Rooted and grounded

 

 (1 Corinthians 10:14)

Why was Paul warning the Corinthians about idolatry? It helps to consider the context of this passage. A controversy existed within the community about whether Christians were allowed to eat meat that had been sacrificed to pagan gods. The problem was that most of the meat available on the market had already been subject to these religious ceremonies. Earlier in his letter, Paul argued that Christians could eat such meat as long as it didn’t scandalize or weaken the consciences of their fellow Christians (1 Corinthians 8:4-13). But it seems that some in the community may have actually been participating in these sacrifices as well as eating the “consecrated” meat.

How could they do such a thing, Paul asks, and still come together to share communion and receive the Body and Blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16)? Paul understood that when we sacrifice to anything, we are “connecting” ourselves to that person or thing; we are establishing a kind of communion with them. But communion with Christ is exclusive. We can’t be connected to anything else at the same time.

Whenever we invest an inordinate amount of our time, energy, or resources in pursing things other than God, we are in effect sacrificing to them. We are in some way sharing communion with them. We may even be giving the evil one a foothold in our lives (1 Corinthians 10:20). After all, what better strategy could Satan use than to keep our focus off of God?

Of course, just because something isn’t directly God centered doesn’t mean it will become an idol. We just don’t want anything—whether that be the pursuit of a career, material things, or a favorite pastime—to become a driving force in our lives.

As Christians, we want to invest ourselves in what will keep us close to Christ. Because in the end, anything else will prove dissatisfying to us. Nothing can give us what only God stands ready to give: hope that does not disappoint, deep-down joy, and love that is beyond our comprehension.

“Jesus, help me always to stay firmly connected to you.”

 from wau.org

Shared Yoke

My yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Matthew 11:30) 

While the image of a yoke was familiar to Jesus’ audience, we modern readers may not be able to relate so easily. A yoke is made for two, like a team of oxen. When oxen are young, they are taught to pull together when hitched to the yoke. When one ox tries to go one way and the other a different way, they experience the pain of pulling against the yoke. The harder they fight it, the worse it gets.
So in one sense, we can say that the yoke punishes and burdens the oxen. But when both are going in the same direction, it actually makes their work easier. Usually one ox takes the lead and sets the direction, while the second ox learns how to follow. As they learn the positive and negative effects of the yoke over time, they discover how beneficial it can be.

This helps us understand Jesus’ saying that being yoked to him lightens our burdens. That’s the way a yoke is supposed to work! It teaches us to let him set the course. It teaches us to follow the One who has yoked himself to us in a covenant of love. We also experience what happens as we try to go our own way. We see how fighting God’s lead causes us pain. As Paul understood in Acts 26:14, by kicking “against the goad” (a tool used to drive oxen), he only hurt himself. But when he followed Jesus, he was far more peaceful—and far more fruitful!

Because we are humans, we are designed to learn through trial and—sometimes painful—error. That may sound harsh, but we can be confident that Jesus is extremely patient. He never stops loving us and trying to lead us. He knows that we will become more docile to his leading as we experience the wonderful effects of following him. He is confident that we will learn.

Yes, Jesus’ yoke is easy—because the One who leads us is walking beside us in the yoke. He shares all of our burdens. He invites us to enter into his rest. All he asks is that we follow his lead.

“Jesus, I want to learn your gentleness and humility as I walk with you. Teach me to move in step with you and your Spirit.”

from wau.org

Spiritual wealth

Jesus Christ . . . became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9) 

In a surprising headline in 2010, Austrian millionaire Karl Rabeder announced that he was selling all of his properties and businesses. At age forty-seven, he had become convinced that he needed to stop what he was doing and begin his real life. His goal was to “have nothing left, absolutely nothing.” So he set up an organization to help people in developing countries and transferred all his money to its accounts. Rabeder, a rich man, made himself poor in order to enrich the lives of the needy.

That’s not a bad image to consider today. Like Karl Rabeder, Jesus emptied himself for us so that we could be filled with his spiritual riches.

Jesus was seated with the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven. He felt no need or shortage at all—only perfect harmony, love, majesty, and holiness. Not only that, but at his word, glorious things came to be. It’s hard to imagine any greater richness than that. 

And yet as rich as he was, he gave it all up when he came to earth. He was born in a stable to a poor carpenter and his wife. He spent his childhood in simplicity, learning his father’s trade. He became a wandering rabbi, traveling the countryside and healing the broken and the sick. He spent sleepless nights in prayer and endless days ministering to the needy. And in the end, when he most needed their support, all his friends abandoned him, leaving him to die a shameful death alone.

