Tag: joy and sorrow

Luke 24:13-35: The Road to Emmaus – Part III
Luke 24:13-35: The Road to Emmaus – Part III

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Paul Gustave Doré: Jesus and the Disciples Going to Emmaus

We know that Christ walks with each of us as we move along our pilgrimage way to the Easter resurrection. Would Christ speak to us as he speaks to the Emmaus disciples? Would he find us as open and as blind as the Emmaus believers? And would he linger with us even as we linger with him?

We look at THE MESSAGE translation of Jesus’ words to his disciples, and we explore our own connection with Christ.

So thick-headed! So slow-hearted!

Do we see ourselves as open or closed to the Good News story that everyone is a child of God, everyone is saved, everyone is healed?

Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said?

Do we resist the kingdom with great vigor and ignore the message of life with studied nonchalance?

Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?

Do we step away from obstacles and move toward comfort?

Then [Jesus] started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

The Nain Brothers: The Supper at Emmaus

Do we spend time with Scripture or decide that our days are too busy, our nights too long to turn to the simple words inspired by the Spirit?

Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?

Like the Emmaus disciples, do we recognize the one who lives and teaches among us? Do we return to Jerusalem to share both joy and tribulation with those who know the Easter story? And do we allow our Emmaus conversion to last a lifetime of hoping and loving in Christ?

When we compare various translations of the Emmaus story, we open our hearts to the sorrow and joy of the Easter story.

Tomorrow, writing our own story . . .

Images from: http://linesandmarks.com/paul-gustave-dore-observations/ and https://www.wikiart.org/en/le-nain-brothers/the-supper-at-emmaus-1645
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April 3, 2024

Easter People, Emmaus disciples, joy and sorrow
1 Kings 15: Delight – Part III – A Prayer in Response to God’s Gift of Delight
1 Kings 15: Delight – Part III

A Prayer in Response to God’s Gift of Delight

Thursday, December 29, 2022

We near the end of a cycle of days and weeks and months that we designate as a year. Soon we will celebrate the past twelve months in which we have known great sorrow and great joy. As we consider all that we have seen and heard, felt and believed, let us give thanks for the gift of delight itself, the gentle pleasure that rises from honest relationships and open minds. Just as God delights in us, let us delight in God.

For the gift of winter cold that draws us together as we look for shelter and welcome friends and strangers from the wind. Let us treasure each winter hardship just as God treasures each of us. The infinite iterations of flakes on frosted windows can remind us that just as God creates each of these beautiful designs, so does God create each of us with our own unique features, joys and anxieties.

For the gift of drawing in, we give thanks for God’s delight in us.

For the gift of spring that reminds us that new life always rises from the old. In springtime exuberance we open our hearts to the possibilities of our own resurrection. We remember that God always brings goodness out of harm, love out of hatred, generosity out of what is meant to be cruel, and love out of gestures of hatred and shame. The tiniest of plants and creatures burst forth in a rush to celebrate God’s goodness. Giant stars and the multiverse expand to open great hearts for God’s enormous love.

For the gift of burgeoning hope, we give thanks for God’s delight in us.

For the gift of summer that brings us into the energy of God’s passion and mercy. In the fullness of summer heat, we remember that with God all things are possible. With God all miracles bring new life and new meaning. With God resurrection is more than an idea or hope. Burgeoning crops, teeming waters, rain and sun drench us with God’s abundance and generosity. God calls us to match this zeal with the stores of understanding and courage we lay aside for the difficult times ahead.

For the gifts of kindness and goodness, we give thanks for God’s delight in us.

For the gift of autumn when we harvest the fortitude, perseverance, fidelity and truth that God has shared with us. We remember that nothing of this world is meant to take the place of God. We recall the great delight God has expressed in our willingness to be open to others just as Jesus is open with us. We respond with compassion and an ardent desire to heal broken relationships and people. We return this gift with our own desire to heal and advocate.

For the gifts of forgiveness and restoration, we give thanks for God’s delight in us.

In all seasons of this year to come, we unite in a new thankfulness for God’s love, a new willingness to live as Jesus does, and a new urgency to heal and console just like the Holy Spirit. May we find the energy and determination to live in such a way that all those who encounter us will know that we delight in God’s own delight in us. Amen.

For a reflection on a full measure of joy, click on the snowflakes or visit: http://fullmeasureofjoy.com/?p=4253

For a reflection on God’s wisdom in creation, click on the plant shoot or visit: http://elcmthoreb.org/2013/07/12/gods-wisdom-in-creation-this-week-at-elc/

For a reflection on seeing God’s creation, click on the river image or visit: http://www.seeingcreation.com/2012/nature-photography/natures-dictionary/

For a reflection on seeking God, click on the image of the leaf or visit: http://nancyaruegg.com/category/seeking-god/
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December 29, 2022

anxiety, faith, fortitude, hardship, healing, honesty, hope, joy and sorrow, love, perseverance, seasons, truth
Matthew 9:27-31: Healing Blindness – A Reprise
Matthew 9:27-31: Healing Blindness-A Reprise

Nicolas Columbel: Christ Healing the Blind

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Do you believe that I can do this?

We ask for help but too often doubt the hand that God offers.

Jesus says: Let it be done for you according to your faith.

God says: When my son says these words he is not threatening or punishing you for your waywardness; rather, he is calling you to union with him and with me. He is calling you to be one with us in the Spirit. He is saying that your blindness can involve more than your physical sight. Sometimes you are emotionally blind. You refuse to feel what others feel because it pains you too much. Sometimes you are mentally blind. You reject options and ideas that others offer because you are determined that your plan is better than any other. Allow my Spirit to live in you and your blindness will be healed. When you feel the pain and sorrow of others, you will also feel my joy in you when you help the least among you. When you panic because you may not be able to follow the plan that you have laid out for yourself, you will also celebrate the enormity of my love that comes to you when you make a way for others to join in your plans rather than dictating to them. Trust in me as I trust in you. Have faith in me even as I place my faith in you. Hope in my promise for it is true. I believe and know that you want to be one with me. Believe and know that I am in you this day and all days . . . healing your blindness.

Enter the word blindness into the blog search bar and examine the ways of human blindness.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_man_blind_from_birth
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May 26, 2022

faith, hope, John 9:1-41, joy and sorrow, love
Matthew 7:21-23: True Discipleship
Matthew 7:21-23: True Discipleship

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven . . .

We so often call of God when we are troubled and we too seldom include God in our celebrations of good news. We say that we know God and want to do God’s will and yet we too often believe that God has abandoned us.

God says: My true disciples sees me in all those who suffer or are alone or abandoned. My true disciples rejoice in their sorrow as often as they rejoice in their celebrations. In the downward spirals of your life you cling to me, and in this I rejoice for I am the vine that sustains the branches of your life. Remember me as well in the beautiful upswings and your days of celebration for I am also there – although you may forget me. My true disciple remains in me as much as possible just as I remain in them always. In your days of woe you remember me. Remember me as well in your days of joy.

To better understand Jesus’ concept of a true disciple, use the scripture link to examine varying versions of his Vine and Branches discourse (John 15:1-8).

For more Noontime reflections on true disciples, enter the word discipleship into the blog search bar and explore.

Image from: http://www.choicesandavoice.org/sheris-blog/true-discipleship-what-are-the-characteristics-of-a-true-disciple-part-1
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May 14, 2022

John 15:1-8, joy and sorrow, the vine and branches