Chosen

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Chosen

Little     Flock

Faith     Courage     Vigilant

Where Your Treasure Is

Heart

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Psalm 33:12b

The people are blessed whom God has chosen to be God's own.

Hebrews 11:8

Abraham responded in faith when God called him to journey to a place where he was to gain his inheritance; he responded, not aware of his destination.

Luke 12:32 to 34

Jesus told His disciples: 

"Do not fear any more, little flock, for your Father will give you the kingdom. 

Sell all that you have.

Give to the poor.

In so doing you will provide a wealth that will never be lost.

Your treasure will be in heaven.

No robber can steal it.

No moth will devour it.

For where your treasure is,

there also will your heart be."

Reflection

We all have choices to make every single day. We try to align our choices with what we believe, in faith, Jesus would want us to do.

Our choices flow from the realization that we see echoed in our reading from Psalm 33: we have been chosen by God. We are God's own.

An amazing thought to ponder: God actually chooses us! I can remember eagerly awaiting to find out which side I would be on when all of our friends from the neighborhood gathered to play baseball. 

When I was young and couldn't hit the ball too far and was a poor fielder, I was chosen last and put in right field. As I got older and showed more skill, I was chosen much earlier. When I was even older, I was the one doing the choosing!

No matter when I was chosen, I always felt good that someone actually wanted me. To imagine that God has chosen me is truly remarkable.

In the reading from Hebrews we have another example of being chosen---Abraham. He responds in faith and moves his family to another land because this is what God has called him to do. He has been chosen to be the father of a special people---the Chosen People. 

In the reading from Luke, Jesus is instructing His "little flock". Such a wonderful expression for the group that Jesus has chosen.

This little flock will have a treasure that no one can take away from them. It will never perish. It will never be destroyed. 

That is a treasure that we would all want! So many of us worry about our "treasures" being wiped out if the stock market takes a turn for the worse. The treasure that Jesus is speaking about is a different sort of treasure. 

It is the treasure that comes when we realize that we are Blessed by God because we have been chosen. It is a treasure of the heart. It is a treasure of Love. 

It is a treasure that lasts forever. 

1. How do you feel when you realize that you have been "chosen" by God?

2.  Do you ever feel that you are part of the "little flock" that Jesus has chosen?

3. What are some of your "treasures"?

4. What is your reaction to Kathy's photo?

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

Perish

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Perish

Possessions     Wealth

Storing     Attaching     Consuming

Seek What's From Above

Imperishable 

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, speak to my brother and tell him that he has to share the inheritance with me."

Jesus said, "Friend, who made me to be your judge and arbitrator?"

Then Jesus turned to the crowd that was gathered there and told them, "Be careful about becoming greedy. Even if you are rich, your life is not about your possessions."

Jesus elaborated by sharing this parable, "There was a man whose land produced a huge harvest. He wondered where he would store it all.

He decided that he would tear down his smaller barns and build bigger ones. 

That way he could store all his goods and then he could say to himself, 'I have all these goods stored up for many years. I can rest now. I will eat, drink, and be merry!'

God said to him, 'You are so foolish! This very night your life will end and all these goods you have stored up in your bigger barn---whose will they be?'

It will be the same way for those who pile up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what is important to God."

Reflection

What are the things that are most important in our lives?

This is the question that Jesus poses for us to ponder in our section from Luke.

We often think of this when we are confronted with the question about the items we would take from our homes if there was a sudden fire and we had a minute to leave.

The response in this situation is usually to take pictures of those we love along with our wallets and cell phones. Those pictures represent all those whom we love and those who have touched us deeply.

It is notable that Jesus refuses to be put in the position of being a judge between the two brothers who are arguing over an inheritance. 

Jesus is concerned about those things that are really important for us. Money can lead to greed rather easily. When will I have enough?

We think of the irony that Jesus brings out in the parable of the man who works so hard to store up all those extra goods in his bigger barn and then dies that very night. 

We can all get caught up in that so easily. We can worry about inflation and recession and all the many economic uncertainties that we face. 

All those goods can perish. 

That which comes from God---true Love---will never perish. God desires to gift us with Love each day and each moment of our lives.

When we worry about all the possessions we MUST have, we can easily miss the Love that God gives.

Kathy's photo is a picture of the wedding rings from her mother and father. It is a sign of the love that brought them together and helped them to create a wonderful family. It was a love they felt came from God.

That Love is truly imperishable!

1. What would you take from your home if there was a fire and you only had a minute to decide?

2. What is really important for you in your life?

3. Why is it so easy for us to miss the Love that God gives?

4. What do you feel when you see Kathy's photo?

Debts

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Debts

Transgressions     Sins

Cancelled     Redeemed     Triumphed

Nailed To The Cross

Obliterated

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Colossians 2:12 to 14

You were buried with Jesus when you were baptized.

In that very baptism you were also raised with Jesus through belief in the strength of God.

For God raised Jesus from the dead.

Even during the time when you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Jesus gave you life with Him.

