Mass Prep Sunday July 7th 2019 14th Sunday Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

Sunday July 7th 2019 14th Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle C)

Move ‘Em Out!

The tie in between today’s readings: Missions

Psalm 66:1-7;16-20, Isaiah 66:10-14, Galatians 6:14-18,Luke 10:1-20

     Last week’s Mass Prep dealt with the importance of answering the call to become a disciple. I hope that you found it helpful in your pursuit of maturing in Christ. Do we ever get there? Today’s installment takes a deeper look into the “Go” aspect of discipleship: missions. We in the church don’t really think of ourselves as missionaries. After all, there are trained and ordained people for that. Just send money and let the professionals do it. Yes, there are special people God calls to do special things in special places and we definitely need to support them, but you are special too. Every believer has the Holy Spirit and a sphere of influence that they can affect with the message of the gospel. Stepping out in faith in order to share your faith can be a little daunting, but do it anyway! Take the challenge of being a missionary for Jesus in your own part of the world. It will motivate your Bible study, grow your faith, deepen your worship, and give an anticipation of adventure to your life. Walking with God is never boring!

     Imagine yourself on the scene with Jesus as He sent the seventy out on their first missionary endeavor, (Luke 10:1-20). See Him standing on the side of the hill so that they all could hear Him: “Alright men, let Me have your attention! Give me two lines, here and here. Good! OK, the man opposite you will be your partner on this assignment. I’m glad to see all of you here today. I wish there were more of you. We have a lot to do. So when you pray, ask My Father to send more laborers out into the field to be with us. There are specific rules I want you to follow on this mission. Listen up! First, this is a faith exercise for you guys. DO NOT bring any money, backpack, or shoes. You go just as you are. Have faith! I don’t want any idle chit chat with people that you meet along the way. Get to your assigned towns ASAP. Keep Focused! When you get there start knocking on doors and bid peace to the household. If they take you in, blessings will be upon that house. Stay there the whole time. Eat what they give you with thanksgiving. Now, very important! While you are there, you will have the power to heal the sick...and to do a few other things if needed. Don’t let it go to your heads. These signs will give you the credentials that you’ll need for the real mission: spreading the word about the kingdom of God! Look, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. If they receive you, then they receive Me. If they reject you, then they reject Me and My Father. Either way, your message must stay consistent and that message is: the kingdom of God has come near! You don’t embellish it for the believers nor will you water it down for those who oppose you. You will notice that none of you men will be going to Chorazin, Bethsaida, or Capernaum. They had their chance. I will deal with them later. Enough said. Today, all of you are embarking on a great adventure. Amazing things are going to happen, but remember, most importantly, don’t get caught up in the excitement of doing miracles. Instead rejoice in the reality that your names are recorded in heaven! Now, go and make me proud!”

 

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     Dangerous! Understaffed! Jesus sent those men on a bare bones operation with uncertain outcomes. Missions haven’t changed in two thousand years. It is reach out, be daring, be clear, and overcome objections with truth and love. Whether you’re in the ministry halfway around the world or talking with a neighbor over coffee, being a missionary is putting your vulnerable self out there. It can go one of two ways. When the Gospel is accepted, you rejoice like the man in Psalm 66 and praise God for all of His wonders along with the angels in heaven. When the Good News is rejected, it’s like the Apostle Paul who bore in his body the brand-marks of Christ (Gal 6:17). Well, maybe not as bad for us as he had it, but it hurts! Either way the gospel message stays the same as Paul said, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me...” (Gal 6:14-15).

     Why does the Almighty want us to spread the Word whether it’s a good time or not as stated in 2 Timothy 4:2? The gospel is the greatest message to mankind, more precious than gold. It’s the guide to eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ and a joyful citizenship in heaven as described in Isaiah 66:10-14. So be ready to give a reason for your faith (1 Peter 3:15). Be fearless and trust in Him when you do witness to others about salvation in Jesus (Matthew 10:19). It’s the calling of every Christian. Also, remember it’s not about you. You are just the messenger. Whether the Good News is accepted or rejected it’s done unto the Lord, (2Corinthians 2:16). So study, pray, and go spread the precious seeds of the gospel personally, but don’t take the rejections personally. You are not alone. The God of the universe goes with you. Countless souls are in need of the gospel’s salvation message. The fields are white and ready for the reaping. The laborers are few. Join in the harvest and you will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Mass Prep Sunday June 30th 2019 13th Sunday Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

Sunday June 30th 2019   13th Sunday Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

What Did I Sign Up For?

