cynical. We may begin to doubt God’s desire to remain close to us. We may begin to question the reality of his angelic guardians. Faced with the inevitable pressures of life, we may begin to believe—or resign ourselves to the belief—that we are alone in the universe, reluctant masters of our fate with no one to guide us.
Jesus wants to free us from any sense of isolation or self-sufficiency that is holding us back. He wants to awaken in us that original joy and innocence we experienced when we first knew of his personal, abiding love. True maturity as a Christian is not a matter of increased independence from God but a deeper dependence on him! After all, it is he who constantly provides for our health, our relationships, our finances, and our very life and breath!
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to do a special work in you. Ask him to help you view all the events of your day with the eyes of a child who knows the Father’s intimate love. If this is difficult, ask him for healing so that you can open your heart to him. Your heavenly Father wants you to come to him with every concern, no matter how small, and trust that his angels are watching over you. Let him reassure us with his love and support.
“Holy Spirit, deliver me from self-sufficiency. Help me become more like a child as I look to the Father for my strength. Open my heart to trust in your provision and heavenly protection.”
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Job 9:1-12,14-16 Readings
Job had been successful, wealthy, and blessed (Job 1:1-4). How could he have become so desperately afflicted?
According to his friends, God was humbling him for some secret sin or moral failing. Or maybe God was correcting him for relying on his own strength and not God’s. Either way, they concluded, Job was getting what he deserved. But Job protested that he knew all along that God was vastly stronger than he was (9:1-4).
Consider what Job knew about God: The mountains are as blocks that he sets up and knocks down again. The earth is like a rug that he shakes out at will. He can stop the sun from rising. He controls the mighty oceans. No one can stop him, nor can anyone win an argument with him (Job 9:5-10,12,14). In short, God is powerful beyond our imagining. He speaks, and the heavens obey—we can’t even keep crabgrass down!
Job was right: God’s power is mind-boggling! But Job didn’t understand that God is also astoundingly good and loving. He is for us, not against us. He can move any mountain that we face. He can overcome sickness and disease—and even raise the dead. And what’s more amazing is that he can change mind-sets, habits, and patterns of sin that bind and enslave us. He can warm a cold heart and change hatred into love. Our most ruthless masters—fear, shame, and guilt—surrender to his patient love.
God is indeed “mighty in strength” (Job 9:4) and in mercy, too. Read verses 5-10 again, and consider the might that Job described. Then try to imagine his love for you on that same scale: It is too overwhelming to contemplate! All we can do is rejoice that we have such an awesome God watching over us! The next time you’re in need of healing, comfort, or deliverance, remember that he is more powerful than any problem you have!
“Almighty and loving Father, help me to look beyond my needs and to see your majesty—and to believe that, as great as your power is, so great is your love for me!”
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Luke 9:51-56 Readings
Two monks were returning to their monastery when they discovered the bridge over the nearby river had washed out. At the river’s edge was a beautiful woman unable to cross because of the strong current.
Because their vows forbade them from touching or even looking at a woman, the younger monk ignored her pleas for help. The elder monk, however, picked her up and carried her across the river on his back. Indignant, the young monk waited until they were alone again, and then asked: “How could you do such a thing?” “Brother,” the elder monk said, “I put her down hours ago, but it seems that you are still carrying her.”
Both monks were headed in the same direction, but their hearts were on different paths: the elder full of compassion; the younger preferring convention over kindness. Similarly, Jesus and James and John were all journeying toward Jerusalem, but Jesus was on a path to win forgiveness and salvation for us, while James and John seemed set on a course of judgment and condemnation.
When God works in our lives, he transforms us. He gives us a desire to love him and to spend time with him every day. He gives us a new perspective on our lives. And, as today’s Gospel reading shows us, he gives us a new perspective on the people around us. Of course, Jesus made judgments about the state of people’s hearts, but the motivation behind these judgments was always love and mercy, not condemnation and rejection. James and John, on the other hand, were relying only on what their human logic told them, with no recourse to love or compassion. And that’s why Jesus rebuked them.
Over time, James and John—and the other apostles—did become more like Jesus. And that’s the challenge for us. Will we stand fast in our ways, or will we let the Holy Spirit continue to mold us and shape us? The next time you find yourself ready to criticize someone, ask, “How would Jesus react?” Pause and let the Spirit give you his insight. You’ll be amazed by how much peace and wisdom he can give you!
”Father, open my heart and fill it with your love. Help me not to hold on to the past or carry grudges. May I instead bring your mercy to those in need.”
Monday, September 29, 2008
John 1:47-51 Readings
The Archangels?
Most names don’t reveal very much about the person who carries them. But that’s not true of the angels whom we honor today. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God,” is known for his great power in fighting against Satan and his demons. Gabriel’s name means “strength,” and he certainly gave strength to Mary when he told her she would be the Mother of God (Luke 1:28). Raphael’s name means “healer,” and he is the one who cured Tobit’s blindness (Tobit 11).
We can’t help but admire the archangels. Like all the angels, they have remarkable abilities. As pure spirits, their knowledge and power are beyond our comprehension. But they’re not like the superheroes in our comics. They live to serve God and worship him. Their wonderful gifts are only a pale reflection of his infinite perfection and beauty. What’s more, as amazing as they are, they really are “fellow servants” along with us, and their inspiration can lead us to worship God more fully (Revelation 19:10).
Perhaps the best way to honor the archangels today is to join them in worshipping Jesus. We can take our cue from Nathanael; Jesus told him he would see “the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). We have that same opportunity at every Mass. We may not see the angels, but they are there, adoring Jesus on the altar. Along with them, we can be caught up in the love and holiness of the Son of God and be moved to lay our lives down before him.
What’s more, we can do something the angels can’t. We can actually receive Jesus as our nourishment. All the qualities of God that the angels share—his wisdom, love, and beauty—are contained in the Eucharist. And that’s what we are privileged to take into our very bodies! There is nothing more inspiring than to see that God loves us enough to share his very life with us. The next time you attend Mass, know that you are in the company of angels, and join them in giving him all the praise and worship your heart can muster!
“Thank you, Lord, that you have made me lower than the angels, yet you come to me as the bread of life. May I be open to all the grace you want to pour out on me in your body and blood.”