Jesus issued a prophetic challenge the cities of his day that they might hear him and repent. God's sends us prophets as well. Do we have the faith and courage to listen?
Jesus challenged his disciples that his words might bring division in families, because the truth he brings is more important than any kind of truth we have created for ourselves. The Good News is that Jesus will never stop fighting for us. Sometimes that fight will be painful, but it will be worth it.
Jesus said not to swear to the truth but to simply let our "yes" be yes and our "no" be no. In this world, we accept that people lie and therefore need these markers that this time we are not lying. But in the Reign of God, everyone will simply speak the truth all the time, and so we should move in that direction now.
Jesus wants more for us than simply not hurting one another. Jesus wants to draw us in to a closer friendship, which might not be comfortable, but it could be great.
On this memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, we remember that Jesus gave us his mother as our mother from the cross. Mary can now be a reminder of the love of Jesus for us so that we can flourish in the love of God.
On this Feast of Pentecost we celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which manifest God's love inside each of us, allowing us to reach out to others in love to preach the Gospel.
This is the point in Lent when we turn with Jesus to face the cross ahead, hearing the words, "unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest."
Courage in small things leads to courage in larger things. Nicodemus showed great courage in standing up for Jesus. Can we use our Lenten observances to become more courageous?
Jesus tells us to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful. We do not have to wait for heaven to experience God's mercy, it is available every day in the confessional.
In the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John get challenged to believe that Jesus really is God's son, but that challenge is also a mercy, welcoming them into the heart of God. May we find the challenge and the mercy this Lent.
In the scriptures today, Nathan points out David's error to him and Jesus points out his disciples' lack of faith. Are we open to correcting one another so that we all might become better?
Saints Timothy and Titus accompanied Paul on his mission to the gentiles, translating their hebraic faith to make it understandable in a greek culture. As our culture moves away from its Christian mooring, we need to learn to translate our own faith to make understandable to those around us, as did Timothy and Titus.
