“I will drive them out little by little before you, until you have grown numerous enough to take possession of the land.” (Exodus 23:30)

We live in a fast-food, express lane world.  We have instant cash machines, drive-through banking, one- hour cleaning, jiffy lubrication for our cars, and overnight delivery of mail.  We seem to be in a constant rush. The virtue of patience and waiting holds little value, considered more a distraction than an attribute.  

In Exodus 23, God is giving instructions to the Israelites about how he is going to help them overcome the people who occupy the land he has prepared for them. He says he is not going to drive out the occupiers in a single year.  Instead, he will drive them out little by little until the Israelites become numerous enough to take possession of the land.  

God designed us to grow little by little from infancy to childhood, from childhood to puberty, from puberty to adulthood, from early adulthood to maturity.  Shortening the process will not lead to the desired outcome of maturity and wisdom.  How often have we seen the fame accompanying a child actress or the instant wealth accruing to a gifted collegiate athlete gone professional lead to a disastrous result?

Our daughter Emily was born with Down syndrome.  One of the characteristics of children with Down syndrome is that they experience delays in their development.  That first step takes a little longer.  First words come a little slower and physical coordination can take time, but each milestone is accompanied with much rejoicing and a sure sense of achievement. 

Ironically, the Lord calls each of us to seek him eagerly, but often has us wait to see the fruit.  St. Paul acknowledges that even “creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed…in hope that creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19, 21)

While we may be looking for instant success, it is a long-term process — the benefits lasting an eternity for us, our families, and the world around us. It is noteworthy that of the fifteen characteristics St. Paul uses to define love in 1 Corinthians 13, the first is patience.  He says, “Love is patient, love is kind…” 

Can we abide by God’s timing of what he wants to accomplish through us? 

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)

The idea that faith should be separated from living out the rest of our lives has become conventional wisdom in recent years.  The phrase, “separation of church and state” gets applied to other venues such as the workplace and the public square.  We are told that that our faith should be private and personal, not to be shared (“imposed”) on others. 

This perspective is 180 degrees contrary to God’s intention as evidenced in the words of Scripture and Jesus.  St. Paul’s exhortation applies to everything we do.  Later he says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if you are working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23)

This is a 24/7 exhortation meant for Monday as well as Sunday, the workplace as well as church or wherever we may be.  There are no boundary lines to Christ living in us, and we in him.  Once we invite him in, he is present in everything we do – working for our employer, taking our children to soccer practice, helping with the dishes, assisting a sick friend with yard work, testifying at a City Council hearing, helping our children with their homework, listening to a work colleague share a personal problem – “whatever you do in word or deed.”

God created us to work and take care of the garden of his creation and the civilization flowing therefrom. (Genesis: 2:15) Our work “is how we make ourselves useful to one another and thus to God,” according to author Lester DeKoster. It is a divine assignment.

From the time God became one of us in Jesus and the subsequent outpouring of his Holy Spirit, his intention has been to dwell not in temples or buildings, but in us individually and personally. Today, I experience his presence in many ways – the sacraments of my church, my prayer time (we meet for coffee every morning), and in many of the people he places in my life.

There are times when I have neglected his presence, or separated my words and deeds form his presence and put him in a box.  Unfortunately, his presence may not then be available to the people in my life who would otherwise be blessed by him.  God created us with the freedom to accept or reject his invitation to dwell in us, but his desire for his creation and for his created, is that we not separate his presence from our lives and work.

Do we imprison God, only to be released on Sunday, or do we let him be manifested in every aspect of our life?

As we celebrate Easter year after year we are reminded that Jesus’ death and resurrection has brought us eternal life.  Since we may hear these words frequently, their familiarity may become more like a cliché.  What can bring us back to their real meaning is to experience the death of a family member or close friend.      

Eternal life was not a cliché to my friend, Louie Grams, who believed and embraced it up until his last breath two weeks ago.  Although suffering with various physical ailments for most of his life, he died in a supremely peaceful state, surrounded by his wife and five adult children.  His wake and funeral were filled with beautiful music, moving personal testimonies, and a joyous funeral mass.

Love and service to God were hallmarks of Louie’s entire life.  In addition to being a leader in the People of Praise Christian Community, he joined two other men in establishing Christians in Commerce, an ecumenical Christian outreach to the business community.  Louie introduced me to Christians in Commerce and its Challenge Weekend retreat in 1985.

