“I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD” - Ezekiel 37:14
“And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him.’” – John 11:35-36
The shortest line in the New Testament, “And Jesus wept,” reveals the humanity and depth of Jesus’ love for his friend Lazarus. He comes “late” to console and to save. “Late” because God’s timing and manner of acting in the world is not determined by our schedule. God’s ways are not our ways. But Jesus keeps his promise. In God’s mysterious time and fashion, Jesus acts decisively. He suffers with and consoles Mary & Martha. He raises Lazarus to new life.
It is not just for Lazarus whom Jesus weeps, he weeps for us. He grieves with us who grieves and shed tears with us who cry. Yet, in solidarity with those who suffer, Jesus acts. The loneliness that comes from being alone is met; the loss of meaning from suffering bears new insight and purpose; new hope arises mysteriously from despair. God in Jesus suffers for us and with us. God keeps promises.
For what do you mourn and weep? Invite Jesus to walk with you.
Reminder – You can look at the daily mass readings at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/
(Cycle A has John 11 as the Gospel; for Cycle C’s Gospel, see tomorrow’s reflection)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday, 4th Week: Living Without Prejudices Is difficult
Nicodemus ... asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" - John 7:51
One of the hardest spiritual tasks is to live without prejudices. Sometimes we aren't even aware how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We may think that we relate to people who are different than we are in color, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle as equals, but in concrete circumstances our spontaneous thought, uncensored words, and knee-jerk reactions often reveal that our prejudices are still there.
Strangers, people different from us, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being "other." Only when we fully claim that God loves us in an unconditional way and look at “those other persons” as likewise loved can we begin to discover that the great variety in humanity is an expression of the immense richness of God's heart. Then the need to prejudge people can gradually disappear; or at least its hold on us will lessen. Consequently, we grow in seeing and loving as God sees and loves.
"Lord, make known to me my prejudices and help me to overcome them."
adapted from Henri Nouwen
One of the hardest spiritual tasks is to live without prejudices. Sometimes we aren't even aware how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We may think that we relate to people who are different than we are in color, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle as equals, but in concrete circumstances our spontaneous thought, uncensored words, and knee-jerk reactions often reveal that our prejudices are still there.
Strangers, people different from us, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being "other." Only when we fully claim that God loves us in an unconditional way and look at “those other persons” as likewise loved can we begin to discover that the great variety in humanity is an expression of the immense richness of God's heart. Then the need to prejudge people can gradually disappear; or at least its hold on us will lessen. Consequently, we grow in seeing and loving as God sees and loves.
"Lord, make known to me my prejudices and help me to overcome them."
adapted from Henri Nouwen
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, 4th Week: Radical Trust Opens God’s Plans for Us
“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” – Matthew 1:24
Joseph, the husband of Mary. He is a quiet figure in the Gospel, yet not without deep purpose. He could have chosen many different options after learning of Mary’s pregnancy. He still could have chosen many options after seeing the angel in his dream. He must have had plans of his own after becoming betrothed to Mary. There must have been some confusion running through his heart and mind after Mary returned from visiting Elizabeth several months pregnant.
Yet through all of this, Joseph did not react on his emotions or his own will. Instead, he fully and immediately responded to God’s will for him. Without comment, without question, without complaint, without hesitation. He fully trusted without much understanding of the mystery that lay before him. How often in our lives are we so filled with fears, doubts, worries, anxieties when situations arise in our own lives that seem to make little or no sense. We ask God, “Why me?” or just “Why?” Yet perhaps, God has an invitation there for us.
Lord, help me to trust in Your plans for me, to have faith in knowing that You know best, even and especially when I myself cannot fully understand.
reflected by Quyen Nhi Ngo
Joseph, the husband of Mary. He is a quiet figure in the Gospel, yet not without deep purpose. He could have chosen many different options after learning of Mary’s pregnancy. He still could have chosen many options after seeing the angel in his dream. He must have had plans of his own after becoming betrothed to Mary. There must have been some confusion running through his heart and mind after Mary returned from visiting Elizabeth several months pregnant.
Yet through all of this, Joseph did not react on his emotions or his own will. Instead, he fully and immediately responded to God’s will for him. Without comment, without question, without complaint, without hesitation. He fully trusted without much understanding of the mystery that lay before him. How often in our lives are we so filled with fears, doubts, worries, anxieties when situations arise in our own lives that seem to make little or no sense. We ask God, “Why me?” or just “Why?” Yet perhaps, God has an invitation there for us.