Why did he go through all of that? Simply to make you rich. He set aside his glory so that he could give you unlimited forgiveness, access to heaven, and the ability to know God in a personal way. Because of the riches of his grace, you can walk with him and love other people as fully as he did.

Why live like a pauper when Jesus has made you rich? Don’t be afraid to ask him for more—more mercy, more forgiveness, more wisdom, more joy. Jesus doesn’t want to see you living like you’re bankrupt. He gave everything up to make you spiritually rich! 

“Lord Jesus, thank you for your immense generosity. Help me accept all the riches you have offered me.”

from wau.org

"Spiritual DNA"

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9) 

When you were a child, someone may have told you, “You’re the spitting image of your dad.” Or “Your eyes remind me so much of your mother’s.” Or maybe you heard “You have your father’s laugh” or “You have your mother’s nose.” These remarks reflect the truth that we don’t just pop into the world as completely independent beings. We inherit our physical makeup from our parents. Even in the case of someone who has never met our family, there’s still some truth to the fact that when they meet us, they are meeting our parents as well. 

If this is true about human parents and children, imagine how much more it is for Jesus and his heavenly Father! He even says as much in today’s Gospel: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). All of his Father’s love and power were wrapped up in everything Jesus said and did.

Now for the really good news: because the Spirit lives within us, we too are infused with God’s love and power. We are sons and daughters of God who carry our Father’s “spiritual DNA.” Of course, like any other child, we still have to grow into our inheritance. But isn’t it wonderful to know we have all the tools we need to do just that?

You are a child of God. Hold on to this truth every day—especially when you are confronted with sin and weakness. Remember the goodness that your Father has placed in you when you are reminded of your failings. Remember that you have been filled with divine grace to help you live a holy life. Remember who you are—and whose you are. [Emphasis mine]

When you have an impossible deadline at work, remember Jesus, who persevered through long days of ministry. Ask for his strength to carry on. When you are offended and want to retaliate, remember Jesus, who silently endured the cross. Ask the Spirit for his patience and compassion. When you want to offer to pray with a friend but feel afraid, remember your heavenly brothers and sisters, the saints. Let their boldness embolden you. Who knows? Before the day is over, someone might say, “You know, I see something different in you. What could it be?” 

“Father, may I reflect your presence within me today.” 

from wau.org

Abundance of life (John 10:10)

. . . so that they might have life . . . more abundantly. (John 10:10)

“But I already have life,” you might argue. True, and yet there is more. With Jesus there is always more. Whatever degree of “life” you experience today, there’s more waiting for you. Thoughts and temptations may try to convince you otherwise, but Jesus is clear. He came to this earth, in fact, so that you would experience rich, overflowing life. Rich, in grace and gifts from God your Father; overflowing, in God’s love that fills your heart and spills out to people around you.

This abundant life is already yours through the Spirit you received in Baptism, so why not experience it? Here are a few ways you can discover it.

You can know this abundant life in your thoughts. You don’t have to be a slave to negative or critical thoughts. Jesus came so that you might think the best of yourself and other people, even those who have hurt you. Perhaps it means praying, “Father, forgive” hundreds of times a day. Or “Holy Spirit, help me know how you think” repeatedly. It might mean trying to focus your mind on God’s goodness, not about who has hurt you, or on what God has promised you rather than any troubles that might happen. 

You can know abundant life in your words too. Your words can influence the atmosphere around you; they can heal, comfort, encourage, and impart wisdom. Try telling yourself, “My prayers are powerful” or “Jesus lives in me.” A simple statement such as “What a good daughter you are” might encourage someone caring for an ailing parent. Words like these, words of grace and truth, pleasant and insightful, can flow out of your mouth as Jesus’ love fills your heart. And of course, there’s much grace in knowing when to keep quiet. 

Jesus also came so that your actions might flow out of his abundance. The smallest actions—taking soup to a sick friend or mowing a neighbor’s lawn—bear fruit, even if you never see it. When you take a moment to comfort someone, you are bringing Christ, and his abundant life, to them. When you spend a few minutes in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, you are receiving even more of that life so that you can keep sharing it with other people.

Jesus always has more to give you!

“Thank you, Lord, for giving me abundant life.”

from wau.org

Look up

Whoever keeps my word will never see death. (John 8:51) 

If you were to take an immersion language course in French, from the moment you enter the classroom until the moment you leave, every word you hear and every word you speak would be in French. No English. Not a single word. Similarly, we could say that in today’s Gospel, Jesus is conducting an immersion class in the language of heaven.

