Outpouring

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Outpouring

Holy Spirit

Descending   Equipping   Filling

Tongues As Of Fire

Mission

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Acts of the Apostles 2: 1 to 4

It was the feast of Pentecost, and the disciples were gathered together. 

Suddenly there came a loud noise. It was a strong powerful wind, and it filled the entire house. 

Then tongues of fire came, and they divided and came to rest on each one of them.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Reflection

What is it like to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

This reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us a clue. The clearest thing that happens is that when you receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the disciples did on Pentecost Sunday, you are changed profoundly.

The disciples go from being afraid of being arrested to boldly proclaiming the Good News about Jesus. Talk about a change!

Jesus said that He would not leave the disciples alone. He wanted to send the Holy Spirit to them to strengthen them and assist them in their mission. 

The Holy Spirit comes to us today also. Jesus knows that we need help in our life every day. We have difficult choices to make and challenges to overcome. It is so consoling to realize that we are never alone.

I feel the power of the Holy Spirit in many ways: sometimes when I am teaching, I am inspired to cover something that was not in the lesson plan. I wonder where it came from; and I realize the Holy Spirit is helping me.

During the day many times the name of someone I haven't thought about will pop into my consciousness. I realize that it is the Holy Spirit asking me to reach out to that person.

There are times when I will be walking down the street and pass someone who seems upset. A kind word or smile inspired by the Holy Spirit helps the situation. 

Kathy's photo sums it up for me: the Holy Spirit helps me and all of us in our mission today just as the Holy Spirit helped the disciples on Pentecost Sunday to overcome their fears.

We can have some of those same fears: will people reject us when we try to reach out to them? The Holy Spirit can help us.

God is generous and the outpouring has never stopped!

1. How has the Holy Spirit helped you?

2. What are some of the fears that you have had to overcome to follow the mission of sharing the Good News?

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

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

Matthias

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

                                                           Matthias

Accompanier   Jesus

Called   Chosen   Fulfilled

Counted With The Apostles

Ministry

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:  Acts 1: 24 to 26

The apostles prayed about who should take the place of Judas:

"You, Lord, know what is in the hearts of each one of us. Show us whom you want to take the place of Judas in the apostolic ministry."

When they gave lots to them, the lot fell upon Matthias. He was counted with the apostles.

Reflection

The apostles here are faced with their first decision after the Ascension of Jesus. Judas is dead and they need to choose someone to take his place.

Two candidates seem to meet all the qualifications: they have been with Jesus since the time of His baptism by John; they have witnessed His teachings and miracles; and they saw Jesus after His resurrection. Which one should they choose?

The answer was simple: turn to God in prayer. Listen to Jesus for His direction. They were led to Matthias.

We are called to be the Matthiases of today. Jesus invites us to be His apostles---to spread the Good News.

The criteria is the same today. We read the Scriptures to accompany Jesus. We accept Baptism as Jesus did. We are committed to following the ways of God, to accept God's generous offer of Love. To say "Yes" to God.

We study the teachings of Jesus and become familiar with His mission to feed the hungry, bring Light to those in darkness, heal the sick, free the captive, and clothe the naked.

We witness the miracles of Jesus and His concern for those whom everyone else ignored and rejected.

We feel the power of joy in the resurrection of Jesus. 

Matthias was chosen after much prayer. We also turn to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to guide us in our apostolic ministry. 

Matthias was called.

We are called today to follow in his path.

We have been Blessed!

1. How do you spread the Good News as Matthias did?

2. Who are the people who are most ignored and rejected in our society today?

3. What is the role of prayer in the life of the apostles of today?

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

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

4. 

Salvation

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Salvation

One    Another

Live   Love   Abide

Remain In My Love

Chose

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 15: 9 and 16

"As God the Father loves me, so I love you.

Remain in my love.

It was not you who chose me.

I chose you.

I have appointed you to go and bear much fruit. 

That fruit will remain.

If you ask the Father for something in My Name, the Father will give it to you."

Reflection

We sometimes wonder exactly what salvation is and how we achieve it.

