Unpredictable Spirit

Talking about the Spirit, Jesus says, "The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going."(John 3:8)  In Greek the word "pneuma" means wind and spirit (also breath and air.)  In Hebrew the word "ruah" has the same fourfold meaning.  It is humbling to accept that PNEUMA is available, not only to Catholics, not only to Christians, but to whomever God sends it.

Uncontainable Spirit

Like the sun God shines on everyone.  That doesn't always make us happy.  In this Sunday's Gospel passage John tells Jesus, "We saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us" (Mark 9:38-40.)  He would like to contain the power of Jesus.

In the first reading ( Numbers 11:25-29) the elders that were with Moses receive the spirit from God. Two men who were not with Moses and the elders also received the spirit and began prophesying.  A man hurried to Moses and told him to stop them.  He would like to contain the spirit of God.  Moses replied that he wished God would send his spirit on all the people. 

Episcopal Prejudice

Most of my life I've been concerned about racial prejudice.  Now I, of all people, am upset by the prejudice against bishops.  It's important to say "some" bishops put concern for the institution above care for children.  Even if it's a large number, it's important not to paint them all with the same brush.  When they speak as a group, it's fair enough to criticize what "the bishops said"; but, when we suspect every bishop of immoral and illegal acts, that's just plain, old fashioned prejudice. 

Servant Leadership

When the disciples are arguing over who is the greatest, Jesus says that a true leader must serve all (Mark 9:30-37.)  He holds up a little child and says, "Even a child."  It's not a style that appeals to many leaders.  Any of us in leadership positions must feel challenged.

Misery Wants Company

He's picked a miserable day, but I don't think this fisherman is miserable.  In our lives sometimes, though, we might feel this isolated and want company. 
By choosing to call himself  "Son of Man" Jesus reveals that he is not just a figure of glory, but a human being just like us.  "Look at me!" he says, "I've gone through all that you go through.  I'm living in you and will share with you the strength that got me through rejection and suffering and death.  Follow me, hang on to me, and we'll get  through this together.  (Translation by me)

Suffering Savior

By becoming human Jesus has fully embraced all humanity.  Suffering and dying is part of human existence.  Jesus redeems our suffering by suffering himself.  He redeems our dying by dying himself.  He has lifted all humanity with him into the joy of risen life.

Deep Incarnation

This expression "deep Incarnation" that I have found in a few places seems to mean that somehow the Son's taking on human flesh means that the Son takes on all flesh and even all material stuff and redeems it.  Maybe that's why so much around me shines and shimmers.

Accompanied

This is  the town of Capernaum where Jesus made his home during his public life.
I have been reading and praying about how Jesus redeemed us by becoming one of us and living his human life with its ups and downs as we do.  He even went so far as to die as we do.  He did not die to coax God to love us once again.
God redeemed the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt without paying Pharaoh anything.  God redeemed them by accompanying them through the desert into the Promised Land.

Son of Man

Is it possible that Jesus so often chose to use the title "Son of Man" to refer to himself because of its ambiguity?  It could have a common place meaning such as "the man that I am" and at the same time refer to his glorification.  In Mark 8:27-35 Jesus seems to use the title to tone down Peter's identifying him as "the Messiah," a title that would arouse the suspicion of the Roman rulers.  "He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days."