RENEWsletter

2011-09-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hello folks--
It's been a long time since I posted a RENEWsletter. And it will be another long time before I post another one. But I DO plan to take up the RENEWsletter mantel again someday. Big changes are afoot in my life... the biggest of which is: I got married a year ago and, WOW! What a change THAT makes in a man's life! Sally is the most amazing and wonderful thing that has ever happened to me! This is what I always thought married life was supposed to be like.

I retire from the newspaper in a year and a half. Then I will have time to devote to the RENEWsletters again. And I may even deviate some from the monthly liturgical calendar stuff. Watch this space for something new.
--Randy
Those who hear not the music think the dancers mad!

2010-08-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed People--
The readings this week will shake some of us up, but others of us will be comforted. For "narrow is the gate", and few will find it. The rest will be wailing and gnashing their teeth. Why? Because no one told them the way? Because they were tricked in to believing something false? No. Because they thought they knew better than God and considered the restrictions on entrance into Heaven as too... well, restrictive. They lobbied for looser criteria. But the border guards at the boundaries of Heaven are unerring in their accuracy. NO ONE gets in except by Narrow Gate!

This is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. You can read the following on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/082210.shtml, or in your Bible in:

Isaiah 66.18-21
Psalm 117.1, 2 (with Mark 16.15 as the response)
Hebrews 12.5-7, 11-13
Luke 13.22-30

The First Reading has some very far-reaching implications. The references to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan (Is. 66.19) give the impression of far distant and very foreign lands. God will send "fugitives" or missionaries to those places and win converts. The missionaries will bring the converts to "Jerusalem, my holy mountain" (v. 20). I take this to mean these far-flung people will learn of God and be brought into his Family. That is the unique thing about Judaism... the God of Israel is not just a tribal God. He is God of all nations and every language. He hears and understands prayers made in Hebrew, English, Greek, Arabic, Farsi, Thai, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese... Wycliffe Bible Translators has figures on the number of spoken languages on this planet. There are upwards of 5000 last time I checked. And God is fluent in every one of them!

The Responsorial Psalm is a short one, only two verses. But it embodies the underlying message in the other three readings. The Lord's love for us is strong and he's forever faithful (Ps 117.2). And not just to us, but to all nations! (v. 1).

But is this gathering at the holy mountain of the Lord going to be just a big party where everybody can bring their own beliefs? their own baggage? their own gods? No. The Second Reading tells us that whom the Lord loves, he chastens (Heb. 12.6). We are exhorted by the writer of Hebrews not to treat the Lord's discipline lightly. That is, we must learn from it (v. 7). We must learn that there is One God who allows no other gods in the hearts of his children. This chastening may seem painful to bear at the time it is being administered (v. 11), but God knows what he's doing, and he doesn't inflict us with anything that he didn't already inflict upon his own Son. Therefore, "Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees!" (v. 12). Physical therapy is good for an injured muscle... spiritual therapy is good for an injured soul.

And, according to the Gospel Reading, we dare not dilly-dally! The door to the Lord's holy mountain won't stay open forever, and even while it's open, it's narrow. We're not going to wander into God's house by accident. Jesus says, "Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Luke 13.24). Then there will come a time when the door is closed. It'll be too late then. People will knock and it won't be opened, because the Master will say, "I don't know who you are. Go away!" (v. 27).

So, yes, God invites all people to his house. He offers to personally make us worthy to enter into his presence. And we must RSVP by the deadline. But when is the deadline? No one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24.42). It'll sneak up on you like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3.10). No one knows the Day of the Lord, but NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6.2). The good news is, once you're inside, you'll never be kicked out, no matter what (John 10.28).

So why wait? Introduce yourself to God now and be sure he knows who you are. Come to the mountain of the Lord and start getting better acquainted. And have a great week! :-)

Randy Jones
Those who cannot take discipline say the rules are bad!

RENEWsletter for August 15, 2010 - Assumption of Mary

2010-08-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

Hi, folks--
Every year on August 15, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. Many people, I’ve discovered, think of Mary's Assumption in terms of Jesus's Ascension, where he was taken living into Heaven. However, it is recorded that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles between 3 and 15 years after the Ascension. It was about 400 years after that, according to John Damascene (St. John of Damascus), that the Emperor Marcian desired to possess the body of the Blessed Mother and sought out her tomb. When the tomb was opened, it was found to be empty. God had invited Mary to the Resurrection early, before the rest of us living and dead join them.

The readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary are found on the web at:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/081510a.shtml and in your Bible at:

Revelation 11.19a; 12.1-6a, 10ab (It won't hurt to read through from 11.19 to 12.10)
Psalm 45.10, 11, 12, 16
1 Corinthians 15.20-27
Luke 1.39-56

The First Reading would make little sense without our knowledge of Mary. A glorious woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, a twelve-star crown on her head is about to give birth (Rev 12.1). A terrible monster awaits the birth to destroy the babe, but God intervenes when the Lady gives birth to a son, and saves the child (vs. 12.4-5). Later, this very Son conquers the monster (v. 10). When this passage is read with Mary and her Son Jesus in mind, it makes perfect sense.

The Responsorial Psalm is a love song, a "nuptial ode for the messianic king". The Queen stands at the right hand of God (Ps 45.10). She is to be wed to the Messiah. Tradition holds that this refers to the Bride of Christ, or us, the Church. Thus we take part in the royal feast and become part of the Heavenly Family of God.

The Second Reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians paints a picture of this Wedding Feast. Christ at last will "put all his enemies under his feet" (1 Cor. 15.25), and the last enemy to be destroyed is Death itself (v. 26). When that happens our life together with God begins, and it will not be "till death do us part". No, it will be forever!

The Gospel Reading is filled with familiar words. Mary, with the Messiah Child already being knit together in her womb, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also with child, a little farther along. Because Elizabeth's son starts dancing in her womb when Elizabeth hears Mary's voice, she knows that a very special event is coming. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" she sings (Luke 1.42). It's all becoming clear now to Mary and she sings her timeless hymn. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed" (vs. 46-48).

We do indeed call Mary blessed, and have for these countless generations; and will for all generations to come. She is a type of God's love. A lowly handmaiden raised to the level of Queen of Heaven, not through her own merit, but through God's favor. Through this same favor and mercy of God, we too, who have put our faith in Christ, will be raised to the level of "relatives of the Boss", that is members of the Holy Family, brothers and sisters of Christ himself, heirs of the Living God.

With a perspective on the future like that, how can anything on this earth shake our faith? If things get tense or scary this week, remember what it says in the Bible.... "And it came to pass..." It didn't come to stay -- it came to pass!

Randy Jones
Those who cannot look ahead say the enemy is gaining on us!

RENEWsletter for August 8, 2010 - 19th

2010-08-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Renewal--
The theme this time seems to be one of choices and promises. God has made a choice. He has chosen us. We can respond by choosing him... or not. By faith we can believe that God will keep his promise, or we can choose to doubt. Sometimes it’s a tough choice to keep believing. But it couldn’t be much tougher than it was for Abraham. He’d been promised that his descendents would become a multitude, yet Sarah had reached and passed menopause, and when she did conceive and bear Isaac, God asked Abraham to sacrifice him. Start all over again? At Abraham’s age? That was a very tough choice.

The readings for this coming Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found on the Web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/080810.shtml, and are in your Bible in:

Wisdom 18.6-9
Psalm 33.1, 12, 18-19, 20-22
Hebrews 11.1-2, 8-19
Luke 12.32-48

The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom speaks of God summoning his people through the Passover (Wis 18.8). They responded by following the instructions for being spared the loss of their firstborn. Even in one captivity after another some continued choosing to follow God's instructions. In secret they were offering sacrifices and keeping the law (v. 9), waiting for the salvation of the just (v. 7).

In spite of the hardships and setbacks those Hebrews faced and endured, the psalmist of the Responsorial Psalm still can sing, "Blessed are the people the Lord has chosen to be his own" (Ps. 33.12). These chosen people of God have put their hope in the LORD (vs. 18, 22). And he delivers them from death and famine (v. 19), helping and shielding them (v. 20).

The Second Reading from Hebrews carries this idea a little deeper. God chose Abraham to make a promise to (Heb 11.9). But Abraham had the choice of obeying God to claim the promise. And to obey, guess what Abraham had to have. Faith (vs. 8, 9, 11, 13, 17)! He had to believe in order to receive God's promise. Does this mean we have to earn our salvation? No, God chose us first. (See John 15.16.) But it means we have to believe. Believe that God will keep his promise, choose to obey his word, have faith.

The Gospel Reading in Luke makes this concept plain. Jesus says, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (v. 32). There's the promise. What do we have to do? Obediently collect treasures in heaven (v. 33). And how do we do that? By making sure our heart is in the right place (v. 34). In other words, by having faith.

But faith falters, obliterating obedience, precluding promises. What if we're not ready when the "bridegroom" returns, or when the "thief" comes? Well, that's why Jesus came. He was perfectly obedient, had perfect faith, and God kept his promise and raised him from the dead. Because of Jesus' obedience, we are healed of our faithlessness, we are washed of our disobedience, and we become beneficiaries of the promise of eternal life.

A good way to stay close to God and ready for his coming is to talk with him every day. Here's an easily memorizable pattern for prayer based on the first letters of the days of the week. See what you think of this....

Monday: pray for Ministries and Missionaries
Tuesday: pray for people in Trouble
Wednesday: just Worship God
Thursday: give Thanks for all your blessings
Friday: pray for Family and Friends
Saturday: pray for the Sick and Sinners
Sunday: pray for yourSelf

Of course, urgent needs get prayer anytime regardless of what letter the day starts with! But remember, God is unbounded by time. He forgave all our sins 2000 years ago, and we hadn't yet committed our first one! He can answer prayers in arrears as easily. So pray, even when it's "too late." If you forget or miss a day, don't worry... what day is it? Pray for the corresponding item. Keep doing it. Pretty soon it'll become habitual.

Randy Jones
Those who cannot believe say the promise is bad!

2010-07-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hi, all--
The transitory nature of life and wealth wasn't lost on the writer of Ecclesiastes. And over the past few years here in Silicon Valley, it hasn't been lost on us, either. How many fortunes were lost in the "Dot Com" bust? How many lives are lost in senseless violence? How many hopes are ruined by disease, downsizing, and death? I guess there really is "nothing new under the sun!" (Ecclesiastes 1.9). But there's an alternative to putting all one's hopes and bets on earthly stuff...

This coming Sunday is the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/080110.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Ecclesiastes 1.2; 2.21-23
Psalm 90.3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 with v. 1 as the response
Colossians 3.1-5, 9-11
Luke 12.13-21

In the First Reading, Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes, has a dim view of life: "All things are vanity!" (Eccl 1.2). He laments that though we labor all our lives to build up a good, sound retirement, it is gone in an afternoon, like a vapor in the hot sun (ch. 2, v. 21). (The word translated "vanity" means "breath" or "vapor".) There are many people in the world, in this country, indeed right here in our own Parish, who have watched their retirement dwindle alarmingly. Gone in an afternoon? Some fortunes disappeared with the click of a mouse button! Have you ever lost any sleep worrying about the future... or the morrow? (v. 23). I have! Tell me about vanity!

The Responsorial Psalm gives God's perspective on the days and treasures of this world. A thousand years to the Lord are as but yesterday (Ps 90.4). This psalm was written as a general communal lament... perhaps after the stock market of 1000 BC crashed? Or invading hoards carried off all the brokers? The point is, there is nothing new under the sun. We need to learn to "number our days aright" (v. 12) to keep things in perspective. And "if today you hear his voice, harden not your heart" (v. 1). We may not hear his voice tomorrow.

Paul in the Second Reading admonishes believers to adopt a different perspective on wealth. Wealth is fine, but we should be thinking about what is above, not how our portfolio is doing (Col. 3.2). Our energy should be expended doing God's work. And what is God's work? It's our attitude, our perspective, our behavior when we've taken off the old self and put on the New Self (v. 9-10). In other words, when we've died to the old perspectives and risen to a new life in Christ. This can be very hard to do sometimes, and we might tend to rationalize saying "Well, the Lord helps those who help themselves!" But there's no reference in the Bible for that quote... we've made that up ourselves. In point of fact, God helps those who are helpless! See, Matthew 11.28, Proverbs 28.26.

Jesus, as recorded by Luke in the Gospel Reading, also dealt with retirement issues. Someone came to Jesus because he thought his brother was cheating him out of part of his inheritance, and he wanted Jesus to step in. (You suppose that guy's brother was the "prodigal son"?) Jesus dodged that issue by saying it wasn't up to him to arbitrate that kind of dispute (Luke 12.14). Instead he gave an illustration of God's perspective on inheritance. And what is God's perspective? God snorts and says, "You fool! Tonight your life will be required of you. And who will spend your retirement then?" (v. 20).

"Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God" (v. 21). If you are "rich in what matters to God" it won't matter if you have a good retirement or not. It becomes immaterial. And what are the things that matter to God? Go back and read the Colossians passage again. And remember, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16.26).

We can trust God this week -- and the rest of our lives -- to take care of us. So let's try to view things from an eternal perspective. But if we can't, we don't need to worry about that either! God does take care of us, even past the time our lives will be required of us.

Randy Jones
Those who cannot see past the end of their nose fear they’re going to bump into something!

RENEWsletter for July 25, 2010 - 17th Ordinary

2010-07-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Renewers--
Well, the summer is flying by. Can it be the end of July already? Everyone has been flying away on this vacation or that visit. Relatives are coming and going. And many relatives will be arriving next month to attend Sally’s and my wedding in a little over 3 weeks. Then we’ll be floating away on a cruise up the Alaskan coast for our honeymoon! The sun is shining, the land is green, the sky is blue. I imagine the sun was shining when Abraham encountered the messengers of God on their way to find out what was going on in Sodom. So let's be on our way to find out what’s going on in the readings this week.

The readings for this Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time are found on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/072510.shtml and in your Bible at:

Genesis 18.20-32
Psalm 138.1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
Colossians 2.12-14
Luke 11.1-13

The First Reading is the famous story of when Abraham bargained with God. The Lord was off to judge Sodom, and Abraham knew full well what the people there were like. His nephew, Lot, lived there, so he must have got regular reports of debauchery, crime, alcohol, drugs., prostitution, violence of all sorts... Abraham knew what the Lord would find. And so he persistently pleaded with the Lord to spare the whole city for the sake of a few. Fewer and fewer and fewer! You notice, God didn't complain or whine or even roll his eyeballs (Gen 18.26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32). His beloved Abraham was asking for a "fish", and he wasn't about to give him a "serpent".

This is a good segue into the Gospel Reading, so we'll take the readings out of order this time. Luke gives us first the small economy model Lord's Prayer (Luke 11.2-4) then illustrates that it isn't wordiness or eloquence or cleverness that moves the Lord, but persistence. What father would deny his son when he asks for food? What God would deny his children when they ask for help? (v. 13)

And that is a good segue into the Responsorial Psalm which fits in with the theme of God's love and patience with his children. When has there been a day when you called on the name of the Lord for help, and he didn't answer? "When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me" (Ps 138.3).

I can envision a scene in heaven where Jesus is pleading with his Father to spare the world. "What if there are 50 righteous people on earth?" says Jesus.

"I will not destroy the earth for the sake of 50 righteous," the Father responds.

"What if there are only 10 righteous?" Jesus persists.

"I will not destroy it for the sake of the 10," the Father concedes.

"What if there is only 1 righteous person on earth?"

"I will not destroy it for the sake of one righteous person, but you know what? 'There is none righteous, no, not one!' (Romans 3.10)"

"Then I will be that righteous person!" said Jesus and he humbled himself to take on human flesh.

And what of today? Christ has lived, died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven. Why is not the earth destroyed now? Perhaps a clue is in the Second Reading. "You were buried with him in baptism... and he brought you to life... having forgiven us all our transgressions..." (Col 2.12-13). We are the righteous, through the work of Jesus Christ, for whose sake the world is not destroyed. We are the 10 righteous people in Sodom... not righteous because of anything we have done, but only through the work of Christ on the Cross.

All our transgressions are continually forgiven by God the Father. We are answered when we call upon the Lord. Because of Christ, the world is not destroyed. There's still time to reach our lost, unrighteous neighbor with the Good News of God's love for them. Think of this each time you recite the Lord's Prayer...

And have a great week.

Randy Jones
"Those who do not care say, Go ahead and destroy them!"

RENEWsletter for July 18, 2010 - 16th Ordinary

2010-07-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

Hi, all--
"Preparation" seems to be one of the threads of a theme that stitches these passages together. In each case there is a result that brings the one being prepared closer to God. The Navajos have a concept called hozhoh: beauty, harmony, and the interconnectedness of the natural world. A person who experiences hozhoh walks in beauty with nature, their fellowman, and reality in general. Christians sometimes describe this state as the "peace that passes understanding".

This is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/071810.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Genesis 18.1-10a
Psalm 15.2-3, 3-4, 5
Colossians 1.24-28
Luke 10.38-42

In the First Reading, we find Abraham hurrying to prepare a meal for some visiting angels. These guys appeared as the day was beginning to get hot. That's why Abraham was sitting outside his tent under the terebinth tree. He was trying to keep cool (Gen 18.1). What's a terebinth tree? Maybe it was like an oak, because Mamre, where this story takes place, was famous for its oaks. Anyway, Abraham somehow knew that these three were sent from God, and so he went out of his way to feed them. And kept Sarah in the hot tent baking bread for them, too! But for their trouble they got the incredible news that elderly Sarah would get pregnant and bear a son (v. 10). More than anything, Abraham and Sarah wanted this. Peace descended on them and they experienced hozhoh.

The psalmist speaks of another kind of preparation in the Responsorial Psalm. If we do justice (Ps. 15.1) we will live in the presence of the Lord. Read the list of things the person needs to do to feel comfortable in the presence of the Living God (vs. 2-5). Some of the items on the list are easy, like not accepting bribes. Some might be a little harder, like thinking truth in one’s heart. But for your trouble you'll get to be comfortable hanging out with the Lord, and experience hozhoh.

In the Second Reading, we find Paul diligently preparing the body of Christ (the church... us!) to be wise and perfect in Christ (Col. 1.28). Perfect? Us? Yes! It is truly a mystery, but through Christ's work, we have hope of glory (v. 27) and all the rich spiritual benefits that go with that. Paul was a diligent steward, ministering to Jew and Gentile alike, striving to bring to fruition the mystery of God's love for his church. For his trouble he gets all the persecution, suffering, and affliction that there wasn't time to inflict on Christ himself. And he rejoices in it (v. 24) because it brings hozhoh!

In the Gospel Reading we find Martha in a flurry of activity trying to prepare and serve a meal to her guests all by herself. Can't you just see her, getting more and more exasperated as pots start to boil over, things fall to the floor, the table remains unset, and Mary, bless her thoughtless heart, just sits there at Jesus's feet (Luke 10.39), totally oblivious of what needs to be done. Martha finally can't stand it anymore and goes straight to Jesus. "Mary has left me to do all this work by myself," she expostulates (v. 40). "Can you please tell her to help? She won't listen to me!" For her trouble she gets a mild, loving rebuke from the Lord (vs. 41-42). Sometimes it's better to just sit and listen than to get all the trappings right and on time. Mary had found hozhoh.

Let’s try to keep in mind this week to daily prepare ourselves to live in the presence of the Lord, to hear him when he speaks to us through his Word, through the natural world, and through the Holy Spirit communing directly with our hearts. May we all live in harmony, walk in beauty, and know hozhoh.

Randy Jones
"Those who are unprepared say there is no harmony!"

RENEWsletter for July 11, 2010 - 15th Ordinary

2010-07-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hi, all--
What do we have to do to inherit eternal life? Is it like the Twelve labors of Hercules? A dozen tasks so difficult only a super-human could accomplish them? Is it like Atlas who had to hold up the heavens on his shoulders forever? Or maybe it’s more like passing the Bar Exam…? Or getting your driver’s license. Nope. Nothing like any of those. Read on…

The readings for this coming Sunday, the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, are:

Deuteronomy 30.10-14
Psalm 69.14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 11
Colossians 1.15-20
Luke 10.25-37
You can find them on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/071110.shtml.

The First Reading is one I love from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. God's commandments are not too mysterious for us (Deut. 30.11), they're not up in the sky (v. 12), and they're not across the sea (v. 13). They're within our own hearts (v. 14). Ancient mythology often sounds so remote and silly we can’t believe people as smart as the Greeks believed in it. The rituals of Tai Chi, or the claims of Scientology, or even some of the traditions of our own Church may at times make little sense. But the commandment of the Lord -- to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6.5, and Luke 10.27), and to love your neighbor as yourself -- is NOT hard to understand. It may be hard to put into practice, but it certainly isn't hard to understand.

The psalmist expresses the practical side of being close to God in the first Responsorial Psalm option. "Turn to the LORD in your need, and you will live" (Ps. 69.33). God loves us with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength as well! And in the second optional Psalm, expands on the practicality of God’s precepts. They refresh the soul and give wisdom (Ps. 19.8). They make the heart rejoice and enlighten the mind (v. 9). They endure forever and are true and just (v. 10). They are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey (v. 11).

For Paul in the Second Reading, understanding God is possible through his son. Jesus is the spittin' image of God (Col 1.15). When we look at him, we see God! Everything on earth or in heaven, visible or invisible, was created by Jesus, and for Jesus (v. 16). The image of God is therefore right within us as we are part of creation (v. 20). And within our neighbor.

And who is our neighbor? As Luke relates in the Gospel Reading, the one who needs our help is our neighbor (Luke 10.29ff). Our neighbor may not look like us. May not practice our religion. May speak a language we don't understand. But no matter how different from us he or she may appear, it is the image of God we're looking at. God so loved the world, us and our neighbors, that he gave his only son... (John 3.16). How much will we give?

So, as Jesus told the lawyer, “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself, and you will live” (v. 28). Then he said, “Do as the one who treats his fellow man with mercy” (v. 37). And there we have the answer to the question, “What what do we have to do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 25).

Have a good week.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot help say the situation is bad!"

RENEWsletter for July 4, 2010 -14th Ordinary

2010-06-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
The readings for next Sunday speak to me of the Best that is yet to come. This is my mother's motto. It gives one hope for the future. Before we turn to the readings, look up Jeremiah 29:11 -- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Keep this verse in mind.

The readings for this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/070410.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Isaiah 66.10-14c
Psalm 66.1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
Galatians 6.14-18
Luke 10.1-12, 17-20

The First Reading opens with the Jews in exile and Jerusalem almost deserted. It's not a happy place. But Isaiah brings the Word of the Lord which urges rejoicing. "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her. Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!" (Is. 66.12). Jerusalem is a symbol of God's people. In this present day, I see the Church, the Body of Christ, as the Lord's people, and so count myself among those who love "Jerusalem". The message of this passage is that things will get better. The Lord has promised. See v. 13: "As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." The Best is yet to come!

The Responsorial Psalm expresses this confidence that by the Lord's hands, tremendous deeds are done (Ps 66.3, 5). God rules by his might forever (v. 7), past, present, and most importantly, future. The mighty works of God in the past convince us that the Best is yet to come.

The Second Reading is from Paul's letter to the Galatians. The Galatian Christians were mostly Gentiles and were confused by some of the Judahizers' teachings that they must conform to Mosaic Law in order to be saved. Paul refutes this with passion and conviction. Circumcism means nothing, uncircumcision means nothing (Gal. 6.15). Only the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is necessary (v. 14). Now Paul suffered some kind of ailment. In v. 17 he calls it "the marks of Jesus on my body". Yet, back to v. 15 again, the only thing that means anything, is the "new creation" that people become when they put their trust in Jesus. Paul was sustained by his belief that the Best is yet to come.

The Gospel Reading also confirms that for us who follow Jesus, the Best is yet to come. Luke relates how Jesus, in order to reach more people sent out a number of his more dedicated disciples two by two to cover the territory. He endowed them with power to perform miracles. When they returned they were bubbling over with awesome tales of blessings and healings and other miracles. Then Jesus reiterated his promise that nothing would stand in their way or harm them (Luke 10.19), but he also promised something else. Look at v. 20. "Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." You see, even for the most victorious followers of Christ, the very Best is yet to come!

Sometimes we feel stuck in a gloomy room full of spiders, fearful, cowering because of the bad things happening. But if we open the blinds and look out, if we open the door and step out onto the porch, if we walk out into the bright sunlight through the green grass under the blue sky, things look less scary. But you know what? There are more spiders outside than there are inside. It's attitude that makes the difference. Keep looking up. The BEST is yet to come!

Randy Jones
"Those who count the spiders say the future is bad!"

RENEWsletter for June 26, 2010 - 13th Ordinary

2010-06-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Hi, folks--
Well, these readings are a little hard to understand... the First Reading is the story of how two dozen oxen are slaughtered and cooked with the wood of one plow. The Second Reading talks about how we should be careful not to consume each other the way we go on biting and devouring one another? And the Gospel has Jesus uttering some arcane things about dead people burying themselves..

Well, it's in the Bible, so it must be profitable for teaching, or reproof, or admonition, or growth (2 Timothy 3.16)... or maybe all of the above. The Holy Spirit is involved when we read God's word. So let's read prayerfully, asking the Lord to reveal to our spirits what he has for us in these words.

Sunday is the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are available on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/062710.shtml, and in the Bible at:

1 Kings 19.16b, 19-21
Psalm 16.1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Galatians 5.1, 13-18
Luke 9:51-62

The First Reading is the story of the call of Elisha. Elisha is plowing a field with a team of 12 yoke of oxen (1 Kings 19.19). Now that must have been some very hard-packed sod, or Elisha had one humongous plow, because 24 oxen will generate one heck of a lot of power. Elijah the prophet (with a "j"), had been listening to God and he knew that Elisha (with an "sh") was to be his successor (v. 16). When he caught up with Elisha in the field, he didn't say anything. He just threw his cloak over Elisha's shoulders (v. 19 again). Now Elisha knew what that meant. His first response was, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye and I will follow you"; Elijah, enigmatically, says "Forget it! I don't need you!" (v. 20). But wait! Elisha did wind up succeeding Elijah. What gives?

