Karensa Fischer writes...

My husband gave me a valentine this year that says "If you want what you have, then you have what you want". Over the past few weeks, this thought has creeped into my mind so many times. Besides the obvious choice of spouse context, this truism is applicable in many areas of daily life. Our media and culture is constantly bombarding us with things we "should" get to make our lives better: a new diet book, a bigger house, a better habit, a new way to relax, a new way to organize, a new way to look at the old way...we can even buy new body parts these days! We do live in overwhelming times.
It becomes increasingly difficult for me to sort out my "needs" from "wants". And then, even more difficult, to sort out my "wants" from the things I "think I want". The one thing that continually runs true for me is that the more I can whittle down my lists of "needs", "wants" and "think I want", the more free I am to enjoy being the person God made me to be. I am more likely to concentrate on the things that matter most when I am not letting myself be bogged down by more stuff, including all the things we want to do and be. Goals are good, but sometimes it's just plain overwhelming! Yes, I want to be healthier...and nicer...and more generous...and a better role model...and more frugal...a better public speaker...more noticeable to employers...and, of course, more dedicated to meditation and prayer....and I need to read more, write more, create more, sleep more, do more. You get the picture. But really it comes down to one thing: loving more. That's do-able. Not easy, but do-able. Sometimes I have to remind myself to "keep it simple, Silly."
So, my suggestion for Lent is that we not only realize that God provides generously for all our needs, but also that He has already provided us with many of our "wants" in that He has made us who we are and that does not include perfection! If we sit down and take stock of what we already have (and are), we probably will find that we really do not "want" for much more. Spiritual growth is important, but sometimes we need to just appreciate where we are in our journey and where we started from. Many of us have so much already. We have family, friends, jobs, a warm bed, and food on our tables (arguably too much food on our tables), but most important of all is that we were given the love of God before we even knew we "wanted" it. Live and love the moment you're in. "If we want what we have, then we have what we want". We are blessed, indeed.

Dwight Peterson writes...

"See the morning sun ascending, radian in the eastern sky; hear the angel voices blending, in their praise to God on high! Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory be to God on high!" United Methodist Hymnal #674

Radiant or cloudy, the beauty and wonder of God's creation echoes throughout this galaxy in song, word and deed as we dedicate each day as a response to God's call as expressed in Micah 6:8..."He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Jesus Christ leads us in a parallel path of radical discipleship. He spoke to the crowd in Galilee, saying "You are the light of the world. A city build on a hill cannot be hid...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven." Mathew 5:14

Christ calls us each day to Live his message; to Love as his message says....everyone; and to Follow his message.

Alleluia!

Photo from Manny Esguerra...

Please see Manny and Deb's reflection posted on March 1st. Manny just emailed me this photo of the clinic they worked at, saying "It shows some of the hundreds of people who lined up for free medical care in the rural province of Bohol."

For today, I think this picture speaks louder than words, as we reflect on being servants of Christ.

-Melanie

Glenda Thors writes...

Who is this Jesus?

At a teachers’ conference for the Catholic schools I attended a lecture from a St. Johns’ University professor regarding Art and the person of Jesus. During the lecture he showed pictures of Jesus as imagined by artists from different eras of art. It was interesting to note that most of our “pictures of Jesus” were painted by the Italian artists and were therefore painted as if Jesus were an Italian noblemen in ancient garments. There is the painting of Jesus soulfully gazing toward heaven, his fine features and light brown, curling hair giving him an “angelic” appearance. Then, there is the picture of him knocking at the door of one’s heart—looks like the same artist to me. There are the tragic portrayals of Christ on crucifixes. And in the 20th century, more modern images of him show him with darker skin and hair and hair that is more mussed and less elegant.

Some scientists, according to this lecturer, “figured out” what Jesus looked like—the image portrayed was far from the elegant Italian figure. It was closer to the caveman image and definitely would be unacceptable to many church people, even though it is possibly a closer image to what he really looked like. Our friends of color sometimes portray Jesus with very dark skin and the curls of the African. Being that Jesus’ place of origin was where it was, they could be right.

It was an interesting lecture.

In my own spiritual journey, I am more interested in what Jesus was than what He looked like. What charisma did He have that was so compelling that fishermen, without thought of how their families would be sustained, dropped their nets and traveled with him? How could those whose lives were lived on the desolate side of life, the group that readily mocks righteousness and goodness, be so trusting of Him and enjoy His company? Children flocked to be with Him, understanding that He cared deeply for them. Women, ordinarily snubbed and ignored by the men of His time, listened at His feet and sought His power to change their lives.

It would have been interesting to have known the Jesus that came before the last three years of His life—to see Him laughing with family and friends; to see Him carefully crafting a piece of furniture or part of a structure; to watch Him in meditation and prayer with such peace surrounding Him; to see Him playing sports or cuddling the newest baby in the family. I like to think of that Jesus. Sometimes the Jesus in the New Testament is so intense, as He had to be to get out His message and suffer the death He suffered.

My favorite pictures of Jesus were by a young artist who did pencil drawings of Jesus with babies, children, and teens, smiling and laughing with them and listening to them. Would that we could see the loving, gentle, sparkling Jesus as He was with children—perhaps it would be easier to understand the great love He has for us.

Wendy Lucas writes...

On one of the women’s retreats sponsored by our church, we made prayer books. Here’s a prayer I wrote for my book; may it help your mornings as it has helped mine.

Morning Prayer

Higher Power
Gently, warmly move me.
Shower me.
Cleanse me.
Wrap me up.
Bless my head.
Whisper in my ear.
Gently care for mother’s voice;
envelop her with soft white wings
as she beats, harps, screams.
Keep her safe as you guide me in daily choices.
Help me do, complete, accept.
Gentle goals.
Noticing all with clear heart.
Guide me home.
Help me stay present with loved ones
and move ever closer.
Amen.

Wendy Lucas