“Is that your boy?” asked the salty 82-year-old owner of the marina as we backed the boat into the slip, with my son, Steve, and son-in-law, Greg handling the lines.  “Yes,” I answered, “He’s my son,” and then pointing to Greg, “and he’s my son-in-law.”

We were on a three day boat trip down the Potomac River, across the Chesapeake Bay to Tangier Island, then up the St. Mary’s River and finally back to Occoquan, south of Washington, D. C.  It was early October and God had blessed us with absolutely beautiful weather – warm sunshine days and cool nights – picturesque sunrises and artistic sunsets.  We had lunch at various crab houses along the way and anchored out each evening with one of the boys cooking dinner on the boat.  We were all easy to be with.

Tangier Island is like stepping into a time warp, discovered by Captain John Smith in 1608, a population of 569 who still speak with a trace of Elizabethan accent; all connected either directly or indirectly with the crabbing industry.  No cars, only golf carts and walking paths populated with houses and front yards filled with gravestones of preceding generations; lots of docks, marshes and crab boats. 

It may sound like a small thing, but for the owner of the marina to see enough resemblance to ask the question, “Is that your boy?” made me feel kind of proud.  Forty-three years separate my son, Stephen and me.  He was 30 and vigorous at the time.  I have white hair and am not quite so vigorous.

In today’s society, families tend to get so disbursed that we can easily lose our sense of family and identity from generation to generation.  We go our separate ways, life full of work, children, activities, and busyness; seldom doing things together, living far apart, seeing each other only on an occasional holiday.  In prior generations, like Tangier Island, families tended to live together more, or at least in closer proximity, sons worked with their fathers and were a continuation of the father in both work and life.

Tradition tells us that Jesus initially took on the work of his earthly father, Joseph, working as a carpenter before he began his public life. In his public life he took on the work of his heavenly Father, becoming his presence in human form in the family business of salvation.  “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52)

This is the natural order established by God – man, woman, family cooperating with God’s creative act to fill the earth and to work and take care of the garden of his creation, extending God’s plan and leading each generation to God, so that God may one day be “all in all.” (1Cor. 15:28) 

Let us pray that God may be as proud of us, his extension in this world, as I am of my son, Stephen, son-in-law, Greg, and all my children, their spouses and families, who are an extension of our family and heritage.

“Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.”  (John 14:12)

These are Jesus’ words to the disciples the night before his arrest.  He goes on to say, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Jesus wants to act on the faith of our requests to him in order to bring glory to the Father.  Jesus wants us to have faith in him, to live by his words, and pray in his name. 

I have a friend, Sheri, who is a physical therapist in Arizona.  She had a co-worker, Ashley, who was scheduled for an MRI to check on a piece of brain tumor that could not be removed from a prior surgery.  Every time Ashley would have an MRI to check on the status of the tumor, she would get very anxious.  On this occasion it turns out that Sheri was able to see Ashley right before she left for her appointment.  Sheri sensed that the Lord wanted her to pray with Ashley that this time the MRI would show no presence of the tumor.  While Sheri had reservations about whether she should follow what she deemed a prompting of the Holy Spirit, she nevertheless placed her hand on Ashley’s forehead and prayed in the name of Jesus that the tumor would be gone. 

Sheri reports, “The next time we saw each other, I was walking down the hallway past Ashley’s office when she yelled, ‘Sheri, THE TUMOR IS GONE!’  Not a trace of it was on the MRI, even though it had been present on every MRI for several years.” 

We see in Sheri’s story someone who not only believes in Jesus, but also has the confidence in him to step out and boldly offer to pray with her friend that God would heal her and take away all trace of the remaining piece of brain tumor. 

Whether Sheri realized it or not, by her faith in praying for Shelley in the name of Jesus, she was also bringing glory to the Father.

The Gospels share many promises of Jesus like this one.  How much confidence do you have in Jesus’ promises?

“If a man dies will he live again?” (Job 14:14)

One characteristic common to all living things is that they eventually die.  People, animals, birds, microbes, plants, all die at some point.  The cycle of birth, life and death may vary, but the sequence remains the same for all. The Psalmist says, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth.” (Psalm 39:5)  

But then Jesus says, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25, 26)  This, of course, runs counter to what we experience in being born into this physical world, living the life we see, hear and touch. 

