Tag: Spirit

Ezra 6: Rebuilding
Ezra 6: Rebuilding

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Written on January 8 and posted today as a Favorite . . .

The house is to be rebuilt . . .

Habitat for Humanity Volunteers rebuild after a disaster in Nepal

We are so often exhausted by life’s demands that we cannot experience joy when we hear good news . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

In today’s Noontime, King Darius reiterates the original command given by King Cyrus . . . the house is to be rebuilt. Nehemiah, the administrator, and Ezra, the priest, set about restoring the city and temple in Jerusalem. They travel through dangerous territory and carry with them a letter of safe-passage from their former enemy. They arrive in Jerusalem to find a pile of rubble so dense that horses cannot find a pathway – they must pick their way on foot through toppled stone. They return from exile most likely drained of energy, but there is hope and even joy because . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

I am struck by the concordance of the instructions in the decree we read today with the original description of the temple that Solomon built which we read in 1 Kings 7. God does not forget his promise to the Jewish nation that . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

Nor does God forget all that God has promised us, his daughters and his sons. Just like the destroyed temple, we too will be rebuilt and in fact are being rebuilt each day. We are the temple in which the Spirit dwells, and as the cares of the world tear at its pillars and nibble at is foundation, Jesus becomes the master planner who constantly offers to help us reconstruct. His constant attention and love remind us that . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

I am thinking of Psalms 126 and 127. Those who go out weeping return singing . . . we labor in vain unless the Lord is the master builder of our house.

Whatever our flaws, whatever our sorrows, all will be converted to joy for we are promised that . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

Whatever our obstacles, whatever our fears, they become our stepping stones to serenity once we remember that . . . the house is to be rebuilt.

A re-post from August 14, 2011.

For more on how Habitat for Humanity rebuilds after disasters, click on the image or visit: https://www.habitat.org/ap/our-work/rebuilding-after-disasters
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September 6, 2025

1 Kings 7, builders, Darius, Ezra, fear, God the Father, Jesus, Jesus as the Master Builder, joy, Nehemiah, Psalms 126-127, serenity, Spirit, The Temple
1 Maccabees 8: Pax Romana
1 Maccabees 8: Pax Romana

Sunday, October 15, 2023

As we watch the Middle East devolve into chaos once again, we reflect on the concept and practice of peace.

Stories of the Maccabees family are interwoven with those of various powers vying for control of the eastern bowl of the Mediterranean Sea. The dreams of Daniel long ago foretold the series of empires that would rule the land of God’s people. Today we see them reach out to the mighty Roman Empire to strike a treaty in an attempt to throw off their Greek rulers. The Jewish nation seeks to restore the protection it lost at the fall of its own empire. The Jewish people want to shelter under the umbrella of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. They look for political stability, for predictability, for an end to oppression and enslavement. We know how this story evolves. Within the century the Jewish people groan under the control shared by the Roman Emperor and their own puppet Kings, Herod the Great from 73 B.C.E. to 4 C.E. and Herod Antipas from 4 to 39 C.E. What do they really gain when they enter into this earthly Pax? What do they forfeit?

Martin Niemöller, a prominent Protestant pastor who opposed the Nazi regime

We fool ourselves when we seek peace at all costs, for the price of some bargains can be too dear. The only force we ought to seek is that of the Spirit, the Spirit that resides with the Father and Son, the Spirit that counsels, guides and saves.

Too many times we have heard the phrases: I just wanted to keep the peace, I didn’t want to get into it with him, I didn’t want to upset her, I didn’t want to rock the boat, I did not have the energy to speak, I just went along, I don’t think I can make a difference. We know the outcome of those stories and the results are always the same when we settle. The cost is great. Greater than we will want to pay in the end.

Tomorrow, God’s peace.

Adapted from a favorite written on February 15, 2009.

To learn more about the Pax Romana, click on the image above or visit: https://wilsonancientrome.wikispaces.com/Pax+Romana

Read Martin Niemöller’s poem by clicking on his image or visiting: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007392
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October 15, 2023

Herod Antipas, Herod the Great, Maccabees, Martin Niemöller, peace, Spirit
Ephesians 3:8-11: The Mystery of Christ
Ephesians 3:8-11: The Mystery of Christ

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

With humility, Paul tells us that although he does not understand why he is chosen to pass along God’s word, he does understand that we can never fully understand the mystery of God’s love for us. Nor can we plumb the depths of Christ’s impassioned love for us as God’s children.

