Answering Jesus

I read a very intriguing blog post last week that’s stayed on my mind. It listed 100 questions that Jesus asked in the gospels, and challenges us to answer them for ourselves.

I found the entire list of 100 questions a little overwhelming, so I thought I’d break it down to three at a time. I encourage you to simply read the question prayerfully and answer it honestly. The verse is included, but honestly I don’t think the context is very important for this exercise; scripture has a way of speaking to us in our own time and our own circumstances.

Here are the first three questions:

1. And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the unbelievers do the same? Matt 5:47
 2. Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Matt 6:27
 3. Why are you anxious about clothes? Matt 6:28

I plan to post other questions now & then but if you’d like to see them all you can read the original blog, found here.

Happy pondering!

 

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That’s My King!

It’s so easy to become discouraged; I found this short video very inspiring. It’s not about me; it’s all about Him – that’s my King!

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Anointing the Sick

At mass tonight, Father offered anointing of the sick. Everyone who desires it stand and wait as the priests move through the church, laying hands on their head and anointing the palms of their hands with oil.

Some people are in obvious need … a couple stooped in their very old age steadying each other; the elderly with walkers; a child in a wheelchair.

Others’ needs are not so obvious … a young mother; the grandmother carrying an infant and both are anointed; the man who joins me in the chapel every week for our hour of prayer and adoration. One couple ahead of me are not much older than me and she appears to be suffering from Alzheimer’s as she becomes confused and her husband oh-so-gently takes her hand.

It makes me weep. Both in compassion for their suffering, and also for the beauty of what is happening in this place.

The world can be so hard; we are hard on each other. So many of our trials are a clear result of man’s actions and choices, sometimes our own.

But illness and physical suffering often just “are.” Not all will see healing in this life, but what a gift it is to be remembered, to be touched, to have others pray for you.

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”  (Mark 1:41)

Dear God you know the suffering in each of us – physical, mental, spiritual. Please extend your healing touch; give us courage to live in your will; cleanse us! In Jesus’ name I pray.

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