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Soul Walking:
thoughts on the Sunday scripture readings by MCC
(friend of the Srs. of St. Clare)
Mostly, updated weekly
April 27, 2008
Sunday Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21.
The Face in the Mirror
As I thought about the readings for the Sunday of April 27th, the gospel stirred up in me a surprising smile. How many times have you heard others, or perhaps have said to yourself, "I couldn't believe it, I looked in the mirror today and I saw my Mom/my Dad starring back at me! When did that happened?"
Often time this comment sets the speaker on a discourse about growing older and when did their parent start showing up in the mirror? Sometimes a friend or family member will say to us, you sound just like your __________ fill in the blank. Personally I don't see my parents in my physical looks, but I have heard my mom's words or laugh roll out of my mouth. Again depending on our comfort with ourselves or our family member we will greet these appearances in different ways.
In the gospel from April 27th Jesus is trying to give his disciples clues on what to look for after He leaves them to return to His Father.
"But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
Imagine what it must have been like for those disciples to encounter the Risen One in the actions and words that followed the coming of the Spirit! Imagine what our potential is with that same spirit to become the Face of the Living God! Just imagine looking into the mirror tomorrow and seeing the face of Christ looking back at you! Just imagine...
April 20, 2008
Sunday Readings: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12.
God's Prism
A few years ago I was asked to do a funeral/celebration of life worship service for a patient. She was an amazing woman who others would describe as dynamic, an activist, faith filled and very human. Her family said that others saw her as an amazing woman who was a fine prism for God's light to shine through. The hard thing about the story of this amazing woman is that she never saw herself as good enough. Never was able to acknowledge the vehicle she was for God's presence in the here and now.
As we talked about the patient's death and God calling her home to "that place" prepared for her, the family thought for the first time their mother would know the full love of God. Her doubts would be dismissed for good and she would know that she was filled with God's light. This for them was very comforting. When we chose the reading from John 14:1-4 the family was appreciative of the surety of its message.
In this gospel reading from John 14:1-14, Jesus addresses his disciples' fear about what is going to happen next, what could they count on, and once again tells his disciples to trust that there is no need to fear or worry about the next place.
Like the disciples and my patient it is easy to be afraid and unsure of what is around the corner. It is easy to question whether we are "good enough" to be counted as one that Jesus goes to prepare a place for or ready enough to experience the full grace and power of the Holy Spirit. For many it is easier to claim who we aren't rather than who we are.
As we reflect on the gospel for April 20th let us expand the invitation of Jesus as not being limited until we die. Let us embrace our call as Christians to be in the fullness of that presence now, let us live in the Kingdom that is at hand. Empowered by the Holy Spirit to be embraced by a loving God, who has no need to wait until this life is over in order for us to be filled by His love and welcomed home.
My patient's family was grateful that their mom would know that God's complete love in a way that her personal view of not being "good enough" seem to keep her from experiencing that full love in this life.
Let us dare to live and breathe today the assuring words of Jesus that he has prepared a place for us. Here and now, let us not wait for the next place in order to know the fullness of that joy!
April 6, 2008
Sunday Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35.
Roadside Conversations
As I read the gospel of April 6th I wondered, "What were the niceties that the people shared at the time that this was happening, as it pertained to road etiquette?" Was it a common happening that a stranger would join the "already in process" conversations of two others?
Were the disciples initially put off that this stranger not only joined their conversation, but appeared initially to be clueless about what had gone on in Jerusalem? How did the stranger know when to insert the key stories from the Torah and writings of the prophets as a tool to drop the disciples into the rich past which prophesied the events of the last days?
Then I think about myself, how open am I to complete strangers impacting my conversations that are very important to my daily life? I have to be honest, I don't think I be so open initially to a stranger butting into a conversation like this. Yet in reflecting about this conversation that took place back in antiquity, I think that the Risen Christ does break into our confusion with unexpected angels.
This week, it is my opportunity to broaden my heart to be open to the unexpected Christ who appears on my road to Emmaus.