Well, Elisha did more than just kiss his father and mother goodbye. He slaughtered those 24 oxen and cooked them in a fire made from the wood of his plowing equipment (it must have been an industrial-sized plow... and then there were all those yokes too) (v. 21). If the oxen were slaughtered, they wouldn't have to be cared for or fed any more. And if the field remained fallow, the meat of the oxen would sustain Elisha's people. So the delay in following Elijah was not for Elisha's personal benefit... it was for the benefit of those he was to leave behind. This might be significant. Let's read on...

The Responsorial Psalm was written by King David (Ps. 16.1), so it was around when Elisha was called. He could have taken assurance in the words of this song. "Lord, you keep me safe, no matter what happens" (v. 5) "I can sleep at night because you protect me" (vs. 7, 8) The call of the Lord is a call that touches body, soul, and spirit (v. 9). Following that call brings joy in life (v. 11).

The Second Reading talks about how dangerous it is to go on biting and devouring one another (Gal. 5.15). St. Paul has some serious problems with the way those Galatians were treating each other. He had preached freedom to these folks knowing that they were inclined to enslave themselves to one doctrine or another (v. 1). But, oh boy, they learned the lesson a little too well (v. 13). They must have been feeling free to castigate one another, because Paul had to slap them down and remind them that their freedom was not an opportunity to satisfy their fleshly desires and appetites. He instead told them they needed to use their freedom to serve one another (v. 13 again)! He may have been drawing on the philosophy of Plato a little, warning of the dangers involved in the flesh (v. 17). The Holy Spirit of God is to be the Guide for behavior (v. 18).

The Gospel Reading from Luke reports on Jesus uttering some hard sayings to an assortment of people he encountered. First of all, we have the people of a Samaritan village barring him from staying there because he was journeying to Jerusalem (Luke 9. 53). The disciples wondered if they should call down fire from heaven on these Samaritan infidels (v. 54). Jesus's answer, surprisingly, was to move on and let them be (v. 55). He had the freedom to let it go.

Then we have 3 examples of the Call of God. The first one said he was ready to follow Jesus. Jesus warned him that he'd be giving up the comforts of a place to live and spend the rest of his days on the road (vs. 57-58). The second claimed he had some duties to fulfill before he could follow Jesus. Jesus told him essentially that those duties were only important to him. Others could take care of them (vs. 59-60). The third, again, claimed all he needed to do was to say goodbye to his family, and Jesus brought up that plow analogy. If you look back, you're going to plow a crooked furrow (vs. 61-62). These guys all needed to satisfy their own needs before they could follow... unlike Elisha who made sure the people who depended on him were taken care of.

What I get out of all these passages is that it is awful easy to assign too much importance to the everyday duties, possessions, and "necessities" of this world. It is the "yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5.1). But in our freedom, we need to be guided by the commandment to love our neighbor. And to follow God's call to the ends of the Earth!

Mahatma Ghandi once said, "I like your Christ. I don't like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike Christ." I wonder what made him say that?

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot be truly free say the yoke is heavy!"

RENEWsletter for June 20, 2010 - 12th Ordinary

2010-06-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
Next Sunday is Father's Day. I remember my old dad who passed away about this time of year several years ago. So there's some sadness to this day for me, but I know Dad is up there in Heaven, no doubt banging away on the ivories of a celestial piano and jazzing up some old hymns with the angels singing along. So there's some rejoicing too in God's loving plan for us all.

The readings for this Sunday, the Twelfth Sunday of the Numbered Sundays, give an insight into what the fountains of God's love can accomplish. These readings are available at http://www.usccb.org/nab/062010.shtml on the web, and in your Bible at:

Zechariah 12.10-11, 13.1
Psalm 63.2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Galatians 3.26-29
Luke 9.18-24

The First Reading describes a scene of mourning. Zechariah has foreseen a day when the inhabitants of Jerusalem are devastated by the tragedy of their self-inflicted loss. They have pierced one whom they later realize was as a firstborn son to them (Zech. 12.10). The reference to the mourning of Hadadrimmon at Megiddo (v. 11) is obscure. Hadad and Rimmon are two names for the Syrian god of storms, or combined into one word could be the name of the place near Megiddo where King Josiah was killed. Megiddo was a fortified city on the main pass in the Carmel mountain range on the coastal trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Whatever it means, to the Israelites it painted a picture of pitiful, remorseful mourning.

How unbearable it is when we suffer irreparable loss at our own hand! Yet the LORD says he will "pour out... a spirit of grace and petition" (v. 10), grace to accept the loss, and encouragement to petition the LORD for hope and strength to move through it. Not only that, but he supplies "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zech. 13.1). He is eminently capable of turning our "mourning into dancing" (Psalm 30.11).

In the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist thirsts for God the way a parched desert, lifeless and dry, thirsts for water (Ps 63.2). His thirst is quenched: "As with the riches of a banquet, shall my soul be satisfied" (v. 6).

In the Second Reading, Paul speaks of our baptism in Christ which has lifted us up above the differences among us that the world sees and gets hung up on. We are beyond nationality (Jew or Greek), beyond social status (slave or free), beyond gender (male or female) (Gal. 3.28). We are one in Christ as we bathe in the fountain of his saving, cleansing blood, and become heirs of his promise.

The Gospel Reading puts forth a truth I have come to call the "Principle of the Paradox". We have seen in the First Reading how mourning is turned into joy by the fountain of God's grace. In the Psalm, a thirsty soul is watered with rich blessings from the Lord. In the Second Reading, our differences, divisions, and short-comings are washed away in the baptism of Christ. Here we see that the one who wishes to save his life will lose it (Luke 9.24). Jesus warns his disciples not tell anyone that he is the prophesied Messiah... his time hasn't arrived yet. But when it does, he tells them, he will suffer greatly, be rejected, tortured, and killed. Yet, as verse 24 also says, "whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Come the third day after his death, Jesus will rise from the dead triumphant, and the mourning of his disciples will be turned into dancing.

What do we want from life? Mourning? Or dancing? I think dancing beats mourning all to pieces, don't you? But to join this heavenly conga line (with Dad providing the accompaniment!) what does Jesus say? "If anyone wishes to follow me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me" (v.23). It's the Principle of the Paradox in action.

Take up your cross with me this week and watch what fountains of blessing come our way.
--Randy

Randy Jones
"Those who don't think they're thirsty miss the fountains of blessing!"

RENEWsletter for June 13, 2010 - 11th Ordinary

2010-06-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed friends--
Sometimes it's hard to forgive. Especially someone you don't know... and sometimes especially someone you do know! I wonder if anybody ever has had a tough time forgiving me. Just what is forgiveness, anyway? Well, the readings for this Sunday look into some of the answers to that question.

This week we return to Ordinary Time. It's been awhile since we had any "ordinary" times, but it doesn't mean "unremarkable" time. "Ordinary" comes from "ordinal" which means "numbered". This Sunday is the Eleventh Sunday in Numbered Sundays Time, and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/061310.shtml, and in your Bible at:

2 Samuel 12.7-10, 13
Psalm 32.1-2, 5, 7, 11
Galatians 2.16, 19-21
Luke 7.36 -- 8.3

Nathan, of the First Reading, was King David's main man in the Prophecy Department of his government, but Nathan was not a yes-man. He had some hard words for his boss. "Why have you spurned the LORD and done evil in his sight?" (2 Sam 12.9). David had become enamored with Bathsheba, but she was married. He committed adultery with her and she became pregnant (see 2 Sam 11.4). In desperation, when all other plans to cover up this intrigue failed, David arranged to have Uriah killed in a battle with the Ammonites (v. 9 again). What could have made David do such a thing? I don't know. What made Goering do what he did in WW II? What made Lt. Calley do what he did at My Lai? What made Spec. Graner and his girlfriend PFC England do what they did at Abu Ghraib? What made me let my brother take the rap for an act of vandalism that I committed? Our human, sinful nature, that's what (see Isaiah 64.6). But our same human nature allows us to repent. Repentance on our part brings forgiveness from God (v. 13).

It could have been right after this that David wrote our Responsorial Psalm. "Happy is the sinner whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven!" (Ps. 32.1). Repentance is what triggers this forgiveness. See verse 5. David confessed his faults to the LORD, and the LORD took away his guilt. You know, that's a good definition of forgiveness: removal of guilt. Forgiven means no longer guilty.

Our brother Paul, in the Second Reading, was raised a Jew, so he knew about the requirements of the Law of God. But being a Pharisee by education, he also knew that a person cannot be justified by keeping the Law (Gal 2.16). God forgives transgressions of the Law, yet not without a price. That's why God sent his Son: to pay the price. According to the Law, says Paul, we must die... be crucified, as it were, with Christ (v. 19). But still we live because Christ lives in us. He lives in us because he loves us (v. 20). So there we have another bit of information about forgiveness: it comes through love on the part of the forgiver.

Now we come to the Gospel Reading where Luke relates an object lesson Jesus had for the Pharisees. Jesus had been invited to dinner at Simon the Pharisee's house and Jesus came (Luke 7.36). So did one of the street women. How did she get in? Had she been there before? Perhaps as entertainment at other parties? Anyway, Simon knew who she was and assumed Jesus didn't (v. 39) This woman had brought some perfumed ointment, and, moved to tears by her encounter with Jesus, anointed his feet (vs. 37-38). Jesus knew what Simon was thinking and told a little story. Two debtors, one owing 50 days' pay, the other 10 times as much, had their debts forgiven. Which, asked Jesus, do you think would be more grateful? (vs. 40-42). Simon got it right. "The one who got the larger debt forgiven, I guess" (v. 43). This woman had had a much larger debt of sin forgiven than Simon... it was obvious by the way she treated Jesus compared to what Simon provided (vs. 44-46).

So here we have another piece to the puzzle of forgiveness: It produces love and gratitude on the part of the sinner (v. 47).

God has shown us how to forgive by demonstrating for us. Repentance is the acknowledgment that we need forgiveness. God's love for us provides it. Freed of guilt and sin, we respond with love.

Let's see if we can be more like that tearful, forgiven woman than smug Simon in our encounters with people this week.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot say those guys have it coming!"

RENEWsletter for June 6, 2010 - Body & Blood

2010-05-31T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear friends of renewal--
Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. There are several references to this guy named Melchizadek in the Bible. Who was Melchizadek? What was significant about him? Why do both the Old and New Testaments refer to him? Well, we'll see if we can discover the answers to these questions.

The readings for this most holy Sunday are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/060610.shtml and in your Bible at:

Genesis 14.18-20
Psalm 110.1, 2, 3, 4
1 Corinthians 11.23-26
Luke 9.11b-17

The First Reading is the earliest mention of a priest-king called Melchizadek. He was the spiritual and political leader of a city called Salem (Gen. 14.18). This town is generally identified with Jerusalem. Abram had just defeated the king and allies of Elam, and Melchizadek made of big deal of this. "Blessed be Abram by God Most High... who delivered your foes into your hand," he said (vs. 19-20). The noteworthy thing about Melchizadek was that he was both priest and king. He had political power over his subjects' physical and social well-being, and he had power to lead their spirits and souls to well-being too, yet not through the line of Aaron. His priesthood came directly from God. He served bread and wine to Abram and his people (v. 18 again). Bread and wine. That sounds familiar. Abram responded by giving him 10% of everything he had. Abram knew the value of being blessed by God which is far beyond the value of a meal of bread and wine.

The Responsorial Psalm is one of the most important messianic Psalms. It is uniformly regarded as a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ. "The LORD [God] said to my Lord [Jesus]..." (Ps. 110.1). Jesus will wield political power: "Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool" (v. 1 again), plus he has his priesthood directly from God: "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizadek" (v. 4).

The Second Reading recounts the Last Supper. Jesus took bread and wine, and said plainly that the bread was his body, and that the cup of wine was his blood (1 Cor. 11.23, 25). Bread and wine. Body and blood. King and Priest? Does that follow? Yes, it does! The bread part is straight forward. Bread nourishes the body. The one who controls the bread, controls the physical well-being of the body. But what about the other part, the wine/blood? Let's look for a moment at Leviticus 17.11: "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." One can imagine that in those ancient times before people had all the scientific knowledge of the structure and function of blood, that they thought of it as some mystical force that kept the body alive. Drain the blood out of a lamb, and the lamb died. Blood had a spiritual quality. When it left a body, so did the life. The body remained behind, but quite dead.

Carrying this thought forward into the Gospel Reading, we find that Christ controlled the bread, and thereby controlled the physical well-being of the crowds that had followed him into the desert (Luke 9.16). Christ the King of bread, created bread for 5000+ hungry mouths and took care of them. And why did these folks follow this itinerant preacher out into the desert without bringing enough food along to take care of their own hunger? Because Christ the Priest controlled the "blood," the thing they found necessary for their spirits (v. 11). As much as their bodies needed bread, their spirits needed the spiritual blood of Christ.

There are several passages in Hebrews, chapters 5 to 7, that refer to Jesus's priesthood being of the "order of Melchizedek" as opposed to Levitical in nature. There were many Levitical priests "because they were prevented by death from remaining in office" (Heb. 7.23). But Christ is a Priest of the order of Melchizedek, not the Levitical order, and "because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away" (Heb. 7.24).

When we partake of the Eucharist, we partake of Christ himself, our King who protects us physically, and our Priest who protects us spiritually. Let's remind ourselves this week when enemies arise, and fears threaten our peace, that we have a Priest-King who reigns and serves forever, after the order of Melchizadek!

Randy Jones
"Those who know not the Priest-King say life is scary and death is scarier!"

RENEWsletter for May 30, 2010 - Holy Trinity

2010-05-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed folks--
Have you ever put something together that delighted you when you saw the result? When you've spent energy and diligence to produce something -- as mundane as a clean kitchen, or as esoteric as a beautiful painting -- have you stepped back and smiled at your own handiwork? Well, that's they way God felt when he got done creating the earth and its inhabitants, as we'll see in Sunday's readings.

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The readings deal with all three persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they can be accessed on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/053010.shtml, or in your Bible in:

Proverbs 8.22-31
Psalm 8.4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (with v. 2a)
Romans 5.1-5
John 16.12-15

Our First Reading examines the origin and nature of God's wisdom. It appears that God had wisdom long before any of his creation existed (Prov. 8.22-26). Here's where the phrase "old as the hills" has some meaning. In fact, wisdom is older than the hills! In wisdom, the heavens were established (v. 27). In wisdom, the foundations of the earth were stabilized (v. 28). In wisdom the extent of the seas was mapped out (v. 29). Then God created people in wisdom, and he stepped back and beheld what he had put together... and found delight in us! (v. 31). This is God, our Father.

When we contemplate these truths, we can sing this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm. "When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place..." (Psalm 8.4). These days, in the heart of urban areas where most of us live, it's hard to behold the heavens. But a man named John Dobson invented a simple, inexpensive telescope mount and became known around San Francisco as "The Sidewalk Astronomer". He pointed his telescope at the Moon and other bright objects visible between the streetlights and the neon signs on the buildings and invited people to look. They were amazed. And we are amazed when we think that God is mindful of us and cares for us (v. 5)! Not only that but he has "crowned us with glory and honor" (v. 6), and given his creation to us to rule and care for (v. 7)! "How wonderful is your name in all the earth!" (v. 2).

The Second Reading shows how comprehensive the work of Jesus Christ was and is. By faith we have peace through him (Rom. 5.1). Through his grace, we have hope (v. 2). And all this happens because the love of God has been poured into our hearts (v. 5). Even in affliction we have joy because of a chain of results, naturally following one another: affliction produces endurance; endurance produces character; character results in hope; and hope never disappoints. (vs. 3-5). This is God the Son, our Brother.

The Gospel Reading reveals how all this comes about. Slowly, the Holy Spirit feeds us truth, a little at a time, at a pace we can handle (John 16.12). We grow, we learn, and eventually we possess the Truth (v. 13)! As we learn the Truth it becomes clear what glory and praise and honor is due the Lord. And now we're back full circle to Wisdom. This is what we receive from the Holy Spirit. This is God, the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter.

The fingerprints of God are everywhere. On the trees that grow from the ground. On the clouds that form and float in the sky. On the waves that roll across the ocean. And on us. Those fingerprints show the love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for us, the work of his fingers.

Randy Jones
"Those who reject the Trinity have to do everything themselves!"

RENEWsletter for May 23, 2010 - Pentecost

2010-05-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Good morning folks--
This coming Sunday is an important one in the church liturgical year: Pentecost. Literally, its meaning leaves much to be added, since "fiftieth day" is a little vague. But what happened during those 50 days after the Lord's resurrection, fills history and our lives today with meaning beyond words. It's the time God made a gift of his Holy Spirit to those original disciples. But he didn't stop there, and as a matter of fact, he didn't even begin there. God has been gifting his people with his Spirit throughout history, and he continues to do so today, and will in the future.

The readings for this Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/052310.shtml and in your Bible in:

Acts 2.1-11
Psalm 104.1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 (or Romans 8.8-17)
John 20.19-23 (or John 14.15-6, 23b-26)

The First Reading is Luke's description of the actual event. The disciples, including the Blessed Mother, were gathered in their usual place, the "upper room" where Jesus appeared twice after his resurrection (Acts 2.1). They may have been half expecting, hoping, Jesus would appear again. I imagine there was the usual low din of conversation. These folks knew each other well and there were exciting things to discuss. The main topic was probably the recent Ascension which they witnessed, and the angels that visited them reminding them of Jesus's promise to send a "Comforter" (see John 14.16, 26). When would this happen? Were they impatient? Wondering? Anticipating? Well, they didn't have much longer to wait because on that day, suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of a strong driving wind and tongues of fire coursed into the chamber and touched, enveloped each one of them (v. 3). Then it all became clear. This was what they had been waiting for. They were filled with a passion to let people know about the Love of God and how fulfilling and thrilling and wonderful it was. They went out and began celebrating and inviting whomever they found to join in the ecstasy of knowing the love of the risen Lord (v. 4).

No doubt this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm was on their lips, bubbling forth in joy and gladness. "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!" (Ps. 104.1). The Lord had sent out his Spirit to renew the face of the earth (v. 30).

The Second Reading expands on the richness this gift of the Holy Spirit imparts. Paul explains how each member of the body of Christ receives a slightly different gift than his brother or sister in Christ (1 Cor. 12.4-6). Yet all these varied gifts fit together in God's divine plan to cover all the bases (v. 7). Some may wonder if there is a difference between a gift of the Spirit and natural talent or ability. The way I look at it, the Holy Spirit "activates" any natural gifts we may have been born with. I recall the time I applied for a new credit card. When the card came it was still useless, because it hadn't been "activated". I called the 800 number, identified myself and voila! the card was suddenly valid. In spiritual terms that volitional act of calling to activate our credit card is represented by our being filled with the Holy Spirit which results in our loving each other and our neighbor. The Holy Spirit continually bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (see Romans 8.16).

How can we truly, selflessly love people? Even an activated, valid credit card is dormant until we use it. Maybe it's not so hard to love those who love us, but loving our enemies is a little trickier. The Gospel Reading gives a clue to the answer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, peace settles in and resides in us. Peace is the absence of fear, and without fear, we can love our enemies, present ourselves defenseless before them, reach out to them and embrace them. This may seem foolish in the eyes of the world, but we are told that the wisdom of God often appears foolish to those who lack that "peace that passes all understanding" (see 1 Corinthians 1.23, Philippians 4.7). And it is Christ himself who breathes that peace into our souls (John 20.19). Not only that -- again let me utilize the credit card analogy -- while a credit card has an expiration date, and requires renewal periodically, look at John 14.26. Jesus says, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

So it is the Spirit who bestows gifts, activates them, and renews them continually for us as we in love present ourselves as available resources to radiate the love of God to all around us. Activate or renew your gift today and put it to work this week.

Randy Jones
"Those who do not use their gifts may discover they've expired!"

RENEWsletter for May 16, 2010 - Ascension of the Lord (7th Easter)

2010-05-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed friends in Christ--
This Sunday, here in the western US, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Elsewhere it's the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Since I am writing from California, we'll go with the flow and do the Ascension.

The thing that is significant about Christ's ascension is that by it, and the eyewitness accounts of it, we know that Jesus is alive and at work at God's right hand. Now, while Luke wasn't an eyewitness himself, in researching his two books, The Gospel of Luke and its sequel The Acts of the Apostles, he interviewed eyewitnesses. That's why these two books are included in the Canon. Their content was authentic and verifiable.

The readings for Ascension Sunday are the same every year. You can find them on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/051610a.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Acts 1.1-11
Psalm 47.2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Ephesians 1.17-23 or Hebrews 9.24-28 & 10.19-23
Luke 24.46-53

In case you're interested, the Seventh Sunday of Easter Readings are at http://www.usccb.org/nab/051610b.shtml, i.e. Acts 7.55-60; Psalm 97.1-2, 6-7, 9; Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20; John 17.20-26.

The First Reading from Acts is a summary of the actions of Jesus after his resurrection and his promise that the Holy Spirit would be coming soon (Acts 1.1-5). Then follows an account of the Ascension itself (v. 9). Have you ever seen a shuttle launch (or a Mercury, or Gemini, or Apollo launch) in real life? Do you remember watching the launch vehicle get smaller and smaller (and quieter and quieter) as it rose into the clear blue sky and out of sight? How long did it take you gazing at the vast blue expanse to realize you couldn't see anything anymore? Well that's what happened to the Apostles when Jesus's "launch" took place. They watched him rise until they couldn't see him anymore (v. 10). Then those two guys in white robes drug them back to earth and the business at hand. "How come you guys are craning your necks at the sky? He's on his way to the right hand of the Father, but he'll be coming back the same way he left" (v. 11).

The Responsorial Psalm is a song about this "right hand of the Father" stuff. "God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy and a blare of trumpets!" (Ps. 47.6). From that command position God rules. "God is king of all the earth. God reigns over the nations" (vs. 8, 9). We rejoice with the psalmist that God is in control!

The two Second Readings not only reiterate the announcement of the two angels at the Ascension... that Jesus will be coming back to bring salvation to all who eagerly await him (Heb. 9.28)... but also that he is at work in the interim ruling over all the principalities, authorities, powers, and dominions of this world (Eph. 1.21). We therefore have the hope and assurance, not only that we will join him, but also that we will be washed clean. Clean. Sin gone. Doubts gone. Tears gone. As the Jefferson Airplane put it in a song titled "Starship": "A million pounds gone from your heavy mass, all the years gone from your age." I'm looking forward to that!

The Gospel Reading, from Volume I of Dr. Luke's 2-volume work, also describes the Ascension, but in less detail. The emphasis here is on what Jesus said to his disciples before he departed. "You will be clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24.49). He promised them (and us) that the Holy Spirit was coming. The Holy Spirit clothes us with power. While Jesus was on Earth, leading and teaching (and healing) his followers, he was definitely in the driver's seat. They were more or less passengers in that powerful movement.

But now he was leaving the reins of the new church in their (and our) hands. Sometimes the going takes us through the fog or the darkness, but with the Holy Spirit guiding, we'll be okay. The Navigator knows the way and if we don't try to wander off on our own, the trip will be exhilarating. And the destination beyond our wildest dreams.

There's a painting by Warner Sallman called "Christ the Pilot" showing a young man at the helm of a ship. Storm clouds roil in the sky above him. And behind him, with a hand his shoulder, stands Christ, pointing the way. Let the Pilot guide you this week and see where he takes you!

Randy Jones
"Those who do not ask for directions may get lost!"

RENEWsletter for May 9, 2010 - 6th Easter

2010-05-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings Renewers!
A little over a year ago we elected a President who promised Change. And then there's Mother Earth. Her surface undergoes change through earthquakes and volcanoes. And the volcanoes and other factors change her atmosphere. And people... people change too. Well, speaking of change...

Our readings for this Sunday talk of change. Nothing is so sure as change! as many a wise person has noted. Time passes. The earth shifts, mountains are built and then worn down. Stars blaze and eventually burn out. People are born and die. Some things change faster than others. Religious practices also change, sometimes very slowly, but sometimes more quickly, as we can see in the readings for Sunday.

Those readings, for this Sixth Sunday of Easter, can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/050910.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Acts 15.1-2, 22-29
Psalm 67.2-3, 5, 6, 8 (with v. 4 as the response)
Revelation 21.10-14, 22-23
John 14.23-29

The First Reading tells of the results of a council that might be called "Jerusalem I" (recorded in the skipped part, Acts 15.3-21). The issue at stake was circumcision. Gentiles had begun to embrace faith in Jesus and some of the higher-ups at Jerusalem and Antioch were anxious to have the men circumcised according to the Law of Moses. But after "Jerusalem I", that practice was deemed unnecessary because God had already filled uncircumcised Gentiles with his Holy Spirit. Thus the requirements were pared down to just: "abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage" (v. 29). The Gentiles were, of course, delighted to hear this (v. 31... outside the bounds of the reading).

The Responsorial Psalm could easily have been heard being sung by these happy Gentile Christians on reading the letter from the elders at Jerusalem. "O God, let all the nations praise you!" (Ps. 67.4) For some in the growing 1st Century Church, change was happening rapidly... but when they heard this psalm, they would realize that God has been God of the Gentiles for a long, long time (v. 8).

Change in a big way is what John is describing in the Second Reading. The New Jerusalem gleams with the splendor of God himself... the entire city shown like a precious stone (Rev. 21.11). And, guess what! No temple (v. 22)! Jerusalem without a temple?? No need for one anymore as God himself was there, in person. No need anymore for a sun or a moon either (v. 23). The glory of God lit it. That will be a change that will take some adjusting to.

