Who is Jesus?

"The challenge, so keenly put in the New Testament, 'Who do you say that I am?' is addressed to each of us. Who is the Jesus of you own interiority? Describe the Christ that you have personally encountered on the grounds of your own self."
Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

One thing that jumps out at me when I think of my personal encounters with Jesus, is that Jesus had time for me. So often, when meeting with people of importance, you get a snippet or two of their time and that is all. Especially our dear, over-worked clergy have so many people to care for they may only have time for the Bless-n-Run. But, when I had a personal encounter with Jesus during a time of deep meditation, he had all the time in the world for me, and that stood out in my mind. I remember chuckling later...as busy as Jesus must be, and he lingered with me! And, that he does, Friends. Jesus longs to linger with us, hear about our day, comfort us and boost us up so we can get out there and do it again tomorrow. So, the great question today..."Who do you say that I am?" Who is Jesus in your day, in your world? Good for a ponder...love, heidi

In our midst

"Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread."
Luke 24:35

We all can look back and see that we've had these Emmaus Road experiences on our journey. We may have them continually, and marvel each time we recognize Jesus in our daily life. I can think back, though, very specifically to 1998 and the Cursillo, where this scripture truly came alive for me and I recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. I had been a believer as long as I could remember, but it was a deeply true recognition that it was Jesus and he was here with me, and would always be here with me. It was such a turning-point in my journey! Today, let's spend some time, quietly alone with Jesus, and recall the times we recognized Jesus in our own lives...in the breaking of the bread, or in the laughter of a friend, or in the arm around our shoulder when we were struggling. Jesus is in our midst every minute of every day...let's not miss him! Love, heidi

Move that stone!

"Resurrected life cannot be contained in a tomb..."
Homily from Easter Sunday mass

This jumped out at me on Easter morning. Our lives of dying and rising with Jesus cannot be hidden behind a big rock, invisible. It goes back to Jesus saying that we are the city on a hill, the lamp on the lamp-stand, the salt of the earth. We need to live differently! How does that manifest itself in our work-a-day world? If we live like Jesus we are kind, like Jesus. We are gentle and healing toward others, like Jesus. We are inclusive, like Jesus. We reach out and give to those who have less. We forgive and ask forgiveness. We lead lives of humble service. And we accept that the world may not understand us. The world certainly didn't understand Jesus, and yet, it is Jesus is we are asked to follow. Today, let's think about our lives outside the tomb! Our Easter joy cannot be contained behind a rock. We need to live our joy and share it! Love, heidi

He is risen!

"O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night..."
Matt Maher, "Christ is Risen"

After such a magnificent Holy Week, Holy Triduum, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, I can only add "Thank you, God!" Our loving God has defeated the night...death has no hold on us! One of the most valuable lessons of this Lent, for me, is that God is with us in our sorrows and sadness. And our lesson for Easter is that God rejoices with us in our joy! Hooray for Easter! Hooray for God! Love, heidi