the faithful – The Noontimes

Sirach 49:11-13: Heroes after Exile

Sirach 49:11-13: Heroes after Exile

Monday, May 22, 2023

Over the last several days, we reflected on the idea of taking a dare on the strength of the relationship between God and humanity. Today we return to a favorite as we reflect on Nehemiah, a man who led his people out of exile and created an environment in which they might become heroes. How might we live our own lives as new Nehemiahs?

Nehemiah was the administrator who brought his own money, sweat and tears to the reconstruction of the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. He provided not only the structure, organization and the will, but the risk-taking attitude and perseverance to create the continuity between the pre and post exile worlds. He created an environment for the Word of God to flourish in the post-captivity Jerusalem. At various times over these several years as we have spent Noontime together, we have reflected on this man, this work, this wisdom, this patience, this persistence, this dedication and devotion to God. These are all qualities necessary for discipleship.

As we go about our lives we are continually called to rebuild and to reconstitute ourselves and others. We are called to Christ, the one who saves.

True heroes are those who understand that the saving work they do – their amazing feats, their miracles – come from God. They know that God is the source of all goodness and healing. And they praise God unceasingly in the midst of turmoil and strife. True heroes create structures and times and places in which God can dwell with the faithful. True heroes find reward in the endless suffering that accompanies discipleship. True heroes are rare. When we find them, we best hold on to them, and follow.

Adapted from a favorite from May 9, 2008.

To reflect on the nature of optimism, watch Tari Shalot’s Ted Talk on The Optimism Bias. Enter the name Nehemiah into the blog search bar and explore this man’s determination and willingness to take a risk. Click on the image of Nehemiah’s wall above to learn about the archeological work at Nehemiah’s wall and gate. Or visit: http://www.biblicalarchaeologytruth.com/nehemiahs-wall.html

Images from: http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/2009/03/09/lessons-from-nehemiah-1-humility/ and http://www.biblicalarchaeologytruth.com/nehemiahs-wall.html

May 22, 2023

Jerusalem, Nehemiah, optimism, Tari Shalot, the faithful

2 Maccabees 3: A Prayer for the Plundered

Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2020

Today is Gaudete, or “Rejoice” Sunday and it is a pause in our watchfulness as we await the coming of Light to a world longing for hope. As we continue our journey into a season of darkness in the northern hemisphere, we reflect on the plundering of the Jerusalem Temple, and our transformation that grows form the ashes of despair. When we listen to the ancient carol Gaudete, we have a sense of the joy we might find amid the sadness of dark days. Click on the image above or visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUbcHfnx0pY

2 Maccabees 3

A Prayer for the Plundered

Simon lusts after control and so lies and connives to gain his end. He appears to succeed, yet we all know from our perspective in the second millennium that a new temple brings down the Jerusalem temple and rebuilds it in three days. This happens in the person of Christ.

The faithful who follow the good and compassionate priest Onias immediately take to the streets, the priests prostrate themselves in petition, and Yahweh answers their prayer in a surprising way.

*Gérard de Lairesse: The Expulsion of Heliodorus from_the Temple*

Heliodorus and King Seleucus IV both recognize the power and awe of this God of the patriarchs and Heliodorus himself undergoes a conversion.

It should not surprise us that the men in this story who grasp for control of the treasury resort to any means to achieve their ends; nor should it surprise us that God answers the pleas of these holy and faithful people.

It should not surprise us that even those enveloped in the power, money and control can have their eyes opened.

And it should not surprise us that this conversion will often happen as the result of a cataclysmic event. We must constantly prepare ourselves for these experiences and these people. And so we pray . . .

Dearest God, Creator, Savior and Consoler,

Lead us away from the ways of Simon and keep our eyes open for the times we want to take control. Show us how easily we may be tempted to resort to any means to achieve our own ends. Remind us to make a new temple of ourselves as Christ has asked. Remind us that we are called to be holy disciples.

Lead us to you as your faithful. Keep our ears open for your word, your message and your rescuing messengers. Remind us to intervene and intercede for those who wish us harm. Remind us to act when we see injustice.

Lead us to the Christ who dwells within us. Keep our hearts open to our own conversion. Remind us to witness for you in the marketplace. Remind us to stand and to proclaim your goodness.

We ask this of you our Loving Protector. We petition you our Loving Redeemer. We entreat you our Loving In-dweller. Amen.