The Gospel Reading describes another change, one that has already taken place for us. But the disciples who were following Jesus hadn't experienced it yet. Their beloved Teacher, Jesus, was talking about leaving them. But he promised an "Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send..." (John 14.26). He told them this "before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe" (v. 29). They believed, but didn't really understand what kind of change this would be.

We often view approaching change with trepidation. But change must occur if we are to avoid stagnation. (And even in stagnation, change comes about... putrefaction and death.) Now some change is pleasant, some is not, but change creates new outlooks, new experiences, new knowledge, new wisdom. And each minute that ticks by brings us closer to that New Jerusalem where we will bask in the love and glory of God with us. This is the peace that Jesus left with us (John 14.27).

And after that? Hmmm. You're free to speculate on what other changes may take place.

Randy Jones
"Those who hang onto the status quo will be disappointed!"

RENEWsletter for May 2, 2010 - 5th Easter

2010-04-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
I was using my laptop at work which I had plugged into its AC adapter and was computing merrily away when all of a sudden a window popped up telling me I should switch to AC power, or save my work and shut down because the battery was critically low. But... but... I thought I was on AC power already! I'd plugged the line into the back of the computer. Oh wait! The other end of that cable was not plugged into the wall. Once I got that corrected, the warning window went away and my computer was happy again. With a renewed power source to feed it, there was no danger of losing work.

Faith sharing groups, Bible studies, daily or weekly mass... these are all ways to recharge our batteries. I look forward to worshiping with my friends each week, and "plugging in" to that heavenly power supply. It is definitely a time of renewal for my spirit.

This Sunday's readings, coincidentally enough, are about that very concept: Renewal. Those readings, for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/050210.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Acts 14.21-27
Psalm 145.8-9, 10-11, 12-13 (with v. 1 for the response)
Revelation 21.1-5a
John 13.31-33a, 34-35

We pick up, in the First Reading, with Paul and Barnabus as they complete their First Missionary Journey. They had just left Derbe and made their way back through the cities where they had so recently started churches: Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in present-day Turkey (not yet to the Antioch in present-day Syria where they began this mission trip) (Acts 14.21). "They strengthened the spirits of the disciples" (v. 22) in each new church. This included Lystra where Paul had been stoned (mentioned in the earlier part of chapter 14) and left for dead! The new Christians were renewed in their faith by Paul's return and he told them "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (v. 22 again). Eventually they made their way back across the sea to the Syrian Antioch and reported to the disciples there on all the churches they had set up (v. 27) with their own local religious leaders along their route (v. 23). The official reading doesn't include verse 28, but there's where the missionaries' renewing takes place. They spent "no little time" with the disciples.

I can just hear Paul and Barnabus, as they walked along those Roman roads, singing this Sunday's Psalm... "I will praise your name forever, my king and my God" (Ps. 145.1), "and your dominion endures through all generations" (v. 13). The unending praise and the eternal dominion go on and on -- they are a source of constant renewal.

In the Second Reading we find that even the earth and sky will be renewed (Rev. 21.1). A loud voice proclaims "God's dwelling is with the human race... and God himself will always be with them" (v. 3). Then the One who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new" (v. 5). In that glorious time, nothing will get old, bones and cartilage will never wear out, boredom will never set in, and we will never again need recharging.

But what about enduring until that time? The Gospel Reading shows us how. Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment: love one another... as I have loved you" (John 13.34). Love endures. Love abides. Love forgives. Love constantly renews our spirits. With this kind of everlasting love in our hearts, we look strange to those about us who don't know Christ. And in fact, this is how they recognize us as disciples of Christ... by our love (v. 35).

This week why don't we leave our AC adapters (our "Alleluia Chorus" adapters?) plugged in. Plugged into the love of God among each other. That way we'll be constantly renewed and never have to run on batteries.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot love say their battery is dead!"

RENEWsletter for April 25, 2010 - 4th Easter

2010-04-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Renewal--
This Sunday's readings are about sheep. Generally we don't like to be likened to sheep. Sheep are stupid, sheep can't find their own way, sheep are easy prey to wolves, sheep don't even realize what's going on when they are led to slaughter. Yet in the grand view of God's Universe, all we, like sheep, have gone astray (Isaiah 53.6).

The readings for this the Fourth Sunday of Easter can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042510.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Acts 13.14, 43-52
Psalm 100.1-2, 3, 5
Revelation 7.9, 14b-17
John 10.27-30

The First Reading describes a scene like winter feeding time at a sheep ranch in Montana. Grazing is not an option during the cold months. The sheep need to be fed to stay alive. Sheep may be stupid, but they come as one when the food arrives. Paul and Barnabus arrived at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13.14) and were invited to speak in the synagogue on their first Sabbath there. Paul got up and made a beautifully logical case for Christianity being the natural follower of Judaism (the part left out, vs. 16-42, is this first recorded speech of Paul's). The synagogue officials invited him back to speak again next Sabbath.

Then word of his talk spread that week and next Sabbath almost the whole city turned out to hear him again (v. 44). The people, especially the Gentile visitors, were delighted to hear his good news of salvation. But the synagogue officials now saw it getting out of hand (v. 45). I bet they wished they had never asked Paul to talk in the first place! They didn't know a card-carrying Pharisee, which Paul was, would turn out to be such a radical! They gathered some cronies and ran him and his buddy Barnabus out of town (v. 50)!

But those synagogue officials should have read this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm! "Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands!" (Ps. 100.1). I take that to mean Gentile lands too. We are his people, the sheep of his flock (v. 3).

The Second Reading is another from John's Revelation. Here too, the emphasis is on diversity: "I had a vision of a great multitude... from every nation, race, people, and tongue" (Rev. 7.9). More folks than just Jews stood before the Lamb singing praises...

You know, when you think about it, the best kind of leader is one who can relate to what his or her followers go through. And here John describes our Shepherd as the Lamb who was slain, the One in whose blood we have washed our robes and made them white (v. 14). Jesus is the best Shepherd we could have because he's been a sheep himself. Led to the slaughter, he behaved just like a sheep, making not a move to resist. With Jesus as our Shepherd, we have nothing to fear. Not even death. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. He will shepherd us and lead us to springs of life-giving water, and he will wipe away all our tears (v. 17).

The Gospel Reading is short and sweet. The promises, for us sheep, in this short passage have eternal significance. "...they shall never perish" (John 10.28). "...no one can take them out of the Father's hand" (v. 29). There can be no wolf in our future.

Let us remember Psalm 23 this week: The LORD is our Shepherd. We lack nothing. We rest in his green pastures. He leads us to tranquil waters. He restores our souls.

May the Good Shepherd restore our souls this week.
--Randy

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot hear the shepherd's voice fear the wolves!"

RENEWsletter for April 18, 2010 - 3rd Easter

2010-04-12T06:24:00.001-07:00

Dear Renewers--
This is a unique time of year. It is the only season of the church year when we read about things Jesus did on this planet after he rose from the dead.

The readings this week for the Third Sunday in Easter are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/041810.shtml, and in your Bible in:
Acts 5.27-32, 40b-41
Psalm 30.2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Revelation 5.11-14
John 21.1-19

We should take the story in the Gospel Reading first because chronologically it sets the stage for the reading from Acts. The Psalm fits neatly in there next. Then, while we may think of Revelation as coming last, this passage really shows what's going on constantly in heaven from the beginning of time. And it will still be going on when we get there. We won't miss a thing.

The Gospel Reading is another account of the resurrected Jesus revealing himself to the disciples. They don't recognize him right away (John 21.4). But that thing with the fish filling the nets after a night of no bites was a dead give-away (v. 6). Peter jumps out of the boat and splashes to shore (v. 7). I wonder if he thought he was going to run on top of the water. He didn't. He sank. But this time he was tall enough to reach the bottom. When the rest drew the boat in to shore, Jesus fed them with bread and fish he had cooked (vs. 12-13).

When breakfast as over, Jesus force-fed Peter with some spiritual food. "Do you love me?" he asked three times. If you love Jesus you will tell others about him. You will "feed his sheep" (vs. 15-17).

The story in the First Reading shows us that Peter did finally get it. (Read clear through verses 27-41... the part left out is really interesting!) He and his comrades were hauled up on charges of preaching in the name of an enemy of the synagogue, of pointing out that the rulers of the synagogue were responsible for getting him executed, and of general rabble-rousing (Acts 5.27-28). But if you read the section that is left out, you find that the Sanhedrin decide to let them go in hopes that it will die out the way the other rabble-rousers and zealous self-appointed Messiahs faded away before them. "If it is of men, it will come to nothing. And if it is of God, we don't want to be caught opposing God, now, do we?" (Acts 5:38, 39).

So Peter and the rest were let go, after a flogging, but I can just see them leaving that place laughing and leaping and clapping each other on the back ("Ouch! Got flogged there!" "Oh, sorry!"), rejoicing that they got to suffer some dishonor like Jesus their Lord had (vs. 40, 41).

This is a good spot to look at the Responsorial Psalm. Those guys had just been rescued from the Sanhedrin and one of them may have started singing, "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me!" (Ps. 30.2). The Lord had drawn them clear of danger and did not let their enemies rejoice over them (v. 2 still). Any mourning they had been doing was now changed into dancing (v. 11).

Well, guess what. The teaching the Sanhedrin wanted to stop wasn't of men at all. It was indeed of God. It didn't die out. And all the time, as the Second Reading tells us, countless numbers of angels and living creatures and elders, in fact the entire Universe, were crying out in loud voices, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! Worthy is he to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (Rev. 5.11-13).

You think it gets noisy at a Sharks hockey game when the arena (the "Tank") is filled with screaming fans? Especially during the playoffs! But you should hear the Heavenly Host!

Listen for them this week, praising and glorifying the Lamb who was slain and who is seated at the right hand of God himself! It'll make this week truly great.

Randy Jones
"Those who hear not the angels think the believers mad!"

RENEWsletter for April 11, 2010 - 2nd Easter

2010-04-05T05:37:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends of Renewal,
The Scriptures for Sunday jump all over the centuries from the evening of Resurrection Day to hundreds of years before when the Psalmist predicts a promotion, to the first few weeks after the Ascension of Jesus, to late in the First Century with a story about a time that is yet in our future.

The readings for this coming Second Sunday of the Easter Season can be found on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/041110.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Acts 5.12-16
Psalm 118.2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (with v. 1)
Revelation 1.9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
John 20.19-31

I'm going to take these readings in chronological order this time and start with the Responsorial Psalm. Look at Ps. 118.22. "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." Science fiction writers have speculated what would happen if a rocket ship were swallowed up by a black hole. A black hole is a super-dense star whose gravity is so strong that not even light can escape and everything that falls into it is crushed into a very tiny space. But writers suggest that the object will emerge somewhere else in the Universe at a "white hole". There is no evidence for the existence of these white holes, but the idea illustrates what I like to call "the Principle of the Paradox". This is a concept that occurs in the Bible when something that happens is exactly the opposite of what one would expect. (For example, Luke 9.24. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.") Jesus was aware of this Psalm and knew that though he was to be crucified, God would raise him from the dead and make him a "cornerstone" of faith for millennia to come. For "his mercy endures forever!" (vs. 2-4).

Next we come to the time of the Gospel Reading. Jesus had been crucified the Friday before. It was Sunday now, and only some women had seen him. But now he showed up at the place where the frightened disciples were holed up. The doors were locked, and the disciples were worried about what to do next when they suddenly realized Jesus was standing there (John 20.19). Their joy was overwhelming (v. 20). At first they must have thought things would return to the way they were before that trouble with the Sanhedrin. But Jesus had news for them. "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you," he said (v. 21). Peace? With the chief priests out there getting people crucified? Send us? But we're all stones the builders have rejected.... Surely thoughts like that were going through their heads. But then Jesus breathed on them and the Holy Spirit entered them (v. 22). Suddenly the Principle of the Paradox made perfect sense. They were to become cornerstones.

The First Reading is next chronologically. Peter indeed has become a cornerstone of faith in the risen Lord. This scene takes place after Christ has ascended to heaven and there is no more physical evidence of his material existence. But the work of Jesus -- healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead -- continued to be carried out by the apostles (Acts 5.12). And great numbers of people, all without Doubting Thomas's hang up about "seeing's believing", came to a belief that the risen, no longer visible Lord Jesus was the healer of souls (v. 14).

Lastly we come to the Second Reading from Revelation. This was possibly written by the same John who wrote the Gospel. He was marooned on an island called Patmos and it was there that he received the visions and inspiration to write the Book of Revelation (Rev 1.9). Jesus appears to him in human form (v. 13), yet not merely human. Jesus is no longer riding the stream of time. He is in his eternal body and has access to all times, first and last, past, present and future (see vs. 17, 18). His command to John is to write about all the things that have happened, are happening at that time, and that will happen (v. 19). And he, Jesus, was just the one to show him all those things.

We humans walk through our lives one minute, hour, day at a time. We remember the past with nostalgia or regret, we notice what's happening around us in real time and smile or frown, and we look forward to or dread the future. But our Savior doesn't walk through time. He was around before the creation of the Universe, he'll be around long after the Universe is finished, and he's around today, now, this very second. He is in control and he says to us, as he said to John who was scared to half to death on that island, "Don't be afraid..." (Rev 1.17).

As we work through our lives day by day, we need not be afraid. Our Friend and Brother, our Savior Jesus Christ, is there beside us to turn disaster into blessing, mourning into dancing, and fear into peace. He truly is risen!

Randy Jones
"Those who give up too soon miss the chance to become a cornerstone!"

RENEWsletter for April 4, 2010 - Easter

2010-03-29T06:22:00.001-07:00

Dear risen people--
This Sunday is a special one... like I really need to tell you! This Sunday we celebrate Christ's rising from the dead, the one event that will make it possible for us too to rise from the dead, as the Scriptures tell us.

The readings for this Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord, can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040410.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Acts 10.34a, 37-43
Psalm 118.1-2, 16-17, 22-23, 24
Colossians 3.1-4 - or - 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8
John 20.1-9

One thing we have seen about St. Peter... the first disciple that Jesus recruited... is that he was bold, brash, and impulsive. He was also an excellent extemporaneous speaker as the First Reading shows. A Roman Centurion, Cornelius, commander of a cohort of Roman soldiers (300 to 600 men), was interested in Christianity and had been praying. God led him to send for Peter. There was a crowd of people there when Peter arrived and Cornelius, in typical military commander fashion, said, "Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord." Never at a loss for words, Peter went for it (Acts 10.34). He told the old, old story: Jesus went about doing good, healing, and forgiving (v. 38). Then he was arrested and executed (v. 39). But he rose from the dead (v. 40). Peter and his friends were eye witnesses of this and ate and drank with him after the resurrection (v. 41). Peter declared that, "he commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that... everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins!" (vs. 42, 43).

The Psalmist, too, is pumped and breaks out into spontaneous song. "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad!" (Ps. 118.24). Something really good had just happened and the psalmist was overcome with joy (v. 16). Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever opened a letter (or an email) from a friend or relative and received such happy news that you burst into song? Oh! happy day! That's what this Sunday is... a happy, happy day (v. 23)!

Paul, in the first of the Second Readings, explains that once we are raised with Christ, the conditions change. No longer are we occupied with mundane, worldly things. We have died! And our life is now folded into Christ's (Col. 3:3). In the other Second Reading, he talks some more to that "folded in" idea. When someone is making bread, the yeast needs to be folded into the lump so it leavens the whole batch. That's what sin does to our lives. But once we have new life in Christ, we are like a fresh batch of dough. The old yeast of malice and wickedness is gone are we are like the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8).

The Gospel Reading brings us back to impulsive Peter. Mary Magdalene had gone to Jesus's tomb before dawn that morning with spices and oils to anoint the body of Jesus (John 20.1). Happily she noticed that the grave was open. But, oh my God! the body was gone! She ran back to where the disciples were holed up, woke Peter and told him (v. 2). Peter took off at once, but was outrun by "the other disciple" (v. 4). Although the other disciple got there first, he didn't go in (v. 5). Peter, however, didn't hesitate. He pushed past and went right in (v. 6).

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, it is said. Has that ever happened to you? Sometimes it turns out bad, but other times, when the Holy Spirit moves, we respond before we have time to listen to our doubts. What's your habit? Do the things you know about God pop out spontaneously like Peter? I was on the phone one day at work with a tech support guy who was located in India. When we found the problem, he burst out with "Praise God!" Knowing he was Indian, I asked what religion he embraced. "I'm a Christian," he said. Because that man had rushed in, foolishly some would say, and uttered a "Praise God", we each found a brother in Christ.... halfway around the world!

This week, let your joy in the resurrection fill you and overflow. Who knows what potential blessing you have for someone nearby?

Randy Jones
"Those who fear to tread say only fools do that!"

RENEWsletter for March 28, 2010 - Palm Sunday

2010-03-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed people--
Next Sunday we commemorate the Lord's Passion. "Passion" these days means something like "ardor" or "wild enthusiasm", but the word comes from the Latin where its roots are in passus which means "suffering". So... next Sunday we commemorate the Lord's Suffering.

You can find the readings for this coming Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/032810a.shtml, or find them in your Bible in:

Isaiah 50.4-7
Psalm 22.8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2.6-11
Luke 22.14 -- 23.56

If you want to experience the entire last week of Jesus's life on earth before his death, start with Luke 19.28. Verses 28-40 are actually the Processional Reading and take us through Jesus's triumphal march into Jerusalem. Each year the Processional and Gospel Readings come from a different Gospel: Matthew in Year A, Mark or John in Year B, and Luke in Year C, this year. But the First and Second Readings and the Psalm are always the same.

The First Reading from Isaiah is the core of the Suffering Servant passage. It describes what Jesus went through during his last 12 hours before his death. If you've seen the movie The Passion of the Christ of a few years ago, this passage will invoke vivid mental images of the original meaning of "passion". "I gave my back to those who beat me" and "my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting" (Is. 50.6). Jesus was obedient to the Plan. He had to go through this if he was to fulfill the plan of Salvation. So he set his face like flint and he was not disgraced (v. 7).

In the Responsorial Psalm, David sings of the Passion as well. "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Ps. 22.2). Jesus uttered these words as he hung dying on that Roman instrument of torture and death. Those watching sneer, "He relied on the LORD; let Him deliver him" (v. 9). Ever wonder why those people, who thronged around Jesus and sang his praises as he entered Jerusalem triumphantly, turned against him? Maybe they thought they'd been tricked. If Jesus were so close to God the Father, why could he not save himself? Why didn't he overthrow the Romans and give Israel back to the Jews?

The Second Reading has the explanation. Jesus chose not to save himself! Phil. 2.8 says, "He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death." Without the shedding of blood, without the death of the sacrificial Lamb, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). But the "Principle of the Paradox" kicks in here. "Because of this, God greatly exalted him" (v. 9). Visualize yourself on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in the midst of wilderness. Across the mighty canyon is civilization, people, gift shops, restaurants, rest rooms. You'd really like to get there. The direct route would take you down into the mile-deep gorge and back up the other side. Not an easy trip. Better go around. Christ didn't go around. He went through it. And because he did, every soul who ever lived, lives, or will live... every being in heaven or hell... will confess that Jesus is Lord (v. 11).

The Gospel Reading covers the Last Supper (Luke 22.14-38), the Betrayal (ch. 22 vs. 39-53), the Trial (ch. 22 v 54 through ch. 23 v. 25), and Christ's death on the Cross (ch. 23 vs. 26-49). Reading this long passage slowly and prayerfully takes us through the Stations of the Cross. Some are left out of Luke's narrative, but many are there. If you've seen The Passion, you have sharp images and piercing feelings as you read this account. It wasn't pretty.

The narrative closes with the mangled body of Jesus being laid in the new tomb of one Joseph of Arimathea (ch. 23 vs. 50-56), a member of the Sanhedrin, who didn't go along with the plan to kill Jesus. But because it was so close to sunset and Passover was about to begin, there wasn't time to properly prepare the body for burial. Thus the women who had followed the company from Galilee, gathered the embalming spices and oils and planned to do it after the Sabbath. Even they thought it was over and had given up. They hadn't really believed him when he said he would rise again.

Do we believe, truly believe, that there is a Resurrection? Slipping down the wall of the Grand Canyon, scraping our hands, tripping, falling, tumbling, cracking our bones against the rocks... do we really believe that there will be peace for us later? ...comfort? ...joy? Can our present pain, fear, and frustration succumb to faith, hope, and trust?

Life is a "passion" at times... in the Latin sense of the word. We suffer now, but we are promised a dawn, a resurrection after the horrible night. This week, if things get tough, set your face like flint (Is. 50:7) and look to the Resurrection. Believe that he will rise again!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot endure the night say there is no dawn!"

RENEWsletter for March 21, 2010 - 5th Lent

2010-03-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Partakers in Renewal--
Next Sunday's readings speak of something new. Now Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes, laments that "nothing is new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1.9). Well, there may be nothing new under the sun today, but tomorrow isn't here yet.

The readings for this Fifth Sunday of Lent can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/032110c.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Isaiah 43.16-21
Psalm 126.1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 3.8-14
John 8.1-11

Otherwise, if your church uses the RCIA readings, see the Year A entry for the Fifth Sunday of Lent: http://www.usccb.org/nab/032110a.shtml.

The First Reading finds Isaiah really pumped about what God can do. He can wipe out mighty armies (Is. 43.17). He can make a way through the desert and cause rivers to flow in the wasteland (v. 19). For his people he can make a happy and prosperous life in the midst of desolation (v. 20). Yes, the LORD is doing something new (v. 19 again).

In the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist as well sings of something new that the LORD has done. He brought back the captives to Zion (Ps. 126.1). This was unheard of in those days. When you conquered a nation, you hauled off the leaders so they couldn't incite rebellion. It was nuts to let them go back. Yet Cyrus did. It was something new that God had a hand in. This was not lost on the Israelites. They were filled with joy (v. 3)!

Paul did something new too, and he tells about it in the Second Reading. "I consider everything a loss" (Phil. 3:8). He gave up all his wealth, status, and power... "I consider them so much rubbish" (v. 8 again). Why? "That I may gain Christ and be found in him" (v. 8-9).

The Gospel Reading shows that Jesus was doing something new in Palestine circa AD 29. The Law of Moses, handed down from a millennium or so before, stated that a woman caught in adultery should be stoned. Have you ever been hit by a rock? I remember as a kid getting into clod fights. Dirt clods, as you know, can be pretty hard, and when they strike, they hurt. I took one in the temple once and the first thing I felt was an icy cold. A split-second later the pain exploded. I felt momentarily dizzy, then fear struck -- how bad was I hurt? Well, clods usually break when they land. Rocks don't.

John places this incident in the Temple where Jesus was teaching. The scribes and Pharisees brought this woman accused of adultery. The sentence was death... not by anything as "humane" as lethal injection, but by stoning. Yet, right there, in front of God and everybody, Jesus did something new. "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," he said (John 8.7). One by one, they dropped their rocks and turned away. When only the terrified, crouching, sobbing woman remained, Jesus spoke again. "Has no one condemned you?" (v. 10). I imagine that the woman, shaking uncontrollably, raised her head and slowly looked around. She was astonished to see no accusers... just a bunch of rocks on the ground.

"Go. And from now on don't sin any more," Jesus said (John 8.11). "Remember not the events of the past," God said through Isaiah (Is. 43.18). "The LORD has done great things for us", sings the psalmist (Ps 126.3). "...forgetting what lies behind," Paul said (Phil. 3.13). Something new will happen. We can hope. And what is that "realization of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"? It's faith (Hebrews 11.1).

Step out in faith this week and expect God to do something new.

Randy Jones
"Those who have no faith say there is nothing new under the sun!"

RENEWsletter for March 14, 2010 - 4th Lent

2010-03-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Good morning Renewable friends--
It's a good thing we are "renewable", because there are times when we feel worn out, used up, or just tired. If my car felt like I do this week, I'd take it in to see a mechanic. :-)

But... next Sunday's theme is one of renewal, old things passing away, and all things becoming new. Rest, a vacation, a trip to the doctor for some antibiotics, therapy, or even surgery, can make things new again. And someday, we'll "trade in" these old bodies for eternal ones and become really new. Meantime, we greet each new day with renewed hearts because of Christ's great sacrifice in hauling away our old trash in his own body on the Cross.

Again, some churches will go with the RCIA (Year A) readings. But here we'll go with the regular readings for this coming Fourth Sunday of Lent. They can be found on the web: http://www.usccb.org/nab/031410c.shtml and in your Bible at:

Joshua 5.9a, 10-12
Psalm 34.2-3, 4-5, 6-7
2 Corinthians 5.17-21
Luke 15.1-3, 11-32 (verses 4-10 are two other once-lost/now-found parables)

The First Reading takes place after the Israelites have passed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Josh 3.17). Moses had gone on to his reward (ch. 1, v. 1). Joshua had the responsibility of leadership now (ch. 5, v. 9). When Passover came, they celebrated by eating of the produce of the land (vs. 10, 11). It was a good time. They got to eat real food for the first time in about 40 years (v. 12). No more manna, no more sand. This new land was flowing with milk and honey! I imagine they felt renewed, and very, very happy.

The Psalmist was definitely happy when he wrote this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm. "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord" (Ps. 34.9). Some of that goodness is expressed in verse 5: "I sought the LORD, who answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." As you know, fear is what triggers the "fight or flight syndrome". When we are afraid, we have one of two reactions: We either get angry and fight it, or we cower and run away... or some variation or combination of those two. But when we are delivered from our fears, we have peace. Peace triggers the "love-hope-joy-trust syndrome" (v. 6). I'll take peace over fear any day.

The Second Reading includes one of my favorite verses, 2 Cor. 5.17, "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; and look! everything has become new." New food, new tastes of the goodness of the Lord, new absence of fear, new trust, new faith. And how is all this brought about? By God, who did the work of reconciling us to himself through his Son Jesus (v. 19). But you know what? Someone told us about God and the work of reconciliation... Christ's death on the Cross for our sins. Someone was God's ambassador to us. Now, it's our turn to be ambassadors to those around us who haven't heard the Good News in a way they can understand it (v. 20).