A long debate between Jesus and his opponents has brought them to the question of his claim to be the Son of God. “It is my Father who glorifies me,” he tells them (John 8:54). “I know him. . . and I keep his word” (8:55). His opponents can’t seem to settle on who they think he is: “Where is your Father?” “Who are you?” “You are a Samaritan” “You are possessed.” “Who do you make yourself out to be?” (John 8:19, 25, 48, 52, 53).

Nearly two millennia of Old Testament history had brought Jesus and the Jewish authorities to this point of impasse. These were faithful Jews intent on honoring God’s covenant with Abraham. But Jesus insists that he himself is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. Their focus on their long-held expectations blocks their understanding. But Jesus doesn’t give up. He continues to show them an unimaginable future in which Abraham is waiting for them.

Jesus is still leading us today. Every day he is at the top of a hill looking over into a beautiful land and inviting us to join him: “Whoever keeps my word will never see death” (John 8:51). He is asking us to trust him and to follow him into that new promised land. 

Let’s believe Jesus today. Let’s keep his word today and every day until we have made it over the hill and into our new home. We do that by fixing our eyes on Jesus. His cross is like a trail marker; it points us to the path of self-giving love. His resurrection tells us that our biggest obstacles, sin and death, have been defeated. And his ascension tells us that the gates of heaven have been opened—for all of us! 

“Jesus, I believe that you are the way to heaven. Help me to turn from any paths that do not lead to you.”

from wau.org

The power of worsip

Blessed are you, O Lord . . . , praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (Daniel 3:52)

It makes sense to cry out to God for help when we’re struggling. But the Scriptures also show us people praising God when they’re in dire straits. In today’s first reading, for instance, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have been thrown into a white-hot furnace because they refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. But instead of panicking and crying out in fear, they walk about in the flames, “singing to God and blessing the Lord” (Daniel 3:24). 

Two things happen as the three men in the fiery furnace praise God. First, they are supernaturally protected—the flames don’t harm them. Second, they realize that they are not alone: there is a fourth man in the furnace with them, who “looks like a son of God” (Daniel 3:92).

We all face challenges in life; we all feel at times that we are in a white-hot furnace of our own. Our first reaction is usually to cry out to God to save us. There’s nothing wrong with that—God wants us to call on him in our need. But what if we decided to take a deep breath and offer him praise as well?

Like the “fourth man” appearing in the furnace, the act of praising God in some mysterious way makes him more present to us. We know that he might not always protect us from harm in miraculous ways as he did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We know that he might not take away the challenges we face. But we become more aware that he is with us, and we become more confident that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Something else happens as we step out in faith and decide to praise God: we go from focusing on our problems to focusing on him. That stirs up our hope and confidence in God. We understand in a deeper way that we have a great and mighty God who will love us, not just in our present troubles, but into eternity.

What’s the number one challenge you are facing right now? Today, visualize placing it on an altar and lifting your arms and hands in worship. Then use today’s responsorial psalm to praise the Lord. Even if your situation doesn’t change, your heart will. 

“Thank you, Lord, for your saving power! I want to praise you always!”

from wau.org

What do you see

When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am. (John 8:28) 

When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, the people who gazed on it saw two things. First, they got a graphic look at their own sins. Grumbling, blaming, and complaining are as deadly as serpents. They slither their way between people and interfere with God’s ability to take care of them. Second, they got a look at God’s mercy. Whoever looked at the bronze serpent was instantly healed.

In the same way, when we gaze at Jesus lifted up on the cross, we see ourselves and Jesus more clearly.

Looking at the cross, we can see ourselves as capable of wounding people by our indifference, our selfishness, and our pride. We see that we can be like Pilate as we wash our hands of responsibility for the needy. We are the soldiers mistreating the people we don’t respect. We are the mob, easily swayed by the fad or feeling of the moment, rejecting anyone who seems out of step. We are the would-be followers running away at the first sign of trouble. We are the faithful friends, helpless and disconsolate, immobilized by fear. We see how our own actions have caused the pain that Jesus is experiencing as he hangs on the cross, suffering for our sins.

But that’s not all. Gazing at the cross, we also see a God who became man because he loves us. We see Jesus looking at each of us with great tenderness and compassion. We hear him promising forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who turns to him in repentance. We see a Messiah who loves us unconditionally, who loves us enough to endure and conquer not only our sins but death itself.

Spend some time in front of a crucifix today, either at home or in church. Don’t worry about whether you have anything to say to Jesus. Just kneel there, and gaze at him in wonder and gratitude. Have the courage to look at whatever he reveals about yourself, but don’t stop there. Keep on gazing until you feel his love driving out your sin and bringing you into the presence of Jesus, your brother and Redeemer.

“Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to be lifted up on the cross.”

from wau.org

Do you want to be well?

“Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6) 

What kind of question is that? Of course this man wants to be healed! He’s been waiting thirty-eight years for a healing.

So why would Jesus ask him that question? Why wouldn’t he just go ahead and heal the man? Notice that instead of saying yes to Jesus’ inquiry, the man explains why he hasn’t been healed yet: he never gets to the pool quickly enough when the water is “stirred up” (John 5:7). Perhaps the man has grown accustomed to being unable to walk and has resigned himself to it. So Jesus wanted to get to the heart of the matter first. 

The same may be true for us at times. Whether it is a sickness of mind, spirit, or body that afflicts us, we can grow accustomed to it. We don’t really expect things to ever change. In fact, we may even fear how we would live without it.

But what if the Lord suddenly asked you that question? What might you say?

Do you want to be well? “Lord, you know I want to be healed. But sometimes I doubt that you can help me. Take away my doubts, and give me faith in your healing power.”

Do you want to be well? “Lord, I’m afraid to ask you for healing because if I don’t get it, I’ll be disappointed. Sometimes I even wonder if you love me. Help me to put all things in your hands and leave the outcome to you.” 

Do you want to be well? “Lord, I don’t know what becoming well will require of me. I may have to let go of a grudge so that I can receive the grace to forgive. I may have to do new things or encounter new situations that take me out of my comfort zone.” 

Don’t let anything hold you back from asking the Lord to heal you. Whatever your wounds, tell him, “I want to be well.” Then imagine him saying, “Take up your mat, and walk” (John 5:8). You may not be healed instantaneously, but you may receive a much-needed increase in faith and trust in him—along with a clearer sense of how much he loves you. Let him make you well in his time and according to his wisdom.

“Yes, Lord, I want to be made well.”

from wau.org 

Looking forward

They . . . turned their backs, not their faces, to me. (Jeremiah 7:24) 

We often hear the Christian life compared to a journey, and for good reason. When someone takes a journey, it’s because they want to get somewhere—just as we are journeying toward our ultimate destination of heaven. And as anyone on a journey knows, the best way to get to the destination is to keep moving forward. That’s what makes today’s first reading so poignant. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God laments that his people have been going backward and not forward. They have turned their backs to the Lord and started walking away from him and back into the darkness of sin.

Think about this image for a bit. What is sin if it’s not going backward, returning to the urges and desires that cut us off from God and one another? And what is the result of walking backward? We move away from our destination and lose sight of the heavenly life that is our inheritance in Christ.

At the same time, what is a life of faith if it’s not one of constantly moving forward with our eyes fixed on the goal? What is it if it’s not taking the bold step of trusting that God will support us, strengthen us, and fulfill us far more than sin could ever derail us?

When you are faced with temptation today, keep this image in your mind. Remember that the choice is always yours: whether to take a step backward, away from your goal, or to walk forward, out of the swirling drives and urges and into the arms of your heavenly Father. Commit yourself today to continuing on with your journey of trust and love, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus and his heavenly throne.

Remember too that the journey forward is not one you take alone. You are surrounded by the saints and angels. You have the witness, prayer, and support of brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. Best of all, Jesus himself is always with you “until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

As this week winds down, take a few moments to examine your journey. Ask if there are any obstacles that you can remove. Is there anything you can do to make your way forward smoother and quicker?

“Jesus, I want to walk toward you today. Help me to reach my goal of union with you.”

from wau.org

The essence of today

This day, . . . Today . . . (Deuteronomy 26:16, 17) 

If an observant Jew were to ask God which day is his favorite, he might expect the answer to be Saturday, the day that God rested. A Christian might expect the answer to be Sunday, the day of the resurrection. But God’s favorite day is today. No, not this date in history, but today, every day, each particular day in which you find yourself. Why? Because today, this very moment, is filled with divine potential. This day is brimming with his power and grace.

Remember the Israelites wandering in the desert. God gave them a new start each and every day. Think about the manna that he provided for them to eat; they could collect enough for only one day. Yet it was there anew every morning (Exodus 16:4-15)! Now, as Moses gathers the people on the edge of the Promised Land, he calls them to trust this same truth: today God will provide everything they need; today he stands fully committed to loving them and protecting them.

You too have a brand-new day today. Yesterday, with all the mistakes and choices you wish you could change, is behind you. Tomorrow, with all the challenges that might make you anxious, is in God’s hands. But today, God is offering you his love. Today, he is offering you his word of wisdom. Today, he is inviting you to follow him. 

