Unbinding

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Unbinding

Jesus Wept

Call Back to Life

I Am the Resurrection

Rise

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 11: 43 and 44

A good friend of Jesus, Lazarus, was very sick and passed away before Jesus could come to him. His sisters, Martha and Mary, were very upset but yet expressed their belief in Jesus. 

Jesus went to his grave in a cave, and He cried out in a loud voice,

"Lazarus, come out!"

The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. 

So, Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."

Reflection

It is so easy to get wrapped up in things. Our worries can drive us crazy. Political conflicts can get us upset. Miscommunication with friends can cause resentments. Wars, homelessness, crime, poverty, disease can all frustrate us and make us angry.

We are reminded in this reading from John that Jesus faced these difficulties as well. Confronted with the death of His friend Lazarus and the grief of his sisters, Jesus wept. He could feel the pain of Martha and Mary and His own personal loss. Those who were gathered at the grave of Lazarus could see how deeply Jesus loved him.

Jesus calls Lazarus back to life. In an amazing and awesome moment, Jesus overcame that ultimate obstacle, death. He showed all who were gathered that He truly was the Resurrection and the Life.

This puts the issues that wrap us up and bind us in a completely different light. Yes, we get worried. Yes, we get anxious. Yes, we get angry. Yes, we get frustrated. We are human.

But we ask ourselves, " Haven't all of those difficulties been overcome by Jesus?"

He has told us, "I AM the resurrection." If death has been conquered, all of the "wrappings and bindings" that tie us up can be broken and disposed of. His power is awesome!

Jesus shows us His concern for us as we see Him weep for His good friend. He calls us in Love to be His friends also. 

Jesus invites us to rise from our concerns and to embrace the New Life He wants to share with us. He shows us how deeply He loves us and cares for us.

It's time for us to rise.

It's time to take our bindings off and walk with Jesus!

1. What are the concerns that bind you?

2. As you ponder the raising of Lazarus, how do you feel?

3. When you hear that Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, how does that relate to your own experience of grief and loss?

4. What does it mean to you when Jesus says, "I AM the resurrection."?

5. What do you see in Kathy's photo?

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

Blindness

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Blindness

Spiritual   Rejection

Wash Away the Clay

You Will See Him

I Am He

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 9:36

Jesus healed a man who was born blind on the sabbath and some of the religious authorities were concerned about it and questioned both the man who was cured and his parents. Jesus sought him out and He asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. He asked Jesus who the Son of Man was so that he could believe in Him. 

Jesus said to him:

"You have seen Him and the One who is speaking to you is He."

Reflection

There are so many ways we can be blind. I can remember cutting the lawn once and being very happy with how it looked. My wife came out and pointed out a spot that I totally missed. 

Then there is the spiritual blindness when I miss those times when I hurt someone's feelings or forget to reach out to someone who is ill. It is so easy to get so self-involved that we overlook our sisters and brothers who can use our help.

In our scripture from The Gospel of John, both Jesus and the man who was cured face rejection from the religious authorities. You have to admire the way they both respond to the negativity. They remain true to their beliefs.

The way Jesus cures this man is very earthy. Jesus takes some soil and His spittle and makes clay to put over the man's eyes. When he washes it away, he is cured.

This shows us how human Jesus is and how He uses the simple elements we find in nature to heal and to help others. He refuses to wait and to do the healing on another day. He reaches out to this man who has been blind for his whole life and cures him immediately. He is faithful to His mission to bring Good News to all of us, especially those who are most in need.

The man is truly remarkable. He tells everyone exactly who cured him by describing how he was cured. He tells them that it was the man who put the clay on his eyes. He even corrects the religious authorities by indicating that the man who cured him was from God. His courage is amazing.

Jesus sees this in him and reveals to him that He is the Son of Man. Jesus has opened the man's eyes on both a physical and spiritual level. He is blind no more.

Jesus comes to us today to heal our blindness. He embraced our humanity and walked with us. He knows that we struggle with our sometimes-limited vision and can walk by those who need our help.

