Lots of Rooms in the Inn

The theme of the desire of the Creator and the creature to be Father and son is strong in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. This movement of the Divine toward the temporal and finite is difficult to comprehend. The promise of Jesus is revealed in John’s Gospel that “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places.” (John 14:2) It is the Spirit in communion with the indwelling Spirit that allows this assurance of desire of God as the psalmist proclaims ““You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” “John Paul II on the passage from John

History and Revelation

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today relate the exhortation of Paul at the synagogue in Antioch where he tells the story of the salvation history of Israel from the Exodus to Jesus. The Providence which guided the “people of God” continues to guide them through Jesus. The Gospel from John presents the relationship between those who know the Divine through Jesus. The understanding of the Presence in the ones who are sent of the indwelling Spirit which puts the messenger in communion with the Divine is not shared by all including some who have lived the reality of Jesus physically and spiritually nourishing their lives. One of the great mystics and theologians of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena is remembered in the liturgy today.

Mystical Presence

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary point to the mystical nature of the experience of the Presence of the Divine. Jesus cries aloud in the Gospel of John that through trusting and seeing Him, the believer is in communion with the Father. This sense of Presence is in the word of the psalmist who celebrates the face of the Divine shining on people. The Acts of the Apostles records the mystical direction of the Holy Spirit to call and lead ‘Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’ (Acts of the Apostles 13.2:). The Presence is experienced mystically by love, trust, hope and faithfulness. It is the warmth of the face of God and the direction to be for the creature.

Hearing may be blocked by plain speaking

Sometimes the demand to “tell us plainly” acts against true discernment and growth. The request for plain talking may come because the listener has not heard. John tells of this demand being made of Jesus in the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. Jesus reveals that he is the Shepherd who is one with the Divine. Those who hear His voice are His sheep. This is not a declaration of exclusion. It is an appeal to listen to the promptings of the indwelling Spirit which heals and opens the person to the evidence that the Divine seeks to be known to the person. The Acts of the Apostles tells of the events at Antioch where the Gentiles were hearing the call to a relationship with Jesus in large numbers and they began to be known as Christians.

Abundant Life and No differences

Today the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to consider the Mission of Jesus and the community to which it is addressed. The proclamation in John 10:10 that “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” is a statement which can resonate to clarify the direction of those who may be seeking a How and Why of the relationship with the Divine. It is one of the phrases which stick in the mind and which may come to mind in the way that Acts describes Peter’s inspiration to bring the Message to Gentiles and “not to make a distinction between them and us.*” The ‘they’ for whom Jesus brings abundant life is everyone. These texts and Paul’s teaching are exhortations to move, like Peter, inspired by the Spirit to break down the obstacles of human origin which block our witness of the “Baptism of the Spirit” in all races, tribes and communities of the Creator.

Master's Voice

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday of Easter consider the question of who are the people of God. Who has the revelation of the relationship with the Divine? For whom is this relationship intended? The Acts of the Apostles points out the difficulties of some of the traditional Jewish believers to accept the Incarnation and the intimacy of Emmanuel, (God among us). The Jewish converts who heard the Word were able to be more open to the power of the Spirit and the Apostles found that more and more Gentiles became the “sheep” in John’s Gospel who have “heard His voice and follow Him”. The psalmist reminds us that all peoples are summoned to be the sheep of the Divine Shepherd. The particular path of some of the early Church members was through persecution, martyrdom and suffering. As the author of Revelations proclaims “their robes have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb”. Listen! Hear the Voice?

Words of Eternal Life

The psalmist from the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today proclaims that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.” (Psalm 116.15:) This is evidenced by the attention of Peter to the needs of the sick and dying as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. These are the very sign of the Divine present in the actions of people. It is from this understanding of the mercy and desire of God to be with the sick and dying that a leap can be made to the faith and trust of Peter from the Gospel of John where he is unable to take an alternate path from the one which Jesus is presenting. It is not that Peter understood the theological fine points in Jesus exhortation. It is not that the mystical linkage of Word and Spirit and with the rejection of the flesh was obvious to him, but his indwelling Spirit reacts with a certainty that there is no Life outside of association with Jesus!

