Daily - 4/10/09

Isaiah 55:1-11

1 All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!

2 Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.

3 Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.

4 As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations,

5 So shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, Because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.

7 Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

10 For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats,

11 So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it
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This is from the Easter Vigil, something like the 24th reading. (Just kidding, Msgr.) I love this passage. I'll just give some quick thoughts:

- Come to the water. Christ is the living water, the water of baptism, of cleansing, of spiritual rebirth.

- Come. It's free. Don't waste your time and money on useless things, or poor imitations. Come to Him, and delight in rich fare.

- The gates of heaven will open to all, both Jews and Gentiles.

- Seek the Lord while he may be found. We only are given a certain amount of time. We are reminded to use that time well, while we still have it. He is generous and forgiving -- come to Him.

- v8 - 9: I laughed out loud when I saw this. In yesterday's message, I said that I don't think I'll ever really understand why the plan of salvation had to work the way it did. God's answer is right here, and it's the EXACT same answer he gave to Job. "Matt, you may think you're smart, but my ways are above yours, and my thoughts are above yours. So give it up, dude."

- v10-11: The Word of God has a life of it's own. It rains upon the world, and it does not return void. It WILL achieve the end for which it was sent.

Daily - 4/9/09

Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-12 (Good Friday, first reading)

Chapter 52
13 See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.

14 Even as many were amazed at him-- so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals--

15 So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Chapter 53

1 Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him.

3 He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

4 Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

6 We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.

7 Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.

8 Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people,

9 A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.

10 (But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.) If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

11 Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

12 Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.
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This probably the most quoted part of the Song of the Suffering Servant, and it clearly lays out Christ's purpose.

It took me until I was 32 years old to even begin to think about WHY Christ had to die. I knew the words "for our sake he was crucified," but I had no grasp of why that had to be. Why he had to come, why he had to live the life he lived, and why He had to die. Truthfully, there's a part of me that will never understand why that all had to come to pass in this fashion.

Regardless of my ability to understand it, Christ came for a purpose. Every gift he had was made for that purpose. He lived his whole life toward that purpose, beginning to end. Everything he did was focused on that purpose.

Lately I've been reading "Introduction to the Devout Life" by St. Francis de Sales, and it spends some time talking about how we as individuals can apply that to our own life. Here's how the thinking goes:

- Consider your strengths, gifts, talents, etc.
- Understand that they came from God, NOT me
- Be thankful for those gifts
- Realize that God gave them to you for a purpose
- Use them for their intended purpose

I've just started taking the time to go through this mental process. The first thing I can say is that it's humbling. The second thing I can say is that it is life changing. It really forces you to think. What am I good at? God made me this way ... have I thanked Him? WHY has God made me this way, and given me the gifts that He has?

And here's the life-changer ... am I using this gift the way God wants me to?

Daily - 4/8/09

John 13:1-15 (Holy Thursday gospel)

1 Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper,

3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?"

7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."

8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."

9 Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."

10 Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all."

11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."

12 So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?

13 You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.

14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.

15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
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v15: "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

Between yesterday's passage from the Song of the Suffering Servant and this passage that is so cherished by all of us, we have a very concise description of the model that Christ gives us to follow:

- Give up control completely to God

- Listen to Him and understand His will

- Rely on Him completely, and ask His help in everything we do

- Serve others with humility

As my grad school advisor used to say, "Piece of cake. Now get to work!"

Daily - 4/7/09

Isaiah 50:4-9a (Wednesday's First Reading)

4 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;

5 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.

6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

7 The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me.

9 See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?
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This was also the first reading on Palm Sunday.

The Suffering Servant describes His relationship with God. He is fully aware of that his gifts come completely from God. His mission is one of teaching, healing, and humility. He knows he will face extreme challenges, and he does so without complaining, and without letting his pride control his actions. He relies on the Lord, and only the Lord, for help.

As v4 says, the Servant relies on God every morning to open his ear that He may hear. This is the model for us. If we are willing to give up control and rely on God completely, He will take care of us. How many of us ask God every day to open our ears that we may hear, and ask Him to give us a well-trained tongue so we can comfort the weary?

