Shut the voices off

The sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. (John 10:4)

Do you hear voices? We all do, you know—all different kinds of voices. Some are actual voices, but there are also the voices in our minds: what we imagine certain people would say if they really knew us, as well as our own inner voice. Some of the voices are spiritual, from the Lord as well as from the devil’s tempters. There’s a lot going on in our minds, so it’s helpful to try to sort through all the voices to make sure we’re listening to the right ones.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that we are able to recognize his voice. It’s the voice of the Good Shepherd, a voice that we, his “sheep,” know and respond to (John 10:4). His voice speaks words of care and protection. He points us toward paths of safety and provision. He speaks words of acceptance and love.

What are you hearing? The voice of someone other than your shepherd? Maybe they’re words of condemnation or accusation, telling you that you are a failure or a disappointment. Maybe the voices seem like they’re coming from outside yourself, or maybe they are clearly your own words, the way you think about yourself. It doesn’t matter too much where they’re coming from. What matters is that these words do not come from the Good Shepherd, so you need to run away from them like a frightened sheep.

You have the ability to control this inner conversation. You can choose whom to listen to. Blaise Pascal once said, “Man is so made that if he is told often enough that he is a fool he believes it. By telling himself often enough he convinces himself, because when he is alone he carries on an inner dialogue with himself which is important to keep under proper control.” Don’t let that happen! Don’t pay attention to any voice that contradicts what the Good Shepherd is telling you. 

Try an experiment today. Try to identify one or two “internal conversations” that you don’t think are Jesus’ words for you, and shut them down. Then try listening for his voice. Isn’t it a far more encouraging—and inspiring—thing to hear?

“Lord, help me to hear and recognize your voice today.”

from wau.org

The Power in you.

These signs will accompany those who believe. (Mark 16:17)

The New Testament includes several references to the Mark whom Peter mentions in today’s first reading. Also known as John Mark, he was the cousin of Barnabas, whom he accompanied, along with Paul, on their first missionary journey. Later, he worked closely with Peter in Rome and became his trusted companion. Tradition tells us that Mark evangelized in Alexandria, and some believe he was the young man in Gethsemane who ran away naked from the soldiers (Mark 14:51-52). Finally, he is revered as the author of the Gospel that bears his name.

When we read the words of Jesus preserved in Mark’s Gospel, we get a sense that Mark saw some of the “signs” that accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17). After all, he helped spread Christianity both by his writing and by the missionary work he shared with some of the most renowned preachers of his day. Casting out demons, healing the sick, speaking in new tongues, being unharmed when picking up snakes or drinking poison—these spectacular feats seemed to have been common in the early Church.

Instead of focusing on Jesus’ lengthier sermons, which we find in the other Gospels, Mark pays more attention to Jesus’ power over sickness and evil. Then, as today’s reading shows, he makes it clear that the miracles are not supposed to stop with Jesus. Mark expected that Christians of all eras would work wonders in order to bring people to faith.

That includes you! The Holy Spirit is more than capable of working in your life and making you into a living testimony to the kingdom of God. Remember: miracles are not relics of the past; they are meant for every age and every situation. It may be hard to expect healings or spectacular signs when we pray or share the gospel, but that’s what faith is all about. Keep on believing that God wants to manifest his kingdom through you. Ask the Spirit to deepen your confidence. Ask him for the assurance that he really can make you an instrument of his grace. 

“Holy Spirit, use me to bring God’s kingdom into the world. Help me to expect great things from you. Lord, I want to proclaim your good news!”

from wau.org

A gift to Jesus

Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me. (John 6:37)

Did you catch that?

The Father is giving you to Jesus. If you think that statement is meant to be little more than an empty platitude, say it again slowly. Focus on each word, and let them settle deep in your heart. You are a gift that God the Father is giving to Jesus. What does this say about you?

The Father is giving you to Jesus. Well, for one, this says that no matter how your days feel—holy, humdrum, or harried—each one of them is filled with divine opportunities. You’re not just a spectator in life. You are an important actor in a great cosmic drama. What’s more, you have been infused with the life and power of the Trinity, with all you need to play your part in this drama.

The Father is giving you to Jesus. A loving, generous God like your heavenly Father would never dream of giving a cheap gift to his Son! This can only mean that you are very valuable. You’re a masterpiece, a crown of his creation. No cost was too high to pay for you. It also means that God will never revoke your worth. He is completely invested in you. In fact, you are his treasure. He rejoices over you with exuberant, loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17)! It’s not based on how you do each day; it’s based on who you are.

The Father is giving you to Jesus. As a gift to the Lord, your life has been set apart, or made holy. Every day you have a divinely appointed purpose. The Father is giving you to Jesus so that you can give Jesus to the people around you. And you can do that simply by the witness of your life—by living for Christ as the gift that you are.

Today, keep this in mind: you are a special, unique person created by God. There is no one like you. You are a special treasure. You have a divine purpose!