While I had previously experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, I still struggled with bringing that faith to bear on my work.  Louie and Christians in Commerce showed me how I was to bring Christ’s presence into all that I did in conducting my work and relating to everyone.  Over these last forty years, Christians in Commerce, d/b/a WorkLight, has impacted thousands of lives in the workplace and how business gets done. 

I called Louie two weeks ago after he received his diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer.  While it wasn’t a long conversation, I think we both knew we were saying our earthly goodbyes to each other.  That’s the way it is with two brothers in Christ.  I will look forward to his bear hug embrace when we meet again paradise. 

Rest well, my good friend.  For God loved you so much that he gave you his only Son, that as you believed in him, you did not perish, but will live forever. (John 3:16)

“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

Offering a sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem was an especially important act for practicing Jews at the time of Jesus.  Psalm 4:4 instructs, “Offer fitting sacrifice and trust in the Lord.”  Sacrifices could be oxen, sheep, goats, turtledoves, or pigeons.  People could bring their own or arrange for a purchase in the temple courts.  Either way, it was a significant act that took planning and time.  For those who lived some distance from Jerusalem, it may have happened only once a year. 

Jesus was saying that reconciliation with a brother who had something against you was so important, that you should interrupt the process of sacrifice or offering and go first to seek reconciliation with the brother.   

In our time, we should not let hurts we impart on others fester.  We should deal with them immediately.  Applied to our present day it would be like saying that before we go to mass or church services, we should make it a point first to seek reconciliation with a brother or sister we may have offended.  While the Catholic Church begins its mass with a prayer of contrition for sins “in my thoughts, and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,” Jesus is telling us to seek reconciliation even before we come to church.

I believe Jesus intended this word particularly for members of our own family and other Christian brothers and sisters.  How often have we let a harsh or errant word fly off to a spouse, close family member, or Christian brother or sister?  I can certainly think of times when I did this and did not act on it immediately as Jesus urges.  Just as Jesus places a high priority on forgiving others for offenses against us, he similarly places a high priority on our seeking forgiveness for our own wrongdoing.

Is there someone who has something against you with whom you need to reconcile?

“And it so happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but there eyes were prevented from seeing him.” (Luke 24:15)

Jesus’ followers saw him die, and they saw the tomb where he was laid. The trauma of his tortuous death was indelibly imprinted on their minds and would not be easily removed.

Now he was appearing before them, but they did not recognize him.  Mary Magdalene did not recognize him until he said her name.  The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize him though he walked with them until nearly dark explaining the scriptures.  Only when he broke bread with them as they shared dinner were their eyes opened. (Luke 34:13-35)

Overcoming our paradigm of death and its irreversible nature is no small matter.  It was true for the disciples and it is true for us.  Yet, that is exactly the hope that God offers on Easter morning in the person of his son, Jesus. With his resurrection he showed us that life does not end with our physical death.  Who we are has less to do with our physical nature than with our soul and spirit, which are a created by God and mysteriously joined with our physical nature at conception. 

Jesus bequeathed to both the disciples and us something to take the place of his physical presence – the Holy Spirit, which he described as giving us the power to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.  The Holy Spirit enables the words of Jesus to become a reality in our lives — he is in us and we in him just as the Father is in him and he is in the Father. He says the result is that, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these…so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:12-13)

With the power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience Jesus’ personal presence in our daily lives.  For me, this first happened on an October evening many years ago when I met him in a new and personal way.  I see him every day in the bright smile of our daughter born with Down syndrome whose many hugs reflect her natural inclination to love.   

I see him in the love of my wife and all our children and grandchildren as they respond to his love for them. I see him in the inmates of the local jail who accept the humility of their present circumstances and seek the sacrament of reconciliation.  I see him in college students we know who postpone career decisions to serve him in Christian outreaches to impoverished areas and on College campuses.  And, I experience him in prayer and the sacraments of the church.

Where do you see the risen Jesus?     

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Cor. 1:18)

To the Romans and the people of Jesus’ day, the cross was a symbol of dominance, suppression, and death.  To Christians, the cross is a symbol of love, giving of self, and the ultimate sacrifice.  God’s power and wisdom are made visible in love, sacrifice, and the subordination of our will to his. 

Out of love for the Father and us, Jesus subordinated his will to the Father and sacrificed his life on the cross.  As a result, God overrode the physical laws of nature and raised Jesus to life, an exercise of power that the world had never seen before, nor has it ever been able to replicate.

