Week 5 Summary

O.T.

The first reading we read is the parting of the Red Sea.  Nancy and I searched this on the internet and have determined that this is historical.  There are historical studies that have found the remains of the Egyptians and their chariots in the Red Sea.  The question that I have is “why did God do this?”  Was it necessary to harden his heart this last time to show the power of God? The Old Testament plays the same song over and over about our humanness. What is the struggle between our humility and pride?  I believe these stories are about us. It’s about our hearts being hardened.  You all know the story of Mom and I moving to Rochester from Penn.  It’s about letting go and saying to God, “you are in charge”.  And then, doing His Will.  Isn’t it funny that once the sons of Israel  are free, they start complaining…..What shall we drink, what shall we eat?  Mom and I bought 3015, and then realized that we had no money left, to eat or feed you children.  In the mailbox was a check for $1000, because we needed it more than Barney.  Really? God is so good. It’s the same story, isn’t it?

Then the 10 commandments!  They seems pretty reasonable >…..   So, why do we struggle? And then additional rules……   and additional punishments for not obeying.  

Psalms : 26-31

I “love” Psalm 27…   The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  ……….  I believe I shall see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes wait for the Lord!!

Psalm 31…. we start reading prophesy about the crucifixion….  “into your hand I commit my spirit;”     More to come from David on this….

New testament:

We start with Matthew 19 where he is retelling the 10 commandments to someone on how to be saved.  Then he says ” Sell all your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven”.   ……  “It will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle (a very narrow passage), than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”.    These words are inspiration for me on how I run my life.  Sacrifice always for the good of others, and God will provide for us.  Sacrifice always for the good of my family, and I will have rich life.  My life has been incredible with all of you.  This brings tears to my eyes.

Matthew 20 is the Camino. Mom and I walked 500 miles and completed the Camino.  Others entered with less than 100 miles to go and received the same reward.  It was funny how some people complained and others didn’t.   I think this story is about being intrinsically rewarded versus being extrinsically rewarded.  Are we working for the reward of doing a good job or for the money? Are we living life for the external reward of heaven or the immediate reward of today’s satisfaction?  Do we sacrifice today for tomorrow or tomorrow for today?  Why do we do what we do?  I don’t think the story is not about being compensated differently, but why are we doing what we do? And then why do we worry about how others are compensated if we are fulfilled?  Such a humbling reading…..

Matthew 20 17 is about being able to see.  Are we blind and cannot see? Jesus can heal us. Do we only see what we want to see? Do we have confirmation bias and only see the world in the way that we perceive it?  I had an aha moment today with the news, and have shared it with a few people.  We and the news makes us see things by their vision.  We need to take away our blindness, to be able to see the truth.  I think Tim reads a lot of books, but from many perspectives. When we do this, we get views from any sides, but still need to discern the truth.

Matthew 21 ; “Truly I say to you, if you have the faith and never doubt…… And what ever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith”  

And Matthew 22:  Just in time for tax season…..  “Render therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”

Personal reflection from these first weeks.  I am seeing that these stories are stories about me; my life, my struggles, my decisions.  It’s interesting to see that I rise and fall over and over again just as they do in the Old Testament.  It’s only through my relationship with Jesus, will I overcome my humanness,  and reach for, that higher power.  Not sure if that resonates with anyone, it’s where I am…..  

Mom and I have been doing the readings over breakfast some days and it’s been a joy.  So much to learn and internalize.

I am looking forward to Bishop Barron and Jordan Peterson’s podcast in the next few days. 

Hope you are all doing well…..