Everyone has many different needs, but in addition to meeting these needs, God offers one gift to every single person every single day: his full attention. Right here, right now, he is offering you his faithfulness and love. He knows what today holds, and he is offering you the wisdom you need to face it.

God is not limited to the past stories from the Bible and the ancient saints. Neither is he far away in some future time that you might live to see. “Yesterday, today, and forever,” he is with you (Hebrews 13:8). This is the moment when you can come to him, connect with him, and know how close he really is. He knows exactly what you need, and he already has it in hand for you. “This is the day the Lord has made” (Psalm 118:24)!

“Jesus, thank you for this day. Open my eyes to the grace you have for me, grace that is perfect for today.”

from wau.org

Rest

The Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. (Isaiah 58:11) 

Those who invest in stocks or corporations do so in order to make a certain percentage of money on top of what they first invested. In the financial world, this is known as an “ROI”—a Return on Investment. 

This concept from the world of business and high finance can help us understand a key spiritual principle: God rewards us when we invest our time and effort in him. In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah explains that those who spend time caring for the needy and honoring the Sabbath will be rewarded with a “spring whose water never fails” (58:11). That’s like having an infinite return on investment!

But Isaiah isn’t talking only about the time we invest in doing; he is also asking us to spend time resting, or keeping the Sabbath holy.

It’s easy to think that Sunday is a good time to catch up on work and other projects. But God promises that if you take time to step back from your own endeavors on the Sabbath, he will renew you. If you can find a way to put aside your to-do list—even if it’s just for a couple of hours—he will make up the difference in ways you might not expect. You’ll discover the divine irony that doing less actually results in greater gains!

So what can you expect to happen if you set aside a portion of each Sunday this Lent to rest in the Lord? Perhaps by slowing down and relaxing, you’ll find it easier to sense the Lord’s presence. Maybe you’ll discover that you have more time to sit down with your spouse or a child or friend, and learn more about what’s on their heart. Then when you come to the end of the day, you might feel more grateful because you have been able to see more clearly the many ways God has blessed you.

Sharp investors are always on the lookout for a solid return, but they know there is always a risk involved in any transaction. And that’s precisely where this analogy breaks down. There is no risk with the Lord. Anyone who invests in him—especially on his day of rest—is guaranteed to reap a wonderful return. That’s how faithful God is! 

“Lord, help me to honor the Sabbath this Lent by resting with you.” 

from wau.org

Just come

Let the children come to me. (Mark 10:14) 

If you have ever been around little kids for an extended length of time, you know that they are not picture-perfect little angels. Some run around and knock things over, others ask embarrassing questions, and some can’t help but interrupt their parents’ conversations. The kids who gathered around Jesus were no different. There was probably a mix of all kinds of personalities and dispositions—some were rambunctious, some were shy, some were inquisitive, and some were demanding. But no matter how different they were, each of them was attracted to Jesus. And he welcomed them all! In a culture where children were taught to keep out of the way, Jesus wanted them to come closer so that he could bless them. “Let them come,” he said.

Jesus looks at us in the same way. He doesn’t mind if we don’t have it all together. He doesn’t expect us to act perfectly around him. He just wants to be close to us. He knows that each of us deeply desires to be welcomed, to be valued, to belong. And that’s exactly what Jesus wants to tell us. It doesn’t matter whether or not we feel worthy; it doesn’t matter whether or not we fit some ideal of what a friend of Jesus looks like. He just wants us to come to him. 

With that in mind, read this passage again, and imagine all the different kinds of children who were brought to Jesus. Think about the love and patience he must have had. Think about his overflowing joy as he interacted with them, both as a group and individually. Think about how he loved and blessed each one in a special way. 

Now, picture yourself as one of those children. Imagine he’s looking at you as all the others are milling around. He says, “Don’t be afraid,” and holds out his hand. He already knows you inside and out, and he welcomes you. He doesn’t want you to feel unworthy. He sees the goodness that he has put inside of you, and he knows the kind of person you can become. Your rough edges will be smoothed. Can you hear him inviting you? Go ahead and run to him! 

“Jesus, help me to draw near to you like a child.” 

from wau.org

Resting in th Lord

Come away . . . and rest. (Mark 6:31) 

What a gracious, kind invitation Jesus made to the Twelve! It seemed that everyone wanted something from him—healing, deliverance, advice, even a good theological dispute. But Jesus made sure that he spent time with his apostles so that he could teach them how to find rest in God’s presence. He wanted to help them find the right balance between serving God and letting God serve them and tend to their needs.

