March 16, 2015

March 16

March 16, 2015:  Monday, Fourth Week of Lent



  • 'Jubilee' button:  "I create Jerusalem to be a joy" (1st reading)
  • 'Fruits' tie:  ...and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant (1st reading)
  • Clear tie pin:  Lord, you drew me clear (psalm)
  • 'Castle' pin:  They'll live in the houses they build... (1st reading)
  • OneLife LA sign button:  "Unless you see signs... you won't believe"; "This was the 2nd sign" (gospel)
Listen

  • Fever/ Cooley, Blackwell (gospel-inspired :-)
Pope Francis homily
God’s new creation is more wonderful than the first because he remakes the world in Jesus Christ. He renews everything and manifests his joy:  The Lord has so much enthusiasm: he speaks of joy and says "I'll exult in my people."  He thinks of what he'll do and of how he'll rejoice, like when a girl or boy thinks of their beloved.  God thinks of and loves each of us. He ‘dreams’ about us. That’s why the Lord wants to ‘re-create’ us, He wants to renew our hearts so joy can triumph.  I'm in the Lord's mind and heart!  He can change my life!  His plans for me are dreams of someone in love….  And when he says, ‘I haven’t chosen you because you're the strongest, biggest, or most powerful but because you're small,’  it's love”.
God is in love with us.  No theologian can explain it.  We can only think about it, feel it, and cry with joy.  I must believe he has the power to change me, just like the man in the Gospel whose son was sick.  "Come before my child dies." / "Go; he'll live!"  The man believed Jesus could change his son and set off.  Faith is making space for God’s love and power love with me and who wants to rejoice with me. This is faith. This is believing: making space for the Lord so that he can come and change me”. 
Read
  • Is 65:17-21  I'll create new heavens and earth.  There shall be rejoicing and happiness; I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people a delight.  No longer shall there be weeping; they'll live in their houses and eat the fruit of their vineyards...
  • Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b  "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me."  Sing praise and give thanks:  his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will.
  • Jn 4:43-54  When a royal official heard Jesus had arrived in Galilee, he went and asked him to come heal his son.  Jesus / official: “Unless you see signs, you won't believe.” / “Sir, come down before my child dies.” / “Go; he'll live.”  He believed and left.  The boy began to recover at that time; he and his household came to believe.
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We can know, love, and meet God through his interaction with others.  Today a royal official asks Jesus to heal his son, is assured all will be well, and believes.  None of the household had seen Jesus like the father, they came to believe.  We don’t have to be on the receiving end or the center of God’s work; when we're open, we can see him working, be amazed, and feel his power by watching and listening.  I may want God to do a miracle, but he might prefer to reveal himself to me via people around me.
    • One Bread One Body:  Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would create new heavens and earth but never dreamed of heaven; he prophesied all would live to over 100 but never imagined eternal life.  God promised more than we can ask for or imagine.  For the next few weeks, most gospels are from John, written so we may "believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through faith you may have life in him."
    • Passionist:  The gospels recount three miracles of healing from a distance:  the Centurion's son, the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, and this Royal Official's son (the 1st miracle of giving life in John, an anticipation of the raising of Lazarus), likely a Gentile.  He simply asked him to come down to his home and heal his son.  Jesus was impressed with his faith.  How can I take Jesus in faith and trust and find peace?  C. S. Lewis says in “Palaces of Peace” there are four palaces where we can find peace:  solitude, relationships with others, simplicity of life, and compassionate presence.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Isaiah prophesied God would recreate heaven and earth.  Jesus' miracles manifest God's presence and coming kingdom.  When the official heard of Jesus’ preaching and miracles, with courage and humility he sought him out for a favor.  Jesus, seeing his faith, sent him home assured his prayer was answered.  Jesus' healings show his kindness and love responding to our misery.  Where do I need healing, pardon, change, and restoration?  May I trust his love, surrendering doubts, fears, and pride.
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