Deeper than an Idea

The question which the religious authorities ask in the text from John’s Gospel from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today is often the “deal breaker” in the movement towards intimacy with the Divine. Understanding of the Mystery of the Divine becoming human is a very difficult, perhaps not comprehendible, concept. The place of the Christian believers as the living “Body of Christ” is more approachable. The indwelling Spirit is necessarily part of the Body of Christ. John’s Gospel encourages us to go further. This intimacy sought by the Creator with the creature is realized at the level of matter and molecules and the basic substance of the universe. The “idea” of intimacy is replaced with material and physical intimacy. The episode of the conversion of Saul, as related in Acts is an attempt to describe in words the calling of Paul as an apostle with the consequence that Paul will count his calling by the Risen Jesus to be as “real” as the experience of the other apostles with the human Jesus. The completion of the story of Saul’s call to a new vision is literal… ‘Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul* and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’’ (Acts of the Apostles 9.17:)

Spirit Led Catechesis

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary emphasize the role of spiritual inspiration in catechesis (education in the faith of children, young people and adults) In Acts Philip is directed by the Spirit to “Go over to this chariot and join it”. The Ethiopian Eunuch is studying the parts of Isaiah which are prophetic about Jesus. The ‘opportunity’ for Philip to witness is rich and the ‘gentile’ is baptized. Jesus reveals to the learned in the Temple that ‘they shall all be taught by God’. The reformed tradition in Christianity has explored the role of mediation of the relationship between Divine and humanity is more inclined to the position of “no mediator” except the Spirit. The Roman tradition appears to insert “mediation”. Jesus drew the wrath of the religious authorities by His proclamation in John. The path of the Spirit to invoke the action in the ‘inspired’ may involve much ‘coincidence’ and many channels and paths. The Spirit moves where it will and accomplishes what the Father wills.

Leap over the Stumbling Block

John’s Gospel from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today reveals some of the proclamations of Jesus which were “stumbling blocks to the Jews”. The God who the psalmist praises for the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt by mighty hand and outstretched arm seems to be replaced by a Divine Presence which sends Itself as a human to execute the Divine Will. This will is not obviously pointed to the glory of Israel as the times perhaps required. It is aimed at an intimate relationship with all and everyone. That would mean as Saul the persecutor in Acts would say after his transformation to Paul, through his relationship with the Risen Jesus, there are no Greeks, no Jews, no Gentiles. The universality of the Will of the Father to be in intimate relationship with all people is a huge leap. Today we still hesitate to trust to make the leap. We continue to stumble. God continues to invite us to be transformed.

Stiff necked people

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today show how the revelation of Jesus is an extreme difficulty for the religious authorities. The difficulty of the Hebrew wanderers in the desert with Moses to accept the Covenant relationship with the Divine is characterized in the Hebrew testament as being “stiff necked”. Stephen uses this description as his proclamation of the Divinity of Jesus brings the learned leaders to drag him to death by stoning. As the indwelling Spirit fills and protects him, he offers forgiveness to his slayers. The psalmist is clear in the declaration that the regard we pay to worthless idols and ideas is an insult to our trust in the Lord. The intimacy and totality of Jesus invitation is lived in the trust that the relationship, through the indwelling Spirit, is bread and sustenance to the believer.

