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John 10: The Good Shepherd

Posted in Favorite, Prayer, tagged , , on May 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »


John 10: The Good Shepherd

Monday, May 13, 20124

Last week we studied and reflected upon the message from Peter – both his words and actions – and his message is clear. When Christ touches us to follow him, he also calls us to touch and lead others, even as we follow him. Jesus calls Peter as his good shepherd, and both Peter and Jesus call us as well. When we spend time with John 10, our baptism in Christ’s love becomes clear. Our response to this love is up to each of us.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. (Verse 1)

Scholars tells us that in Jesus’ day, the repetition of words or phrases was a technique to bring attention to the words of the speaker. And so we ask: Amen, amen, where is the sheepfold we long to enter? Amen, amen, why do some of us clamber over the fence rather than look for the gate? Amen, amen, what shortcut do we seek? Amen, amen, what do we steal when we avoid the gate of Christ?

The gatekeeper opens the gate for the one who wants to enter the fold, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (Verse 3)

Christ’s love is described here in intimate detail. A loving guide and protector casts a constant eye on his children to provide continual care and love. Jesus repeats his image for us so that we might better hear it and feel its impact.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (Verses 9 and 10)

False teachers and false idolaters will not see the shepherd. Those with hard hearts and stiff shoulders will not see the gate. Those who embrace endurance and perseverance, those who suffer well to bear all things in Christ, those who hope and rejoice in truth, those who live in the Spirit and who believe that with God all things are possible, those will not need to sneak into the fold like a thief or robber. Those are already there, preparing to go back out into the world with and in Christ.

And so we pray . . .

Good and gracious Lord, keep us always mindful of your love for us. We know that the voices of this world are a loud distraction; yet we also know that you are The Gate and The Way. You are the only true Good Shepherd. Keep us mindful of your own patience and persistence. Continue to speak to us in that sacred place that only you and we know. Protect us from those who would bend and break the spirit of you in us. Keep us ever close to you in mind and body and soul. Amen.

Adapted from a reflection written on August 30, 2007.

Image from: http://howard-carter.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-am-gate-john-101-10-refracted-glory.html

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1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part V

Posted in Favorite, Prayer, tagged , , on May 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part V

Sunday, May 12, 2024

How are we baptized in Christ’s love?

The rite of Baptism signifies our immersion into Christ’s death so that we might rise again with him. Peter writes that this baptism is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to God.

As we reflect on salvific suffering, we come to understand that suffering with and through and in Christ is not a punishment; rather, it is a gift to be lived out, a gift undergone not alone but with Christ – who accompanies us on every step of our daily journey toward him.  In this light, we can share joyfully with Peter when he writes: Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

Always be ready to give an explanation of your joy, always reply to your accusers with gentleness and a clear conscience, for it is better to suffer for doing good than to do evil.

Be joyfully filled with hope . . . for you suffer not alone . . .

Take up your personal cross and follow . . .

For by doing so . . . you add your little particle of redemption . . .

To the redemption of the world . . .

There can be no greater calling . . . no greater work . . .

No greater God than our God . . .

Who is an awesome God . . .

Who cradles us each day and all through the night . . .

And shares this gift of treasure with us . . .

Watching . . . waiting . . . smiling . . . abiding . . .

Calling us constantly home.

Amen.

Baptism is defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1214 at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

Image from: https://www.amazon.com/Designart-PT6753-30-40-Splashes-Digital-Art/dp/B01EYVKOLA

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1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part IV

Posted in Favorite, tagged , , , on May 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part IV

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Paolo Veronese: Christ Healing a Woman with an Issue of Blood

How do we suffer with Christ?

