Tuesday of Holy week

Key verse : John 13 : 21-33, 36-38

Meditation : “ Jesus was deeply troubled"

 

                                  Jesus, When I ponder this Gospel I feel sad at seeing you troubled. You had said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Now you  are troubled. Ecclesiastes tells us there is a “Time for everything,” including “a time to weep” (Eccl 3 : 1-4). Now it’s your time to be overwhelmed with sadness. Even in our emotions you chose to be like us in all things but sin (Heb 4 : 15). At times I feel storms of sadness and troubled emotions. You did not shield yourself from the stabbing pain of a Jerusalem. Your heart was moved with pity at seeing the widow of Nain. You knew the joy of friendship at Matthew’s house and the comfort of the hospitality of Martha and Mary.

                                     What troubles you, my Lord, in this Gospel scene ? The thought of impending betrayals and abandonment is breaking your heart. You know Judas’ treachery. You look at the other disciples who seem so innocent and unaware of what will soon take place. You cannot force your love on the betrayer, but you try to save him. You wash his feet, you offer him the morsel dipped in the dish. Judas eats it and leaves. “ And it was night”. Judas walks out of your presence. He turns his back on the Light. He is swallowed by the night, by Satan, the prince of darkness.

Prayer : Lord, Saint John details for us the love you offered to each disciple – even the one who would betray you. I ask you to be my motivation and my driving force, even when I feel drawn to abandon the cross of daily fidelity. May I care for those around me and desire their eternal salvation above all. May my love for others mirror yours – so I care for both their spiritual and their physical well – being. I trust that in your goodness you will grant me these graces. Amen.

Monday of Holy Week

Key Verse : John 12 : 1 – 11

Meditation :  “….. you do not always have me.”

How often do these words occur to us as we try to pray ? we are kneeling in church or sitting quietly, ready for prayer, but nothing happens. “[Y]ou do not always me.”

 Here we can thank God for the example of Mary of Bethany. Through her, Jesus illustrates the two ways of devotion found in the Great commandment : besides prayer, which is service of God, there is service of neighbor. Jesus said to do both equally well with the whole mind, will, heart, and strength. 

 

Jesus is foretelling his imminent departure – preparing his friends to continue selflessly as Mary was serving him, washing his feet and drying them with her hair.

Today’s reading from John suggests that our Lord knows that we will more opportunity to serve others than we will have to pray. He also understands that we will often be disappointed in prayer. He will not always seem present to us, but our brothers and sisters are always with us. In understanding this, we are blessed by the example of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Her personal letters reveal that this is exactly how things were for her. She did not always feel Jesus present in her prayer, but she found him present in the needy. Jesus asks us also to squander our attention on him in the poor. Such generosity will enrich our prayer.

Prayer : Lord, you assure us that we will always have the poor with us because we ourselves are poor. We are often poor in the things of the spirit. We struggle to be virtuous and we struggle to pray. Consolations in prayer are few and far between, while distractions and weariness are common companions of our prayer. Teach us to fill up our spirit by emptying ourselves of all that does not serve you. Amen.

A Donkey in God's Plan

Introduction
Surely the text couldn’t have said a donkey. A white stallion, even a Camel, I’d take the old gray mare before a donkey.
It’s pretty amazing don’t you think? The first truly public acknowledgment of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and he comes, as predicted in a way that seems, frankly, a little bit silly.
God had chosen to fulfill his plan riding upon a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey. What is the meaning of it? Well for one thing I think it makes the Messianic claim unmistakable, it wasn’t everyday, I’m sure, that people rode victoriously through the cheering crowd lined streets of Jerusalem on donkeys.
But I’d like to think there’s another message for us here,
Proposition: If God can use a stinky little donkey in the triumphant fulfillment of his plan then just maybe he’s got a plan for me too.
Interrogative: So the question I’d like to consider with you this morning is "how does a donkey become fit for the service of the King of Kings and How can we be made useful for him too?"
Transition: There are three important things that make this donkey fit for royal service, and they are equally important for us, First the donkey is...

1. Selected

a. By Pre-arrangement

vv. 1-3 As they approached Jerusalem... Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
Clearly Jesus has made arrangements to use this donkey ahead of time.
It’s pretty cloak and dagger actually, the only thing missing are code names.
The point is this specific donkey had been set aside for a noble purpose. He is also selected...

b. By Prophecy

vv. 4-5 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’"
550 years earlier Zechariah had prophesied about this little donkey. God had a plan and this donkey was selected by God to play a part in His plan. And he has selected us too:
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We have been chosen not only for blessing but for service.
You may not be a king or even a Sunday School teacher but God knows you by name and he has a plan for you to serve him, He has prepared in advance good works for you to do.
Next, notice with me that this donkey who was selected is...

