Monthly Archives: May 2025

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Peace – God’s Peace

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“Peace – God’s Peace”

John 14:23-27 (14:27) – May 25, 2025

            I invite you to turn on the network news, read the news on your cellphone, listen to the news on a podcast, read a computer news website. Take the opportunity to sample any of these news sources. I’m sorry to say, but repeated over and over again are stories, articles, and photos of disquieting and upsetting events in this world.

            These familiar words of our Lord Jesus we have just read sound far away and distant. It seems that on the contrary, every day, we are surrounded by evidence of anger, upset, uproar, catastrophe, and outright fighting.

Peace. I’ll say it again—peace. When I think about the word “peace,” many disparate connections come to mind. Peace on earth. Interior peace. Peace be with you. Peace in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Peace in our time. Visualize world peace.

            Many today are searching for peace in an unpeaceful world. It doesn’t matter where you are located, what you do for a living, who your ancestors are. The drive for a peaceable life is a drive that is deep-seated and heartfelt in many people, a drive for living in a peaceful community, with a stable government, in a peace-filled environment.

There is a realistic, cynical part of me that wants to say, hold it! Come on. This isn’t paradise, you know. Wake up and smell the coffee. Come back to reality. Peace just won’t happen now, not on a worldwide scale. At least, not that kind of peace.

            Let’s go back to the situation of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus was living in what is now the country of Israel. During the first century of our common era, Israel was by no means an independent country. It was a Roman province, under the heel of Roman domination and oppression. In plain terms, Israel was under occupation! Remember the political situation Jesus was operating under! Everything was not hunky-dory in Jesus’ time. Certainly not.

            So, politically, the situation was not good. Personally, in the life of the Rabbi Jesus, this was not a peaceful time, either. Remember where Jesus and His disciples were, here in John 14. This was the Passion Week of our Lord. This chapter from John is part of the Upper Room Discourse, given earlier at the Passover dinner on the night Jesus was betrayed.

I ask again: was Jesus talking about external things? I think not. One big clue I have comes from our Lord Jesus’s phrase “I do not give to you as the world gives.”

            What does the world give? What is big, in the world’s eyes? What is worthwhile, as far as the world is concerned? Money, power, prestige. A big house, a big car, a big job. An attractive spouse, 2.5 well-behaved, cute children, Graduating from “appropriate” schools, living in “appropriate” places, knowing “appropriate” people. Fill in the blanks. These are all external, human attempts to try to get to peace. Many people try to achieve peace with themselves and with others through the world’s methods and by being steered into ways the world proposes.

So, some people turn around and concentrate on the inside! To be more specific, on their insides. The internal person. But, there’s a danger here, too.  If we’re not careful, worry and anxiety can sneak into the picture. Worry and anxiety can gnaw away at us on the insides, as well as our relationships with God and with others around us.

            Has anyone here had any experience with termites? I never have, thank God, but I understand that termites can go through large amounts wood over an extended period of time. If we allow worry and anxiety to eat away at our peace and relationship with God and with others, it’s like termites eating away at a wooden front porch. After a period of time, even though the porch looks stable, and seems like it can hold weight, it collapses.

            It’s the same way with us, when we allow worry and anxiety to get the better of us and take control of our insides. This refers to the second part of verse 14:27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” This is Jesus giving advice to us! He is telling us, just as He told the disciples so long ago. This is an exhortation, not a suggestion.

            What does all that have to do with you and me, today, anyway? Whether we’re talking about 2000 years ago, or whether we’re talking about today, life continues to happen. We can see that things, events, situations just don’t stop. Exterior upset, stress, catastrophic illness, fighting, calamity. All of these can happen, and probably will, at some point or other in our lives.

            Let’s think more about scary things, unpeaceful situations. When you and I are really scared, what happens? Do we have a safe space where we can run? Who do you run to? “We run to someone who loves us and will help us! Does that make us feel better? It does me! I don’t like to be scared and alone…I think that’s what Jesus means by giving us peace, Jesus reminds us that we have each other to help us remember that we are never truly alone.” [1]

It isn’t easy. Jesus didn’t say it was. This was the most event-filled night of our Lord Jesus’ life. He knew what was coming. Yet—He makes the statement, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.” He gave His disciples the gift of His peace.

