Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gospel Reading of the Day, John 11:45-54
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed." 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. 53 So from that day on they planned to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.
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The Romans had allowed the religious authorities to have their temple and maintain their identity as the nation of Israel, as long as it was clear that everyone was under Roman rule. So many were beginning to believe in Jesus that the religious authorities feared that he would cause the demise of this relationship between the Jews and the Romans. The religious authorities were afraid that Jesus popularity would draw Roman attention and prompt the Romans to destroy their temple and disallow their identity as a nation. So, the religious authorities plotted to kill Jesus in order to save their place of worship and nation. Once again we have the focus on human things more than heavenly things. Jesus came not as the political Messiah but as the spiritual one.
There are times when we, not unlike the religious authorities in today’s gospel, gather data and make decisions that later prove to be based on faulty or misunderstood or incomplete information, or perhaps even misguided motives. From the perspective of the “human things” involved with the decision, there will be “human” consequences to live from the decisions made. All we can humanly do is the best we know to do under the circumstances. When we get new data, we reevaluate and revisit the decision.
From the perspective of the “heavenly things” involved with the decision, the “heavenly” consequences are that our Lord will be walking with us all the while, loving and forgiving, and drawing us back into that place where we can hear his voice, be centered in his presence and guided by his loving priorities. Scripture, prayer, wise spiritual counsel, worship, rest, safe activity, silence are some of the ways that help us find the guidance of his indwelling presence. May God bless you and your discovery.
Peace, Mthr. Mary Lou
There are times when we, not unlike the religious authorities in today’s gospel, gather data and make decisions that later prove to be based on faulty or misunderstood or incomplete information, or perhaps even misguided motives. From the perspective of the “human things” involved with the decision, there will be “human” consequences to live from the decisions made. All we can humanly do is the best we know to do under the circumstances. When we get new data, we reevaluate and revisit the decision.
From the perspective of the “heavenly things” involved with the decision, the “heavenly” consequences are that our Lord will be walking with us all the while, loving and forgiving, and drawing us back into that place where we can hear his voice, be centered in his presence and guided by his loving priorities. Scripture, prayer, wise spiritual counsel, worship, rest, safe activity, silence are some of the ways that help us find the guidance of his indwelling presence. May God bless you and your discovery.
Peace, Mthr. Mary Lou
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