Thursday, January 4, 2024
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Swords will be turned into plowshares
John watched Jesus walk by and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Two of his disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. One of them was Andrew, whose brother was Simon Peter. He found his brother and exclaimed, “We have found the Messiah!”
In the Moonies we wondered, along with Rev. Moon, why John himself didn’t follow Jesus, along with Andrew and (probably) the other John. John baptized Jesus and announced him as the lamb of God, but he also became very political and condemned Herod’s adultery. Jesus continued his preparation for forty days in the desert, and then he focused on choosing his disciples and beginning his healing/preaching ministry. He had little to do with politics. Even when he heard John had been arrested, he restricted himself to only a few words. When John was beheaded, Jesus grieved, but he did not call on the powers of heaven and earth to destroy Herod.
Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
The Bible stories give us room to speculate, to imagine, even to grieve John’s decision, but also struggle to understand it. John’s righteousness was never in question. He said of Jesus, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” Jesus spoke of John, “Of those born of women, no one is greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). But Jesus’ response to the vicious killing of his cousin was to seek first solitude and then to take “compassion on the multitudes.” He healed and healed and healed. No revenge. Instead, he brought peace.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Jesus filled the air around him with the truest words of his Father. I love you. I will always be with you. Receive my healing. Do not be afraid.
I imagine Jesus’ emotions were strong, maybe angry, certainly sad. His solitude helped him sort it out. I can learn from this, of course. Do nothing before I do something stupid. Edit and edit some more. Edit my thoughts, my words, my actions. Listen to this simple poem:
Don’t Forget
If you are willing to try everything to get closer to God,
don’t forget that includes nothing,
that is to sit, just sit,
not reading, not writing, not thinking,
but instead surrendering, being,
opening to the Love, to the One.
And it may feel like nothing
even though it will be the completing of everything. – Clarence Heller
In the soft air that surrounds me as I sit, Jesus’ words, echoing Isaiah, whisper inside me.
I will bestow on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61)
These are not the words of a military man. What power Jesus wields comes from silence and immovable love. Which moves mountains.
(1 John 3, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1, John 1)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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