“Lord, I come to you today knowing that you will never reject me. As you gave yourself to me, I give my life to you.”

from wau.org

Spirit inspired potential

His face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)

Imagine the Twelve trying to devote themselves to prayer and ministry as the Church continued to grow and its internal needs increased. And then a problem arose between the more traditional Jews (the Hebrews) and those Jews who had adopted the language and some of the customs of the Greeks (the Hellenists). The potential for division was great, and the apostles needed to address it. But they were getting stretched too thin. So they commissioned several Hellenists to make sure the Greek-speaking members of the Church were being treated fairly.

One of those chosen was a man named Stephen. He was full of the Spirit, but he was not one of the very first Christians, and he may have been considered as somewhat tainted because of his Hellenistic background. 

But before long, Stephen was doing “great wonders and signs among the people” and boldly proclaiming the gospel in synagogues (Acts 6:8). That wasn’t supposed to happen! You can almost see the apostles discussing Stephen with each other:

“I thought he was assigned to table duty. What was he doing on the streets?” “But Jesus did say that anyone who believes in him would do far greater works than he did. Isn’t that what our brother Stephen is doing?” “True, he doesn’t neglect his duties; he just goes beyond them.” “In the end, God knows his plans. Maybe he’s revealing a new path for Stephen.”

Stephen didn’t box himself into a narrow job description. He may not have been a major leader of the Church, but as a believer filled with the Holy Spirit, his job included following the Spirit’s leadings and proclaiming the gospel. And so he did just that!

Never underestimate your potential! You may not be a trained theologian or Church leader or mystic. But the Holy Spirit lives in you and can work powerfully in you! Whether you’re a doctor, businessman, teacher, stay-at-home mom, or waiter, the sky’s the limit when God has the freedom to do his work through you.

“Jesus, do your work through me. Send me into the harvest. I don’t want to wait for someone else to proclaim your word.”

from wau.org

Cooperating with the Spirit

Where can we buy enough food for them to eat? (John 6:5)

With these words, Jesus launched Philip and the other disciples on a path of discovering more clearly who he was and what he had come to accomplish. Of course he was concerned about feeding the crowd of people who had come out to listen to him. But he already “knew what he was going to do” about that (John 6:6). He asked this question to help his disciples become more confident in their ability to build his kingdom on earth. Jesus didn’t want this miracle of loaves to be the last time God miraculously took care of his people. He wanted the Twelve to become familiar and even comfortable with the idea of performing miracles themselves.

And so Jesus involved his disciples in every step of this miracle. He asked Philip to assess the situation: the size of the crowd and the inadequacy of their own resources. 

When Andrew brought him a bit of food and a lot of skepticism, he accepted the gift and told the disciples to make the people sit down, to pass out the loaves, and to collect the fragments. From beginning to end, the Twelve were an integral part of the miracle.

What did the disciples learn that day? They learned to look at needs through the lens of God’s compassion. They learned to put their own meager offerings into Jesus’ hands, and to do so unselfishly. They learned to give thanks to God before and after each request. And they learned to rely on the power of God as they built the kingdom.

Jesus wants to do the same thing for us. He wants us to become vessels of his grace in the world. So whenever he brings a need to your attention, pay attention. He is not just asking you what you think. As he did with Philip, he’s inviting you to join him in doing something wonderful about it. If you’re alert for his direction and willing to take a step of faith, you’ll see wonders!

“Jesus, make me a co-worker with you. Teach me how to cooperate with your Spirit.” 

from wau.org

Power in the name.

We are witnesses of these things. (Acts 5:32)

The apostles couldn’t keep quiet! The Jewish Sanhedrin had given them strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name, but they still felt the need to fill Jerusalem with the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. The Holy Spirit was urging them to proclaim Christ and his truth to all that they met, and no one, not even the high priest, could stop them. What’s more, it wasn’t just their public preaching that was causing such a stir. The things they said, the way they related to people, even their very demeanor, revealed the love and power of Christ.

When asked for alms by a man lame from birth, Peter replied, “In the name of Jesus Christ … rise and walk.” And the man did! When asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” he replied that the man was standing before them because of the “name of Jesus” (Acts 3:6; 4:7, 10). The power of God was flowing out of them so much that they had to explain where it was coming from.

There is great power in the name of Jesus! Consider this: when an ambassador acts in the name of his or her president, things happen. When a spokesperson acts in the name of the head of a corporation, people take notice. Similarly, Scripture tells us that when we act in the name of Jesus, things get done. Divine power flows, and lives are changed. The apostles knew that there was power in that name, and they didn’t hesitate to call upon his name to heal, to evangelize, and to build up the Church.

You shouldn’t hesitate to call on the name of Jesus, either! It is one of the greatest weapons available to us in the spiritual battle. When you find yourself getting upset, you can say, “In the name of Jesus, I cast out anger or resentment.” When you see a friend struggling, you can say (maybe under your breath), “In the name of Jesus, I proclaim peace and healing.” Begin today, and you’ll find more and more opportunities to call on the name of the Lord—and to see the power that flows when you do. 

