Category: Truth

Facing challenging questions.

Post author By Sr Judith
Post date 03/07/2024

Photo by Laurin Steffens on Unsplash

St Thomas is one of my favourite disciples because he is so direct and has the courage to ask awkward questions. He asked the questions that other people didn’t quite have the nerve for. His feast has particular resonance for me as we come to the end of general election campaign that has raised awkward questions in many areas of our lives.

There are many reasons why we avoid asking the awkward questions. Maybe we don’t want to be seen as troublemakers, or appear uninformed or unintelligent. Maybe we are scared that there will be no answers, or that they will be too challenging and hard for us to cope with.

We can draw courage from both Thomas’ reaction and Jesus’ response. When Jesus appears again and Thomas has the courage to voice those questions he faces neither criticism or blame. Instead Jesus offers him exactly what he says he needs to be able to believe in the resurrection:

“He spoke to Thomas ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’”

His words break down any barriers of doubt that Thomas still harboured. Jesus’ acceptance of Thomas’ position enables Thomas to open his heart to believe in the reality of the risen Christ. Jesus accepts our questions and uncertainties in exactly the same way, coming to each of us in the way that is most likely to open our heart to to accept his peace and love in our lives.

Where is the risen Christ giving you the courage to ask the awkward questions that you need to?

Tags #Benedictine, #challenge, #courage, #Disciples, #Discipleship, #faith, #gospel, #Hope, #kingdom, #KingdomValues, #lectiodivina, #love, #newlife, #Questions, #resurrection, #RisenChrist, #StThomas, #trust

Benedictine Spirituality Christ Divine Office Gospel Lectio Divina Liturgy Prayer Scripture Truth Uncategorized

Vulnerability and Courage.

Post author By Sr Judith
Post date 30/06/2024

Photo by Artur Voznenko on Unsplash

Brene Brown describes courage as “putting our vulnerability on the line”. This seems to be a recurrent theme in this week’s gospels. The Centurion, the leper, the synagogue official, the woman with the haemorrhage all show what courage looks like in real life. In approaching Jesus, they take the risk of exposing themselves at their most vulnerable and needy.

I’m especially touched by the image of the woman with the haemorrhage. She takes overrides all the taboos of her condition and reaches out to touch Jesus, convinced that he can bring her healing. When he notices her touch and she has to reveal herself she does so in fear and trembling:

“The woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her.”

Both her fear and her courage resonate with me in our own challenging times. When life is harsh and frightening we are tempted to deny our vulnerabilities, suppressing or ignoring them. It seems to me the gospels suggest a different route.

The call of the gospel is to put that vulnerability on the line, to admit it freely and allow it to be seen, to have the courage to admit our need and to ask for help. If we can do that then maybe, with the woman we’ll be able to hear and respond to Jesus’ promise:

“My daughter, your faith has restored you to health; go in peace.”

Where is Christ calling you to let your vulnerability be seen today?

Tags #Benedictine, #Centurion, #challenge, #Christ, #Christlike, #courage, #Fear, #gospel, #Hope, #kingdom, #KingdomValues, #lectiodivina, #love, #newlife, #promise, #trust, #Vulnerability

Benedictine Spirituality Christ Discernment Gospel Lectio Divina Scripture Truth Uncategorized

Recognising good fruit

Post author By Sr Judith
Post date 26/06/2024

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

In today’s gospel Jesus warned his disciples to be on their guard against false prophets:

“Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves.”

He calls us to pay attention to the false prophets within ourselves who would draws down personal path that would lead us in ways that are life denying rather than life-giving, however delightful they might appear at the outset. There is also our communal element to this call for discernment that comes to the fore as we we prepare for a general election. There is a cacophony of voices out there telling us what is best for ourselves as individuals and our society as a whole. This can be disconcerting, confusing and overwhelming.

In both cases Jesus’ advice to his disciples can stand us in good stead. Having warned them of the dangers he goes on to offer a solution saying:

“You will be able to tell them by their fruits… A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit… I repeat you will be able to tell them by their fruits.”

It seems to me that his words are a call to discernment on both a communal and a personal level. He calls us to pay attention to where we find good or bad fruits in our personal life and in the lives of our communities. He invites us to think carefully about the choices we make and where they lead us. His words remind me of Deuteronomy’s call to choose life over death.

How are you being called to discern what is life-giving for you today?

Tags #Benedictine, #challenge, #Choice, #ChooseLife, #Christ, #Christlike, #discernment, #fruit, #gospel, #Hope, #kingdom, #KingdomValues, #lectiodivina, #LifeGiving, #love, #newlife, #trust