The author of John gives us some good insights about this in a section of his gospel called the Farewell Discourse of Jesus. He is saying goodbye; but He is also giving His apostles some important instruction.

Jesus points out that if we want to be saved, we need to remain in the Love of Jesus. In the midst of the many distractions we face every day, it is important for us to remember that Jesus is always with us. 

It is so easy for us to forget this. We need to make a living and meet the demands of our employer. We face deadlines in our work. As students we have exams to take and papers to do. We come home and have to cook and clean.

 It can all be overwhelming, and we can sometimes wonder exactly where Jesus is in all of this and where our path to salvation can be found. 

As Jesus reminds us, we are loved with the same love that God the Father has for Him. In all of the challenges that we face each day, Jesus is there with us in each and every one of them. He is loving us through all of them.

Jesus teaches us that we are saved because He has chosen us. Sometimes we get this all wrong. We think that we have chosen Jesus. Jesus straightens us out: He has chosen us!

We are saved through the Love of Jesus. He has chosen us to be with Him forever. Our challenge is to remain in that Love, especially on those days when we do not feel like we are the least bit loveable!

If we remain in that Love, we can bear much fruit because we can spread that Love to each person we meet. We can let those who feel neglected, unheard, spurned, and ignored know that they are loved. We can spread the Good News.

Salvation has come.

We have been chosen.

We are loved!

1. What is your definition of salvation?

2. How do you think you will achieve salvation?

3. How do you try to remain in Jesus?

4. Why has Jesus chosen you?

5. As you reflect on your life, what are some of the fruits that you have borne?

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

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

Love

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Love

Deed   Truth

Seek   Boldly   Confidently

Paschal Mystery Within Us

Remain

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   1 John 3:23 and 24

We should believe in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as Jesus told us. 

Those who follow the commandments remain in Jesus.

Jesus remains in them.

We know that Jesus remains in us because Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

Jesus has given us a simple message: to love one another. We sometimes ask: why do we have such a hard time following it?

We look at the wars that are waging and ask: where is the love?

We look at people who are homeless and ask: where is the love?

We look at murders and robbery and ask: where is the love?

The author of 1 John gives us the answer---remain in Jesus. If we remain connected to Jesus through our prayer, works of charity, study of God's word, and life of virtue, we will learn to love what Jesus loves. We will be one with Jesus.

Jesus invites us to live the Paschal Mystery as He lived it. We are invited to embrace the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus both in truth and in deed.

Jesus has gifted us with the Holy Spirit. We are one with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit that remains with us so that we can always remain with Jesus.

That power helps us to love in all the challenging situations we face. We know that the wars, the homelessness, the murders, the robberies can be overcome by the power of love.

We have seen love change the hearts of individuals and nations. Jesus calls us to that type of love and remains in us to help us love a little more each day. We know it is not easy; but we also know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be with us every step of the way.

We are never alone!

1. Why is it so hard to follow the message of Jesus to love one another?

2. How do you try to remain connected to Jesus?

3. How do you live the Paschal Mystery?

4. When have you felt the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

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

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

Command

The Spiritual Waiting Room 

Command

My   Father

Shepherd   Lead   Know

Lays Down His Life

Received.

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: John 10: 11 and 18

"I am the good shepherd. 

A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

No one takes my life from me.

I lay it down on my own decision.

I have power to lay it down.

I have the power to take it up again.

This command I have received from my Father.

Reflection

Most people do not like commands. We prefer discussion and dialogue. When we are commanded to do something, we often contemplate defiance. There is a feeling of resentment.

Jesus seems very calm about the command in our passage from John. We might wonder why Jesus is taking in stride the command to lay down His life for the sheep---for all of us. 

I think it has to do with the origin of the command. It comes from the Father. We see Jesus always in an intimate relationship with the Father. He frequently goes off by Himself to pray and communicate with the Father. 

The command He has received has grown out of His relationship with the Father. He knows that the Father will be with Him when He lays down His life for His sheep. This gives Jesus a sense of peace about what will happen.

The Father has also communicated with Jesus about His "power to take it up again". This must have been very reassuring for Jesus. The resurrection was always in view. 

