Love and Peace

No more hurting people

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Monday was a terrifying and shocking day in Boston when the two bombs exploded one after another. As our thoughts and prayers went out to those who were injured, mine slowly but surely was drawn to the plight of the Richard family. Martin a little boy who was 8 years old died, his little sister 6 years old lost a leg and his mother suffered a brain injury. Victims of an act of terror and violence. 

President Obama affirmed in his broadcast this is an act of terror. In the photo above is Martin with a banner calling for love and peace. This has circulated all around the globe and deeply touched the hearts of countless people. A day considered as a day to celebrate and enjoy, in the blinking of an eye became one of devastation and tragedy. Here we saw the power of hatred and terror doing its ugly task of destruction.

What happened here was a tragedy and as we mourn with broken hearts we pray for peace and love to prevail. We should never forget that our God is love. It is only love that can overcome the hatred and violence in the world. Let us affirm with the words of Little Martin Richards, “No more hurting people – Love and Peace”.

St. John the Apostle of Jesus lived to about the age of a hundred. Towards the end of his life he was so weak that he could not walk into the church; so he used to be carried in, and would continually remind his fellow Christians, "Little children, love one another." Some of them, after a time, began to get tired of hearing this, and asked him why he repeated the words so often, and said nothing else to them. The Apostle answered, "Because it is the Lord's commandment, and if this be done it is enough."

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians we can say great things about God but if we have no love we become like a musical instrument (only sound but no heart). This is a time to examine our hearts to see the depth and height of our love for all people around the world.

Prayer :- Dear Lord search our hearts and minds and lead us along the way that leads to love for all people and peace all over the world. Teach us to show mercy, fight for justice, and build ways to peace. Amen

Transformation and Restoration

How are the dead raised?

Byzantine Chalice

 

Some men will say, how are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 

1 Corinthians 15:35

Reading 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Some of the mysteries in life are hard to understand even for the scientific mind. I am reminded of the old and familiar story of the famous scientist Michael Faraday who was trying to demonstrate the resurrection using the properties of silver.

One day he dropped a silver cup into a jar of acid. Instantaneously the cup started to disintegrate.  Then using certain chemicals he brought the silver back as a blob. Then sent the blob to a silversmith who restored it to another goblet of similar shape and size. He said that if man can do this to silver, he believed that God can do this with our earthly bodies, he will take our flaws and weaknesses and transform us into ones that are flawless and powerful, just like the one Christ had after his resurrection.

What happens to our bodies when we are buried? They return to the dust and become jumbled up in the earth. Paul goes on to explain that there are earthly bodies and heavenly bodies. Today we have natural bodies but one day we will have spiritual bodies. Just like Adam became a living being, Christ is the last Adam who became a life giving spirit.

There will always be many who doubt and object to the concept of the resurrection of the dead. But to those of us who believe, we affirm that in Christ all things are possible. Christ is the author and refiner of our faith. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.

Surprised by Joy!!

First Fruits

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: Luke 24:5-6

Imagine the joyful surprise the sorrowful women felt, seeing the dazzling light and hearing the awesome voice of the angels saying, He is risen!

 Today in all the Christian churches and homes all over the world, people will greet one another with festivity and rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus 2000 years ago. Shouting and singing, “He is risen indeed, Hallelujah!”

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most miserable. But now is Christ has risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that died. (1 Corinthians 15:19-20). Paul says if we as Christians hope in Christ only for this time on earth we are most to be pitied [1Corinthians 15:19-20]. Is that all what Christ came to earth to do? 

Let us remember that he is the first fruit of those who have died.

The Most Important Thing 

First fruits at the time of harvest were offered up to God (Lev 23:10-16). It was a festival of expressing their gratitude and pledge to God of their harvest to come. So on Easter morning we remember Christ who is the first fruit of those who are part of that great harvest, who are gathered up to eternal life.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations: 

praise him, all ye people. 

For great is his merciful kindness toward us: 

and his faithfulness endures forever. 

Praise ye the Lord (Psalm 117:1-2)

Sorrow Joy Becomes

“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:20‬ 

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

‭‭John‬ ‭16:22‬ 

As servants of God…we are sorrowful but always rejoicing. That’s the way life is. It maybe dark now but light is coming very soon. Jesus assures us (John 16:20) that our sorrow shall be turned into joy. When we enter the homes of Christians we are often fascinated by the Christian art they display on their walls and display cases. Most often it is a cross in some form we see. The cross is one keepsake we turn to in times of brokenness, conflict and loss. We turn to the cross as our thoughts turn to the inner sanctum of our hearts where the presence or strength of Christ in us dwells, in whom our restless lives find quiet rest as we say a short prayer for strength. It is often in those moments we are surprised by joy with a comforting or empowering word that lifts our spirits.

