Just a grain

Fifth Sunday of Lent

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.  But if it dies, it produces much fruit."  (John 12:22)

Reflection

I believe the grain of wheat is a symbol.  It represents the ego, that part of ourselves which is more self-centered.  When we would rather be isolated, unconnected, concerned more for the self -- what pleases me.  A person pretty underdeveloped.  Without growing, that person remains just a selfish individual, no connections. No mission. No future.

We all know people who have stopped growing, or refuse to grow spiritually.  They have fallen into a routine that only serves themselves and their immediate needs. They remain just a this or just a that.  But Jesus tells us that kind of life won’t do. 

The choice at hand is whether to remain an isolated grain of wheat stuck in the frozen food section. Or to become warm and nutritious bread for others. 

So, the question for this week is:  how can you become bread for others?  Not just a grain, but living bread!  

Start with words of Good News and service.  Transform your attitudes and actions from ego-centered to other-centered.  Use the words:  "How can I help?"  "What do you need?"  "Where can I be of service?" "How much time do you need from me?"   "Where does it hurt?"  "What can I do to ease your pain or lighten your load?"

These are all words of Good News to someone who needs "feeding."  And don't forget to ask for help in following through.  You may have devotion to a saint or martyr who helps you change from ego centered to other centered.  In this way we are on the road to producing much fruit -- on the road to maturity and a healthy Christian life.

The Light

 Fourth Sunday of Lent

"But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." (John 3:21)

Reflection

This Gospel readings come from the third Chapter of John’s Gospel.  Here we listen in to the conversation Jesus has with Nicodemus.  In today’s passage, Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, comes to Jesus at night which is a symbol for being unenlightened. 

Nicodemus is a teacher, yet unaware of the power of Jesus as life giving spirit.  Jesus says, whoever believes in the Son of Man has eternal life.   And he acknowledges that not everyone choose the pathway of the Good:  "People preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil."

This life in the Spirit -- this pathway to Good -- is a mystery or a darkness to Nicodemus.  Being a teacher, he likely wants quick and simple answers.  He wants to know where does this spirit come from.  Where is it going and what do I have to do to benefit from it?  These are questions of the head.

Jesus wants to appeal to his heart and so uses the image of light.  People usually enjoy light:  sunshine, enlightened thinking, color TV, a well lit pathway.  But some prefer darkness and the priority of the ego (self).

Nicodemus is more confused because he wants Jesus to fit into something he already understands.  But Jesus wants Nicodemus to open his heart and let the Spirit guide him by the light of faith.

Here's another image:  opening flowers.  Daffodils.  Crocus flowers.  The world is opening up.  As we draw near to the beauty of spring time, we have good intentions about opening up to the Spirit or letting go of darkness.  Both of those require faith.

 

Where Nicodemus might not want to be so open in the daylight, Jesus encourages him to open up to the movement of the Spirit that brought him close to Jesus in the first place.

 

Today, let us pray for the gift of openness to let the Spirit in our lives. Let us keep working on getting to know God through opening our hearts and our minds to him and to others.

 

 

Raise it UP

Third Sunday of Lent

“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:18)

Reflection

Many people think this passage is all about how angry Jesus can get.  Here he is in the Temple knocking over tables.  He stirred things UP quite a bit, but they don’t say he was angry.  He may be UPsetting the money changers.  He may be fed UP.  He is certainly worked UP.  But none of the Gospels writers say that he was angry.  He did not lose control nor his temper, but he did something people would remember.

He wanted to change things, and if we look at the verbs, we know one thing … he was direct!
   He drove them with a whip.
   He spilled the coins / he overturned tables
   Using his voice, he commanded, he directed.
   Take these out of here.    Stop making this a marketplace.

He was not angry but direct.  He had not anger but ZEAL. He was on fire and quite imperative.  He wanted to take his ministry seriously, and he was direct. Maybe you too remember a time in your life when you decided to be direct. To take seriously your identity and change the way things are done.  No more beating around the bush.  No wishy-washy behavior.  Be direct.  Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

What does the cleansing of YOUR Temple mean in your life?

Maybe it means being direct about raising your life to a better standard.
   To pray using words like stop, look, and listen.
   To give up anything that directs you away from God.
   To lift up your eyes and hearts through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
   To get down to business and own up to your Catholic faith.
   To overturn the table on worries and complaints just for one day.
   To SHAPE UP this temple of the holy spirit.  Your body.
   To throw out of your temple that which is sinful and self-centered.
   To direct your attention to one or two of the commandments.
   To look up to those stations on the wall and take one or two more seriously.
   To get back up, like Jesus who fell a second and third time, and try again.

No anger, just passion.