Category Archives: Christianity

Calling All Saints – and Prophets

Synaxis_of_all_saints_(icon)Gary might not have been a saint, but he was most assuredly a prophet. He vigorously and decisively pointed the way to more dignified and respectful treatment of those under a doctor’s care, those living in nursing homes, those with terminal illnesses.

I mourn the passing of his forthright energy from our world so in need of advocates for the vulnerable, but not the passing of his Spirit from a body that could no longer contain it.

[Jesus began to teach them, saying,] “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Refusing anonymity

Jesus cures the man born blind

JESUS MAFA. Jesus cures the man born blind, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved October 25, 2015]

 Jesus has a personal relationship with me. I know his name. He knows mine. I am not an anonymous being.  I am a daughter of God, created in love by God, beloved of God, uniquely, mysteriously me.

I have been given the grace to know Jesus by name. Let me pass on the gift by knowing you by name, by refusing anonymity to you, my brother or sister in God.

Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Mark 10:46-47

Prayer

Francois-Barthelemy-Marius Abel (1832-1870) Figure kneeling in prayer, 1856 Watercolor and brown ink on mediumweight off-white wove paper By Shepherd Gallery (Flickr: ABEL - Figure Kneeling in Prayer) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Francois-Barthelemy-Marius Abel (1832-1870)
Figure kneeling in prayer, 1856
Watercolor and brown ink on medium weight off-white wove paper
By Shepherd Gallery (Flickr: ABEL – Figure Kneeling in Prayer) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

So often my prayers are imperious.

I forget prayer is a time of self-emptying, of surrendering myself to God.

Today I will pray to be blessed with the knowledge of God’s will for me and the grace to carry it out.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Mark 10:35

Not quite there

James Tissot (1836-1902) Le jeune homme riche s'en alla triste, between 1886 and 1894 opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper Brooklyn Musuem

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le jeune homme riche s’en alla triste
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper,  between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

I enjoy my comforts. A warm home. Running water. Books. An Internet connection. A telephone – two, in fact. A car to drive. Wool sweaters. Plenty and a variety of food to eat.

I’m not quite ready to sell what I have and give to the poor.

But I can share. I can bring goods to the food pantry each week. I can clean out my closet and clear my shelves of items I don’t need and give them to an organization that will use them to help the poor. I can designate some of my monthly income for charitable donations.

Small steps on the way to follow Jesus.

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21

Like a child

Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1472-1553 Christ Blessing the Children oil on panel, 1537 Kraków, Wawel Castle

Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1472-1553
Christ Blessing the Children
oil on panel, 1537
Kraków, Wawel Castle

Today I will let the child in me accept God’s kingdom of peace, love, compassion, and comfort with wonder, delight, joy, and awe.

And with the knowing that I am blessed and welcome.

[Jesus said to them,] “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced [the children] and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Mark 10:15-16

For Jesus

Tita Gori (1870-1941) Jésus-Christ entouré de disciples et d'une sainte femme Collection privée By Jean-Marc Pascolo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tita Gori (1870-1941)
Jésus-Christ entouré de disciples et d’une sainte femme
Collection privée
By Jean-Marc Pascolo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

We are for Jesus, not against him, when we practice healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, compassion, love, peace, and care for the poor and vulnerable.

Jesus is the unifying force of all those who believe in the holy power of his name.

[Jesus replied,] “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.”

In the arms of God

James Tissot (1836-1902) Jésus et le petit enfant opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus et le petit enfant
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Imagine the arms of Jesus around me.

Respectful. Comforting. Loving. Gentle. Protective. Reassuring. Encouraging. Peace-giving.

Am I willing to receive each of God’s children in the name of Jesus with respect, comfort, gentleness, protection, reassurance, encouragement, and peace?

Taking a child, [Jesus] placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37

Show, don’t tell

James Tissot (1836-1902) opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum

Rétire-toi, Satan
James Tissot (1836-1902)
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

“But who do you say that I am?” You ask me.

In faith, I would answer, ““You are the Christ.”

But am I welcoming people who are strangers to me? Am I providing shelter for those who are homeless? Am I sharing my food with those who are hungry? Am I forgiving those who have hurt me? Am I loving as You have loved me?

Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.”
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. James 2:18

Touch of compassion

Ottheinrich-Bibel, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Blatt 55v: Heilung des Taubstummen, Mk 7,31-37 ca.1425-1430

Ottheinrich-Bibel, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
Blatt 55v: Heilung des Taubstummen, Mk 7,31-37
ca.1425-1430

Jesus touches my ears and I hear the cries of those who are grieving, discouraged, abused, abandoned, ignored, scorned, in need of shelter, love, and comfort.

Jesus touches my tongue and I speak out plainly in support of those who need hope, justice, faith, peace, encouragement, and compassion.

Jesus is not afraid to touch those in need.
Am I?

[Jesus] put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:33-35

Power to change

Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938 Lehrender Christus, mit vorgestreckten Händen, 1922

Ernst Barlach, 1870-1938
Lehrender Christus, mit vorgestreckten Händen, 1922

Jesus knows we’re human. At times we’re going to be judgmental, indifferent, greedy, resentful, and self-seeking. We’re also going to be compassionate, loving, forgiving, and generous.

What happens when I think negative, hurtful thoughts? What happens when I speak scornfully, sarcastically, or otherwise unkindly to myself and others?

What happens when I deliberately choose to think positive, grateful thoughts? What happens when I speak respectfully and kindly to myself and others?

Jesus urges us to be aware of our thoughts and how we act on them. We have the power to change the world with our attitudes and actions.

[Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,] “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mark 7:20-23