Advocate

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Advocate

Holy Spirit

Promise   Presence   Peace

Are Dwelling Within Us

Home

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:  John 14:23 and 26

Jesus was speaking with the Apostles at the Last Supper and said, 

"Whoever loves Me will be faithful to My word.

My Father will love that person.

We will come to her or him.

We will dwell with that person.

The Father will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, in My name.

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

Reflection

Have you ever had a person who would advocate for you, someone who would help you navigate a difficult situation?

Maybe it was a guidance counselor who helped you choose and apply to a college.

Or a friendly clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles who showed you the right forms to fill out and the right line to get on.

Or a doctor who helped you get the correct treatment you needed even after the insurance company told you that it wouldn't be covered.

Advocates can be so important in our lives---even lifesaving. We can always count on a good advocate to point us in the right direction and to help us overcome difficult obstacles we face.

In our reading from The Gospel of John, Jesus makes a promise. He will send us the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate. Amazing!

Jesus wants to make sure that we are helped. He realizes that we will face some hard times. He knows that the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives will bring us peace in the midst of our challenges.

The Advocate will actually dwell within us and make a home in us. Now that's a special Advocate!

This Amazing Advocate will be our Teacher. We will learn what we are to say and what we are to do. We will never be alone.

Jesus knows about this in a personal way. In His human nature, Jesus experienced the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within Him. 

He faced rejection.

He faced misunderstanding.

He faced those who were trying to trap Him in a misstep.

He faced scourging.

He faced crucifixion.

He knew in all those difficult circumstances that the Advocate would be with Him and sustain Him. The Holy Spirit dwelt within Him.

Jesus knows what we need. He wants to make sure that we also have the Holy Spirit as our Advocate.

Enjoy the Advocate who dwells within you. Time to make some space in your home.

Always!

1. Who have been some advocates who have helped you face difficulties?

2. Why does Jesus send us the Holy Spirit as our Advocate?

3. When have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life?

4. What do you feel when you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Door

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Door

Faith/Knock   Open

Practice   New   Commandment

Love For One Another

Disciple

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:  Acts of the Apostles 14:27

Paul and Barnabas were travelling to many cities proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. They came to Antioch and told everyone what God had accomplished and how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

John 13:34 

As Jesus was talking to the apostles at the Last Supper, He said: "I give you a new commandment, to love one another as I have loved you."

Reflection

How do you feel when someone opens a door for you?

Sometimes we are surprised. We just were not expecting an act of kindness.

Sometimes we are touched by the caring such an act displays. It leads us to consider that there are many fine people in the world.

Sometimes it leads us to reciprocate and hold the door open for someone else. The circle of love enlarges.

In our reading from The Acts of the Apostles, it is God who is opening the door. Paul and Barnabas would always go first to the Jewish community to share the Good News of Jesus. They found that the Gentiles also wanted to hear the Gospel. God opened the door for them.

In our reading from John, it is Jesus who is opening the door for the apostles. He tells them that love is the way to live. He challenges us to love as He loves. This new commandment will open the door of discipleship for us. We will be truly following Jesus when we have love for each person we meet.

This might sound impossible for us because Jesus displayed so much love. He even forgave those who crucified Him. How can we have that much love?

We can love as Jesus loved when we open the door of our hearts and let Jesus in. Then we let Jesus direct our actions because we are living with Him. Jesus has promised to be with us and to support us. He is ready to open every door for us.

It is our turn now.

Do we want to go through the door that Jesus is opening for us?

1. When is the last time you can remember someone opening a door for you?

2. How did you feel?

3. How do you try to love as Jesus loves?

4. What doors has Jesus opened for you?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Hands

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Hands

Father/Jesus

Protect     Guard     Save

They Came To Believe

Shelter

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Acts of the Apostles 13:48

When the Gentiles heard this message from Paul and Barnabas, they were delighted and glorified the Word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life, came to believe.

John 10:28 and 29

Jesus said, "I give My sheep eternal life. They will never perish. No one can take them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can take them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection

What are some of the most precious things that you have held in your hands?

Could it be the hand of a good friend who turned to you for help in a time of deep need?

Could it be the hand of a child or grandchild who trusted you to show her or him the way home?

Could it be the Body of Christ when you felt empty and in need of healing?

We see in our reading from John that we are in very good hands! First Jesus tells us that He will give His sheep eternal life. Not too shabby! I think most of us will take that deal!!

However, that is not enough for Jesus. Yes, it's a wonderful gift that Jesus will give us. Jesus then ups the offer. He says that He will keep us in His hands. He will hold us so tightly and so securely that no one will be able to take us from Him.

Imagine that! What a Love Jesus has for us!

I feel love when someone holds me close to them in love. It is a great feeling. The warmth fills my whole being and tells me that I am wanted. How awesome to realize that Jesus wants me this much!