            Jesus gives us the same gift, today, too. His peace. It isn’t peace like the world would expect. It isn’t always external peace (although it can very well be that, too!), but it is peace on the inside. Peace where it counts, as far as Jesus is concerned. We have His word on it. He promises to give us peace in our interior selves. Even though life happens, and trials and tribulations come into each one of our lives, we can claim our Lord’s promise and carry His peace with us, wherever we go. We can praise God for these gracious words of peace.

            How can you impart God’s peace to those around you? How can you communicate the good news of the gift of Jesus’ peace to others? My challenge to each one of you is to pray that God will not only encourage your hearts with Godly peace, but also provide opportunities for you to extend the peace of Christ to others.

            What a gift! What a promise! What an opportunity! Thank Jesus for His peace.

            Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://faithformationjourneys.org/my-peace-i-give-to-you-john-14-23-29-may-1-2016-easter-5c/

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Love? Jesus Says So.

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“Love? Jesus Says So.”

John 13:31-35 (13:34) – May 18, 2025

            May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is particularly meaningful to me, since I deal with people who have mental health challenges almost all the time. Both professionally, as a hospice chaplain, and personally, since I have a number of people in my extended family who have mental health challenges.

            I have highlighted May and mental health awareness for years, as a hospice chaplain working in the Chicago community. As a friend of mine, the Rev. Kathy MacNair said many times, everyone knows someone. Every single person knows someone who is struggling with mental health issues – and sometimes, they know several someones. Or, are related to several someones. Or, perhaps you are one of these people who have mental health challenges.

            Our Lord Jesus was very familiar with mental health challenges. As we can see from all four Gospels, the Rabbi Jesus traveled from place to place, preaching, teaching and healing. Sure, some of these healings were physical healings, but some of these healings were also spiritual, mental, and I believe psychological, too. Our Lord Jesus truly healed these dear folks. His compassionate action and treatment is always truly loving, and infinitely caring.  

John chapter 13 comes from the Upper Room Discourse, that last night the Rabbi Jesus was with His disciples. Remember, this was at the Passover meal they all shared together, just before Jesus was arrested later that evening, beaten, tried, appeared before Pontius Pilate, and later the next day crucified outside the city of Jerusalem.  

            Do you understand how important and poignant these words of Jesus are? Just think back to a particularly important conversation you had with someone very meaningful in your life. Perhaps it was one of the last conversations you remember having with that loved one. Just so, our Gospel writer is aware of how important these last hours with his Lord Jesus actually were! I am certain all the disciples remembered these memorable words of Jesus with particular care.

            Let us read again the words of Jesus, from John 13: “34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Shallow people comment about what they call love, thinking about valentines, candy and chocolates, and champagne toasts of undying affection. Can’t you hear them already? “Oh, how wonderful of Jesus! I love everybody already. I’m a good Christian.” Let’s take a closer look at exactly what Jesus was commanding.

            Sure, the Gospel of John mentions the disciples loving one another. But – John’s Gospel also has passages about other kinds of people, too. Nicodemus was a respected member of the Jewish religious rulers, the Sanhedrin, the religious upper class. By and large, the Jewish rulers were no friends of the Rabbi Jesus. What about the half-Jew, the Samaritan woman of chapter 4? What is more, she was also an outcast in her own town.

Did Jesus show any hesitation in His interaction with either one? Wasn’t He caring, loving and honest with each of them, just as He was with everyone else?

            Jesus was the ultimate in being open, loving and honest to everyone. No matter who, no matter where, no matter what faith tradition, social strata, ethnicity, or any other designation.  Jesus is commanding us to love in the same way. Not only towards strangers, but towards friends, as well. That can be even more difficult sometimes.

            “Here in John chapter 13, Jesus demonstrates his love for the same disciples who will fail him miserably. Jesus washes and feeds Judas who will betray him, Peter who will deny him, and all the rest who will fail to stand by him in his hour of greatest distress. The love that Jesus demonstrates is certainly not based on the merit of the recipients, and Jesus commands his disciples to love others in the same way.” [1]

            I get set back a bit when I realize the full ramifications of that boundless, amazing love of Jesus. It’s a tall order! Whoa, Lord! You don’t really expect me to be that way with people who insult me, or are mean to me, or disrespect me, do You?  I kind of think that is exactly what Jesus means. Love them. No “but, what if…?” Love all of them unconditionally.

