Reflection on Readings: "Behold Old Things Have Become New"

Last Saturday I watched a Hallmark movie, "Old Fashioned" (I recommend to watch it ... really good).  At one point in the movie the female lead (Amber) mentioned a line from the bible which struck me:  "Behold old things have become new."

And, lo and behold ... the 2nd reading today mentions something VERY similar!

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Right?! It gives me warm fuzzies and a silly grin.

Anyway ...

There was a point in time when I saw my faults thru a magnifying glass and it overwhelmed me immensely.  I wanted to change, but I kept falling into the same swirl and I thought, surely God cannot keep on forgiving me.  So, I decided to give up on myself completely.

Only later on did I realize that it was false humility.  In fact, it was pride.

• I was too proud to believe that God CAN and WILL forgive me.
• I was too proud to ask for His help to change.

There was this scene where Amber said, "I came here ready to forgive you no matter what ... You make it sound impossible."  And, I realized, that is how it is with God. I trip and I hurt Him, yet He's the one who comes knocking at my door, ready to forgive me ... and I ... make it impossible.

"Thus far you shall come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stilled!" (from 1st Reading - Job 38:11)

When I finally learned to lay down my pride and ask for help, He delivered. He stilled the raging guilt inside and I felt a peaceful calm; resting in His assured forgiveness and knowing, that, in my moments of weakness, He will be my strength.

"They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits He rescued them, He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled.  They rejoiced, that they were calmed, and He brought them to their desired haven." (Psalm 107:28-30)

Sometimes, I still trip over (I'm a work-in-progress, afterall) and I panic.  He gives me a whack on the head and says:

"Quiet!  Be still! ... Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?" (from the Gospel - Mark 4:39-40)

But now I am secure, knowing that, if I just stick it out with Him, He will make me good as new.

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Bigger Bear Series: Technolgy vs. Man

If you live in the South, having an e-Pass or RFID tag is a huge convenience.  So, when my e-Pass tag died on me, I was really bummed out; half-grumbling that I'd have to line up now and anticipating the added precious minutes on the road everyday.

But then my shift takes me to the road during off-peak hours, so it isn't really a huge inconvenience. Then I noticed that I've started looking forward to the drive home at night --- because it's the senior shift at the SLEX toll stations. And, after a long day's work, their cheerful warm greetings (complete with genuine smiles) feel like a breath of fresh air.  They really pause and look at you before handing over the card.  And, for a split second, I just feel like telling them how my day went ... hahaha!

I will have to get my tag sooner or later, but, because of this, I am reminded that nothing beats actual human warmth.  No technology can beat that.

Reflection on Readings: Great Things Come in Small Packages ... in Due Time

Today's readings are perfectly summarized below:

“Remember that the most difficult tasks are consummated, not by a single explosive burst of energy or effort, but by consistent daily application of the best you have within you.”

Og Mandino

The Greatest Miracle in the World

Step-by-Step to Greatness:

• Be small. (Acknowledge your littleness)

"Thus says the Lord God:  I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot ..." (Ezekiel 17:22)

"It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds of the earth." (Mark 4:31)

• Be open and conducive for growth. (Knowledge is not Wisdom)

"... and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it." (Ezekiel 17:23)

"They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of God." (Psalm 92:12-14)

• CRITICAL: Allow God to work on and in you.

"... and through it all the seed would grow, he knows not how.  Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." (Mark 4:27-28)

• Be patient and give it time.

"... it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day ... And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come " (Mark 4:26,29)

"... for we walk by faith, not by sight ..." (2 Corinthians 5:7)

• Be what God intended you to be.  (Take pride in who you are, your capabilities and the part you play in His plan)

"It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar.  Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs." (Ezekiel 17:23)

"They shall bear fruit even in old age, vigorous and sturdy they shall be, declaring how just is the Lord, my rock, in whom there is no wrong." (Psalm 92:15-16)

"But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell on its shade." (Mark 4:32)

Reflection on Readings: W O W !

Saturday - The Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Part 2)

When Mary and Joseph found Jesus at the temple, He was "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." (Luke 2:46-47)

At the age of 12, Jesus understood the Scriptures perfectly and was anxious to begin the work for which He had been sent to earth.  He knew what He was supposed to do.  And He was excited to teach and touch as many lives (Couldn't help it ... P&G). "Why were you looking for Me?  Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)

YET He knew, that God the Father had placed Him with Mary and Joseph for a reason.  He yielded to God the Father's perfect timing ... because, of course, He knew it was impeccable.  So, "He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;" (Luke 2:51).  It was they who taught Him, through the lives they lived, how to apply that knowledge and understanding with love and compassion.  It is they who enabled "Jesus [to] advance[d] in wisdom and age and favor before God and man." (Luke 2:52).  

And, because He Waited and Obeyed, He gained Wisdom which helped Him (along with the Holy Spirit's guidance) to successfully execute His mission.

"and His mother kept all these things in her heart." 

Reflection on Readings: "How Do I Love Thee?"