We each have a unique story. Yours are all different from mine. And there's someone who will not understand the message of salvation until they hear it the way only I can tell it. And there's someone else that my story will be Greek to, but they'll understand your story. Jesus told lots of stories, and in the Gospel Reading there were those who had trouble understanding him (Luke 15.3). So he told the story of the Prodigal Son (v. 11ff). Which person in that story comes closest to relating to you? The father? The errant son? The faithful brother? When I hear this story, I wait for the part where the servant tells the faithful brother what the ruckus is about (v. 26). That's the one I relate to. He told it like it was: "Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound" (v. 27). Short, succinct, accurate. But it wasn't a story the brother could understand. He got angry (v. 28). That servant went for help: "Master, your faithful son is upset because you're having a party for his brother. You might want to go talk to him, sir."

When we run into a roadblock, we stop, back off, and go get help. But we keep telling our story. Let's try to think of ways this week we can share our story about the goodness of the Lord with those who may be trying to understand.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot tell their story may not have a story to tell!"

RENEWsletter for March 7, 2010 - 3rd Lent

2010-03-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hello Renewed folks--
The readings for next Sunday show us several ways God helps us deal with our sinfulness. He gives us something to do that we can handle. He gives us guidelines by which we can order our lives. And he gives us more chances.

The readings for this coming Third Sunday of Lent are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/030710c.shtml and in your Bible in:

Exodus 3.1-8a, 13-15
Psalm 103.1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11
1 Corinthians 10.1-6, 10-12
Luke 13:1-9

NOTE: If your church uses the RCIA readings, they're found at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/030710a.shtml, which are the same at Year A's. But for the purposes of this RENEWsletter, we'll look at the standard readings.

In the First Reading God comes to Moses in the form of a burning bush (Ex. 3.2). Before Moses realized it was God in the bush, his curiosity was piqued and he turned aside to see what was going on (v. 3). He was already on holy ground when God spoke to him out of the bush (v. 4). Now, it was well-known in those days that you didn't look upon the LORD and live, so Moses, acutely aware of his unworthiness, quickly hid his face (v. 6). But God wanted to talk to him, so he gave him another way to approach him. "Take off your sandals. The ground here is holy ground" (v. 5).

Curious! Moses's sandals weren't good enough for holy ground, but his bare feet were. While his feet prob'ly weren't much cleaner than his sandals, he could easily comply with God's wishes, so he did. And God spoke with him, giving him some heavy assignments (vs. 7-8). Moses didn't think he could handle those, but God did (vs. 13-15).

The Responsorial Psalm is a refreshing interlude of joy at God's kindness and mercy. He's really not a God who will kill you for looking at him. In fact he "pardons all your iniquities" (Ps. 103:3). We are encouraged to look to him for all our needs, which he abundantly supplies (v. 8).

Paul, in the Second Reading, explains how God would have us comport ourselves. He briefly describes the ordeal of the Israelites in the wilderness after they had been led out of bondage in Egypt (1 Cor 10.1-5). Then he says, "These things happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil things, as they did" (v. 6).

The selection we have ends with the exhortation to take care not to fall, whenever we think we are standing secure (v. 12). That's kind of a heavy warning, but the next verse, not in the official selection, is helpful. Verse 13 says, "No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it".

The Gospel Reading, as Dr. Luke relates it, includes a parable of Jesus that is the most reassuring of all the ways God aids us in being righteous. It's the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13.6). The owner of the fig orchard comes to gather figs from this tree, but there are none. Disgusted and disappointed he orders his gardener to cut the tree down and use the area to grow something else (v. 7). But the gardener entreats the owner to give the tree one more chance. "Let me cultivate the ground around it, and fertilize it, and see if it doesn't start bearing fruit next season." (vs. 8-9).

God has standards. We humans have difficulty meeting those standards. But God will let us "take off our shoes" to stand on holy ground, even though our feet may be dirty and smelly. He gives us guidelines and rules of behavior and patiently teaches us how he wants us to behave. And he never lets us face anything he knows we are unable to handle. And when all that fails, he gives us another chance. He cultivates and fertilizes us and we get to try again.

Lent is a time for reflecting on God's mercy and kindness, and to realize that we have another chance to become the people God wants us to be. Let's take that other chance this week and find out how we can serve God.

Randy Jones
"Those who know not God's mercy condemn themselves!"

RENEWsletter for February 28, 2010 - 2nd Lent

2010-02-22T05:45:00.000-08:00

Good morning dear friends--
As we enter the second week of Lent, it is a good time to lift our heads above the cares and perils that surround us these days, and wait for the promise of the coming Son-rise. Reading the Scriptures set for next Sunday, I find parallels between Abram's situation and my own. I list my woes and my fears and I can almost hear that venerable patriarch saying, "Not to worry! Been there, done that... With Yahweh... no problem!"

The readings for this Second Sunday of Lent are found on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/022810.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Genesis 15.5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27.1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
Philippians 3.17 -- 4.1
Luke 9.28b-36

To Abram, as the First Reading shows, prosperity was measured in descendents. In our day it is measured differently. In my case, where I am now, I measure prosperity in terms of my financial state... my retirement fund in particular. I have some concerns there. Abram had some concerns as well. He was old. He had no children. His retirement prospects were nil! But God led him out under the dark skies of Palestine some 4000 years ago and bade him count the stars (Gen. 15.5). These were not the stars of our modern light-polluted skies where only the very brightest shine through the city glow. There were millions of stars visible to Abram's eyes! God promised Abram that his descendents would total up to that order of magnitude (v. 5 again).

God gives us the same kind of promise today. We will be taken care of. Applying verse 7 to my own situation, I read "I am the LORD who brought you out of Omaha of the Midwesterners to give you this condo as a possession." Doubtful, I respond, "But how am I to know that I'll be able to make the payments?" (see verse 8). God understood Abram's fears, and he understands ours. A "terrifying darkness" fell on Abram. Yeah, I relate to that. Not being able to see the future can be terrifying. But God will light our way, a step at a time, as he did for Abram (vs. 13-15).

The psalmist got the same type of promise in our Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 27.1). And he believed it: "I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living" (v. 13). We can claim that promise too. It may not come to be until the future, but "the land of the living" is not a graveyard!

Paul, in the Second Reading, was well aware of God's promise to him. And his mission was to share that information with as many as he could. "Be like me," he admonishes us (Phil. 3.17). With some, "their god is their stomach," wrapped up with trying to feel good (v. 19). "But our citizenship is in heaven" (v. 20). We will win with Jesus. With that to look forward to, we can "stand firm in the Lord" (ch. 4 v. 1).

Peter, John, and James got a small preview of what it will be like with glorified bodies. Luke tells us in the Gospel Reading that Jesus's "face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white" (Luke 9.29). Moses and Elijah, two men long dead, appeared in the same brilliantly shining form (v. 30). "Wow!" exclaimed Peter. "This is cool! Let's build three shrines! One for each of the three of you!" (v. 33). I imagine Jesus just looked at him and smiled.

Then the glory faded and became part of the past. Even the bright day became shadowed by a cloud (v. 34). God himself spoke out of the cloud, "Listen to what my Son has to say" (v. 35).

Talk about terrifying! It shut Peter up. It shut all three of them up (v. 36).

What does Christ have to say? In one place he says "Destroy this temple and in three days I'll have it rebuilt" (John 2:19). In another place he says "Don't worry about tomorrow..." (Matthew 6:34). And in another he says, "Let the dead past bury itself" (Luke 9:60). That covers the future, the present, and the past.

What Christ has to say to me all sounds like "Don't be afraid. I'll take care of you." What does Christ have to say to you?

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot hear Jesus say the future is bleak!"

RENEWsletter for February 21, 2010 - 1st Lent

2010-02-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Renewal--
Lent has arrived. Ash Wednesday is this week. Lent is a time to be reminded of our sinfulness and our unworthiness, and a time to be delivered from those and accept the healing and forgiveness of our God.

The readings for next Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent, which can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/022110.shtml, are:

Deuteronomy 26.4-10
Psalm 91.1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Romans 10.8-13
Luke 4.1-13

The First Reading is a passage from the law of Moses. The people were reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord (Deut. 26.4, 5). The people of God had been afflicted by a widespread drought and fled to Egypt as refugees, but there one thing led to another and soon they found themselves taken advantage of by the Egyptians (v. 6). Then they cried out to the LORD (v. 7), and he delivered them from their bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land that flowed with milk and honey (vs. 8, 9). In their gratitude, they gave back some of their harvest of blessings and offered homage to their Deliverer (v. 10).

By the message of the Responsorial Psalm we are reminded that we are safe when we dwell in the shelter of the Most High (Ps. 91.1, 2). Trusting in the LORD, no evil shall befall us and angels watch over us (vs. 10-12). When evil approaches, when we step on a serpent, or stumble over a sleeping beast, we will be delivered if we cling to our God and call upon him in time of trouble (vs. 13-15).

In the Second Reading from Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, we are reminded that the Word of God is very close to us. It is in our mouths and in our hearts (Rom. 10.8). That is, God's laws are the most natural, sensible, intuitively obvious rules for life we could possibly come up with. Here it is, "If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God has raised him from the dead, we shall be saved" (v. 9). Those who confess verbally and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord will be delivered from sin and shame (vs. 10-13).

The Gospel Reading in Luke recounts how Jesus, after fasting for 40 days in the desert (Luke 4.1, 2), reminded Satan of what God had said in the Scriptures: You don't live by bread alone, but by every word uttered by God (vs. 3, 4); you are to worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone (vs. 6-8); you are not to test the one true God (vs. 10-12). It's interesting how Satan quoted Scripture to the Lord, the very psalm that we have today in our readings, in his final attempt to tempt him. But he twisted it and took it out of context. Yet Jesus quoted Scripture back at him and thus was delivered from the wiles of the devil who went away to sulk for awhile (v. 13).

The point here is that Scripture is the key to a victorious and happy life. The Scriptures prove that God is faithful. They promise that believers will not be let down. And they show what God expects of us in return. "If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we are saved!"

And to tell you the truth, I'm looking forward to that Promised Land that eternally flows with milk and honey!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot see the deliverance of the Lord need to be reminded of his faithfulness!"

RENEWsletter for February 14, 2010 - 6th Ordinary

2010-02-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

Good morning Renewers--
There's a song that goes, "You can rise / from the ashes again. You can rise / to the morning that breaks in your eyes. For what looked like your heart's demise / has turned out to be a blessing in disguise." * I have a story of a blessing in disguise. Many years ago I found myself deep in debt and unable to make ends meet. I had a Mustang with $522/mo payments from a more prosperous time and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Then the car was stolen! How could things get any worse! But you know what? My insurance company paid off based on the market value of the car. It had appreciated in value and I received a thousand dollars more than I paid for the car 18 months earlier! I paid off the car loan and couple of other little loans, and got an Escort at $221/mo. I avoided bankruptcy and eventually was able to get completely out of debt. Talk about blessings in disguise!

The readings for next Sunday which is the 6th in Ordinary Time address the prevalence of blessings, some going around in disguise, that those who trust in the Lord often find at their door. The readings are on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/021410.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Jeremiah 17.5-8
Psalms 1.1-2, 3, 4, 6
1 Corinthians 15.12, 16-20
Luke 6.17, 20-26

The First Reading from Jeremiah gives some comforting words for those who feel downtrodden, neglected, or persecuted. The prophet proclaims that those in power, the in-crowd, the elite of the day, are too busy feeding off of, and preening in front of, their elite peers to take any thought for the oppressed (Jer. 17.5). But they'll have their come-uppins, because God is watching, making a list, and keeping track (v. 6). Then he assures the second-class citizens that their lot truly is a wealth of blessings from the LORD. Those who've learned they can't trust the people in power, turn to the LORD and put their trust in him (v. 7). This is a wise thing to do, because God promises that they will be drought-resistant, like a tree planted near a stream. Though no rain fall, water comes unseen up through the roots, and their leaves stay green (v. 8).

The psalmist of the Responsorial Psalm sings the same song. Blessed is the one who doesn't listen to the counsel of the wicked, who doesn't emulate their behavior, who doesn't hang out with them (Ps 1.1). But those who delight in the Law of the LORD are again like draught-resistant trees planted near water (v. 3). And again, as in the First Reading, the wicked are not so (v. 4). The wicked will not survive the judgment (v. 5), but the LORD himself is watching over the just (v. 6)!

In the Second Reading, Paul tears apart the "counsel of the wicked" who say there is no resurrection (1 Cor. 15.12). The whole passage shows how their argument is internally inconsistent. (The skipped verses say about the same thing the surrounding verses do.) Christ was presented as raised from the dead, but these scorned the idea of resurrection. "Excuse me!" says Paul. "If there's no resurrection, then Christ never rose. And if Christ never rose, then we have no salvation!" (vs. 16, 17). But Christ did rise from the dead (v. 20), and is the first fruits of... well, of that tree planted by the river whose leaves stay green and which continues to bear fruit even in draught!

The Gospel Reading from Luke relates Jesus's Beatitudes speech. (Here the skipped verses indicate that Jesus did some healing before he began his teaching.) The version of this speech in Matthew is called the Sermon on the Mount, but Luke describes the setting here as a level field (Luke 6.17). Maybe it was a stock speech that Jesus gave all over Galilee and Judea. The setting doesn't matter. The speech does. Basically it says the same thing Jeremiah and the psalmist have said. Blessed are those who are oppressed, for God is keeping track (vs. 20-23). Those who have it soft, who wallow in luxury, who abuse their power, get their reward up front (vs. 24-26). The rest will be laying up treasures in heaven. And because God is with them, they can be leaping for joy in the here and now.

Do you feel like leaping for joy? I sure didn't when I discovered my car stolen! But I did later when I got the insurance check! If we broaden our perspective, lift our eyes up from the rock-strewn path before us, we just might catch a glimpse of what God has in store for us in heaven.

May the LORD bless you so richly this week that it embarrasses you! :-)

Randy Jones
"Those who eat dessert first, will have nothing later!"

* "Blessing In Disguise" written by Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Billy Sprague. Copyright 1994 by PolyGram International Publishing, Inc., et al. Available on "Along the Road" CD released by Sparrow 1994.

RENEWsletter for February 7, 2010 - 5th Ordinary

2010-02-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

To those called to Renewal--
Good morning folks! The readings for next Sunday are about the callings of three great men. Their names are written in history and their writings have been read for thousands of years, yet each one of them was sin-ridden and unworthy. It appears though, that unworthiness may actually be a requirement for being called by God, as you'll see when we examine the readings.

This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/020710.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Isaiah 6.1-2a, 3-8
Psalm 138.1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
1 Corinthians 15.1-11
Luke 5.1-11

The First Reading is a scene right out of a modern day rock concert! The building shook and the room was filled with smoke (Is. 6.4)! It was loud with the screaming of the seraphim and terrifying with all the violence, and Isaiah was afraid he was in the wrong place. As a man of "unclean lips" (do you suppose he ever "cussed like a sailor"?) he feared for his life (v. 5). But the King had a remedy for this. Isaiah's lips were about to be purified by a holy fire even hotter than the fiery speech that would come out of his mouth. That glowing ember was too hot for the seraph to touch. It needed tongs, and "seraphim" means "burning ones" (v. 6)! But Isaiah kissed that hot coal and his former vocabulary was expunged from his person, from memory, and from history (v.7). Then came the next step. "Whom shall I send?" says God (v. 8). Isaiah didn't hesitate... he was ready now, freed from accusation, freed from guilt, and freed from the fear that had so recently paralyzed him. "Here am I," he said. "Send me."

The Responsorial Psalm finds the psalmist David singing praise and thanksgiving to God (Ps. 138.1-2), unafraid of what anyone will think. When he cried out, God answered and strengthened his spirit (v. 3). The kings of the world hear him praising and are moved to join in (vs. 4, 5). Once purified by the love of God we have no guilt, no shame... and no inhibitions (vs. 7-8).

In the Second Reading, Paul, bless his heart and his words, knew where he stood with God. He was alive and undamned only because of God's grace (1 Cor. 15.10). And by that same grace, unfit though he was to be called an Apostle (v. 9), he brought the Word of salvation to as much of the 1st century Mediterranean world as he could. Do you think he knew whereof he spoke? He had personally experienced God's life-transforming power first hand, as Isaiah had (v. 8). And he did one of those, "Here am I, send me" things. God sent him.

The Gospel Reading is the story of Simon Peter's calling. There he was with his crew washing the nets after a night of fishless fishing (Luke 5.2). He was prob'ly looking forward to getting the nets packed away so he could head home for some breakfast and a few hours sleep before the day got too hot. But this day the routine was about to change. Here came Jesus with a mob following him and with a request for Simon. "Will you take me in your boat a few meters offshore so I can speak to the crowd without being crowded?" (v. 3) Simon must have rolled his eyeballs and shook his head, but the hope of getting some sleep was prob'ly gone, anyway, with the mob filling all the streets. It'd be a long commute to home and no doubt there'd be too much noise for sleep when he got there anyway. Maybe he could catch 40 winks in the boat.

The sermon ended, and Jesus had another request. "Put out into deep water. There's some fish out there" (v. 4). If Simon rolled his eyeballs before, he was even more incredulous now. His words are recorded by Luke as very mild and reasonable. "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets" (v. 5) I wonder if he was quite that compliant. He was a sailor, wasn't he? I'm sure he didn't have much confidence in a landlubber's fishing wisdom.

But Jesus did know what he was talking about and Simon was suddenly on his knees (v. 8). Embarrassed, ashamed, guilty, and repentant for the way he had spoken, he had Isaiah's same fear that he was caught and doomed by God himself. But Jesus has a remedy for sin: "Don't be afraid. You know, I need someone to help me catch people. How about you?" (v. 10). Like Isaiah and Paul, Simon did one of those "Here am I, send me" things, and the rest is history.

Do we think we're not pure enough to tell people about Jesus Christ and the peace and salvation he gives? Purity is not a job requirement. "Here am I, send me" is. What are we waiting for?

Randy Jones
"Those who hear not the call think the missionaries mad!"

RENEWsletter for January 31, 2010 - 4th Ordinary

2010-01-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
This week, as is the case every week, we have promises from God we can claim in order to make it a peaceful and triumphant week. The readings for next Sunday remind us that when enemies abound, God with his angelic host abounds also to keep us from being crushed.

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/013110.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Jeremiah 1.4-5, 17-19
Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17
1 Corinthians 12.31 - 13.13
Luke 4.21-30

The First Reading has four points to make. 1) God knows us from before we were born (Jer. 1.5). 2) We must stand up and speak out all that he commands us (v. 17). 3) Our hearers won't like it and will try to crush us (v. 17 still). And, 4) they won't succeed (v. 19). God knew what he was doing when he called Jeremiah to be a prophet. If you read the verses in between the given selection, you'll see that Jeremiah had a good argument for not obeying God's call... he was young and wasn't eloquent. But God insisted on obedience... "Quit whining, get busy, and do what I tell you!" he says in verse 7.

The Responsorial Psalm makes the same four points, from the viewpoint of the singer of the psalm. 1) God knows us from before we were born (Ps. 71.5, 6). 2) We must stand up and speak out all that he commands us (vs. 15, 16). 3) Our hearers won't like it and will try to crush us (v. 4). And, 4) they won't succeed (vs. 1-3).

The Second Reading shows what makes all this spiritual opposition worth the hassle: Love (1 Cor. 12.31). While we know that God is with us, and while we testify to his love, even when the message isn't received, and then when success is on our side... throughout all this, if we aren't doing everything out of love, it accomplishes nothing (ch 13. vs. 1-3). We can't gloat in the victory that God hands us. Part of what God gives us to proclaim to our enemies is his love for them. And the way they can get the message is to see that love in us. Someday it will all make perfect sense, and now we can see the results of love, even if it is still a mystery how it all works (v. 12). If fear is the progenitor of all the negative emotions and behaviors, then love is the source of all the positive ones (v. 13).

The Gospel Reading makes these points also. We have no doubt that God was with his Son and knew him from before his birth (see Luke 1.26-56). We see that he stood up in the synagogue and proclaimed the love of God (Luke 4.22). But as he spoke, he mentioned some things his hearers didn't like (v. 28). They tried to kill him by throwing him off a cliff (v. 29). But they didn't succeed... they lost track of him and he got away (v. 30)!

Personally, I really needed this message this week, especially that fourth point... my enemies won't succeed. So when there are some around us who don't like what we are and what we say, and when they try to discredit us or falsely accuse us, let's remember this. God won't let us be crushed. They will lose track of us and we'll get away. So we can be free to love them and continue to proclaim the love and salvation of God.

May the blessings this week fill you, overflow, and bless your enemies as well.

Randy Jones
"Those who have no love say the battle is going bad"

RENEWsletter for January 24, 2010 - 3rd Ordinary

2010-01-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
Many things happen in our lives, "good" things and "bad" things. Sometimes we even see some of the good things as bad at first. And of course happenings that seem good at first can turn out to be bad. This Sunday's readings have something to say about how we respond when things, good or bad, happen.

Next Sunday is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/012410.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Nehemiah 8.2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 15 (response from John 6.63)
1 Corinthians 12.12-30
Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

The First Reading takes place after the captive Israelites were returned from Babylon to their homeland. The sacred Book of the Law of God was found and brought to them at the site of the Temple. Many "bad" things had happened to the Israelites, and many more "bad" things were in store for them. But...

On this day, the holiness of the day of the reading of the Book of the Law was brought home to them (Neh 8.2). As the men, women, and children old enough to understand listened to the reading of the Law, from daybreak till noon (v. 3), they began to weep with emotion. But His Excellency Nehemiah, Ezra the priest-scribe, and the rest of the Levites admonished the people: "Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep" (v. 9). They were urged to celebrate and to share what they had with those less fortunate. They were reminded that "rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength" (v. 10).

The Responsoridal Psalm demonstrates this idea. "The Law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul" (Ps. 19.8). "The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart" (v. 9). After refreshment, we feel strong again. After rejoicing, we no longer weep. Powerful stuff, this Law of the LORD! No wonder the Israelites were moved to great emotion.

The Second Reading brings each believer's situation into perspective. "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it. If one part is honored, all the parts share its joy" (1 Cor. 12.26). We are all different people with different talents and different gifts, yet we are baptised into one body (v. 13). It's just like with a person's body. There are many different parts, all with different functions. When one part of a body suffers, the whole body suffers. It is the same with the body of Christ, us, when something "bad" happens to one of us, it happens to us all. And when something good happens to one of us, it also happens to all.

In the Gospel Reading, St. Luke relates in his reliable, historical style (Luke 1.1-4), how Jesus brought a good thing to the world. Jesus read from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"... to bring glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captive, restore sight to the blind, offer hope and respite to the oppressed, and to announce a time acceptable to the Lord (v. 4:18-19). He gave the scroll back to the attendant and sat down (v. 20) Then he dropped the bombshell: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (v. 21).

Now what about "good" things and "bad" things? I've been putting those words in quotes because things that happen to us are only "good" when they refresh the soul and rejoice the heart, and they can only be "bad" if we have lost sight of God our Salvation. We have the Word of God. We have Jesus the Living Word. When we hear the Word we can rejoice, and as mentioned earlier, rejoicing is our strength. These are "good" things. A "bad" thing can trouble our spirits, sap our strength, and sadden us individually, but we are part of the Body of Christ and in that we have comfort, strength, and... joy!

Have a good week and keep rejoicing in the Living Word of God.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot rejoice say the Word is bad"

RENEWsletter for January 17, 2010 - 2nd Ordinary

2010-01-11T05:15:00.001-08:00

Dear gifted folks--
There's a story about a man named Jones who died and went to Heaven. When he arrived at the Pearly Gates, St. Peter looked him up in The Book and, sure enough, his name was there, and Peter welcomed him in. The Duty Angel then conducted him on a tour of Heaven. During the walk along the golden streets, they passed huge glowing glittering mansions, towering twinking crystal palaces, beautiful gardens and parks and met hundreds of smiling people. At one point they passed a dull grey cinder block building and Mr. Jones asked what it was doing there. "Oh, that's just a storage building. It's of no interest." Mr. Jones peered at it as they walked on.

A little later it happened they were coming back the other way and passed the storage buiding again. Mr. Jones could not contain his curiosity and insisted, "I must see what's stored in that building" and took off down the path to the building. The Duty Angel sighed and followed. Inside, there were rows and rows of shelves stacked tightly with boxes clear up to the ceiling. Mr. Jones noted that each box had a name on it and that they appeared to be arranged alphabetically. He began moving along the aisles looking for the 'J' row and his name. Sure enough, he found it. He opened the box and inside were promotions, healings, reconciliations, blessings of every sort. "These are blessings I could have really used?" Mr. Jones remarked incredulously. "Why didn't I get them?"

The angel sighed and said, "You never asked."

Next Sunday's readings are about gifts... the gifts that God has for us. It's the first "ordinary" Sunday in a long time, except because it comes in the second week of Ordinary Time it is dubbed the Second Sunday in OT. The readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/011710.shtml and in your Bible at:

Isaiah 62.1-5
Psalm 96.1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
1 Corinthians 12.4-11
John 2.1-11

God doesn't give cheap gifts. Look at the First Reading. "Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God." (Is. 62.2, 3) "...you shall be called 'My Delight'" (v. 4) "... your God [shall] rejoice in you." (v. 5) There's nothing second-rate about any of this.

The Responsorial Psalm is a natural response to these blessings and love of God. Sing to the LORD a new song! (Ps. 96.1). Proclaim his marvelous deeds (v. 3). Give the LORD glory due his name (v. 8). The LORD is King (v. 9). The psalmist is just bubbling over with joy at all the blessings of the LORD.