God says: I do not expect that you will comprehend all that I do for you each moment of your existence. I do not ask that you understand the breadth or depth of my plan, my mind or my heart. Nor do I ask that you fend off the “principalities and authorities” that my servant Paul names. But what I do ask of you is simply this: that you follow the Way laid out by Jesus, and that you prepare a place for my Spirit to dwell within you. Jesus comes to you as your brother to take your hand and lead you into the narrow path that leads to peace. My Spirit flutters about you with a desire to heal and transform. You need not grasp my intention for you with full knowledge; only trust that I have plans for your joy and not your woe. All that is required is that you remain open and willing to my Spirit, open and hopeful in Christ, open and determined in the Creator. All that is required is love, my love for you . . . and your love for me. This is the great mystery of Christ that you need not understand but from which you nonetheless benefit. I come to you as Christ your brother who willingly gives over a life so that you may live.

God knows that we cannot take in the height and depth and breadth of Jesus’ love for us, and God does not ask that we understand this mystery before we partake of its benefit. All that God asks is our dedication and fidelity.

Enter the word Fidelity into the blog search bar and explore this quality. Consider how we might better show our understanding of the mystery we find in Jesus, and how we might return own faithful love for and to Christ.

Use a web browser to search for Hubble images and reflect on how they might represent the mystery of Christ as the incarnation of the God among us.

Click on the image from Hubble above to visit: https://hubblesite.org/resource-gallery/images

To explore National Geographic Mystery episodes, click on the image of Jesus above or go to: https://www.natgeotv.com/za/shows/natgeo/the-jesus-mysteries
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June 15, 2022

fidelity, God’s love, joy, Spirit, The Way
Ezra 3: Joy and Worship
Sunday, October 31, 2021

Ezra 3

Joy and Worship

We move further into scripture looking for stories of joy that continue to surprise us. To explore other stories, click on the word Joy in the categories cloud in the blog’s right hand sidebar and choose a reflection, or enter the word Joy in the blog search bar. You may also want to visit the Joy for the Journey blog at www.joyforthee.blogspot.com to see how joy surprises you there. Today our story is taken from the Book of Ezra.

After the Babylonian captivity and exile, after the scattering of the twelve tribes to the corners of the known earth, after the loss of hope that those who go out weeping will return rejoicing . . . the faithful receive word that they are to return to Jerusalem. Two leaders, Ezra and Nehemiah, the priest and the administrator, lead the faithful in a journey of reunion and transformation. As with all people who remain open to the power of the Spirit and the healing of God’s presence, these returning exiles gather to worship Yahweh once again. And they know great joy in abundance.

Ezra 3:12: Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away.

James Tissot: Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue (Detail)

Can we imagine the sound of joy that might rise to the skies if we were to thank God for all that we have and all that we are? Can we fathom the power we already hold in our minds and hands if we give all our great and petty worries over to Christ? Can we picture the compassion and healing that we might experience and then share with the world if we open our hearts to the Spirit that already dwells within?

God says: You are rightly focused on the daily task of survival but imagine if you were to trust me more and your own resources less? Do you see how much you have already gained? Can you imagine how much you are yet to receive? My servant Paul reminds my followers in Corinth that “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”. (1 Corinthians 2:9) And this is so. Today you read about how the faithful returned to me and celebrated with liturgy. Do you know how much it means to me when you join my Son, our Spirit and me in beautiful liturgies of Word and Eucharist? Do you know that I have wonderful plans for you? Plans for joy and not for woe? When you doubt, open scripture to see how many times I have already rescued my people. Open your lives and remember how often I have already saved you. Will I not love you even more as our relationship deepens? Will I not bring you even more joy? Have I not already told you that all of this is so?

As we consider today’s Noontime, let us also consider how we might approach liturgies with a new energy. If we do not belong to a worship community, let us explore the possibility of finding or creating one. And if we long to find union that lasts, let us commit to entering fully into our worship community with a new expectation of finding great joy.

To learn more about Ezra and Nehemiah, spend time with the stories in these two books. Enter their names in the blog search bar and explore. Click on the images for other reflections. Or use the scripture link to compare different Bible versions of these verses.

For a better understanding of these Books, go to: http://biblehub.com/dictionary/e/ezra-nehemiah.htm

For more about anxiety and joy, click on the image above or visit: http://riselikeair.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/anxiety-joy-a-journey/

Tissot image from: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4471

Scroll image from: http://dadozier.wordpress.com/category/ezra/
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October 31, 2021

1 Corinthians 2:9, Christ rescues, Ezra, joy, liturgy, Nehemiah, Spirit, union
1 John 2: Ideal and Real – Part IV
Monday, May 24, 2021

1 John 2

Ideal and Real – Part IV: The New Commandment

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.