Work on Trust

‘This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ (John 6:29). This is the last phrase in the text from John in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. At first glance it may seem a simple prescription to a righteous life. The story of Stephen from Acts today puts belief in a different context. The author relates that Stephen looks like an angel even though very serious charges, charges that led to the crucifixion of Jesus are being brought against him by the religious authorities. The psalmist proclaims the strength he receives from his meditation on the Law of God. This places the faith of Stephen and the psalmist at more than just intellectual agreement with ideas, but it is at the level of trusting you fate to the Providence. It is relying on the “Bread from Heaven”, the sustenance that comes from the relationship between the Divine and the in dwelling Spirit to be the life giving force.

forgiven restored commissioned

The 3rd Sunday of Easter and the Roman Catholic Lectionary contains texts which bring forgiveness, restoration and commission to Peter, the disciples and believers today. In his weekly reflection, Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that we always want to be at our best when we face others , particularly if we feel sheepish or reticent about the encounter as a result of some forgiveness we may need for tasks undone or thoughts not expressed or considerations omitted. Peter was one of those who publically betrayed Jesus. His attempt to “turn back the clock” by returning to his former life were fruitless. He knew and his being resonated at the realization that “it is the Lord”. The reconciliation is so sweet. The commission is the restoration of the relationship. It is the return to that truly meaningful fishery of humanity which will engulf many in the net of Jesus love. The setting for this event is a breakfast on the beach. These times and places remain powerful touchstones for the meeting of creature and Creator. The ‘breaking of bread” continues to be the inspired sign or sacrament that is the reality of the intimacy, the essentialness of the nutrition and the simplicity which the Divine becomes Present.

Service Sacrament and Word

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today has text from Acts which marks the institution of the Deaconate. John shows the sign of Jesus to the disciples. The Deacon continues to show the sign of Presence in ministry and sacrament.

Wait in Trust

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today confidently proclaims that “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” The passage from the Acts of the Apostles relates the advice of the wise Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel. He urges the council to wait on the progress of this movement around Jesus. If the movement has Divine origin, how can the council fight against God. The relationship of trust is the characteristic of faith that enables the very difficulty task of waiting. “Waiting on the Lord” certainly has had many examples in “salvation history”. The Gospel from John relates an episode when Providence appears to act quickly. Those who know hunger, know that time is distorted for the hungry. The time which we are so conscious of is not Divine time. We benefit in the strength and courage that accompany waiting for the Beloved to act.

Afflictions with assurance

The righteous are presented as having some difficulties with those of the earth in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The dilemma shared in Acts is that of the person activated by the indwelling Spirit who must act in defiance of the civil or religious authority. The resonance with the Divine is both the assurance that the mission will continue and as the psalmist proclaims the righteous one will enjoy the protection of the Divine. Often we seek that protection in our time. John shows that the domain and the universe of the Divine and the earthly are not the same. The Father desires that the Son give the Spirit which draws righteousness without measure. The infinite is offered to the finite. Is there any wonder that finite humanity has difficulty being the bearer of infinite life.

Awesome! You Sense IT

Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ John presents part of the dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. This question is in he being of all who are stirred to examine Life and the evidence we have around us that we inhabit a unique, mysterious and awesome universe. It is from this viewpoint that the psalmist proclaims God’s majesty as the Creator of the universe. The passage from the Acts of the Apostles is one manifestation of a response to the universe which has an unknown “X factor” supporting fellowship, cooperation, love, empathy, support and heroic action (Tapestry - April 11, 2010 - Richard Holloway ) . In such a “wind” of Inspiration, personal property has no value. The transformed and transcendent place offered to humanity through the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Divine presence is the Resurrection.

Spirit Mystery in the Wind

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today contains texts which refer to the Holy Spirit and the role of the unseen and most mysterious aspect of the Divine in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit has inspired the wisdom and prophesies of the ancients. Through the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit and the courage given to the Apostles, the mission of Jesus is accomplished by the Body of Christ. The destiny of Israel as the people of God is affirmed in the Spirit proclaimed by the psalmist. This Spirit is shared by Jesus with Nicodemus as the latter seeks to understand, as we all do, the movement of the Divine in the Life of the universe. We perhaps seek the wind. Too often, our goal is control yet people ancient and modern, like Richard Holloway , who talked to Mary Hynes, on CBC Tapestry, about his most recent book "Between the Monster and the Saint: Reflections on the Human Condition" have a sense of the uniqueness of the universe and the “X” factors in the life about us which defy our rational explanations. We remain where we must exist, in the time, and in the Mystery with glimpse of the infinite and timeless.

