Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
John 13:3-16 (The Message)
3-6Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?"
7Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
8Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!"
Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing."
9"Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!"
10-12Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.
12-17Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
For Reflection Question. If one part of us is dirty, does it mean that the whole of us is dirty? Perhaps one way to look at this familiar passage is to washing the dirty part to preserve the cleanliness of the whole body. Is it true that we will always have dirty feet even if our body is clean? Is Judas's failure to be cleansed much different from Peter' dirtiness in denial? Jesus cleanses everyone's feet. Cleansed by the cross and by His resurrection.
Pray
help us to wash each others feet as Christ has shown us. Help us to offer again and again the cleansing sanctuary that is Christ our Lord.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Paradox of Servitude
Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
John 12:20-26 (The Message)
24-25"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.
26"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
For Reflection One must lose one's self before he can find him/her self. One must die in order to live. You can probably think of other biblically based recommendations for Christian discipleship. Death of self has no sting when we are resurrected into a transformed Christ-like self. Can you believe that? Can you accept the Divine Mystery that defines our transformations?
Pray
give us reckless love, faith and hope. Help us to accept the death of our old selves. Help us to accept the holy transformation which enables us to walk with Christ.
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
John 12:20-26 (The Message)
A Grain of Wheat Must Die
20-21There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" 22-23Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24-25"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.
26"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
For Reflection One must lose one's self before he can find him/her self. One must die in order to live. You can probably think of other biblically based recommendations for Christian discipleship. Death of self has no sting when we are resurrected into a transformed Christ-like self. Can you believe that? Can you accept the Divine Mystery that defines our transformations?
Pray
give us reckless love, faith and hope. Help us to accept the death of our old selves. Help us to accept the holy transformation which enables us to walk with Christ.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Sacrifice of Servitude
Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Mark 10:17-22 (The Message)
20He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
21Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me."
22The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
For Reflection
Is your commitment to righteousness as strong as you knowledge of righteousness? The man had the knowledge of what was expected righteous behavior. He lacked the commitment. He only had one foot in righteousness. The next step was selflessness. What are you holding on to so tightly that it keeps you in your comfort zone and interferes with acts of righteousness?
Pray
help us to let go of all those things and notions of self that inhibit full and complete servitude. Help us to accept the death of our old selves and discover the selves as transformed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Mark 10:17-22 (The Message)
To Enter God's Kingdom
17As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?" 18-19Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your father and mother."20He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
21Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me."
22The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
For Reflection
Is your commitment to righteousness as strong as you knowledge of righteousness? The man had the knowledge of what was expected righteous behavior. He lacked the commitment. He only had one foot in righteousness. The next step was selflessness. What are you holding on to so tightly that it keeps you in your comfort zone and interferes with acts of righteousness?
Pray
help us to let go of all those things and notions of self that inhibit full and complete servitude. Help us to accept the death of our old selves and discover the selves as transformed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Gratified in Service
Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Luke 10:38-42 (The Message)
For Reflection
When my wife prepares for company, she is a changed woman. Fierce focus drive her to cook and clean. It is almost always best to stay out of her way.
Martha had high expectations for her own servitude. She also assumed (as my wife does of me) that Mary shared her presumption of urgent need and that Mary should share her labor. Martha had a bad case of the shoulda-beens. Mary shoulda-been working at Martha's side. That's the proper service to Christ! Was Martha jealous? Did she see Martha's role as one of privileged? When serving the Master what is essential?
Pray
help us to strike a balance among those things while necessary are not essential. Help us to find time for the essential things. Help us to see that our need to please is not clouded by false expectations of our action and the action or others. Help us not to see our selves in comparison to others or others in comparison to ourselves. Help us to understand our selves as you understand us.
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Luke 10:38-42 (The Message)
Mary and Martha
38-40As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." 41-42The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."For Reflection
When my wife prepares for company, she is a changed woman. Fierce focus drive her to cook and clean. It is almost always best to stay out of her way.
Martha had high expectations for her own servitude. She also assumed (as my wife does of me) that Mary shared her presumption of urgent need and that Mary should share her labor. Martha had a bad case of the shoulda-beens. Mary shoulda-been working at Martha's side. That's the proper service to Christ! Was Martha jealous? Did she see Martha's role as one of privileged? When serving the Master what is essential?
Pray
help us to strike a balance among those things while necessary are not essential. Help us to find time for the essential things. Help us to see that our need to please is not clouded by false expectations of our action and the action or others. Help us not to see our selves in comparison to others or others in comparison to ourselves. Help us to understand our selves as you understand us.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Serving Selflessly
Luke 15:25-32 (The Message)
25-27"All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.'
28-30"The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'
31-32"His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"
For Reflection
Did you ever feel taken for granted? Perhaps that is what the stay-at-home brother felt. But at the core, had the brother let go of the image of himself, he may not have reacted that way. What did the brother fear that would have motivated this reaction? Even if his father did little to communicate in a way that would have influenced the brothers confidence, faith and trust, what could the brother have done to understand his father's intention for him? Death is never easy, even when it is the death of self-centeredness.
