Friday in the Octave of Easter, April 22, 2022Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Stories on a sunny day
Can we speak to each other? Must we agree, or should we look for ways to create the warmth of conflict? My friend showed me his arm, which had frozen pre-cancerous lesions from his medical procedure today. Soon they will blow up and disappear. All will be well. Or will it? Can we agree to disagree on the efficacy of medical procedures?
The priests laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day.
Another friend railed against the president, while trying not to. I defended the president, while trying not to. We often take opposite sides, but our friendship is more important. I’m not sure, however, if I like the warmth of conflict as much as he does.
It was in the name of Jesus Christ whom YOU crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
The blind man who was healed
later got the flu,
argued with his wife,
died a painful death.
Oh, sweet Jesus, help me
to not be discouraged by
what may happen tomorrow
or fear the pain and suffering
that accompanies living,
but rather help me fully
cooperate with acting in love today.
                              – Clarence Heller
While Marc was outside mowing the grass on this first beautiful day since I’ve been in Illinois, I talked with a UIUC freshman who wore a mask during our entire meeting. The people in his dorm are being tested for covid every other day, and those who test positive are required to spend seven days in a different, covid quarantined dorm. He told me about his most recent Dungeons and Dragons campaign. He’s pretty sure his family is ready for a “one shot” game this summer, and he’s excited to put it together.
Dungeons and Dragons blends imagination and personality and community into a magnificent mix. I think so anyway. While we’re talking I remember that God gave me my imagination as the best tool I have to communicate with him.
There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.
Another new friend began that dialogue with God today. We talked about using an empty chair and inviting Jesus to visit, to sit in the chair, and listen. When she’s ready she gets to change chairs and speak to herself as Jesus might speak. And then, switch again. What a wonderful way to pray!
Of course I can put my brother or my sister or Margaret or my mom or my dad (doesn’t matter if they have passed away) in that chair, and then switch chairs and speak back to myself as my brother or my sister or Margaret. This “empty chair technique” creates community right there within myself.
Cast your net over the right side of the boat and you will find something. So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish. “It is the Lord!” And Peter jumped into the sea, running toward him.
Last night our Springfield (IL) spiritual directors’ group talked about “human sexuality.” We sometimes talk with teenagers who aren’t sure who they are anymore, especially when it comes to sex. The glossary of options has tripled in length just in a few years. Margaret made a great point about kids in school, thinking about this, the most important topic in their lives as it always has been: “It’s normal for kids to be confused, but it’s really normal to be confused nowadays.” If you aren’t confused, there’s something wrong with you.
Oh boy. What a mess that can turn into. I’m happy to be a grandparent. Just love those kiddos, and love them, and then turn around and love them some more.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” He brought them bread, and he brought them fish, for them to eat.
And that morning, they all sat around the fire.
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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