Balance. Isn’t that one of the biggest challenges we all face? In a world that emphasizes accomplishments and achievement, the call to sit quietly with the Lord and receive his blessing can sound narrow and self-indulgent. But the truth is that everyone needs to spend time alone with Jesus. We all need to come to him in the quiet of our hearts and let him minister to us. For without this time alone, we will have nothing to offer the people we are serving and caring for.

Writing about prayer, the Jesuit theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar once said, “Harassed by life, exhausted, we look about us for somewhere to be quiet, to be genuine, a place of refreshment. We yearn to restore our spirits in God, to simply let go in him and gain new strength to go on living. . . . In a field of quiet, there lies waiting for us a hidden treasure.”

Don’t give up on that treasure! Don’t let the world convince you that you have all the resources you need to face the challenges of life! Every day, Jesus has special gifts set aside for you—treasures that he knows you will need as you face the ups and downs of the day. These treasures may include a verse from Scripture that you can share with a loved one, a warm embrace from his Spirit to support you in a tough situation, or a dose of courage to help you in the fight against temptation.

So take Jesus’ words to heart today. He is calling you right now: “Come away with me.” Carve out a time and a place where you can go with him to rest, to be taught, and to be loved. 

“Thank you, Jesus, for calling me to your side. Here I am, Lord! Come and fill me up.” 

powered by wau.org

He knows your name

Even as we begin this year, may we remember that He is with us

Confidence

I am confident and unafraid. (Isaiah 12:2) 

Confidence. It’s something we all want and need. But what’s the source of our confidence? The world says it’s because of who we are and what we are capable of doing. But as Christians, we believe it’s because of who God is and what he has already done for us. 

In today’s psalm response, Isaiah declares that he is confident because his “strength” and “courage is the Lord” (12:2). And in the first reading, Paul says we have confidence through our faith in Jesus (Ephesians 3:12). Of course, it’s easy to say that our confidence comes from God. But how can we make this spiritual truth affect the way we live each day? Here are a few suggestions.

Our true confidence lies in knowing, deep down, that we have a Father in heaven who loves us and is always with us. We can lean on him at all times, and trust that he will supply all that we need. So try to get into the habit of thanking God for his love and faithfulness. The more you consciously express your gratitude, the more confident you will become that God always has your back. 

It’s easy to feel confident when things are going well. But when we face challenges that we don’t know how to handle, our confidence can quickly shrivel up. Again, you can make the conscious decision to surrender the situation to God. Even if you don’t “feel” any different, even if you keep taking back your surrender, keep it up. God sees your faith, and he will find a way to show you that he is still with you to help you and to guide you. 

Finally, you can build your confidence in God by recalling stories about his faithfulness in the Scriptures and the lives of the saints. Remember how God parted the Red Sea when the Israelites were literally up against a wall (of water). Remember how God helped David defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:46). Remember how Mother Teresa pressed on against enormous odds to keep caring for the poorest of the poor. Tell yourself, “God helped them, and he will help me.”

We can never exhaust God’s strength and courage. So be confident that you can rely on the One who will give you all you need! 

“Father, you are my strength!”

from wau.org

Don't be hindered

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners. (Matthew 9:13) 

Despised as a collaborator with the Romans, Matthew knew that his job as a tax collector was nothing to be proud of. Or at least he shouldn’t have been proud to be a tax collector. His hard-earned wealth only brought him contempt and rejection from his own people. He probably endured snide remarks from his townspeople, and it’s possible that he had begun to believe them. Whatever he thought, when he heard Jesus call him, Matthew did not hesitate. All his sinful ways, all the ways he had mistreated people, and all the unworthiness that must have accompanied such behavior dissipated. There was something special about Jesus, and Matthew was not about to let any obstacle—real or perceived—stand in his way.

It can be easy to buy into the lie that you are unworthy to answer Jesus’ call. Don’t believe it! Don’t imagine that your sins or weaknesses have convinced Jesus to pass you by in favor of a more worthy candidate. Remember what he said to the people who objected to his calling of Matthew: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). We are all sinners, and still, Jesus calls all of us: “Follow me” (9:9). He wants you to be with him.

So don’t let your sins and failings hinder your yes to the Lord. Quite the opposite—they are the perfect opportunity to show the world how merciful he is. Tradition tells us that Matthew went on to evangelize the very Jews he had once scandalized. The evidence of his change of heart must have made a deep impression on many of them. 

Today, if you are feeling unworthy, remember Matthew. Remember God’s kindness and mercy toward him. Remember the freedom and joy he felt when he left his old life behind and accepted Jesus’ invitation. God has called you and chosen you because he loves you just as much as he loved Matthew. He wants to silence that voice of unworthiness. Whether Jesus is calling you to leave behind a pattern of sin, to grow closer to him in prayer, to serve your community in a new way, or some combination of all three, say yes. Jump at his invitation, and let him change your life.

