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

Recognizing healing

"And one of them, realizing that he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice..."

Luke 17:15

Most often this reading calls us to express our gratitude, but it hit me a bit differently this morning.  I see the one returning leper as a person who has the ability to recognize he is changed after his encounter with Jesus.  In their haste to follow Jesus' instructions to show themselves to the priest, the other lepers were caught up in that--following the instructions, doing it as Jesus had said.  They may have been so involved in that it took them a while to realize the healing that had taken place as they hurried along.  The healings in our lives may be much more subtle than these, certainly.  But, after struggling with a difficulty for a while, it may take us a while to notice we no longer feel the painful twinge or we may feel more compassion for someone who hurt us. We may finally recognize that a healing has taken place within us. 

Khaled Hosseini, the author of "The Kite Runner," expressed it so well in his book, when one of the characters suddenly realized he had gotten over a terrible wrong done to him many years before.  "I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night." (Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner)

Isn't that amazing?  Today, let's spend some time with Jesus, taking stock of all the healing God has brought to our lives and give thanks.  Love, heidi

Of veterans and founders and worldly desires...

"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires..."

Titus 2:11-12

Yada, yada, yada...but I have a 30% off coupon at Kohl's starting today!  I have a confession to make.  I was sitting, doing my prayer time when suddenly I reached over to grab a pen to jot down the things I want to look for while shopping today.  I stopped short, suddenly seeing Jesus looking at me, shaking his head and chuckling..."Seriously, heidi? Do you have to do that now?"  I laughed with him, defending myself by saying I have a bag in the car for donations and I just need a few things and besides, I have a coupon! Sometimes I wonder how Jesus puts up with me.  But then I realize that Jesus knows all about being human because he was human; a sinless human, but still. Jesus was not a fuddy duddy, stick-in-the-mud Pharisee type human either.  Jesus had friends and laughed and celebrated at parties.  And, who knows, maybe Jesus shopped for a new tunic a time or two.   Jesus delights in us, even as he may shake his head and chuckle to himself at our antics.  Thank you to all veterans, here and beyond. And happy Founder's Day to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth!  Love, heidi

True forgiveness

"And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him."

Luke 17:4

 

No question about it, I think the person who benefits more from forgiveness is the forgiver.  The person forgiven may not even be aware of the forgiveness, but the forgiver certainly is aware.  Once that cloud is lifted, the forgiver feels lighter, more alive.  As long as the forgiver doesn't hold onto a grudge, he or she can move forward.  But grudge-holding means no forgiveness has taken place. There may be an illusion of forgiveness but true forgivers don't hold grudges.  I think we decide to forgive and, once that decision is made, God gifts us with a heart to actually forgive.  Forgiveness can be so difficult that it only can come from God, once our desire is there.  Is there anyone we need to forgive this autumn day?  Let's take the question to God and give God our desire to forgive.  God will turn that into forgiveness in our hearts.  Love, heidi