Gatekeeper

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Gatekeeper

Shepherd      Sheep

Follow     Voice     Recognize

I Am The Gate

Salvation

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 10: 7 to 9

So Jesus said once more, "Amen, amen, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All those before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not recognize them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will obtain salvation, and will go in and out and find pasture."

Reflection

What a gate we have!

Did you ever think of Jesus as your own personal gate? It is truly amazing.

Jesus is telling us that when we follow Him, we will not have to worry about the thieves and robbers who want to harm us. We all face obstacles and difficulties, and Jesus is telling us that He will always be with us to guide us to the "pasture".

It is a pasture where we can feel secure and accepted in spite of our failings and anxieties. In this pasture we can be truly ourselves because Jesus is there and He wants us to be safe and to feel good.

There are so many options for us. Every day new gates and new possibilities are presented to us. The choices can confuse us, and, if we choose the wrong gate, it can lead us to a bad place. 

The gate might look attractive on the outside. It might seem that it will lead to success and fame and fortune.

When we take a minute to reflect, it is good to ask ourselves if Jesus is opening this gate for us or if it is a gate of selfishness. The thieves and robbers can steal our soul away.

Jesus is offering His Way, His Path. It is a way that challenges us to love God and to love our neighbor. It is a way that leads to peace and caring for others. It is the Way of the Cross that leads to Resurrection. 

It is the Way of Unconditional Love.

It is a gate that is always open for us.

What a Gate we have!

1. What does the image of Jesus as our gate mean to you personally?

2. Who are the thieves and robbers that you face in your life?

3. What is the path that Jesus is opening for you?

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

Disciples

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Disciples

Witnesses     Companions

Unknowing     Interpreting     Identifying

Their Eyes Were Opened

Resurrected Jesus

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 24: 25 to 31

Then He said to the two disciples whom He met on the road to Emmaus,

"How blind you are! You are slow to believe what the prophets told us! Didn't you realize that the Messiah would have to suffer and then enter into His glory?"

He began with Moses and then all of the prophets and interpreted to them the scriptures that referred to Him.

When they came to the village to which they were going, He seemed to be going on further. The two disciples urged Him, "Stay with us, for it is almost evening and the day will soon be over."

He went in to be with them.

As they were gathered around the table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and shared it with them.

When that happened, their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus.

He vanished from their sight.

Reflection

What does it mean to be a disciple?

A disciple tries to follow the example of Jesus. These two disciples that we encounter in the Gospel of Luke are understandably discouraged. Jesus has died by crucifixion and these disciples expected that He would be the Messiah.

As disciples sometimes are eyes become closed to Jesus. We can follow our own ideas about who Jesus is and what Jesus would do and where to find Jesus. 

Jesus points out where we can find Him.

The scriptures clearly point to Jesus. As we read the scriptures, we can find many passages that point to a Messiah who would suffer for us and lay down His life for us. 

We can wonder why the disciples did not understand this. Yet they had also seen Jesus perform many great miracles. It is easy for the disciples to focus on the power of Jesus and to overlook the scriptures that speak of the suffering servant.

The disciples were so impressed with the wisdom of this person they did not recognize in explaining the scriptures to them, that they wanted Him to stay with them and explain even more.

The second way that Jesus is made known is in the breaking of the bread. Jesus gives us His very self in the Eucharist. 

At that moment the eyes of the disciples are opened. They recognize the Risen Jesus in their midst. They eagerly share this news with the other disciples as they return to Jerusalem at once.

It is easy for us to be blind to Jesus in our midst. As disciples we are blessed to have the scriptures and the sacraments to open our eyes to Jesus.

Jesus does not want us to be alone as His disciples. He will be with us to guide us by the power of His Word and His sacraments.

1. What does it mean for you to be a disciple of Jesus?

2. Why do our eyes become closed to Jesus sometimes?

3. How do the scriptures and the sacraments help you to become a disciple?

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

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

Mary Magdalene

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Mary Magdalene

Encounter      Rabbouni

Recognize     See     Believe

Announce To The Disciples

Resurrection

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 20: 11 to 18

Mary Magdalene was outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she looked into the tomb and realized that there were two angels in white sitting there, one by the head and one by the feet where the Body of Jesus had been.