He will be with us to put that clay on our eyes in both a physical and spiritual way. He wants to give us the courage to face rejection and misunderstanding.

As you wash your eyes in the pool of God's grace, journey with Jesus at your side to continue His ministry of healing and proclaiming the Good News!

1. Where have you encountered blindness in your life?

2. Have you faced any rejection as you have tried to spread the Gospel?

3. How has Jesus cured you of your blindness?

4. Who are those people whom Jesus wants you to heal today?

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

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

Well

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Well

Living Water

Drink    God's Revelation

I Am the One

Evangelize

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 4:26

Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well about living water. The woman was surprised that Jesus was talking with her and got into a conversation about the Messiah with Him. Jesus told her:

"I am He, the One who is speaking with you."

Reflection

A lot of conversations can go on around a well. It is a great gathering place for the community as people come together to fill their jugs with the precious water for cooking and cleaning.

The cultural convention during the time of Jesus was that women and men would not converse in public. This was even more the case when the woman was a Samaritan and the man was Jewish. Usually, the two would keep their distance.

It is obvious from the story in the fourth chapter of The Gospel of John that Jesus is not bound by these conventions. He is the one who initiates the conversation---much to the surprise of this Samaritan woman. She is shocked that Jesus would do this.

She is shocked again when Jesus reveals details about her personal life. Their dialogue turns to water, and Jesus expands her viewpoint by speaking about "living" water. Jesus has water that leads to eternal life. His water is not about satisfying a thirst for a time but forever.

The woman wants to drink of this water. Indeed, we all do! Who wouldn't want to take a drink that would give you life forever? 

The woman senses that she is speaking with someone who is Special. She begins to wonder if He might be the Messiah. 

Jesus responds to her and reveals that He is the One, He is the Messiah. She is the first one in The Gospel of John to whom Jesus reveals this. In some respects, you might think that she would be the last one whom Jesus tells. Another example of how Jesus defies our limited expectations of His ministry.

Where does this encounter lead?

It leads to four different examples of evangelization.

Jesus evangelizes the Samaritan woman. He shares who He is with her.

Jesus evangelizes the apostles. He shows them it is important to reach out to women and include them in ministry.

The Samaritan woman herself becomes an evangelizer. She tells the people in the town about Jesus and encourages them to meet Him for themselves. This was probably very challenging for her as we might imagine her reputation in the town was very shaky.

Finally, Jesus spends two days in the town speaking with everyone and sharing the Good News with them. This would have been unusual and against the conventions of the time for a Jewish Teacher to spend time with the enemy---the hated Samaritans!

This helps to shape us on our road as evangelizers. We can't let the customs and constraints of our culture limit our call to evangelize.

Jesus is offering us His Well. He is calling us to drink of that same living water that He gave to the Samaritan woman. He wants to nourish us and sustain us from His Well so that we can share it with all.

Drink up!!!

1. When have you come to the well to drink of the living water of Jesus?

2. Do you feel limited by the cultural conventions of today as you share the Good News of Jesus?

3. Why do you think the Samaritan woman is the first one in The Gospel of John to whom Jesus reveals that He is the Messiah?

4. How important is evangelization in your life?

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

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

 

Sacrifice

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Sacrifice

Self-Offering

Foreshadow    Suffering   Resurrection

Listen to the Beloved

Transfiguration

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 9:7

Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. He appeared along with Moses and Elijah. Peter wanted to make three tents for them.

From a cloud came a voice that said:

"This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Reflection

When we hear the word sacrifice, we think of the times when we have had to work hard to achieve a special goal. It usually involves extra work on our part and devoting more time to a challenging task. 

We often grumble and complain at the additional time and effort involved. Yet when the goal has been reached, we feel a great sense of accomplishment and increased self confidence in our talents and abilities.

Jesus shows us today in our reading from Mark what our sacrifices can lead to. He has been faithful in following God's direction and has been transformed by His self-offering. His total giving to His mission leads to His transfiguration.