Yet even that is not enough for Jesus! He tells us that we are also in the Father's hands! Amazing! How is it possible that we are loved this much?

It is hard to take in a Love this deep and caring. Most of us would settle for 10% of this Love. Jesus says that is not enough. He just keeps on giving us more and more.

Our difficulty is found in our reading from The Acts of the Apostles. The Gentiles gradually came to believe that they were also to be included in this Kingdom of God's Love. They were to be held in the hands of Jesus and the hands of the Father. 

They, like us, find it hard to believe that God could love them this much. They "came" to believe. 

That is our challenge. Can we believe that we are sheltered in the hands of Jesus and the hands of the Father?

Don't worry---you are in GOOD HANDS!!!!!

1. When you think of some special things you have held in your hands, what comes to mind for you?

2. How do you picture yourself in the hands of Jesus?

3. How do you picture yourself in the hands of the Father?

4. Can God really Love you this much?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara) 

Simon Peter

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Simon Peter

Three Time Denier

Tend   Feed   Follow

Do You Love Me?

Yes, Lord

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 21:17

Jesus said to Peter a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was upset that Jesus had asked him this a third time.

He said to Jesus, "You know everything; you know how much I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

Reflection

Do you love Jesus?

In some ways this was a very difficult question for Peter (and for all of us) to answer. After all, Peter had denied Jesus three times when he had the opportunity to let others know that he was a follower of Jesus.

We also, of course, have many opportunities to say that we follow Jesus each day. How many of us take advantage of these and actually proclaim our love for Jesus by caring for others, especially those on the margins of society---the "untouchables" of today.

We can tend to the needs of others by feeding the hungry and welcoming those fleeing from danger. Are we too busy protecting our own interests and worried about ourselves to reach out to those whose presence makes us uncomfortable? Are we too afraid that we won't have enough to buy a bigger home or a better car?

Jesus tells Peter to literally feed others. We are all aware and try our best to share our food when we encounter someone who needs a good meal. Feeding, however, can take on many dimensions. 

Pope Francis reminded us that when we encounter someone on the street who could be homeless or lonely, we should look them in the eyes and speak with them. Of course, we are all very busy and it is a challenge to give someone that amount of time. We don't like to have our schedule interrupted. However, if we love Jesus, maybe that is the feeding that is needed for that person at that moment.

So many people are just ignored. They might be feeling unloved and unimportant. Isn't Jesus telling us that each person in His flock is important? Shouldn't each person be fed? We never know if our stopping to acknowledge an individual might be a turning point for that person.

Jesus called Peter and calls us to follow Him. We know this will not always be easy. It could bring us into situations that might make us afraid and uncomfortable. We certainly have to be wise and careful. The thought we have to ponder concerns our ability to do a little more to follow Jesus.

Thinking about that and praying over it can lead us to be more aware of some ways we can "follow". We know that Jesus will lead us and guide us in this regard if we are open and take time to discern.

As situations present themselves, we will have the opportunity that Peter had to say "Yes, Lord!". If we fail sometimes (as Peter did), Jesus will not give up on us. He healed Peter of his three-fold denial by asking him three times if he loved Him. 

We know that when we do stumble, hesitate, give in to our fears, Jesus understands. He asks us if we love Him, because He doesn't want anything to separate us from His Love.

Do you love Him?

1. Why is "Do you love Jesus?" a difficult question in some respects?

2. How do you try to follow Jesus each day?

3. How can our fears stop us from feeding others?

4. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)  

Solomon's Portico

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Solomon's Portico

Apostles   Peter's   Shadow

Signs   Wonders   Miracles

They Were All Cured

Believers

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Acts of the Apostles 5:15

As the apostles met in Solomon's portico, many of the people carried the sick into the streets.

They would put them on mats so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on them and they would be cured.

Reflection

How powerful is your shadow?

In our reading from the Acts of the Apostles we encounter an amazing shadow---a shadow that heals many who are sick. The people believed in that shadow because they had seen up close healings that Jesus had done through Peter. 

This ability to heal and make people whole again motivated these early followers to bring the sick near to Peter. They had been gathering at Solomon's portico in the temple area and had observed the path that Peter was taking. 

I can just imagine the scene as the people brought all the sick to Jerusalem and lined them up on the side of the street. You can feel the joy as the people got better.

This incident invites us to have that same faith that these earlier followers had. We can bring those who are in need of healing to Jesus through our prayers and by our caring acts of love in visiting the sick and the wounded.

There are many levels of healing that are needed today. We can think of those who are lonely and have no one to visit them. There are many who are homeless and seem to be forgotten in our society. People are fleeing persecution and death threats in their home country and need to find security and safety.

Are we ready to get our mats and to bring those who feel isolated to that healing shadow of Peter? 

Peter was able to heal because he was one with Jesus. He had experienced the forgiveness of Jesus and the power of the resurrection. He truly believed that Jesus could overcome all the obstacles of fear and doubt that many of us place in front of us. 

