I know him because He sent me

Today’s readings: Wisdom 2:1,12-22; John 7:1-2,10,25-30

I have a lot of thoughts about the readings for today, but I am finding some difficulty putting them into words :)

When I was reading from the book of Wisdom I just kept thinking about how media and the culture in general try so hard to push people of integrity and virtue down.  They convince the rest of the people that the ways of the just are preposterous…and that we should push them away.  Luckily, there are many people who can stand strong in being counter-cultural.  They come from many walks of life and religions…but it seems there is a common element about them...

they have a sense of something greater and they are not ashamed to tell the world.

As a Christian I feel that when I am able to live this way, and proclaim with my thoughts, words and actions my true identity and the hope I have in the resurrection…it is very much connected to what Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel.  He said that he knows the Father because Jesus is from him and he sent Jesus.  He has the strength to proclaim the just judgments to the world and his reason he can is because he stays close to and true to the Father.

When I witness people who become examples for me, I feel like they are saying the same thing.  They know that the world has no real power over them…and that they can and should proclaim the truth even if the world doesn’t want to hear it.  I have had many friends, groups of people, stars, and religious leaders that have given me a glimpse at how I can live into that reality as well.

This week, like I said a few days ago, seems to really focus on the grace of God.  He has given us the needed power to proclaim that we know him because he has sent us.  We know him because we listen to him.

However, it requires that we do spend time listening to him each day.  We have to approach Christ and allow his beauty and love to radiate in our being.  We have to hand over our own weaknesses so that those spaces in our souls can be filled with his everlasting grace.  And, we must go into the world living the call that he has given us.

Today, let us find some time to spend in the beautiful presence of God.  Let us find ways to show others that we know God.  And, let us continue on our Lenten journey with great expectation and offering so that we can really live in the death and resurrection of our Lord.

Well, I guess I could get some thoughts out after all :) Have a great Friday!