He is accompanied by Elijah and Moses. His transfiguration foreshadows the ultimate glory He will be dwelling in forever. He has sacrificed so much, and His sacrifice involved much suffering. He knew that the path to glory can involve many challenges and obstacles. 

Through His sacrifices Jesus did not hesitate in faithfulness to His mission. He came to show us the meaning of Love. We all know the sacrifices that are involved when we pledge our love to another person. It is no longer about us and our needs. We put the one we love first.

Jesus totally put us first. Although completely innocent, He was put to death because He was thought to be a threat to some in power. 

His sacrifice overcame and conquered death. Through His resurrection Jesus showed us that there was a path to a new life---a life that Jesus demonstrated through His transfiguration. Elijah and Moses are participating in that new life also as Jesus shows us the continuity between the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. 

The key for Jesus is always His relationship with the Father. Jesus is strengthened in His mission by the constant encouragement He receives from the Father. At the time of the transfiguration, the Father gives us great advice concerning His beloved Son:

Listen to Him!!!

1. How important is the idea of sacrifice in your own life?

2. Have there been sacrifices that you have made that have helped you achieve your goals?

3. What is the importance of the transfiguration in your spiritual life?

4. Are there sacrifices you are willing to make or have made for those whom you love?

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

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

  

Wilderness

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Wilderness

Our Temptations

Testing   Resisting   Overcoming

Led by the Spirit

Victory

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 4:1

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Reflection

When I think of wilderness, I imagine excitement and adventure. I get ready to explore an area that is unknown to me. A place that I have never experienced. What will I encounter?

As Jesus goes into the wilderness, He is preparing Himself for the unknown. What will His public ministry involve? Whom will He encounter as He travels around the various towns? Will people be open to hearing His message?

His first encounter is with the devil. There are temptations that He will have to deal with that are very much like our temptations: physical pleasure, belief in the providence of God, and seeking power and dominance.

Jesus deals with these temptations by turning to the Word of God. He knows that God has given us guidance in the scriptures to help us meet the challenges that we face. We are never left alone.

The testing that we go through in our individual wilderness helps form the person we are becoming. We are called upon to make choices: will I choose my own pleasure and comfort, or will I share my resources with those who are in need?

I have to resist the temptation to test God as Jesus resisted it. I can easily demand that God do what I want. In my egotistical way, I can feel that I know better than God. I question God and point out my own wisdom which I feel is superior to God's way.

As I resist temptation, I can begin to overcome my pride and realize that God will lead me. My trust in God begins to grow. I know that God leads me to peace.

As I face the many temptations of pleasure, pride, and power, I start to understand that the Holy Spirit is leading me. I begin to feel the power of the Spirit as I realize that giving into those temptations will not lead me to wisdom and truth but to a wilderness of emptiness and isolation.

The pleasures will fade, the pride will crumble, and the power will collapse. I see that these are all temporary and I search for something that is lasting. I find that in my relationship with the One who has won the Victory.

Jesus has overcome these temptations. He has shown me the path to follow: ponder the Word of God, follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, and grow each day in the Gift of God's Love.

Rejoice in the Victory!

1. What is your image of the wilderness?

2. How do you overcome the temptations you face?

3. Does the Word of God assist you as you encounter challenges in your life?

4. Has the Holy Spirit ever led you into the wilderness?

5. What message do you get as you ponder Kathy's photo of the wilderness?

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

All Seeing

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

All Seeing

Eyes of God

Trust   Choose   Fulfill

Eyes Have Not Seen

Open

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Isaiah 64:3

No ear has ever heard, no eye has ever seen, any God but you. You work amazing deeds for all those who wait for you!

Reflection

When we hear the saying that God sees everything we do, it can cause some concern. We might think of something awful we have done, something we are ashamed of, something we didn't want anyone to know about. We certainly don't want God to see it!

When we get over that initial concern, we can begin to look at the All Seeing God in a different way. We can begin to see God gazing at us with Love and Caring. We are created in the image and likeness of God. We are good.

God is merciful and forgives those embarrassing things we might have done in which we have harmed others. When we are truly sorry, God extends Peace and Pardon to us. The Eyes of God are Eyes of Love.

