These are interesting words from Paul to the people of Ephesus; and they serve us today as we move through another political season. Use the scripture link to compare THE MESSAGE version cited here with another translation to see if perhaps different words speak to you.
And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
Paul warns the Ephesians and he warns us that the life we fashion for ourselves is much less interesting, much less challenging, and much less loving than the life God has in mind for us.
That’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
What does it mean to take a new way of living? How might we better enact Jesus’ Law of Love as we move through our days? How do we deal with the challenges that greet us when we cast off unhealthy living? Why do we cling to the empty-headed, mindless crowd?
Pope Francis shared thoughts on the family and the Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia); his thoughts drew both praise and scorn as we might imagine. Today as I read commentary, I am drawn back to a favorite reading from 2 Timothy. Thinking about sound doctrine, I found this reflection and post it today as a Favorite.
This reading has special meaning for me as it was the first reading at my Dad’s funeral, and my son Thomas was the lector. These verses embody, for me, the lessons I was taught by my parents – and it is my hope that my own children believe that I too, teach sound doctrine. I know that many times we have “itching ears,” that often we “heap up teachers according to our lusts,” and that we “turn away [our] hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables.” These are the struggles we have with the little messages that constantly bombard us in this world. But I hope and pray to “be watchful in all things, bear with tribulation patiently, work as a preacher of the gospel, fulfill [my] ministry.” Every day as my students pass before me, I try to keep these things in mind while I attempt to “fight the good fight.” In the end, the children are watching us as we watched our elders. I did not miss much as a child or as a student, neither do my children or the young scholars who come into my classroom each day. These children constantly call me to my vocation of listening, learning, teaching, watching, hoping, waiting, believing, seeking and loving.
Pope Francis calls us to sound doctrine not only in his letters but in his every action. I pray that my own life might be an example of such fidelity, authenticity, joy and love.
The followers of Yahweh erected a tent to house the ark they created to hold their tangible remnants of their relationship with the Lord: stone tablets holding God’s ten pronouncements of the Mosaic Law, manna provided by the Lord during the Hebrews’ desert wanderings, and the staff that Aaron used to mystify Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt whom the enslaved people of God escaped. The Israelites replaced the tent with a glorious Temple to house the ark, sacred scrolls of God’s word to them. More than once this Temple was overrun, brought down, and reduced to rubble and a single, solemn wall of prayer. Today followers of Christ carry this tent, this Temple within; and it is in this sacred interior space that we find courage, hope, strength, faith, persistence, peace and joy. As we move through Eastertide, we bolster ourselves for the journey ahead as we continue our pilgrimage.
The New American Bible gives a wonderful title to these verses: A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God. We might benefit from the grace of this special prayer if we reflect carefully on its words as we pray them.
A depiction of the Moses Tent
When we are anxious or troubled, we recall . . .
TheLordis my light and my salvation; I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.
When we are overwhelmed and distraught, we remind one another . . .
Even if a whole army surrounds me, I will not be afraid;
even if enemies attack me, I will still trust God.
When we are lost or abandoned, we remember . . .
I have asked the Lordfor one thing; one thing only do I want:
to live in the Lord’s house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance.
When all seems lost and dark, we remind one another . . .
In times of trouble God will shelter me; God will keep me safe in the Lord’s Temple and make me secure on a high rock.
When we are alone or bereft, we call out . . .
So I will triumph over my enemies around me.
With shouts of joy I will offer sacrifices in his Temple; I will sing, I will praise theLord.
Hear me,Lord, when I call to you! Be merciful and answer me!
When we falter, we encourage one another . . .
When you said, “Come worship me,”
I answered, “I will come, Lord.”
The Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem today (The Wailing Wall)
When the world closes in and we find no exit from sorrow, we pray . . .
Teach me,Lord, what you want me to do, and lead me along a safe path, because I have many enemies.
Don’t abandon me to my enemies, who attack me with lies and threats.
When we are rescued, we rejoice . . .
I know that I will live to see
theLord‘s goodness in this present life.
Trust in the Lord. Have faith, do not despair.
Trust in the Lord.
When this present life seems as though there is no evidence of God’s presence, let us remember Christ’s temple of light and peace that we carry within.