Lord, help me to trust in Your plans for me, to have faith in knowing that You know best, even and especially when I myself cannot fully understand.
reflected by Quyen Nhi Ngo
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, Week 4: Turning to Our True Source of Life
“You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.” - John 5:39-40
There are so many things that vie for our attention, that promise happiness, fulfillment, and so on. Whether they be material goods such as cars, clothing, houses, or job positions, or even personal relationships. We may look to these things to define our happiness, our joy, but if something goes wrong with one area, we start to question our entire lives. There is a yearning for something more. Then where does our ultimate fulfillment lie? In the only One that lasts, in Jesus.
Perhaps our prayer lives reflect something similar. How often are we praying, asking God for something, looking for answers in specific places or specific ways, rather than allowing and listening to God answer in His way? There may be conditions that we put on how we want God to be a part of our lives, rather than creating space and being present to Him in all aspects. Simply, to let His will be done in us, so that we truly and fully may have life.
Lord, in what ways are you inviting me to be more open to your life-giving ways today? Help me to see that You are the only true source of life.
reflected by Quyen Nhi Ngo
There are so many things that vie for our attention, that promise happiness, fulfillment, and so on. Whether they be material goods such as cars, clothing, houses, or job positions, or even personal relationships. We may look to these things to define our happiness, our joy, but if something goes wrong with one area, we start to question our entire lives. There is a yearning for something more. Then where does our ultimate fulfillment lie? In the only One that lasts, in Jesus.
Perhaps our prayer lives reflect something similar. How often are we praying, asking God for something, looking for answers in specific places or specific ways, rather than allowing and listening to God answer in His way? There may be conditions that we put on how we want God to be a part of our lives, rather than creating space and being present to Him in all aspects. Simply, to let His will be done in us, so that we truly and fully may have life.
Lord, in what ways are you inviting me to be more open to your life-giving ways today? Help me to see that You are the only true source of life.
reflected by Quyen Nhi Ngo
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, 4th Week: Our Security Is Rooted In God's Love
"But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me." Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." - Isaiah 49:14-15
We all long for security. Often, we look for a firm security in success, money, friends, ideas, property, popularity, family, connections, insurance, our own strength or resourcefulness and so on. We may like to think that none of these form the basis of our security, but our actions or feelings may tell us otherwise. When we begin to lose our money, our friends, or our popularity, our anxiety often reveals how deeply our sense of security is rooted in these things.
Ignatian spirituality envisions a life of the spirit in which our security is based not in any created things, good as they may be, but in God, who is love everlasting. Such things are helps in our praise, reverence and service of God, in so far as we do not make them the center of our lives. We probably will never be completely free from belonging to such temporal things, but if we want to live in the world in a truly free way, then we are called to let go of such inordinate attachments. Lent is an invitation for a greater “no” to such things and more whole-hearted “yes” to God’s unspeakable love – our true security.
"What did the most recent crisis in your life reveal about the basis for your security? Listen and speak to God about it.”
inspired by Henri Nouwen
We all long for security. Often, we look for a firm security in success, money, friends, ideas, property, popularity, family, connections, insurance, our own strength or resourcefulness and so on. We may like to think that none of these form the basis of our security, but our actions or feelings may tell us otherwise. When we begin to lose our money, our friends, or our popularity, our anxiety often reveals how deeply our sense of security is rooted in these things.
Ignatian spirituality envisions a life of the spirit in which our security is based not in any created things, good as they may be, but in God, who is love everlasting. Such things are helps in our praise, reverence and service of God, in so far as we do not make them the center of our lives. We probably will never be completely free from belonging to such temporal things, but if we want to live in the world in a truly free way, then we are called to let go of such inordinate attachments. Lent is an invitation for a greater “no” to such things and more whole-hearted “yes” to God’s unspeakable love – our true security.
"What did the most recent crisis in your life reveal about the basis for your security? Listen and speak to God about it.”
inspired by Henri Nouwen
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday, 4th Week: Enough Light To Take The Next Step
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the seas; though it's waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." - Psalm 46:1-3
Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, "How will next year be for me? Where will be five or ten years from now?" There are no answers to these questions, because all we see is the present. The past is the present remembering. The future is the present anticipating. We only experience the present moment. By experiencing fully each moment, we are living into the unknown future.
Often pain and hardships overshadow the present and its anticipated future. Yet, we are gifted in the present with just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not to get anxious about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust, that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let us rejoice in the little light we carry and not demand the great beam that would take all shadows away. The spiritual life is taking one step at a time with Jesus - the Light of the World.
"Lord, help me to embrace the gift of the present, give thanks for what I have, and take that next step with You.”
inspired by Henri Nouwen
Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, "How will next year be for me? Where will be five or ten years from now?" There are no answers to these questions, because all we see is the present. The past is the present remembering. The future is the present anticipating. We only experience the present moment. By experiencing fully each moment, we are living into the unknown future.