            Which brings us back to where we started. It’s easy to love lovable people, to love babies and small children. Easier to love those in our families, and friends. But what about those we don’t even know? What about people we actively dislike? And, what about people who are scary, who we don’t understand, who are in dementia or who throw tantrums, or have addictions?

            I have permission from our friend Irene to talk about her adult daughter, who does have mental health challenges, was living at Thresholds social services for years, and who currently lives in Wisconsin. Now that the daughter is regularly taking her prescribed medication, things are stable and under control.  This dear daughter is quite helpful to Irene when she comes to visit. Thank God, this story has a happy ending, and this mother and daughter are reunited and grateful to God for all the help and support from friends, doctors and from support groups.

            That is exactly what Jesus means. Love all people. Even the scary ones, even the ones we dislike. No “but, what if…?” Love all of them, unconditionally.

            This is not just a suggestion. Jesus makes it a command. If you and I want to follow Jesus, this is one of the requirements. Some well-meaning believers say that other people may not merit Jesus’ love, for whatever reason.  Gosh, I don’t merit Jesus’ love a lot of the time! But, that makes no difference. Jesus still loves each of us, unconditionally. No matter what. Plus, Jesus commands us to love others in the same way. The same ultimate, above-and-beyond, bottomless way.

            So, whether you and I succeed or fail in our attempts to love one another this week, yet God in Jesus loves us more than we can possibly imagine. And hearing of this deep Jesus-love we are set free and sent forth, once again, to “love one another.”

That is good news for all of us! Alleluia, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-of-easter-3/commentary-on-john-1331-35

Commentary, John 13:31-35, Elisabeth Johnson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.

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Goodness and Mercy!

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“Goodness and Mercy!”

Psalm 23 (23:5-6) – May 11, 2025

If you have been listening to the news at all this past week, you probably have heard: there is a new pope! Pope Leo XIV.

With the pageantry and voting by the Papal Conclave, during this last week the world has had many news stories and op-eds about the process of choosing a pope. As the Papal Conclave met, on Thursday the first North American pope was chosen, the former Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. And, not only is there a new pope, but he was born on the south side of Chicago! A real home town boy, indeed.  

As we think about this recent selection of the head of the worldwide Catholic church, several general descriptions of a representative Pope, the leader of the church, come to my mind. Some popes can be described as more this way than others, but Pope Leo sounds like he may indeed be an example of all of these.

The pope is seen as a bridge, connecting the disparate countries and regions of the Catholic church, and a bridge reaching out to other faith communities around the world. Also, a champion of the poor, the hungry, the migrant and immigrant, the least of these. And, most importantly for us today, the Pope can be seen as a Shepherd among shepherds. The Chief Shepherd for the Catholic church, caring for his sheep.

Does that sound familiar? Our Scripture reading today is Psalm 23. This reading goes along with Shepherd Sunday. Like the other Scripture readings today, it reminds us that God is our Chief heavenly Shepherd. We highlight this gorgeous expression of trust in God, written by King David several thousand years ago. Countless people over the centuries have found comfort in grief, solace and encouragement in sorrow, in these words and reflections.

As we consider the reflections of King David, thinking back to his time shepherding his father’s sheep, this psalm displays “comfort and reassurance of God’s caring presence with us throughout life, whether we’re in the ‘green pastures’ of verse 2 or the ‘darkest valley’ of verse 4. That’s definitely the narrative that the psalmist intended to describe and celebrate and from which, millions of us have taken comfort for generations past.” [1]

One of my favorite commentators Carolyn Brown reminds us that “it is important to recognize that the Good Shepherd is a metaphor and children have a hard time with metaphors.  Studies show that most children do not develop the brain skill of transference that is necessary to understand metaphors until they are into adolescence.  But, the Bible and our worship is filled with metaphors.  I suspect that we help the children claim them when we carefully explore the details of a few key ones, expecting them to become familiar with the concrete part of the metaphor and some of the spiritual realities it embodies, but not fully making the connection until later.  The Good Shepherd is definitely one of those key metaphors. 