Part of the Body No Doubt

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Second Sunday of Easter presents texts which highlight the Presence of Christ after the Resurrection. The shadow of the apostles is attributed by Luke, author of the Acts of the Apostles as bringing healing to many. John, the author of Revelations not theEvangelist, recalls an experience of the Presence of Christ, which in some form, has inspired spiritual writing in many. John the Evangelist tells the story of Jesus and Thomas. The Sunday Liturgy in the Catholic Church will replay the greeting, giving and sending of Jesus today. As Larry Gillick, S.J. from the Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality points out that Jesus “transforms me and you and us into … His Body and distributes us as gifts of His living love.” “Doubt no longer, but believe, Alleluia.” (Jn. 20, 27)

Commission to Heal and Love

Boldness, victory and a commission to “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news* to the whole creation. “ are the themes of the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. The Gospel of Mark is concise. The mission is given to disciples who initially fail to believe in Jesus Resurrection, yet as Luke recounts in Acts, when they act in the Name of Jesus, the Good News of acceptance and healing spreads and is received by thousands.

Smell the Coffee to Fan Faith

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for the days in the Octave of Easter lists texts which describe the change of heart and action of the apostles as they move out into the world to proclaim the Gospel (Good News) that has come from their relationship with Jesus. Courage replaces fear and the faith of Abraham and Mary which is “trust beyond what human senses permit” is evidenced in healing and the arousal of the indwelling Spirit in many. The victory song of the psalmist expresses the joy in the proclamation that "the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone". This phrase, used by Peter to refer to Jesus, is the phrase of the salvation history of the Hebrew people. It is, for many spiritual traditions, a truth of the action of God in personal and communal histories. Yesterday, Myra Freeman delivered an informative and inspiring breakfast talk on faith in the workplace. One aspect of faith at work is the sense of resurrection and triumph over rejection and set back that believers hold as a fundamental action of the Divine in their lives. Where does the energy to go on come from? John indicates the overwhelming graciousness and generosity of the “return to the fold” of Peter and the “fishers” as the Resurrected Jesus providently provides an over abundance of food and cooks breakfast for His own on the beach. The initiative and the generosity are with the Divine. Truly the human only needs to “wake up and smell the coffee”

Faith in the Workplace

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today shows Peter, after Jesus Resurrection, bringing faith to the workplace. In his case, it is the Temple, where he is beginning his work as the "Rock" upon which Jesus is building His Church. This morning there is a prayer breakfast at St Agnes where Myra Freeman will talk on Faith in the Workplace , from her perspective as a Jewish person in the workplaces of Nova Scotia.

Liturgy for Life

In the Octave of Easter, the Roman Catholic Lectionary features the texts of Jesus appearances to the Disciples after the Resurrection. Luke relates the experience of two disciples walking to Emmas who meet a stranger. They are open to hear the explanation of the Scriptures from this companion and after they begin a meal together, the stranger breaks bread, disappears and is recognized as Jesus. The format of this encounter is visible in the Order of Mass. The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist recognize the Presence of Jesus among those gathered. Truly the breaking of the Bread brings today’s participant in communion with the disciples of Emmas. The Acts of the Apostles reveals the transformation of Peter who also claims for now the healing power of Jesus resonance with our indwelling Spirit that is Life giving.

