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!"
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
RENEWsletter for February 28, 2010 - 2nd Lent
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!"
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!"
Thursday, February 18, 2010
RENEWsletter for February 21, 2010 - 1st Lent
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!"
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!"
Monday, February 8, 2010
RENEWsletter for February 14, 2010 - 6th Ordinary
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
RENEWsletter for February 7, 2010 - 5th Ordinary
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!"
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!"
Monday, January 25, 2010
RENEWsletter for January 31, 2010 - 4th Ordinary
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"
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"
Monday, January 18, 2010
RENEWsletter for January 24, 2010 - 3rd Ordinary
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"
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"
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