Here's the trick, though. We must come to God in humility. It is when we are weak, that we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). How many of us can even approach Christ's example of humility? Not many, but I do know this for certain: we are called to try. If we submit our pride to God, he will transform us over time. God makes all of this possible for us.

Daily - 4/6/09

Isaiah 49:1-12 (Tuesday's 1st reading)

1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name.

2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me.

3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory.

4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God.

5 For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!

6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

7 Thus says the LORD, the redeemer and the Holy One of Israel, To the one despised, whom the nations abhor, the slave of rulers: When kings see you, they shall stand up, and princes shall prostrate themselves Because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.

8 Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you, To restore the land and allot the desolate heritages,

9 Saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be.

10 They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water.

11 I will cut a road through all my mountains, and make my highways level.

12 See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land of Syene.

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I'm leaving the gospels today because I want to touch on the readings we see from Isaiah this week. Isaiah chapters 49, 50, 51, and 53 are known as the Song of the Suffering Servant. These four passages, written 700+ years before Jesus was born, describe the role of Jesus (the servant) in the history of salvation. These four chapters are truly the great connector between the Old Testament and the New. They are worth the read.

The song opens with the servant speaking. The servant is Jesus, and immediately we see his purpose. He describes Himself as a sharp edged sword, which is the very same imagery used to describe the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17. Jesus is the Word Incarnate, the sharp sword of God, and as v3 says, He is the servant through whom God shows his glory.

Daily - 4/3/09

John 11:46-56

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, "What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs.

48 If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation."

49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing,

50 nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish."

51 He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,

52 and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

53 So from that day on they planned to kill him.

54 So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves.

56 They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?"
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We've moved on from winter to spring, just before Passover. Verses 1-45 describe the seventh and last sign of John's gospel, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This reading describes the immediate aftermath.

The Pharisees have tried to kill Jesus before, and weren't able to do it on their own. Jesus has too many followers now, and if things go on as they are going, they will lose control of their people. THAT means that the Romans will have to tighten their grip to maintain order, and the Pharisees will lose their status and their property. They can't let that happen.

They convene the Sanhedrin, which was the ancient supreme court of the Jews. The Sanhedrin consisted of 71 members, and most think that the high priest (Caiaphas at the time) served as President. The decision is made.

A couple of things I've always been amazed with at this passage:

1. The response of the Sanhedrin. Jesus just raised a man from the dead, in public. They know that he has "performed many miracles." Yet still, even now, they are blind to his true nature.

2. The prophecy of Caiaphas. How is it that prophecy comes from a wicked man? Here's an answer from better minds than mine -- St. John Chrysostom (347 - 407 A.D.), and a clarification from St. Augustine (354 - 430 A.D.) -- two Doctors of the Church.

CHRYSOSTOM. See the great virtue of the Holy Spirit, in drawing forth a prophecy from a wicked man. And see too the virtue of the pontifical office, which made him, though an unworthy High Priest, unconsciously prophesy. Divine grace only used his mouth; it touched not his corrupt heart.

AUGUSTINE. Caiaphas prophesied of the Jewish nation alone; in which nation were the sheep, of which our Lord says, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But the Evangelist knew that there were other sheep, not of this fold, which were to be brought in, and therefore adds, And not for that nation only, but also that He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad; i.e. those who were predestined to be so: for as yet there were neither sheep, nor children of God.

Daily - 4/2/09

John 10:31-42 (Friday's gospel)

31 The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?"

33 The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God."

34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'?

35 If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside,

36 can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

37 If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me;

38 but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize (and understand) that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

39 (Then) they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.

40 He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.

41 Many came to him and said, "John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true."

42 And many there began to believe in him.
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Today we move from the end of John 8 to the middle of John 10, moving ahead a couple of months. I highly recommend reading John 9 and the first half of 10 to fill in the gaps in the story. As today's reading begins, we've got guys picking up rocks again. If we back up a few verses we can see why.

22 The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.

23 And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.

24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

25 Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.

26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.

30 The Father and I are one."

Christ is asked point blank if he is the Messiah. His answer is consistent with what we say in John 8 -- his actions have told them the answer. Christ has healed the blind, healed the sick, and raised the dead (he's already done it once in John, and we haven't gotten to Lazarus yet). These were all Old Testament prophecies of the works of the Messiah.

