John 11:1-45

Title: Jesus wept.

God came to Earth in the form of a human, to know our suffering.  To me, that’s really all that matters.  I’ve struggled with understanding and acceptance of who Jesus is, and if He really was who He said He was.  If you have not had that struggle, I truly admire you.  But I don’t know how you do it.

One thing I have not struggled with, at least in recent years, is the idea that God came to Earth from Heaven, in order that He might know our suffering. 

This week’s Gospel reading is John 11: 1-45, a pretty long reading.  The upshot is that Jesus’ dear friend, Lazarus, dies.  Lazarus’s sister Mary says to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  And indeed, Jesus delayed getting to Lazarus, and in the interim Lazarus had died.  She wants to know where Jesus was.  Why He didn’t help when he could. 

Right, now, many of us are asking where Jesus is.  Why He isn’t coming in to save the day.  And I have no answers.  I saw an article about a brand- new baby just diagnosed with this new virus.  And the mother can’t even visit him to hold his hand.  People are dying, and we aren’t allowed to go to the funerals.  And we are allowed to go to a funeral, we can’t embrace each other.

Where is Jesus?  What use is He to me in this moment, realistically? 

The only thing I can rely on is that I truly believe He is suffering with me.  John 1:35, the shortest verse in the Bible is from this passage.  It says this, “Jesus wept”.  Meaning he wept at the death of his friend.  The brevity of that verse says it all; He knows our pain.

God is bigger than death, ultimately, in the cosmic sense.  But our bodies still die here on Earth.  And that stinks.

But as I say, God has come to Earth to know our suffering. 

I guess I’m just trying to fill your head with what I feel to be true about God: He loves us and knows our pain.  And maybe if you ever need to draw on that idea it may help to think of that.

God bless you, now and always.   

The Older Brother

Faith in the midst of Corona

I find that I often try to make sense of things that I don't understand or that don't have any control over. It is especially true of the intersection between the world that I live in and my faith in a kind and loving God. Bad things happen, and when they do it can challenge this idea that our God is omnipotent or that he is truly kind and loving. Perhaps the Apostles were trying to understand this apparent contradiction in this weeks Gospel when they asked Jesus, who sinned that this man was born blind? They didn't even ask Jesus why the man was born blind - it was simply assumed that it was punishment for sin - perhaps it was "the wrath of God" that they were focusing on, even though Jesus preached the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus explains:

“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Yes, Jesus is the light of the world; and we are the body of Christ. It is during times like this current pandemic we find ourselves in that we tend to feel the darkness closing in around us. But we are called to be light for the world. So how do we respond to it all? Do we run out and buy 200 rolls of toilet paper? I think ultimately how anyone of us responds is a very personal decision, but I would invite you to consider responding in a way that is mindful of Jesus's command to do the works of God while it is still day. I believe that each one of us can respond in such a way that the works of God can be made visible in us.

How can you be the light in these dark times?

                                                                            Meeting God at the Well 

                                                                 JN 4: 5-42

I recently crossed paths with a young man & we began a discussion each week.  For the sake of anonymity & this reflection, I will call him Rashid.  The name Rashid translates into “rightly guided.”  You will soon see why I selected this pseudo-name. When I first met Rashid, he was going through a difficulty time & shared with me the mess he had made of his life.  As he spoke, it was apparent that he was overcome with a sense of deep shame. 

He told me that some of his relationships were unhealthy. Many times, the things he did with these relationships  were far from appropriate. And some of his personal choices resulted in disaster.  Sound familiar? 

In one of our conversations, the topic of God arose.  Unlike many others his age, Rashid’s was surprisingly receptive to this talk.  His face lit up, as he proudly described his parents steadfast faith & devotion to their Muslim faith.   After a few weeks of speaking with him, Rashid informed me that he was traveling overseas with his parents to make a Hajj.  A Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  For the Muslim, they are asked to make it once in their lifetime; similar to Christians who are also encouraged to make a religious pilgrimage during their lives.   

Upon returning from his trip, Rashid appeared filled with joy as he shared his experience while on Hajj.  (1 Sam. 10:6)  His delight was uplifting.  It was refreshing to hear this young man enthusiastically describe his recent conversion. (1 Sam. 10:6)  So why tie this story into this Gospel?  The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well & was converted, as did Rashid meet our loving God while on Hajj & return a changed person.  (Jer. 4:1)

Rashid’s story is not uncommon.  His is like many others, including mine.  His parent’s faith and their love of our almighty God won out.  I have no doubt that Rashid met God at the well.  It was evident that he was receptive to the Lord’s invitation to provide him with living water & he drank.  Yes, Jesus is the master of metaphor and uses water in this reading to describe a new life in God.  And we know that without both types of water; we will perish.  Are you, like me at times,  discriminatory and judgmental when confronted with someone who does not fit my definition of who is deserving & who is not?  

Behavioral & attitudinal responses such as these only serve to block our sharing of the living water with others & to move closer to our Lord.  Dear reader, I pray you will meet God at the well & allow Him to quench your thirst.   “Let us continue to learn how to put love into action.”  The Pilgrim.  3/15/20

                                                               

Listen to Him

Saint Joseph’s Abbey is a cloistered Roman Catholic monastery of monks of the Order of the Strict Observance, known as Trappist, set apart from actions and trends of most of their neighbors; they live a contemplative life, dedicating themselves to the praise and worship of God. The monastery of St. Josephs’ Abbey is located in the rolling hills of Spencer, Massachusetts.

I happen to be on a weekend retreat, when the monastery was celebrating the 60^th anniversary of Brother Thomas.  Amazing, sixty years being a monk. I thought to myself, what words of wisdom would this saintly old monk share with us? The moment arrived at mass that Brother Thomas would address the congregation.  He smiled and said” My name is Brother Thomas, I've been a monk for 60 years; I will leave you with these words of wisdom: “Do what they tell you.” Brother Thomas left the pulpit, sat down in his stall. There was a silence in the Church, and then a roar of laughter filled the Church. I sat in the back of the monastery smiling. “Do what they tell you.” It was short, sweet and right to the point.

In the Gospel of Matthew (17:1-9) we read that Jesus took Peter, James and John and lead them up a mountain. It was clear something important was about to happen. What Happened? Jesus Christ transformed before the three apostles, his appearance changed and became glorious. “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” (Gospel of Matthew) Amazing, simply amazing! However, God continues, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Hearing the voice of God, the Father, the apostles fell in fear to prostrate God. However, Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Now back to Brother Thomas, “Do what they tell you.” Sounds so simple, but in truth, it’s a surrender to the will of God. I trust you God that I will obey your commandments, I will listen to my superiors, I will listen to my heart. Jesus, I Trust in you, but I’m afraid to completely give everything to you. Isaiah (41:10) states it clearly: “so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The phrase “do not be afraid” is written in the bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless.

So remember, be fearless, rise and do not be afraid. “Do what they tell you.” Pray that we can listen to the will of God without being afraid, so that God can transform our hearts and lives.

Brother Thomas, Pray for Us!

Bernard of Clairvaux