Often pain and hardships overshadow the present and its anticipated future. Yet, we are gifted in the present with just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not to get anxious about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust, that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let us rejoice in the little light we carry and not demand the great beam that would take all shadows away. The spiritual life is taking one step at a time with Jesus - the Light of the World.
"Lord, help me to embrace the gift of the present, give thanks for what I have, and take that next step with You.”
inspired by Henri Nouwen
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, 4th Week: Looking for the Signs…
Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” – John 4:23-54
To love someone is to think of that person and we raise our minds to remember the One who loves us most. We establish a loving, familiar God, who holds us in the palm of His gentle hand. It is the practice of the presence of God becoming a habitual state of the soul, an openness to the Divine One who surrounds us in our busy lives.
In moments of suffering, it is difficult to see God in our life. We may ask ourselves, “Where is God?” and “Why me?” We overshadow our situations and feelings. We let go and look at our worries. However, we are not alone, Jesus is struggling with us. Nothing goes unnoticed by Him or His Father. Through Jesus’ spirit who is in all of us, we can hope for peace. We must allow ourselves to become vulnerable and trusting of God to see beyond our troubles.
The goal of prayer is not thoughts about God, but a living, breathing encounter with God. It is freely expressing what has deeply moved us and conveying our genuine need for Him. Through our encounters, relationships and daily interactions, we must look for the signs to allow us to find His presence. It can be a phone call, smile or reassuring embrace…God is everywhere. By seeing with our eyes and ears along with an open heart, there becomes a simplification and familiarity with God. In its simplicity, it brings together life and prayer in one unending conversation.
Lord, I am listening…speak to me.
reflected by Tam Lontok
To love someone is to think of that person and we raise our minds to remember the One who loves us most. We establish a loving, familiar God, who holds us in the palm of His gentle hand. It is the practice of the presence of God becoming a habitual state of the soul, an openness to the Divine One who surrounds us in our busy lives.
In moments of suffering, it is difficult to see God in our life. We may ask ourselves, “Where is God?” and “Why me?” We overshadow our situations and feelings. We let go and look at our worries. However, we are not alone, Jesus is struggling with us. Nothing goes unnoticed by Him or His Father. Through Jesus’ spirit who is in all of us, we can hope for peace. We must allow ourselves to become vulnerable and trusting of God to see beyond our troubles.
The goal of prayer is not thoughts about God, but a living, breathing encounter with God. It is freely expressing what has deeply moved us and conveying our genuine need for Him. Through our encounters, relationships and daily interactions, we must look for the signs to allow us to find His presence. It can be a phone call, smile or reassuring embrace…God is everywhere. By seeing with our eyes and ears along with an open heart, there becomes a simplification and familiarity with God. In its simplicity, it brings together life and prayer in one unending conversation.
Lord, I am listening…speak to me.
reflected by Tam Lontok
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, 4th Week: Becoming A Place to Meet God
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation … entrusting to us the message of reconciliation [as] ambassadors for Christ ...” - 2 Cor 5:17-19
The word reconciliation literally means "to meet again." The Prodigal father does everything possible so that his two sons would be reconciled - meet again. He leaves the homecoming party for his younger son in order to plead with the older son: "'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: 31-32)
The spiritual life is a coming home to the deepest truth of ourselves as God’s Beloved (see the reflection on March 6, 2010). Moreover, it is a coming home together. We recognize that others, as different or wounded as they are, are likewise God's Beloved. For we belong not only to God, but also to one another.
Mysteriously, God chooses human beings to be the key venue where others can encounter God. For when we care for, accept, or forgive one another, we often experience God's care, acceptance, forgiveness. Without our knowing much of the time, we serve as a bridge, connecting others to God. Despite our limitations, weaknesses, and sins, we are called to become a place where we and others can meet God again.
For much of my life, I've mistakenly thought that forgiveness and reconciliation is an "extra option" of being Christian. Rather, it is essential to the following of Christ. For we are called to come home together. It is not easy to forgive others, to accept forgiveness, or to forgive ourselves. Yet, our hope lies in Christ through whom we are already new creations.
"Lord, who do you invite me 'to meet again'? What aspect of my life needs to be reconciled with you?"
The word reconciliation literally means "to meet again." The Prodigal father does everything possible so that his two sons would be reconciled - meet again. He leaves the homecoming party for his younger son in order to plead with the older son: "'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: 31-32)
The spiritual life is a coming home to the deepest truth of ourselves as God’s Beloved (see the reflection on March 6, 2010). Moreover, it is a coming home together. We recognize that others, as different or wounded as they are, are likewise God's Beloved. For we belong not only to God, but also to one another.