In light of the suffering the early followers of Christ underwent, we read an excerpt from John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris, in which he writes that Christ raises human suffering to the level of redemption and answers the question “Why must I suffer?”  John Paul writes: “Christ does not explain in the abstract the reason for suffering, but before all else he says ‘Follow me!’ Come!  Take part through your suffering in this work of saving the world, a salvation achieved through my suffering!’  . . .  Gradually, as the individual takes up his cross, spiritually uniting himself to the Cross of Christ, the salvific meaning of suffering is revealed before him.  He does not discover this meaning at his own human level, but at the level of the suffering Christ.  At the same time . . . the salvific meaning of suffering descends to man’s level and becomes, in a sense, the individual’s personal response.  It is then that man finds in his suffering interior peace and even spiritual joy.  A source of joy is found in the overcoming of the sense of the uselessness of suffering, a feeling that is sometimes very strongly rooted in human suffering . . . Those who share in the sufferings of Christ preserve in their own suffering a very special particle of the infinite treasure of the world’s redemption . . .”

As we read from a letter written either by Peter or by someone in his name, we hear this faithful follower say that suffering brings us to a cross that not only symbolizes pain, but that also emanates love and grace.  We hear Pater tell us that salvific suffering is holy when we allow ourselves to suffer with and in Christ, when we allow our experience to become Christ’s gift to us.  And once we live out this deep, transforming love, we will want to return this gift to Christ, and hence to the world. This is how we best understand sorrow. This is how we best offer our pain to the world.

Tomorrow, the baptism of Christ’s love.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Veronese

To read Salvifici Doloris, go to: https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

 

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1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part III Thursday, May 11, 2017

Posted in Favorite, Web site included, tagged , , , , , on May 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part III

The Sadducees

Friday, May 10, 2024

What do we fear . . . and why?

We reflect on the story of the early apostles (Acts 5) as they remain faithful to Christ while suffering and rejoicing with equal energy and passion. When we open ourselves to God’s generosity, we come away refreshed and encouraged with the news that when we respond to the call to do God’s work, we know that we quickly find God in the obstacles that surround us.  We know that we are Rocks in company with Peter; we know that we can serve as foundations of the living temple; we see that we are able confront corrupt authority; we can rejoice in our suffering to bringing truth and light to the world.

When we reflect on this story, we understand that a small group of the faithful, through the power and love of the risen Christ, successfully challenges the old guard. We realize that the Sadducees are afraid to order a sentence of death on these Jesus-followers because they fear the people will revolt. They fear the power of the Spirit.

There is irony in this story. Those who inflict fear on others eventually experience fear themselves. This we see the power of the Spirit unfold, rising from fear to bring us peace. This,we begin to understand, is the gift of salvific suffering.

And so today we ask ourselves, what do we fear, and why?

Tomorrow, how do we suffer with Christ?

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

Image from: http://goossengrapevine.blogspot.com/2006/07/encounters-with-sadducees.html

 

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1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part II

Posted in Favorite, Web site included, tagged , , , , on May 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part II

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Antonio de Bellis: The Liberation of Saint Peter

How can we celebrate our mourning?

When we spend time opening Acts 5, and when we watch and listen to Peter, we discover how we might apply The Word to our lives.

We watch the apostles slip unseen from their prison, moving through locked gates and past watchful guards.

Do we ask Christ to open doors and safeguard us? Do we trust the Spirit who calls us?

The apostles go immediately to the Temple to proclaim the wonderful news that they were able to heal in Jesus’ name, the name of the man whom they taunted a few short weeks before as he hung on the cross.

Do we share with others the Good News of Christ’s movement in our lives? Do we celebrate our small victories and rejoice in the Spirit’s healing?

We follow the apostles as they brilliantly and boldly – and in every way like Christ – reply to the Sadducees that they cannot still their tongues or cease healing.  We hear them defy this wealthy group of men who collaborate with the Romans and supervise the rebuilding of the stone Temple.

Do we react with courage when others accuse us unjustly? Do we trust the Spirit to send us her wisdom and grace?

We hear the apostles as they witness to Christ when they say – as we all are called to say: Whether it is right in the sight of God, you be the judges.  It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard. 

