Do you want to be well?

Gospel JN 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate
a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes.
In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled.
One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
When Jesus saw him lying there
and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him,
“Do you want to be well?”
The sick man answered him,
“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool
when the water is stirred up;
while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

Now that day was a sabbath.
So the Jews said to the man who was cured,
“It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” 
He answered them, “The man who made me well told me,
‘Take up your mat and walk.’“
They asked him,
“Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?”
The man who was healed did not know who it was,
for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there.
After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him,
“Look, you are well; do not sin any more,
so that nothing worse may happen to you.”
The man went and told the Jews
that Jesus was the one who had made him well.
Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus
because he did this on a sabbath.
I think it's significant that the healing in today's reading occurred on the sabbath.  While the Jews persecuted Jesus because of this, the deeper lesson is that loving others is a full-time, 24-7 responsibility.  There are no days of for love!

It's interesting that Jesus asks the lame man if he wanted to be well.  What if he said "No"?  I doubt that Jesus would have healed him anyway.  That's not His MO.  Jesus will heal my spiritually-broken heart when I open my heart up to healing.  Jesus heals those who have the courage to ask for help.

Jesus heals the sick son

Gospel JN 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea.

In today's reading, a desperate royal official asks Jesus to heal his sick son.  It makes me wonder: how often does it take a real tragedy before we seek out God?  A divorce, an illness, a death, a financial setback.  The list goes on.  When we are desperate and there is no where else to turn, we turn to God just as the royal official did.  When I first read the story, I was judgmental of the official.  What a man of weak faith!  He will only believe Jesus if he is given a "sign!"  But on reflecting further, that's a pretty harsh interpretation.  The royal official is both desperate AND faithful - believing that Jesus could very well heal his son.  I am at my best when I turn toward God in both good and bad circumstances. 

Seeing and believing

Or JN 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him, 
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, 
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again, 
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said, 
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him, and
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
In a strange way, this reading reminds me of those "Magic Eye" images that were popular years ago (and you can still find them on the internet today!).  At first a Magic Eye picture looks like abstract art but when you figure out how to focus your eyes beyond the picture, a 3D image is revealed.  It often takes me a while to make the adjustment - some people get upset and frustrated because they can be looking at the same picture (for a long time) and never see the image.  In fact, the harder you try, the more difficulty it is to see the 3D image because the key is c0nsciously relaxing the eye muscles. 

In today's reading, Jesus restores the gift of sight to a blind man and the once-blind man becomes a follower of Jesus.  It's the perfect metaphor for us isn't it?  We are blinded by sin, ego, and attachment but when we reach out to Jesus he rubs our eyes clean so that we can see God's love, compassion and mercy.  We can see past sin instead of getting ensnared by it.  Like those Magic Eye pictures, the harder I try to see and experience God's grace, the more elusive, it can be.  Why is that?  God's grace by its very nature was meant to be received with an open heart.  Very often our own efforts just get in the way.  Like a drowning man sinking deeper and deeper despite his flailing limbs.  If he just floated on his back, he would be able to find his breath.  In a similar fashion, how often do I get in my own way?  I am at my best when I gently receive God's love - and that means less trying and more gently opening my heart and awareness.

More on humility

Gospel LK 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — 
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We've heard this before.  It must be an important message.  Jesus places a premium on humility and despises arrogance and self-righteousness.  It's the tax collector (in today's times, I think of a sleazy used-car salesman) who is exalted while the Pharisee is humbled.  How can this be?  After all, the Pharisee fasts,  tithes (on his whole income!),  and follows the commandments.  He's clearly better than everyone else and even  declares this to be so.  But is there room in his heart for God?  It seems as if he has no need for God!  The tax collector, in all his humility, understands that he's not "all that."  He knows he's a sinner and begs for God's mercy.  He opens His heart to God.  He surrenders to God.  He submits to God's sovereignty.  The tax collector creates room in his Heart for God to take up residence.  And God will gladly do so when He is invited.  He doesn't force His way in.  I am at my best when I accept that I'm a sinner, that I've fallen short of what God wants and expects from me.  Am I humble enough to declare my need for God, my dependence on God?