Christ told them by his actions and his divine teaching. He didn't ask them to take his word for it -- he SHOWED them. By his fruit, he is known.

Lent is a time for us to examine ourselves in this way, and return to the Redeemer. By OUR fruits we are known. One way to monitor your own daily walk is to look at your fruits. If they aren't the fruits of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) -- something might be off-kilter.

What do we do then? Back to the basics -- prayer, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist

Daily - 4/1/09

John 8:51-59 - Thursday's Gospel

51 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death."

52 (So) the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.'

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?"

54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'

55 You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word.

56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.

57 So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?"

58 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM."

59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
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Wednesday's reading left off at John 8:42, so we have a small gap before today's gospel starts. A key verse from this gap is John 8:44.

44 You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

So far in John 8, we have seen Jesus claim the following:

- The name "I AM"
- That the Pharisees do not know God
- That they do knot know the truth
- That they are liars
- That they are sons of the devil "from the beginning."

In today's reading he claims:

- To have the words of eternal life
- That God himself is his father
- That he has seen Abraham
- That he existed before Abraham came to be
- Once again, the name "I AM"

We've been looking at this dialogue in small chunks, but it really helps to step back and imagine the highly confrontational scene. John 8 occurs in Jerusalem, right at the completion of the Feast of the Tabernacles, which typically occurs toward the end of October. This is one of the three feasts (the other two are Atonement and Passover) where Jews within a certain radius were required to come to Jerusalem.

This dialogue occurs in a public setting, with at least some of the crowds still in town. The people he confronts were in all likelihood the most visible and honored people at the Feast. All eyes had been on THEM, in their flowing robes, sitting at the seats of honor. Into this mix comes Jesus, making a series of unprecedented claims. Among which are (to them) a blasphemous claim of divinity, and that THEY are liars, and that they come from the devil!

Think of it from the Pharisitical perspective. This man is a direct challenge to your life and your livelihood. How would you take this?

Daily - 3/31/09

John 8:31-42 (Wednesday's Gospel)

31 Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?"

34 Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

35 A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.

36 So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free.

37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.

38 I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."

39 They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.

40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this.

41 You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God."

42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.
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This continues directly from the dialogue in yesterday's message.Clearly Jesus has their heads spinning. He's talked about being from a completely different world, he's identified himself as "I AM", and now he tells them that they do not know the truth, and they are not free.

Their reaction is along the lines of "How dare you!" They are the sons of Abraham, and the current leaders of Israel. How can he claim they aren't free? (Roman rule apparently notwithstanding ...)

Just like in the passage from yesterday ("You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world") Christ draws a distinction between the physical and spiritual worlds. Certainly the Pharisees are physical descendants of Abraham. However, every bit as certainly, they are not spiritual descendants of Abraham, because they aren't able to recognize Jesus for what he truly was.

Of course, this makes them even more mad. More on that tomorrow.

PS: I've discussed verses 31 and 32 before, so I left them them alone today. However, in my opinion they're important to understand to grow spiritually. Here's a refresher.

http://matt-lifeinthespirit.blogspot.com/2009/01/daily-11909.html

Daily - 3/30/09

John 8:21-30 - Tuesday's gospel

21 He said to them again, "I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come."

22 So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?"

23 He said to them, "You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.

24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."

25 So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning.

26 I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world."

27 They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.

28 So Jesus said (to them), "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me.

29 The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him."

30 Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.
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In this week before Palm Sunday, the gospels continue the march to Jerusalem with readings from the series of conflicts with the Pharisees. These occur in the most detail in John.
There's a lot to say about this passage, but I'm going to focus on verses 23 and 24.

In 23, Christ tells the Pharisees that they literally are from two different worlds. Chirst is from above, and they are from below. He's claiming his divine nature here. He's just told them that he's going somewhere they cannot come -- this is a reference to returning to the right hand of the Father. His world is spirit, theirs is flesh.

In 24, Christ uses the term "I AM" to describe himself. In Hebrew, this word is YHWH, which we typically translate as "Yahweh". This is the very term that God said was his name when he called Moses from the burning bush. He is identifying himself as one with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

He goes on to say that because they don't believe in who he is, they will die in their sins. They have chosen separation from God, and God will honor that choice into eternity.