The period of Lent for us, has been an inward journey of prayer and reflection. We remembered how low our world sank to crucify our Messiah and King. A time we sacrificed some of our luxuries and distractions as we to drew near to the passion of Christ. The last week of lent is the most enduring as we read the gospels and gained fresh insight into the sacrifices Christ made on our behalf.

As Easter approaches some of us may be in the darkness of a crisis. Some others may be under the shadow of the death of a dearly loved one. There are others who are in the midst of persecution, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, torn by conflicts, facing homelessness, fighting human trafficking, the list is endless; what good is rejoicing at Easter when there is so much of evil all around us? Do we see them as the broken body of Christ? Do we see the face of the suffering Christ in them?

Today I am reminded of the poem “Surprised by Joy” written by William Wordsworth two years after the loss of his four-year-old daughter. His Spiritual barrenness for her is as fresh as the day she died. He cries out, “How could I forget thee?” Wordsworth portrays the coexistence of joy and sorrow as he titled his poem “Surprised by Joy.” I am fascinated by this poem as it is a lament beautifully written that expresses grief and loss. If we live in our own shadows, common sense says that we will never see the light. Yet the combination of the Title and the lament, Wordsworth beautifully describes to us as a cryptic message of being sorrowful yet rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). For Wordsworth the joy that surprised him is the steadfast love of God that fills him with the hope that he will see the heavenly face of his daughter again(2 Corinthians 4:17).

Surprised by joy – impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport – Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind

But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss? – That thought’s return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more

That neither present time, nor years unborn 

Could to my sight that heavenly face restore. 

For those who are presently blessed abundantly spiritually and materially by the grace of God, we set out on an outward journey to reach out to those who are suffering and in harms way. To those of us who are strong in Christ, we are called to be a source of support and instill hope to those who mourn. 

Let us keep them in our prayers and remind them by the grace of God we are all alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). Let us never forget in Christ we have all been richly blessed with eternal life (John 11:25). We reflect on the agony and suffering of Jesus through lent, but rejoice as Easter comes upon us. The resurrection of Christ brings us much joy, so will we on the final day rejoice with our Lord and Savior (John 14:1-4).

Prayer:- Lord Jesus as our period of Lent comes to an end, we thank you for being with us through this journey. Instill in us a deep sense of remembrance of your broken body for us. By your death we have all become a part of your body.Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Shadow of Death

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up his spirit. And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth did quake, and the rocks split. Matthew 27:50-51

Reading Matthew 27:45-54

Descent from the Cross, depicted by Rubens

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, it is finished (John19:30). He must have been in tremendous physical and spiritual agony, the sort that the world has not seen ever before.

According to King James Version, Christ gave up his ghost. It is curious that after that, all versions when referring to the Holy Ghost said Holy Spirit. It is intriguing that the Holy Spirit was called the Holy Ghost in most places in the King James Version. Today when we say spirit we mean life and when we say ghost we mean the vision of a dead person.

It was fascinating how Jesus on many occasions just walked by or melted into the crowd when a mob of people wanted him dead. However as he hung on the cross he gave up his spirit, something only he as God could do. In John’s gospel he said he had the power and authority to lay down his life and  take it up again. He was simply saying he had the divine power over life and death (John 10:18).

After all the death that Jesus chose was filled with agony, suffering, and humiliation. Neither did Jesus want to live comfortably, nor did he want to die comfortably. Here we see the Good Shepherd deliberately lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).

When Jesus died the gospel account says the veil in the temple tore in two. It was symbolic of the doors of heaven falling open to all who believed in him. During Jesus time the veil in the temple signified that God and man were separated because of sin. But Jesus death caused us by the grace of God to have free access to heaven.

The Shadow of Crucifixion

The Shadow of Humiliation and Contempt

Matthew 27:31-43

“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.42

He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”43

Crucifixion, seen from the Cross by James Tissot, c. 1890

As Jesus hung on the cross many came by to mock and taunt him. This was a taste of Jesus cup of suffering he had to endure on the cross. He had prophesied that he would die, and now as he hung on the cross he faced gibes and curses of the passers by.