We look for new inspiration. We believe that if we had one more resource all would be well. We look to off-load our worries when all we need do is put them in God’s hands.

The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

All will be well if we can just get a raise. Everything will be fine if we can just someone to do what we want. We believe we will have no more worries if we can just arrange life as we want it while all the while abundant gifts are given us daily.

Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.

Our work environment would improve if cranky and controlling co-workers would go elsewhere. Family get-togethers would be so much better but for that person with whom we struggle. Our worship community would be perfect if only the cranky believers would worship somewhere else . . . and all the while Christ walks among us. All the while the Spirit abides and calls us. All the while we are children of the same creator who asks us to live in peaceful unity.

This is the new commandment the Apostle John relays to us. This is the new commandment Christ brings to us. This is the new commandment that unites the real and ideal.

Tomorrow, uniting day and night in prayer.

Image from: http://www.all-wallpapers.net/wallpaper/sunset-sunrise-clouds-landscapes-sun/
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May 24, 2021

Apostle John, Children of God, darkness versus light, Spirit, unity
Matthew 13:15: Prayer for a Willingness to Listen
Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Danny Hahlbolm: The Holy Spirit

Matthew 13:15

Prayer for a Willingness to Listen

Jesus says: For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:15)

These words alone ought to prepare us to listen for God’s healing voice; and yet we resist. Let us take seven minutes of our busy day to listen to words from Julian Treasure delivered at a TED talk in Oxford, England in July of 2010. Find “Shh! Sound health in 8 steps” at the link below. When we listen to Julian, we find new readiness and new energy . . . to listen . . . and to pray . . .

https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_shh_sound_health_in_8_steps

Creator of ears and sound, help us to hear the music of your creation.

Christ of human voice and compassion, help us to listen to the Word you have brought us.

Spirit of God’s mercy and care, help us to perceive the Word that lives in us.

God of words and voices, help us to nurture our willingness to hear your Spirit’s wisdom.

Amen.

Today’s Gospel is Matthew 17:1-9. What do the disciples see and hear? How do we see and hear God who transfigures our lives?

Image from: http://shop.jesusartusa.com/products/Holy-Spirit.html
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March 17, 2021

ears, God’s voice, Matthew 17:1-9, sound, Spirit, Transfiguration
Amos 3-6: Words and Woes
Monday, March 15, 2021

James Smetham: The Call of the Prophet Amos

Amos 3-6

Words and Woes

Amos conveys the words of God in his prophecy. Put away black-and-white thinking. Step away from corruption and nepotism. Be open to transformation and redemption. Jesus arrives as the teacher who leads us away from dualism. He points out exploitation and favoritism. He rescues and changes.

Amos shares the woes he sees. The ease with which violence creeps into our lives. The mourning that threatens to drag us into darkness. The worship of little gods and the turning away from the Living God. The Spirit comes to abide with us, easing the pain of loss, comforting those who are crushed, gathering the remnant into the Body of Christ.

Amos tells us that there is much more to life than ease and comfort, power and fame. Amos reminds us that our real life lies in how we treat one another and not in the accumulation of wealth or titles. Amos asks us to move out of the darkness and into the light.

Christ comes to teach us how to live The Way. Christ steps out to lead us, taking on corrupt structures and power bases. Christ lives in each of us, renewing, recalling, and patiently ministering to our fears, wants and anxieties.

These are the Words of God conveyed by Amos. Jesus lives as the Word of God, walking and healing as he moves among us.

These are the Woes of the world as seen by Amos. Jesus comes to live among us and to remind us that trust in God alone prevails over the deepest and worst violence.

As we continue to move through Lent, let us pause to consider if or how we trust the healing hands of Christ.

Tomorrow, a Lenten prayer for understanding.

For a fresh view of Amos’ prophecy visit: http://jasonsoroski.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/unqualifed-the-story-of-amos/

Image from: http://www.artnet.com/artists/james-smetham/the-call-of-the-prophet-amos-o79LEkNxDOXiMmVWrrBNCQ2
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March 15, 2021

Amos, healing, Jesus, Spirit, The Way, violence
Matthew 9:27-34: Healing
Third Sunday of Easter. April 26, 2020

Matthew 9:27-34: Healing

In this passage Jesus cures three people. This compassion brings him into confrontation with the authorities who question the source of his power to heal. Despite the accusation from the Pharisees that his energy comes from the dark world of the prince of demons Jesus persists, knowing that his actions rise from the goodness of God within. We also have the opportunity to enter into this goodness, into this God-ness, when we enter into Christ.