When we become believers, the powerful shadows of faith and love will heal our wounds and strengthen us to bring our mats to others in need.

Enjoy those shadows!

1. Have you experienced the power of healing in your life?

2. What are some of the healings that we need today in our society?

3. How important is belief as we seek to bring our sisters and brothers for healing?

4. What do you experience as you reflect on Kathy's photo of Pope Francis?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Name

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Name

He   Saves

Emulate   Self-Emptying   Servanthood

Jesus Christ Is Lord

Bended Knee

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Philippians 2: 9 to 11

Because Jesus was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, God has exalted Him and given Him a NAME that is above every other name.

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Reflection

Have you ever thought about why your parents gave you the name that they chose for you?

I was named John after my father and grandfather and passed that name on to our oldest son. I always felt a deep connection with both of them. 

I learned later that my name means God is gracious. I have always felt the strong influence of God's grace in my life---truly Amazing Grace! It is also the name of two of my favorite people from the Bible, John the Baptist and John the Apostle.

The name Jesus is special to all of us who believe that He is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who became man for us. The name Jesus means The Lord Saves.

Jesus became man to offer us the gift (the grace) of salvation. Jesus wants us to live with Him forever and to experience eternal happiness.

Jesus shows us the path to happiness through the life He lived. We are called to emulate His example of humility and faithfulness to the call that God gave Him.

Jesus did this through His self-emptying. He did not come trying to accumulate wealth and power for Himself. He came instead to serve the poor and the outcasts of His day. He did not care that He was ridiculed and mocked for doing this. He knew that this was the right thing to do. We have to serve those who are most in need.

Because of whom He was and what He did, we proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Many object to this term because of its patriarchal overtones (as in Lord of the manor). Many lords in former times exploited women and those in the underclass. 

Jesus is Lord in an entirely different way. He has come to serve others, to wash their feet. He does not want to suppress or stymie us but to shower us with His Love in every way possible.

Our knee is bended at the name of Jesus out of respect and acknowledgement of what Jesus has done for all of us. 

I always picture Jesus approaching me as I am on bended knee and lifting me up into his arms and telling me how much He loves me and how much He will always be with me.

His name heals and helps.

He comes to lift us up!

1. What is the history behind the name you were given?

2. How do you feel when you hear the name of Jesus?

3. What do you think when you hear the term, Lord? 

4. How do you picture the servanthood of Jesus?

5. What do you see as you meditate on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Moses

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Moses

Burning   Bush

Stand   Holy   Ground

What Is His Name

I Am

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Exodus 3:13

"But," said Moses to God," when I speak to the Israelites and say to them 'The God of your fathers has told me to come to you,' if they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I say to them?"

Reflection

Have you ever taken some time to reflect on your name? It is often very revealing when we discover how we got our name. Sometimes it can come from a parent, grandparent, or someone else on our family tree. A famous person who meant a lot to our parents can be the inspiration for our name. We could be named after a special saint who has some wonderful characteristics.

In our scripture passage from Exodus, Moses has an amazing encounter. He is tending the sheep of his father-in-law and is amazed at seeing a bush that is on fire but not consumed by that fire. 

Naturally he thinks this is rather odd but that's only the beginning! As he comes close to this burning bush to check it out, he hears a voice calling out to him.

He quickly realizes that this is no hallucination or ordinary voice. It is the voice of God.

God tells him that the ground on which Moses is standing is holy ground. I can just imagine Moses shaking at this point.

He was probably wondering why God would want to talk with him. He didn't have to wait long to get his answer. God had a mission for Moses.

The mission was a very challenging one: to lead the Israelites out of Egypt where they were enslaved and into a special land, a land that would be overflowing with milk and honey. 

In many ways Moses was probably the most unlikely one for God to choose for this mission. He had killed an Egyptian officer and had to flee or face death himself. However, God (as always) knows whom to pick.

Moses wants to avoid this request in any way he can. He poses several questions to God so that he can walk away from this very challenging task.

Moses asks for God's name. The answer he gets is "I AM". It is the sacred name that a devout Jewish person will never say. It is too special to be repeated. There are several alternatives that are used instead, such as Adonai (the Lord). 

The name reveals that God is always present to us. God was present with Moses in leading the people out of Egypt and helping him deal with the difficulties he encountered in calming the people as they struggled in the desert. 

It also reassures us today. God will be with us. 

Yes, there will be hard times. We will face many obstacles and difficult situations.

God lets us know, as God let Moses know, that we are never alone. 

It's in the Name!

1. Is there a story behind your name?

2. How would you react if you heard a voice coming from a burning bush?

3. Why was Moses so reluctant to accept the mission that God wanted to give him?

4. Have you ever been reluctant to accept a call that God was giving you?

5. Do you feel that God is always present with you?

6. What do you see as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)