Tomorrow the plot thickens even more. Stay tuned!

Daily - 3/27/89

John 7:40-53 (Saturday's gospel)

40 Some in the crowd who heard these words said, "This is truly the Prophet."

41 Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he?

42 Does not scripture say that the Messiah will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"

43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.

44 Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?"

46 The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one."

47 So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived?

48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?

49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed."

50 Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them,

51 "Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?"

52 They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."

53 Then each went to his own house,

This week we've been following along in the series of conflicts between Christ and the Pharisees, which lays out the picture of why the Jewish leaders were so angry with Christ. This conflict occurs in detail over several chapters.

We see Christ's popularity growing among the people. Some think he is the Prophet promised by Moses in Detueronomy, others say the Messiah. He speaks with such authority that guards dispatched to arrest Him come home empty handed, because they'd never heard anyone like Him.

See the disdain of the Pharisees for anyone who believes in Him. People who believe Christ are lowly, uneducated, and narrow minded. When one of their own (Nicodemus) rises to Christ's defense, he is quickly shouted down.

We see this exact behavior in the world today. Christians are thought of as being unenlightened, un-intellectual, and weak. In some respects, not much has changed.

Daily - 3/26/09

Friday's Gospel
Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

1 After this, Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him.

2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

10 ... when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but (as it were) in secret.

25 So some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, "Is he not the one they are trying to kill?

26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities 10 have realized that he is the Messiah?

27 But we know where he is from. When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from."

28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.

29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."

30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
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The feast of Tablernacles was one of the three times where Jews within a certain distance were required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Jesus was bound to go there, but as we saw in the Tuesday's gospel, the conflict with the scribes, Pharisees, and high priests (John collectively refers to these leaders as "the Jews") is on the rise, and the plots to kill Christ are building.

Why? From their perspective, he has violated the sabbath, he has claimed the power to forgive sins, and he refers to himself as the Son of Man. In the eyes of most (not all) of the Jewish leaders at the time, this is nothing short of blasphemy, and the penalty for blasphemy under the Law is execution by stoning.

Because of this environment, Jesus chooses makes his pilgrimage to the temple secretly. Eventually teaches in the temple, and is recognized. Those who see him debate whether he is theChrist (ie, Messiah). In response to that debate, Jesus again tells the Jews that He has been sent by God Himself.

Which, of course, just makes them want to arrest Him more.

PS - One of our running jokes in our Friday bible studiy is ... how did Jesus make these escapes from the guys trying to arrest Him? Does he juke them like Barry Sanders, or disappear like the guys in "Field of Dreams," walking into the corn?

PPS - the mass reading skips from John 7:10 to John 7:25. Here are the missing verses. You can click the link at the top to see where this fits in the story.

11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast and saying, "Where is he?"

12 And there was considerable murmuring about him in the crowds. Some said, "He is a good man," (while) others said, "No; on the contrary, he misleads the crowd."

13 Still, no one spoke openly about him because they were afraid of the Jews.

14 When the feast was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple area and began to teach.

15 The Jews were amazed and said, "How does he know scripture without having studied?"

16 Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not my own but is from the one who sent me.

17 Whoever chooses to do his will shall know whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own.

18 Whoever speaks on his own seeks his own glory, but whoever seeks the glory of the one who sent him is truthful, and there is no wrong in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"

20 The crowd answered, "You are possessed! Who is trying to kill you?"

21 Jesus answered and said to them, "I performed one work 9 and all of you are amazed

22 because of it. Moses gave you circumcision--not that it came from Moses but rather from the patriarchs--and you circumcise a man on the sabbath.

23 If a man can receive circumcision on a sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a whole person well on a sabbath?

24 Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly."

Daily - 3/25/09

John 5:31-47 (Thursday's gospel)

31 "If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified.

32 But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.

33 You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.

34 I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved.

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.

36 But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.

37 Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,

38 and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.

39 You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.

40 But you do not want to come to me to have life.

41 "I do not accept human praise;

42 moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.

43 I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.

44 How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope.

46 For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
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There's a lot to chew on in this reading and I can't really give it justice in this message. We spent a full hour discussing this one when got to it in the Friday morning bible study last September. I'll just focus on one element.