The Second Reading is explicit about the gifts of God. There is a long list of "gifts of the Spirit": wisdom, expression of knowledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12.8-10). Which one is yours? You have one, that's for sure. Look in verse 6: "God ... produces ... them in everyone", and in verse 11: " ... distributing them to each person as he wishes." Have you picked up yours yet? I tell you what, I don't want the concert to start with my ticket still waiting at will-call. I'm gonna pick up my gift ahead of time.

The Gospel Reading relates the account of the first "gift" that Jesus made in his ministry on earth. This First Miracle was the changing of water into wine. But that phrase doesn't tell the whole story. Read John 2.9-10. Jesus don't make junk. This was not Ripple Jesus turned the water into, nor was it any "two-buck chuck" you can get at Trader Joe's. (Not that Charles Shaw wines are bad, but they aren't Château Lafite Rothschild either!) No, Jesus made some really good wine. Good enough to spark an incredulous comment from the head waiter who tasted it late in the wedding festivities (v. 10).

So, there are two points to these readings: 1) God gives really, really good gifts, and 2) ours are waiting for us. What say we go pick 'em up!

Randy Jones
"Those who don't have any gifts just haven't picked them up yet!"

RENEWsletter for January 10, 2010 - Baptism of the Lord

2010-01-03T16:56:00.001-08:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. One wonders if it could be called the "First Sunday of Ordinary Time, since next Sunday will be the "Second Sunday in Ordinary Time". It's a little confusing to me, but it appears that the "First Week in Ordinary Time" starts on Monday after the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, thus making next Sunday the beginning of the "Second Week in Ordinary Time".

To add to the complexity, there are two choices for the First and Second Readings next Sunday, but they all deal with baptism in one way or another. The second choices vary from year to year in the liturgical calendar, but the first selections are always the same. I'll give both sets here, so you'll be prepared no matter which set your church uses. The web has both sets of readings which can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/011010.shtml and in your Bible in:

Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11
Psalm 29.1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10, plus 11b as the response
Acts 10.34-38 or Titus 2.11-14, 3.4-7
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The prophecy of Isaiah, found in the first option for the First Reading, was fulfilled at the Jordan River when Jesus came to be baptized by John. This is God being the proud Father of his only son. "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit" (Is. 42.1). The passage paints a very strange picture of a conquering hero coming to establish justice on the earth (v. 4). It looks more like subversion! He will not lift up his voice (v. 2). He will not so much as damage a broken reed nor snuff out a smoldering candle (v. 3). It is a subversion of the power of sin and Satan. He will take us by the hand and lead us out of darkness into his own light (vs. 6, 7).

The second option for the First Reading is more often regarded as pointing to John the Baptist, whose public ministry began somewhat before Jesus's did. A voice cries out in the desert (Is. 40.3)!

The Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday speaks of a God whose glory thunders in the skies, twists the oaks and strips the forest bare (Ps 29.3 & 9). The voice of the LORD roars in the sea, wipes the edifices of mankind from the coasts (v. 3). The voice of the LORD rocks the desert, toppling the splendorous buildings humans erect (v. 8, not in the present selection). Is God a terrorist? There's no doubt his power is terrifying. But in his temple the voices of his people are lifted in praise of his glory (v. 9). And he will bless those people of his with peace (v. 11b)!

And who are these people who were languishing in spiritual darkness and now sing his praises, being led to the light? The Israelites, for sure, but also "whoever fears him and acts uprightly", according to Peter as quoted in the first Second Reading option (Acts 10.35). In some sense, as we all know, Christ is the Conquering Hero, come to bring a sword on the earth (see Matt. 10:34). But he comes that way to those who reject him. Seeking the Lord results in the healing of all those oppressed by the devil (v. 38).

There are many aspects to the symbol of baptism. It is a choosing: God choosing us and we choosing God. We are chosen because it pleases God to choose us, "not because of any righteous deeds we have done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 3.5, 2nd option). But this is not forced upon us. We of our own free will choose repentance. As infants, it was the choice of our parents to dedicate themselves to our training and upbringing in the concepts of repentance. Later in life when we became aware and accountable, we had to make our own choices.

According to the Gospel Reading, Jesus came, of his own free will, to John the Baptist, the one who was sent before to prepare the way (Luke 3.21). This pleased God and he said so audibly by the voice from heaven and visibly by the Holy Spirit descending like a dove (v. 22). After that Jesus went about the work of healing, bringing justice to the oppressed, and teaching the ways of God's Kingdom.

It pleases God also when we go about the Lord's work, in all the ways we are individually called to serve him. With the call, we receive the wherewithal to carry it out. Whether it's to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, free prisoners from the bondage of sin, or enlighten those dwelling in darkness (Is. 42.7), we have gifts from the Holy Spirit to accomplish our calling.

Recall your baptism this Sunday and enjoy again that "bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5 again). Renewal. That's what we're about with this newsletter. Renewal of spirit, renewal of mind, renewal of dedication to the Lord's work.

What better theme with which to begin a New Year! May it be a happy, exciting and successful one for us all.

Randy Jones
"Those who hear not their call think those who do are imagining things!"

RENEWsletter for January 3, 2010 - Epiphany

2010-01-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends--
Well most of us are back from vacation and in ramp-up mode for resuming the work-a-day schedule. The joy of giving and receiving Christmas gifts is over for another year, but there remains the joy of giving of ourselves all the year long. The joy of giving is something the Lord gives to those who will receive it.

Sunday is the Epiphany of the Lord in the United States. Elsewhere it is the Baptism of the Lord. In any case it is the last Sunday of the Christmas Season and the readings are very upbeat, hopeful and full of promise. They can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/010310.shtml and in your Bible at:

Isaiah 60.1-6
Psalm 72.1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2.1-12

The First Reading tells of the time when the veil of darkness will be lifted from the earth. All people will see the glory of the Lord and know that it is real (Is. 60.1-3). We already know this because we have raised our eyes above the mire of misdirection, confusion, and hopelessness (v. 4). But there'll come a day when everybody, living and dead, will see and rejoice in the glory of the LORD. They will bring their treasures, gold and frankincense, proclaiming God's praise and will pay him homage (v. 6).

The Responsorial Psalm sings to the Lord of the day when "every nation on earth will adore you" (Ps. 72.11). Not just grudgingly accept the Kingdom of God when it is established in power on this planet, but see how perfect God's just rule is and pay him homage (v. 10).

The Second Reading relates the first step in this world-wide worship of the Holy One of Israel. That step was the bringing of the good news of Christ's offering to the Gentiles (Eph 3.6)... all on earth who are not Jews by birth. There's no distinction in God's eyes. All the promises he made to Abraham, he makes also to all the peoples of the world. And all peoples of the world will pay him homage (vs. 2-3, 5).

The Gospel Reading reports the Epiphany of Jesus. Epiphany means "a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something". When those Gentile dignitaries from the East arrived in Jerusalem looking for the newborn Jewish King, they were actually showing that God had already revealed himself to the rest of the world (Matt. 2.1-2). Why would they worship a king of another race? Human wisdom didn't lead them in this. It was a direct revelation from God, a sudden manifestation of the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Their gifts represent profound depths of insight (v. 11).

Gold is the gift of kings... worldly wealth, means, evidence of prosperity... given back to the grantor of that wealth, means, and prosperity.

Frankincense represents the offering up of prayers to heaven... to the ruler who controls everything... an acknowledgment of and reliance on his ultimate power.

Myrrh represents the death that comes to every human, including the Human God. In death Christ would atone for the sins of humanity. And by his resurrection show that not even death has any real power.

These three gifts represent the highest activities a human being can offer in homage. Gold is our "stuff": our time, talent, and treasure we give to God. Frankincense is our worship of him, our prayers and our praise. Myrrh is our hope of salvation and eternal life with him.

We couldn't be more blessed and with all the peoples of the earth we will pay him homage!

Have a very Happy New Year. Make it fun and stay safe.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot give cannot receive!"

RENEWsletter for December 27, 2009 - Holy Family

2009-12-20T17:51:00.001-08:00

Hi, folks--
I hope you're all enjoying a safe and restful holiday season. The Christmas Season in the Church begins at Christmas and continues till the Baptism of our Lord. So while the retail outlets are ending their "Christmas" season, we are just beginning. The Sunday after Christmas celebrates the Holy Family, somewhat of an atypical Jewish family: pretty young Mary, still a teenager... kind, understanding Joseph, not yet officially married... and both of them now parents of the infant Jesus, a baby physically helpless yet destined to become the single most influential personage on this planet for all time.

I wonder if Mary knew that this child she just delivered would one day deliver all humankind from sin.

There are two sets of readings for this Holy Family Sunday. We'll use the first set. Both sets can be found on the Web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/122709.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Sirach 3.2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128.1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3.12-21
Luke 2.41-52

The First Reading expounds on the spiritual benefits of love within a family. The entire book of Sirach extols Wisdom as part of the family of Yahweh and our present selection shows the wisdom of honoring our family relationships. Parents have been put in charge (Sir 3.2) and when kids honor and revere their father and mother, they reap atonement for sins, stores of riches (vs. 3-4), the joy of grandchildren, answered prayer (v. 5), long life and obedience to God (vs. 6, 7). The last part of this reading deals with the time when the roles almost reverse. When our parents get old and feeble... when they're as helpless as we were when we were babies... it's time to take care of them (v. 12). It's especially important to continue the loving care if their minds fail (v. 13). God will not forget (v. 14)!

One of the benefits of a loving family, as we have just seen, is obedience to God. The Responsorial Psalm picks up on that theme and runs with it. Obedience to God, fear of the Lord, walking in his ways, does indeed bring blessings and happiness (Ps. 128.1). What our hands provide will please us and we'll be happy (v. 2). Our families, when we honor our heavenly Father, will be functional rather than dysfunctional (vs. 3, 4). That's the ideal, of course, and because we are human, ideals are hard to achieve. Maybe that's why God sent his son to save us from our failure to reach his ideals. So let's read verse 5 and hang onto that: May the LORD bless you and may you see prosperity all your life!

The Second Reading describes the ideal family of God. As brothers and sisters in Christ we need to "put on" compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness (Col 3.12-13). And the thing that makes these traits possible is love. Love is a choice (v. 14). When we choose love, the peace of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, soaks into our hearts and we are thankful (v. 15). The best way to remember the words of Christ is through poetry... psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (v. 16). If you can't sing, then chant. If you can't chant, then just recite. But whatever you do, whatever you say, do it thankfully in the name of the Lord (v. 17).

This next part of the Second Reading goes with the first part. We've been talking about how we should treat each other as brothers and sisters in God's family. The Greek word translated "be subordinate" has a deeper meaning. It means "sign up with", or "cast your lot with", or "join in teamwork". Husbands and wives team up to raise children in love (vs. 18-21). And where there is love, there is a peace that comes from above.

The Gospel Reading is a story of when Jesus was a pre-teen... was I just talking about peace? Well, maybe the teen years are an exception. Mary and Joseph always went up to Jerusalem at Passover and naturally they brought their 12-year-old (Luke 2.41). There's a lesson here... don't assume a 12-year-old will do what you expect him to do. Mary may have assumed Jesus was with Joseph. Joseph prob'ly assumed Mary was watching him. Then they touched base and, well, Jesus must be with his cousins. Nope, aunts and uncles had not seen him (v. 44). It was getting dark. Where could he be? Panic set in and the worried couple headed back to Jerusalem first thing in the morning (v. 45).

Finally they found him in the temple (v. 46). Did Mary scold him? No doubt (v. 48). Did Joseph punish him? Prob'ly not... one look at that honest, peaceful, forthright face and he knew this was no ordinary boy, and he was indeed about his Father's... his Heavenly Father's work (v. 49). But you can bet there was a lecture, because Jesus was obedient from then on, or at least all the way back to Nazareth (v. 50).

Jesus's Father is the God of the Universe, yet God entrusted his rearing to that Hebrew couple from Nazareth. God entrusts a lot of things to us. One of our most awesome responsibilities is raising kids.

Happy New Year everyone. Let's see what God will entrust to us this coming year.

Randy Jones
"Those who do not honor their parents will get no honor from their children!"

RENEWsletter for December 20, 2009 - 4th Advent

2009-12-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Renewing friends--
Christmas is getting very close. Our anticipation of the coming Joy is heightening. Remember when we were kids and believed in Santa Claus? The magic and mystery of Christmas Eve was almost unbearable and it was nearly impossible to get to sleep. It wouldn't have been hard to stay awake all night and watch for the arrival of that much anticipated person. And that's because we were looking forward to the gifts and the excitement and the joy of Christmas morning. It's only easy to go to sleep when you don't care what's going to happen in the morning, or when you just have to get up and repeat the drudgery of every other day. No, Christmas is different.

The readings for this Fourth Sunday of Advent reflect the joyous anticipation of Someone's coming. Someone who will come surrounded in glory, who will set things right, who will bring peace. These readings are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/122009.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Micah 5.1-4a
Psalm 80.2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10.5-10
Luke 1.39-45

The First Reading is from the prophet Micah who prophesied during the last years before the kingdom of Israel fell to invaders. Most of his book foretells the destruction of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. He himself was from Judah, the southern kingdom, where Bethlehem was nestled. Tiny, insignificant Bethlehem would be the source of a new king (Mi. 5.1). This king has his origin in ancient times (still v. 1), but will not arrive "until the time when she who is to give birth has borne" (v. 2). Anticipation! It's coming, be patient! When this promised king does arrive, it will be worth the wait. He will be a strong shepherd, guiding his flock by the strength of the LORD and in his majestic name (v. 3). His greatness will extend throughout the world and he shall be peace! (v. 4).

The Responsorial Psalm could have been sung by the people who heard and heeded Micah's warnings of dire doom. It is a plea to the Shepherd of Israel to come back, to guide and save his people (Ps. 80, 2-3). The response is from verse 4: "LORD, restore us; Let your face shine upon us that we may be saved." There was much more to look forward to than a jolly elf in a red suit. The people needed help desperately and they promised not to withdraw from God anymore, but to call on his name (vs. 15-16, 18-19).

The writer of the Second Reading in Hebrews is preaching from Psalm 40 (q.v.). When the promised one came into the world he came with the vision that God was not interested in the sacrifices and offerings of the letter of the law, but in the presentation of one's whole self (Heb 10.5). Jesus came not to lead us in sacrifices (v. 6), but to do the will of God (v. 7). There are four major types of offerings spelled out in the first 5 chapters of Leviticus: peace offerings, cereal offerings, burnt offerings, and sin and guilt offerings (v. 8). But these are not what God is looking for. What God wants is for us to do his will (v. 9). The only One who was able to do that is Christ, the Promised One, the Savior, who offered his body, once for all, to consecrate us (v. 10).

In the Gospel Reading we catch up with Mary who has just been visited by the angel Gabriel and told she was going to have a baby and that her older relative Elizabeth was already pregnant. So she took off to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1.39). Now from Nazareth, the hill country of Judah where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived was a pretty good hike, but she made it and when she burst in on Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped (v. 41). Elizabeth knew immediately what was happening because she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Talk about anticipation!

Elizabeth knew all about her baby. He was to be named John and he was to lead many to repentance (see the earlier part of Luke 1). She knew that John was going to prepare the way for the Messiah. What a wonderful surprise to learn that her sweet little Mary was going to give birth to that Messiah (vs. 42-45). I'm sure those two women, neither of whom had carried a child before, talked well into the wee hours that night. Who could sleep with such momentous events on the horizon?

Who can sleep when Santa Claus is coming? Dare we sleep when the King is coming?

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot stay awake say no one's coming!"

RENEWsletter for December 13, 2009 - 3rd Advent

2009-12-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

Hello Renewed people--
Time flies when you're having fun. Time also flies when you need much more of it than you have. December seems always to be exceptionally busy with parties and gatherings, holiday planning, Christmas shopping, working full time, and of course wondering what the next year will bring. I can't tell you where the time goes... it just flies away. :-)

Next Sunday is already the Third Sunday of Advent. Time is flying, yet the readings for next Sunday are joyously comforting. They proclaim something very important to me. The message is "Fear not!". Look them up on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/121309.shtml or in your Bible at:

Zephaniah 3.14-18a
Isaiah 12.2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4.4-7
Luke 3.10-18

The First Reading is from the "minor" prophet Zephaniah. His book is only 3 chapters long, and he makes his point quickly. "Fear not!" is the point (Zeph 3.16). Unfavorable judgments have been removed, enemies have been repulsed, the King is here (v. 15). Do you know that fear is the source of every negative emotion a human being can have? Anger, sarcasm, apathy, depression, haughtiness, argumentativeness, conniving, double-crossing,... you name it. If it's negative, you can trace its roots back to fear. Fear of death, fear of pain, fear of embarrassment, fear of not getting your own way, fear of losing face... et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... Joy, on the other hand, is what arrives when fear is banished (v. 14). With God's arrival, fear departs, gladness reigns. God's love and ours is renewed (v. 17). It's time to party (v. 18a)!

The Responsorial Psalm is from the "major" prophet Isaiah. His book is 66 chapters long, but this 12th chapter is short and sweet. He sings of the confidence, strength, and courage that comes from the LORD (Is. 12.2). And here's that word joy again (v. 3)! Our response to this joy of salvation is to tell the world how great God is (vs. 4, 5). With fear gone, exultation and praise come forth like a fountain (v. 6).

The Second Reading is from the apostle Paul. His message is just like Zephaniah's and Isaiah's: "Don't worry. God will take care of you" (Phil 4.6). When the Lord is near (v. 5) fear disappears. When fear is gone, peace replaces it (v. 7). Now isn't that something to rejoice in? Paul thought so. He said it twice (v. 4). Easier said than done? Well, maybe...

The Gospel Reading is from the author and biographer Luke and shows how to reach that place where you can trust God to worry about stuff for you. The message 2000 years ago was "repent". The message today is "repent". John, the Baptist Preacher, gave practical ways to repent... give up your extra coat to the shivering, share your food with the hungry (Luke 3.11), don't rip people off even if you can get away with it scott free (v. 13), be content with your wages (v. 14)...

Yup. Easier said than done. But John doesn't leave it there. We're not going to be on our own to accomplish all this repentance. "...one mightier than I is coming... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (v. 16). Well, that sounds a little overwhelming too, but it beats the socks off being afraid. Because like good wheat after winnowing, we'll be gathered into God's barn-like arms, there to be kept safe, starting right now, till eternity (v. 17). And, man, that is Good News (v. 18)!

The rest of our life starts now. Fear not! Rejoice, God is with us!

Randy Jones
"Those who are afraid say there's nothing to be happy about!"

RENEWsetter for December 6, 2009 - 2nd Advent

2009-11-29T18:21:00.000-08:00

Dear People of Renewal--
Happy New Year! A little early you say? No, actually a week late. The New Liturgical Year began last Sunday. Not all new years begin on January 1. The traditional Chinese New Year begins on the day of the second (or third) new moon after the winter solstice and lasts for 15 days. Rosh Hashanah, the main Jewish New Year, begins 163 after the first day of Passover. Muslims have a new year too, but it comes 11 or 12 days earlier each calendar year, so sometimes there are 2 in the same calendar year. You think it's hard to figure out when Easter comes...? try to figure these out!

But for us Christians (cradle and convert alike), Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas During this time we talk about the arrival of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Advent, as you all know, means "coming". Christ came once as a new born baby, he came as an adult to start his ministry, he'll come again at the end of the world as King. And he comes into people's hearts as Savior, bringing not just a new year, but a new life, a new hope, a new joy.

The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/120609.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Baruch 5.1-9
Psalm 126.1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1.4-6, 8-11
Luke 3.1-6

The First Reading is the entire 5th chapter of this short book of Baruch written about the time of the rule of the Maccabees in Israel (~165 to 63 BCE). Baruch was scribe to the prophet Jeremiah. Baruch lived in a happy time for the Israelites. They had their independence and it was time to stop mourning and start celebrating (Bar 5.1-2). The glory of Jerusalem, bestowed upon it by God himself, could be seen throughout the land (vs. 3-4). Now God was bringing his children from the east and the west back to the holy city (vs. 5-6). To facilitate this homecoming, Baruch envisioned the rocky crags of impassable mountains being cut down, and the rubble used to fill the deep, steep-sided ravines and gorges (v. 7). "For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company" (v. 9). What a wonderful way to live!

One of the songs these happy Israelites were singing may have been our Responsorial Psalm. "The LORD has done great things for us! We are filled with joy!" (Ps. 126.3). The peoples of the world noticed this phenomenon and nodded to each other saying, "The LORD sure has done great things for them" (v. 2) The Jews have repeatedly, throughout history, been persecuted, sometimes, one might think, out of jealousy for the great things God does for them, but other times because God had to punish them. The same can be said of us. "Whom the Lord loves, he disciplines" (see Hebrews 12.6, 7). We may have sown in tears but we will reap with joy (v. 5). As the old hymn by Shaw and Minor says, "We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

The Second Reading gives some things to think about with regard to Advent, the Day of Christ (Phil 1.6, 10). Paul gives thanks for our partnership with him in the gospel (vs. 4-5). You see, God began a good work in us, and through blessing and discipline, will keep at it until the Day of Christ (v. 6 again). Paul prays that we will get better and better at loving, at perceiving truth, and at understanding it (v. 9). We are definitely a "work in progress", but God will make sure that we are pure and blameless for the Day of Christ (v. 10 again). Not for our own glory, but for the glory and praise of God (v. 11).

The Gospel Reading from Luke focuses on the time just before the coming of Jesus as an adult to begin his ministry. Luke is very meticulous and factual. He nails down the date precisely by naming the rulers at the time and pinpointing the year of their rule when this all began to happen. He even gives the first and last names (or 1st Century equivalent thereof) of the main character in this part of the story: John the son of Zechariah (Luke 3.1). John heard God's call and followed it out into the desert along the River Jordan. His message was simple: Repent! and then be baptized to proclaim your repentance (v. 3). His mandate came from the prophet Isaiah, from whom Baruch also drew: "A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God'" (vs. 4-6).

The road may be steep and winding now. There may be obstacles and pitfalls along the way. But the day is coming and now is here when the path will be straightened and smoothed. Don't give up. We will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!

Randy Jones
"Those who don't sow won't reap!"

RENEWsletter for November 29, 2009 - 1st Advent

2009-11-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Renewed Friends--
Late on the night of November 17, just as the annual Leonid Meteor Shower was ending, a gigantic fireball lit up the skies of the western US. Something about the size of a refrigerator hit the atmosphere and exploded with the force of a thousand tons of TNT. Witnesses in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and elsewhere say the fireball "turned night into day" and "shook the ground" when it exploded just after midnight Mountain Standard Time. Researchers who are analyzing infrasound recordings of the blast say the fireball was probably a small asteroid, now scattered in fragments across the countryside. This was a small one and it broke up before it hit the ground, but a larger meteor, say 300 or more feet in diameter, could make it all the way through our thin sheet of air and do a lot of damage. If one of those guys ever sneaks up on us and impacts the Earth... well, the "powers of heaven will be shaken".

The readings for this coming 1st Sunday in Advent discuss what we can look forward to and how we should be acting in anticipation of Christ's return. They can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/112909.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Jeremiah 33.14-16
Psalm 25.4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
1 Thessalonians 3.12 - 4.2
Luke 21.25-28, 34-36

The prophet Jeremiah, in the First Reading, accentuates the positive. The LORD is going to fulfill his promises to Israel (Jer. 33.14). The one he's going to raise up will do what is right and just (v. 15). Finally, there will be peace (v. 16), not just in the Middle East, but worldwide. And the name of Jerusalem will be changed to "The LORD our justice". Something to look forward to, to be sure.

The psalmist David sings of this theme in the Responsorial Psalm. His refrain, "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul" (Ps. 25.1), speaks of looking forward to something wonderful. With him, we can look forward to learning his ways, his truth (vs. 4, 5). Even though we are sinners, he guides us (vs. 8, 9). If we follow his guidance, we'll have his friendship (vs. 10, 14).

The Apostle Paul explains in the Second Reading what it means to follow the example of the Lord. He prays that God will cause us to increase abundantly in love, not only for our fellow believers, but for all the world, believers and non-believers alike (1 Thess 3.12). Love like this will strengthen our hearts and make us blameless before God when Christ returns (ch. 3, v. 13). Paul really feels strongly about this. He earnestly asks and exhorts us to keep loving (ch. 4, v. 1). And to keep doing even more and more of it.

In the Gospel Reading, the good Doctor Luke relates what Jesus has to say about his own return. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars" and a "roaring of the sea and the waves" (Luke 21.25). An asteroid impact at sea would cause some roaring, I think. And if people knew it was coming, if they saw the powers of heaven being shaken, they could very well "die of fright" (v. 26). But when our hearts are filled with love, there is no room for fear. We'll see these events as a sign that the King is coming! (v. 27). And we will look up in anticipation of redemption (v. 28).

So what shall we do in the meantime? Run off to some mountain top and wait? Crawl into some hole and hide? Or, maybe just "poo-poo" the whole thing and go on grabbing everything in life that we can and serving ourselves. Well, Jesus warns us not to "become drowsy with carousing and drunkenness," which is a poor way to deal with anxiety (v. 34). The return of the King is not something to worry about, but to look forward to. If we don't look forward to it, it will catch us by surprise like the sudden springing of a trap (vs. 34, 35). And it's not something that any will be able to escape (v. 35).

There will always be trials and tribulations, but God will supply us with the strength and confidence we need to stand upright and smile when we are reunited with Jesus, our Savior, our King... our brother.

PS... For further reading about Near Earth Objects (NEOs) see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-Earth_object - Wikipedia: Near-Earth Object
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/ - NASA: Near Earth Object Program

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot keep looking up will be caught by surprise!"