The Sanhedrin condemned Jesus for blasphemy because he claimed to be the son of God. Those who mocked him, also mocked him for his faith in God. They laughed and sneered, who will rescue him now? God!!

Is this not what many like to question about God? It is God’s character in the midst of disasters and heinous crimes. How do you believe in a God when the innocent suffer? As C. S. Lewis says this is atheism most potent weapon against the Christian faith.

Dr. Paul Brand was a pioneer in the field of medicine in leprosy. He dedicated his entire life for the greater good of leprosy patients. He was passionate about making the world a better place for them. He strove to find ways to heal them physically and spiritually. The leprosy patient because he could not sense pain ended up with alarming consequences in their life. He saw pain as a sensory warning for the body and soul. He asked the question, “Can one live in a world without pain?”

Can children be born into this world without pain? Does the mother remember all the labor pains after the child is born? Can the world be redeemed without pain? In the light of this beloved healer’s questions we can see why Jesus had to endure the cross to gain the gift of eternal life for all who believe in him.

There were some who looked up at Jesus and saw him as some one who tried to challenge the religious authorities and found his just reward on the cross. While there were others silently weeping as they saw Jesus humiliated and hanging on the cross. How do you see Jesus?

Shadow of Accusation

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Reading  Matthew 27:11-14; 20-29

Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Ecce Homo, 1871.

As Jesus was brought before the Roman authorities for sentence by crucifixion, he did not say anything to defend himself or even curse his enemies. His silence was deafening through out his trial.

This messianic prophecy of Isaiah was written 700 years before Christ was born. Jesus was compared to a lamb that was brought to be slaughtered but did not complain or make any resistance to his accusers.

We can only imagine his mind blessing those who curse him and praying for those who stood before him and accused him of blasphemy and treason (Matthew 5:44).

As Jesus was being falsely accused of various crimes that required death on the cross, Pilate marveled at his calmness and meekness in the face of his accusers. Pilate realized that these accusers were trying to accuse Jesus of various crimes but they did not have any kind of evidence to put him to death.

It was amazing to see how willingly and patiently Jesus endured his accusers, as he knew he was doing the will of his Father. He did not say anything against God or man. It was almost a witness before God and man this is why I am laying my life down for all of you. It was through his sufferings that we were able to approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Today we see so many people crying out to God for justice. It seems like God is not listening. People of faith keep praying for justice and mercy but all we hear is the silence from heaven. To all who suffer in this way, Jesus witness stands out as a source of strength to believe in a God even when he appears to be silent.

The Shadow of Denial

Then he began to curse and to swear, saying, I don’t know the man. And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:74-75

The Denial of Saint Peter, by Caravaggio

As Peter sat outside the palace of the High Priest, on three separate occasions people in the crowd identified him, asked if he was associated with Jesus.

The first denial Peter evaded the question with a vague answer by saying he did not know what the servant girl was talking about.

The second denial he clearly said with an oath that he did not know Jesus.

The third denial he swore and started to call curses on himself if he was lying.

Peter was so irritated and angry with himself and with the Jewish authorities who had captured Jesus. He at that point in time did not in any way want to be associated with Jesus.

Peter was cripplingly under the shadow of denial. He was in the company of people who were out to kill his teacher and Lord and he was too ashamed to say that he knew him. When we are in bad company nothing really matters but the approval and praise of those we associate with.

When he denied Jesus for the third time he heard the cock crow, and he was so overwhelmed with guilt that he went out and wept bitterly. He suddenly realized he had abandoned Jesus and wanted to have nothing to do with him. This guilt made him so full of shame and remorse he could not contain himself any longer (Matthew 10:32-33).

Peter had earlier in the upper room told Jesus proudly that he would not only go to prison with Jesus, but also to death. Proverbs 16: 18 comes to mind where it says pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. The arrest of Jesus came so unexpectedly for Peter he was not prepared.

But it is the same Peter whom Jesus prophesied that he would build his church upon (Matthew 16:13-20). Peter who wept so bitterly with tears of repentance after denying Jesus, went away never to deny Jesus again. 

Shadow of Agony

And he came out, and went, as usual, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said to them, Pray that you enter not into temptation. And he withdrew from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed saying, Abba Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:39-44

Jesus praying to God the Father in Gethsemane,

 Heinrich Hofmann, 1890.

It is here the passion of Christ started. The agony he felt in his heart as he thought of his impending death. It was an agony that we as humans cannot understand. It was the coming of the sins of all of mankind being thrust upon him, one who knew no sin. The sacrificial lamb bearing the sins of the whole world, that would separate him from his Father whom he has known even before the world was created.

