Day to day Jesus

"And (Jesus) was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white..."

Mark 9:2-3

I don't know about you, but as I imagine Jesus in my day to day life, he isn't dazzling.  The day to day Jesus for me is more the Frances Hook image, the "surfer Jesus."  Jesus looks very human in that image.  It's easier for me to picture Jesus as one of us, a fellow human, instead of a dazzling celestial being.  Why is that, I wonder?  Is it because we relate to fellow humans all our lives so that, naturally, comes easily to us? We tend to fear "out of this world" phenomena and things we don't understand.  So, the three apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus there on the mountain were terrified, we are told. Jesus doesn't want to terrify us. Jesus wants relationship with us, however that can happen for us.  As it happened for the three, Peter, James and John, they witnessed the dazzling Jesus so they could remember later on and recount Jesus' glory for the world to know.  Who is Jesus for you in the day to day life? It may be an enriching prayer to sit there silently with him and find out.  Love, heidi

Leave fear in the boat

..."why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:31

 

Why, indeed, Jesus? Can't you see the wind and the waves tossing us about? When sensible fear finally gets hold of Peter as he is trying to walk on the water to Jesus, he panics.  The Gospel explains, clearly, that it was fear that caused Peter to falter on the water and begin to sink. Fear is the real enemy of faith in all that we do! Fear of rejection keeps us from reaching out and doing something good.  Fear of the unfamiliar may keep us trapped in old, stale ideas about people, thus causing us to judge unjustly.  Fear keeps us in the boat, unable grow, change, or help someone else. But, Jesus is there, hand out-stretched, ready to grab onto us, steady us and lead us forward. Today, whatever keeps us too safe, too inactive, too un-reaching, let us give to God. Let's hold out our hands and allow Jesus to steady us and keep us afloat. Let's leave our fear in the boat.  Love, heidi

Continuous conversion

"Discipleship with Jesus calls for continuous conversion. Continuous."

Sr. Melannie Svoboda, Give Us This Day

 

I spent some lovely time yesterday connecting the dots of the day's three readings and this one sentence from Sr. Melannie said it all to me.  The first reading (Exodus 16:2-4,12-15) with the Israelites grumbling to Moses about needing food, leads to God providing manna for them each day.  The Gospel reading (John 6:24-35) where Jesus identifies himself as the "Bread of Life" is a continued manifestation of God nourishing the people. The second reading, Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24) ties it all together for me. "You should put away the old self of your former way of life...and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self."  As followers of Jesus we are constantly called to be new selves...constantly called to conversion.  One and done doesn't work for discipleship. We are called each day to choose to follow Jesus; to convert to a new way of life. And the connection between the bread of heaven and our conversion? The Bread of Life--Jesus--gives us the nourishment we need for this daily task of conversion. Just like the manna for the Israelites, Jesus in the Eucharist gives us the spiritual food we need to get out there do it all for Jesus each day. New day. Continuous conversion. Bread of Life.  And suddenly, it's Monday. Love, heidi

Decided with love

"The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets..."

Matthew 13:47

 

This complete reading could scare the pants right off anyone, but the reassuring part of it is:  At least human beings aren't making the Big Decision of who is good and who isn't! Verse 49 tells us that "the angels" will separate the wicked from the righteous.  Assuming that the angels will take their cue from God, the decisions will be Divine, not based on what humans deem good or bad. God will look into a person's heart--the same heart God created--and see the person as they really are.  With the love of a parent for a child, Creator for the one created, God will decide.  And what a relief that is!  Love, heidi

Radiant with love...

"As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord."

Exodus 34:29

 

After an "encounter" with the Lord while at the Hermitage or any other kind of retreat, I wonder if I actually look different? I sure feel different! One cannot help but be changed after encountering God.  It may show up on our faces, but, more importantly, it needs to be reflected in our actions.  Consider Martha, whose feast day is today.  Martha gave powerful testimony when Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus's death. "Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God..." (John 11:27) Can you imagine how radiant her face was as she spoke? And that was before Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb! Encounters with God aren't just old bible stories we read and ponder, Friends! Each and every one of us can encounter God powerfully in the midst of our everyday lives. Sometimes, it's while we are quietly spending time with God alone, other times it's while we are showing hospitality to Jesus by serving others. And each time, we radiate God's love from the inside out.  Love, heidi

More than enough

 "Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?'”

John 6:9

 

Yesterday, reflecting on this reading, I re-read the chapter in "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" by James Martin SJ (chapter 15--Tabgha--if you want to give it a go). It refreshed the wonderful gift of the multiplication of the loaves and fish we heard proclaimed from the Gospel of St. John.  Jesus is always so willing to multiply our meager efforts for the greater good.  We may feel inadequate, ill-equipped, and just not able to give what is needed in any situation, but our efforts, combined with God's grace can make a difference in the world. Like the little boy in this Gospel, we just need to offer our loaves and fish to Jesus and Jesus will multiple them to meet the need.  Lord, I feel very inadequate as I set out this Monday morning.  I struggle so with Mondays (as you know!), I'm a bit tired after not-enough sleep and my technology inadequacies challenge me every day.  But I offer you my meager loaves and fish for you to multiply and meet the needs of all I meet today--my clients, strangers and friends I will encounter.  I feel like I come with a rather empty basket of goods, but, in your hands, it can be more than enough.  Thank you, Jesus!  Love, heidi