Do we speak as these apostles speak? Do we listen as these apostles listen? Do we act as these apostles act?

Today we spend time with The Word as we learn how to celebrate our mourning.

Tomorrow, what do we fear . . . and why?

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Saint_Peter

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

 

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1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part I

Posted in Favorite, Web site included, tagged , , , , , on May 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part I

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

220px-San_Pedro_en_lágrimas_-_Murillo

Esteban Murillo: San Pedro en lágrimas

Why must we suffer?

This is a beautiful idea that reminds us that we are called to be living stones in the living temple of Christ.  The letters of Peter are full of wonderfully good advice about how to build a Christian community and this is no surprise. Peter is The Rock on whom Christ builds his church. Peter denied Christ three times during the Passion, as Christ himself predicted, but he bridges any gap he had created by following Christ so ardently. Today we examine Peter’s suffering to learn how we might also learn to suffer well.

Studying The Acts of the Apostles slowly is refreshing if we can give ourselves the space and time to reflect deliberately and carefully on the story of the passion with which the first Christians feel Christ’s presence after his death.  When we believe ourselves to be in dire straits, we really only need turn to this story.  It reveals so much about the hope we called to live joyfully.

In Chapter 5, Ananais and Sapphira are struck dead by the Lord for withholding the gifts given to them. We hear about the second trial and imprisonment of the apostles, their mystical release by the angel of God, and rabbi Gamaliel’s wise argument to let the apostles go with a flogging – rather than execution – because if their work comes from God, you will be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God. 

At the end of this chapter we see the apostles return to their community and we find them rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.  And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus – even though the authorities warn them to cease healing in Jesus’ name.

Today we reflect on our opportunities to suffer as early church members did. We examine the zeal with which we carry out our own story of Christ’s hope and resurrection. We explore the choices we see in Acts 5 as we consider the words of Peter. And we begin to understand that we are each free to choose if and how we will suffer well.

Tomorrow, celebrating as we mourn.

Image from: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bartolom%C3%A9_Esteban_Murillo_-_Saint_Peter_in_Tears_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

 

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1 Peter 4:1-11: A Prayer for Mutual Charity

Posted in Favorite, Prayer, tagged , , , , , on May 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »


1 Peter 4:1-11: A Prayer for Mutual Charity

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

St_Peter_Besenzi

Paolo Emilio Besenzi: Saint Peter

Peter exhorts the early Christians to regard their persecution as a blessing, and today’s Noontime reading describes how those in community bear with one another, how they celebrate their diverse gifts, and how they are to stand on God’s authority rather than their own.  Peter calls his flock to mutual understanding, forbearance, purity and love.  And he also calls us today.

God of Abraham, God of Peter, we say that we are willing to serve your purposes, the purposes for which you have designed us.  Help us to keep faith with your hope in us.  We know that we are wonderfully made, and that you have plans for us – plans for our joy and not our woe.

God of Abraham, God of Peter, we know that our fellow travelers are also wonderfully made.  We also know that when we walk together, you call on us to bring forth the best in one another.  Help us to be open to our fellow pilgrims as we journey toward you.  Help us to remember that in the life of the Spirit there is always an opportunity for a new beginning.

God of Abraham, God of Peter, bless us, hear our petitions, heal us, bind us together in you.  We pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Peter_Besenzi.jpg

Adapted from a Favorite written on July 31, 2007.

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2 Peter 3: One Day With The Lord

Posted in Favorite, tagged , , , , on May 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »


2 Peter 3: One Day With The Lord

James Tissot: First Denial of Peter

Monday, May 6, 2024

We have spent the week with Peter, recalling his turnings and re-turnings to the Lord. Watching as he examines his true self to bring a transformed heart to Christ. We see how Peter allows his suffering and trust in the Spirit to set him free. Today we reflect on his words to see how he handles scoffers, naysayers, and rumors that the world as we know it is coming to an end. Today we spend one day with the Lord, remembering God’s goodness, Christ’s redemption and the Spirit’s healing consolation.

