Honor the sacred

"Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things..."

Luke 19:45

 

Several things about this reading popped into my head as I read it this morning. I often think of this reading when pondering Jesus' humanity.  "Jesus was a real human being--look how angry he got in the temple!" I often think. I picture him turning over the tables and see him consumed with righteous anger over what was happening there.  What was happening there?  People were buying and selling.  Commerce was happening.  People needed to purchase birds and other animals for their temple sacrifices and other people were making a buck providing them for purchase.  What's so wrong about that? I remember hearing a homily that explained people selling were taking advantage of the "buyers." If people were being mistreated in this process of buying and selling it is easy to understand Jesus' anger. What does it mean for us, today?  What is Jesus teaching us?  I think it is it is be reverent and aware of all that is sacred...and that includes other human beings.  God's house is sacred and so are God's people.  Love God and love each other...always the message of Jesus!  Love, heidi

Leave it on the ground...

"So (Zacchaeus) ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way."

Luke 19:4

 

I always love the story of Zacchaeus because it calls to mind a little cartoon character guy (like maybe the Boras character in the Bullwinkle cartoon--remember him?).  Besides providing an entertaining visual, though, the story is one of letting go and letting God.  Zacchaeus let go of his dignity and pride and let Jesus welcome him, by interestingly, welcoming Jesus. It also illustrates that Jesus came and surprised everyone.  He invited himself to a party at Zacchaeus' house and that shocked all present. No one can put God in a box because they have God all figured out.  Jesus sure showed us that!  So, Zacchaeus threw off his dignity and pride, climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus, then completely turned his life around.  It can be done! And we can never underestimate the power of Jesus to change us.  What can we let go of today to catch a better glimpse of Jesus? Pride? Anger? Feelings of unworthiness? Whatever they are, let's leave them on the ground and climb a tree!  Love, heidi

Ask not, what Jesus can do for you...

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Luke 18:41

 

It's so easy for me to write about this passage! I had such a powerful experience praying with it while on retreat over a year ago and it still rings in my heart. Jesus asks us constantly, just as he asked the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" But today, while praying with it, a little different twist popped into my head.  Today I thought, "What do you, Jesus, want ME to do for YOU?"  I realized that I had wonderful Jesus Time over the weekend, and that time leads me to want to do what Jesus would have me do, not as much the other way around.  As it happens, my calendar is full of opportunities today to serve Jesus' people.  Please help me to do with your love today, Jesus! Love, heidi