They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?'

She replied, "They have taken the Body of Jesus and I don't know where they have placed it."

As she was speaking, she turned around and saw Jesus there; but she did not recognize Him. 

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you trying to find?"

She was thinking that this could be the gardener and said to Him, "Sir, if you took His body, please tell me where you placed it, and I will go get it."

Jesus replied, "Mary!"

She turned to Him and said in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher.

Jesus said, "Stop clinging to Me. I have not yet gone to the Father. Go tell the brothers, 'I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'"

Mary went right away to the brothers and told them, "I have seen Jesus," and then told them all that Jesus had said.

Reflection

What an amazing encounter Mary Magdalene had!

She went quickly from weeping to rejoicing. Such a range of emotions so quickly.

Probably most of us in this situation would think just as Mary did. We would jump to the conclusion that someone took the Body of Jesus.

Mary loved Jesus very much and must have found it very difficult to see Him crucified. Such a cruel death for a wonderful friend who was innocent of any crime.

She was so overwhelmed with her grief that she did not even recognize Jesus at first. Again we can relate because when we are mourning, it is easy to be blinded to what is going on in the world around us. We can even get upset that everyone seems to be continuing with life as usual when we are in such deep pain.

It all changes when Jesus says her name. She recognizes the Teacher. Mary truly believes that Jesus is risen. 

Her grieving is gone. She is so overcome with joy that she hugs Jesus. Her happiness overflows!

Jesus commissions Mary to tell the brothers the Good News. What a special mission.

We are also called to share that Good News. By our words and, even more importantly, by our actions we can let everyone we meet know that Jesus is Risen. 

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

1. Why do you think that Mary did not recognize Jesus at first?

2. Do you ever feel that Jesus is calling your name?

3. How can you tell other people that Jesus is Risen?

4. What do you feel as you look at Kathy's photo?   

Empty Tomb

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Empty Tomb

Burial     Cloth

Believe     Truth     Resurrection

All Prophets Bear Witness

Unbind

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   John 20: 6 to 8

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he entered the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered the head of Jesus. 

It was not with the burial cloths but it was in a separate place rolled up.

Then the disciple who came first to the tomb went in. He saw the empty tomb and he believed.

Acts 10: 40 to 43

God raised Jesus on the third day and wanted Him to be visible, not to all the people, but to us. We are the witnesses chosen in advance by God.

We ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

He asked us to share the Good News with the people and testify that He is the one God chose to be the judge of the living and the dead.

To Him all the prophets bear witness.

Everyone who believes in Him will be forgiven of their sins through the power of His name.

Reflection

What amazing news!

The tomb is empty.

How can the apostles process this? Even though Jesus had tried to prepare the disciples for this moment, it was beyond their understanding.

What explanation could be offered? The apostles even noticed that the burial cloths were there. The cloth that covered the head of Jesus was even in a separate place.

The apostles were coming to believe that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was risen.

In the book of Acts Luke is sharing the words of Peter months after the events he had experienced. He was able to actually eat and drink with Jesus after His resurrection. 

Peter knew at this time that Jesus had overcome death. Jesus was the one about whom all the prophets had spoken. 

Jesus had come to share a special gift with us: the gift of forgiveness.

It is that gift which allows us to celebrate life forever.

The tomb is empty.

Our hearts are full!

1. If you were at that empty tomb, what would you think?

2. How important is the gift of forgiveness for you?

3. How do you react today when you reflect on the empty tomb?

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

Name

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Name

Bestowed   Exalted

Humble   Obedient   Submissive

Death On A Cross

Jesus

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Philippians 2: 8 and 9

...Jesus humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 

Since Jesus accepted this, God greatly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name

Reflection

What is in a name?

So much! Names can reveal a lot about who a person is an what a person stands for.

The name of Jesus is a name that we treasure. It is a name that says Love. It is a name that invites us into a relationship.

The exaltation of that name comes from the humility of Jesus. Jesus did not come to seek power or control. He came to share Good News.

He told us that the Kingdom of God was present among us. He told us that love of God and love of neighbor were the ways to make that Kingdom real in our everyday lives.

