Eyewitness

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Eyewitness

Crucifixion   Resurrection

Touch   Transformed    Unbelief

My Lord and God

Revelation

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 20: 28

On Easter Sunday Jesus appeared to the apostles but Thomas was not present and did not believe that this was possible. A week later Jesus appeared again.

Thomas responded to Jesus and said,

"My Lord and my God!"

Reflection

It makes such a difference when you are an eyewitness to an event. I can remember being an eyewitness to an auto accident.

I was driving home from work one evening and saw a car in front of me veer into oncoming traffic in the other lane and cause an accident. I gave my name and phone number to a police officer at the scene and was called upon to testify at a trial three years later during which the driver who caused the accident was trying to sue the other party (who just happened to be from the Sherrif's Department!). 

After the trial, I was informed that my eyewitness testimony was crucial in having the case dismissed. When you actually see something clearly, it can make a big difference.

Our scripture today from John presents us with a challenging situation for Thomas. He did not see the first appearance of Jesus to the apostles after the resurrection. We can totally understand his reluctance to believe something so amazing. 

How can someone who is dead and in a tomb for three days possibly rise? It defies logic and our human experience. After you have been crucified and a lance and has been plunged into your heart, there is no possible way you could still be alive.

Resurrection makes no sense. Thomas is most likely thinking that this is something that his fellow apostles are wishing for. He has not been an eyewitness to it. He will not believe it until he can actually touch Jesus and put his hands into the wounds of Jesus.

Once he actually sees Jesus and touches Him, he is transformed. He now believes. He has faith. The resurrection becomes real for him. He knows that Jesus has fulfilled what He said He would do. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He, who is the Word, is true to His word.

Thomas goes from unbelief to the clearest proclamation of the divinity of Jesus in the Christian Scriptures. He proclaims that Jesus is his Lord and his God.

He has received a revelation from God. His eyes and his heart have been opened. He is now an eyewitness to the resurrection.

That is our challenge today. We are called to proclaim the resurrection and to witness to our faith in Jesus. 

We believe even though we have not seen as Thomas did because our hearts have been touched by the gift of faith. We have heard the Good News proclaimed and have embraced it.

Jesus is risen!

   He is risen indeed!

He is our Lord!

  He is our God!

1. Have you ever been an eyewitness to an important event?

2. What difference does the testimony of an eyewitness make?

3. Can you blame Thomas for not believing that Jesus has risen when the apostles first tell him?

4. What helps you to believe in the resurrection of Jesus even though you have not seen and touched the Resurrected Jesus?

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

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

Unleavened Bread

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Unleavened Bread

Sincerity   Truth

Remove   Rebuke   Sins

Clear Out Old Yeast

Celebrate

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   First Corinthians 5: 7

Clear out the old yeast. In this way you can become a fresh batch of dough. You are unleavened. Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 

Reflection

How do you feel when you are trying something new? I always have a sense of excitement. I'm looking forward to a new way of doing things. I don't know exactly what will happen. Things might go well or it could be a disaster. 

In our reading from First Corinthians that newness is conveyed by St. Paul through the image of unleavened bread. That bread is simple and can be made quickly. It was used by our Jewish sisters and brothers when they had to leave Egypt in a hurry.

They were starting over. A great way to begin anew is to do so with sincerity. We can take an honest look at what we have been doing lately and see if any changes should be made. Are there things that we can do better or in a different way? 

I remember as a teacher I would always look at how I taught a course the year before and see if there were any new approaches that would be more effective for my students. The unleavened bread of teaching can lead to many different loaves. 

The changes that we make after we reflect and pray are based on our search for the truth. We want to find what is helpful for us and for others. We want to improve ourselves and our community so that we can bring new life to others. Our unleavened bread is meant to feed both ourselves and others, especially those most in need of our assistance.

Sometimes this involves removing our blinders that have been causing us to miss things that are very obvious. I can think of baseball players who are in a slump and will make simple adjustments with great results. They are starting anew and rebuking their old habits. It can be as easy as standing a little closer to the plate to cover the outside corner.

It can also mean taking a sincere and truthful look at certain sins we might be committing. Sometimes we can fall into habits of being too selfish or self-centered. We can keep all of that delicious new bread for ourselves and refuse to share our blessings with others.

It might be time for us to clear out that old yeast and take a look at what we can do to reach out to those in our community who are in need, who are afraid, and against whom others are discriminating. That old yeast of selfishness is not really going to help us as we try to make our new bread of kindness and compassion for all.

Jesus has given his life for us as our reading indicates. He is our Paschal Lamb. Jesus is offering us new bread---the Bread of Life. When we open our eyes fully and realize what we have been given, we can feast on that unleavened bread and ask ourselves what we need to change to participate more completely in that New Life.

Alleluia!! Alleluia!!

1. How do you feel when you are starting something new?

2. Did you ever feel like unleavened bread?

3. Why is sincerity so important when we are taking a look at some changes we should make in our lives?

4. Whom have you been feeding with your unleavened bread?

5. What do you see as you pray about Kathy's photo?

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

Betrayal

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Betrayal

Silver   Kiss

Self-Examination   Reflection

Is It I Lord?

Acknowledgement

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 26:25

At the Last Supper Jesus was talking to the apostles about one of them betraying Him.

Then Judas, His betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"

Jesus responded and said, "You have said it."

Reflection

One of the most difficult experiences that we can face is a betrayal. All of our relationships are based on trust. When we have given that trust to someone and it is violated, it is crushing. We can wonder if we can ever trust someone again.

In our reading from Matthew, we hear Judas implying that he would not betray Jesus when we know that he has gone to the religious authorities and received thirty pieces of silver to do exactly that. We do not know the motivation of Judas. Was it the silver or could it have been some disappointment that Judas had with Jesus?

We do know that just a short time after his conversation with Jesus about betrayal, Judas pointed Him out to the crowd that he led with a kiss. That intimate sign of love and caring was turned upside down to become a sign of betrayal. 

This incident can lead us into our own self-examination. What do I do in my life to betray Jesus?

We can reflect on the times when we have not reached out to those in need, walked by a homeless person, did not call someone we know who was sick, or did not respect the gift of creation. Jesus gives us so many opportunities to show our commitment to Him and to the Gospel.

It can become easy for us to choose the path of the "silver". We can get involved in pursuing the material things in life. The desire for more comfort and more "toys" can lead us to betray what Jesus is asking us to do.

The question that Judas asks, "Is it I Lord?", is a great question for us to reflect on. Jesus is challenging all of us to be more compassionate and more involved in pursuing justice for those who are discriminated against and ignored. 

When we acknowledge our betrayals and choose a different path, Jesus will lead us to His Peace. It might seem to some that Jesus lost everything when He was betrayed by Judas. 

However, Jesus knew that loss in the eyes of some would lead to the ultimate gain because He was being faithful to God. Before His betrayal by Judas, Jesus prays to the Father and acknowledges that it is the will of the Father that He will follow.

When we overcome our betrayals, Jesus will fill us with His Love. We walk in His footsteps. We leave the silver behind. 

There is a better treasure!

1. Have you ever had an experience where someone betrayed you?

2. Why do we tend to betray Jesus?

3. How have you tried to overcome your actions that betray Jesus?

4. What help does Jesus offer us as we try to follow Him?

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

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

    

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)