For one day with the Lord is like as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)

Better is one day in your courts [O Lord] than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  (Psalm 84:10)

James Tissot: Second Denial of Peter

The Lord does not delay in God’s promises, but for your sake is long-suffering, not wishing that you should perish but that all should return to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

For God so loved the world that God gave God’s one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  (John 3:16-17)

The day of the Lord will come as a thief.  (2 Peter 3:10)

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:43-45)

James Tissot: Third Denial of Peter

Therefore, beloved, while you look for these things, endeavor to be found by him without spot and blameless in peace . . . Therefore, since you know this beforehand, be on your guard lest, carried away by the error of the foolish, you fall away from your own steadfastness.  (2 Peter 3:17)

In this Eastertide, let us listen to the words very likely written by a follower of Peter.  Let us sit with the words of the psalmist, and of the apostles Matthew and John.  Let us take them into our fiber and being and vow to live each day in Christ as if it were the one and only day given to us to be lived with the Lord.  Let us consider these words for what they are – an Easter gift that warms the hardened heart, and turns all harm to good.

And so beloved, grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

James Tissot: Feed My Lambs
The Risen Christ and Peter

On this fourth Sunday after the miracle of Easter, we thank Peter for his honesty and courage. And we determine to follow in his way.

Adapted from a Favorite written during Advent 2010 as we considered Jesus as a Christmas miracle and gift. Today we reflect on how Peter’s words brings to us the resurrected Christ as God’s promise of salvation fulfilled.

We frequently spend time with Peter’s letters at The Noontimes. For more reflections, enter Peter’s name in to the blog search bar and explore.

To re-visit the  story of Jesus’ Passion, Death and resurrection by James Tissot, click on the images or visit: http://www.joyfulheart.com/holy-week/

Images from: http://www.joyfulheart.com/holy-week/peters_first_denial_of_jesus.htm and http://www.joyfulheart.com/holy-week/peters_second_denial_of_jesus.htm and https://www.joyfulheart.com/holy-week/third_denial_of_peter_jesus.htm and https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/13529

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Zephaniah 1: De-Creation – Part III

Posted in Favorite, tagged on April 10, 2024| 1 Comment »


Zephaniah 1: De-Creation – Part III

Let us give God praise, and intercede for those who harm us, for it is easy to intercede for those we love.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

At that time I will explore Jerusalem with lamps . . .

We cannot judge others.  We can only gauge ourselves based on our own daily rate of improvement.  My Dad always used to say: Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else.  You will always come up short.  You will be far better or far worse than everyone else, and you will have not learned anything about yourself.  He would continue:  Compare yourself to yourself.  Are you a better person today than you were yesterday?  If so, good.  Keep on going!  If not, you need to change; you better do something about it!

Today we read about God’s wish to de-create all that God has created.  Let us be like Abraham who pleaded for time to find a good man in Sodom.  Let us be like Moses who pointed out to Yahweh that it would not look so good if Yahweh saved people only to destroy them.  Let us be like Ruth who remains faithful against odds and all possibility. Let us be like Mary who said yes to God’s outrageous proposal to bring new life to a dead world through the promise of a child.

Let us ask intercession for all those who harm, those who hate, those who de-construct our world with their anger or indifference. Let us give thanks for creation; and let us give thanks for the de-creation that brings us to redemption. Let us praise God’s name.  Let us celebrate the goodness and mercy of God.  Let us intercede for one another.

Let us be co-creators and co-redeemers with God.  Let us ask to participate in miracles.  Let us believe in the fullness of God’s plan.  Let us love all those who have abandoned God.  Let us bring light in to the darkness. For this is the work of the remnant.

On this day, let us be Remnant for God.

Image from: http://www.layanglicana.org/blog/2013/01/30/intercessions-for-candlemas-3-february-2013/

Adapted from a Favorite written on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008.

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