RENEWsletter for November 22, 2009 - Christ the King

2009-11-16T05:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Renew friends--
The Scriptures for next Sunday kinda made me think about political Inaugural Balls that celebrate a new President or Governor, or even, I suppose, a new Mayor. Well you know, someday the Lord is going to recall all the heads of state of the Earth, and the Inaugural Ball for the King of Kings will be like nothing this Universe has ever seen in its 14 billion years (or so) of history. The heavenly coronation will be bigger than the Big Bang, brighter than all the galaxies combined, more beautiful than... well, we'll all ooh and ahh till we're hoarse! And the best part? Admission is free! And we are all invited! :-)

Next Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the Liturgical Year, the last Sunday before Advent begins. The Readings are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/112209.shtml and in your Bible in:

Daniel 7.13-14
Psalm 93.1, 1-2, 5
Revelation 1.5-8
John 18.33b-37

In the First Reading, the prophet Daniel describes the coming of the King of Kings (Dan 7.13). This is the Grand Recall when all the world's leaders hand dominion, power, glory, and kingship over the Son of Man (v. 14 first part). But strangely, this doesn't appear to be done grudgingly, or as a result of defeat in a military action, or a popular recall election. No, "all peoples, nations, and languages serve him" (v. 14 second part). It's like the whole planet is relieved to see him come.

The Responsorial Psalm describes that Great Inaugural Ball. "Splendor", "majesty", "holiness", "strength" (Ps. 93.1,2). These words describe how the people feel about this King whose decrees are worthy of trust (v. 5). Again, it's like the whole of mankind is glad to see Christ come and set things aright.

In the Second Reading, St. John in his apocalyptic Book of Revelation describes some of the reasons why the coming of the King of Kings is such a joyous occasion. He loves us and has freed us from our sins (Rev. 1.5). He has made us into a kingdom of priests for God (v. 6). He will be "coming in the clouds" and every eye will see him (v. 7). Verse 7 then adds, "even those who pierced him". I look at this verse two ways. One, his coming will somehow be witnessed all over the world at the same time, so it won't be a physical arrival from some point in space. It will be a physical arrival from ALL points in space simultaneously. Two, his coming will somehow be witnessed all through time simultaneously, even by those who crucified him and have been dead a long time. Maybe Jesus's claim that "this generation will not pass away till all these things have taken place" (as we read in last week's Gospel, Mark 13.30) will turn out to be literally true, and history will be changed! It could happen. ;-)

Well, Revelation is often hard to understand, but the Gospel Reading isn't. Another or the same St. John describes Jesus when he stood before Pilate in about 33 AD, Earth time (John 18.33). The Grand Recall wasn't to occur at that time. And Pilate was a politician. He knew how to handle rabble rousers. He knew how to deal with emissaries from Rome. He knew how to manipulate the leaders of the Jews. But he couldn't figure Jesus out (v. 37). Here was this guy claiming to be a King, yet he wasn't even mildly upset by the fact that he was about to be executed!

A good example for us was set there that day. And it came at a time when reliable written accounts were being made of happenings. We can be sure that this actually did happen at about the time it claims to have occurred. Jesus's kingdom is not of this world, this physical planet in this particular time-stream (v. 36). His kingdom is outside of space and time, and yet inside our hearts and minds. This is what enabled him to stand before Pilate, mildly amused at the whole thing.

Can we approach the vicissitudes of life with the same calm, mildly amused demeanor of Jesus? Give it a try this week. And may God show us just how richly he can bless us!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot see beyond today say that hope is gone!"

RENEWsletter for November 15, 2009 - 33rd Ordinary

2009-11-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Renewal--
It is written, "People don't live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). The words in this week's readings are good words, though they speak of a time we cannot yet relate to. These are "apocalyptic" words... words that tell of widespread devastation... cosmic upheaval... the end of time and space.

Yet they are reassuring words as well. Take a look at the readings for the 33rd of the Numbered Sundays. You'll find them on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/111509.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Daniel 12.1-3
Psalm 16.5, 8, 9-10, 11
Hebrews 10.11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32

The Book of Daniel is one of those Scriptures that comes closest to the type of literature we today call "science fiction". The term "science fiction" is a misnomer and there have been many alternative suggestions for a name for the genre... "alternative future fiction", "speculative fiction", etc. But the First Reading, whether "science", or "alternative", or "speculative", is not "fiction". It's the Word of God.

Daniel was shown a time "unsurpassed in distress since nations began" (Dan. 12.1), a time of universal devastation.

This kind of cataclysm may have happened previously... that is before nations began. The dinosaurs were destroyed by the widespread devastation and cosmic upheaval caused by the collision of an asteroid or giant comet with the earth some 60 million years ago. And today NASA and several observatories are engaged in a search for "Near Earth Objects", objects whose orbits cross that of Earth, posing the threat of a potential collision event. There is a Twitter account called Asteroid Watch that monitors these NEOs. The latest one whizzed by us November 6 and was about 22 feet in diameter. It came within 8700 miles of us.

But, says Daniel, everyone who is found written in the Book, will escape (v. 3).

The psalmist picks up this theme of escaping destruction in the Responsorial Psalm. "You will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor let your faithful one undergo corruption" (Ps. 16.10). No, the inheritance of the faithful is a future of joy in the presence of the Lord (v. 11).

That's all well and good for the "faithful", but... gee, we're human, we're sinners, we're unfaithful sometimes... a lot of the time! Don't worry. The Second Reading assures us that performance isn't a requirement. It's the attitude of heart. The desire to please the Lord, itself, pleases the Lord, as Thomas Merton once said. The writer of Hebrews asserts salvation is not our doing, but Christ's doing (Heb. 10.12). His one sacrifice offered for sins took care of the issue. He has made perfect forever those who are consecrated (v. 14)... those who are written in the Book.

The verses that are left out of the reading are especially comforting for us who may live to see the Apocalypse.
15 The holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying:
16 "This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds,'"
17 he also says: "Their sins and their evildoing I will remember no more".

Sins that are no longer remembered, that are forgiven, no longer need to be paid for (v. 18).
The Gospel Reading carries Jesus' own words about the End Times. He speaks of cosmic disruption of the natural order: the sun will be darkened, as will the moon. He speaks of widespread devastaton: the stars (asteroids?) will start falling from the sky (Mark 13.24-25). Then the triumphant Jesus will be seen coming in the clouds (v. 26), coming for his people, the faithful, the ones written in the Book and made perfect forever not by their own effort, but by the consecration accomplished by Jesus' death and resurrection ages before.

We are not given to know when this will start occurring. Even Jesus himself was not informed (v. 32). But we can watch the signs. The illustration of the fig tree sprouting leaves when summer is near (v. 28) shows us that we will have a clue when the end times are near. When we "see these things happening" (v. 29), we will know. We have the technology to compute precisely the orbits of celestial bodies. We don't yet have the technology to change the course of several hundred cubic kilometers of rock and ice. The Asteroid Apophis, predicited in 2004 to have a small chance of hitting the Earth in 2029, is about 1,100 feet in diameter. Currently the chances of this rock hitting our planet have been refined to about 1 in 250,000. But should an NEO be discovered with an orbit that intersects Earth, and a size large enough to cause widespread devastation, we will know that the end is near.

The end? No, the beginning! The beginning of eternity in joyful fellowship with the God of all creation. Not something to fear. Something to look forward to. Those words that proceed from the mouth of God, that we live by, will not pass away, even though the heavens and the Earth will (v. 31).

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot see the signs say the world will last forever!"

RENEWsletter for November 8, 2009 - 32nd Ordinary

2009-11-02T04:56:00.000-08:00

Hello, folks--
How many of you tithe? I don't. I try, but it's hard enough to make ends meet. Still.... the readings this week concern a few folks that had more trouble than you or I ever will making ends meet. And they gave much more than 10%... they gave 100%.

This Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are available at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/110809.shtml on the web, and in your Bible at:

1 Kings 17.10-16
Psalm 146.7, 8-9, 9-10 (with vs. 1b)
Hebrews 9.24-28
Mark 12.38-44

The First Reading is the story of Elijah and the widow. Elijah had just arrived at Zarephath and at the gate of the city, he saw a woman gathering firewood. "Would you please bring me a cup of water?" he asked her (1 Kings 17.10). The fact that she immediately went to help him says a lot about her character. She was willing to help someone in need. Yet, when Elijah also asked for something to eat (v. 11), she had to stop and explain. She was at the end of her rope. She had only enough flour and oil for one more tiny loaf of bread and when that was gone, she and her son would begin to starve to death (v. 12). Elijah insisted that she make something for him first, and then take care of herself and her son (v. 13).

She had only one last chance for one more meal, yet she gave some of that to this stranger. That was far, far beyond a tithe! But Elijah promised her that the jar and the jug would not run dry (v. 14). How could she have believed this thirsty, hungry, nameless traveler? It didn't matter. He was hungry and thirsty, and she had a little something to give, so she gave (v. 15). And the LORD gave back by taking care of them for the next year, until the drought ended (v. 16)!

Perhaps this woman knew of the song repeated in our Responsorial Psalm. "The LORD gives food to the hungry" (Ps. 146.7). She also may have recalled verse 9: "The LORD protects strangers and sustains the orphan and the widow." Here was a stranger, hungry... with the LORD protecting him... surely the LORD would take care her and her son too. "Praise the Lord, my soul!" (v. 1)

In the Second Reading we can see some parallels in Jesus and how God protected him while was a stranger on this Earth. Christ offered himself, not over and over as human priests have to do with blood that is not their own (Heb. 9.25), but once, for all, with his own blood. And God took good care of him (v. 26). He's coming back, not to suffer any more, but to bring salvation to us who are eagerly awaiting it (v. 28).

The Gospel Reading is the familiar story of the widow and her 100% donation. Jesus was making an object lesson for his disciples in the way the rich and powerful behaved in the name of religion. Don't be like these guys, says Jesus. They make their wealth at the expense of widows and the helpless, and they'll get what's coming to them (Mark 12 40). Then he sat down where he could watch as people passed the poor box upon entering the synagogue (v. 41). People of all statuses came in, from the very rich to the very poor. Many of the rich people put large sums into the box (v. 41 still), but a widow came by and put in two tiny coins. Jesus sensed that she had given all she had left (v. 44), trusting that God would take care of her.

The widows in these stories gave their all. In Elijah's case, the widow did not even know God, yet the Presence of Lord in Elijah was evident to her. She trusted Elijah. The widow in the Gospel story knew God. The Presence of the Lord was in the synagogue. She didn't even need anyone to know that the couple of coins she dropped in the poor box were all she had. But Jesus knew. Jesus understands sacrifice. He gave his life, but... he got it back! How can we help but give, even sacrificially when we know we'll be rewarded? Full measure, shaken together, packed down, and running over (see Luke 6.38)!

Have a good week, folks!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot give all say they need to take care of themselves!"

RENEWsletter for November 1, 2009 - All Saints

2009-10-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Dear People of Renewal--
Toward the end of the Liturgical Year we encounter Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. All Saints, as you know, is a Holy Day of Obligation. How does Halloween fit into this holy time of year? Well, the word comes from Hallowed Evening and it is the eve of the holy All Saints Day. A characteristic of Pre-Christian celebrations was that they began the night before. I'm fascinated by the pre-Christian roots of some of our Christian Holidays. Many are close to the "Quarter Days" and the "Cross-quarter Days". The Quarter Days are the Solstices and Equinoxes and the Cross-quarter Days are the midway points between each Solstice/Equinox pair. All Saints Day is the Cross-quarter Day between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice.

Do you believe that God was around and relating to humans before Moses codified the Law. Of course he was! The readings for this Solemnity of All Saints Sunday center around the work that God does to sanctify those who love him, and whom he loves. Those readings can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/110109.shtml on the web, and in your Bible at:

Revelation 7.2-4, 9-14
Psalm 24.1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
1 John 3.1-3
Matthew 5.1-12a

Our First Reading comes from the last book of the Bible this time. Normally we hear from prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah in the First Reading. Today we hear from St. John the Devine, to whom five books of the New Testament are attributed: the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. Revelation is the prophetic book in this list, and the First Reading customarily is prophetic.

The Revelation of John is a book that could keep a scholar busy all his life. If you were to Google "Revelation of St John the Devine", the readings proffered would keep you busy until your carpal tunnel acted up! There is some disagreement over authorship, but regardless of who actually wrote these words, they are the words of the Holy Spirit: 144,000 Jews, and a great multitude of believers from every nation, race, people and tongue will stand before the Lamb (Rev 7.4, 9). These people will have had their robes washed in the blood of the Lamb (v. 14). When is blood a detergent or whitening agent? When it is blood shed by Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God for the remission of sins.

And why is it important to have remission of sins? According to the Psalmist David in the Responsorial Psalm, only the "clean of hand and the pure of heart" can stand before the LORD (Ps. 24.3, 4). God owns the entire Universe, including everything we humans have access to (v. 1): the whole of the planet Earth, the entire Solar System through spacecraft, manned and robotic, and the vast Universe through the eyes of visible, infra-red, ultra-violet, and X-ray telescopes! Seeking knowledge of the whole of Creation is seeking the face of God (v. 6).

The Second Reading comes from a letter attributed traditionally to the same St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation. In it he says, "See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called his kids." Those of you who have kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and so on... you know how easy it is to love kids. (Unless of course, the kids involved are teenages. Then it's hard, but still doable!) But we are God's kids, and he loves us, and he raises us. We don't yet know what we will be like when we are fully raised and full grown (v. 2). But we'll grow up just like him, our heavenly father. And we will someday be as clean of hand and as pure of heart as God himself (v. 3).

Now we come to the Gospel Reading. The famous, much quoted, and much loved "Beatitudes". This is the stuff that Jesus thought it was important to convey to the multitudes who came out to hear what he had to say. This is Jesus in a nutshell. Christianity in its purest, simplest form. Blessed are the poor in spirit (v. 3). Blessed are the mourners (v. 4). Blessed are the meek (v. 5). Blessed are the spiritually hungry (v. 6). Blessed are the merciful (v. 7). Blessed are the pure of heart (v. 8). (Where have we heard that before?) Blessed are the persecuted (v. 9).

Which one applies to you? Any? One? More than one? Well, if your robes are washed in the blood of the Lamb, at least the "pure of heart" one applies. Bottom line, none of these apply to any of us, but for Jesus and his act of love.

We are loved. We are loved! We don't need to be afraid. We are loved.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot love say it's not humanly possible!"

RENEWsletter for October 25, 30th Ordinary

2009-10-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Good morning Renewers--
Some time ago I attended a talk by a Nigerian priest about Patience. I came away with a sense of what God's timing requires of us in terms of patience. I'm sure all of us could name some condition, situation, or trial that we've been praying about for a long time. And all God seems to be saying is, "Yes, I know. Be patient."

The readings for next Sunday, the 30th in Ordinary Time, cut to the chase in this regard. They're about the joy that comes when prayers are finally answered with, "Okay. Now!" These readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/102509.shtml and in your Bible in:

Jeremiah 31.7-9
Psalm 126.1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Hebrews 5.1-6
Mark 10.46-52

The First Reading speaks of the joy felt by the Israelites when they were finally set free of captivity and were allowed to return to their homeland (Jer. 31.7). The Assyrians had carried them away to Babylon in 586 BC and 52 years later, after the Persians conquered the Assyrians, Cyrus the Great allowed them to return. Not only that, he also made sure they had everything they needed to restore their worship of God and rebuild the temple. He had a policy of supporting conquered people's local gods. A good policy for an empire that didn't want a lot of religious wars on their hands.

But for the children of the One True God, this was almost too good to be true. Their prayers to return to Jerusalem were answered more favorably than any had dared to ask (v. 8). They weren't just turned loose; they were helped and encouraged and supported (v.9).

The Responsorial Psalm sings of the same thing the First Reading speaks of: "The LORD has done great things for us! We are filled with joy!" (Ps. 126.3). They couldn't believe they were going home... they thought they were dreaming (v. 1). But they weren't dreaming. They realized that those who "sow in tears", will in time "reap with joy" (v. 5). Just as in that old hymn by Knowles Shaw and George Minor, "We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!"

God knows that it is impossible for us to keep ourselves free of sin. We are constantly conquered by that "foreign power". As Paul writes in Romans 7.19, "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do". So God provided a way, as we see in this Second Reading, for us to get back home. First there were the priests, descendents of Aaron, who could offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (Heb. 5.1). Not only for the sins of the people, but for their own sins as well (v. 2,3). Then came Jesus, a priest after the "Order of Melchizedek" to offer himself a living sacrifice once for all sins of all people of all time (v. 6).

Now, there's a lot of mystery surrounding this strange Order of Melchizedek... but basically it's a spiritual order that God himself founded. A special priesthood set up so Christ, as our spiritual high priest could offer himself as a sin offering for all humanity. And through him, we are released from the captivity of sin.

The Gospel Reading speaks of another kind of setting free. Bartimaeus, the blind man (Mark 10.46), who wouldn't behave himself and keep quiet (v. 48), called out loudly, "Son of David, have pity on me!" (vs. 47, 48) He knew he was held captive by blindness and he not only longed to be free, he insisted on it. Jesus heard his plea and called Bartimaeus to him (v. 49). Bartimaeus didn't hesitate. He "threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and felt his way to Jesus" (v. 50). Jesus asked him what he wanted. "Master, I want to see," was his reply (v. 51).

That was a lot to ask. How often do we hesitate to ask for precisely what we want. Perhaps we feel we don't deserve the best. Bartimaeus could have asked for someone to take care of him and lead him around so he'd never be alone and hungry again. I'm sure Jesus would have granted that request just as readily. But he was willing to give sight if asked, and not only that, but forgiveness of sins as well. "Your faith has saved you" (v. 52). Bartimaeus was set free of his sin and his infirmity.

Can we ask God for release from our own personal captivity? Will he answer "Be patient"? Or will he answer, "Okay!" We won't know until we ask. See Matthew 7.11: "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him." And now look at Ephesians 3.20, 21: "Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Ask God for good things this week... and see what happens.

Randy Jones
"Those who do not ask must think the answer will prob'ly be No!"

2009-10-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
Welcome to a new week. We are nearing the end of the Liturgical Year and Thanksgiving is barely a month away. If you're like most of us, the year has seen its ups and downs. The readings for this Sunday seem to me to proclaim that hackneyed but eminently pithy old adage, "No pain, no gain". If the past year brought pain, here's hoping there was something gained from it.

You can find the readings for this 29th Sunday in Numbered-Sundays Time, on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/101809.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Isaiah 53.10-11
Psalm 33.4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Hebrews 4.14-16
Mark 10.35-45

The First Reading brings the "no pain, no gain" idea out clearly. Look at that first verse (Is. 53.10). "The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendents in a long life!" If you remind yourself that this is referring to two of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, you see that the pain and the gain were in the same place. God wasn't sitting up in heaven taking pot shots at some poor slob on earth. He was going through the pain -- and the gain -- himself. "Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many" (v. 11). Much has been said about this concept of the Suffering Servant, but it bears repeating so we never forget. We are the happy recipients of the gain, that is, justification, thanks to God's own Son's suffering.

So do we get the gain without the pain? Certainly not without at least a little pain! In the Responsorial Psalm the psalmist proclaims that we can count on the LORD. His word is upright, his works are trustworthy (Ps. 33.4). The eyes of the LORD are upon us "to deliver them [us] from death in spite of famine" (v. 19). To me this means we are delivered from eternal spiritual death, but not from trials and tribulations in this temporal life. We may still experience some famine. So, for us too, there is pain with the gain, but not unbearable pain.

The Second Reading acknowledges that there will be trials, tests, even failures, but we should not panic. "Let us hold fast to our confession" (Heb. 4.14), because we have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses... who's been there... done that... even got the t-shirt (think of that "t" as a cross!) Now, he was God -- he didn't slip -- but he knows what we go through (v. 15). Therefore it's okay to go to him when we slip and need some understanding, mercy, grace... when we need some TLC (v. 16).

The Gospel Reading relates the instructive incident of James and John Zebedeeson's bid for preferential seating in the Kingdom of Heaven (Mark 10.37). Jesus talked to them about pain before gain. He said, "Whoever wishes to be great among you [gain] will be your servant [pain]. Whoever wishes to be first among you [gain] will be the slave of all [pain]" (vs. 43, 44). So there is no gain without pain. And that holds for us as well as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah (v. 45). But the pain will give us perspective on the value of the gain. And always there is the Throne of Grace where we can be confident of receiving balm for our hurts, and help for our shortcomings.

Have a great, gainful week, folks, and let's not shy away from the pain of gain.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot take the pain say there is no gain!"

2009-10-05T06:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewing friends--
The readings for next Sunday, the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, center around wisdom. Wisdom is one of those things that I know when I see it, but how does one come up with a definition? More than that, how does one acquire that elusive quality? Let's see what the readings have to say. You'll find them on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/101109.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Wisdom 7.7-11
Psalm 90.12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Hebrews 4.12-13
Mark 10.17-30

The First Reading sings the praises of Wisdom (Wis. 7.9). More to be sought than power or riches (v. 8), more important than health, good looks, or even light! (v. 10). The writer of the Book of Wisdom claims that the way to acquire wisdom is to ask for it... To pray and to plead (v. 7) for wisdom. It's interesting to note that Wisdom is personified as feminine. This may be because the society back then, a hundred years before Christ, was male-dominated. If the society had been female-dominated, would Wisdom have been portrayed as a strong, handsome, devoted man? Pick your image. Wisdom is something highly desirable!

But what IS wisdom? The Psalmist sings "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart" (Ps. 90.12). What does it mean to "number our days aright"? Maybe it means to plan our lives with God's precepts in mind. Take a realistic perspective on the events and happenings in our life, good and bad. Not just float from day to day, reacting to events that impinge on our complacency, but to aim for something. The psalm ends by repeating twice, "Prosper the work of our hands!" (v. 17). With wisdom in our hearts we can take purposeful steps toward a prosperous goal.

But what goal? In the Second Reading the writer of Hebrews gives us something to think about when planning goals. "Everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account" (Heb. 4.13). We're not going to hide our aims from the Lord. We must pick ones that won't embarrass us when God taps us on the shoulder and says, "Ahem." The Word of God, that "living and effective ... two-edged sword" (v. 12) will help us discern the thoughts of our own heart and guide us to accountability.

Okay, so what must we do to ensure that our account-giving won't be disastrous? What must we do to inherit eternal life? Mark, in the Gospel Reading, relates the answer Jesus gave when asked this question by a rich young politician (Mark 10.17). The answer in this case was the one thing that cut to the man's soul, dividing his joints and marrow like the two-edged sword it was. "Give up your wealth to those who need it, and give up your career to follow me" (v. 21). Surely the guy knew the Scriptures, the Proverbs of Solomon, even that recent work, the Book of Wisdom. He knew that Wisdom was more precious than all the riches in the world. Yet... when push came to shove... Well, his face fell and he went away sad (v. 22). He thought it was too much for him.

But God never asks us to do something that is too much for us. See 1 Corinthians 10.13. It may look like too much, as it did to that 1st century yuppie in the Gospel, but God will be there. To clear the path. To help carry our load. To carry us when we can't go on!

This is Wisdom. We should set a goal that won't embarrass us when God reviews it. Then set out for it, give what it requires, rely on God to supply us with what we need. And don't forget that one of the things we need is joy. He supplies that too. Full measure, packed down, and running over! (Luke 6.38.)

Have a joyful, goal-oriented, and triumphant week!
Randy Jones
"Those who will not pay the price say the cost is too high!"

RENEWsletter for October 4, 2009 - 27th Ordinary

2009-09-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
This Sunday's readings make me think of the spiritual importance of family. The idea that "it's not good for a person to be alone" has been a "given" since the foundation of the world. Yet today many people are alone. More than ever, even at work, there is little personal interaction. There's email and cell phones, and Facebook and Twitter, and they wouldn't be as popular as they are if it weren't for humans' desire, and need, to connect.

So let's connect by taking a look together at the readings for this coming 27th of the "numbered Sundays". They are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/100409.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Genesis 2.18-24
Psalm 128.1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Hebrews 2.9-11
Mark 10.2-16

Some people think the story in the First Reading is literally factual... Some think it's allegorical... Some don't think about it at all. There's an email joke floating around that humorously re-writes this story. Eve is lonely and God offers to create a companion for her. Says God, "He'll be proud, arrogant, and self-admiring, so as a condition of creating him for you, you'll have to let him believe that I made him first. And it will be our little secret... you know, woman to woman." :-)

Regardless of your take on the creation story in Genesis, you have to concede that it's not good to be alone (Gen 2.18). We need the animals, and all other life too (v. 19). We give names to our pets, we catalog and record the statistics of all the life we can find (v. 20). We even look for life on other planets! But nothing matches the companionship of our own kind (vs. 23, 24). Humans were made for community. We need each other.

In fact, in the Responsorial Psalm one of the blessings the psalmist is thanking the Lord for is his family (Ps. 128.3). It is in this way that we receive our greatest blessings (v. 4). Living to see our children's children, this is the greatest blessing of all (v. 6). May the LORD bless us all the days of our lives (v. 5)!

The Second Reading points out that "he who consecrates [Jesus] and those who are being consecrated [us] all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them [us] brothers [and sisters]" (Heb. 2.11). The Family of God is a happy family! Even when there's suffering (v. 9). God thought it fitting that his son should suffer in order to perfect our salvation, our adoption into the Family of God (v. 10). If we suffer in this life, we can know that our "big brother" Jesus suffered too, that we are saved by his suffering, and will spend eternity with him and the rest of God's family.

The Gospel Reading carries forth with the importance of family. Jesus deals with those pesky Pharisees, the "fundamentalists" of his day, when they come to him with a trick question. "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" (Mark 10.2). Well, the answer was Yes, it's lawful (vs. 3, 4). But Jesus explained that God allowed it because of the "hardness of your hearts" (v. 5). Jesus then repeated the creation story for them (vs. 6-9). They knew the story, but did the significance soak into their hearts? God makes the husband and wife one body; Moses allowed that body to be separated. The fact is, God hates divorce (Malachi 2.16). He hates it because of what it does to us, his children. Divorce is lawful, but it's awful.