2. Sanctified

b. By Preservation

Mark 11:2 you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.
Such animals in Jewish tradition often had special religious significance, because they had never been used for any worldly purpose.
We must be separated from the world also to be useful to the Lord
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man cleanses himself from [wickedness], he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
It’s also necessary for us to Preserve our time and energy to use for the Lord’s service. So often we give him the left overs of our life when He desires our first fruits.

ILLUSTRATION: Paper torn into pieces of our lives leaving a tiny shred for God.

Being Sanctified also means being Prepared for the Lords use

b. By Preparation

v. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
The donkey was prepared for the Lord’s use and we need to be prepared too.
1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Spending time getting to know the Lord in Prayer and study of His Word prepares us for his use and allows the Holy Spirit to work in us to sanctify us for Service.
Finally, to be useful to the Lord, like the Donkey We must be...

3. Satisfied

a. To Present Himself

Donkeys are not known for a submissive temperament, it is worth noting that this donkey presents himself to the master to be used. Like him we must present ourselves to the Lord...
2 Timothy 2:15 "present yourself to God"
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
Yes, He has chosen us but he will not work against us he wishes for us to present ourselves to Him, to be submissive to his will in our lives.
The Donkey was also satisfied...

b. To Play a Humble part

In spite of the importance of the donkey’s role in the fulfillment of prophecy, he still plays a bit part. His job is to lift up Jesus so that Jesus can be seen by the crowds.
We have a similar role in God’s plan, not to be exalted but to exalt Christ. To make him be seen by the world. The apostle Paul wrote...
Galatians 6:13 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned us in His sermon on the mount not to be like the religious people who did their good deeds to be seen by men, the Good works that the Lord has prepared in advance for us are works that bring glory to his Name and not our own. Like the donkey we must be satisfied with a humble part in God’s plan.

CONCLUSION

You know donkeys really aren’t all that great. They’re stubborn, they’re smelly, they’re small, not really able to do that much. But Jesus used a donkey in his most triumphant public moment here on earth. He could have chosen a a white stallion outfitted for battle as he’s portrayed in the book of revelation. He could have chosen a camel decked out in sumptuous velvets. But he chose a donkey.
You may not be a white stallion, or even an old gray mare. You may have never really thought of yourself as a part of God’s grand plan, but the Bible says that’s exactly what you are.
You have been Selected by Him to fulfill a part of His plan prepared in advance for you.
To fulfill that role you need to be Sanctified, prepared for his service by separation from the world’s evil and commitment to Him
And you must be Satisfied to take the role of a servant, fulfilling God’s plan for God’s glory and not your own.

A Child like Amazement

In the message “Remember The Basics” we saw the importance of returning often to the fundamental truths of our faith. We are called to grow and mature, but never to “grow” such that we are led away from the simple and unchanging truth: God loves us so much that He provided a way to restore a right relationship with Him through faith in His Son. Jesus died so we could live! Does this awesome act of love still amaze us, or have we “matured” to more “important” matters?
Matthew 18:3
“And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
When my daughter was four years old, we read about young Samuel. While discussing this story, my daughter showed me the excited faith God calls us to maintain. Perhaps her faith could teach us all.
As a young boy, Samuel was ministering with an old priest named Eli. One night God called to Samuel, but Samuel thought it was Eli’s voice. Eli said he didn’t call and told Samuel to go back to bed. After God called a few more times, Samuel realized who was calling and answered: “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). God then gave Samuel a message – but the message was all about Eli.
My daughter asked, “Why did God speak to Samuel if the message was really to Eli?” We talked about how we must be ready and willing to hear God. I said Eli may have had some problems or distractions in his life which kept him from hearing God, so God spoke His message through a child. I said little kids (like her) can often hear God better than older people (like me).

“But, I don’t hear God talk to me,” she said, with a little disappointment in her voice. I explained how God doesn’t usually speak so we can hear Him with our ears; rather, His Spirit speaks to our heart and we hear Him as we listen to our heart. Her little eyes widened, “Like today when I was going to sit on one of the baby toys – Jesus told my heart I was too big and shouldn’t do it so I listened to what He said.”
I encouraged her that this is exactly how God speaks to us, we just need to learn how to listen and then obey. My daughter thought for a moment and then slowly shook her head in amazement: “Wow! That’s sooooo cool!!”
Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Word never becomes just an interesting collection of stories. You created us, loved us, and will one day call us Home to be with You for all eternity – and Father, that’s sooooo cool!! Help us to come into Your presence with a thankful and loving heart. Strengthen our faith every day and allow us to continually look on You and Your wonders with a childlike amazement.