Pray
help us to accept the necessary death or denial of our alone selves. Help us to live transfigured into servants, confident, hopeful, faithful followers who unwaveringly trust in you.
25-27"All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.'
28-30"The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'
31-32"His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"
For Reflection
Did you ever feel taken for granted? Perhaps that is what the stay-at-home brother felt. But at the core, had the brother let go of the image of himself, he may not have reacted that way. What did the brother fear that would have motivated this reaction? Even if his father did little to communicate in a way that would have influenced the brothers confidence, faith and trust, what could the brother have done to understand his father's intention for him? Death is never easy, even when it is the death of self-centeredness.
Pray
help us to accept the necessary death or denial of our alone selves. Help us to live transfigured into servants, confident, hopeful, faithful followers who unwaveringly trust in you.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Seeking Comfort in Community
Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Ruth 1:1-7 (The Message)
1-2Once upon a time—it was back in the days when judges led Israel— there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah left home to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelech; his wife's name was Naomi; his sons were named Mahlon and Kilion—all Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They all went to the country of Moab and settled there.
3-5 Elimelech died and Naomi was left, she and her two sons. The sons took Moabite wives; the name of the first was Orpah, the second Ruth. They lived there in Moab for the next ten years. But then the two brothers, Mahlon and Kilion, died. Now the woman was left without either her young men or her husband.
6-7 One day she got herself together, she and her two daughters-in-law, to leave the country of Moab and set out for home; she had heard that God had been pleased to visit his people and give them food. And so she started out from the place she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law with her, on the road back to the land of Judah.
For Reflection In those days no one was more alone, left to fend for herself than a husband-less woman. And yet, Ruth seems to recognize the promise of God's community and returns with Naomi. Risky business this!
The risk payed off, of course. God's Grace is found in the community of believers. Christians, like the early Jews, are incomplete without the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, found in the community of believers.
Pray
that you will act on the promise of God's grace. Pray that you will be confident in that Grace that you will assume risk in the name of God. Pray that you, like Ruth, will live in the hollow of God's hand for ever.
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Ruth 1:1-7 (The Message)
1-2Once upon a time—it was back in the days when judges led Israel— there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah left home to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelech; his wife's name was Naomi; his sons were named Mahlon and Kilion—all Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They all went to the country of Moab and settled there.
3-5 Elimelech died and Naomi was left, she and her two sons. The sons took Moabite wives; the name of the first was Orpah, the second Ruth. They lived there in Moab for the next ten years. But then the two brothers, Mahlon and Kilion, died. Now the woman was left without either her young men or her husband.
6-7 One day she got herself together, she and her two daughters-in-law, to leave the country of Moab and set out for home; she had heard that God had been pleased to visit his people and give them food. And so she started out from the place she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law with her, on the road back to the land of Judah.
For Reflection In those days no one was more alone, left to fend for herself than a husband-less woman. And yet, Ruth seems to recognize the promise of God's community and returns with Naomi. Risky business this!
The risk payed off, of course. God's Grace is found in the community of believers. Christians, like the early Jews, are incomplete without the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, found in the community of believers.
Pray
that you will act on the promise of God's grace. Pray that you will be confident in that Grace that you will assume risk in the name of God. Pray that you, like Ruth, will live in the hollow of God's hand for ever.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Restoring Community
Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Genesis 50:15-21 (The Message)
14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?"
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
18 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
For Reflection
See? Not even Joseph, who had hard reasons for holding a grudge, for vindictive retribution, responded to the urge for vengeance. In a God-like response, Joesph forgives his brothers. It is as though their deeds never occured.
The evil the brothers conspired and carried out in the end was used by God. This is the Divine Mystery. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are we made in the image of God, yet imperfect? Because we are human, Not God. Made by God, perfect in our imperfection by God's Grace.
Like Joseph we do not act for God. God acts through us.
Pray
that you become a perfect channel for God's grace. Pray to forgive your own imperfection. Pray that you forgive imperfection in others.
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader
Genesis 50:15-21 (The Message)
14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?"
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
18 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
For Reflection
See? Not even Joseph, who had hard reasons for holding a grudge, for vindictive retribution, responded to the urge for vengeance. In a God-like response, Joesph forgives his brothers. It is as though their deeds never occured.
The evil the brothers conspired and carried out in the end was used by God. This is the Divine Mystery. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are we made in the image of God, yet imperfect? Because we are human, Not God. Made by God, perfect in our imperfection by God's Grace.
Like Joseph we do not act for God. God acts through us.
Pray
that you become a perfect channel for God's grace. Pray to forgive your own imperfection. Pray that you forgive imperfection in others.
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