The tie in between today’s readings: Determined Discipleship

Psalm 16, 1 Kings 19:16-21, Galatians 5:1; 13-18, Luke 9:51-62

     Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19). This is the Great Commission. The reason that you are a Christian today is because believers before you took Jesus’ directive seriously. In a sense, the Body of Christ is one big daisy chain of disciple makers starting from Pentecost up to today. The future Church also depends on our faithfulness in this calling. We lay people need to realize the significance of our part in building the Kingdom of God and not just leave it to the ordained. The Lord will also demand an accounting of our lives in this endeavor. We have to decide whether we want to be merely churchgoers or commit to being good and faithful servants...it’s that important!

     Examine yourself. In our gospel reading today (Luke 9:57-62) we see three types of men and their failed responses to Jesus’ call to follow Him. First, we see the comfortable man (vs57-58).  This guy volunteers. Jesus warns him about letting his mouth write checks that his body can’t cash. Count the cost!  Our Savior, Himself, calls another man to follow Him (vs. 59-60). This is the inconvenient man, “I would, Jesus, but my plate’s pretty full right now. Can I take a rain check?” Our Lord admonishes this guy to get his act together and his priorities straight. Still another volunteer comes forward, but he apparently has “Jesus ADD” (vs. 61-62). He lacks focus and commitment to the task. In effect, the Master tells him to stay out of the game if he can’t go all in on the river card (my paraphrase)! Hardships! Priorities! Commitment!  If you lived back then and Jesus walked up to you with His twelve guys behind him and said that He could use another, what would you do? Don’t think about it all that long. You’re living your answer right now! The question is: should you change?

     Our prophet Elijah is ready to finish his ministry and hop on the heavenly chariot, “Coming for to carry him home”. God tells him his successor will be Elisha son of Shaphat. In our reading, 1 Kings 19:16-21, He finds Elisha plowing a field. Elijah throws his coat on Elisha, thus telling him that he has a new job as God’s mouthpiece and at the same time he creates the colloquial expression: “Passing the mantle”. Let’s look at Elisha in the light of a good disciple. He’s plowing with a 12 double yolk oxen team, which means that he’s a rich guy that’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, conclusion: a hard worker with character. Verses 20-21 show that he is: ready (says goodbye to parents), committed (burns the plows and slaughters the oxen), generous (gives everything away), and humble (becomes a servant). Absolutely the kind of boy you want your daughter to bring home! Let’s challenge ourselves with his example.

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     Galatians 5:13-18 shows us that disciples have to develop a new way of thinking and living. Without Jesus, you view any good action that you do as a check in the plus column, a gold star on your permanent record, or a down payment on a corner lot in the Celestial City. You expect some kind of reward for your sacrifices. Whether you admit it or not, you are caught in the Religion delusion, which is: follow the prescribed formulas of behavior and you’ll get the cosmic currency you need to buy your stairway to heaven. And the question is always, “Is it enough?” The answer is always, “No!” When you confess Christ as your Savior, it means that you discovered the futility of self goodness and place yourself by faith into Christ’s righteousness to gain heaven. Now the Holy Spirit will take your faith and plant it into your daily life. The Father wants you to be a replica of His Son on this earth and it’s done following His Spirit. He will teach you to love your neighbor. He will give you the desire to really want to do good and to shun sin. He will lead you in the truth of God. You will no longer be a slave to your lusts, but a servant of virtue!

     A disciple needs discipline to mature in their faith. We not only have a new life to lead, but the message of the Gospel to proclaim! It has to be done right. Just like an athlete in training, the disciple needs devotional time in the Bible, prayer, and fasting. So get up earlier, stay up later, or carve out time as you go through your day. Switch from secular to religious radio, podcasts, and TV programs and sacrifice that Netflix binge watch. Whatever you have to do to fit “Jesus time” into your schedule, do it! It’s that important! These spiritual pursuits are necessary in order to grow in grace, love and maturity in Jesus Christ. There will be stumbles along the way. Expect them. Look at Luke 9:51-56 when the Samaritan village did not want Jesus coming through their town. Because they rejected Jesus and with some pride mixed in for themselves, James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven and wipe those people off the face of the earth...in love, of course. Jesus rebuked them! OK, not their finest hour, but all in all, they turned out pretty well in the end and with the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can too.