“Lord, teach me how to echo the psalmist: ‘Some rely on chariots, others on horses, but we on the name of the Lord our God!’ (Psalm 20:8).”

 from wau.org

Divine Assistance

I am going fishing. (John 21:3)

Jesus’ resurrection left the disciples with much to think about. And yet, for all that had changed, today’s Gospel reading shows that some things remained the same. Peter and the others still had to eat. They still had to take care of their families. And, wonder of wonders, they still could rely on Jesus to work wonders in their lives.

This wasn’t the first time that Jesus helped Peter and the others with a miraculous catch of fish. A similar thing happened at the very beginning of their discipleship (Luke 5:1-11). But now, at the end of their time with him, just as he is about to send them out to preach and build the Church, Jesus shows that he has no intention of leaving them alone. He may be ascending to heaven, but he will still be with them. He will continue to open up new and brighter horizons for them.

Many of us have examples of God having worked in our lives in the past. Perhaps it was a dramatic healing or conversion. Maybe it was a gradual sense of his presence that changed our way of thinking. Maybe he helped us mend a broken relationship. These are all wonderful experiences that we should treasure. But they’re not the end of the story! Today’s Gospel tells us that when God steps into our lives, things change—and they keep on changing. Step by step, milestone by milestone, the Holy Spirit works to bring us closer to Jesus. Even the ordinary, everyday aspects of our lives can take on new and deeper meaning—simply because of God’s presence. 

Is God stepping more deeply into your life right now? Yes! As much as he has done already, he wants to do even more. He wants to give you a greater sense of belonging to him. He wants to strengthen the friendships you have that are founded on him. He wants to guide you in your work and in your family. Every day, he asks you to cast your net into the sea of his grace so that you can receive deeper and deeper blessings.

“Jesus, I know you have more to give me. Help me not to be satisfied with what I already have. Lord, I want to be a generous receiver of your grace!”

from wau.org

The moment of victory

Carrying the cross himself, he went out. (John 19:17)

Where do you see yourself, as Jesus walks the rough path to the hill of Golgotha? Are you a bystander, waiting for the procession to pass so that you can be about your business? Are you a friend, hurrying behind, distraught but unable to desert him? Maybe you’re a soldier, driving him before you.

No matter what perspective you view the story from, Jesus is always at the center, orchestrating each action. At no point in John’s Gospel is Jesus helpless or bewildered. He shows nothing but steadfast purposefulness. At his word, a whole contingent of soldiers falls back (John 18:6). Standing before Pilate, he holds fast, while the procurator becomes increasingly anxious and afraid (19:8). He manfully takes up his cross and marches to his fate (19:17). And at what appears to be his lowest point, Jesus announces calmly and definitively, “It is finished” and hands over his spirit to the Father (19:30). Far from a humiliating defeat, this is his moment of victory! 

As you ponder the story of the Passion today, let it fill you with peace and confidence in your salvation. Try to sense Jesus’ willingness, his determination, his calm perseverance. Your life is safe in his nail-scarred hands; your soul is secure in his pierced heart. 

So instead of pushing quickly through the gloominess of today with your heart set on the joy of Easter Sunday, slow down and take stock. Try to experience Jesus’ Passion more personally, looking for signs of his authority and his mastery of the situation. Walk with him. Listen to the words that he speaks, and hear the assuredness in them.

Then follow his example and offer yourself to God, confident that you belong to him. See how committed he is to you, and commit yourself to him just as deeply. Know that whatever “cross” you have, you can take it up with the same courage and authority Jesus showed. He is walking with you, strengthening you every step of the way.

“Thank you, Jesus, for taking up your cross for me and for all of us. Lord, give me a share in your confidence, your courage, and your commitment.”

from wau.org

Quiet minds and hearts

Unless I wash you … (John 13:8)

What an astounding image the Lord gave his disciples—and us—of his love! The King of kings bends over us and humbly washes our feet. Such care and concern he shows for us, his people! This is the very nature of Jesus’ love for us: it is so intense that it moved him to lower himself to take on the position of a servant for our sakes.

“You will never wash my feet” (John 13:8). How many times have we echoed Peter’s words and tried to keep Jesus from ministering to us? Maybe we have thought we don’t deserve such love. Or maybe we have thought we don’t need to be washed clean. But to each of us, Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Unless we let him cleanse us and care for us, we will end up separated from him.

Jesus wants to wash us, both in Baptism and in our everyday lives. He wants to help us and refresh us. Accepting that offer means quieting our hearts and minds so that we can recall his love and feel his presence. Of course we have duties and obligations that we must accomplish every day, but if we let our duties take precedence over Jesus, we will miss out on all that he can do for us.

Today, we enter into the Easter Triduum, the great three-day celebration of our redemption. By spending extra time with the Lord at the various liturgies this weekend, we can give him the opportunity to wash our feet again. We can give him permission to move more freely in our hearts. And whenever we do that, we are changed a little bit more into his image. We are filled a little bit more with his love and power. We become his servants in the world, washing the feet of those around us.

“Jesus, during these next few days, help me to come into your presence and let you wash my feet. I don’t want my busyness to get the better of me. Instead, I want more of you. Help me to surrender the pride that won’t let you minister to me. Come, Lord, and fill me with your love.”

from wau.org