Tomorrow, we move forward with the nativity story . . .

Adapted from a reflection written on January 5, 2008.

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1674_G%C3%A9rard_de_Lairesse_-_Expulsion_of_Heliodorus_from_the_Temple.jpg

December 13, 2020

Music Link, Temple, the converted., the deceitful, the faithful

Jeremiah 12:1-2: Why?

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Jeremiah 12:1-2

Why?

You would be in the right, O Lord, if I should dispute with you; even so, I must discuss the case with you. Why does the way of the godless prosper, why live all the treacherous in contentment? You planted them; they have taken root, they keep on growing and bearing fruit. You are upon their lips, but far from their inmost thoughts.

Like most of God’s prophets, Jeremiah asks the Lord direct questions. He brings his confusion, heartache and pain to the Creator who knows and sees all. Like Jeremiah, we must bring all of our big and petty woes to God. For with God is the answer we seek.

God says: I am not bothered by the billions of questions that fly to me each day and night. I am not angered. I am not threatened. There is nothing you can ask that will turn me away from you. So ask. How else will you find peace? I will always answer . . . even though you may not be prepared to hear the reply. Even then I will guide you to understanding. All you need do is remain open and ready for dialog. I long to listen and speak to you. Be not afraid to ask the questions that are in your heart. Persist and be open, and we will speak with one another.

“How is it that evil prospers?” “Why do the wicked enjoy life while the faithful suffer?” “When will God’s justice divide the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the chaff?” “Where is God when so much envy and hate destroy all that is good?” “What is the point of seeing the weeds pollute the harvest?”

These are questions the faithful feel rise from within when they see injustice in the world. These are the questions the faithful must bring to God . . . for with God lie the consolation and the replies.

Tomorrow, Job, another faithful servant, hears The Lord’s Speech . . .

Image from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_11983584_magnifying-glass-with-questions-words-on-white-background.html

August 1, 2020

dialog, openness to God, peace, persistence, questions, the faithful, understanding

Matthew 10:41-42: A Prayer in Celebration

Wednesday, May 19, 2020

In this time of pandemic, we welcome the Holy Spirit into our midst as we gather in families who shelter in place. In this time of pandemic, we remember that when we follow The Way Christ shows us, every day is Pentecost.

Matthew 10:41-42

A Prayer in Celebration

Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes an upright person because he is upright will have the reward of an upright person. If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then in all truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without his reward.

We think of prophets as people who hear God’s word easily and who are dedicated to speaking God’s word no matter how it threatens their lives or livelihood. We see prophets as living in ancient times to lead God’s faithful through troubling times. If this is our thinking we miss Matthew’s message to us today . . . for prophets dwell and work and play among us today, sharing God’s word with us, urging us to stay close to God. Yet how many prophets speak to us each day and we ignore them? How many of us are prophets and fear speaking out the words God asks us to speak?

We think of upright people as those who have a strong moral compass, as those ethical, decent few who remain in God’s Way despite all the temptations and lures that might draw them away from following God closely. We see upright people as that small percentage of somber and serious faithful who eschew fun because it threatens their serenity. If this is our thinking we miss Matthew’s message to us today . . . for the upright live and labor and enjoy human company as much as the divine. Yet how many upright people do we avoid as too pious or too starry-eyed? How many of us avoid showing our uprightness and fear sharing our thoughts about God because we do not want to be perceived as odd or strangely different?

We think of disciples as people who follow God so closely that they rely on God for every decision they make despite the tug of social, political or religious influences. We see disciples as those marked with a special sign or those given special courage or graced with exceptional perseverance. We somehow believe that they are scarce in any given group of people and that they were born with unique perception and power. If this is our thinking we miss Matthew’s message to us today . . . for disciples walk and talk and co-mingle with us each day all day. How many of us avoid God’s disciples because they seem a bit off and are not influenced by sports figures, by politicians or church leaders? How many of us are clearly disciples but are leery of identifying ourselves as one who follows Christ?

Today Matthew tells us that the miracle of Pentecost is timeless, that its power is endless, and that its space is unlimited. Today Matthew invites us to be those upright, prophetic disciples whom Christ has called. Today Matthew urges us to be our best selves. Today Matthew calls us to be one with Christ . . . to be divine. And so we pray . . .

