HOMILY: HOW DO WE FOLLOW JESUS TODAY?
This morning we have the same Bible readings as last week because our theme is the same; following
Jesus. We have Jesus to follow because God is Spirit and, although we are spirits too, we are encased in a
physical body like Jesus and he is our example while we are on earth.
We are fortunate that everything Jesus said was generic in that it could be followed 2000 years ago as well
as today. What did Jesus mean when he said, "...deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." ? Did he
mean a wooden cross like he was crucified upon? Was he that literal? No.
Everyone of us has a cross or burden to bear in this life. Some of us have more than one. Some of us have
nothing but burdens and crosses our whole life long. Some of us are totally dehumanized by the life that we
live in poverty, sickness, dirt, or hunger. It can be very significant, for those of us who are able, to name our
cross; our burden. We may have been complaining, whining, and fighting this cross for many years. Now
could be the time to stop. We can deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. I wonder how many
of us even think of doing that? Some of us are so used to complaining that we have lost sight of what could
be the most beautiful, loving, commitment of our lives; denying self, taking up our burden, and following Jesus.
It surely isn't easy; but it has been done for thousands of years by thousands of people all over the world. It
has been done by those who are not Christians; consider the bodhisattvas who, believing in reincarnation,
refuse to enter nirvana (heaven) until after the last soul on earth has entered. (...the bodhisattva postpones
attainment of nirvana in order to alleviate the suffering of others.)
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Bodhisattava
For 15 years I was a member of the Catholic church; baptized, confirmed, high school, and two years of
college educated. I am still appreciative for many of the spiritual teachings I received there. One of my
favorites that the Sisters used to say when any of us (girls, usually) moaned, whined, or complained about
something insignificant; " Offer it up!" This meant that we should offer up to God our sufferings for some or
many people who were in worse shape than we. For instance, if I complained that I was starving and hadn't
eaten since the day before, Sister would say, "Offer it up!" I would immediately say a prayer for those who
were truly starving. And, if I were really inspired, make a donation to a soup kitchen or volunteer to help in
some way.
In the past years since we've heard so much about ecology and conservation, I've included gratitude to the
"offer it up" practice. Sometimes when I'm running water or get a drink from the faucet, I thank God for the
blessing of water for me and my family and I pray that someone who it thirsty will benefit from my conserving
of it. This goes along with giving thanks before meals. Here in Florida, it goes along with air conditioning! It
can also go along with me to the recycling center with all my bottles, cans, jars, and newspapers; sending
them along with a prayer of gratitude and hope that they will help someone else in need. "Offering it up."
This homily began with the idea of denying self, taking up our cross and following Jesus. It ends with a prayer
of gratitude and thankfulness for the many blessings I have received and wish that others shared.
May those less fortunate, the hungry, weak, tired, sick, suffering, disabled, wounded warriors, depressed,
unhappy, unfulfilled, angry, hurt, bitter, addicted, and hating all be uplifted through the love of Jesus and their
fellow sisters and brothers. Let there be peace on earth, Lord, and let it begin with all who hear your word,
follow it, and offer it up. (And, all the other ones, too!) Amen
Respectfully submitted,
J. Sue Gagliardi
This morning we have the same Bible readings as last week because our theme is the same; following
Jesus. We have Jesus to follow because God is Spirit and, although we are spirits too, we are encased in a
physical body like Jesus and he is our example while we are on earth.
We are fortunate that everything Jesus said was generic in that it could be followed 2000 years ago as well
as today. What did Jesus mean when he said, "...deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." ? Did he
mean a wooden cross like he was crucified upon? Was he that literal? No.
Everyone of us has a cross or burden to bear in this life. Some of us have more than one. Some of us have
nothing but burdens and crosses our whole life long. Some of us are totally dehumanized by the life that we
live in poverty, sickness, dirt, or hunger. It can be very significant, for those of us who are able, to name our
cross; our burden. We may have been complaining, whining, and fighting this cross for many years. Now
could be the time to stop. We can deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. I wonder how many
of us even think of doing that? Some of us are so used to complaining that we have lost sight of what could
be the most beautiful, loving, commitment of our lives; denying self, taking up our burden, and following Jesus.
It surely isn't easy; but it has been done for thousands of years by thousands of people all over the world. It
has been done by those who are not Christians; consider the bodhisattvas who, believing in reincarnation,
refuse to enter nirvana (heaven) until after the last soul on earth has entered. (...the bodhisattva postpones
attainment of nirvana in order to alleviate the suffering of others.)
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Bodhisattava
For 15 years I was a member of the Catholic church; baptized, confirmed, high school, and two years of
college educated. I am still appreciative for many of the spiritual teachings I received there. One of my
favorites that the Sisters used to say when any of us (girls, usually) moaned, whined, or complained about
something insignificant; " Offer it up!" This meant that we should offer up to God our sufferings for some or
many people who were in worse shape than we. For instance, if I complained that I was starving and hadn't
eaten since the day before, Sister would say, "Offer it up!" I would immediately say a prayer for those who
were truly starving. And, if I were really inspired, make a donation to a soup kitchen or volunteer to help in
some way.
In the past years since we've heard so much about ecology and conservation, I've included gratitude to the
"offer it up" practice. Sometimes when I'm running water or get a drink from the faucet, I thank God for the
blessing of water for me and my family and I pray that someone who it thirsty will benefit from my conserving
of it. This goes along with giving thanks before meals. Here in Florida, it goes along with air conditioning! It
can also go along with me to the recycling center with all my bottles, cans, jars, and newspapers; sending
them along with a prayer of gratitude and hope that they will help someone else in need. "Offering it up."
This homily began with the idea of denying self, taking up our cross and following Jesus. It ends with a prayer
of gratitude and thankfulness for the many blessings I have received and wish that others shared.
May those less fortunate, the hungry, weak, tired, sick, suffering, disabled, wounded warriors, depressed,
unhappy, unfulfilled, angry, hurt, bitter, addicted, and hating all be uplifted through the love of Jesus and their
fellow sisters and brothers. Let there be peace on earth, Lord, and let it begin with all who hear your word,
follow it, and offer it up. (And, all the other ones, too!) Amen
Respectfully submitted,
J. Sue Gagliardi
| "May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, Oh Lord, My Rock and Redeemer." Psalms 19:14 Dearest Lord of my being, Thank you for blessing me with all that I need to be the best that I can be. I am so grateful for your love, light, and peace. May I always be aware of your presence and may I love and honor you above all things. I need you in my heart, in my soul, and in my life now and forever. Amen |
| astrologizing.net Sabbath Devotionals The Sabbath; Sat. Sep. 4, 2010 |
| BIBLE READING NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. |
| BIBLE READING OLD TESTAMENT Numbers 14:24 24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. |