     In Jesus, God has placed a mantle call on us. Discipleship requires an Elisha commitment and total surrender to His will. Psalm 16 is David’s declaration of his trust in the Lord and his rightful expectation of God’s instruction, guidance, provision, and presence for him in this life. Let us press on to our high calling as Christ’s disciples and become disciple makers in the process. Let us play our part in creating the next generation of saints.  What are you doing that is more important than that? Be done with lesser things. Jesus is calling! Go!

Mass Prep Sunday June 23rd 2019 Corpus Christi (Cycle C)

Sunday June 23rd 2019 Corpus Christi (Cycle C)

Everything Old is New Again

The tie in between today’s readings: Melchizedek and the New Covenant

Psalm 110:1-4, Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17

     A little background before we get to our reading in Genesis today. There was a war between five kings of the south against four kings of the east for control over trade routes. The eastern kings defeated the southern kingdoms, sacked their cities, and carried off the conquered citizens as slaves. It really didn’t concern our hero Abram (Abraham) until he got the word that his nephew, Lot was among the captured. Kin is kin. Saddle up, boys. We’re riding hard to save the day!  Desperately outnumbered, Abram miraculously routs the eastern kings and recaptures the hostages and the loot.

     Enter Melchizedek, the mysterious. I believe that he is a Christophany, a bodily appearance of the preincarnate Jesus. He appears out of nowhere on the pages of Genesis 14:18-20. He had no father, mother, or genealogy (Hebrews 7:3) His name means “king of righteousness” also he is the king of Salem, which means “king of peace”. He feeds Abram and the crowd that’s with him with bread and wine. Is this starting to sound familiar? Abram knows that a greater king than he has yet encountered is here. Abram gives him a tithe, a tenth of the spoils, which recognizes that God was the reason for his stunning victory. Melchizedek blesses him and that’s the last we hear from him...until Psalm 110.

     Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1 to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:44:

 Whose Son is the Christ?

Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him Lord? For he says: (44) The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put Your enemies under Your feet.’” (45) So if David calls Him Lord, how can He be David’s son?”

David would never call his great, great, great...grandson, Lord. This shows that the Messiah is more than merely David’s descendant. Today, we know that He is God’s Son: the Word made flesh.  Move down to Psalm 110:4:

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

     Whoa! Where is this coming from? During King David’s time and for thousands of years, the Aaronic priesthood and the tribe of Levi generation after generation offered animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. Now, from out of nowhere, Melchizedek is reintroduced and in conjunction with Messiah, Jesus, no less. Something greater than the Aaronic priesthood is here. But what sacrifice did Melchizedek offer?

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     “...and He said to His disciples, ‘Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each’” (Luke 9:14). Jesus feeds a hungry crowd of five thousand in the miracle of the fishes and loaves, our reading in Luke 9:11-17.  To top it off, they collect twelve baskets of leftovers. Let’s see twelve apostles...I wonder if anybody got a basket for Jesus, but I digress. Even though this miracle is recorded in all the gospels, the real action is in John Chapter 6: The Bread of Life Discourse. The people think Jesus may be that Prophet which Moses foretold would come. They also made a quick connection with yesterday’s dinner and manna from heaven. He loses them trying to relate the physical to the spiritual. He tells them that He is the living bread that came down from heaven. They’re not buying that. They grew up with Him. Besides that, all of this talk about eating his flesh and drinking his blood to live forever...that’s plain crazy! They leave. Jesus is not surprised. As He said, you need some God input to understand John Chapter 6 and, in all fairness, many of us are still struggling with it today.

    1 Corinthians 11:23-26 is the familiar account of the bread and wine at the Last Supper known to everyone who attends Mass. In fact, it is the climax of the celebration of the New Covenant. It takes us to the moment when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He as high priest in the order of Melchizedek offered his own battered body and spilled blood in the real Holy of Holies in heaven to the Father once and for all. The veil in the Jerusalem Temple was torn in two and the Aaronic priesthood ended. When by faith, we receive His body and blood we identify with Him as His bride the Church and we become part of each other in Him. 