Heart, Mind, Soul & Strength

Gospel MK 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 
with all your soul, 
with all your mind, 
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding, 
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?  It's simple but not easy.  Love God and love your neighbor.  Love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and treat others as I would want to be treated.  Jesus, in his wisdom, distills the entire New Testament into two commandments.  What does it really mean for me to love God?  I was reading an article on "optimal experience" based on the "flow" research by Mihaly C. and can hold my love for God up to the light of these questions:  Am I doing what God wants me to do?  Am I paying attention to the right things?  Does my ministry have clear goals?  Do I have the feedback that I need to course-correct?  Am I acting with deep, sometimes effortless, involvement?  Do I have a sense of control over what I am doing?  And I like this one because it speaks to Jesus asking us to "deny ourselves": does my concern for self seem to disappear? And finally, do I enjoy what I'm doing so much that time doesn't matter?  I am certainly at my best when my heart, mind, soul, and strength are harnessed together to love and give glory to God.

For or against?

Gospel LK 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, 
how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

I saw this quote about food:  "The food you eat either makes you less healthy or more healthy.  Those are your options."  Today's reading declares that our relationship with God is equally as black and white.  From moment to moment, we are either turning toward God and drawing closer, or turning away and separating ourselves from The Source.  Those are our options.  If food is any indication of my faithfulness, I've got a long way to go!  Despite what I think I know about eating for good health, a day rarely goes by when I eat something that might not be the most healthful.  But in my mind, I think it will taste good, I want it, and I eat it!  Could it be that satisfying my desires, cravings, and urges may be derailing my walk with God?  I believe so...why else would Jesus talk about "denying oneself daily."  It's like the air has just been sucked out of the room when I reflect on this.  And yet that's what the Lenten season is all about: praying, fasting, and almsgiving.  All of these practices help me to think about myself less and about God and others more.

Ugh! The Law!

Gospel MT 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

The Good News of the gospel isn't all sweetness and light.  In today's reading, Jesus reminds us that we are still accountable for following the law - even the smallest letter or smallest part of a letter!  He wants us to take the commandments seriously and hold others accountable as well.  Just as traffic laws keep us all safe on the road, Gods laws help us stay on the road to holiness.  Then why do I feel like the life has been sucked out of me when I reflect on this reading!  I'm a "free spirit."  I like doing what I want, when I want.  I find holding others accountable to be a burden.  I find holding myself accountable to be a burden!  Clearly, this is an area I humbly ask for God's purification.

Nothing is impossible for God

Gospel LK 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
In yesterday's reading, we heard about the prophet being rejected by his own people - a foreshadowing of Jesus being rejected by the Jews.  In today's reading, we hear about Mary.  We don't usually talk about her in the same breath of the great prophets but she surely deserves consideration.  She was extraordinarily faithful in light of her extraordinary circumstances.  When she accepted her calling by saying "Yes" to God, she immediately opened herself up to criticism, blame, and untold suffering.  She had an unshakeable faith.  She kept on trusting God.  Her very life was a great testimony to God's great love for us.  And how did God reward her great faith?  She is forever the beloved Mother of God - great model for me to trust God when faced with the impossible.

Don't shoot the messenger

Gospel LK 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built, 
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

It can take some time before we recognize the truth.  For thousands of years, ancient cultures believed the earth was flat.  It wasn't until Aristotle in 330 BC that the round earth model gained traction.  We can be sure that Aristotle had his fair share of critics.  It wasn't until 1986 when we learned that 90% of ulcers are caused by the H. Pylori bacteria.  Barry Marshall was smart enough to figure this out (and eventually won a Nobel Prize for his research) but most of his colleagues thought his theories were "rubbish" at the time.  And so it is with the Good News of the gospel.  Are there times when I disregard or conveniently ignore the truth of the gospel?  Are there times when I disregard who Jesus really is and what he asks of me?  Do I get discouraged when I speak the truth and feel rejected?  Lord, help me to see the truth more clearly - especially during those times when I may have my doubts about the messenger.  Help me to be bold enough to speak the truth and disregard the fear of rejection.

Spirit and truth

Or JN 4:5-15, 19B-26, 39A, 40-42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, 
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him, 
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him 
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him, 
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; 
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob, 
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself 
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her, 
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; 
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty 
or have to keep coming here to draw water.

