divinity and humanity – The Noontimes

John 14:27: The Gift of Duality

John 14:27: The Gift of Duality

Monday, May 12, 2025

Jesus fully understands the difficulty we face as we struggle to live in two opposing worlds. As we reflected yesterday . . . We see that great love can rise out of great hatred.

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. (GNT)

Jesus fully understands the pain we experience as we strive to live up to the example he sets. As we reflected yesterday . . . We see that perfection can rise out of imperfection.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (NRSV)

Jesus fully understands the fog of our confusion as we work to make sense of the dichotomy of our existence. As we reflected yesterday . . . We see that divinity can rise out of humanity.

What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened. (CJB)

Jesus wants to heal our suffering, to bring us consolation, to animate hope and engender fidelity. As we reflected yesterday . . . We see that our unity with Christ comes through our willingness to accept the paradox of God’s enormous love for each of us.

I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. (MSG)

Jesus wants to give us the gift of his peace, the gift that is everlasting, the gift that holds us together both personally and communally, the gift that rises from knowing and accepting our duality. Let us open our hearts and minds to this greatest of gifts.

Tomorrow, duality in fire.

When we compare varying translations of these verses, we discover the gift of exploring our duality.

For another reflection on this citation, enter the words He Is In You post on this blog and explore.

Images from: https://fscaston.org/ and https://sermonquotes.com/uplifting/16056-peace-i-leave-with-you-my-peace-i-give-you-i-do-not-give-to-you-as-the-world-gives.html

May 12, 2025

divinity and humanity, God’s love, God’s peace, perfection

Matthew 3: Seek Newness

Matthew 3: Seek Newness

Monday, November 4, 2024

As we look forward to the Advent season . . .

In becoming human, Jesus shows us that our humanity is not an obstacle to our communion with God, but rather the only path to our divine destiny . . . If my heart is not begging, “Come, Lord Jesus” in my ordinary life today, then I cannot pretend I would have recognized him when he first came, and I cannot expect truly to welcome him at is glorious return. That is why the church gives us this season of Advent, to recognize the longing in our hearts for a salvation which we cannot give ourselves, but for which we can beg today and for ever, “Come, Lord Jesus”. Fr. Richard Veras, November 28, 2010, THE MAGNIFICAT ADVENT COMPANION (17)

What is this newness that is ours in our humanity?

What is this divinity we have been gifted as part of our destiny?

What is this fulfillment of salvation that we cannot give ourselves?

Today our Noontime takes us to the proclamation of the new kingdom, the baptism of Jesus, and God’s announcement that he is well pleased with the beloved son.

Today we have the opportunity to think about our own place in the divine plan as a human creature.

We have the opportunity to open ourselves to the newness of the season and the cyclic beginning again of a calendar year.

We have the opportunity to make ourselves ready – as Jesus made himself ready – for the days ahead.

Let us heed the words we hear in today’s Gospel . . . So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:44) .

We will want to receive this newness that brings hope – Come, Lord Jesus.

We will want to be open to this healing that mends mortal wounds – Come, Lord Jesus.

We will want to experience this divinity that manifests in the obstacles of our humanity – Come, Lord Jesus.

And we will want to be awake and ready for the salvation with which we have been graced, the peace and serenity that are our heritage – Come, Lord Jesus . . . and fulfill this longing in our hearts . . .

Written on November 28, 2010 and posted today as a Favorite.

Image from: http://markjberry.blogs.com/way_out_west/2007/04/newness.html

November 4, 2024

divinity and humanity, Matthew 24:44, readiness, salvation

1 John 5:14-15: A Prayer for Confidence

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

1 John 5:14-15

A Prayer for Confidence

Now that we have taken in this first letter to us from the Apostle John, let us raise our prayer together as we ask for confidence in ourselves and in God’s love for us.

As we reflect on Chapter I: For those days when we have forgotten that God is light that overcomes all darkness, we pray: Wonderful God, remind us that there is no dark place or time that you cannot touch. For those nights when we long to connect to others, we pray: Generous God, remind us that we find you in our relationships with others.

As we reflect on Chapter 2: For those times when we believe that your universe is a duality of either or, we pray: Patient God, teach us that you are both real and ideal. For those moments when we take sides in hostile camps, we pray: Persistent God, teach us how we are both human and divine.

As we reflect on Chapter 3: For those places in which we cannot discern the weeds from the wheat, we pray: Wise God, show us how our reliance on you means that we leave life’s winnowing in your hands. For those spaces in which we forget how to act as your true children, we pray: Timeless God, show us that we already have eternal life.

As we reflect on Chapter 4: For those people who bring strife into our lives, we pray: Powerful God, guide us as we test false spirits and stumble toward you. For ourselves as we struggle to foster peace rather than conflict, we pray: Wonderful God, guide us in our efforts to speak always in your language of love and to act always in your spirit.

As we reflect on Chapter 5: For the liars we make of ourselves, we pray: Compassionate God, remind us that we are always truthful when we live in you. For the speakers of truth among us, we pray: Holy God, remind us that all is possible when we live for you.

We remind ourselves of your apostle’s words: “We have this confidence in Christ, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regards to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours”.

And so we pray: Good and Gentle Christ, we ask all of this in your name. Amen.

As we continue to fully take in all that John has related to us we might be amazed to understand that God loves us always. So let us spend time today with this thought . . . We have this confidence in Christ, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regards to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours . . .

Enter the word confidence into the blog search bar and consider how willing we are to trust and confide in God.