If there is time in the next several hours, enter the word TEMPLE into the blog search bar and consider how God’s plan has brought us from enslavement through the desert to a solid place where we rejoice and yet remains with us when great loss or great sorrow overtake us. It is God’s abiding love that brings us this fearless trust in the temple of God that remains within. When we reflect on these images or listen to these or other audios as we pray, we allow this fearless trust in God to rest in us today. Wishing all of you peace and joy on this day and all days.
In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you, to restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves!
All through this portion of Isaiah’s prophecy we hear that we are to trust the Lord, we are to be willing to be his faithful servants, we are not only saved but restored.
They shall not hunger or thirst . . .
When we are suffering through a trial it is difficult to step into the void and put all of our confidence in an unseen force.
Nor shall the scorching wind or sun scorch them . . .
When we are in pain it is difficult to let go and to believe that we are powerless, that our many resources count as nothing before the awesome power of God.
I will cut a road through all my mountains, and make my highways level . . .
When we are immersed in our human world it is difficult to remember that all we see has been created by God . . . not humans . . . and that God is in charge.
Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples . . . Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget I will never forget you.
The Lord God wants to redeem each creature that has sprung from his imagination and hands. Who are we to doubt that we are numbered in that flock?
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the Lord comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.
The Lord God comforts and cozens his people. He nurtures them as a mother does. Even in dark days – especially in dark days – he loves and nourishes us, watches over us and does not abandon us.
In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you, to restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! . . . I will never forget you.
Eastertide is a time of favor, a time when we celebrate God’s human presence among us, a time when we celebrate out divine presence in Christ, our brother. Let us remember the good news we have been told, and let us declare it to others.
Come out! Show yourselves! . . . I will never forget you . . .
Yesterday Isaiah gave us clear evidence that God can and will do the impossible in our lives. Today he tells us that God’s bounty promises more than we can imagine.
I will speak out to encourage Jerusalem; I will not be silent until she is saved, And her victory shines like a torch in the night.
Images of marriage, of building, and of sentinels watching for the coming of one who saves are all familiar to those who read scripture. They will not be disappointed in today’s Noontimereading.
I will speak out . . . I will not be silent until she is saved . . .
I am thinking of the emotion we feel when we anticipate reunion with a loved one, when we enter into a new project or we feel the coming of change in our lives. Sometimes we can smell or taste or even feel a shift in the air. Sometimes these changes are good, sometimes not. In either case, change will arrive and although we have little or no control of what takes place, we do have control of our own behavior and of our own reactions to change. Isaiah here predicts something good in the offing. The fulfillment of a promise made by God, a promise that is certain to be kept, a promise that builds up and does not take away, a promise that brings light rather than dark, hope rather than despair.
I will speak out . . . I will not be silent . . . And her victory shines like a torch in the night.
And so we pray . . .
O God of justice and of love, you care for your people in every time and place, despite our tendency to stray from you in foolishness. Keep us in your care from morning until evening, that we may come to rest safely in the shadow of your all-powerful wings. We ask through our lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Adapted from a reflection written on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.
Visit the I will not be silentpost on this blog by entering the words in to the blog search bar.
Who is Cyrus, why does the prophet Isaiah refer to him here, and does he have any effect on our lives today?
Cyrus II “was known to be a great conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen, he is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he defeated . . . and he declared the first Charter of Human Rights known to mankind”. (Iran Chamber Society)
Cyrus, who freed the exiled Israelites from their Babylonian captivity, might serve as a focus of our reflection today for “it was by diplomacy as well as force of arms that he established the largest empire known until his time”. (ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA)
We might remember this leader for fierce battles that built an empire; and we might also remember his “humane treatment of conquered subjects”. (www.cyrusthegreat.net) By all accounts, he was a leader who showed compassion to a conquered and persecuted nation; and he made possible the reclamation of the city of Jerusalem and The Temple so important to the Jewish nation.
And so Isaiah tells us . . .
ThusGod, The Holy of Israel, Israel’s Maker, says: “Do you question who or what I’m making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?
I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it.
I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings.
And now I’ve got Cyrus on the move. I’ve rolled out the red carpet before him.