Our Spiritual Walls

Nehemiah lived in the days following the Israelite captivity in Babylon. The first captives had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and reconstruct the temple. However, those who returned had left the walls of the city in great disrepair. When Nehemiah heard this discouraging report, he asked permission of the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the once mighty walls.
Nehemiah’s request was granted. He traveled to Jerusalem in the year 445 BC and motivated the people to rebuild the walls in record time. But Nehemiah discovered there was more broken in Jerusalem than just physical walls. It had been many years since the people truly worshipped God; spiritual walls were now in desperate need of mending.
Nehemiah knew the only way toward spiritual repair was through the Word of God. He gathered the people and they wept as Ezra read God’s Word “from daybreak till noon” (Nehemiah 8:3). For seven days, Ezra continued to read. On the eighth day, walls began to mend as the people “spent another quarter {of the day} in confession and worshipping the Lord” (Nehemiah 9:3). True repair occurred as they recommitted their lives to following the commands of God.
Nehemiah 10:29
“All these now bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses…and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord.”
Our world continues to change. Nations continue to build physical walls and attack one another while showing little concern for the spiritual walls which protect from the real enemy. Years of neglect, and large scale drifting from God’s path, have left our spiritual walls cracked and vulnerable. Our families are seldom led by God and our courts make laws without seeking His counsel. Attacks come from every direction and our defenses are weak!
The repair of our spiritual walls will not occur at the national level. Governments have become too large and diverse to even recognize this need. But we have the opportunity all around the world to rebuild, one individual, one family, one church, and one community at a time. We have the ability to repair the portion of wall within our circle of influence. Together, we CAN rebuild and strengthen!!
As in the time of Nehemiah, we must return to a passion for the Word of God. His Word reveals His eternal plan through faith in His Son, and provides guidance and strength for our daily walk through His Spirit. Let’s become people dedicated to study and prayer, and allow each day of our lives to be led by God’s Spirit. Let’s make a lasting commitment to focus on the eternal and rebuild our spiritual walls.

The True Peace of God

 We are all striving toward the “successful” life, though our definitions of success may often differ. Many of us place our effort in obtaining more and better things, reaching a higher status, or building greater security. Others involve themselves in more “spiritual” endeavors with ministry activities and service projects. But the root motivation for all our effort is the same – we all are seeking a life full of peace.
Unfortunately, the world trains us to simply set and then exceed our goals without ever taking the time to examine what our heart really longs for…we long for peace! I’m certainly not opposed to goals; but we must understand that meeting every single goal, by itself, will NEVER result in peace.
The lack of peace is, first and foremost, the result of our sinful condition. When man first chose to place his desire ahead of God’s perfect plan, sin entered the world and true peace became illusive; “when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). We will never obtain true peace through different governments, nor can we purchase or create peace by changing our surroundings. Peace begins with the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus and grows as we live in submission to the Holy Spirit; “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he said those who have placed their faith in Jesus now have a basic formula for a life of peace.
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our formula for peace is: (1) Rejoice, (2) Rejoice some more, (3) Be gentle, (4) Know God is near, (5) Remove all anxiety, and (6) Pray about everything with a thankful heart. Jesus promised that those who trust in Him will receive a peace beyond anything this world can understand: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). 

If our lives are lacking peace, the ONLY solution is to draw nearer to God, trust Him more, and rejoice (and rejoice and rejoice) as we are guided by His Spirit. Only then will we find the “success” for which we have been striving; only then will we obtain that for which what our heart longs…the true peace of God!

7 Symbols of God’s Care

~ God Cares for YOU ~

We serve a caring God who meets all our needs.

Like a hen He gathers and protects ~ Our Lord stated in reference to His chosen people, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

Like an eagle He protects and leads ~ “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12).

Like a shepherd He watches and delivers ~ “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:12).

Like a father He pities and shows compassion ~ “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

Like a mother He consoles and comforts ~ “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).

Like a nursing mother He is gentle and provides ~ As His disciples we are also to love others as He loved us (John 13:34). We are to gently care for and provide for the needs of the Christian community. “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Like a bridegroom He delights and rejoices ~ “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). One day Jesus Christ will return to gather His bride, the Church, to be with Him forever!

SUMMARY: “So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ — eternal and glorious plans they are! — will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does” (1 Peter 5:6-11).

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