“Dr. Maria Montessori reports that while working in a children’s hospital she found that when she told sick children stories about the Good Shepherd using small wooden figures, they almost all grabbed the figure and held onto it “for keeps.”  So the Good Shepherd made sense to them in some way.” [2]

That is all very well, to talk about the Shepherd psalm as literature and as a metaphor. But, can I personalize this scripture reading, and get some meaning out of it for me? Where am I in this psalm? Can I see myself in this scripture passage?

Yes, I certainly can, and I hope you can, too.

I can recognize myself throughout. David compares himself to a sheep, here, and the Lord God is the Good Shepherd. So, when I look at this psalm, I find I have no problem seeing myself as a sheep, too. If you imagine with me here, we can all identify as sheep in the flock that Jesus our Good Shepherd herds and leads.

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday after Easter, which many faith traditions in the Christian church celebrate as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This is the Sunday where we particularly highlight our Good Shepherd, our true and eternal shepherd Jesus.

When we consider the Latin word for shepherd, we come upon the word “pastor.” Catholics worldwide are rejoicing that they again have what they term as a “universal pastor here on earth in Pope Leo.” [3] From all accounts, as the former Father Robert Prevost served in Peru for several decades, he was a pastor and shepherd for the local churches among the rural parishes he served. He highlights social justice. He has a heart for the poor, the underserved, the migrant and immigrant, and the stranger among us – just as our Lord Jesus told us to do, in Matthew 25.  

In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd knows the difficulties and the dangers of the land, as well as the easy places, the pleasant, sheltered places. That’s true, in our case, too. God knows where each of us has been, and where each of us is going. God knows our every step, and our every misstep, too. God goes ahead of us, to look over the terrain, and check out any adverse conditions. There are no surprises to God.

            So, is it any wonder that this psalm ends with the marvelous words “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God knows where we have been, and God knows where each of us is going. And, God is right by our sides all the way, no matter what.

            Good, devout people of faith all over the world are praying today with hope and thanksgiving for this new church leader, Pope Leo XIV. We can join our prayers with theirs as we come to God on this Shepherd Sunday, remembering our Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus. That is truly good news for all of us! Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship/monthly/2025-may/sunday-11-may-2025-fourth-sunday-of-easter-year-c

[2] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/03/year-b-fourth-sunday-of-easter-april-26.html

[3] https://nypost.com/2025/05/10/world-news/cardinal-dolan-reveals-how-future-pope-leo-xiv-impressed-him-at-the-conclave-and-predicts-what-kind-of-pontiff-he-will-be/

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Who Are You, Lord?

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“Who Are You, Lord?”

Acts 9:1-9 (9:5) – May 4, 2025

            Sometimes, asking good questions is difficult.

In the 1400’s and 1500’s, the astronomers in Europe were discovering wonderful things about our solar system. It wasn’t until 1543 that astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus asked, “Could it be that the Earth orbits the Sun?” This was a dangerous question to ask, in his time. Common knowledge and expert opinion were in agreement, in the 1500’s: the Earth was the center of everything. However – Copernicus had the courage to ask this simple—and profound—question, which turned the scientific community on its heads, and changed the world.

            We turn to our Scripture reading for today. Acts chapter 9. Saul, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, was one of the chief persecutors of the early Church in the area of Jerusalem. He had been a witness to the stoning of Stephen, a short time before this reading today. Saul’s zeal in pursuing these “Jewish heretics,” these followers of “The Way” had become legendary. Let me read the Acts passage from an excellent translation by J.B. Phillips.

“1-2 But Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest and begged him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way, whether men or women, he could bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.”

That was the situation. Saul was filled with religious zeal! It wasn’t enough that he had been instrumental in kicking out most of the believers and breaking up the Jerusalem church. He was going to round up these Jewish heretics in Damascus! These false believers! And, extradite them. Bring them back to face the Chief Priest and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.

