Message of 3-3-17

Published: Fri, 03/03/17

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Friday: March 3, 2017
Message of the Day
 
A basic trouble is that most Churches limit themselves unnecessarily by addressing their message almost exclusively to those who are open to religious impression through the intellect, whereas … there are at least four other gateways — the emotions, the imagination, the aesthetic feeling, and the will — through which they can be reached.
… A. J. Gossip

(During this Lenten season, be more open to encountering God through these other “gateways.”) 
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Daily Readings
IS 58:1-9A;   PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19

MT 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast."
 
Reflection on the Scriptures
I have always thought of fasting as refraining from eating certain things, for my own spiritual benefit, but Isaiah turns that on its head.  The sacrifice called for here is not focused on me or my vertical relationship with God.  Instead, we are challenged to make sacrifices in the service of others.  Here again, the message about the WHAT of fasting is pretty clear.

There remains a question that I can’t shake in looking at these readings, however, and I think it underlies the other two.  This question is the WHY of fasting.  This is important both in Lent and throughout our lives as people of faith.  Do I fast, pray, serve and support others in hopes of being noticed?  Do I do it because I think I will be rewarded in some way, whether immediately or down the road?  Do I do it because I want people to think I am holy or generous or important?  These are important questions to ask and Lent offers us a time to ask them of ourselves very pointedly and intentionally.

- by Craig Zimmer
 
Spiritual Reading
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich 

Thirteenth Revelation, Chapter 35

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“I desired to learn assuredly as to a certain creature that I loved. . . . It is more worship to God to behold Him in all."

And the beholding of this blissful accord is full sweet to the soul that seeth by grace. All the souls that shall be saved in Heaven without end be made rightful in the sight of God, and by His own goodness: in which rightfulness we are endlessly kept, and marvellously, above all creatures.

And Mercy is a working that cometh of the goodness of God, and it shall last in working all along, as sin is suffered to pursue rightful souls. And when sin hath no longer leave to pursue, then shall the working of mercy cease, and then shall all be brought to rightfulness and therein stand without end.

And by His sufferance we fall; and in His blissful Love with His Might and His Wisdom we are kept; and by mercy and grace we are raised to manifold more joys.

Thus in Rightfulness and Mercy He willeth to be known and loved, now and without end. And the soul that wisely beholdeth it in grace, it is well pleased with both, and endlessly enjoyeth.
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