Christ didn't just perform miracles to "wow" people. In his gospel, St. John refers to Christ's miracles as signs -- demonstrations of His divinity. In fact, the first 12 chapters of John have historically been known as the "Book of Signs". They are meant to demonstrate the glory of God, so that the person seeing them might believe in Christ's divinity, repent, and obey his teachings (i.e., "go and sin no more"). Here are a few examples:

· John 2:11 (after turning water into wine in Cana): Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

· John 4:14 (after feeding five thousand): When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."

· John 9:1-3: As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.

· John 10:4 (as Lazarus is dying): When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

The whole purpose of Christ's signs was to reveal his glory. Christ's frustration with the Jewish leaders at the time was that everything they learned, taught, and supposedly lived was focusing on His coming, but they could not recognize Him for what He was: the Messiah, the Son of God, the Suffering Servant, the Paschal Lamb, Emmanuel.

Daily - 3/24/09

Luke 1:26-38 - Wednesday's Gospel - Mary's Fiat

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."

29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"

35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

37 for nothing will be impossible for God."

38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
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Mary calls herself a handmaid twice in Luke 1. She says it here, and also to Elizabeth at the visitation. A handmaid is a servant who literally stood waiting at the hand of the master, to do his bidding. When called upon, her job was to do whatever the master said. When she was finished, she'd return to the master's side and wait for the next order. Mary's decision to accept this role has been celebrated throughout the ages as her "Fiat," which means "let it be done" in Latin. Mary's fiat, then, is this response:

"May it be done to me according to your word."

Those words make me consider how well I respond to God's call. First -- am I even enough in tune to Him to hear it? Am I remaining in Christ so that I can even hear what I'm asked to do? If so, how do I respond? I'd like to say my answer is always "yes," and I know it has been "yes" several times. But how many times has God called me to do something, and I either missed the call completely, or I said "No"? More than I care to admit.

God’s probably not going to ask any of us to carry His child, but he does ask us to do His work. We too can choose to be His handservants – submit to His authority, do what he says, and be still and wait for the next call. I find that when I'm prepared to do that, and give God my own little "fiat", I am blessed in ways I never would have imagined.

Daily - 3/23/09

John 5:1-14 (Tuesday's gospel)

1 After this, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep (Gate) a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes.

3 In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled.



5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.


6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be well?"

7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me."

8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your mat, and walk."

9 Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. Now that day was a sabbath.

10 So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat."

11 He answered them, "The man who made me well told me, 'Take up your mat and walk.'"

12 They asked him, "Who is the man who told you, 'Take it up and walk'?"

13 The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there.

14 After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, "Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you."

Note: New American Bible (NAB) footnote on the missing verse 4: "Toward the end of the second century in the West and among the fourth-century Greek Fathers, an additional verse was known: "For [from time to time] an angel of the Lord used to come down into the pool; and the water was stirred up, so the first one to get in [after the stirring of the water] was healed of whatever disease afflicted him." The angel was a popular explanation of the turbulence and the healing powers attributed to it. This verse is missing from all early Greek manuscripts and the earliest versions."
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With or without verse 4, this passage shows us how the interface between Christ and man works.

- First, Jesus asks the man if he wants to be well. That's exactly how he treats us: he offers to transform us, but only if we want him to. If we are satisfied with who we are without his help, that's how we stay. But if we want to be changed and go to Him for help, the help comes.

- Second, Jesus tells the man to pick up his mat and walk. The man has been crippled for 38 years. These words must have been absolutely crazy, but the man believed him and tried. Once again, that's exactly how Christ works with each of us. He doesn't just do things for us out of nowhere. However, if we ask him for help and have faith in Him, He can help us to do great things, even things we might have considered impossible.

Look at the response of the Pharisees. They don't seem at all concerned with the miracle that occurred, but they certainly care about a making a legalistic ruling on the case. Jesus slips away, so the issue simmers for a while, but John 7 will have much more to say about the conflict with the Pharisees over Christ's works on the Sabbath.

Daily - 3/19/09

Mk 12:28-34 (Friday's Gospel)

28 One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?"

29 Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!

