Simply Soul Searching

Why are you afraid, you of little faith?

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?  (Matthew 8:23-27 NRSV)

I have had my doubts about this story. Was Jesus really asleep while the storm was raging? The windstorm was ferocious, the waves were washing over the boat, the disciples were petrified… and Jesus was sleeping? I could believe he was reading or resting in spite of the storm, but how could he sleep while chaos and calamity surrounded them all? I have trouble imagining this.

Until I recall when my daughter was an infant. 

When Jennie was about three months old, I was nervous about leaving her in a nursery room while I tried to enjoy my first Moms’ Morning Out. I became even more unsettled when I saw SO many children- some of them crying, some of them playing noisily, some of them running- all around the room. I hated to leave her! Worried, I returned to check on her about fifteen minutes later.

Jennie was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the noise, clutter, crying, and activity all around. In her short little life, she had always been well loved. That morning, her needs had been met and she was ready to rest. She didn’t become concerned, anxious or stressed. She probably wasn’t even aware that she should feel such feelings!  This tiny child had no reason to be afraid; she even had no idea of a need to be afraid.

This is what sheer peace and trust look like. As Jesus peacefully slept through the storm, he exemplified his genuine lack of fear and complete trust in God. Jesus was able to sleep because he knew that whatever happened, God was in control, and he would be firmly and fully held in God’s loving care.  “Why are you afraid?” Jesus justifiably asks his friends.

Like Jesus, may we learn to trust and rest in God’s loving presence, whenever the storms of life come our way.  Perhaps Jesus is saying to us, “If I can sleep, so can you.”

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”

What is your biggest fear? Are you able to surrender this to Jesus? Can you entrust yourself into his loving presence? Do you ever feel as if Jesus is sleeping when the storms of life come your way? How might this image bring additional peace instead of fear?

Why are you afraid, you of little faith?

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Do you believe that I am able to do this?

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.   (Matthew 9:27-31 NRSV)

Before Jesus restores the sight of the blind men, he asks them, “Do you believe I can do this?” And when the men say that they do, he touches their eyes and continues, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” Their vision returns. In reading this story, it would seem that their healing was dependent on having enough faith in Jesus.

How much does our healing depend on our faith? Do our prayers affect or move God? Do we receive the results we desire if we ask “according to our faith”? All these questions and more came to me when I had cancer…

I so appreciated the prayers said for me, as well as the prayers I asked for myself. I do believe these prayers bolstered my spirit and helped with my healing. But oh, how I struggled with the purpose of prayer! If my healing was dependent on my faith, would I be responsible for my death if I didn’t have enough? Or if my prayers healed me, should I have prayed more for the beautiful teen who died than for myself? If people exclaim, “God is good!” because I am cancer-free, are we to think less of God if I wasn’t?

Today I notice that Jesus doesn’t ask, “Do you believe I am going to heal you?” He simply asks, “Do you believe I am able to do this?” This helps my understanding and brings peace to my prayers. To that question, we can heartily respond, “YES!” Trusting in the incredible goodness of God- a goodness that is beyond our finite understanding or human comprehension- we can and DO believe that Jesus is able. 

Yes, Jesus is able to heal. But Jesus is also able to make good from whatever life brings us. Jesus is able to know beyond what we know. Jesus is able to love us and accompany us through whatever is in store. Jesus is able to comfort. Jesus is able to wrap us in peace. Jesus is able to give us the hope, the help, the love, the joy- in all circumstances. Jesus is “able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20), through every moment of our lives. All the way into eternity. 

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus asks, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

Do you have a special request of Jesus today? Are you able to fully trust in his goodness? In what ways do you have doubts? Can you recall a time when your prayers weren’t answered in the way you wanted, but in the way you now see you needed? Are you comforted to know that Jesus loves you more than you love yourself? Do you see how Jesus is able to do what is best for you?

Do you believe that I am able to do this?

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But to what will I compare this generation?

