Test

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Test

Greatest     Commandment

Heart     Soul     Mind

Love God Neighbor Self

Believe

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: Matthew 22:36 to 39

A scholar of the law asked Jesus, "Which is the greatest commandment of the law?"

Jesus said, "You shall love God with your whole heart, soul, and mind. This commandment is the greatest and the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Reflection

Jesus sums up the spiritual life for us in this passage from Matthew. Love God and love your neighbor.

It sounds so simple. Why is it such a challenge for us and why has it been so difficult for humanity throughout history?

When we look back and study our past, we see so much war, division, slavery, abuse, cruelty, famine, and so many examples of people not loving one another. We are tempted to ask why people do not follow the simple and clear teaching of Jesus.

How can we ever think that killing someone or exploiting our neighbors is an at of love? We all try to pass the "test" to establish a world that is a just and a fair world for all. We want a world where everyone has an opportunity to flourish and the dignity of each person is respected.

We want everyone to be fed, housed, and clothed. We know that is possible if we show that we love God by loving our neighbor. The words of The First Letter of John (Chapter 4, verse 20) echo in our hearts: "If anyone says,'I love God', but hates his sister or brother, she or he is a liar."

Our test is clear. We are called to love each person we meet and to work diligently to make the lives of all people in our world better so that all will thrive.

To "pass" this test, we have to overcome any selfishness and self-centeredness that might exist within our hearts and ask Jesus for the grace to become more loving and caring.

The teaching of Jesus sounds so simple. It is the daily living out of that teaching that becomes a challenge for all of us.

Bring on the test!

1. Do you find the teaching of Jesus in this passage simple?

2. Why do you think that this teaching of Jesus has been so difficult for people to follow throughout history?

3. What type of world do you want to see?

4. How are you trying to pass the "test"?

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

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

     

Chosen

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Chosen

Name     Title

Called     Serve     Enter

What Belongs To God

You

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   1 Thessalonians 1:2 to 4

We give thanks to God every day for all of you.

We remember you in our prayers, unceasingly

realizing how you worked so hard to spread faith in Jesus because you knew you were loved by God and chosen.

Matthew 22:21

Jesus replied, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

Reflection

How is it possible that God has chosen you?

When I think of all the billions of people in the world, it really seems overwhelming that God could love me and choose me. This Love of God empowers me and helps me to serve others.

In our gospel reading from Matthew, disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians try to entrap Jesus by questioning Him about His views on paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus, with His usual wisdom, avoids the trap by asking them to produce the coin that pays the taxes.

The image on the coin is that of Caesar. Taxes go to him. There are other realities that belong to God.

We are called to give praise and thanks to God and to spread the Love that we have been given to each person we meet. 

We have been given that special calling because we have been chosen by our God who loves us totally and completely. 

How amazing is it that YOU have been CHOSEN!

1. How do you feel when someone chooses you?

2. How do you feel when you realize that God has chosen you?

3. What are some ways you serve God because you have been chosen?

4. What do you feel in your life belongs to God?

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

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

Invitation

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Invitation

Summons     Call

Come to the Feast

Wear a Wedding Garment

Baptism

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 22: 8,9, and 12

The king said to his servants, "The feast is ready, but those who were invited did not respond. Go out therefore into the town and invite those you find."

The king saw someone who had come without the wedding garment and said to him, "Why do you come into the feast without a wedding garment?".

Reflection

Isn't it wonderful to get an invitation? It tells us that someone really cares about us. They are thinking about us.

The invitation in this parable from Matthew is a special one---it is an invitation to a feast. I'm just thinking about all the food and the dancing and the fellowship with everyone who will be there! How amazing! 

In this parable there were many, however, who declined the invitation from the king. Some ignored the invitation; but there were others who treated the servants who brought the invitation rudely and even killed them. What a terrible way to show disrespect for the king.

Another person who came did not even bother to put on the wedding garment that was provided for the guests. Again this person was not showing proper respect for the king who was being so kind and so generous.

This parable can lead us to reflect on the invitation that Jesus has given us. He is calling us to be part of His community of Love and Caring.

Jesus gave us this invitation at our Baptism. He wants us to be part of the community of believers. 

Like the people in this parable, we have been given an invitation. We can ignore the invitation and be busy with other pursuits. We can even treat those who are offering the invitation in a rude way.

When we say yes to the invitation of Jesus and put on our wedding garment of God's grace, our lives become transformed by the Love that Jesus wants to share with us. We feel the presence of Jesus and are moved to share that Love with each person we meet.

Enjoy the feast!

1. How do you feel when you get an invitation to a feast?

2.  What are some of the ways that you cope with people who do not show respect for you?

3. How has Jesus given you an invitation?

4. What are some of the ways that you have responded to the invitation of Jesus?

5. As you reflect on Kathy's photo, what does it say to you?

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

Surpass

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Surpass

All      Understanding

Prayer     Petition     Thanksgiving

The Peace Of God

Exceed

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Philippians 4:6 and 7

Have no worry at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make all your needs known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will protect your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.

Reflection

How would you like to get rid of all your worries?

I think many of us would line up for that offer. Nobody wants to dwell on the daily worries that confront all of us.

Our scripture reading from Philippians presents a solution for us: bring all those worries to God. Take time in prayer when you are troubled and upset. If you have a need, let God know through your petitions.

Give thanks to God as you share your concerns. Place your trust in God that those worries will be eased.

Of course we have to ask how can God take care of all of our needs. There are so many people in the world that it seems impossible for God to deal with all of us and all of our issues.

This scripture reminds us that God wants to give us peace. God knows that we all have to deal with many challenges that will create anxiety within us. The peace of God surpasses our limited capacities. We cannot begin to comprehend how extensive that peace is. 

God wants to gift us with that peace. When we compare our worries with the peace of God, there is no comparison. God's peace far surpasses our anxieties in its depth and strength. 

As we reflect on this, we start to see how limited our understanding is. This allows us to put our worries in a different perspective. They do not seem as overwhelming.

We always feel consoled when we realize someone has our back. How great is it when we begin to realize that God has our back (and our front and sides also!).

Enjoy the Peace of God!

1. What are some of the worries that you face every day?

2. Are you willing to bring your worries to God?

3. When have you found the Peace of God in your life?

4. How do you feel when you begin to realize that God has your back?

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

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