I can imagine the disciples sitting through this is stunned silence, wide-eyed, perhaps for the first time considering the creation story and the law about divorce in the same sentence. They came to him later, after the Pharisees had gone, to ask him about it (v. 10). He put it another way: If a husband and wife get divorced and marry another, it's the same as adultery (v. 11, 12).

Yes, and if you're angry with your brother, it's the same as murder (Matthew 5.21, 22).

See, we all sin. But God made a way to reunite us with himself. Look at the Second reading again: "...that by the grace of God he [Jesus] might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2.9). How many times will God forgive his children? "Seventy times seven" (Matt. 18.22).

So let us soften our hearts... let God take away our stony hearts and give us warm hearts (Ezekiel 11.19 and 36.26). We need each other. We can't hurt another without hurting ourselves.

Have a good week, folks, and keep in touch!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot love say 'I am a rock... I am an island'!"

RENEWsletter for September 27, 2009 - 26th Ordinary

2009-09-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Good morning Renewers--
When Friday comes, those of us who work at a 40+ hr/wk, Mon-Fri job breathe a sigh of relief. The work load, especially these days, if we even have a job, is grueling. And those who don't have a job but desperately need one, are hard at work trying to find one. It sometimes gets to be too much to bear. Moses had a job like that and he needed to hire a much bigger staff. So did Jesus.

The readings for next Sunday put me in mind of ecumenism, sometimes a difficult concept to get across to the really zealous ones. But Jesus says "Whoever is not against us is for us." And Moses says "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets." Sometimes it's just not thinking clearly that causes us to try to hush others, or to oppress them. And sometimes it's just not thinking at all. Yet we can use all the help we can get!

You can find the readings for this 26th Ordinary Time Sunday on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/092709.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Numbers 11.25-29
Psalm 19.8, 10, 12-13, 14
James 5.1-6
Mark 9.38-43, 45, 47-48 (the official reading skips vs. 44 & 46 which may have been stuck into the Scripture later, but they don't add anything except poetic repetition)

Numbers chapter 11 opens with the Israelites complaining that they were sick of the manna and wanted meat. Moses had had it with them! He complained to the Lord, "I can't carry this whole nation all by myself. Strike me dead now and free me from this burden" (Num. 11.15). Just before the First Reading begins, God is saying, "I tell you what, Moses. Gather 70 elders and trusted leaders of the people and I'll take some of my Spirit which is on you and spread it around on them. Then you won't have to do it all by yourself" (v. 16, 17). (Gosh! Could I use something like at work!) When this happened the 70 elders began to prophesy.

I've been wondering what it means to "prophesy" (pronounced PRAH-fuh-seye). We usually think of prophecy (pronounced PRAH-fuh-see) as a prediction of the future. But it can also mean something akin to preaching. The thing is, prophets have a vision... see something... some truth... and start explaining what they see to those folks around them. That's what these 70 did, only two of them hadn't gathered at Moses's tent. They were still in the camp. Nonetheless, God knew where they were and shed some of his Spirit and them too. And they prophesied.

Now Joshua, bless his zealous heart, urged Moses to stop them (v. 28). This was irregular. They were supposed to come here to the tent. But Joshua wasn't thinking. He was taken up with the rules, not the intent of the sharing of the Spirit. What Moses said lets us see just what kind of man he was. "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that ALL the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his Spirit on them ALL!" (v. 29). No group has, or should have, a monopoly on the Spirit of the LORD.

The Responsorial Psalm and the Second Reading are two types of "prophecy". The Psalmist bubbles over with love for the LORD. "The precepts of the LORD give joy to the heart" (Psalm 19:9). The Second Reading has James predicting the doom of the those who are laying up treasures on earth at the expense of those less powerful. See, the lesson is: Joy comes when your soul is aligned with the precepts of God, but when you oppress others, you wind up weeping and wailing over your impending miseries (James 5:1).

The Gospel story fits very well with the First Reading. Here it is the zeal of Jesus's disciples that leads them to try to stop non-followers of Jesus from exorcising demons. Now, of course it was the disciples who made up the "one holy catholic and apostolic church". This other enthusiastic, spirit-filled group was prob'ly a bunch of Baptists. The disciples weren't thinking clearly. All they saw was a transgression of the rules. But Jesus set them straight. "Whoever is not against us is for us!" (Mark 9.40). Ecumenism! There are many different parts, but the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:20). There are many different denominations, many different liturgies, but the same Lord is worshiped.

Would that ALL people worshiped the Lord!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot abide diversity say those guys are doing it wrong!"

RENEWsletter for September 20, 2009 - 25th Ordinary

2009-09-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Good morning Renewers--
Have you ever encountered someone who was irritated with you just because you were happy? That sometimes happens to Christians who somehow see the silver linings in the dark clouds more readily than those around them. A fan of Star Trek will remember the Organians who irritated both Capt. Kirk and the Klingon Cmdr. Kor with their insistence that there was no danger, no one had died, and both warring parties, the Klingons and the Federation, were welcome on their planet. They turned out to be all-powerful energy beings and really were in no danger.

Well, the readings for next Sunday, the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, deal with Jesus's, and our, mission here on earth, what the forces of fear planned to do to him and us, and how we will overcome them. The readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/092009.shtml and in your Bible in:

Wisdom 2.12, 17-20
Psalm 54.3-4, 5, 6, 8
James 3.16 - 4.3
Mark 9.30-37

"Let us beset the just one!" cry the wicked in the First Reading (Wis. 2.12). They've heard that God will defend him (v. 18), but they're going to put him to the test anyway. Kinda reminds me of the "frivolous lawsuit" idea... you have people who know they can't win, but they'll tie things up in court as long as they can just to be obnoxious. Have you ever been hampered by someone who knew you were right, but just resorted to name-calling or tale-bearing to try and get you to make a mistake, maybe? There are lots of stories like that in the political realm. Think of filibusters...

But the Responsorial Psalm gives the response we should take to heart when it happens to us: "The Lord upholds my life!" (Ps. 54.6). The opposition rises up against us, the ruthless seek our lives (v. 5). But God is our help (v. 6 again). Once the frivolous lawsuits are thrown out and the filibusters end, we can praise the Lord for his goodness (v. 8).

The Second Reading also maps out what our response can be when the wicked beset us. Be cool. Chill. Relax. Foster purity, peace, gentleness, compliance, mercy... and you'll bring forth good fruits of consistency and sincerity (Jas. 3.17). It is our passions... our negative passions, if we let those wicked ones stir them up, that cause conflicts among us and give the wicked the victory (ch. 4, v. 1). When we pray, we mustn't ask for the things and events that our fears, our anger, our pain, or our frustration demand. That's "asking amiss" (ch. 4, v. 3). We must instead ask for the peace of God to fill our hearts, and that will put all the passions and the attacks of the wicked in a whole new light.

The Gospel Reading gives another dimension to these concepts of dealing with high feelings. Jesus was letting his disciples in on what was to come in his own ministry. He would be killed. But 3 days later, he would shake death off and take up his life again (Mark 9.31). The attacks of the wicked would never bring lasting victory for them.

The disciples didn't understand and in discussing it among themselves fell to arguing (v. 33). But when Jesus asked them what the hubbub was, they didn't want to say, because they were arguing over who would wind up greatest in the kingdom (v. 34). The object lesson that Jesus gave them can work for us, too, when those "filibusters" of the wicked beset us. "If you want to be first, be last" (v. 35). In other words, change your perspective. Don't let your passions guide you. Don't covet someone else's position. Be as a little child (v. 36). Defenseless. Trusting. Dependent on God. This is scary only if you fear the wicked and their filibusters. Christ takes away all the fears we give him, and replaces them with peace. With that peace we receive Christ himself, and the Father who sent him (v. 37).

When the dark clouds roll in, and the enemies of peace say, "See? See? Dark clouds! I told you so!", then relax, trust God, and point out the silver linings. Bless you all and have a great rest of the week.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot see the silver lining say the storm is bad"

RENEWsletter for September 13, 2009 - 24th Ordinary

2009-09-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewing Friends--
I remember something from my early youth attributed to Davy Crockett. He reportedly said, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead." That pops into mind as I read this Sunday's selections. Isaiah, the psalmist, James, and Mark all seem to understand that motto in a heavenly sense.

Look up the readings for this 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time for yourselves on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/091309.shtml or in your Bible at:

Isaiah 50.5-9a
Psalm 116.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
James 2.14-18
Mark 8.27-35

All the prophets, Isaiah among them, suffered consequences of their preaching. Whether, in this First Reading, Isaiah was describing his own life and troubles, or the Messiah's, or giving us exemplary messages for our own, the message is clear: Stay the course! (Is. 50.5). It tells us that "The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced" (Is. 50.7a)... He was sure he was right, because God is his help. And "I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame (v. 7b)... He went ahead, setting his face like flint. The rest of the reading is assuring. Isaiah invites his detractors to confront him (v. 8). He is confident, since he is on God's side, that no one will prove him wrong (v. 9).

The Responsorial Psalm has some examples of this same principle expressed by the response: "I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living" (Ps. 116.9), such is the confidence of the psalmist that he is in the right. This confidence comes from the psalmist's experiences and can come from our own experiences. We call upon the LORD and he hears us (v. 2). Death may be near and distress all around, and we call on him (v. 4). The LORD helps the helpless (v. 6). Since our souls have been freed from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling (v. 8), we can be sure we're right and go ahead. And walk before the LORD in the land of the living (v. 9)!

James, in the Second Reading, insists that we must try to be like God... try to give back some of the good the Lord has shown us. If we really trust God, we'll step out, take a risk, and do what God would do (Jas. 2.14). The psalmist knew that God would protect him... will we protect a fellow human being who is hungry and has nothing to wear (v. 15)? We can be sure we're right because we have faith, and we go ahead and demonstrate that faith by our works (v. 18). Since God has saved us, shouldn't we "pay it forward"? Okay, we should... but what will it cost us?

What did it cost God? Check out the Gospel Reading. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Jesus was sure he was right because he went ahead and died on the cross. But he wanted his disciples to understand what was going on, so he quizzed them. "Who do people say that I am?" (Mark 8.27). Well, people had their ideas... John the Baptist come back from the dead, the prophet Elijah, one of the other prophets (v. 28). Okay, next question: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter was sure he was right and immediately went ahead and answered, "You are the Messiah!" (v. 29). Correct. And guess what, the Messiah must suffer, be killed by the religious leaders, and then rise from the dead (v. 31), the way some apparently thought John the Baptist had done.

But Peter, still sure he was right, went ahead and took Jesus aside to explain how no one was going to kill him (v. 32). But Peter wasn't right. Jesus was and let him know it. "Get behind me, Satan!" (v. 33).

You know, it's easy to start thinking like human beings instead of thinking like God (v. 33 still). But how does God think? Look at verse 35: "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it." It sounds backwards. But God thinks on a higher plane and can see a bigger picture. The big picture includes eternity and eternal life.

Once we get that perspective, the trials and tribulations here on earth, where we're trapped by gravity and time, seem to lose their formidability. With that assurance, we can be sure we're right, and go ahead!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot go ahead say there's no way to be sure!"

RENEWsletter for September 6, 2009 - 23rd Ordinary

2009-08-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
The readings this week assure us that we have nothing to fear since God is with us. He heals, he repairs, he vindicates, he blesses and he cares for us. You can find the readings for this 23rd Ordinary Sunday on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/090609.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Isaiah 35.4-7a
Psalm 146.7, 8-9, 9-10
James 2.1-5
Mark 7.31-37

Isaiah, in the First Reading, quotes the LORD: "Tell those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God..." (Is. 35.4). The blind will see, the deaf will hear (v. 5), the lame will leap, the mute will sing (v. 6). The spiritual desert will drink of the water of life. When we go through our personal deserts, sometimes progress or relief seem a long way off. But the message of this passage, and for that matter, the message of the entire Bible, is often, "Fear not!" So, fear not. God will come and set things right (see v. 4 again).

The psalmist writing in our Responsorial Psalm, extends the list of things that will be set right. The oppressed will see justice, the hungry will eat, the captive will be set free (Ps. 146.7). The blind will see, those bowed down will be raised up, the just will be loved by the LORD (v. 8), and the stranger will be protected. The orphan and the widow will be taken care of, and the wicked will be "taken care of" in a different way (v. 9)! The God of Jacob keeps his word. So, fear not. The LORD reigns forever (v. 10).

In the Second Reading, James puts some definitions to the term "just". If we make distinctions among ourselves based on wealth and status, we become judges with evil designs (Jas. 2.4). That's putting it pretty bluntly. But when was James anything but blunt! This is not a "judge not that you be not judged" passage. This is one that says it's evil to respect the wealthy and disrespect the poor. James reminds us of what I like to call "the Principle of the Paradox". God chose the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the King (v. 5). I guess we can apply that to ourselves as well. Do we become too impressed with ourselves if we are wealthy? Do we look down on or condescend to, those who are poor? Do we lower our own self-esteem, if we don't have the best things and gobs of money? Let's try to become rich in faith, and love and respect God. Then we will fear not. God's entire kingdom is promised to those who love him (v. 5 reprised).

In the Gospel Reading, Mark relates how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy when he healed a deaf mute (Mark 7.31-35). Now this is only one instance of many, many healings. The Gospels, the rest of the New Testament, and the Old Testament as well, are filled with stories of healing. And those healings go on today. We hear often that a friend or loved one's tests came back negative, or that their cancer has gone into remission. Physical healing happens. But more importantly, spiritual healing happens, and is available to those who love God.

Spiritual healing? What's that? Jesus said, "Be opened!" and the deaf man could suddenly hear. James wrote, "Become rich in faith", and we suddenly see things in a different perspective. In Isaiah, God said, "Be not afraid!" and the faint of heart are suddenly strong. When we accept the healing of our fears, we suddenly have peace. We know God's word is good. He keeps his promises. He has promised to save us. We have nothing to fear. So fear not! Spiritual healing happens when our God replaces our fears with his peace.

Be fearless, folks, and have a peaceful week.

Randy Jones
"Those who have no peace say life is fearful!"

RENEWsletter for August 30, 2009 - 22nd Ordinary

2009-08-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
This 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time's readings are a really fragmented group of references. I suggest reading them on the web or from a lectionary that has all the chosen verses concatenated together. Or you could mark the pertinent verses in your Bible before you start reading. Or you could simply read Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 15, James 1, and Mark 7. :-)

The subject is the Law of God. More like the Law of Gravity than anything passed in a legislature, the Law of God is a natural law that works for humans and human societies. The readings can be found on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/083009.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Deuteronomy 4.1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15.2-3, 3-4, 4-5
James 1.17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Moses emphasizes in the First Reading how important the Law of God is (Deut. 4.1). If you follow the commandments of the Lord, you'll show how wise and intelligent you are (v. 6). The Lord is close to those who follow his statutes whenever they call upon him (v. 7), and this is unique among the nations and peoples of the earth. No other nation has gods as close to them as our God is to us. No other nation has laws as just as our God's Laws (v. 8).

The Responsorial Psalm has David proclaiming that whoever walks blamelessly, following this list of do's and don'ts, will never be disturbed (Ps. 15.5). The way I see this, if we are truthful with ourselves (v. 2), avoid slandering, refrain from harming anyone, don't reproach anyone (v.3), shun the wicked and honor the righteous, remain faithful and true no matter the cost (v. 4), don't gouge anyone in need of a loan, or take any bribes, our conscience will never disturb us (v.5). A clear conscious is one of the priceless rewards of following the Law of God.

James, in the Second Reading, sees these good behaviors as perfect gifts from God himself (Jas. 1.17). And he's right. It's just not possible to lead a life totally above reproach without the steadfast help of God. This Word we have -- this Law of God -- is able, not only to give us clear consciences, but also to save our souls (v. 21). That is, if we do more than offer lip service to it. This is where being true to ourselves comes in... we delude ourselves if we are not doers of the Word (v. 22). James brings out the truly down-to-earth practicality of a religion that is pure and undefiled. He says it is, purely and simply, to care for the helpless, and keep ourselves unstained by the guilty conscience of the world (v. 27).

In the Gospel Reading, Jesus strips away the affectations of the Pharisees and scribes and accuses them of lip service (Mark 7.6). They had became hung up on the fact that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands. He drew a sharp distinction between God's commandments and human tradition (v. 8). The Law of God is not concerned with what enters a person from the outside, but with those things that come out of that person's heart (v. 15). Caring for the helpless versus accepting a bribe against an innocent. Greed versus generosity. Reproach and criticism versus praise and encouragement. The list of evils in verses 21 to 23, versus a pure heart and a clear conscience. People look on the outward appearance, but God looks into the heart (1 Samuel 16.7). And only God can fix things there!

I hope your week is going well, and may the Peace that comes from trust in the Law of God abide in you permanently.

Randy
"Those who cannot sleep at night say it's someone else's fault!"

RENEWsletter for August 23, 2009 - 21st Ordinary

2009-08-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
The readings for this coming Sunday include a sticky, controversial passage from Ephesians -- the "wives be subordinate to your husbands" line. The context of that passage, though, and the theme of all the readings this time, is trust. Trust is sort of the opposite of fear. And while fear triggers anger, violence, remorse, depression... all those negative emotions, trust brings forth peace, joy, patience, hope, etc. The list of those positive emotions goes on and on. All the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/082309.shtml and in your Bible in:

Joshua 24.1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Psalm 34.2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21
Ephesians 5.21-32
John 6:60-69

The First Reading describes the Israelites after they had conquered and settled the Promised Land. Joshua was advanced in years and ready to step down as leader of the Twelve Tribes. So he called a meeting of all the officials and addressed them (Josh. 24.1-2). He recounted the history of his people from the time of Abraham's father Terah when they served other gods, down to the present day where they dwelt in a land that God gave them (the omitted verses: 3-14). Now Joshua challenged those present: "Decide today whom you will serve" (v. 15). You see, the trials were over. Their enemies were defeated. They lived in peace and plenty. And it was decision time: did they still need the LORD? The answer was a resounding YES! (v. 16). They had seen and remembered all that the LORD did for them and they would continue to trust him in the future (v. 17). When times were tough, they trusted him. And now that times are easy, they will still trust him, "for he is our God" (v. 18).

The Responsorial Psalm is the same one as we had the last two weeks, but we move farther into it this time. Good times, bad times, it didn't matter to the psalmist, David. He will trust the LORD at ALL times (Ps. 34.2). Because the LORD sees the just and hears their cry (v. 16). When those who trust in the LORD cry out, he rescues them from all distress (v. 18). The LORD stays close to the brokenhearted (v. 19), and though there are many troubles to go through, the LORD delivers those who trust him from them all (v. 20). This is a God who can be trusted.

This same idea of trust can be applied to the Second Reading, I think. Ephesians 5.22 says, "Wives should be subordinate to their husbands..." For a wife to subordinate herself to her husband, it takes courage. Because "signing up with" her husband has the potential of being terrifying. It is a supreme matter of trust. Can husbands be trusted? It's a little different than trusting God, whom she knows will always be there for her. And by the same token, for a husband to shoulder the trust of his wife (v. 23) also takes courage. What if he makes a mistake? What if he fails? The consequences could be terrifying.

The only non-terrifying answer is a "co-submission" program. Both husband and wife bring a different set of talents and gifts to the relationship and together they make the union very strong. This passage is definitely NOT permission for men to abuse women. Christ does not use his power to abuse his bride, the Church. In fact, Christ loves his Church so much he would die for us. A husband in a right relationship with his wife and with God would die for her!

Paul Stookey, of the 60s folk singing group Peter, Paul & Mary, wrote a piece called "The Wedding Song". In it there's a line that goes:

Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.

It's not a one-way street. A marriage works when there is that synergy of trust and sharing of life and love. Just as it is in the relationship between Christ and the Church (v. 25). We as Christians draw our life from Christ, and give it back again in love, in service, in praise and worship.

The Gospel Reading gives another demonstration of this synergy that must exist in any relationship. Jesus explains that he has spoken words of Spirit and life but some have not believed (John 6.63, 64). When some turned back to the lives they left behind (v. 66), those who found the required commitment too much, Jesus turned to his Twelve and said, "Do you also want to leave?" (v. 67). Just like Joshua in the First Reading... "Decide today whom you will serve." But Jesus added a new twist: "No one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father" (v. 65). Again, it's a two-way street. God reaches out to us and we respond in belief and trust.

I trust you will all have a great week, folks.

Randy Jones "Those who cannot trust say the odds are bad!"

RENEWsletter for August 16, 2009 - 20th Ordinary

2009-08-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
One of the most elusive and hardest to define concepts is "wisdom". Proverbs describes wisdom as something to be sought more fervently than riches (Proverbs 3.13, 14). The New Testament asserts that the wisdom of humans is mere foolishness to God (1 Corinthian 1.25). The Gospels talk about how the Light of Heaven illuminated the Darkness of Earth and how humans remained clueless (John 1.5).

Still, the readings for next Sunday, the 20th Ordinal Sunday, offer again the same advice: Seek Wisdom. These readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/081609.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Proverbs 9.1-6
Psalm 34.2-3, 4-6, 6-7 (almost the same as last week)
Ephesians 5.15-20
John 6.51-58

The First Reading is from Proverbs. Wisdom is portrayed as a noble woman who serves her community. She invites all to "come, eat my food and drink my wine" (Prov. 9.5). "Forsake foolishness. Advance in the way of understanding" (v. 6). Okay, that sounds good. Sure, I'll take it! I'll eat the food and drink the wine of Wisdom. But how exactly do I do that?

The Responsorial Psalm gives a clue. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Ps. 34.5). And again, "Look to God that you may be radiant with joy" and be unashamed (v. 6). That makes sense. It is surely wise to let God worry about my fears. And if I have no fears, I can be truly happy. But I still have the same question: How? What's the first step?

Paul tries to help in the Second Reading. "Try to understand what is the will of the Lord" (Eph. 5.17). He also gives some advice on how to accomplish that: Don't get drunk; Be filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 18); Sing a lot (v. 19); Give thanks constantly and for everything (v. 20). Hmmm... give thanks for everything?? Even the bad stuff? Is the wisdom of God really that foolish-sounding? Well, it does say (if you didn't stop at v. 6 in Proverbs) that "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9.10).

Jesus, in the Gospel Reading, makes no bones about it. "I am the living bread come down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh..." (John 6.51). That's pretty straight-forward, but he didn't mean it literally, did he (v. 52)? Jesus's body is not within our reach today, is it?

Ah, but it is! The Eucharist! "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you" (v. 53). Hard to rationalize in the real world, but we also live in a spiritual world that is equally real. Real world foolishness can be spiritual wisdom. Not always... certainly some foolish things are spiritually foolish as well. Like letting ourselves be ruled by fears or false hopes. But laying down those fears and hopes at the feet of Jesus -- letting him wash the dust of our cares from our feet -- is spiritually wise.

So maybe true wisdom is a spiritual quality that can only be endowed if sought spiritually. Logic... analysis... worldly wisdom... don't help a lot here. We have to trust God. And he is certain to reward our faith.

May blessings abound for you this week. May the Lord answer and deliver you. May you understand the will of God. May your soul be filled with the spiritual food supplied by Christ himself. And may that give you wisdom.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot accept the spiritual say it is foolish!"

RENEWsletter for August 9, 2009 - 19th Ordinary

2009-08-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed People--
The theme this week seems to be about feeding. God makes sure we have enough food when we trust in him -- both physical and spiritual food. Sometimes, we 21st century people are too busy even to eat. Skipping a physical meal is not good, but may not be disastrous. Skipping too many spiritual meals, can be awfully hard on the soul.

The readings for this coming Sunday, the Nineteenth in Ordinary Time, are on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/080909.shtml, and in your Bible at:

1 Kings 19.4-8
Psalm 34.2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Ephesians 4.30-5.2
John 6.41-51

Elijah, in the First Reading, was weary. Tired, hungry, thirsty, discouraged, he had given up. "Enough, already!" he cried. "I'm through, spent, no better than my ancestors. Take my life. I'm no good to you anymore" (1 Kings 19.4). Have you ever felt like that? I have. But God gives us what we need, not always what we ask for. Elijah needed rest, food, water, encouragement. And that's what God gave him. It took awhile... two naps... two meals (vs. 5-8). But it worked, and Elijah found the strength, and the heart! to go on (v. 8).

The Responsorial Psalm exhorts us to "taste and see how good the Lord is" (Ps. 34.9). This is spiritual food we're talking about here. Food that delivers us from all our fears (v. 5). Food that makes our faces radiant with joy (v. 6). As in Elijah's case, God doesn't force-feed us. But he offers. We can refuse to try a taste of his blessings, but if we taste, we find that the Lord is, indeed, very good.

We find in the Second Reading that some of the good "food" we are offered consists of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Eph. 4.32). When we refuse, Paul says, we grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30). Christ offered himself to purchase our freedom from bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling, malice (v. 31) -- all fruits of fear. When we accept his spiritual feeding, we find fear gone and ourselves living in love. Our template to follow in trying to live in love, is Christ himself (ch. 5, v. 2) who first loved us.

John, in the Gospel Reading, quotes Jesus. "I am the living bread..." (John 6.41 & 51). When he was on earth, he offered physical bread as well. This "free lunch" drew the crowds. It was truly a free lunch and it included both physical and spiritual bread. Jesus explained that the spiritual bread he offered was a thing God was trying to teach us (v. 45), that whoever believes in the One sent by God would have eternal life (v. 47). But, true to form, Christ never forced the living bread on anyone. That would violate our free will. When God created us "a little lower than the angels" (Psalm 8:5) and gave us free will, he tied his own hands behind his back. He lets us reject him, as some did in the present passage (v. 42). But if we, of our own free will, accept the living bread, our souls are nourished and never again have to face spiritual hunger (vs. 48-50).