30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

32 The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.'

33 And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
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I understand "love your neighbor as yourself," but have a hard time wrapping my mind around what it truly means to "Love your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."

All my heart and soul? How do I go about controlling my soul? How do I make my soul to do something?

All my mind? It's too filled up with Nebraska football minutae (or for the rest of you hoosiers, Mizzou and Cardinals junk), my favorite songs, TV shows, my busy life, and dozens of other things. How do I go about taking control of all of that, and bending it towards God? I can't get through a decade of the rosary without my mind wandering somewhere. Same with a mass. Seriously, how do I do that?

How do we get to the kind of love that Christ is talking about here? I think ultimately you have to go to the Father for help on this one. This is one of those things that I want to be able to do, but I have placed too many barriers between myself and God to truly love him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I have to pray for God's help to take these barriers down, so that someday I can reach this point.

Daily - 3/18/09

Lk 2:41-51a (Thursday's gospel)

41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,

42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom.

43 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

44 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions,

47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."

49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50 But they did not understand what he said to them.

51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;
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The UCSSB website lists two choices for today, so I took this one. This is the fifth joyful mystery of the Rosary.

At the Men's Day, Msgr. Callahan talked about putting ourselves into the scene of a gospel reading. Here's one that I would have loved to witness -- a twelve-year-old boy questioning and teaching the teachers of the temple. I'd love to see the reactions of those in the temple with him. He's there for three days. I've got to believe that by day 3 of this, the Q&A dialogue was getting pretty darn detailed.

Beyond the actual scene there are a lot of things to consider:

· They find Jesus after three days. We'll here more about three days later in the story. :)

· If we want to find Jesus, where can we look? In his Father's house. He was physically there for Mary and Joseph. Two thousand years later, he is physically there for us too. It's so sad that so many have abandoned this truth.

· v50 - Mary and Joseph didn't understand what Jesus meant when he said they should have known he would be in his Father's house. I don't have a great explanation for this. We know from Luke and Matthew that they both knew exactly where he came from and who he was, but they don't understand what he's saying here. It makes me wish we knew more about Christ's early life. What was it like to have that guy growing up inside your house? What were Mary and Joseph able to see?

· Jesus is clearly superior to Mary and Joseph even at this age, yet he humbles himself in obedience to them. His example of humility and service is clear even then.

Daily - 3/17/09

Matthew 5:17-19 (Wednesday's gospel)

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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The subject of Christ fulfilling the law can be tough to get your mind around. I know, I've tried. In very basic terms though, here is my 25-cent version: Christ is the only person who could perfectly live the Mosaic Law, and he did it for all of us. This immediately raises a huge stumbling block though. If Christ fulfilled the Law, how does it apply to us today? Are we bound to try to fulfill it?

Immediately after this passage, through the end of Matthew 5, Christ gives divine interpretation of some elements of the Mosaic Law. Clearly the moral teachings still stand, and he explained them in further detail. To get a flavor, take some time and read through the Matthew 5, 6, and 7 (ie, the Sermon on the Mount).

For anyone who wants more … here's what the Catechism has to say.

I. JESUS AND THE LAW

577 At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus issued a solemn warning in which he presented God's law, given on Sinai during the first covenant, in light of the grace of the New Covenant:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets: I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law, until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 329

578 Jesus, Israel's Messiah and therefore the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, was to fulfil the Law by keeping it in its all embracing detail - according to his own words, down to "the least of these commandments". 330 He is in fact the only one who could keep it perfectly. 331 On their own admission the Jews were never able to observe the Law in its entirety without violating the least of its precepts. 332 This is why every year on the Day of Atonement the children of Israel ask God's forgiveness for their transgressions of the Law. The Law indeed makes up one inseparable whole, and St. James recalls, "Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." 333

579 This principle of integral observance of the Law not only in letter but in spirit was dear to the Pharisees. By giving Israel this principle they had led many Jews of Jesus' time to an extreme religious zeal. 334 This zeal, were it not to lapse into "hypocritical" casuistry, 335 could only prepare the People for the unprecedented intervention of God through the perfect fulfilment of the Law by the only Righteous One in place of all sinners. 336

