Category: Reflection

Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 28 April 2014

Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying…

“This is my body, which will be given up for you; do this in memory of me.”

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying…

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

Luke, Chapter 22, Verse 19

 
The Easter Triduum is so rich in ritual that I sometimes lose sight of the awesome gift of Himself that God gave us in that moment. Right there on Holy Thursday, before the unfolding events of the agony, the trial, the death and resurrection of Christ, God establishes the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. And what seemingly was offered as the appetizer, turns into the main course – literally. Christ offers Himself as our nourishment for all time. From that precise moment onward we are invited to share fully, deeply and intimately in relationship with our God. Through the Eucharist Christ becomes one with us and we with Him.

What a glorious and amazing gift!!

Richard thought it rather appropriate to share these stunning photos of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, GA as a backdrop to the reflection this week. I think they convey the sense of awe, majesty and mystery that is The Eucharist.

Blessings,

Margo
28 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Luke 22:19

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 21 April 2014

Then go quickly and tell his disciples

“He has been raised from the dead

and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him.”

Behold, I have told you.

Matthew, Chapter 28, Verse 7

 

The wording of Matthew’s description of the Resurrection is the only one of the four Gospels to indicate a sense of urgency. The angel at the tomb tells the women, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples…”. The news is important, so important that it needs to be told – quickly.

As I sat in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, FL yesterday morning for an amazingly beautiful Easter Mass rich in ritual, I could not help but feel that same sense of urgency to “tell the good news”. As the magnificent organ played the last resounding chords of the final piece of music, it was as though it was urging us to run out into the square and shout out, “Alleluia! He is risen!”.

Rereading this verse I realize that this scene sets the stage for our journey as disciples of Jesus. The angel invites the women in, then tells them to go out and tell. This is the same invitation to evangelization that we receive at the end of every Mass we attend. So let’s go out and proclaim The Word.

Blessings,

Margo
21 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Matthew 28:7

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 14 April 2014

The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying…

Hosanna to the Son of David…

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord…

Hosana in the highest.

Matthew, Chapter 21, Verse 9

 

Today we read about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Passover feast, a day of joyous triumph.  The crowd shouts Hosanna, waving tree branches, and creating a red carpet experience for Jesus as the people spread their cloaks on the ground in front of him. I wonder what was going through Jesus’ mind at that moment. What was he feeling in his heart?

This mystery that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit looked out as man on a sea of welcoming, smiling, laughing, chanting humanity and perhaps was filled with joy.  But as God, with the shadow of the cross looming, and with the knowledge that these same people would betray, condemn, and crucify him in the coming days, his heart must have been broken on our behalf.  And yet, more than broken, his heart was full of compassion and love for all of us. Yes, even us today, two thousand years removed from those events, we were encompassed in the great love that held him fast to his terrible path, to that awful cross that offers us complete and eternal redemption.

Blessings,

Margo
14 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Matthew 21:9

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 07 April 2014

The Lord, your God, is in your midst…

A mighty savior…

Who will rejoice over you with gladness…

And renew you in His love…

Who will sing joyfully because of you.

Zephaniah, Chapter 3, Verse 17

 

When I hear the words “rejoice” and “joyfully”, I think of colorful balloons and streamers, I hear champagne corks popping, I see happy faces and I hear laughter.

There is a sense of excitement, a completely stress-free environment. There is an air of celebration.

When I read this verse, I experience all of the above a gazillion times over. Not only is God “a mighty savior”, He “rejoices” – over me! He sings “joyfully” – because of me!!

How awesome is that!!!

Take these images into your day and you will surely feel uplifted and “renewed in His love”.

Blessings,

Margo
07 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Zephaniah 3:17

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 31 March 2014

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.

Numbers, Chapter 6, Verses 24 – 26

 

Giving a blessing to someone is one of the most beautiful and intimate gifts that we can give.  At a recent retreat, Rich and I experienced this gift first hand and, as a result, we now bless each other every morning and evening. This is why we chose the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 to launch Spiritual Bytes – Visualizing the Spirit.  You can start off using these verses then, as you become comfortable with the blessing ritual, you might like to create your own words to make the blessing more personal for the person/s receiving it. If you are looking for some creative inspiration for your blessings, check out Max Lucado’s 31 Days of Blessing, or Jan Richardson’s In the Sanctuary of Women.

Blessings,

Margo
31 March 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Numbers 6:24-26.

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