“I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; 
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father 
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand; 
we worship what we understand, 
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, 
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; 
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him 
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; 
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one who is speaking with you.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him.
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them; 
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 
and they said to the woman, 
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves, 
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”
Water is one of our basic needs.  It's been said that we can survive only about 3 days without water.  Compare that to the 20 or so days we might be able to survive without food.  Given a choice, I would take the water.  It could mean the difference between life and death.  In today's reading, Jesus urges us to satisfy our spiritual thirst by taking in His living water.  This is also a choice between life and death.  What is this living water that he is speaking of?

Continuing with the water metaphor, Rumi says it best: "You are not a drop in the ocean.  You are the entire ocean in a drop."

Here Rumi is trying to describe how each of us has been created in God's image - how our lives are infused with His life-giving Spirit.  Indeed, Jesus calls us to worship in Spirit and truth.  Being a follower of Jesus isn't just an intellectual exercise which is why he was so critical of the chief priests and Pharisees who understood the truths of Jewish law and the Old Testament.  Worshiping in "Spirit" means opening my heart and soul to Jesus.

The Loving Father

Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’“

I have two sons and could easily see them growing up to become the two sons in this parable.  One is stubborn, opinioniated, and rebellious.  The other is quiet, obedient, and loyal.  And who stands out in this story?  The rebellious son does.  He realizes the error of his ways and in a remarkable turn of events after hitting rock bottom, he humbles himself before his father and asks for forgiveness.  I respect this about him.  It's never to late for us to open our hearts and ask for forgiveness.  The compassionate Father also shines in this parable.  We wouldn't blame him if his heart was hardened and he disowned his son.  How often do we see this happen?  And the son would have gotten what he deserved.  But the loving father did just the opposite.  He threw him a big party.  He welcomed Him home just as our Heavenly Father welcomes us home every time we stray.   I don't feel bad for the other, loyal son.  He was resentful and I don't blame him.  But he was loved by his father just as much.  His father wasn't playing favorites.  God doesn't play favorites with us either.  His love, compassion, and mercy are freely given to all of us.  I certainly didn't earn it and feel like I don't deserve it.  But God loves me anyway and is throwing a big party for me because I've come home.

Tending the vineyard

Gospel MT 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: 
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Who is Jesus talking about in this parable when he describes the horrific behavior of the  self-righteous tenants?  It would be easy to implicate the chief priests and Pharisees.  But we would be missing the point.  In fact, pointing the finger at the priests and Pharisees would would reveal our own self-righteousness.  The tenants in this story represent all of us - indeed all of us at one time rejected Jesus - all of us at one time have placed our own selfish needs above all else.  And when we are selfish, the Kingdom of God is taken away from us - we miss out on the fruit that is offered at the Kingdom table.  As a follower of Jesus I have the privilege and honor of tending God's vineyard - sowing the seeds of His live-giving message and sharing the bounty of His abundant harvest.  It's hard work.  I may need to get up early and work late.  I may need to work in the blazing sun.  I'll need to learn about tending vines.  But it's worth it and God's wine is sweet.

Open Heart

Gospel LK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’“

A cautionary tale for those of us who are living large here on earth.  Jesus knows how strong our temptations can be and wealth with all of its trappings can easily derail our faith if we are not vigilant.  This shouldn't come as a surprise, however: Jesus has told us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.  Lazarus, the poor man in this story, ends up in heaven with Abraham. The rich man perishes in what I'm presuming is hell.  Curiously, the rich man in the story isn't even mentioned by name.  It's the humble heart of Lazarus that is the story here.  It's his humble heart that allows Lazarus to hear and understand the message of Moses and the prophets.  Is my heart open today?

Heavenly Father

Or LK 2:41-51A

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
This seems like a flashback to Jesus childhood when he was especially precocious:
" having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age."  Maybe precocious is an understatement.  After all, it is the Son of God that we are talking about here.  Even at the age of 12, Jesus had a clear understanding that his real Father was in heaven.  So Jesus wasn't troubled at all by the grief that he caused Mary and Joseph by slipping away to temple.  And in what would be a mantra for future teens everywhere, he determined that they just "didn't understand."  The lesson here is that I am  called to follow our Heavenly Father at all costs - even if it means losing our relationship with our biological father and mother.   In Luke 14:26 it is written: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple."  In light of our commandment to love each other, Jesus clearly wants me to love God above everything else.