Heads in the sand? - Sunday's reading reflection

What can salt and light have to teach us about God and his reign on earth? Jesus used ordinary images, such as salt and light, to convey extraordinary truths about the kingdom of God. Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world.  People traded with it, like we trade with gold and stock.  Salt also served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration.  Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling.  Jesus used the image of salt to describe how his disciples are to live in the world.  As salt purifies, preserves, and penetrates, so the disciple must be as salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve, and penetrate that society for the kingdom of God and of his righteousness and peace.

Jesus also used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration. Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling.   The Jews also understood “light” as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God.  In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9).  His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God’s grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace.  Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God’s kingdom.  In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.

Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are.  And how tempting to hide them form others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all.  There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God’s light and who seek this truth.

(Adapted from Don Schwager)

Fighting fear with faith - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Do you ever feel haunted by a past failure or a guilty conscience? King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. John ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded. Now Herod's conscience is pricked when he hears that some think that the Baptist has risen.

When Herod heard the fame of Jesus he supposed that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod was a weak man. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. The Lord gives grace to the humble, to those who acknowledge their sins and who seek God's mercy and pardon. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in thought and action as well.  God's grace enables us to fight fear with faith.

(Adapted from Don Schwager)

Leaving a legacy - Tomorrow's reading reflection

Politicians, business tycoons and other media celebrities are not alone in their desire to leave behind some worthwhile legacy. This idea of leaving behind something of value must be almost universal among adult human beings, once a person has come to terms with his or her mortality. Nobody really wants to feel that their transient life is utterly insignificant, something to be blown away like dust in the wind, with nothing to mark our few decades of life in this world. Hence the importance people put on founding a successful business, making their mark in society, making provision for some monument to their memory once they have passed on. But the most universal legacy of all is what parents leave behind to their children, by their example and the wisdom they try to share. Part of that wisdom is communication.  Listening not to reply but to understand so as to better reply if a reply is necessary.

How are we to receive the message of another? We welcome them and listen to them , giving them an open mind and an open heart. We don’t have to agree with them – just give them a hearing. Consider their arguments; imagine ourselves in their place and see it from their point of view.  How are we to respond when another does not hear our message?  Walk away. Where did we get the idea that if people don’t agree with us it is our job to keep trying to persuade, or worse, attack them – either with words or weapons? Why do so many of our young folks feel that they need to keep their thoughts about significant issues to themselves so they don’t offend someone’s culture, religion, beliefs or sentiments? Conversation about differences doesn’t need to be offensive.

This kind of dialogue needs wisdom, courage and sensitivity. We need to speak out in order to continue the search for truth and justice in our time.  It also requires a discerning heart, a heart resting in divine truth and goodness. Our job is to invite, but to change minds, hearts and behavior is the work of the Holy One.

(Adapted from ACP & Diane Jorgensen)

A Homecoming Gone Awry- Tomorrow's reading reflection

The earlier passages of the gospel of Mark which we have encountered in recent days depict Jesus the miracle worker, Jesus the healer, Jesus the teacher.  This rapid succession of mighty deeds and words comes to an abrupt halt as Jesus returns to his native place, to Nazareth.  The astonishing account we hear today depicts Jesus’ “friends and neighbors” from his growing up years as clearly aware of all that he has been saying and doing.  They remain impressed with his Sabbath teaching.  Then, to our surprise, the gospel reveals their heart-felt reaction to Jesus:  “And they took offense at him.” 

What must it have been like for Jesus to return home and to receive such an unwelcome reception from those who knew him best?  The gospel text leaves no doubt:  “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” 

How many of us have had the blessing of the company of friends along the journey of faith, soul-friends, companions who seek the way of Jesus, only to be coldly received by family members and other kinds of friends?  Perhaps the maturing of our commitment to Jesus becomes as source of isolation and distance at family gatherings.  Perhaps a new and growing faith finds us parting company with old friends, friends from former times and former ways.  What do we do with that isolation and aloneness, with the sorrow that rises in our hearts?  Jesus stands ready to receive from us these experiences so that, as one who has truly walked this path before, he may console us and draw us into a place of communion and love with him. 

(Adapted from Rev. Richard Gabuzda)

It makes a difference where you place your trust - Tomorrow's reading reflection

In the first reading we hear of a father’s love for his son. In the gospel reading we see a father who loves his daughter. Both children are in dire need of help. Both fathers reach out to men who they believe can help, men they trust. The first man’s hopes are dashed. The second man celebrates.

David trusted Joab and he failed David in one of the most important episodes of his life. Jairus trusted Jesus and saw Death flee from the presence of He who is Life. The heading for Psalm 86 is “A prayer of David.” We do not know when in his life he prayed this prayer. We only know that, by now, he knows what Jairus knew. He knew that it makes a difference where you place your trust. He declares: You are my God. I trust in you.

(Adapted from George Butterfield)