Jesus has forgiven us all our transgressions.

He has obliterated the chains that have held us down and any legal claims against us.

Anything that is opposed to us, Jesus has removed from our midst.

All of our debts have been nailed to the cross.

Reflection

We all get upset when we accumulate a lot of debts. We worry about how or when we will be able to pay it all back.

It is nice to go on a shopping spree; but, when those credit card bills arrive, the panic can set in. We wonder, "Should I have bought that?"

Paul is talking about our transgressions in this reading from Colossians. We know how those can add up also!

The faults and sins we have committed in the past can way us down. We can be filled with guilt and regret. We wonder, "Why did I ever do something so dumb? How could I hurt her or his feelings? Why was I so insensitive?"

The good news is that those debts from the past have been buried in our baptism. When we were washed in those waters, our sins were taken away. The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues to free us from the burden of sin.

We participate now in the Resurrection of Jesus. We have been filled with new life.

That new life is so powerful that it obliterates any claims against us from the law. I love that image of "obliteration". I just picture all of our sins and debts being smashed to pieces and becoming unrecognizable and insignificant.

The power of God's Love and Care for us reduces our sins to nothing and "removes them from our midst". Those sins and debts are no longer a burden or a worry. They have all been nailed to the cross so that we can be free to love as our God loves us.

It is similar to the feeling we get when all those credit card bills are gone. We feel lighter and less worried.

This is what Jesus wants for us. Let the obliteration begin!

1. How do you feel when your transgressions add up?

2. What image do you get when you hear the word "obliterate"?

3. Why does Jesus want to remove our sins from our midst?

4. What is your reaction to Kathy's photo? 

Guest

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Guest

Mary     Martha

Welcoming    Ministering     Choosing

Need Of One Thing

Reciprocity

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came into a town and was warmly welcomed by a woman named Martha. She had a sister, Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His every word.

Martha was busy making a good meal and so she approached Jesus and said, "Lord, aren't you upset that Mary isn't helping me prepare the meal? Tell her to assist me."

Jesus said to her,"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about this. You only need to focus on one thing. Mary has chosen the better path and no one will take it away from her."

Reflection

Are you a Martha?

Do you worry and get upset about things? Do you enjoy waiting on people who come to your home? Do you like to cook for others?

Are you a Mary?

Are you attracted to prayer? Do you like to spend time with Jesus? Do you enjoy going to adoration and spending time in contemplative prayer?

Maybe you are a combination.

What we see in this passage from Luke is the two ways of welcoming a guest. Martha welcomes Jesus first and invites Him into their home. She probably has heard a lot about Jesus and all the mighty deeds he had done. 

She wants to impress Him with a good meal and is working hard to put it all together. 

Mary has another way of welcoming their guest. She is listening to Jesus. 

When you come into a home and the host or hostess hangs on your every word, you feel special. You feel that she or he really cares about you and is very interested in what you have to say.

There is an amazing reciprocity here---a mutual giving to Jesus from both sisters. What a beautiful scene.

We can easily understand why Martha is upset. She can use a hand in the kitchen. There is a lot of work to preparing a good meal.

It is the anxiety and the worry that Jesus wants to address. If you really know Jesus, it isn't the physical food that is primary. Jesus will feed the sisters on His Word----just as He feeds us.

We only really need one thing.

To truly listen to our Guest---Jesus.

What could be better?

1. What is your key in welcoming Jesus into your life?

2. Do you relate more to Martha or Mary? 

3. How do you feel when someone hangs on your every word?

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

 

Heed

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Heed

Bounteous     Mercy

Revive     Rebuild     Return

Go And Do Likewise

Commandments

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Deuteronomy 30:10

If only you heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep the commandments of God and all the laws that are recorded in this Book of the Torah, then you will be one with your God and return to God with all your heart and all your soul.

Psalm 69:17 and 33

Answer me, Lord, in your bounteous love. In your awesome mercy, be mindful of me.

See you lowly ones and rejoice. You are searching for God, may your spirits revive.

Luke 10:29 and 36-37

"And who is my neighbor?"

"Which of these three was truly the neighbor to this man who was the victim of the robbers?"

He answered, "The one who showed mercy towards him."

Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

Reflection

Our scriptures today are full of mercy!

In the Book of Deuteronomy we are encouraged to heed the voice of God and to keep the commandments. There is always something within us that rebels a bit when we hear that word "commandments". We are reminded that the commandments are rooted in the simple act of listening: which voice will we listen to?

If we choose to listen to the voice of God, we encounter "bounteous" mercy according to the psalmist. I love the word "bounteous". It reminds me of a cup of ice cream I got once that was so full that the ice cream was flowing over.

To imagine that God's mercy is like that is amazing. It flows over the brim and drenches us with the Love of God. So hard for us to comprehend that we are loved this deeply.

When we become aware of the depth of God's mercy for us, it will certainly revive our spirits. Our spirits can get down and languish when we face some obstacles and difficulties. We need that revival! The Good News is that God provides it with Mercy!!