When the world exercises power, the consequences are experienced and then fade, becoming just another chapter in history.  Throughout history we have seen worldly powers come and go, but the power of God remains.  God’s power in a kind word, an act of love, and a surprising healing last forever.  Not so with the power of the world. 

We lament our sins and those of others, but the cross of Jesus is the antidote to our lament. It may seem as foolishness to the world, but to us, both individually and collectively, it provides the inspiration, instruction and saving power of God.  No matter what has happened in our lives, it provides the opportunity for forgiveness, redemption, and healing.    

Just this past week, a good friend described how she solicited many people to pray for her daughter-in-law who had a brain tumor which was discovered in connection with the treatment of a less serious medical condition.  The tumor was connected to major blood vessels in the brain and required very delicate surgery to remove it.  My friend sent 35 separate requests to friends on Facebook Messenger.  She had 15 nuns and 30 missionaries praying in the Dominican Republic. She sent requests to 150 people in a Christian community to which she belonged.  With all this prayer supporting excellent medical care, the tumor was successfully removed, and her brain was cancer free. 

These prayers may have seemed foolish to some, but it was the cross of Christ being embraced and the power of God being displayed.

How have you embraced the cross in loving and serving God and others?             

“And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, ‘Stop, no more of this!’  Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:50-51)

The Gospel of John says that the servant’s name was Malchus. (John 18:10) Jesus had just finished praying on the Mount of Olives when a large crowd sent from the chief priests came to arrest him. 

Imagine if you were Malchus.  You have accompanied a group of soldiers in the dark of night to arrest Jesus whom you have been told is an enemy of the Jewish religion and Israel.  One of Jesus’ followers attacks you with his sword, cutting off your ear. 

Then this Jesus, your supposed enemy, reaches out and touches your ear and it is fully healed.  One moment it is hanging there, bleeding, about to fall off, and the next moment it is completely restored.  One moment your adversaries are acting as you would expect adversaries to act, and the next moment Jesus, the object of your arrest, is reaching out to you, not to do you harm, but to undo the harm done by one of his followers. 

How can Malchus not be affected?  It had to be life changing.  Since John identifies him by name in his Gospel, it is likely that Malchus became a follower of Jesus and was familiar to John and the people for whom he wrote his Gospel. 

As with Malchus, Jesus is always ready to reach out to us.  In the most unlikely of circumstances, he is there, always inviting, ready to heal or respond to a need we have not anticipated.  In the ordinary and extraordinary, he is there.  Whether it is to open our life to him for the first time, or to go deeper in our relationship with him, he is present.

Like Malchus, I had an unexpected encounter with Jesus many years ago when a priest at a healing mass invited us to imagine that we were alone with Jesus and to give to him any need we might have.  For whatever reason I imagined that I was on a country gravel road south of Kansas City, Missouri on the way to my wife’s grandmother’s farm.  Jesus was standing there. 

I asked him if he would take away a sin in my life, and he did.  As a result, I invited him into all areas of my life, including my professional life, and my life has never been the same.  If you asked my wife, she would tell you that from that point forward, all my priorities began to change, as I sought God’s will in each area of my life as a husband, father, and an attorney for a large oil company.

Are you willing to be surprised by an unexpected encounter with Jesus? 

“It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of thieves.” (Mt. 21:13)

All four gospels relate the story of Jesus going up to Jerusalem at Passover and clearing the temple courts of cattle, sheep and doves, and the people who are selling them and exchanging money.  Obviously, he felt passionate about protecting the sacredness of God’s temple, and he was compelled to clear it of anything that detracted from that sacredness.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in his book, Life of Christ, observes that it was naturally a problem for people who came to the temple to offer sacrifice to get ahold of the material of sacrifice.  Accordingly, a flourishing trade in sacrificial animals gradually developed closer to the temple and, for the sake of convenience, eventually moved inside the temple courts.

Three different times in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, he declares that we are God’s temple or that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Co. 3:16)  If, as St. Paul says, we are a temple of the living God, then there may be things that need to be cleaned out from our lives in order to maintain the sacredness of our temple.

Like many a building or structure, we may have allowed things to accumulate that get in the way of our relationship with God.  Perhaps we have allowed anger, bitterness and unforgiveness to take up some of our space, maybe an addiction to alcohol, opioids or pornography?  Have we allowed work or some other activity to become an idol detracting from our responsibilities to family and others?   Have we allowed our busyness and other activities to get in the way of a regular time of prayer with the Lord each day?