Who was Saul, anyway? Born a Roman citizen in Asia Minor, he was one of the graduates of the equivalent of an Ivy League school—the University of Tarsus, one of the finest universities of the first century. As far as knowledge and book learning was concerned? Saul had it, in abundance! He was trained as a Pharisee, in every aspect of the Jewish religion. And, he was on fire to haul in every upstart Jewish heretic he could lay his hands on!

Just like the scientific establishment in the 1500’s, Saul knew he was right, and nothing could make him swerve from his desire, his zeal to see justice done. Let’s go back to our reading from Acts. “3-4 On his journey, as Saul neared Damascus, a light from Heaven suddenly blazed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice speaking to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?””

Wait a minute! Saul is one of the top religious law-followers in Jerusalem. Bam! Here is a clear, Heavenly event happening to Saul. You might have heard about “a Damascus road experience,” meaning a sudden, dramatic conversion experience. This is it. Right here, right now. Paul’s—I mean, Saul’s dramatic conversion experience. This Greek word, an imperative verb in verse 3, is often omitted in translations. Literally, egeneto! One of Dr. Luke’s favorite words: “Then, it happens!” Another way of saying, “WHAM!” This word signals the surprising entry of God into ordinary, every-day events! We see a light flash around Saul.

The risen Lord Jesus also calls twice: “Saul, Saul!” I have a suspicion that Saul immediately “got it.” The mental puzzle pieces started falling into place. Saul finally asked a really good question:  “Who are you, Lord?”

Isn’t that the way it is with you or with me, sometimes? Here we are, headed down Life Road, going about our business. When, boom! A huge event happens. Maybe not as serious as Paul’s Damascus Road encounter, but all the same, earth-shaking. It could be something that happens to our health, or our jobs, an accident, or some type of traumatic happening. Or, if it doesn’t happen to us, it happens to one of our loved ones, or our best friend. Even if it’s something really fantastic, it can still be earth-shaking. Just as much of a shift or change in life.

Similar to the dramatic shift in the scientific world after Copernicus proved that the Earth really did orbit the Sun. He turned the whole world’s attitudes and ideas on their heads and paved the way for a whole new way of thinking. New frames for good questions.

As Saul was lying there in the dust of the road, I am sure a few new thoughts broke into his mind. “Who are you, Lord?” Saul’s really good question was that of a devout Jew who understands the significance of his experience from reading Scripture.

Let’s continue with our reading: “7 His companions on the journey stood there speechless, for they had heard the voice but could see no one.” Do you understand what’s going on? The others in this vigilante group can hear a voice, but have no idea Who is speaking. On top of that, Saul is suddenly struck blind. The companions don’t have a clue what is going on. They need to lead Saul into Damascus, blind and helpless. There he sit, and fasts, for three whole days.

            Sometimes, God chooses the most unlikely person for God’s purposes. Here is the Pharisee Saul, sitting and fasting in Damascus. Lord, what is going on here? In Acts chapter 9, Dr. Luke refers to Paul as God’s chosen vessel – a common, everyday domestic object. This is the same word that Paul uses himself in 2 Corinthians chapter 4: God’s treasure is found in “earthenware vessels.” In other words, Saul (soon to be renamed Paul) is the one chosen to be God’s vessel, or jar, or container. Paul is to carry the Good News, the truth of the Resurrection!

Paul calls himself a common, everyday jar or vessel, used for everyday tasks. With this important distinction: God has appointed Paul to carry the Good News! The same way God has appointed each of us to carry the truth of God’s message to everyone.

Paul was chosen to go to the nations, and not to just preach to Jews. The Lord has called each one of us. God has welcomed each of us into a heavenly embrace. I wonder. The nations are coming to us right here—to Morton Grove, to Glenview, to Niles, to Des Plaines, to Skokie, to Chicago. Is God calling us to be God’s vessels to carry Good News to our neighbors? To those we work with? To the person at the coffee shop or the clerk at the grocery store? 

I offer you the opportunity to hear God’s call! Chances are, it won’t be as dramatic as Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road. But can you hear God’s call with gladness? You and I are welcomed into renewed relationship because of our encounter with the risen Christ – today!   Paul’s conversion narrative fires the imagination! May we find in its depths a call on every single one of us, for change and new possibility.

Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!