We can gradually begin to trust in God---to trust that God wants only good for us. God did not create us to harm or hurt us in any way. Our growing trust in God is similar to the trust we put in a good friend. We will tell that friend about our challenges and struggles because we know that friend will offer us help and guidance.

We begin to realize that God chooses us. God wants us to follow a path that will help us to thrive and to bring joy to others. God's Eyes of Love invigorate us and encourage us. We feel God with us.

God has fulfilled the promises that have been communicated to us in the scriptures. God has entered into a covenant with us. God has promised to always be with us.

Human eyes have not seen a Love like this. Our vision is limited to what we have experienced. The All Seeing Eyes of God have no limitations. We look at works of art, watch movies, go to see plays and can have very different opinions about what we have just seen. 

We often remark, "How did I miss that?", when someone who has been to the same movie we have seen speaks about a scene in the film that we did not notice. We can be distracted. We don't see everything. Our eyes can be on someone or something else.

God's Eyes are eternally on us. I think it is a great spiritual practice to take some time each day to sit with God and to feel those Eyes on us. They communicate the warmth and care that God has for us. We are precious and special in God's Eyes.

Those Eyes help us to become more open to the needs of our sisters and brothers. When we begin to realize how deeply and profoundly we are loved, we are eager to share that GIFT with others.

Enjoy those All Seeing Eyes. They are full of Love!

1. How do you react when you think of God seeing you all the time?

2. Does God gaze on you with Love?

3. What helps you to put your trust in your friends?

4. Why has God chosen you?

5. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo of the new archbishop of New York waiting to knock on the door of St. Patrick's Cathedral?

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

Shine

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Shine

Morally   Spiritually

Influenced   Transform   God's Truth  

You Are the Light

Illuminate

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 5:14

Jesus was teaching His disciples and comparing them to salt and light. He said:

"You are the light of the world. Just as a city on a mountaintop cannot be hidden, so your light must shine."

Reflection

I recently entered a room and had difficulty for a few moments finding where the light switch was. There was a slight feeling of panic. It was dark, and I fumbled around for a while. When I   finally found it and the light came on, there was a sense of relief.

In our reading from Matthew, we are given quite the challenge. We are called to shine so that others may be guided to follow Jesus. What a responsibility!

It is so true. We need examples to follow. Think of how someone learns to be an electrician. Study is certainly important. Following an experienced electrician puts all that knowledge we have gained into context and gradually we become confident and competent.

People need moral examples. As we read about our contemporary and classical saints, we become inspired. I think of the actions of Oscar Romero in standing up for the rights of the poor and marginalized. He was not always accepted by those who were wealthy and in power; but he remained true to the words of Jesus to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. His light still shines even though he was brutally shot and killed while presiding at Mass.

People also need spiritual examples. Many of us find it difficult to pray as we battle distractions and the hectic pace of our daily lives. We think of saints like Thomas Aquinas who worked so hard on his teaching and writing but realized all of it was just like straw in a fire compared to the Love our God wants to share with us in prayer. His light still shines through the beautiful hymns of praise that were the fruit of his spiritual life. and that we still sing today.

We reflect on the people who have influenced us. Many people have inspired us and transformed our vision. We can all think of special conversations we have had with people who took time to reach out to us.

I can remember a teacher, Fr. Harold Buckley, who reached out to me when I was a sophomore in high school and invited me to be part of a play he was directing. I felt honored that he took the time to do that and really enjoyed the experience. It led to several more experiences in plays.

Those moments lead us to God's Truth: we are Loved. Because we are Loved we can share the Light with other people and illuminate the darkness in our world. We can reach out to others with compassion and caring because Jesus will be with us to help us deal with the obstacles and challenges we inevitably face.

With Jesus with us, it's time to let our light shine!

1. Who are some of the people who have been examples of the Light for you?

2. Has there been anyone who has influenced your moral development?

3. What are some ways that you have been helped to grow in your spiritual life?

4. When have you felt God's Love?

5. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo of the lighthouse?

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