Many years ago a secretary with whom I worked was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.  Her name was Rita.  She went through multiple surgeries and treatments.  I watched her as she went from this vibrant woman in her prime, full of life, grace and happiness, literally shrink physically before my eyes as the cancer and treatments sapped the life from her.  In visiting her a few days before she died, I was shocked at her physically deteriorated state. 

That evening, while reflecting on her condition, the thought came to me that while the cancer was destroying her physical body, it could not destroy her because who she was included so much more than her physical body.  Yes, her physical nature had a part in defining who she was, but the most important part of her was her personality, her gracious and loving manner, her kindness, her willingness to listen to a co-worker with a problem, her diligence in her work, her quiet peace and joy when our office was experiencing a chaotic moment, her inclination to love no matter who was standing in front of her.

These non-physical characteristics of Rita were what really made her who she was.  They would not die with her body.  They would live on.  As physical beings we struggle with defining the non-physical.  We use words like soul and spirit that have the potential to transcend the physical realm. The writer of Ecclesiastes observes, “He has set eternity into the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Eccl. 3:11)

Jesus answers Job’s question.  We die to this physical world in the current age, but if we believe in him, the best part of us lives on — soul and spirit. Just as God raised Jesus to new life with a different kind of body, he promises to do the same for those who believe. 

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?’” (1 Cor. 15:53-55)

Will you live forever?

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”  (Genesis 3:21)

After God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of it, he instructed him, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 3:16-17) 

We all know the story — the serpent enticed Eve to take fruit from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil who gave some to Adam and they both ate of it.  As a result of their disobedience, they were removed from the Garden of Eden.  But as the above verse mentions, even in their disobedience God in his mercy and love provided clothing for them.   

Our God is a merciful God, and Jesus brought mercy to all whom he encountered.  Jesus tells us, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Matthew 6:36) Because of his great love and mercy Jesus healed the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, raised Jarius’ daughter to life, healed the cripple lowered through the roof by his friends, opened the ears of a deaf mute, made a leper clean, and demonstrated his love to countless others.

My family and I have experienced God’s mercy in many ways over the years.  To mention just one example.  Two years ago, I experienced a recurrence of my prostate cancer after 15 years from the initial surgery and treatment.  The radiation oncologist recommended 38 sessions of proton radiation, five days a week over the course of seven and a half weeks.  Through God’s mercy I experienced absolutely no side effects during the entire period or thereafter. 

I praise God for his love and mercy to me and my family.  He is forever faithful. 

How have you experienced God’s love and mercy?            

“’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” (1 Co. 2:9-10 NIV)

St. Paul says that no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God, but with the Holy Spirit we may come to understand what God has freely given us – words taught not by human wisdom, but by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths.  In contrast, St. Paul says that theperson without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them, and they cannot understand them because they must be spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2: 14)

The Holy Spirit gives me a sense of belonging to God – a feeling of security, knowing that the God of all creation is my Father. He is not distant and out of reach.  He has made himself available to me by becoming one of us through his son, Jesus, the Messiah.  I can see how much he loves me by how he sacrificed his life for me through the tortuous death of Roman crucifixion.  His Spirit gives me the desire to overcome my selfish nature, and love and serve my wife, family and others as much as I am inclined serve myself. 

The Holy Spirit helps me to understand that I am to be a good steward of the responsibilities and circumstances in my life, including family, work, and relationships with others.  He has taught me to have courage and trust in God when faced with the life threatening illness of cancer, the family challenge of a child with an intellectual disability, and circumstances that threaten a presumed career path.

The Spirit gives us knowledge and understanding in our perspectives, conduct, and relationships.  He enables us to see the natural order of God’s creation.  Some people see conflict between science and faith, but the Spirit shows us that science is simply the discovery of the mysteries of God’s creation.

How remarkable!  Who can equal God’s love for us and the gift of the Holy Spirit which is our enabler in love, wisdom, and truth?  I once read that the contrast between living life in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and not doing so is like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost this week, are you experiencing the personal presence of the Father and the Son as enabled by the Holy Spirit?  If not, ask God to release the power of the Holy Spirit you received in your baptism.  It will change your life. 

“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?