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We can look at this Gospel Story as nice Story telling something Jesus did long ago. We can also look at it as something Jesus is offering to do now in us and in our life. But, are we even interested in Jesus doing something like this in us? Are we aware that we even need it? Or are we content to keep Jesus as we already know him, to hear his words as we have always heard them?
A worthwhile question is am I really open and willing to grow, to learn, to let Jesus take me aside from time to time so I can come to know him in a new and perhaps deeper way in my life? This might involve taking a chance and letting the Spirit take me beyond where I feel comfortable, safe, and in control. It’s nice to have Jesus as a concept or idea of someone who was/is far away, something we believe because we always have and never really questioned. It’s a bit risky to say, “yes, but”, “I don’t know”, are you saying something to me?”, and be open to whatever come and wherever it takes me even if it does not mesh with what I already think.
Am I willing to let Jesus out of my head and into my heart in my life as it really is, to face the reality that I need my ears to be opened? Can I ask for help without saying what kind of help I will or will not accept? Am I open to seeing the Gospel Stories as not just about the past or as “proof texts” to solidify what I already think I believe, but as Stories offering insight to my life as it really is now and invitations to go out and go deeper into the reality of Christ in my life? Am I open to knowing Christ happening continually in and around me in ways that once I would not have accepted or believed because they were not what I expected. Am I open to knowing Christ not just as an idea, but as experience?
Basically, am I ready and trusting enough to be surprised?
Sherri wrote this:
Here are my thoughts: I believe religion is base foundation of beliefs. It is a communication tool for prayer. While Christians all believe in Jesus. Now how we understand the life of Jesus, how we pray and what we get out of it is very individualized. For me Catholicism is the best way for me to communicate understand and believe. That’s not to say it’s the “only”religion. There are some man made laws that while may be important I think are skewed in today’s times. Like if you eat meat on Friday’s during lent you’ll go to hell. But for me, it’s something I feel like it makes lent special for me. Some religions don’t believe in praying to Mary or saints. Does that mean their belief is any less in Jesus? No nor does it mean that by praying to Mary or the Saints Catholics are wrong. Once again, religion allows us a foundation and vehicle if you to communicate the God. Each person needs to decide which religion is going to provide them with the most fulfilling outcome to bring the close to God.Sherri wrote this as a response to a comment: Sherri Buck
AuthorThanks ****. I will take it with caution. However, This quote had nothing to do with my belief. I also believe Jesus is the truth. I guess my thoughts were more toward the fact of if you are sitting in church, wondering why you’re there and walk out saying “that’s it?” Then maybe you need to look for a different religion that is going to get you to the point that you believe Jesus is the truth. I don’t always agree with the homilys and I have heard other pastors, and preachers and have walked away saying “Wow- that really resonated with me!” I don’t idolize my religion nor do I idolize those who speak. I listen for Jesus talking to me, the message is there. For me if I don’t walk away saying the homily, made me feel closer to Jesus, I can definitely say the Eucharist did. I pray that everyone gets that connection no matter what religion they are.
Sherri and Steve, I’d be interested to know what you think of this:
“True religion is not about possessing the truth. No religion does that. It is rather an invitation into a journey that leads one toward the mystery of God. Idolatry is religion pretending that it has all the answers”. John Shelby Spong.
Sherri, lots of wisdom in what you wrote. You are well grounded, and your prayer is connected to your real life.
The part of the Story where the man’s friends bring him to Jesus might suggest that we learn to encounter Jesus from the people in our in life — when and if we are open to this and ready to be surprised.
The part of the Story where Jesus takes the man aside and goes off a ways to be alone with him might suggest what Jesus does with us when we give him the opportunity in our own life.
Wonder how this would fly on the Teen Renewal page.
“True religion is not about possessing the truth. No religion does that. It is rather an invitation into a journey that leads one toward the mystery of God. Idolatry is religion pretending that it has all the answers”. John Shelby Spong.
While keeping the “rules” is important in varying degrees, ever more important is our fundamental role as followers of Jesus of being open to the Spirit for ongoing conversion, of learning what it is to follow Jesus in our own circumstances. Everything in our tradition has for its purpose leading us to this conversion and to encounter Christ in our everyday life.