The cross might seem like a terrible end, and it is certainly a cruel and horrible way to die. It is, however, not an end but a new beginning for Jesus.

Jesus gives us the gift of Himself totally and completely. He holds nothing back. He shows us the depth of His Love. 

God sees this and exalts Jesus and gives Him a name that is above every other name. 

It is a name that saves.

A name that invites.

A name that Loves.

1. What does your name reveal about you?

2. When you hear the name of Jesus, what do you feel?

3. How important is humility in your life?

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

Martha

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Martha

Faith     Belief

Rise     Awaken     Promise

I Am The Resurrection

Spirit-Dwelling

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 11:20 to 27

When Martha heard that Jesus was approaching, she came out to meet Him; but Mary remained at their home. 

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you were here, my brother would not have died. I know that if you ask anything of God even now, God will do it for you."

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." 

Martha said to Him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the final day."

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Martha said, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Reflection

We can all imagine what Martha is feeling as she goes out to meet Jesus. She is devastated at the loss of her brother. She is grieving.

She is excited, however, when she hears that Jesus is coming. So eager that she leaves her sister, Mary, at home and goes out to meet Him.

She was hoping that He would come. She knew how much Jesus loved Lazarus and believed that Jesus could have healed him if He had come earlier.

We know that it was risky for Jesus to make this journey. Some of the Jewish religious authorities wanted to arrest Him. That did not stop Jesus.

He realizes that this death will lead to God being glorified. He knows that God has the power over life and death and that He is one with God. He tells Martha that He is the resurrection and the life.

Martha, even in her grieving, believes that Jesus is the Messiah. She says "Yes" to Jesus. She recognizes something special in Him. She has faith!

Martha goes from questioning why Jesus had not come sooner to believing that He is the Son of God. His words touch something deep within her. 

His words are very powerful. He is making a promise to Martha and through her to all of us---if you believe in me you will never die. You will live forever. 

It is an amazing promise. One that only God can make. 

That promise leads Martha to totally embrace Jesus in a deep act of faith and trust. She gave herself to Jesus in Love.

Her mourning would end.

Her grief would be no more.

Life forever had come to her and to Lazarus.

And to us!

1. What are your feelings about Martha?

2. What does Jesus mean when He says that He is the resurrection and the life?

3. Why does Mary believe in Jesus even before He raises Lazarus from the dead?

4. Why does Jesus want to give you life forever?

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

Illuminate

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Illuminate

Blindness     Darkness

Awake     Arise     See

Christ Gives You Light

Visible

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:8 to 14

You dwelt once in darkness

Now you are light in Jesus.

Live as persons of light

As light bears good fruit.

Learn what Jesus loves.

Avoid works of evil

As they produce shame.

Those works done in secret

Will be illuminated by the light.

" Awake from your sleep

Rise from your death,

Christ gives you light."

Reflection

It is so easy to fall into darkness!

A number of spiritual authors I have been reading lately are offering the same advice: turn off the news!

They are not advising us to be out of touch with what is going on but rather to be very careful that we do not get immersed in all the negativity. 

Many of the news shows want to get us upset, evoke fear, and distort reality. We can easily fall into the trap of dwelling on too much "bad" news and ignoring the Good News---the Gospel.

St. Paul warns us in this reading from Ephesians to avoid all that "darkness". He is telling us, as those spiritual writers do also, to dwell in the Light of Christ.

It does not mean that we look at life through rose colored glasses and ignore the evils around us. The Light of Christ leads us to bring the concern and strength of Jesus to those problems and to see each person we encounter as a reflection of Jesus---our sister and brother in Christ.

We try to learn what Jesus loves and we follow His example of reaching out to those everyone else ignores. Instead of passing by, we stop and look into the eyes and hearts of those on the margins.

It is tempting to "fall asleep" as Paul indicates by dwelling on what is wrong instead of following the Light.

Let us embrace the Light of Christ!

1. What do you think about the advice to turn off the news?

2. How do you avoid the trap of dwelling on the "bad" news instead of the Good News of the Gospel?

3. What does it mean for you to dwell in the Light of Christ?

4. How can you learn what Jesus loves?

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

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