“Jesus, thank you for the invitation to follow you. Help me to say yes to your call!”

So much more

Stretch out your hand. (Luke 6:10) 

Critics play an important role in the music world. They help the public to evaluate what is good, and by doing so, they set standards for music. But critics can also be closed to anything new or different. For example, one of Bach’s students called his music “turgid and confused.” A contemporary of Mozart called his music “overloaded and overstuffed.” One critic said of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony: “It was hard to figure out what all the noise was about.”

You could say that some Pharisees of Jesus’ day had become like those critics. In their zeal to preserve the Law, they had attached their own limited expectations to it. One of those limitations was that they taught that curing the sick was forbidden on the Sabbath—unless the sick person was in danger of death. The man whom Jesus healed in the synagogue had only a withered hand, so that clearly didn’t qualify. These Pharisees weren’t willing to admit that God could go beyond their assumptions of what the Law was all about.

This attitude can affect us as well. We can view our own assumptions about God as being the only thing that matters, and end up limiting him as a result. But our heavenly Father wants to take us beyond our expectations, both of who he is and of who we can become. He is not interested in healing you just enough so that you can squeak your way into heaven. He is a generous Father. He wants to fill you with so much grace that you dance through his gates joyfully, bringing countless people behind you whose lives you have touched!

Do you think it’s possible that you can know the Lord even more deeply than you do right now? Do you think it’s possible that you might be able to pray with someone and see them healed? Don’t be like those music critics with their limited expectations! God has great plans for you. So go ahead and stretch out your hand in faith and see how God fills you with his life, his love, and his power.

“Lord, open my eyes. Help me to see how much you have blessed me in the past, so that I can be open to receive your grace in the future.”

from wau.org

"Take my yoke"

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Think about all the times we hear commands in radio and TV ads. “Start using your checkout account today!” “Don’t lose your reward!” “Buy now and save!” Such commands, clearly, are designed to stir us to action. 

Jesus sometimes speaks this way to us, too. In today’s Gospel reading, for instance, he issues a compelling command, one with promises attached that far outstrip any promise made by any advertiser. Come to me! he commands, and I will give you rest, he promises (Matthew 11:28).

And yet Jesus knows how easy it is for us to set aside his command to come to him and so miss out on his promise of rest. We have all kinds of reasons why we don’t come to him. Guilt or shame can keep us away because we feel unworthy to be in Jesus’ presence. Or maybe we are feeling overwhelmed, so busy trying to get things done that we just don’t feel we can make the time for God. Distractions, especially the “noise” we face every day from the myriad forms of media and entertainment, can make it difficult to quiet our minds and settle into Jesus’ presence. Or we might be tempted to think, “I’m okay. I don’t need to rest with Jesus right now. I can do this if I just work harder.”

Whatever the reason, Jesus still says, Come! Come to me when you’re feeling bad about yourself. Come to me even when you think you’re too busy. Come especially when you’re distracted. Come when you are depressed or anxious or lonely. Come, even if you think you can do something without me.

So what are you waiting for? Using your faith and your imagination, place yourself in Jesus’ presence right now. Tell him what’s on your mind—your burdens, your victories, your worries, your workload. Even tell him about your sins. He won’t judge you; he’ll forgive you! Then close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. You may not feel anything right away, but you can still trust that he is pouring his blessings on you—precisely because you came to him. 

“Jesus, I need your rest, so I come to you to take on your yoke and learn from you.”

from wau.org

Bearing fruit even in the midst of challenges (1 Peter 1:3-9)

As Christians we have been chosen to bear fruit. But at the same time challenges and difficulties come into our lives in one form or the other. Many of us may be experiencing this today. From family, to work, to school, there might be one hurdle or another that needs to be overcome. So how do we continue to bear fruit even in the midst of these challenges? Though this is a difficult topic Jesus reminds us In John 16:33 that in this world we will have tribulation. But we must take heart because He has overcome the world.

 In our main text, St. Peter was writing to the church in the Roman provinces, in present day Turkey, during a time of persecution in his role as the head of the church in Rome. Its interesting that in the midst of the hardship Peter first and foremost decided to remind them of what they already had as believers in Christ. In vs 3-4, he reminded them of the living hope they have in the risen Christ who has given them an imperishable inheritance. Why was this reminder important? One would have expected that the first point in Peter’s letter might be to empathize with the persecuted people, or maybe show them some survival techniques, rather he chose to first remind them of who they belong to, who they are and what they already have. 