He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles.
I didn’t hire him to do this. I told him. I,God-of-the-Angel-Armies.”
Cyrus Cylinder: the first charter of rights of nations (British Museum: London, UK)
We might spend time today learning about this leader who understood that a conquered people harbor a simmering desire for freedom that cannot be quelled; and that a small measure of tolerance, an openness to forming alliances, and a hope for a better future gain more than arms and force. Today Isaiah reminds us that despite apparent impossibilities, God called the conqueror Cyrus to help a trampled people. Today we might consider similar obstacles in our own lives as we receive the same invitation, the invitation to join others in shaping the future of our lives and the lives of those with whom we have both much and little in common. We only need listen for God’s call and respond.
Read more about Cyrus the Great at the sites below or at a site of your choosing.
And the Apostles said in reply: We must obey God rather than men . . .
Do we see Jesus’ Apostles as only the twelve who followed him? Do we believe that Jesus’ followers were men alone? Can we stretch beyond any narrowness to believe that we number among Jesus’ Apostles today? Are we willing to stand during difficult times to say . . . we must obey God rather than men . . .?
When we read these verses in their varying translations, how do they speak to us of Jesus’ remarkable gift of resurrection? What do they reveal to us about God’s generous promises? And why do they call us – or perhaps not call us – to become one with the Spirit that wants to heal a troubled world? When we use the scripture link to explore this story of the Apostles who carry out miracles in Jesus’ name well after his death, we find new life and new energy to carry out the Gospel in all we say and do. When we allow God’s goodness to settle into our bones, we find new courage and new patience to smile in the face of adversity.
A video presentation of Acts 5:17-42 may be of interest. While we may not be in accord with all the speaker tells us, we are invited to reflect on this story of the importance of obeying God. Click on the image above or go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiSr5yx9nA
The writer of this letter has so much common-sense advice for us.
Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! (verses 1-2)
The writer of this letter has so much good news for us.
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. (verse 5)
The writer of this letter has solid cautions for us.
Don’t be lured away from Jesus by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them. (verse 9)
The writer of this letter has practical advice for us.
Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. (verse 16)
The writer of this letter opens up God’s vision for us.
Friends, please take what I’ve written most seriously. I’ve kept this as brief as possible; I haven’t piled on a lot of extras. (verse 22)
The writer of this letter reminds us of all that is important.
Grace be with you, every one. (Verse 25)
The writer of this letter deserves a bit of our time today as he tells us how easy it is to please our loving God. When we use the scripture link to compare different translations of these words, we draw closer to God, and we invite waiting angels into our hearts and homes.
In this Eastertide we are given so many opportunities to thank God for the goodness that surrounds us. Our hearts are called to thank the creator in times of both sorrow and joy. Together we pray in the simple words of Psalm 34 in italics, and to reflect with thoughts from the St. Joseph Psalter inbold. We might be troubled when we read from the Old Testament and see the expressionfear of the Lord. A wise person once said to me: “Each time we hear or see the word fearin connection with God, we need to replace it with the word love. This will tell us all we need to know about God. So today we are invited to read this psalm replacing the word fearwith the word love. Then we will see experience just how much God loves us, and how much we ought to praise God.
Magnify the Lord with me.
God surrounds the righteous and the poor to deliver them from anguish.
Today we give thanks for the days and nights when Jesus suffers and celebrates with us.
The angel of the Lord, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
The poorest of the poor and the wisest of sages is Jesus Christ.
Today we give thanks for the Spirit who accompanies us as we sow and harvest.
Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
To gain wisdom entails two things: fearing the Lord and doing God’s will.
Today we give thanks for the Creator who loves us so deeply that no obstacle that will keep us from this immense mercy and love.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.
When we want to know how much God loves us, we only need open our hearts to the love that yearns to replace our fear.
Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord . . . I will teach you the love of the Lord.
Amen.
THE PSALMS, NEW CATHOLIC VERSION. Saint Joseph Edition. New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Company, 2004. 93. Print.
These are interesting words from Paul to the people of Ephesus; and they serve us today as we move through another political season. Use the scripture link to compare THE MESSAGE version cited here with another translation to see if perhaps different words speak to you.
The Noontimes 