580 The perfect fulfilment of the Law could be the work of none but the divine legislator, born subject to the Law in the person of the Son. 337 In Jesus, the Law no longer appears engraved on tables of stone but "upon the heart" of the Servant who becomes "a covenant to the people", because he will "faithfully bring forth justice". 338 Jesus fulfils the Law to the point of taking upon himself "the curse of the Law" incurred by those who do not "abide by the things written in the book of the Law, and do them", for his death took place to redeem them "from the transgressions under the first covenant". 339

581 The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. 340 He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of the Law. 341 Yet Jesus could not help but offend the teachers of the Law, for he was not content to propose his interpretation alongside theirs but taught the people "as one who had authority, and not as their scribes". 342 In Jesus, the same Word of God that had resounded on Mount Sinai to give the written Law to Moses, made itself heard anew on the Mount of the Beatitudes. 343 Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it by giving its ultimate interpretation in a divine way: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old. . . But I say to you. . ." 344 With this same divine authority, he disavowed certain human traditions of the Pharisees that were "making void the word of God". 345

582 Going even further, Jesus perfects the dietary law, so important in Jewish daily life, by revealing its pedagogical meaning through a divine interpretation: "Whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him. . . (Thus he declared all foods clean.). . . What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts. . ." 346 In presenting with divine authority the definitive interpretation of the Law, Jesus found himself confronted by certain teachers of the Law who did not accept his interpretation of the Law, guaranteed though it was by the divine signs that accompanied it. 347 This was the case especially with the sabbath laws, for he recalls, often with rabbinical arguments, that the sabbath rest is not violated by serving God and neighbour, 348 which his own healings did.

Daily - 3/11/09

Luke 16:19-31 - Thursday's Gospel

19 "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.

20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

21 who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,

23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

24 And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

25 Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

26 Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'

27 He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house,

28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.'

29 But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'

30 He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31 Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"
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There is a lot of imagery in this passage, and it prompts a lot of questions. Is this a parable or an account? Where exactly is the rich man - hell, or maybe purgatory (e.g., Scott Hahn thinks it purgatory, I think he's wrong). What is the torment like? Will we actually be able to see from one side to another? Am I going to meet Abraham?

In my opinion, getting caught up in such details detracts from the clear message of the passage. We are called to obey Christ. We are called to help those in need. Christ is very clear on that in this passage, and in others. And in this passage, he gives us a glimpse of what the consequences of disobedience might be.

When I read this I think about the times I've walked away from someone asking for money, because I just didn't want to be bothered, or I figured it was a scam, or I convinced myself that I shouldn't help because he'd just spend it on alcohol or cigarettes. Or times when I've been too busy with the things of my life to help with something else. Nope, I can't do that, I've got to get to soccer, baseball, cub scouts, dance, whatever.

Somewhere there's a balance to be found. If I knew where it was, I'd tell you.

Daily - 3/10/09

Matthew 20:17-28 (Wednesday's Gospel)

17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve (disciples) aside by themselves, and said to them on the way,

18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death,

19 and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

21 He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."

22 Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can."

23 He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.

26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;

27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

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I sent this out last May about the parallel passage in Mark's gospel. In that passage, James and John (not their mother) requested the seats of honor at Christ's throne. Things have changed for me quite a bit since I wrote this -- I've quantum leaped spiritually since then. Nevertheless, the message still stands. I have a long way to go to become a humble servant.

...
Daily, May 28 2008
This is today’s gospel. I actually got myself out of bed and went to mass this morning and was really struck by this. It shows that the apostles were human – James and John wanted to be recognized as “the best”, and the rest of the Twelve were jealous. The teaching here is spectacular: those who wish to be great in the eyes of God need to be humble servants. A message that’s far easier to understand than to implement.

When I look deep inside and think about how much of a humble servant I really am, the answer isn’t good. I go to mass regularly, and am starting to go during the week now. I pray more now than I ever have before, and am concentrating hard on opening up my heart to God and make things as personal as I can. I’ve brought the Blessed Mother back into my life after a LONG absence. At CHRP I went to confession for the first time in 25 years, and have gone since. Things are spiritually moving in my life.

Yet we’re called to be humble servants, and quite honestly, I don’t fit that description. I have far to go.