We have a path to follow. If we stay in close contact with Jesus through prayer, Jesus will help us follow the commands that He shares with us. We know this will lead us to love more and care more for each other. 

Jesus laid down His life for us. He shows us the way. He tells us that we are never alone!

We have a Good Shepherd who always watches out for us!

1. How do you feel when someone gives you a command?

2. From where does the calm that Jesus shows come? 

3. Does your prayer life with Jesus help you to follow His commands?

4. How do you relate to Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

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

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

 

Witnesses

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Witnesses

Startled   Recounted

Made Known Breaking Bread

Touch Me And See

Understanding

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 24: 35 to 37, 39

The two disciples told what had happened when they were on the way. Jesus was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus came and stood in their midst as they were speaking about this. The apostles were startled but Jesus told them not to be troubled.

Jesus said, "Touch me and see."

Reflection

The apostles are trying to understand what is happening. They are confused. They are finding it hard to believe that Jesus has risen.

Who could possibly blame them? This is something that is so extraordinary and unusual. The apostles have never experienced anything like this.

Jesus had told them that this would happen. He had tried to prepare them. The Hebrew Scriptures had spoken about the Suffering Sevant. Even with all that teaching to draw upon, the apostles found the resurrection hard to comprehend.

Jesus understood this and tried to help the apostles embrace this truth. He invited them to touch Him. He wanted them to come close and realize that He had truly risen.

Once the apostles truly understood this, they were able to become witnesses. They knew that Jesus was truly sent from God, that He was the Messiah, that He was the Son of God. 

There was no doubt now. They were able to spread the Good News.

Today we draw from this example. We realize that Jesus has overcome death and evil. We know that He will be with us.

He invites us to share the Good News that we have been given. Jesus has been made known to us. He invites us to touch Him and to feel the warmth of His Love.

We know with that amazing Love deep within us, we can witness to the resurrection! 

1. Why do you think the apostles were so troubled?

2. How prepared were the apostles to understand the resurrection of Jesus?

3. Have you ever felt Jesus inviting you to touch Him?

4. Have you felt called to witness to the resurrection of Jesus?

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

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

Savior

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Savior

Risen   Glorified

Peace   Forgiveness   Holy Spirit

My Lord My God

Victory

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   John 20: 19, 22, 23, 25, 28

The risen Jesus appeared in His glory to the apostles and said, "Peace be with you."

After He breathed on them, He said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven."

One of the apostles, Thomas, was not there and refused to believe until he would put his hands in the wounds of Jesus.

Jesus appeared a week later; and when Thomas saw Him, Thomas said, "My Lord and My God."

The First Letter of John 5: 4

The victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Reflection

What does it mean for us to say that Jesus is our Savior?

The author of the Gospel of John shows us how Jesus brings us the gift of salvation. He comes to the apostles when they are confused and afraid. Jesus has been crucified, and they think that all is lost. Who could blame them?

Jesus brings them Peace. He calms them down. He alleviates their very understandable fear. He lets them know that His mission was not over. It would continue with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into them just as God breathed life into existence in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 2:7). He gives them the power of forgiveness---a power that belongs only to God. God will bestow forgiveness through them.

This was hard for Thomas to accept since he was not there for that first appearance. He had to see Jesus with his own eyes. When he did see Jesus  the following week, he did not hesitate to proclaim Jesus as Lord and God. 

He knew that Jesus could offer salvation. We were free from the power of sin and death. Jesus had won the victory.

It is a victory that we embrace with our faith. We accept the gift of forgiveness and share that gift with those who have hurt us and turned their backs on us. 

We are saved from selfishness, from our embrace of evil and injustice, from our indifference to the needs of others, from the harshness and cruelty of our speech when we accept the gift of the Holy Spirit from Jesus as the apostles did. 

We can bring that saving forgiveness to others. In a world that can sometimes seem to be full of discord and division, we can say, "Peace".

Jesus is risen.

The victory has been won!

1. How does Jesus calm you down when you are afraid?

2. When have you felt the forgiveness of Jesus in your life?

3. What are some of the ways that you have accepted the victory of Jesus in your life?

4. Do you see yourself as a Peacemaker?

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

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