But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.  (Matthew 11:16-19 NRSV)

We have seen these people. We may have been these people. During a high school dance, they are the ones standing against the wall, judging all the bad dancers who are having a great time. At a football game, they are the ones in the stands, booing a referee for a call that they can only see from a distance. After worship, they are the ones in the parking lot, whispering criticisms of the recent sermon while ignoring a message that could have changed their lives.

Jesus has come to give us a life of abundance, a life in which we include and embrace others as we fully participate with him. He invites us to celebrate with others in joyous times. He encourages us to sympathize with others in mournful times. Jesus calls us to unite with others as imperfect participants, rather than to observe or judge others as critical spectators. Otherwise, we miss out on life in the rich and joyful community he offers us.

“But to what will I compare this generation?” Are we the ones playing the flute, or are we the ones refusing to dance? Are we the ones who share our tears with one another, or are we the ones who keep our distance? Are we the ones who are the first to laugh at ourselves, or would we rather laugh at others? Are we the ones who give the benefit of the doubt, or do we quickly assess others with a critical stance?

We miss out on Christ’s richest blessings when we refrain from fully embracing life in loving community with others. Jesus ends this lesson with the words, “Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” What appears to be foolish and clumsy participation in life together with Jesus is in reality the deepest wisdom of all.

Are you talking to ME? 

Today Jesus is asking, “But to what will I compare this generation?”

In what ways might you be missing out on the abundant life in community that Jesus offers? How are you critical of others? Is it easier to find fault than to join with others to make a difference for good? Do you often make negative assumptions about people? Does your concern for your self image ever impede your enjoyment of life? Are you a critical spectator or a joyful participant?

But to what will I compare this generation?

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For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  (Matthew 5:43-48 NRSV)

Jesus is telling us to love, greet, and pray for everyone, including our enemies. His lesson is one that can be quite difficult to follow. Do you ever want to say to Jesus, “Don’t make me do this!”?

I imagine we can all remember times when we were excited about going out with friends- until we learned that someone else would also be coming along, someone we would rather not see. There are people we would just rather avoid altogether. In fact, a few years ago I joined a monthly dinner group, but then was chagrined to learn that someone else would also be part of our gathering. My enthusiasm waned- until I went to the first dinner and found that she had switched groups! The feeling must have been mutual! 😉

I see two important reasons why Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for them. First, as his followers, we are called to be his example for the world. We are to be light and love for others, because they are as beloved by God as we are. As Jesus describes, God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on all of us. Every person is equally beloved by God. (In some cases it is necessary to have space from those who would cause harm, those who are hateful or threatening to us. We are still to pray for them, forgive them, and refrain from retaliation, while entrusting them to God.)

Also, in loving our enemies and praying for them, we become better people. Our lives will become richer and more joyful as we learn to live free from hatred, envy, judgment, or hardness of heart. Doing the difficult things also opens a way for us to grow- in our reliance on God, in our gentleness, kindness, humility and forgiveness, and as less bitter and vengeful people.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus asks, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?”

Does someone in particular come to mind as you read his questions? Can you begin loving your enemies by praying for them? Can you begin loving your enemies by praying for yourself? What bitterness might you need to release? How might you grow and learn today? What would Jesus want you to know? 

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?

(Dear Friends,
When I discover helpful practices for these challenging days, I like to share them with you. Years ago, my friend Nancy introduced me to the Jesuit Pray as You Go app. Each day there are short meditations with beautiful music and scripture readings. Also, Jim showed me another app, God in All Things, also part of Ignation Spirituality. I have found these to be rich blessings for these times. I listen to the daily reflections as I walk, and I come away feeling renewed, strengthened, centered, and peaceful. You may want to give them a try.)

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Why does this generation ask for a sign?

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.  (Mark 8:11-13 NRSV)

Jesus “sighed deeply in his spirit.” Doesn’t this image of Jesus touch your soul? One can envision Jesus sighing, perhaps shaking his head while holding his fingers to his temple, showing his exasperation when he is asked once AGAIN to prove himself to the Pharisees. Does Jesus sigh deeply with us, too?

