Author: jcgosj

NOT COMING TO THE RESCUE (Gen 22:1-18):  08 March 2009 (Second Sunday of Lent)

Today’s Readings

Dear God,

Sorry for saying this, but what Abraham went through wasn’t exactly cool.  For decades he and his wife Sarah waited for you to give them a son.  Finally, when Abraham was 100 years old (!), you gave Isaac to them.  But then after they raised their son and loved him, what did you decide one day? You decided to put Abraham to this test; you asked him to give Isaac up by himself sacrificing his son on the mountain.  You knew how tough this was because when you made your request, you referred to Isaac as Abraham’s “only son, whom (he) loves.”  Talk about rubbing it in.

AN INVITATION TO THE DESERT (Mark 1:12-15):  01 March 2009 (First Sunday of Lent)

Today’s Readings

Lord Jesus,

Why did you decide to begin your public ministry by going through the desert?  I fear the desert.  I’m afraid of its barrenness and its bareness.  I’m scared of going hungry there.

Something about going hungry brings out the worst in people, doesn’t it?  If it doesn’t kill you, the deprivation–whether self-imposed or not–can make us irritable or resentful.  I’m afraid that if I go hungry and stay hungry, I may not like the “me” that I see.  What was your point in going to the desert–not to mention stayingthere for 40 days and 40 nights–anyway?

FRIENDS IN THE LORD (Mark 2:1-12):  22 February 2009 (Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Jesus,

In today’s Gospel story, you healed a paralyzed man before the crowd.  For some reason though, what caught my attention was not so much the miracle you performed, but the sheer determination of the paralytic’s friends to bring him to you. 

WHAT YOU SEE (Mark 1:40-45):  15 February 2009 (Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Lord,

About that leper you met in today’s gospel story:  When the man fell on his knees before you and pleaded, “If you wish, you can make me clean”–what were the thoughts that first ran through your head?  That first moment you laid eyes on him, what did you actually see?  

AFTER DAMASCUS (Mark 16:15-18):  25 January 2009 (Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul)

Today’s Readings

Dear St. Paul,

Today we remember your conversion–that dramatic, life-changing event in your life on the road to Damascus.  The account says that you were on your way to arrest Christians when you found yourself suddenly surrounded by a great light.  Falling to the ground, you heard the voice of the Lord–and the rest was history.  From a zealous Pharisee out to arrest every possible Christian, you turned into an even more zealous missionary determined to make a Christian of every possible person.