Saturday - Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Part 1)

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace."  (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Long before one of the greatest love poems was written, there was God and His amazing love for man.  So, how does God love us? (Psalm 103: 1-4; 11-12)

He forgives us over and over and over again

"He pardons all your iniquities ..." 

He heals us 

"He heals all your ills."

He keeps us from harm - of all forms and sizes

"He redeems your life from destruction ..."

He watches over us 24/7

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our transgressions from us." 

He gives us and our lives a make over

"He crowns you with kindness and compassion."

"The Love of Christ impels us ... Consequently from now on we regard no one according to the flesh ... So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:  the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)

Reflection on Readings: Raphael, God's Undercover Agent

This entire week, the first readings revolved around the interlinked stories of Tobit and Sarah, and the key role of God's undercover agent, Archangel Raphael.

Our prayers are brought and read out loud to God by the angels.  God also charges them with undercover work sometimes - to do some verification prior to dispensing special blessings and graces.  This is what Raphael did, when God decided to hit two birds with, essentially, one stone ... that gave birth to a beautiful love story.

"At that very time, the prayer of these two suppliants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.  So Raphael was sent to heal them both ..." (Tobit 3:16-17)

Sometimes, when everything seems hopeless, God turns things around and it, inevitably, catches us blindsided. He delights in surprising us and exceeding (and, I mean, EXCEEDING) expectations. And, if you take the time to reflect, you will see He likes putting in a subtle touch of comedy as well. It's amazingly witty, actually.

So just hang tight.

Tobit

Tobit "walked all the days of my [his] life on the paths of truth and righteousness.  I [He] performed many charitable works for my [his] kinsmen and my [his] people who had been deported with me [him] to  Nineveh, Assyria."  (Tobit 1:3)

He remained faithful to God's teachings even at the risk of execution. And he did so with love. "And I wept.Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.  The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another: 'He is still not afraid!  Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing; yet now that he has escaped, here he is again burying the dead!'" (Tobit 2:7-8)

Just like Job, he was tested by God. He became blind because of bird droppings that landed on his eyes, causing cataracts. It was, understandably, particularly difficult ... "She said to me, 'It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages.'  Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners.  I became very angry with her over this.  So she retorted: 'Where are your charitable deeds now?  Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!'" (Tobit 2:14)

It was enough reminder for him and, overwhelmed, he prayed for death:  "You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are just; all your ways are mercy and truth; you are the judge of the world.  And now, O Lord, may you be mindful of me, and look with favor upon me ... Lord, command me to be delivered from such anguish; let me go to the everlasting abode; Lord, refuse me not.  For it is better for me to die than to endure so much misery in life, and to hear these insults!"  (Tobit 3:1-3, 6-7)

I'm guessing God must have been cracking up at this point ... because He was whipping up a masterfully crafted miracle.  You see, at the same time, Sarah was also praying.

Sarah

Sarah, up at that point, was a total failure in love and marriage.  She had been married seven (yes, SEVEN) times to seven different men, who all died before she could lay with them. The demon Asmodeus killed them.  Naturally, she was mocked and accused of killing her husbands. She contemplated suicide, but decided against it, worried that her father will be mocked for it.  So, just like Tobit, she prayed for death.  "Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God and blessed is your holy and honorable name.  Blessed are you in all your works forever!" (Tobit 3:11)

Both Tobit's and Sarah's prayers started out with praising God and contained two important elements:

1. Belief that everything that has happened in their lives, God had allowed to happen for a reason.
2. Faith that God is merciful and just; thus, He will make things right.

"Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just." (Psalm 112:4)

"So Raphael was sent to heal them both:  to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes, so that he might again see God's sunlight; and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah, and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her." (Tobit 3:17)

"I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord ... I was sent to put you to the test.  At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah.  I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord." (Tobit 12:12-15)

Boom!

The Love Story

Tobit decided that his son Tobiah should marry Sarah.  When Tobiah went off to claim Sarah's hand in marriage, Raphael came with him.  (This is probably where "wingman" came from - get it?).

Raguel, Sarah's father, was upfront with Tobiah on the "seven-dead-husbands" issue.  But Tobiah fully trusted in God's will. So did Raguel, who then said: "I am sure the Lord will look after you both ... Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!  Take your kinswoman; from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved.  She is yours today and ever after.  And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace." (Tobit 7:11)

Sarah's mother also blessed them: "Be brave, my daughter.  May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief.  Courage, my daughter." (Tobit 7:17)

The parents' blessings were important, yes, but there was one thing that sealed the success of Tobiah's and Sarah's marriage.  They made it a marriage of three. "Be with someone that will carry you closer to God." (quote from a friend)

"...Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife, 'My love, get up.  Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance.' ... 'Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose.  Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age.'" (Tobit 8:4-7)

"True intimacy is more than fooling around with somebody you're attracted to.  I want to share myself with somebody who will press her hands through the surface of my skin, curl herself up inside my soul and say, 'Here, this is who I am'" (Beau Taplin, Intimacy)