Divine Logic

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. (Matthew 1:24)

When Joseph heard the news about Mary’s surprise pregnancy, he was probably upset. To all appearances, Mary had broken her vow to him, violating his trust in an extremely careless way. The reasonable conclusion for a “righteous man” like Joseph was to divorce Mary quietly so as not to cause any more trouble for her (Matthew 1:19). 

But through an angel, God helped Joseph come to a conclusion that was based on something greater than human logic alone. Joseph began thinking according to the logic of divine love and not just human reasoning. God’s grace filled his heart and helped him see a bigger picture.

Today’s Gospel reading shows us how grace builds on our nature. It takes our good qualities and fills them with God’s goodness. It was grace that moved Mary to say yes to the angel’s invitation to become the Mother of God. It was grace that moved Joseph to embrace his vocation as the guardian of Israel’s Messiah. It’s the same grace that empowers us to accept God’s calling and wisdom for our lives.

Our human reason is a precious gift from God, but it was never meant to function independent of God. Our heavenly Father wants to teach us how to use his logic, the logic of divine love, as the foundation for all our thoughts, decisions, and actions. But for this to happen, we have to become sensitive to his grace.

from wau.org

The "Running" Father

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

This parable has had many different titles through the years. Of course, there’s “The Prodigal Son,” but it has also been called “The Lost Son,” “Two Sons,” and even “The Running Father.” But perhaps Jesus’ listeners would have called it “The Foolish Father.” The way that the father handled his wayward son was completely against the logic or tradition of first-century Judaism.

First, by asking for his inheritance while his father was living, the youngest son was implying that he wished his father were dead. The father should have been furious at the request, but he divided up the inheritance instead.

Second, when the father gave his son his share of the inheritance—cattle, crop, and whatever other goods it consisted of—the son sold it, took the money, and ran with it. This was not just an insult but a financial blow to his father. Even if the father were to divide his estate before his death, his sons would not have been allowed to sell anything until after he had passed away. The father still needed to live, after all!

The fact that the father ran to greet this son would also have been shocking to Jesus’ listeners. It was considered undignified for a mature man to be chasing after his son like that. As patriarchal as Jewish society was, children always came to their fathers, not the other way around! So it would have been scandalous for the father to humiliate himself before this ungrateful son.

Finally, when the father killed the fatted calf and threw a big party, he was indirectly using the eldest son’s inheritance. There was nothing else left to use. No wonder the older boy was angry!

Jesus used the father’s outlandish behavior to highlight the depth of God’s mercy. It’s almost illogical the way our heavenly Father forgives us over and over again. It’s scandalous the way he lavishes us with undeserved treasures. But this is our God, and his love for us is real!

Today, try to imagine God racing toward you, his robes hiked up and his face filled with anticipation. Doesn’t it make you want to run to him?

“Thank you, Lord, for your endless mercy to me. Show me how to run home to you and receive your inheritance!”

from wau.org

The Perfect "Probe"

I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart. (Jeremiah 17:10)

Jumping off the high dive or watching your child drive off by himself for the first time—events like these can be exhilarating and unnerving at the same time. The same can be said of the thought behind the above verse. It is exciting to learn that God knows what you mean, how you think, and what you truly intend, even when everyone else misunderstands you. He knows your difficulties and supports your efforts to love and serve him. But there’s also something unsettling in the way that God sees everything in your heart—even those things you want to hide forever. There’s no point in trying to fool the One who is all-knowing!

It’s good to know that when God probes us, he is more like a surgeon working with a scalpel than a lumberjack wielding a blunt ax. The light he shines on your life is as warm as the glow of the sun, not the cold glare of searchlights. Carefully, gently, he uncovers the thoughts and intentions of your heart. Skillfully he separates doubts and defenses, hopes and desires, purposes and attitudes. Even when he reveals something that needs to change, he is quick to assure you of his love and to remind you of all that is good in you. He doesn’t probe just to point out flaws; he does it so that he can bring you into a deeper relationship with him.

Lent is a good time to let the Lord probe your mind and test your heart. If the thought of doing that gives you pause or fills you with fear, take a minute and remind yourself who is doing the probing: the One who died to bring you eternal life. You are precious and honored in his eyes! 

God is endlessly patient with us. He extends his forgiveness and grace in outrageous abundance. He is rich in truth, but also in love. So open your heart to him today. Sit quietly with him in prayer, and ponder a short Scripture passage, perhaps something from Mass that touches your heart. He will do the rest.

“Father, look into my heart today, examine my thoughts, and strengthen me in your love.”

from wau.org

Works in Progress

He was transfigured before them. (Mark 9:2)

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was transfigured? He never announced it. His apostles never suspected it. The event was never repeated. So why did he do it? Let’s look at a bigger picture to try to get some answers.

From the day he first called them, Jesus showed his disciples that he had come from God. He performed many miracles. He taught with authority. He revealed God’s mercy. Then when he asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah” (Mark 8:29). 

This was a breakthrough moment. The disciples were beginning to believe in Jesus, but their faith still needed to grow. They still didn’t understand what kind of Messiah Jesus was. They didn’t understand that he had to die—or that they had to take up the cross as well (Mark 8:31-35).

So the Transfiguration proved that Jesus wasn’t just another prophet of God; he was God’s Son! It also showed that even though Jesus had to die, he would also rise to a glory beyond their imagining.

God transfigured Jesus as a way of strengthening the disciples—and all of us as well. It was a moment of encouragement before they started their journey to Jerusalem, the place of the cross. But more than this, the Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of the glory that Jesus had before coming to earth, the same glory that he now enjoys as he sits on his heavenly throne. And even more than this, the Transfiguration is a promise for us. It reveals the glory that awaits each of us at the end of our lives—if we remain faithful to the Lord.

