Storm

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Storm

Tumultuous   Disturbance

Trust   Obey   Cease

Be Still And Know

Faith

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 4:37 to 41

When Jesus was in the boat with them, a tumultuous storm came up and the waves were breaking over the boat and it was filling with water. Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. 

The disciples woke Jesus up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we might die?"

Jesus woke up and stopped the wind immediately and said to the sea, "Be still."

Then there was a great calm.

Jesus asked them, "Why were you so upset? Don't you have faith yet?"

The disciples were all amazed and said to one another, "Who is Jesus that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Reflection

Have you ever been caught in a sudden storm on a boat?

One beautiful summer morning, Kathy and I picked up some bagels and met our son, John, for a ride on his boat. All of a sudden, we noticed some black clouds heading our way. There was a torrential downpour and the boat started to fill with water and it got very rocky. It was a scary moment!

Fortunately, it ended quickly, and the sun returned, and we got to enjoy our bagels. Jesus takes care of the storm for His disciples in our reading from Mark. 

We are amazed at the power of Jesus. Immediately the storm stops. The disciples are wondering what type of man Jesus is. How can He have the power to do this? 

The disciples are beginning to understand that Jesus is different. They will gradually put their trust and faith in Him. 

We also face many storms in our lives. They can come up quickly. We are having a great day, and we get news that someone very close to us has become ill or is involved in a serious accident. We hear about a war starting or another shooting in a school. 

We wonder where Jesus is. Why is Jesus allowing this bad thing to happen. Is He still sleeping on that cushion?

We are challenged to place our faith in Jesus in those difficult situations. If Jesus calmed violent storms instantly, we know He can help us when we experience our own stormy times. 

Jesus loves us and He will help us in the hard times. We don't need to wake Him up. He is always there for us, and He knows what we are going through.

Be still.

God is with you.

The storms will pass.

1. What are some storms that you have faced in your life?

2. What type of man is Jesus?

3. Why was it hard for the disciples to put their trust in Jesus?

4. Why does Jesus allow bad things to happen like wars and school shootings?

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

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

Soil

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Soil

Hearts     Mind

Plant     Hope     Prayer

The Kingdom of God

Flourish

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 4:26 and 27

Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is similar to a person who scatters seed on soil that has been well prepared.

At night that person is sleeping comfortably, and the seed is growing.

How does that happen?"

Reflection

Did you ever wonder how that seed grows and becomes a crop that we can harvest and turn into food?

One of the keys is to have good soil. In another parable Jesus talks about the soil that falls on rocky ground and does not mature. 

In a similar way we have to prepare our hearts and mind to receive the Word of God. If we are closed (if our soil is poor), the Gospel cannot take root in us.

I had a marvelous experience of good soil recently when I was blessed to attend the graduation of our oldest grandchild from high school. She thrived in her high school and took advantage of every opportunity that was offered to her in terms of course selection, clubs to join, and athletic teams. 

Her soil was prepared by two loving and involved parents who encouraged her, drove her to many activities, were always present for her performances and competitions, and who prayed with her and for her.

That soil produced much fruit and led to an individual who touched the lives of many in her community. As I witnessed that growth over the years, I could see the soil getting richer and richer.

It takes a lot of work and time. It takes patience and perseverance. Each day becomes a small step to a rich harvest. As you go through each day, you wonder if all of the effort is worth it.

Then you see the result and you thank God for the wisdom and strength that God so richly gives. We are building the Kingdom of God.

It is a Kingdom where all are accepted, where all are invited to flourish, and where the harvest will be rich.

I know.

I saw it and felt it that night.

The soil yielded a wonderful harvest!

1. How is the soil of your heart and mind?

2. Who has helped to prepare your soil?

3. Have you helped to prepare the soil of the heart and mind of someone you love?

4. Where have you seen the Kingdom of God flourishing?

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

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

Home

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Home

Earthly   Eternal

Live   Reside   Presence

Whoever Does God's Will

Redemption

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Second Corinthians 4:13 and 14

Since we have the same gift of faith as it is written, "I believe, and I shared." We also believe and we speak out.

We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also. We will be together with Jesus in His Presence.

Mark 3:20 and 33 to 35

Jesus came home.

He said to those who were with Him, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"

He looked around at those who were seated around Him. "Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of God is My brother, My sister, and My mother."

