www.temenos.org Mk. 10:17-23 The rich young man failed to follow Jesus because he would not give up his secure life. There is no such thing as security, it is a materialistic society offering false hope. Security is found in Jesus, and to follow him means to give up that desire for security and your life will be transformed. I am slowly doing that, it is difficult, but as I do, my life is found in Jesus totally.
“Trusting” Matt. 6:25, 28-34 We worry about everything–health, money, being alone etc–but Jesus reminds us to put God first and everything else will follow. I am still learning, ever so slowly–that putting God first means to trust that I will be provided for–sometimes very simply, but will be provided for. I think of 20 year old Russell who is thankful for vacant building to sleep in–so I will stop worrying for now and try putting God first again.
Mk. 10:13-16 We are all like the disciples, make judgments about others rather then seeing ourselves as children, who are open to the reign of God. It is easier to place labels and judgments than to open our eyes to the pain, the suffering, and our part we play in it around us. Outreach last night on a cold night, served sandwiches to senior citizens this morning at Episcopal Sanctuary, outreach tonight.
Ecclesiasticus 6:5-6, 14-17 “A faithful friend is the elixir of life.” Friendships need to be kept in good repair. I have lost friends–by death–, but some by the sheer inability to cross the street, answer emails, or pick up a phone. I am friends with the people I serve because friendship is a give and take, caring relationship. It is personalistic, and sees each person as unique.
Matthew 16:13-19 I woke up early today, way early, after three hours sleep haunted by my fears of the future, of my insecurities, but I know at my core that in answering the call in acknowledging Jesus as the Son of Man, putting my trust in him, that I could do no other in my life. Now my trust must be in him, and it is in him that I rest. Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
Mark 8:L27-33 Let his words of who he is echo in our prayer lives: “I am life, joy, and whatever you do for others you do for me.”
Last night as I gave out blankets,food, held hands, listened to the kids on the Haight who were drunk, high, lonely, scared, and gave out needles, blankets, food,and listened on the Polk I did it for him and that is who he is in each broken face I saw and touched last night.
Mark 8:22-26 Jesus is different: his healing is from within himself. Last night we served a meal in the Castro and then I spent two hours with 23 year old “Glen”==homeless, father of one. There was healing in those hours. For me any more there are no big moments, I do not think in making drastic changes–just simply in listening, being present, and finding healing in the moment. Ultimately all we have is the moment–let’s live in it, and let’s offer healing to one another.