When I was boy, I remember my mother doing “spring cleaning” every April.   She would take down our lace curtains to clean and stretch them, wash the windows and thoroughly clean the whole house.  My father would clean out the garage and basement of things that had accumulated over the winter. 

Similarly, we may need to do a periodic cleaning of our temple of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes it may require just a good vacuuming or a little dusting; other times, a junk removal service may be needed. 

We can be confident that Jesus, who is experienced in clearing temples of things that don’t belong, will assist us in making our lives a fitting residence for the Holy Spirit and the presence of God!

What needs to be cleansed from your temple? 

“Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name…” (Mt. 6:9)

When was the last time you listened closely to the words of the Lord’s Prayer?

Before COVID I used to take communion on Sundays to Catholic residents at a nearby nursing home, including a few residents in various stages of Alzheimer’s.  Some of the Alzheimer residents are not able to receive communion, or are often asleep when I arrive, so I usually just say a short prayer with them.  

One Sunday, when I came to one of the women who had her eyes closed (let’s call her Alice for the sake of privacy), I gently touched her on the shoulder and asked her if she would like to say the Lord’s Prayer.  She opened her eyes in a kind of blank stare.  I knelt beside her, put my hand on her hand, and started to slowly recite the Lord’s Prayer.  Her eyes opened and she started to say the words with me.  Her eyes became wider and wider as she saw herself remembering the words.  A slight smile spread across her face.  She appeared as if she were proud of herself for remembering the words.  As we finished a small tear appeared in the corner of one of her eyes.  I said, “Alice, would you like to receive communion?”  “Yes,” she nodded, and I placed the Eucharist on her tongue. 

This was the first time that I had ever seen Alice receive communion.  It was as if the Lord’s Prayer had awakened her soul and memory, enabling her to recite the entire prayer.  It made the back of my neck tingle.

I was impacted by seeing the power of Jesus’ words on Alice, words Jesus suggested to his disciples when they asked him how to pray. (Luke 11:2) Perhaps for some of us the Lord’s Prayer has become so familiar that we may let the meaning of the words bounce right off our mind and heart.    

When I first started to take communion to the residents of this nursing home, I was uncomfortable with the Alzheimer’s residents.  In fact, on my second visit I skipped going to their floor. But after seeing the impact of Jesus’ words on Alice and watching how those words awakened God’s presence in her, I received a new love for Alice and all her fellow residents.

How do you maintain the meaning and power of the Lord’s Prayer in your life?    

“Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard, and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.” (Mark 14:54)

Like Peter, we may profess our allegiance to Jesus that “even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” (Mark 14:29) We may recite the creed every Sunday declaring that we believe in “God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.”

Yet, like Peter, there may be times when we keep our distance from Jesus.  We may fail to show up for a daily prayer time before breakfast.  After a busy week of work, and a Saturday filled with our kid’s sports activities, we may let a round of golf take precedence over our attending mass on Sunday.

We may fail to respond to a friend’s request for help because it is not convenient.  We may put a higher priority on our comfort as Peter did when he warmed himself by the fire.

Like Peter, we may be thrust into circumstances where we are reluctant to be identified with Jesus.  In Peter’s case, it was the guards, the elders and the mob.  For us, it may be a boss who has disdain for God, or social friends who consider any reference to Jesus as foolishness.

Early in my career when I attended company meetings followed by cocktails and dinner, the conduct could sometimes get a bit macho and boisterous. It was not unusual for the conversation to involve exaggerated exploits, the building up of self and the putting down of others, off-color jokes, gossip, and the fawning over whoever might be the most senior person present. At some point I began to realize that when I went along with this I was distancing myself from Jesus. It was so easy to go with the flow and tempting to want to be a part of the group. It required a decision on my part not to participate.

Just as Peter’s faith was tested, so is our faith tested in numerous ways, some obvious and significant, others subtle and small. 

The world inclines us to keep our distance from Jesus, while Jesus bids us to draw near.  He says come to me all who are burdened from the cares of this world and I will give you rest.  Come to me all who are thirsty for meaning in life and I will give you understanding.  He says step across the distance that separates us, and you will experience my love, my strength, and my peace.  He warns us that in the world we will have trouble, but assures us that he has overcome the world.

Are there times when you follow Jesus at a distance?