During the time of challenges it is easy to lose sight of the victorious life Christ has already secured for us on the cross. You can imagine that the daily struggles of surviving persecution might constantly be in the forefront of the minds of these persecuted Christians. Peter saw the need to first bring back their focus to the foundation of the faith; Jesus. To continue bearing fruit even in the ups and downs of life, we must fix our eyes on Jesus. The Lord Himself reminds us in John 15, that we the branches, need to remain in Him, the vine. To remain always takes an effort especially when there are other factors trying to gain our attention. Peter is drawing our minds to the need to spend even more time in prayer, scripture study and fellowship during times of difficulty in order not to lose sight of Jesus and His work on the cross for us. He reminds us of the need to keep in mind that we have access to an unfading inheritance, kept in heaven for us which is shielded by God’s power. Inheritance bestowed from a will is always finite. Either its supply reduces or its value diminishes. However St. Peter is reminding us of what we already have, our heavenly inheritance which is guarded by God Himself. What a blessing!!

 In Ephesians 1, St Paul reminds us of this inheritance: We have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing, in Christ we have been chosen to be holy and blameless in His sight, in Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins and in Him we have the promised seal of the Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.  In order to remain fruitful during challenges we have to remind ourselves of these truths. We have to remind ourselves of who we are, whom we belong to and what we have.

Secondly, St. Peter reminds us in vs 6-7, that our challenges are a means to an end and not an end in itself. In verse 7, Peter comments that our challenges should be seen as a way of refining our faith, bringing honor and praise to Jesus. We see this lived out in the lives of the apostles as we read in the book of Acts, where after several floggings and imprisonments the apostles still moved ahead spreading the gospel with a renewed resolve. Their faith was strengthened to continue to bear more fruit. To be fruitful in challenging times, we need to consider our challenges as opportunities for growth in the faith. In Hebrews 11 we read of the great women and men of faith who had travailed through several conditions to bring glory to God through their fruits. From Abraham to David we see how holding on during challenges enabled them to grow from strength to strength in their faith, bearing the fruits we now see and read about.  We see this same mindset in St Paul. He writes in Romans 5:8: “Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. Again he states in Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Its necessary that we have this outlook in our lives that we see our challenges as opportunities for growth which lead to fruit bearing bringing glory to the Lord.

Thirdly, to be fruitful in the midst of challenges we need to remain connected to the community of believers. St Paul writes in Hebrews 10:25 “²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The need for community cannot be over emphasized. Right from the beginning of the church, in the book of Acts, we read of how believers met for fellowship with the breaking of bread and the reading of scripture. The essence of community living is seen highlighted throughout scripture. We see this sense of community among Jesus and His disciples right to the early church communities established by the apostles as they moved evangelizing from place to place. By remaining connected to the community we receive encouragement to move ahead in our times of difficulty through the sharing of testimonies and communal prayer. The community of faith serves as a huge resource for pulling through challenging times to bear fruit for the kingdom. A typical example of the effect of community living can be seen in the life of Barnabas. We read in the book of Acts 9 of how Barnabas stood by Paul in his time of difficulty when the rest of the disciples were afraid to associate with him due to his history. Because of the action and encouragement of Barnabas, Paul became an integral part of the mission of spreading the gospel. I pray that we will become even more, a people of community, that our challenges will drive us closer even as we share and encourage one another, so that as a unified body of Christ, we will bear lasting fruits for His glory.

Lastly, to remain fruitful in the midst of challenges, we must learn to totally rely on the Holy Spirit. In John 14 Jesus reminds us that He will not leave us as orphans. He will send us His Spirit, and we see this being fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Brothers and sisters, we have the Holy Spirit, our comforter and our advocate. He speaks to us and we must learn to listen and rely on Him. The saving action of the Holy Spirit is seen so many times in the scriptures. We see this clearly in the book of Acts where a persecuted and fearful group of disciples are transformed to bold bearers of fruits for the kingdom. From Peter to Paul, we read about how on several occasions the Holy Spirit ministered to and used them as vessels of honor to bring hope and deliverance even in trying moments. Today the Holy Spirit is still available to us. Its crucial that we rely on Him just as the fathers of the church did. In our difficult moments we must choose to hold on to Him and not focus on the situation around us. We must not give up.   

My sisters and brothers, we have been called to a life of bearing fruit yet our lives may be filled with one challenge or another. By focusing on Jesus, spending time with the community of believers, having the right mind set in approaching our challenges and relying totally on the Holy Spirt, we can continue to bear fruit even in the midst of it all. I pray that the Lord will continue to give us the strength and the resolve to  bear fruit for Him regardless of the circumstance. Amen.