you will see

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14  or Revelation 12:7-12 Psalm 138:1-5 John 1:47-51

John 1:51  And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

There are many signs and wonders in Jesus’ ministry.  Today we get a sense of his divinity.  We are impressed with the things that defy our explanation.  We are intrigued by them and in awe.  But Jesus focuses Nathanael on his divinity, on who Jesus truly is.  The signs and wonders must have a point.  Jesus doesn’t do them simply to impress us, but rather to tell us who he is, the Son of God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that you are the Son of God and not just a magician.

Amen

Do not forbid him

Monday, September 28, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Zechariah 8:1-8 Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23 Luke 9:46-50

Luke 9:50  But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."

As Christians we spend a lot of time and energy trying to distinguish who are the true  Christians and who are not.  We want to be part of the true Christian church and keep  those who are not out.  We don’t want to be confused with them. But Jesus says that if they are not against us the are for us.  What makes us true Christians is not our doctrine alone, nor our works alone, but all this combined with God’s grace.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to love all the brethren, to not try to put myself above others but to humbly seek your grace.

Amen

I may appear in my glory

Thursday, September 24, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Haggai 1:1-8 Psalm 149:1-6, 9 Luke 9:7-9

Haggai 1:8  Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD.

There has been a movement to make churches, or houses of worship less spectacular.  People worship in old grocery stores and gymnasiums etc..  They think that somehow they are more faithful if they don’t make the place appear to be special.  But why wouldn’t we want to make God’s house better?  It would seem to me that we would want to make it glorious. I think that many of these people take more care for their own houses than they do for God’s house.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to work to make everything that is your better especially those things that reflect your glory to others like your houses of worship

Amen

those who are sick

Monday, September 21, 2009 St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 Psalm 19:2-5 Matthew 9:9-13

Matthew 9:12  But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

 

There are two extremes that fall short of this.  In the church  there is the tendency to demand righteousness and not have mercy and in the culture of the day there is a tendency to not acknowledge that anything is sin and therefore not have need of being helped.

The homosexual debate in the ELCA is an example where people no longer call sin sin.  There is no need for forgiveness.  We must have mercy, but before we can do that we must understand what is is.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know what sin is and then to repent from it and forgive those who do as well.

Amen

when he comes in his glory

Thursday, September 17, 2009 The Sacred Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Galatians 6:14-18 Galatians 2:16, 20; Philippians 1:20-21 Luke 9:23-26

Luke 9:26  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 

Today in America we have become ashamed of Jesus Christ.  We no longer stand for what he has taught us and for what he has done for us.  We are given over to humanistic morality and laws. But, our hope is that He will come again and then things will be made right.  But, if it is to be made right for us we must not be ashamed of him now.  Even though the rest of the world is walking away from Jesus we must walk with him.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my faith in you and not give into the ways of this world.

Amen

Although he was a Son

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Hebrews 5:7-9 Psalm 31:2-6, 15-16, 20 John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Hebrews 5:8  Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;

Even though he was a Son he learned through what he suffered.  We try so hard to avoid all suffering that I wonder if we ever really learn anything.  If Jesus, the Son of God did not put himself above suffering why do we think that we have the right and how do we think that we will be changed?

Father, help me to learn through my suffering, yet I still cry out to you.

Amen

as Moses lifted up the serpent

Monday, September 14, 2009 Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38 Philippians 2:6-11 John 3:13-17

John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,

The idea is that they had to believe that it would make a difference if they looked at the serpent.  If we don’t really believe we will not truly look to Jesus in our trouble.  To truly look to him means to trust that he is there and loves us no matter what is happening or how bad things appear.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust that you are there.

Amen

as you wish

Thursday, September 10, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Colossians 3:12-17 Psalm 150:1-6 Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:31  And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

I don’t often think about how I would have others treat me, but maybe I should.  It isn’t because I don’t care, but it may be because I will realize how selfish my own feelings towards others are.  Reflection is a good thing to do because it help to give perspective.  As long as we  all keep focusing on our “goals” we never see where we are ourselves.  I believe this verse is  a call to reflection.  Then when we see the truth about ourselves we will more likely be willing to show mercy to others.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to know how needy I am of mercy and grace and then to be willing and able to be merciful to others.

Amen

the rest of his brethren

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Micah 5:1-4  or Romans 8:28-30 Psalm 13:6 Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23  or 1:18-23

Micah 5:3  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel.

We often hear the debate about whether we are Israel or if only the Jews are Israel.  It seems to me form this text we can see clearly that Israel is all those who belong to the Lord.  We will all be brought together by Christ.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see that all people are potentially your children.  Help me to love as you love.

Amen

we toiled all night

Thursday, September 3, 2009 St. Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Colossians 1:9-14 Psalm 98:2-6 Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:5  And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."

We have toiled!  At least that is our story and we are sticking to it.  We tend to think that if we could not do it it can’t be done.  We fail to realize that there is much more to this reality then we perceive and that Jesus has access to the abundance.  How often do we not trust in the Lord because we don’t see the possibility?  Based on our perception of reality we think it is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust that as creator and sustainer of all, you can do anything, even the things that we can’t even imagine.

Amen

When people say

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Luke 4:31-37

1 Thessalonians 5:3  When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.

Where do we put our trust and hope for a better life?  Do we put it on politics, or government, or wealth?  People will promise us all these things if we just let them be in charge of our lives.  This is very similar to when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.  “If you bow down and worship me” he says, all this can be yours.  But of course we know that is not the case.  Yet today many fall prey to the same temptation.  Peace and security, health care, wealth, the American dream…  You can have it all if you only elect me and vote for me and let me control your life.

We need to put our hope and trust in Jesus Christ and not in sinful men.  Our security and wealth is not in this life, but in eternity to come.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my eyes on your riches and kingdom and not trade them for this worlds promises.

Amen