God is always working, the Spirit is always moving, but I often deem these God-moments as coincidences. A voice awakens me from sleep and I attribute it to a dream. God shows me a sign, but since it wasn’t the one I specifically asked God to show me, I discount it. Someone says, “God told me…” and my eyebrows raise with doubt. The lessons of nature provide insight for my daily living, but I pay no attention. A friend says a word I need to hear, and I disregard it. I know there are signs all around me. I just discount, ignore or miss them completely.

And then Jesus asks, “Why does this generation seek a sign?” His words speak to me of true faith. I may miss out on many signs, but even if signs were never sent, God is still loving, still actively working in our lives. Jesus is still serving as our teacher, mentor, model for living, and gift of love from God. The Spirit is still guiding, inspiring, and giving us wisdom. The more we learn to trust all of these, the less we will need signs.

Erica Jong has said, “Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.” I wonder if we seek signs especially in times of our self-doubt. We may hear a calling from God but we doubt our ability, and so we ask for a sign. We may feel nudged to take action but we feel uncomfortable, and so we ask for a sign. We know in our hearts that we are meant to follow Christ, but he asks much from us, and so we ask for a sign. Instead of trusting in God’s provision, in Jesus’ example, and in the Spirit’s wisdom, we believe we are inadequate- and so we ask for a sign.

We have more than enough, don’t we? We have the Word of God with us- in the Bible, in the life of Jesus, and in all creation. We have the Spirit of God in us. We have experiences of God’s love revealed in our own lives. We have everything we need- signs or no signs.

Trusting in God’s loving guidance and provision for every moment of our lives, may we stop seeking signs and begin serving as signs of God’s presence from heaven, here among us now. 

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Why does this generation ask for a sign?”

Do you have a sign- an experience of God- that you might share with someone today? Do you have a tendency to doubt a word or nudge from the Spirit? In what situations, if any, do you seek signs? In what ways do you doubt yourself? In what ways do you doubt God? Are you being invited to deepen in faith and trust today? How might you become a visible sign of the presence of Christ for others?

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Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.  (Luke 11:37-41 NRSV)

All through the Gospels, we read of the Pharisees who follow Jesus everywhere. They are eager to find fault, to accuse him of blasphemy or other grievous acts, to criticize him, to question and trap him. In turn, Jesus was often correcting and scolding them. In spite of all this, I love that he still wanted to dine with them! Jesus ate with every type of person, it seems. What a gift we have in being welcome at his table, too.

Here we read about a Pharisee who found yet another problem with Jesus. The Pharisees had an elaborate ritual of washing before meals, including rules about how much water to use, where to put the water, and how to do the washing itself. Imagine how this host must have felt when Jesus didn’t bother with any of it! Jesus once again used his example to reveal what is truly important.

Jesus is more concerned with the inner cleanliness of our hearts and souls than any ‘outer washing’ we may do- those surface-level practices involving rules and rituals. We may be tempted to comply with outer practices rather than the deep purification of our inner selves. The laws and customs we choose to keep are certainly easier than to completely surrender our whole lives to God.

I remember one Sunday morning class in which our group was asked, “How does your life show you follow Jesus?” One man proudly replied, “I get up early on Sunday to attend worship services each week.” Yes, he was remembering the Sabbath. Yes, he was worshiping God. Yes, this dear man was choosing to heed these important commandments. 

But is this what following Jesus is- sacrificing a few hours of sleep to worship him with regular attendance? Is giving a tithe or percentage of our income as our weekly offering all that God desires? No. We are called to so much more than these outer practices, the giving of our time and money. With his question, “Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?” Jesus reminds us that our entire being has been created by God and fully belongs to God. 

Our worship should be a natural response- an outpouring of our gratitude, praise and love- for all that God has done. Jesus also tells the Pharisee, “give for alms those things that are within.” We are called to share so much more than monetary donations. We are to give all that we have, all that we are. We are called to be all that God created us to be, and to do all that we can, in love for God and one another.

Jesus is calling us to cleanse our hearts and souls, to wash ourselves clean with his love and forgiveness, and to integrate our inner faith and outer life as one. 