From ALL WILL BE WELL by Julian of Norwich: “Because of God’s great love for humanity, he does not make a distinction in love between Christ and the least creature. It is easy enough to believe that the blessed spirit of Christ is high in the glorious Godhead; but, as I have seen, where the blessed spirit of Christ dwells, there dwell in him the spirits of all who will be saved. So let us rejoice greatly that God dwells within us. Let us rejoice even further that we dwell within God. For our spirits are made to be God’s resting place, and our spirits’ rest is in God who is unmade. Great it is to know in our hearts that God, who is our Maker, rests in our spirits. But far greater is it to know in our hearts, our spirits, which are made, rest in God. Buy that substance, we are who we are! I beheld no difference between God and our substance. All was God, as it were. Yet, I knew that our substance is in God. In other words, God is God, and we are creatures in God”.

Teilhard de Chardin, a 20^th century French paleontologist, priest and philosopher wrote frequently that we human beings persist in thinking that we are bodies walking around with a spirit when really we are spirits moving around in bodies. The physical world we see and move in is unreal, it is an illusion; it is the mysterious, intangible, spiritual world that is real and eternal. Perhaps this is why we find the story of Christ so baffling and sometimes unbelievable. We have things upside down.

Our spirit is made to be God’s resting place. It is for this reason that Jesus has the power to dispose of any illness or affliction that assails us. God is the creator of all.

Our spirit is made to be God’s resting place. It is for this reason that God tends to us and calls us constantly to goodness. We are made in God’s image.

Our spirit is made to be God’s resting place. It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit abides within to comfort our anxious minds. We are precious in the eyes of God.

Our spirit is made to be God’s resting place. God makes no distinction between Christ and the least soul. Imagine the good we might do, the sorrow we might heal, the transformation we might find, when we live with this mantra in mind.

Our spirit is made to be God’s resting place. So let us open our thoughts, our hearts, and our souls to Christ . . . and to the work he has in mind for us today. To whom might we restore sight? To whom might we give voice? When we find ourselves confronting the Pharisees of our day, let us remember our mantra so that we might step forward untroubled to pick up the work of God’s hands.

Kirvan, John. All Will Be Well: Julian of Norwich. 2008. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2005. Print.

Written on August 18, 2009 and posted today as a Favorite.

Image from: http://humanityhealing.net/2011/09/sacred-breath/
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April 26, 2020

Juilan of Norwich, prayer, Spirit, Teilhard de Chardin
Acts 4:23-31: With Boldness
Thursday, January 2, 2020

Acts 4:23-31: With Boldness

There is something for each of us to learn as we watch this fledgling spiritual community find a way to maneuver the overt threats to the community’s existence. There is something for each of us to learn as we struggle to speak the word of God in a culture that does not want to hear truth about itself. In today’s Noontime we see – if we look – a road map for traversing a tricky patch of the path we call life. When brambles arise, when authorities menace, when we are filled with doubt . . . we must pluck up our courage and move forward with boldness.

They went back to their own people . . . we must always surround ourselves with spiritual pilgrims who seek truth and authenticity.

They raised their voices to God with one accord . . . we must always petition God in solidarity with others who seek justice and mercy.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . we must always keep ready our dwelling place so that it is realizes the presence of God.

They continued to speak the word of God with boldness . . . we must always move forward in God rather than at God.

It is easy to look back over the difficult parts of our lives to assess our actions and non-actions and yet when we do, we find reward. We see that when we cannot muster strength, God provides it. When we cannot summon courage, Jesus brings it. And we find that when we look for love, the Spirit instills it.

They continued to speak the word of God with boldness . . . The apostles moved forward through their fear by gathering together with boldness. They decided that the fear of negative consequences would be outweighed by the boldness they brought together. When we cower before a menacing threat let us remember the lesson we learn today: Return to what you know to be truth, find solidarity with those of like mind, be receptive to the in-dwelling of the Spirit . . . and continue to speak with boldness,

There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to lose. There is everything to gain.

For another blogger’s perspective on Boldness, click on the image above or go to: http://ladycougs.blogspot.com/2012/01/boldness-acts-1342-52.html
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January 2, 2020

facing obstacles, pilgrims, prepare, solidarity, Spirit, trust