A great example of that mercy is found in the story of the Good Samaritan in The Gospel of Luke. Jesus demonstrates quite clearly to the questioner who a neighbor truly is. 

A real neighbor acts with kindness and mercy. We are called to do likewise---to show mercy as the Samaritan did. He was not worried about being late or becoming unclean.

He heeded the voice of God, the Voice of Mercy!

When we do that, our spirits will also revive. Our hearts will expand. We will focus less on our own needs and think of how we can reach out to others as our Bounteous God reaches out to us and drenches us in Mercy.

Kathy's photo is from a Good Friday Liturgy at St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City. Now that's Mercy!

1. Which "voice" do you listen to?

2. What images does the word "bounteous" evoke in you?

3. Can you remember a time in your life when your spirits were revived?

4. Is mercy important in your spiritual life?

5. What does Kathy's photo say to you?

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

Seventy Two

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Seventy Two

Emissaries     Preparers

Following     Responding     Witnessing

The Harvest for God

Mission

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke: 10: 1 to 7

Jesus called seventy-two.

He sent them out in pairs to all the towns He wanted to visit.

He told them:

"There is a great harvest but not enough workers.

I am sending you like lambs to fight the wolves.

Do not bring any money with you, no sack, and no sandals.

Do not talk to anyone along your journey but as you go into the homes of the people tell them,

'Peace be to all in this home.'

If that person is a peaceful person, your greeting of peace will rest upon her or him. If not, it will come back to you.

Remain in the one house and eat and drink whatever you are given. As a laborer, you deserve your payment." 

Reflection

Why 72?

It seems that Jesus is being very precise here. It is an unusual number. We do see seventy elders chosen during the time of Moses. Seventy is a number that denotes fullness of promise and potential in the Bible.

Jesus adds to it and lets these disciples (probably from among those who had been following Him for awhile) go into the towns in pairs.

They all seem to accept this mission. You get the feeling that they are preparing the people for Jesus. Jesus will visit these towns and the people will be ready for the message---the Good News.

This does not seem like an easy mission. Putting ourselves in their sandals, could we accept a task like this?

You have to give up your security and go into these towns without any money or sandals. The only resource you have is the message from Jesus.

Is that enough?

Will people listen?

Will anyone care?

The seventy-two are coming into this adventure caring very much. They have all been following Jesus. We can be sure that they witnessed the calling of the 12 apostles.

Perhaps they were eager to take the next step and to become more involved. They show no hesitation.

Jesus reminds them and us that there is a harvest out there. There are people that are hungry for the Word.

We sometimes complain that there is a lot wrong with our world---the violence, the wars, poverty, homelessness. Jesus reminds us that in these situations people need to hear Good News: they are loved!

We are blessed to be called by Jesus to bring that Good News of God's Love to each person we meet. We don't need money, a bag, or sandals. We just need to follow, respond, and witness.

The harvest is ready!

1. Why do you think Jesus has the disciples go in pairs?

2. What is your mission from Jesus?

3. Do you sometimes doubt your ability to share the Good News?

4. When you ponder Kathy's photo, do those doubts lessen?

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

Freedom

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Freedom

Spirit     Guided

Live     Love     Serve

Christ Set Us Free

Inheritance

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Galatians 5:1, 13-18

For freedom Christ set us free: persevere and do not fall again to the weight of slavery.

You have been invited to freedom.

Do not use this freedom to follow the flesh.

Instead help others through love.

The whole law is found in one teaching:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

If you go on putting others down, be careful that you are not destroyed by one another.

If you live by the Spirit, you will not follow the ways of the flesh. The flesh fights against the Spirit and the Spirit fights against the flesh.

They are so opposed that you do not do what you really want to do. 

If you follow the promptings of the Spirit, you do not need the law.

Reflection

We all want to be free. 

We call our country the land of the free.

People get upset with any attempt to limit their freedom. We have seen that over and over again with the restrictions that have been enacted to try to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians challenges us to reflect on what true freedom is all about. Paul helps us to see where freedom comes from. It is found in our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

When we are guided by the Spirit, we try to find ways to love and serve others. A truly free person does not concentrate on selfish needs but seeks out ways to give to others.

It is easy to fall into slavery. We see it all the time---people enslaved to drugs, money, fame. We know, of course, that all these things are ultimately empty and do not satisfy the deepest hungers of our heart.

Jesus has set us free by showing us how to Love. He always looked for ways to help and to heal.

Paul reminds us that when we are truly free, the law is not necessary. We have moved beyond the law because we are following the promptings of the Spirit.

We have been given a great inheritance---the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we follow the Spirit we build up the Kingdom of God through our love of neighbor.

Freedom spreads!

1. What is true freedom for you?

2. How does the Holy Spirit guide you to be free?

3. Why is the law not needed if are truly free?

4. What feelings does Kathy's photo of the Freedom Tower evoke in you?

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