The Marines, Sailor, and Soldier who were KIA this week were living for something beyond their own comfort and convenience, a cause beyond themselves. Jesus said that what comes from our hearts — our values — are what defile us or improve us. Our values show us who we really are. As we take a serious look at our values we come to know ourselves better. When we are open to the Spirit and to conversion, what seems to happen is a change in the values we use to make our choices and decisions. When we focus on keeping all the rules, the emphasis is on us and what we do, and it puts us in the position of thinking we can judge others. Being open to the Spirit puts the emphasis on God and our openness to conversion. The rules keep everything neat and orderly in our minds, but as we know, life is not neat and orderly, and the Spirit happens in real life as it is. Being open to conversion leads to doubt, uncertainty, questioning, and growth.
In the Gospel Story Jesus says of the Pharisees that they are “teaching as doctrines human precepts”. That sort of thing is still going on today in many versions of Christianity, include the Roman Catholic version.
There have been and are instances of preachers telling their people that God wants them to vote for or against certain candidates or issues, that it is an offense against God to wear a mask or get the vaccine, etc. In the Roman Catholic version of Christianity there are any number of laws that seem to have little if anything to do with God and more about maintaining good order in the church by keeping the people “in line”, including, but not limited to, declaring that certain persons created in the image and likeness of God (one of our basic doctrines) are “intrinsically disordered”; the way the system treats folks whose marriages have failed (some marriages between good people do fail) and marry again, and are prevented by the institutional system from sharing fully in Eucharist. Also, the way women who become pregnant outside of marriage are treated. There seems to be an excessive preoccupation with the genital aspects of sex.
Pope Francis is working to get rid of the clericalism built into the system by celibate male priests who for centuries have been making and enforcing the rules.
The institution seems to equate doing our best to follow Jesus with keeping all its rules and regulations, saying, in effect, if you want to get to God you have to go through us. Memorize the catechism, follow to the letter canon and liturgical laws and you will make God happy.
None of this comes from God. Jesus never did anything like this.
Each of us sees God, or has an image of God, in our own way. Whatever our image is, it is not God, but is our attempt to know God in our own story, our own everyday life. It is the only place we can be, and the only place we can take the next step on our journey in God. The Spirit would lead us well beyond our comfort zones if we let Her do it, and at times this really can be difficult. God doesn’t change, but our insight into and awareness of God does change, if we take the chance and let it.
The Gospel speaks to us through the filter of, or in the setting of, whatever is going on in our life when we red or hear it.
In the Story the people were having trouble believing in what Jesus was saying because what he was saying did not fit in with the way they saw things. His words were a threat to their own comfort and convenience.
Among the things going on in our lives this week is the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan. In varying ways most of us are concerned about this for any number of reasons. Very few of us have any skin in the game. We feel free to criticize anybody based on our own personal feelings, political affiliations, or whatever. It’s mostly a theoretical operation. The folks involved in all sides over there are created in the image and likeness of God just as we are. How Jesus lived and what he taught should make us at least a bit uneasy. “It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.” The Gospel is not concerned with our political notions or our own comfort. It is concerned with what we are called to do, which we find out in prayer.
The people in the Story did not want to be taken out of their comfort and convenience. Most times I’m not sure I want to either. I like thinking I know, and most times it’s easier to think than to take action. It bothers me when I don’t know. While I talk about open trust, I find it very hard to live this way. As I get older I find I am protective of my own comfort and convenience, probably much too much. I’m still trying to figure out what it means for me to live as a disciple of Christ.
I was at dinner with some wonderful folks last evening — a Viet Nam Veteran, his wonderfully amazing wife, and a survivor of catholic schools. We had some stimulating discussion along with great food. We all had our differing views of the Gospel and “Life Force” which were much more alike than different. My question is what is the Spirit trying to teach me in all this.
I don’t think I’d walk away, except from the silliness and meanness of the institutional system, and I think and hope that I’ve left that part of it already. I really believe “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” I’d just like to know what those words are and what they mean for me at this time of my life.