Dear God: We hear your voice and yet for some reason we falter; give us the courage and strength to look nowhere but at you.

Dear Jesus: We know your command to put our feet in your footsteps and yet somehow we stumble; give us the fortitude and fidelity to never give up to any threat and never give in to any voice that calls us away from you.

Dear Spirit: We gather ourselves to step forward in acceptance of your gift of discipleship. In this Eastertide, as we rejoice in your in-dwelling, remind us of the holy privilege we share with your upright prophets and disciples as we follow Christ, and shelter in your presence.

Bless and keep us always as we celebrate with you and all your holy ones. Amen.

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_II_Restout_-_Pentecost_-_WGA19318.jpg

A re-post from May 19, 2013.

May 19, 2020

discipleship, Pentecost, prophets, rejoice, the faithful, the upright

Acts 13:44-52: Address to the Gentiles

Acts 13:44-52: Address to the Gentiles

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Yesterday we reflected on Paul’s Summary story of God’s constancy in his love for his people. God keeps his promises. God has good things in mind for his creation. God loves us more than we can imagine.

We first spent time with this portion of Acts on May 29, 2008 and we revisit that reflection today as a Favorite . . .

Because many of those Paul addressed in the synagogue refused to hear the story of Jesus, Paul took his message to the gentile nations. Many have ears but do not hear, eyes but do not see. I am thinking about how we humans form community . . . and how we also create obstacles to the formation of community. We conjure up sides, form alliances, close ranks and lock steps to keep out those who do not comply. We have the choice in this life to follow Mean Girl Queens and Playground Bullies which ultimately means that we must succumb to threats and insinuations. We also have the option to stand on Gospel Values . . . which means that we must work to become constant disciples of Jesus. And it also means that we must put down our old familiar weapons of separation to take up the arms of unity and peace.

The prophecy of Daniel and the story of Esther are worth remembering because they are where we learn that . . . the faithful need not fight, they only need to refuse to comply with anything which causes them to abandon their God. This is the same message that Jesus brings to us; this is how the kingdom becomes universal. This is how the Spirit abides and how the Gospel message spreads – through conflict resolved, through obstacles overcome, through pain endured, through reparations made and forgiveness granted. Where do we go for solace and comfort when we must squeeze ourselves through these Narrow Gate Experiences? How do we mature spiritually? How do we find and maintain the serenity we say we seek? Paul tells this in Pisidia who will hear him, and he tells us today . . .

When we suffer for Christ, we know that we have been chosen . . . we also know that we are loved.

When we live in the Spirit, we know that we live in God . . . and we also know that we live in love.

When we call on God, we know that we are heard . . . and we also know that we are rescued.

I am looking at the morning prayers and petitions from MAGNIFICAT.

The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him; he is their mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. (Sirach 34:16)

You are a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in distress; shelter from the rain, shade from the heat. (Isaiah 25:4)

With confidence in the God who hears our prayers and protects us, let us pray: To our words give ear, O Lord.

You shield us from harm: teach us to protect goodness in ourselves and in others. To our words give ear, O Lord.

You guard us against stumbling and help us against falling: strengthen our reliance on you in every temptation. To our words give ear, O Lord.

You are the shelter of all those who are in need: make us a shelter to all who call upon our help. To our words give ear, O Lord.

O God of glory, you are our shelter against the burning heat of the day and the storms of life. Help us when we stumble, catch us when we fall, and guide our steps firmly in faith toward the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A re-post from January 8, 2012.

Images from: http://www.davincisartandcoffee.com/Metal/cross/Heart/default.asp and http://northwaystudents.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/wide-gate-vs-narrow-gate/

Cameron, Peter John. “Prayer for the Morning.” MAGNIFICAT. 29.5 (2008): 392-393. Print.

For a reflection on the Book of Daniel on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/daniel-god-calls-the-faithful-and-faithless/

For thoughts on Esther see: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/esther-from-calamity-to-rejoicing/

January 8, 2019

Daniel, Esther, God’s promises, Jesus, Narrow Gate, Paul, Pisidia, the faithful

Tag: the faithful

Sirach 49:11-13: Heroes after Exile

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2 Maccabees 3: A Prayer for the Plundered

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Jeremiah 12:1-2: Why?

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Matthew 10:41-42: A Prayer in Celebration

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Acts 13:44-52: Address to the Gentiles

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