Reflection

We hear in our reading from Mark that Jesus is coming home. He had been travelling all around Galilee and visiting many towns. Wherever He went, people seemed to follow. the word was getting out. Jesus was a good teacher and a good healer.

It must have been good to return home and to be with the people who knew Him so well. 

Jesus, however, is still committed to His mission. He has been called to spread the message about the Kingdom of God. He does not stop speaking this message on His home turf.

The people of Nazareth seem confused by all of this. Even the family of Jesus is upset. Jesus points out that His real family is composed of those who follow the will of God.

We follow God's will when we realize that God's presence is with us always as Paul points out in the reading from Second Corinthians. It is that presence of God that gives us the strength and the wisdom to both know the will of God and to follow what God is asking us to do.

That presence comes to us through prayer. When we communicate with God and listen for the voice of God, we become at home with God just as Jesus was at home with God. 

Our home becomes our place where we can be at one with God. We can relax with God and share our hopes and joys and our discouragements and tough times with the One who loves us totally and completely.

Jesus came home.

Jesus invites us to His Home---the Home of redemption and the Home that is eternal. He invites us to live with Him.

Always.

1. Why do you think Jesus came home?

2. The family of Jesus found it hard to understand what He was doing. How come this was so difficult for them?

3. Do you feel at home with Jesus?

4. What are some of the ways Jesus is present in your life?

5. How do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

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

Transition

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Transition

Old   New

Passover   Eat   Drink

This Is My Blood

Covenant

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 14:24

Jesus said to those gathered for the Passover Meal, "This is my blood of the covenant which will be shed for many."

Reflection

Transitions can be a challenge. Going from high school to college presents many new opportunities. Students who are residents at the college might be living away from home for the first time. It can be a big adjustment to share a room with someone whom you don't really know. The courses can be extremely demanding as well.

Leaving college and starting a new job is also full of many unknowns. How will the people in my new job accept me? Will I enjoy the job? Do I have the right skill set for this position?

Jesus invites the apostles and those who were accompanying Him to a transition moment in our passage from Mark. As He celebrates the Passover with them, He invites them to drink of the blood of the covenant---His very self which will be given in sacrifice for them.

Jesus wants to be present with them in a special way. He wants to sustain them and strengthen them as they face their transitions, especially now that He will be facing His death, resurrection and ascension and no longer be among them as He has been.

He gives them and us today the gift of the Eucharist. It is a meal that is rooted in the covenant that God made with Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Moses. It is a meal that celebrates the faithfulness of God to the promise that God made: "I will be your God and you will be My people." It is a promise that is old and ever new. 

It is a gift given in Love. It is a gift that Jesus wants us to experience every day. He knows about the challenges that we face because Jesus faced them also. 

He was misunderstood.

He was rejected.

He was mocked and faced humiliation.

His body and blood given for us help us to overcome these and many other obstacles.

The Gift is given.

We are loved!

1. What are some of the most challenging transitions that you have faced in your life?

2. Do you think it was difficult for the apostles to accept the transition moment of the Eucharist at the Last Supper?

3. Why has Jesus given us the gift of the Eucharist?

4. What do you experience as you look at Kathy's photo?

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

Commission

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Commission

Instruction   Command

Teach   Baptize   Adopt

Make Disciples Of All

Heirs

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Romans 8:16 and 17a

The Spirit herself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

If we are children, then we are heirs.

We are heirs of God.

We are joint heirs with Christ.

Matthew 28:18 to 20a

Jesus came to the apostles and said,

"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all people. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to follow all that I have commanded you."

Reflection

Have you ever been commissioned to take on a special task?

Maybe you were commissioned to be in the military, or to be a scout, or to serve in the medical profession. When the commissioning ceremony is over, you know that you are beginning a new phase in your life. Usually, you are going to be taking on new responsibilities.

You might wonder if you are ready and adequately prepared. You could be feeling some anxiety.

The apostles were in this position when Jesus commissioned them after His ascension. Jesus had prepared them for three years. He taught them. He prayed with them. They had frequent opportunities to see how He interacted with many different types of people at all levels in the society of His time---from the very rich to the poor and marginalized. 

Were they ready to follow His command?

St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, mentions and important element in measuring their readiness. If they truly realize that they are children of God and therefore heirs, they can gradually begin to know that God will be with them. A good mother and father will never abandon a child. They will do everything in their power to help their child succeed.