It is here the humanness of Christ comes out. We see the tenacity of his faith being tested. He knows he will do anything for God the Father. So he prays if God is willing to remove the bitter cup of suffering.

Jesus must have prayed loudly enough for the disciples to hear him. They could possibly have seen an angel coming down to strengthen Jesus during his prayer. But the disciples were so overcome with lethargy that they just couldn’t stay awake. They still had not understood that Jesus was in any kind of danger.

It was a covenant that God made with Abraham that through him all the nations will be blessed. In Jesus it was being fulfilled. It was the only way for God to reconcile with the world through the death of his son

There was a big difference in this prayer of faith, Jesus emphatically said to God the Father not my will but your will be done. This was not one of those occasions where he prays in faith for fire to descend on the people who want him crucified or mountains to be moved and fall on his enemies. It was a humble prayer of submission to the will of God the Father.

Jesus was beginning to get the bitter taste of death as he prayed earnestly in the garden. He prayed so earnestly that his sweat became drops of blood falling on the ground. As he prayed an angel came down and ministered and strengthened him.

It was the prayer of a son looking up to his father as he goes out to face his enemies on earth and the even greater ones in the spirit world. Knowing that he is going to die. As the shadow of the agony of death cast its shadow upon him he was praying sincerely for divine guidance. It was Jesus way of looking up for the final blessing before the beginning of his passion.

Shadow of Betrayal

Shadows of Darkness

Matthew 26:20-25

I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Ezekiel 13:7

 Sheep having no Shepherd  ~~ Matthew 9:36

As they were approaching the mount of Olives Jesus said, behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man going his own way, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (John 16:32)

Jesus prophesied to his disciples that the hour had come for him for him to die. Peter the self-confident disciple of Christ said, Lord wherever you go, I will follow. But Jesus said that all of them would betray him.

He quoted Ezekiel and used the words of God the Father, where Jesus (the Shepherd) would be struck down, and all his disciples (the sheep) would be scattered and go their own ways.

Jesus was predicting that they were going to be covered by the shadow of betrayal. In this period of darkness they would stumble and fall. They would loose their confidence in Jesus. Seeing Jesus powerless like a shepherd that has been slain, they would all be overwhelmed with the darkness of fear and be scattered.

Yet Jesus was confident of one thing, that God his Father was with him. Although all he could see for the next several hours was pain and suffering he was sure that God would never desert him. He was sure that he was doing the will of his Father in heaven.

Does it matter if the whole world deserts us, but we are certain that God is by our side?

New Commandment

Mandatum novum

A new commandment I give you, That you love one another; as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:34-35

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before the Easter. It derived its name from the latin word mandatum. It is the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos.” These were his last words of instructions found in John 13:34 to his disciples before he went to his death.

So was this a new commandment? Moses had already handed down the 10 commandments. But over 1000 years the Jews of Jesus day as Philip Yancy says, had identified 613 major laws from the Old Testament and accepted more than a thousand governing behavior just on the Sabbath. This Yancy said led to a pride in keeping the law. Which in the end rarely led to inner peace or love for one another. 

Could the common man keep track of all these laws? Jesus came to show us a new way where we were free to love and care for one another. Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples that he wanted the primary mark of distinction for his disciples to be their deep love for one another. Our love for one another should be faithful and sincere.

Is it not ironical that before he gave the new commandment, he had already told the disciples that Judas was going to betray him? Just after he gave the commandment he told Peter he would deny him three times. The ones Jesus was giving the commandments were already going to break them.

Here was Jesus telling them, that we may betray each other, we may be inconsistent in so many ways, but let us strive to be a family which despite its idiosyncrasies we strive to be united in love. We strive to work for compassion, peace and justice.

Just as our faith in God increases day by day so should our love for each other increase day by day. We should go out of the way to lend a helping hand. We should carry each other’s burdens. We should forgive and pray for one another.

This new commandment was given to the disciples following the washing of the feet. Jesus was showing there was dignity in serving the needs of others. This action is easily understood as a sign of humility all over the world. Whether it is the archbishop of Canterbury or the Pope at the Vatican they all find great rewards in continuing this ceremony over the years. It is a call to love and serve one another in actions and in truth. Do you hear Jesus calling you today to follow him?

Prayer of St. Francis (Little poor man of Assisi)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.