Narrative

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Narrative

Isaiah     Prophecies

Enlightening   Promising   Completion

Scripture Passage Is Fulfilled

Salvation

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 4:20 and 21

Rolling up the scroll of scripture, Jesus handed it back to the assistant and took a seat.

The attention of all who were there was focused on Him.

He said to them, "This scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

Reflection

We all like a good narrative. Especially one that captures our attention and gets us involved with the characters. In our video drama age, many of us like to binge a few episodes in a row. We watch a few and then we say, "Just one more!"

The prophet Isaiah speaks about a special narrative in the passage that Jesus reads in the synagogue. Someone will come who will bring liberty and healing and who will lift up the poor and the vulnerable.

It is a message of enlightenment for all, a message that brings hope to those who feel like they have been abandoned. Isaiah speaks about a promise that God has made. God wants to bring caring and kindness to all.

So many in our world need to hear that message. I think of all those who are suffering from the effects of war in our world today. People who have been displaced and have nowhere to go. 

Jesus has come to bring completion to the words of Isaiah. He knows the difficulties we all face. He wants to lead us to healing.

He tells the people in the synagogue who have turned their attention to Him that the scripture passage from Isaiah has been fulfilled in their hearing. You can just imagine their reaction: "Who does He think He is!"

Jesus is not afraid to share His narrative. It is Good News. Jesus has come to share the gift of salvation, the gift of healing, with all of us. 

It is a gift that Jesus asks us to share with each person we meet. We are challenged to make the narrative of Isaiah and the narrative of Jesus our own narrative.

The Narrator inspires us with His example of reaching out to those most in need. 

It's our time to live the narrative!

1. What are some narratives that you have binged on lately?

2. In your experience what are some of the most difficult situations people are facing today?

3. How would you describe the gift that Jesus wants to share with us today?

4. Do you find it challenging to share the narrative of Jesus?

5. How do you try to live the narrative of Jesus?

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

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

Signs

 The Spiritual Waiting Room

Signs

Ordinary   to   Extraordinary

Faith   Belief   Transformation

Whatever He Tells You

Manifestation

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 2:5

Mary said to the servers, "Do whatever He tells you."

Reflection

What are some signs that have pointed you in the right direction?

Sometimes when we are confused about a decision that we have to make, we look for a sign to help us. We are all used to looking for signs when we are travelling. Where would we be without signs at the airport for example?

Our passage from John will lead us to the first sign that Jesus performs in His public ministry in this gospel. Jesus is at a wedding in Cana with His disciples, friends, and family. Mary, ever observant, notices that they are running out of wine, mentions it to Jesus, and directs the servers to do what Jesus will tell them.

Jesus takes care of the problem by turning the ceremonial water in six large containers into wine that is even more delicious than the wine that was previously served. An amazing sign!

Jesus took ordinary water and turned it into extraordinary wine. Mary had faith that Jesus could do it. She knew her son was special. She believed in Him and He accomplished an amazing transformation.

It is a great example of the power of faith. The miracle of the water becoming wine is a great sign; but Mary's faith in Jesus, her trust that He could do something to help this couple avoid embarrassment, is also a great sign.

Her faith led to the manifestation of the power and also the loving tenderness and compassion of Jesus. 

There are signs of God's concern for us all around. It is important to pause and take time to acknowledge and ponder the signs God is sending us.

What are your signs today?

1. Have you ever experienced a sign that transformed your life?

2. What are some ordinary signs that you have encountered?

3. What are some extraordinary signs that have amazed you?

4. Can faith be a sign for you?

5. Do you see a sign in Kathy's photo?

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

Voice

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Voice

Thunderous    Sound

Descended   Enveloped   Foretold

You're My Beloved Son

Listen

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 3:22

The voice of the Father came down from heaven,

"You are My Beloved Son.

With You I Am well pleased."

Reflection

What is the voice that you have been responding to lately?

There are conflicting voices that we all hear at different times. Voices from outside of us and then competing voices from within.

Some of those voices tell us how bad we are. They point out our weaknesses and our failures. They let us know that we can never accomplish our goals. 

Athletes face this all the time. Especially after a bad game. There are times for a basketball player that the ball just doesn't go down the hoop or for a golfer when his ball can never find the hole. Critics can pile on. We can start to doubt our abilities.

Our inner voices need to be strong in times like this. We need to remind ourselves that we have had good games and that we can do this. We have to believe in ourselves.

Jesus, in our reading from Luke is facing a difficult time. He has been baptized by John and is now ready to begin His public ministry.

He faces difficult questions: is He ready for this? Will He be able to succeed? How does He begin to share the Good News? Will anyone follow Him?

Jesus was fully human. He faced the same doubts that we all encounter. Maybe more. His was such a challenging mission!

As Jesus was facing these questions and doubts, a voice came from heaven to reassure Him. It was a thunderous sound. I can just imagine the reaction from the people around Jesus. I'm sure it got everyone's attention!

As the voice descended, it enveloped Jesus and filled Him with power and strength. Jesus knew now that this was the right time to begin His public ministry. He had been preparing for this moment. Now was the time.

The prophets had prepared the way for Jesus. They had foretold that an Annointed One would come to the people and lead them to the Light. Those voices from the prophets would be honored and fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The Voice from heaven, the Voice of the Father, told Jesus that He was the Beloved Son. Jesus faced the same dilemma in His human nature that we all face: am I loved?

We are taught from our earliest years that God loves us. It is hard for us to accept that Love. We think of how unworthy we are for God's Unconditional Love. We doubt.

The Father let Jesus know that He was loved and that the Father was well pleased with Him.

It was a Voice that Jesus needed to hear. It is a Voice that we all need to hear every moment of our lives.

We are made for Love.

We are deeply Loved.

We have to listen to that Voice.

Always!

1. What voices have you been listening to lately?

2. Why are our inner voices so important?

3. How do you think the Voice of the Father helped Jesus?

4. Is it hard for you to listen to the Voice of the Father that tells you that you are Loved?

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

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

King

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

King

New   Born

Following   Seeking   Manifesting

Guided By A Star

Epiphany

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 2:9b to 11a

The star that they had seen led them to the place where the child was.

They were full of joy when they saw the star.

When they went into the house where the child was, they saw the child and His mother, Mary.

They knelt down and paid Him homage.

Reflection

In our reading from Matthew the Magi were searching for someone they felt was very important. They knew this person was special because the star indicated that there was something amazing happening. 

They were led to a child. This newborn child struck a deep chord in them. They had been following a star. They were seeking someone of distinction and importance. This child was manifesting a special light to them---just like the light that came from the star they had been following.

They had been guided by a star. They discovered an epiphany, a manifestation of a king. They knelt down to give homage to this king. 

We can just imagine the reactions of Mary and Joseph as they saw these three Magi kneeling down before Jesus. 

What led these Magi from the East to see a king in this humble setting? 

God was working in their lives through signs. They could have easily ignored the star. They could have been disappointed that the star led them to a child. 

They saw more. They felt that God was directing them to encounter a child who would make a difference for all of us. A child who would establish a Kingdom of Peace. A child who would show all of us the true meaning of Love.

What are some of the signs that you have been following? Do those signs lead you to recognize that Jesus is our King?

The signs are given.

The King is ready to embrace you.

Are you ready to follow the Star?

1. What stars have you been following lately?

2. Are there any signs that you have encountered that have led you to recognize Jesus as your King?

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

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