Image from: http://www.quotationbest.com/confidence.html

June 8, 2021

Apostle John, divinity and humanity, false spirits, God is light, God is truth and mercy and love, weeds among the wheat

1 John 2: Ideal and Real – Part III Hostile Camps

Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021

1 John 2

Ideal and Real – Part III: Hostile Camps

The early Christian community struggled to survive the various arguments declaring Jesus more human than divine or more divine than human. “They were the community of true prophecy. But now, the community itself is divided into two hostile camps. And the cause of the division is precisely what should have been the centerpiece of this unity: the proper understanding of the nature and role of Jesus”. (Senior RG 563)

Rather than reprimand us or remind us that we are not in control, John repeats what he has written so often that from the beginning Christ has been and that through eternity Christ will be. Knowing that we struggle with the double mystery of eternity and infinity, Christ remains with us so that we might not panic when trials arrive at our door. Knowing that we struggle with the dichotomy between the visible and invisible, the real and ideal, Christ brings himself to us in the Scripture we hold in our hands, the Word that we can open as frequently as we need in order that we remain connected to this divine-human mystery. Knowing that we are terrified at the thought of being left alone, Christ invites us constantly to come to him joyfully. Today we might read the words of one who lived and still lives beside him.

My children . . . we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world . . . Do not love the things of the world . . . for the world and its enticements are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever . . . Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you . . . And now, children, remain in him . . .

And so we pray . . . Creator Father, Rescuer Christ, Abider Spirit . . . save us from the hostility of the world . . . help us as we struggle with the opposing camps of our lives . . . bring our reality into focus with the ideal which you have dreamt for us . . . and keep us ever close to you in joy. Amen.

Tomorrow – Part IV: The New Commandment

Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.RG 563. Print.

Adapted from a reflection written on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Image from: https://www.biblword.net/why-is-pentecost-important/

May 23, 2021

divinity and humanity, Holy Spirit, Jesus, joy

1 John 2: Ideal and Real – Part II Connecting

Saturday, May 22, 2021

1 John 2

Ideal and Real – Part II: Connecting

“The author sets forth the striking contrasts between light and darkness, Christians and the world, and truth and error to illustrate the threats and responsibilities of Christian life. The result is not one of theological argument but one of intense religious conviction expressed in simple truths. The letter is of particular value for its declaration of the humanity and divinity of Christ as an apostolic teaching and for its development of the intrinsic connection between Christian moral conduct and Christian doctrine”. (Senior 387)

When we find ourselves making strong theological arguments rather than listening with the heart of Christ, we know that we have strayed from John’s words. When we exhaust ourselves in heavy conflict we know that we have put Jesus’s Law of Love too far out of our reach. When we find ourselves grasping for complicated and high-flying arguments, we know that we have turned away from Jesus’ method of teaching in simple truths.

Words or battles are not important when we live The Law of Love; rather, it is the intrinsic connection we make between our Christian moral conduct and the doctrine we expound that is our measure.

Let us spend sometime today with verses 12 to 17 of 1 John 2, and examine why and how and if our battles draw connecting lines between our conduct. And let us spend time exploring truths we speak.

Tomorrow – Part III: Hostile Camps

Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.387. Print.

Adapted from a reflection written on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Image from: http://www.slideshare.net/tay777/1-john-2

May 22, 2021

divinity and humanity, Law of Love, truth

1 John: Connection

Monday, May 17, 2021

1 John

Connection

“The purpose of this letter is to combat certain false ideas, especially about Jesus, and to deepen the spiritual and social awareness of the Christian community . . . The author affirms that authentic Christian love, ethics, and faith take place only within the historical revelation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ . . . The letter is of particular value for its declaration of the humanity and divinity of Christ as an apostolic teaching and for its development of the intrinsic connection between Christian moral conduct and Christine doctrine”. (Senior 387)

God comes to live among the created as one of their number. God wants to share our sorrows and our joys. Gods want to be numbered among us. God wants to number us as Children of God. The apostle John records not only his beautiful Gospel of love, he also leaves us his letters of assertion and encouragement.

What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with God and with the Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that your joy may be complete.

God says: I want you to make the connection that just as Jesus is both divine and human so are you. Just as my Spirit comforts and consoles so do you. Just as I myself save and guide. So do you. I send you this invitation to be one with and in me. If you turn me away today I return tomorrow. This is how much I love you. My apostle John makes connections in his letter to you, and he asks that you connect what you do with what you believe, what you say with how you act. Make that connection now, put aside all else, and come to me.

“1 John lends itself more readily to every time and place . . . It is amazingly positive and loving in tone. For Christians through the ages it has transcended its hard circumstances of origin to be considered one of the great spiritual witnesses of the New Testament”. (Senior RG 563)

In the coming days we will explore John’s message of love that nourishes the faithful throughout time, and we will explore ways to make connections to what John has seen and heard and touched.

Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.387 and RG563. Print.

For another Noontime reflection on this letter, go to the 1 John – Testimony page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/the-new-testament-revising-our-suffering/1-john-testimony/

Image from: https://www.pinterest.dk/pin/459226493229842593/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id={{default.session}}&amp_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.dk%2Famp%2Fpin%2F459226493229842593%2F&from_amp_pin_page=true

May 17, 2021

Children of God, divinity and humanity, faith, fellowship, love, sorrow and joy

Tag: divinity and humanity

John 14:27: The Gift of Duality

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Matthew 3: Seek Newness

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1 John 5:14-15: A Prayer for Confidence

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1 John 2: Ideal and Real – Part III Hostile Camps

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1 John 2: Ideal and Real – Part II Connecting

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1 John: Connection

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