March 7, 2011

On this day in 1850, Senator Daniel Webster gave his "Seventh of March" speech endorsing the Compromise of 1850 in order to prevent a possible civil war. The compromise was intricate and complicated and kept a temporary peace, staving off the War Between the States for just a little while longer. When I read today’s passage from Matthew, it brings home how complicated life can be and how difficult discernment is. We have no alternative but to trust that if we do our best to follow God’s path each and every day, then our failings will be redeemed and our efforts will be worthwhile.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Tobit 1:3; 2:1-8

Psalm 112

Matthew 10:34-39

‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father,

and a daughter against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

March 6, 2011

At the end of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reassures his listeners (and that includes us), using the metaphor of weather. If we practice the loving-kindness that Jesus models, if we calm our habitual patterns of stimulus and response, if we embrace our charge to make the world a better place, there will nevertheless be times when we fail in those efforts. However Jesus suggests that we consider those failures as rainy days or passing weather. Again the sun will shine on all of us because our efforts are based on a firm foundation. What blessed relief … to receive this gift of forgiveness again and again … as many times as there are clouds in the sky.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Deuteronomy 11:18,26-28,32

Psalm 31

Romans 3

Matthew 7:21-27

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”

‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

March 5, 2011

Today’s reading from the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, also known as Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, describes the author’s relationship with God’s wisdom. To seek this wisdom is a pursuit that brings beauty, joy, instruction, and understanding. Are we not all on this quest, in some way? We seek understanding when the world brings confusion, we seek joy in our struggles, we seek instruction when we are unsure, we acknowledge beauty even when it seems hidden.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Sirach 51:13-20

When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom.

She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her.

As the blossoms yielded to ripening grapes, the heart's joy,

My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.

In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction.

Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise.

I became resolutely devoted to her-- the good I persistently strove for.

I burned with desire for her, never turning back. I became preoccupied with her, never weary of extolling her. My hand opened her gate and I came to know her secrets.

For her I purified my hands; in cleanness I attained to her. At first acquaintance with her, I gained understanding such that I will never forsake her.

Psalm 19:8-11

Mark 11:27-33

The reading is from the website below.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/alpha.shtml

March 4, 2011

It is said that “Perfect is the enemy of good” and also “Good is the enemy of great,” but God does not seem to abide by those labels. In God’s world, whether you are famous or infamous, whether you are rich or poor, good or great, educated or illiterate, slave or free, man or woman, forgotten or remembered, immigrant or citizen, your righteous deeds are not forgotten; your glory will never be blotted out.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Sirach 44:1,9-13

Let us now sing the praises of famous people,

   our ancestors in their generations.

But of others there is no memory;

   they have perished as though they had never existed;

they have become as though they had never been born,

   they and their children after them.

But these also were godly people,

   whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;

their wealth will remain with their descendants,

   and their inheritance with their children’s children.

Their descendants stand by the covenants;

   their children also, for their sake.

Their offspring will continue for ever,

   and their glory will never be blotted out.

Psalm 149

Mark 11:11-26

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

Ruahmie: March 2, 2011

Ruahmie: March 2, 2011: "If you have a functional ego then you focus your talents and energy on bringing more love into life. On the other hand, an inflated ego has ..."

March 2, 2011

If you have a functional ego then you focus your talents and energy on bringing more love into life. On the other hand, an inflated ego has a habit of focusing on its own needs, demanding to be in control, looking to have the ordinary conditions of existence repealed or relaxed for it.

James and John in today’s gospel passage are suffering from inflated egos and they are in good company. Think of St. Paul on his high horse. If you or I find ourselves struggling to dismantle our inflated egos remember this “If hell is being stuck in ego, then becoming unstuck must be as difficult as getting out of the worst hell!”

The good news is that we have a compassionate God who lavishes us with unconditional love no matter where we are on the ego spectrum. So keep up the good work!

The premise and the quote for today’s reflection come from David Richo in Unexpected Miracles: The Gift of Synchronicity and How to Open It. For more information about David Richo and his body of work see http://www.davericho.com/.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Sirach 36:1-17

Psalm 79:8-9,11,13

Mark 10:32-45

Back on the road, they set out for Jerusalem. Jesus had a head start on them, and they were following, puzzled and not just a little afraid. He took the Twelve and began again to go over what to expect next. “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Earthly Humanity will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.”

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

“What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

“Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

“Sure,” they said. “Why not?”

Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Earthly Humanity has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

The reading is from The Message by Eugene H. Peters

March 1, 2011

“With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.” Tonight my daughter asked me to take her to a gym in town so that she could go for a run. I gave her a ride, but I was not pleased to make this extra trip and she sensed that. By the time she was done, this line (above) from Sirach had sunk in for me. Why should I make her feel guilty?

I know, I know, this line is really aimed at the gifts we give to God, but my daughter is God’s love made visible to me! (As are my sons, of course.)

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Sirach 35:1-12

One who keeps the law makes many offerings;

  one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.

One who returns a kindness offers choice flour,

  and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank-offering.

To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,

   and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement.

Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,

  for all that you offer is in fulfilment of the commandment.

The offering of the righteous enriches the altar,

   and its pleasing odour rises before the Most High.

The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,

   and it will never be forgotten.

Be generous when you worship the Lord,

   and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.

With every gift show a cheerful face,

   and dedicate your tithe with gladness.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

   and as generously as you can afford.

Psalm 50:5-8,15,23

Mark 10:28-31

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/