Their failures stretched out endless as the desert.  But God’s mercy stretches even further. Through Jeremiah, God tenderly reminds the remnant, “with age-old love I have loved you.”  Life will return. However far we wander, God will find us and the tambourines will sound again.

Memorial of St. John Vianney

Jeremiah 31:1-7

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13

M atthew 15:28-36 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. (29) And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. (30) And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, (31) who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. (32) Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. (33) And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one  for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. (34) As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. (35) And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (36) And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Meditation by Jeanne Schuler (Creighton)

The Bonds of Love

We are in this together.

The promise of authentic love is eternity. The changes brought by time do not have the last word. I promise to be there through it all. This promise is not always fulfilled. But in love that perseveres, we glimpse the face of God. The eternal is made flesh once again.

The tribes of Israel abandoned God. They sank into idolatry, betrayal, conspiracy, war, and finally exile. Those who weren’t killed were enslaved and Jerusalem was destroyed. Their failures stretched out endless as the desert. But God’s mercy stretches even further.  Through Jeremiah, God tenderly reminds the remnant, “with age-old love I have loved you.” Life will return. However, far we wander, God will find us and the tambourines will sound again.

Are we a people too? In the modern world, we call ourselves individuals. Each keeps to a separate, self-chosen path. My responsibility is narrow and pinned to my choices. But is this separateness an illusion? We forget what our ancestors knew. When church members sin, all are brought low. When government or corporate leaders betray their charge, the devastation is shared.  When people migrate for better lives, they are my brethren too.

We live together amid many struggles. By the mercy of God’s love, we will dance together in the restoration.

Supplementary Reading

People Who Truly Believe in You

…Do not throw your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6, NAS)

Do you realize you have treasure on the inside of you? You could say that your pearls are what God has given you to be a blessing to the world around you—your gifts, talents and abilities. When you get around true friends, people who really believe in you, they won't be jealous of your gifts. They won't constantly question who you are. They won't try to talk you out of your dreams. It will be just the opposite. They'll help you polish your pearls, develop your pearls, enhance your pearls, and grow your pearls. In other words, they'll give you ideas. They'll connect you with people they know. They'll help push you further along.

If you stay around people who don't value your gifts nor appreciate what you have to offer, that's casting your pearls among swine.

Your inner circle, those who are closest to you, should be people who celebrate who you are; people who are happy when you succeed. They should be people who believe the very best in you. Remember, it's not the quantity of friends that's important, it's the quality of friends. Choose your friends wisely so you can be all that God has called you to be.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts, talents and abilities You have given to me. Help me to recognize the treasure within. Give me wisdom to discern the right relationships You have ordained for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

For past gospel meditations, you may visit the following:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=216458741502#!/home.php?sk=mynotes

http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com