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?”

In what ways might Jesus be asking you to grow in love for him and for others? Are there times when you like to believe that your regular worship, financial giving, or other outer practices are close enough to what God desires? In what new ways might you feed your soul, spend time with God, and surrender more of yourself in loving obedience? Do you sense a need to be inwardly washed anew? Is there a new way Jesus is asking you to follow him more fully? Does your outer life reflect your inner faith? 

Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

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Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”  (Luke 17:11-19 NRSV)

In yet another act of compassion and healing, Jesus miraculously heals ten lepers. Only one of them returns to praise and thank him. “And he was a Samaritan.” Why was this information even included in the story? As we remember in the parable of the good neighbor (March 17th- Which of these three… was a neighbor?), Samaritans were looked down on, not accepted by the Jewish people. This leper, this foreigner came back to thank Jesus in spite of the cultural divide.

This story of Jesus’ act of healing provides additional lessons for us. First, And he was a Samaritan shows us that all of the blessings that come from Jesus are for everyone. To Jesus, it did not matter that one of the lepers was a Samaritan. All of us are loved and blessed the same. Every person. No exceptions. 

Second, perhaps the leper was the only one to come back because he was the most surprised by this act of kindness. The depth of our gratitude increases when we receive a gift that isn’t expected. Or a gift that is undeserved. Or a gift that shows us we are included as the giver’s friends. Or a gift that shows we matter to the giver more than we imagined.

Do we often consider the gifts of God as rewards we have earned, blessings we deserve, tokens of appreciation for the good we have done? Are we missing the deep, humbling, immense gratitude we should have for every gift of God? Of the gift of life itself? Every blessing we have is a gift of God, a gift that has come to us unexpectedly, undeservedly, inclusively, and lovingly. May we never forget how precious these gifts are. May we have such deep gratitude that we thank and praise God with every breath we take.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

When is the last time you thanked God for something specific? Do you find yourself taking everyday life and gifts for granted? Is there some way you feel as if you have earned a particular blessing? Is there any discomfort to think that God blesses everyone, loves everyone, includes everyone? What would you like to thank God for today?

Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

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Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’ How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.  (Matthew 23:16-22)

Mark Bradford wrote a helpful commentary about this passage, and here are a few explanatory excerpts:

In Judaism, it was taught that any oath that used the name of God was binding, but other oaths were not as binding. The Pharisees had come up with a complicated sliding scale of objects that were more holy or less holy than others by which they could swear. The holier the object, the more binding the oath. So if they swore by something that was not considered as holy as something else, they didn’t have to keep their oath… 

In addition, the way they had decided which objects were holier than others made no sense. The Pharisees… considered offerings and gold to be holier than the temple that made them holy in the first place. To avoid swearing by God, they would swear by heaven. But as Jesus says here, anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.¹ 

As a child, I remember saying such things as, “I swear on a stack of Bibles” or “Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye” to convey my earnest promise or sincere honesty. I wonder how the Pharisees would have “rated” my oaths! Would the Bibles or the needle in my eye hold more value? More importantly, I wonder how Jesus must have felt each time I swore on something to substantiate my words.

Everything belongs to God. The gold, the sanctuary, the gift, and the altar ALL belong to God. The things we make, the worship we give, the earth on which we live, and even my eye are ALL part of God’s creation. When we swear an oath on anything, we are swearing on God. There is no sliding scale of what is more or less God’s.

As Jesus’ followers, we are to refrain from swearing- by God or by anything else. Later in this excerpt, Bradford reminds us that Jesus tells his disciples, Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37). There is no varying degree or gradient to truth-telling or promise keeping. Our words must be honest and our integrity clear. We honor God most when we live our lives in truth, in honesty, in pureness, and in integrity. No swearing needed.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?”

Everything is God’s. Does this give you a new understanding of the problem with oaths or swearing by anything, since it all belongs to God?  Do you keep your promises? Do you strive to tell the truth? Do your actions match your words? How might you live with even greater integrity? 

Which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

¹https://markbradfordsbibleblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/matthew-2316-22/

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