Anguish and Intimacy

The psalmist from the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today proclaims the steadfast love of the Lord. Luke, the Evangelist, in the passage from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the anguish of the people and the gracious mercy of the God of steadfast love when they realize that Jesus whom they have crucified is the Messiah who is delivering the Promise of the Covenant to be God in the intimate way known to their ancestors and praised in the psalms. John recounts the experience of Mary Magdalene in her encounter with the Risen Jesus who appeared to her in His Resurrected Being. She recognized Him by the Word and she became the messenger to announce the return of the ‘Rabbouni’ Jesus to the Father and the expectation that the Risen Jesus would join the disciples in Galilee. The evidence of the complete and total and steadfast Love praised by the psalmist is in the submission of the Son willingly to the Father’s revelation of the intimacy of Creature and Creator that no movement, even to death, is too much to live this relationship and that through the Eucharist and Life of the indwelling Spirit this intimacy is both organic and infinite.

Risen for Transformation

Resurrection is the event celebrated in the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Monday of Easter Week. (The octave of Easter). The proclamation of Peter is one of a promise kept. The hopes of the ancestors are fulfilled. It is claear that there has been a transformation in the life of Peter as a result of Jesus Resurrection. The timid and uncertain one who betrayed Jesus is proclaiming His place as Messiah. The psalmist relates the faith and trust that the Lord is chosen for counsel and instruction. The psalmist proclaims that “I shall not be moved”. This transformation was witnessed in the Civil Rights struggles of the past 50 years. The replacement of fear and doubt with resolution and courage is the fruit of Resurrection. Even the false testimony of the fearful fails to dampen the life transformation that Matthew reveals sends Jesus disciples to Galilee to meet Him.

All is New

The sun rises on Easter Morning as Nature testifies to the celebration of the Risen One which is the proclamation of the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary this morning. John’s Gospel tells of Mary Magdalene going early to the tomb and not finding Jesus body. Peter and the disciple Jesus loved (you and I) are next to realize that the promise of Resurrection and victory over death is being marked. The New Light, the New Water and as Paul addresses to the Colossians, the New Life in Christ through which we are united with the Father is the Easter Opportunity. All is New Again!

Ambiguity Contradiction Paradox and Salvation History

This evening, after remaining quiet since Friday at sun down, the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Vigil Mass of Easter will guide participants in the Easter liturgy through salvation history from Genesis to Jesus resurrection. The ‘timelessness” of the Divine will be witnessed to have been present in time. The infinite will be shown to have impacted on the finite. Love will be the victor over fear, discontent and persecution. Tragedy, betrayal and torture will be redeemed by the Son, the Word made flesh, in accordance with the will of the Father and it will resonate with and refill the indwelling Spirit, which we are told moved over the waters at Creation and was revealed throughout the history of the Son.

Passion for Mercy to People

Today Christians gather to hear the story from the Gospel of the events which led to the Crucifixion of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Lectionary presents the story starting with the description by the Prophet Isaiah of the “Suffering Servant” by whose wounds we are healed. The psalmist praises God for deliverance from enemies. The author of Hebrews places Jesus in the tradition of the High Priest yet with the experience of all of us in being tested. Jesus is the means to know the mercy and love of God. John’s Gospel takes the reader and listener from the betrayal of Jesus to the Roman soldiers by Judas, through betrayal by Peter, into the dilemma and search for truth of Pilate, with Mary and the women beneath the cross, to Jesus death and burial. The gift of mercy, love and forgiveness is the will of the Father for humanity. Jesus is the evidence that service is the path to deliver this mercy. There is no limit or requirement for this love.

Triduum Top Days for Christian

This evening the Roman Catholic Lectionary will present the texts which begin Triduum 2010. The “3 days” are treated as a continuous liturgy. The Triduum opens with the “Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper”. The “Last Supper” of daVinci fame is the setting for the last Passover meal shared by Jesus with His disciples. The Pascal Lamb slaughtered by the Israelites as they began their Exodus from the oppression in Egypt, becomes Jesus. The “New Covenant” is marked by the Son who serves by takinf the place of the lowest station in the Israelite society, slave, and washing the feet of His disciples. The “suffering servant” of Isaiah is present in Jesus flesh. Paul presents to the Corinthians, the “institution narrative” which Christians use to mark the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic Celebrations.