I'd say that's a pretty good deal for a Free Lunch!

Hope you're all having a good, filling week.
Randy
"Those who refuse the Living Bread say there's no such thing as a free lunch!"

RENEWsletter for August 2, 2009 - 18th Ordinary

2009-07-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning renewed people--
Another week is ahead of us. How will we make it through? What can we expect from this next week? The readings for next Sunday give some guidance on how to make it through each day.

Sunday is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (already?!), and the readings are found in your Bible in...

Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
Ephesians 4:17 and 20-24
John 6:24-35

...and on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/080209.shtml.

Appetite! The Israelites in the First Reading had appetites for the flesh pots of Egypt. They expected to die of famine in their next week or so in the desert. And they grumbled (Ex. 16.2, 3). So God sent them meat and bread (vs. 4, 12-15). But further along in the passage we find there was a caveat! In the desert heat, the quail went bad quickly. The manna too would be wormy and rotten by the next morning. Except on the Sabbath. Then it lasted two days, and there was none to gather anyway on the Sabbath. So their physical hunger was satisfied each day for 40 years, but if they had a hunger for security or for hoarding more than they needed for the day, they were out of luck.

The psalmist wrote a song about this and we have it for our Responsorial Psalm. It is a "maskil" (a psalm that teaches you something) of Asaph and it recites the long and miraculous history of the Hebrew people. There is a pattern which that history follows: Gracious act of God - Rebellion - Divine punishment - God's mercy and forgiveness. We have here the condensed version. We keep the story alive for our children (Ps. 78.3-4). God graciously provided manna in the desert (vs. 23-24). We had plenty of heavenly food to eat (v. 25). And God brought us to the promised land (v. 54).

Paul, in the Second Reading, urges us to put away this hunger for worldly things and instead accept renewal of our minds. The old way of life is corrupted by deceitful desires (Eph. 4.22). Worldly desires are deceitful, they are hungers that are never satisfied. It doesn't matter how much manna we collect, we'll only be able to use it one day. Then it rots. It's the same story when we try to satiate our worldly desires. It may work for awhile, but the good feeling doesn't last. It becomes wormy and rotten, and we're left empty and still hungry, and probably addicted! But in renewing the spirit of our minds, we put on a new self, appetite-free and satisfied (vs. 23-24).

Christ pointed this out, as related by John in the Gospel Reading. "Do not work for food that perishes" (John 6.27). In other words, we must not expend all our energy gathering things that do not last. Instead let us hunger for Jesus who is the "bread of life" (v. 35). If we partake of the life that he offers, we will never need to go find something else. Our appetite for meaning, direction, peace, and joy will be sated. Everlastingly.

So how will we make it through this week? What should we expect? With the living bread in our hearts (v. 33), we can expect satisfaction... and peace that defies understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Exciting, isn't it? :-)

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot take one day at a time say we're all gonna starve!"

RENEWsletter for July 26, 2009 - 17th Ordinary

2009-07-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewed Folks--
Summer is the time for barbeques, and picnics, and outings and get-togethers of every sort. Often when friends gather, it's a pot luck where everybody brings something to share. Everyone shares and everyone eats their fill. And always there's a lot left over.

Speaking of sharing... speaking of leftovers... guess what the readings are about this time. You'll find the readings for next Sunday, the Seventeenth of the Numbered Sundays, on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/072609.shtml , and in your Bible at:

2 Kings 4.42-44
Psalm 145.10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Ephesians 4.1-6
John 6.1-15

The First Reading talks about a miraculous feeding of a large group of people. Elisha was the prophet who took over for Elijah, and his stories are some of the most interesting of the Old Testament. One of his specialties appears to be getting rid of poison (2 Kings 2.19-22 and 4.38-41). He provided a widow with an abundance of oil (ch. 4, vs. 1-7). In the present selection, over a hundred men are fed with a mere 20 loaves of bread (vs. 42, 43). Not only is that enough, there is some left over (v. 44)! Just as though it were a pot luck.

The Responsorial Psalm is especially appropriate to the theme of these readings. "The hand of the LORD feeds us; he answers all our needs" (Ps. 145.16). We learn to rely on God for our sustenance (v. 15). We feel his nearness when we call upon his name in supplication and in thanksgiving (v. 18).

The Second Reading uses words like unity, bond, one (Eph. 6.3,4). A feature I notice about the miraculous feedings is the fact that the people receiving the food were all together in one place. Blessings come when we gather together. While it is important to meditate on the Scriptures in the privacy of our own heart, it is also important to share in the common blessings of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we comply with Paul's urging... if we live "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love" (v. 2), then it'll be nice living together with God, the Father of all (v. 6). I think God likes it when his children play nice together.

The Gospel Reading is the familiar story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. What brought these 5000+ people together was their desire to see more sick people healed (John 6.2). They had rushed on foot around the lake that Jesus and his disciples had traversed in a boat. They must have been exhausted. They most certainly were hungry. Being a teacher, Jesus began to educate by asking a question. "Where can we buy enough food for these people?" (v. 5). Philip did the math. "We'd need 200 days' wages just to buy enough for each to have a little snack" (v. 7). But there was one boy who offered his sack with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (v. 9).

That was enough for Jesus to get to work. He had everybody sit down and started distributing the bread and fish (vs. 10, 11). And, lo and behold, there was enough for everyone with 12 baskets of scraps left over! (vs. 12, 13). Now maybe everyone had a loaf and a fish or two in their sack. Maybe they all decided to share what they had after the example of the little boy. But, you know what? I doubt that. These people left in a rush to get around the lake by the time Jesus put to shore. They didn't have time to pack a lunch.

But the point is, they came together to be near Jesus. He's been trying to get us all together for a long time. What stops us?

Some of the things that get in the way of coming together are fear, mistrust, pride, anger... even the need to pack a lunch, that is, make all kinds of preparations till the moment passes. Sometimes even when we do unite, we do so because of the threat of a perceived common enemy. But remember, Paul admonishes, "I ... urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love..." (Eph. 4.1, 2).

Humility, gentleness, patience, love... the opposites of the things that keep us apart. Where do we get these things? Well, where do we get the loaves and the fishes we need to survive? They come from the Father above, because he loves his children and earnestly desires to see us all play nice together.

It's easy to play nice with folks who are like us and with whom we have a lot in common. It's harder when the other players are different. That's when suspicion enters in and breeds mistrust, misunderstanding, fear. But if we try to look at it from God's perspective we can see the commonality. We are ALL his creation. We ALL have needs and hopes and fond desires. Somebody has to start playing nice. Let it be us.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot trust say the other guy is bad!"

RENEWsletter for July 19, 2009 - 16th Ordinary

2009-07-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewers--
Good shepherd, bad shepherd. There are examples of each... In the Bible. In the newspaper. In our own memories of our lives. We'll look at a few passages that discuss both varieties of shepherd in this coming Sunday's readings. When our shepherds are bad, we suffer from fear which will trigger the "Fight or Flight Syndrome" and foster violence, anger, apathy, depression. When we have a good shepherd, we experience peace which fosters confidence, tranquility, trust, joy.

The readings for this, the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/071909.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Jeremiah 23.1-6
Psalm 23.1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Ephesians 2.13-18
Mark 6.30-34

Yes, there are good shepherds and bad shepherds. Jeremiah, in the First Reading, warns those bad shepherds who "mislead and scatter" the Lord's flock that the LORD himself will intervene (Jer. 23.1, 2). He'll punish the evil shepherd and will appoint others to shepherd his flock. These others will gather all the lost sheep from all over the world and bring them back to their fold. There we, the sheep of the Lord's flock, will no longer fear and tremble (v. 4). Jesus, the root of Jesse, the righteous shoot of David (v. 5), is our Good Shepherd. Under his care and watchful eye we dwell in spiritual safety (v. 6).

The Responsorial Psalm is prob'ly the most quoted passage in the entire Bible: "The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing more that I need" (Ps. 23.1) It paints a beautiful picture of what life is like under the personal care and attention of a good shepherd. A key point here is in verse 4: "Even though I walk through the dark valley, I will fear no harm." When the Shepherd is the LORD, there is no fear to trigger any negative syndromes or negative emotions. And it will never end (v. 6).

Paul, in the Second Reading, talks about how Christ brings those of us who were once "far off" near to God by his blood (Eph. 2.13). He's talking about the Jews and the Gentiles, how the Gospel message brought both heritages together into one fold. Some side effects of this coming near to the Good Shepherd are: peace, unity, and ready access to the Spirit (vs 14, 16, 18). We are changed into new people by coming near. It beats the socks off being lost and alone... and fearful!

Jesus, in the Gospel Reading, demonstrates his role of Good Shepherd. The disciples were exhausted. They needed a vacation. Just a few days respite from the constant healing and teaching. Just a chance to sit down to a meal without an interruption. Jesus suggested they all take a boat across the lake and put to shore somewhere deserted (Mark 6.31). It was a good plan, but it didn't work. The throngs of people got wind of where they were headed and beat them there (v. 33). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was moved with pity, found new strength from somewhere, and graciously taught them many things (v. 34). A good shepherd's work is never done.

We are human, we get tired, we lose heart. When we are in this state we are more susceptible to the vile things that fear can stir up within us. But the Good Shepherd always has time for us. To meet our needs, to give us rest in green pastures, to lead us beside still waters, and to restore our souls. He does a better job at that than any vacation ever could.

So take heart, our Good Shepherd will ensure that our souls will dwell in peace.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot relax say something could go wrong at any time!"

RENEWsletter of July 12, 2009 - 15th Ordinary

2009-07-07T06:31:00.001-07:00

Hello blessed friends--
Every time I receive a blessing from the Lord, I marvel a little bit that he should be so nice to me. And then recently an obscure Scripture passage was pointed out to me. It's called the "Prayer of Jabez". Buried in the middle of a long, boring genealogy, it mentions a man named Jabez who was "more honorable than his brothers". In 1 Chronicles 4.10 his prayer is recorded. "Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: 'Oh, that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!' And God granted his prayer".

Did God grant his request for blessing because he was honorable? Well, in my own case I can't see that blessing is ever a reward for good behavior. Blessings are there for the asking for anyone and everyone. But God doesn't force them on us. He respects our ownership of our own minds. But when we ask for a blessing, he's there with an abundance of them. Incredibly more than we could ever imagine or even dream of (Ephesians 3.20).

Next Sunday, the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings are about being chosen to receive blessings from the hand of God. They are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/071209.shtml , and in your Bible at:

Amos 7.12-15
Psalm 85.9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Ephesians 1.3-14
Mark 6.7-13

In the First Reading, we see the prophet-without-portfolio, Amos, being confronted by Amaziah, the high priest of the temple at Bethel: "Get out of here, you hayseed! This is the King you're bad-mouthing. Go back to your farm." (Amos 7.12-13.) But, see, Amos didn't answer to the priest. He had raised his hand when God said, "Who will go to my people Israel and warn them about my impending judgment?" Why did he do that? Why did he volunteer? Well, he may have known about the Prayer of Jabez. Anyway, he asked God to bless him, and God chose him for blessing, and "extended his boundaries". Today, we still remember that shepherd and fig-dresser Amos! (vs. 14-15).

The Responsorial Psalm is a straight-up request to see the Lord's kindness and be granted his salvation (Ps. 85.8). You know, there is no "limited seating available" in heaven, and the tickets are free and without any "while supplies last" clause. God proclaims peace in this psalm (v. 9). He promises that "kindness and truth shall meet, justice and peace shall kiss, truth will spring out of the earth and justice will look down from heaven" (vs. 11, 12). The LORD himself will be handing out his blessings (v. 13). We have all been chosen to receive salvation, all we have to do is accept it.

Paul in the Second Reading talks about being chosen "before the foundation of the world", to receive every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1.4). Take a look at v. 13: "In him you also, who ... have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit...". The Holy Spirit, I don't think anyone would argue, is truly a blessing indeed. Everyone, through Christ's sacrifice, has been chosen by God to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit. And that is just the "first installment" of the richly blessed life God has prepared for us (v. 14)! Blessings are plentiful, it's just that quite a few of those "prizes" have gone unclaimed.

You remember from last week's Gospel Reading, what happened in Nazareth when Jesus swung through his home town. He met with a lack of belief and wasn't able to do much healing (Mark 6.5). This week Mark relates how, immediately after that, Jesus chose Twelve to go out two-by-two to heal and cast out demons (v. 7). Do you suppose they were more successful in Nazareth than Jesus was? Don't know... maybe not. After all, they were healing and casting out demons in the name of Jesus. Well, the point is, healing is available and it's guaranteed. But Jesus never forces anyone to accept it.

Oh, and do you think the two-by-two program was limited to just those twelve? Maybe that's all who chose to accept the call, at that time. But it hasn't been limited to twelve since then. Look at St. Paul, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Pope John-Paul II, and uncounted others, recognized as saints and unrecognized, except as members of the sainthood of believers (see 1 Corinthians 1.2). These made themselves available to do God's work and spread healing and the good news of salvation.

How about me? Can I get in on that? Can I pray the Prayer of Jabez? I may be a hayseed like Amos was, but I would like all the blessings God can afford. And I know he can afford a lot!

Have a blessed week, folks!

Randy Jones
"Those who ignore the call say the blessings are lmited!"

RENEWsletter for July 5, 2009 - 14th Ordinary

2009-06-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hello, Folks--
Summer is here in earnest, and depending on where on this planet you make your home, the weather can get pretty hot. Of course, none of this holds if you reside in the southern hemisphere. There you could be dealing with cold. No matter. The point is that when the weather gets severe -- triple digit temps, or minus double digits -- and a break in the pattern brings relief, we feel thankful. Mother Nature will occasionally be merciful.

And there's my segue into this coming Sunday's readings. :-)

We are ready for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time with a group of passages that at first glance appears to be kind of a miscellaneous hodgepodge. But within each of the readings there's a pointer to the abiding mercy of God. You'll find these readings on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070509.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Ezekiel 2.2-5
Psalm 123.1, 1-2, 2, 3-4
2 Corinthians 12.7-10
Mark 6.1-6

The First Reading relates the call of Ezekiel (Ez. 2.2). "Go to this obstinate people of mine and whether they heed or not, they'll at least know that a prophet has been sent to them" (v. 5). God in his mercy is sending yet another prophet to his rebellious children (v. 3). He does not wipe them out and start fresh... he perseveres and keeps knocking at the shut and barred door of their obstinate hearts (v. 4).

The Responsorial Psalm is a song of supplication, begging for respite from ridicule, surcease of suffering, mercy. We are looking to the LORD for mercy (Ps. 123.2). We are overcome with the way the arrogant and proud are treating us. We are tired of their insults, their contempt, their disdain (vs. 3, 4). We need the LORD's help (v. 3).

The Second Reading is the confession of Paul concerning his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12.7). Paul has begged the Lord three times to remove the "thorn" (v. 8). We don't know what the thorn was, but we know why he was given it... God knew that a personality like Paul's would tend to make him a loose cannon if it weren't for that thorn nailing him down... anchoring him to the truth that "when I am weak, then I am strong" (v. 10). This is a different aspect of God's mercy: the strategic long-range variety. What at first glance may look like uncaring, insensitive neglect on the part of the Lord, turns out to be really the best for us in the long run. And it may even "hurt him worse than it does us!" But it teaches us that God's grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in weakness (v. 9).

The Gospel Reading shows God's mercy in yet another way. Even though it was a foregone conclusion that the people of Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up and apprenticed as a carpenter, would not be able to accept him as the prophet he was, yet still God sent him there (Mark 6.1). It was merciful in that even though the turnout was tiny, at least some few got healed (v. 5). Better than nothing! Beyond that it gives us something to remember when we get discouraged by the small return on our investment of faith... our time, talent, and treasure... even Jesus bombed at least once! It won't hurt if we do.

If there's one thing I've learned in my life, it is that God is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8). Let's look for a sign of his mercy this week. It could be a patient repetition of a lesson we haven't got yet. It could be a soul-felt plea for relief. It could be acknowledgement of the good side of an infirmity or persistent failing. Or it could be a feeling of contentment with a little bit. I think I can find examples of all four in my life! :-)

Grace, and peace, and mercy be with you all.

Randy Jones
"Those who say there is no mercy haven't been paying attention!"

RENEWsletter for June 28, 2009 - 13th Ordinary

2009-06-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Hearts Renewed--
There is something about summer that fills us with life and hope. It's not so much the weather -- some pretty nasty storms can mar the sky and the landscape -- but rather the life that teems in summer. The very first line of the First Reading says, "God did not make death." Winter comes only to be followed by summer. God brings life, not death.

This Sunday is the Thirteenth of the Numbered Sundays, and the readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062809.shtml, and in your Bible at:

Wisdom 1.13-15; 2.23-24
Psalm 30.2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
2 Corinthians 8.7, 9, 13-15
Mark 5.21-43

The First Reading, as mentioned above, starts off with the declaration that death is not a creation of God (Wis. 1.13). When God created this Universe, he intended that all his handiwork would have being -- nothing built-in would cause anything to decay or be destroyed (ch. 1, v. 14). According to the original specification, justice was to be undying (ch. 1, v. 15), and we humans were to be imperishable (ch. 2, v. 23).

Well, it didn't stay that way. Envy of God's power, jealousy of his goodness, brought death into the world, and we've all inherited it (ch. 2, v. 24)!

Then, as we see in the Responsorial Psalm, God stepped in again and rescued us (Ps. 30.2). We were in danger of going down into the pit, but he drew us clear (v. 4). The nightfall of sin brings the weeping of death, but God's good will brings the dawn of rejoicing in life (v. 6). Let's give thanks to God because he has turned our mourning into dancing (v. 12).

In the Second Reading we see what this rescue operation cost God. Paul is exhorting the Corinthians, who are strong in faith, strong in defending their faith through discourse, strong in knowledge of the Scriptures, strong in earnest steadfastness, and strong in love (2 Cor. 8.7). Yet there is one more thing Paul wants them, and by extension us, to be strong in. And that is grace (v. 14).

In order to rescue us from death, God had to allow his Son to die. He didn't have to do that. He could have just written us off and started all over again. He was rich, but he became poor, so that through that heavy price, we could be saved (v. 9). Paul's message is: Share the wealth, and it is the example he cites... God's sharing of his wealth... that moves us to heed that message.

The Gospel Reading is a story within a story of wealth-sharing. These are two gracious acts of our Lord Jesus that overlap. The synagogue official's daughter was sick unto death (Mark 5.22, 23), and the woman who'd spent all she had trying to get her hemorrhage cured needed help too (vs. 25, 26). Jesus didn't have a lot of privacy back then. He was way too busy sharing his wealth of healing powers. The crowds mobbed him whenever and wherever they found him. He had escaped just before this reading by taking a boat across the lake. But he was back now (vs. 21).

Now we know that, due to the press of the crowd, many many people touched Jesus, but he noticed when one touched him in faith. "Who touched me?" he said (v. 30). The disciples who no doubt were trying to make a path for Jesus through the crowd so he could get the to synagogue official's house, were incredulous. "You're kidding, right? Only about a thousand people have touched you" (v. 31). But Jesus knew who had touched him in faith. He found her, blessed her, and assured her that her faith was what had healed her (v. 34).

Just then word arrived that the synagogue official's daughter had died (v. 35). Jesus was too late. Or was he? God still retains power over death. Jesus continued on the way to the house and took the little girl by her lifeless hand, amidst ridicule from the mourners (vs. 40, 41). "Little girl", he said. "Arise!" The only ones who were not surprised were Jesus and the little girl herself. Jesus knew he could raise her from the dead, and she didn't know she had been dead!

How often, do you suppose, has God rescued us from death... and we didn't even know it? Well, he has, and we do know it, because once we were blind, but now we see (John 9.25). We can see the salvation of our God, and with the Psalmist, give thanks!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot live say death is inevitable!"

RENEWsletter for June 21, 2009 - 12th Ordinary

2009-06-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Renewing folks--
As of June 1, according to the US Weather Service, hurricane season began. Of course, violent storms can occur any time of year in any part of the world, but hurricanes generally stay between June 1 and November 30. The term "hurricane" is reserved for storms in the northern Atlantic. The same types of storms in other parts of the world are called "typhoons" or "cyclones". God has something to say about storms in the readings for next Sunday.

This coming Sunday is the Twelfth of the Ordinary, or Numbered, Sundays. The readings can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtml and in your Bible at:

Job 38.1, 8-11
Psalm 107.23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31
2 Corinthians 5.14-17
Mark 4.35-41

What God has to say about storms in the First Reading, he said to Job in the midst of a storm (Job 38.1). Job was suffering, and his "counselors" were explaining to him that God was punishing him just because he could (see the previous chapter in Job). But then God spoke and reminded Job and everyone that he is in control. And he's not fickle. Since creation the sea has bounds (v. 8). It is God who made things thus and set limits on the natural forces (v. 10). The word of God is the final word (v. 11).

The singer of the Responsorial Psalm is one who knew the power of God to save in the midst of the storm. A storm at sea can be terrifying indeed. For one thing, we're within the bounds set by God for the sea to exert her power (Ps. 107.23,24). Caught at sea in a storm, we sailors are at the mercy of those natural forces (vs. 25, 26). Yet we raise our pleas to God who hears and answers (vs. 28, 29). We are wise to give thanks to God for our rescue (vs. 30, 31).

In the Second Reading Paul explains how we should view things once we've been rescued through God's mercy: we no longer live for ourselves (2 Cor. 5.15). What does this mean? It means we don't worry about our own comfort and safety... our "flesh" as it were. We don't have to be afraid of the storm anymore. Because once we are safe in Christ, once we've been rescued from sin and death, we are a brand-new creation. The old, fearful, self-serving attitude has passed away; everything has become new (v. 17)!

Finally we turn to the Gospel Reading where Mark in his terse, no nonsense, get-right-to-the-point style tells the story of a storm on the tiny land-locked Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just finished teaching a crowd of followers in several parables. He was tired and wanted to slip away, skipping the Q and A session that might have followed. So he suggested that they boat across the sea to the other shore (Mark 4.35). That was fine with the disciples so they all piled into boats and shoved off (v. 36).

Well, maybe it was "squall season" on the Sea of Galilee, because a squall came up -- a pretty violent one that was threatening to swamp the ship (v. 37). Now some of these men were fishermen. They knew how to weather a storm in a fishing boat on a big lake, but this one was a monster storm and they were afraid they were going down. Yet where was Jesus? Asleep?! You gotta be kidding me! "Jesus! Wake up! Don't you care that we're all gonna die?" (v. 38).

Jesus got up, rebuked the storm (v. 39), and then rebuked the disciples (v. 40). He didn't understand why they would be terrified. They should have known that God loves them and will take care of them. We should know that God loves us and will take care of us. It doesn't mean we won't drown! Even God's own Son wound up dying. But as Paul says in the Second Reading, "...he died and was raised" (2 Cor. 5.15). Even death is not something to be afraid of.

When we understand that God controls the storms, we understand that he has control of everything, up to and including our own deaths... and beyond! When we realize that, we can marvel with those terrified fishermen, "Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey!" (Mark 4.41).

Wow!

Randy Jones
"Those who fear the storm say we're all gonna die!"

RENEWsletter for June 14, 2009 - Body and Blood

2009-06-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends--
Well, a new week is starting beautifully. God has blessed us with beautiful weather and much more than that! Other parts of the country, the midwest and northeast especially, are experiencing God's power in thunderstorms and wind. But we are also reminded of his power to bring blessing out of the worst disaster. Among all our many blessings are the blessings of Christ's Body and Blood that came out of the disaster of his death. Next Sunday we celebrate this and although the readings are filled with bloody images, the meaning of it all is made clear.

The readings for next Sunday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, are on the web at http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061409.shtml and in your Bible at:

Exodus 24.3-8
Psalm 116.12-13, 15-16, 17-18
Hebrews 9.11-15
Mark 14.12-16, 22-26

Let's look at the Responsorial Psalm first. We were speaking of blessings. The psalmist sings, "How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me?" (Ps. 116. 12). What can we do to repay the Lord for our salvation? We can raise the cup of salvation and call upon his name (v. 13), that is, accept God's salvation, trust him to meet our needs, and (v. 18), pay our vows to the LORD in public! The phrase that struck me was verse 15: "Precious [or very costly] in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones." Keep this in mind as we look at the rest of the Scriptures.

The First Reading takes place at the point where Moses is telling the Israelites what he had received from the Lord. The people were enthusiastic then. "We will do everything that the LORD has told us," they said (Ex. 24.3). They sacrificed, joyfully, the best of their herds (v. 5). They allowed themselves to be "washed" with the blood of the young bulls that were killed for the offering to atone for iniquity (v. 8). This was the first covenant between God and his people.

"Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones."

The Second Reading speaks of a new covenant. A final sacrifice has been made (Heb. 9.12). God's own Son sacrificed himself. Now it is God's own blood that washes us free of iniquity. Now we have "cleansed consciences" knowing that we will receive the "promised eternal inheritance" (vs. 14, 15).

"Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones."

The Gospel Reading shows us how to be reminded that the supreme, once-for-all sacrifice continues to cleanse us from our sins. We celebrate the offering of the Body and Blood of Christ (Mark 14.22-24), which not only cleanses our past sins, but all those sins we are still going to commit in the future. This is Grace unbounded. This is Love without condition. This is our inheritance, available now and for all Eternity.

"Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones."

At the end of the Gospel Reading (v. 26), the disciples departed for the Mount of Olives, where the final betrayal of our Lord was to take place. But those disciples went singing!

"Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones."

In our daily lives we sometimes fail to see how much God loves us. Trials abound. Remorse and guilt overtake us. We sometimes despair that we can ever please God. To this I offer a few words of a song by the Beatles... "There will be an answer, let it be, let it be." Trust God to do everything you can't. And thank him in advance.

Have a great week, folks, and don't stop singing. There will be an answer!

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot sing say the lute is out of tune!"