Mysteriously, God chooses human beings to be the key venue where others can encounter God. For when we care for, accept, or forgive one another, we often experience God's care, acceptance, forgiveness. Without our knowing much of the time, we serve as a bridge, connecting others to God. Despite our limitations, weaknesses, and sins, we are called to become a place where we and others can meet God again.
For much of my life, I've mistakenly thought that forgiveness and reconciliation is an "extra option" of being Christian. Rather, it is essential to the following of Christ. For we are called to come home together. It is not easy to forgive others, to accept forgiveness, or to forgive ourselves. Yet, our hope lies in Christ through whom we are already new creations.
"Lord, who do you invite me 'to meet again'? What aspect of my life needs to be reconciled with you?"
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday, 3rd Week: Grounded and Rooted In Love
“‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ … for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Lk 18:13-14
The word “humility” comes from its Latin root “humus” which means “ground” or “dirt.” Whatever humility may mean, it includes the sense of being firmly grounded, of being securely rooted in God’s Love. Saint Teresa of Avila sees humility as accepting the truth about oneself. Accepting the truth about ourselves leads us to two realizations. First, that we are a bound by sinful inclinations: we do not do the things we want to do, yet we do the things we do not want. We are profoundly conflicted and divided within. Second, in crying out to God for mercy and unconditional acceptance, we realize our dignity as Beloved, as prodigal sons and daughters, as those redeemed by Love which embraces and transforms us beyond our sins, inner conflicts, and tendencies toward death. We are continually loved, forgiven, and called into being.
Rooted in Love, we can resist the temptation to let others or our performance determine who we are. We will not cling to the praise and adulation of others or our own sense of accomplishment. Deeply rooted in Love, we can enjoy human praise without being attached to it. We can accept the truth about ourselves with gratitude.
“O Lord, help me to come to a deeper awareness of myself as a sinner, redeemed and Beloved.”
The word “humility” comes from its Latin root “humus” which means “ground” or “dirt.” Whatever humility may mean, it includes the sense of being firmly grounded, of being securely rooted in God’s Love. Saint Teresa of Avila sees humility as accepting the truth about oneself. Accepting the truth about ourselves leads us to two realizations. First, that we are a bound by sinful inclinations: we do not do the things we want to do, yet we do the things we do not want. We are profoundly conflicted and divided within. Second, in crying out to God for mercy and unconditional acceptance, we realize our dignity as Beloved, as prodigal sons and daughters, as those redeemed by Love which embraces and transforms us beyond our sins, inner conflicts, and tendencies toward death. We are continually loved, forgiven, and called into being.
Rooted in Love, we can resist the temptation to let others or our performance determine who we are. We will not cling to the praise and adulation of others or our own sense of accomplishment. Deeply rooted in Love, we can enjoy human praise without being attached to it. We can accept the truth about ourselves with gratitude.
“O Lord, help me to come to a deeper awareness of myself as a sinner, redeemed and Beloved.”
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, 3rd Week: Being Alone With God
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” - Mark 12:30
Hiddenness is an essential quality of the spiritual life. Solitude, silence, ordinary tasks, simply being with people, sleeping, eating, working, playing are facets of life that Jesus lived and invites us to live. It is in hiddenness that we can find a true intimacy with God and a true love for people. Even during his active ministry, Jesus continued to return to hidden places to be alone with God. If we don't have a hidden life with God, our public life for God cannot bear fruit, just as a fruit tree cannot bear fruits unless its roots are grounded in the earth through hiddenness. Like much of in nature which grows in hiddenness and silence, the human spirit grows in hiddenness and silence.
Solitude allows us to be alone with God. There we experience that we belong not to people, not even to those who love us and care for us, but to God and God alone.
“My soul is at rest in God alone, my salvation comes from God.” (Psalm 62:2)
"Resolve to spend some time today alone with God."
adapted from Henri Nouwen
Hiddenness is an essential quality of the spiritual life. Solitude, silence, ordinary tasks, simply being with people, sleeping, eating, working, playing are facets of life that Jesus lived and invites us to live. It is in hiddenness that we can find a true intimacy with God and a true love for people. Even during his active ministry, Jesus continued to return to hidden places to be alone with God. If we don't have a hidden life with God, our public life for God cannot bear fruit, just as a fruit tree cannot bear fruits unless its roots are grounded in the earth through hiddenness. Like much of in nature which grows in hiddenness and silence, the human spirit grows in hiddenness and silence.
Solitude allows us to be alone with God. There we experience that we belong not to people, not even to those who love us and care for us, but to God and God alone.
“My soul is at rest in God alone, my salvation comes from God.” (Psalm 62:2)
"Resolve to spend some time today alone with God."
adapted from Henri Nouwen
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