We are all works in progress. We all have our flaws. But we are also being “transfigured” day after day. So accept Jesus’ invitation. Follow him, and you’ll be changed “from glory to glory” as your faith continues to grow (2 Corinthians 3:18).

“Here I am, Lord, ready to do your will. Fill me with your grace. Let me know your transforming power.” 

from wau.org

Dynamic Perfection

Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Maybe this isn’t the verse that we would have chosen to reflect on today. According to the dictionary, perfect means “entirely without flaw or defect … meeting supreme standards of excellence … satisfying all requirements.” To which many of us would respond: Really, Lord? I’m struggling just to keep one little Lenten resolution! I’ll never be perfect, no matter how hard I try.

One reason that perfection can seem so unattainable is that it sounds like an either-or proposition: you’re either perfect or imperfect. But as Scripture scholars point out, the Greek word translated as “perfect” in Matthew 5:48 carries a more dynamic meaning. It indicates something you grow into—a process of becoming whole and complete. From this perspective, we can imagine Jesus saying, “Keep moving forward! Keep working on becoming the person I created you to be. Don’t settle for anything less than the holiness of wholeness!” It may seem ironic, but it’s true: the more you become the unique person God made you to be, the more you will resemble Jesus, the perfect One.

So how do you grow into this perfection? Self-improvement programs won’t produce the change, and neither will piling on Lenten disciplines and spiritual calisthenics. It comes as you try your best to use your talents and gifts in a way that glorifies the Lord and lifts up the people around you. It comes as you focus on one or two roadblocks in your life: an unresolved resentment, an unhealthy habit, or a skewed way of thinking about life. Look for the things that keep you from becoming the person you know you can become.

Today, ask the Lord how he wants you to grow and change. Let him shine the light of his love on your heart. Let him show you both the person you’re meant to be and the person you are right now. Then come up with one or two things you can do to help bridge the gap between these two visions.

Blessed John Henry Newman once said, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” As you seek to hear and follow Jesus, may you change—and often—throughout this Lenten season!

“Lord Jesus, although it seems incredible, I believe that you are leading me to wholeness and holiness!”

from wau.org

No empty words

My word … shall not return to me void. (Isaiah 55:11)

For thousands of years, politicians and merchants have made claims about what they or their products can do. And some of us have learned, to our chagrin, that more than a few of these claims are wildly exaggerated. Not so with God! He tells us that his word goes out and never fails to accomplish his will—and he’s absolutely right! Think about the word that proceeds from God’s mouth:

The word is creative. Read the first chapter of Genesis. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. So too with day and night, earth and sea, plants and animals, and all the rest. All things, St. John says, came to be through that word. When a word goes forth from God’s mouth, it brings into being something that never was—life. It establishes in you what is lacking so that his life in you can flourish, so that your faith and your relationships can deepen.

The word is authoritative. That might suggest notions of government, commands, and obedience. But authoritative also means trusted, true, reliable, and dependable. This is who God is! And he is for you. When he commands, he also offers the grace to obey. Your obedience to him brings you life, because in everything, he works for good with us. His authoritative word never changes or varies. It never deceives or manipulates. It just is—solid, true, dependable, and trustworthy. 

 

The word is near to you. This creative word, which you can rely on and trust and which surpasses everything, is as near as your tongue, as close as your heart. You long for life or peace, joy or patience, and the word, which is close to you, can bring them about. Ask God for what you lack: healing, forgiveness, a new start, or a permanent break with old habits. He will speak the word you need, and as you take it up, it will accomplish his desires for you. 

Finally, the word is alive! Jesus, the Word of God, became flesh, dwelt among us, and overcame death.

Nothing can conquer the word of God. So rejoice in that word today! Read it. Seek its guidance. Invite it into your life, and watch it bear fruit!

“Father, speak your word to me today. I long to be made alive with you.”

from wau.org

Lights on!!

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn. (Isaiah 58:8)

A frail, elderly widow living alone was visited by her son, who had been traveling for a long time. Opening the front door, he was shocked by the disrepair her home had fallen into. Over the years she had accumulated a lot: furniture, clothing, books, toys her children had played with. Since she was no longer able to keep it all tidy, it was piled in every room in boxes and bundles. But worse than the clutter was the darkness. The windows, where he could see them, were covered in layers of dust.

So the man set to work. He organized the clutter, storing much of it in the attic. Then he cleaned the windows and aired out the house until it was once more filled with light.

Like the widow’s home, we also house two potential blockages to the light of Christ: clutter and dust. Clutter is what happens when your human treasures—material possessions, habits, hopes and dreams, old memories—take priority over the Lord. They aren’t necessarily bad things, but they need to be reorganized and put in their proper place. The dust is the sin that can build up on the windows of our hearts, keeping us in shadows and darkness.

We can consider fasting as a way of dealing with the clutter and repentance as a way to clean off the dust. By fasting, we reorder our lives so that Jesus gets top priority, and in repentance we let his light shine in us—and through us—more brightly. Fasting is like spring cleaning, as we spruce up our spiritual lives and put away some unnecessary baggage. Often, as we take up the call to fast, we get a better view of the sins that have been blocking the light in the first place.

So try to put aside a few things—time on the computer, a favorite food, a fun activity that is swallowing up too much time—so that you can focus better on window washing. Make it your goal to let in as much sunlight as possible. As you do, you’ll discover how much joy there is in choosing a simple, clutter-free life. 

“Lord you are my light! Come and break forth like the dawn in my heart.”

from wau.org