Perhaps we might look at what prayer is for us. There are probably as many understandings of prayer as there are persons who pray. For me prayer is a relationship, an ongoing conversation that happens in varying degrees. Right now is one of those times when this is especially true. Often it is hard to describe but easy to experience.
After her prayer experience of what we call the Annunciation, Mary journeyed to Elizabeth, as we hear in the Story. I wonder where my prayer will move me to journey next. While I believe that prayer moves us to where and to whom we need to be, sometimes I wish it would not happen. Prayer involves, at least for me, a journey of letting go, of moving beyond my comfort zone. Sometimes I would like to just stay comfortable.
Then there is the pervading issue of doubting and questioning while things are actually happening — am I doing the “right thing” here? Do I really want to get involved? Does anybody really care what I think? IMHO these reflect healthy questioning.
I have a friend who is doing something-or-other in the US Embassy in Kabul. The news isn’t good, and all I can do is prayer as an attitude. I know prayer is important to him too.
I am also praying about my homily for mass this evening. I’ve been working on it for days, and today for hours sitting on my balcony since sunup. I have no idea what I am going to say. I am also wondering whether or not to go downstairs for bagels and donuts with some of the other residents.
Prayer is a relationship that happens in the setting of everything that is going on in my life at any given time. And I do believe that the Lord’s words to me will be fulfilled, whatever those words are, and I really don’t know what they are.
I’m taking a chance writing this for 2 of my former “students”. Not sure why, but it seems right. I’ll probably share this with a few others,too. Again, I’m not sure why.
Yes to what is, I think.
Lots of one-liners kept popping up with this Story during the week, pretty much depending on what was going on at the time. It was an involved week, especially with calls to the ICU.
Prayer has always been an important part of my life, and it has always been a developing process, always changing. So much of my journey has led me, often kicking and screaming, to people I did not want to be with and situations I did not want to be in. Yet, in retrospect, that was where I had to be for any number of reasons.
In the Story Elizabeth praises Mary for believing the Lord’s word to her would be fulfilled. Often I believed, and at times I kinda still do, that I did not deserve to have my prayers answered. Yet, again in retrospect, my prayers have changed me rather than whatever or whomever I was praying about. The mere fact that I am writing this now shows this.
Prayer has brought me to difficulties, and also through them. There has been a lot of letting go of what I want, of getting my way, and it has become less and less important. This might be a function of age.
As the Story shows, prayer always involves other people, often whether I wanted it to or not. Often, not always, things have been tough. At times God has been real, at other times not so much.
There is no doubt that one of the filters through which I process life is Viet Nam. Some things that happened there changed me significantly, and I am still dealing with them, sometimes more than others. It’s not all bad. There are some things I learned there that are positive and that I don’t want to forget, and I am a better person because of them. Prayer was very much a part of my life there, and it underwent great changes, for which I am grateful.
What seems to be the “takeaway” from the Story, at least for right now, is that down deep I do believe that the Lord’s words to me are being fulfilled. Not because I deserve it, but because God is being God in my life, and perhaps I can help others to see God being God in their life.
Came across an interesting website just now, perhaps in the context of what I’ve been writing: https://www.nightbirde.co/ Definitely worth looking at.
Steve, some very good writing there. It shows you are taking all this very seriously. You might go a little easier on yourself, though. You reflect God being God in a way that no one else can.
As Paul says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. She gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. She gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. She alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11,28.
Go at your own pace, and keep trying to be open to the Spirit however the Spirit is working in your life. All our gifts, whatever they are, happen for the common good, kind of like the Badge, which exists for the public safety and not for the comfort and convenience of the one who wears it, as you already know so well.
You have tremendous gifts, and it might take a while for you to recognize them. Others already see them. Don’t compare yourself to anybody else. Your best gift is just being you as best you can, and being open to the Spirit in everything and going wherever this takes you.
Sherri, this new way of thinking offers you a hint of what it’s like when the Spirit speaks to you in your life through the Scriptures. I would guess that you might have been a bit surprised how those thoughts came and where they took you. Being ready to be surprised is pretty necessary when we are trying to be open to the Spirit, especially with the Scriptures.It gets better, and, at times, more difficult and challenging. Definitely worth it.