As the apostles accept their commission from Jesus, they will not be alone. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be with them each step (and misstep) on their journey. 

Each one of us has received a similar commission. Jesus asks us to proclaim the Good News---to let everyone know that God wants to share an inheritance of Love with each person.

God invites us to be heirs.

What an inheritance we are given!

1. Have you ever been given a commission?

2. What can you do if you feel nervous about a commission you have been given?

3. How did your parents help you to succeed? 

4. Do you feel that God is with you on your journey of sharing the Good News?

5. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo of St. Francis?

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

Outpouring

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Outpouring

Holy Spirit

Descending   Equipping   Filling

Tongues As Of Fire

Mission

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Acts of the Apostles 2: 1 to 4

It was the feast of Pentecost, and the disciples were gathered together. 

Suddenly there came a loud noise. It was a strong powerful wind, and it filled the entire house. 

Then tongues of fire came, and they divided and came to rest on each one of them.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Reflection

What is it like to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

This reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us a clue. The clearest thing that happens is that when you receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the disciples did on Pentecost Sunday, you are changed profoundly.

The disciples go from being afraid of being arrested to boldly proclaiming the Good News about Jesus. Talk about a change!

Jesus said that He would not leave the disciples alone. He wanted to send the Holy Spirit to them to strengthen them and assist them in their mission. 

The Holy Spirit comes to us today also. Jesus knows that we need help in our life every day. We have difficult choices to make and challenges to overcome. It is so consoling to realize that we are never alone.

I feel the power of the Holy Spirit in many ways: sometimes when I am teaching, I am inspired to cover something that was not in the lesson plan. I wonder where it came from; and I realize the Holy Spirit is helping me.

During the day many times the name of someone I haven't thought about will pop into my consciousness. I realize that it is the Holy Spirit asking me to reach out to that person.

There are times when I will be walking down the street and pass someone who seems upset. A kind word or smile inspired by the Holy Spirit helps the situation. 

Kathy's photo sums it up for me: the Holy Spirit helps me and all of us in our mission today just as the Holy Spirit helped the disciples on Pentecost Sunday to overcome their fears.

We can have some of those same fears: will people reject us when we try to reach out to them? The Holy Spirit can help us.

God is generous and the outpouring has never stopped!

1. How has the Holy Spirit helped you?

2. What are some of the fears that you have had to overcome to follow the mission of sharing the Good News?

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

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

Matthias

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

                                                           Matthias

Accompanier   Jesus

Called   Chosen   Fulfilled

Counted With The Apostles

Ministry

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:  Acts 1: 24 to 26

The apostles prayed about who should take the place of Judas:

"You, Lord, know what is in the hearts of each one of us. Show us whom you want to take the place of Judas in the apostolic ministry."

When they gave lots to them, the lot fell upon Matthias. He was counted with the apostles.

Reflection

The apostles here are faced with their first decision after the Ascension of Jesus. Judas is dead and they need to choose someone to take his place.

Two candidates seem to meet all the qualifications: they have been with Jesus since the time of His baptism by John; they have witnessed His teachings and miracles; and they saw Jesus after His resurrection. Which one should they choose?

The answer was simple: turn to God in prayer. Listen to Jesus for His direction. They were led to Matthias.

We are called to be the Matthiases of today. Jesus invites us to be His apostles---to spread the Good News.

The criteria is the same today. We read the Scriptures to accompany Jesus. We accept Baptism as Jesus did. We are committed to following the ways of God, to accept God's generous offer of Love. To say "Yes" to God.

We study the teachings of Jesus and become familiar with His mission to feed the hungry, bring Light to those in darkness, heal the sick, free the captive, and clothe the naked.

We witness the miracles of Jesus and His concern for those whom everyone else ignored and rejected.

We feel the power of joy in the resurrection of Jesus. 

Matthias was chosen after much prayer. We also turn to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to guide us in our apostolic ministry. 

Matthias was called.

We are called today to follow in his path.

We have been Blessed!

1. How do you spread the Good News as Matthias did?

2. Who are the people who are most ignored and rejected in our society today?

3. What is the role of prayer in the life of the apostles of today?

4. As you reflect on Kathy's photo, what do you see?

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

4.