     So what can we say about Jesus our Prophet, King, and High Priest on the Feast of Corpus Christi? We see Him bodily as a Christophany in Melchizedek. He is portrayed in the Old Testament sacrifices of the Aaronic priesthood, which He fulfills when He comes as the Incarnate Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We know Him as the God-man who as one of us, died on Calvary's cross. We know Him in the bread and wine when we worship. We can “see” the body of Christ in all of these aspects, but there is a best way to know what the Lord looks like. The most beautiful way of seeing Jesus is when someone sees Jesus in us. We are His hands, His feet, and His face. We are His reflection. We are the body of Christ! Let’s let our light shine!

Mass Prep Sunday June 16th 2019 Trinity Sunday (Cycle C)

God in the Before

Sunday June 16th 2019 Trinity Sunday (Cycle C)

The tie in between today’s readings: Wisdom in the Divine Plan

Psalm 8:4-9, Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15

     In the Before, the Triune God spoke. “We wish to form a physical universe from nothing with space and time so that there will be a beginning and an end.  We will cooperatively establish it’s order and form for the praise and glory of our name. We wish to reveal aspects of our nature: grace, mercy, sacrifice, love, and other virtues consistent with our character for our glory. We wish to share our divine nature to reflect our glory. We wish to create man. We agree. We have Wisdom (Proverb 8:22). Let there be light...BANG!

     ...and so it began. Wisdom is the poetic portrayal of the Trinity in our reading in Proverbs 8:22-31. This section focuses on the production of the inorganic creation. The coordinated Godhead organized the constellations and balanced the galaxies like a child’s mobile. The Almighty hung a beautiful blue bauble on nothing and His Spirit brooded over the waters. The personified attributes of the Father, the Logos, and the Holy Spirit built this house we call earth. Wisdom laid the stonework foundations of the continents. Understanding set the plumbing of the water cycle. Knowledge installed the air conditioning of the wind and the electricity of the storms. Like children at July 4th fireworks, the spiritual world shouted for joy at the glory of the Lord on display (Job 38:7). God stood back and looked at His creation thus far and said, “Good!”

     Psalm 8:4-9 picks up with God’s creation of the organic world on days five and six. It’s getting late on the sixth day and there was one more thing left to do. So far, everything was spoken into existence, but man would be different. It was time for fun in the mud! The Almighty bent down, fashioned Adam from the ground, and amazingly breathed God life into his dead shell. He became a living soul! From then on the focus of the spiritual world shifted to the Earth (a speck in the universe)and to Man (a speck on the Earth), all because he bore the image of the Trinity. God gave him stewardship over this world and pronounced it, “Very good!”

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     The Fall follows shortly thereafter and the dramatic battle for the souls of men begins. No surprise, it was the primary purpose of Wisdom in the Divine Plan at the Before! The Trinity acts in coordination in Salvation just as the Trinity acted in coordination in the Creation. The Father elects believers throughout the corridors of time to be beneficiaries of Christ’s sacrifice. The Son, as the Logos made flesh, comes to accomplish the necessary redemption. Our reading in John 16:12-15 highlights the Holy Spirit as the discloser of truth as part of His actions in the Re-Creation of the born again man. Romans 5:1-5 picks up on the Holy Spirit’s involvement in shaping us into the image of Christ through adversity.

     It boggles the mind to think that we are players in a love story that started in eternity past and will continue even after God collapses this universe. The wise and eternal Father knew us and loved us in the Before. He married us to Jesus who became the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. From that sacrifice, the Spirit was also gifted to each child of God as an assurance of eternal life. Even now, we are seated with Christ in heaven and are endowed with all spiritual blessings. We live in the already, and the not yet, as we march to the end of time and the completion of God’s Divine Plan. The Father that loved you then, loves you now, and will always love you, calls to you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. Do not harden your heart against the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Receive eternal life now! Be part of the plan. Live happily ever after!

Mass Prep Sunday June 9th 2019 Pentecost Sunday (Cycle C)

Sunday June 9th 2019 Pentecost Sunday (Cycle C)

Another Language

The tie in between today’s readings: Metaphors

Psalm 104:1;24;29-34, Acts 2:1-11, Romans 9:8-17, John 14:15-16; 23-26

I am wrestling with the task of understanding spiritual principles and I’m stumbling over my feet.  It’s a strange and alien world that does not translate well. It’s like trying to describe color to a blind man. In our reading in John 14 today, for example, Jesus speaks about the Godhead abiding in each other and in us: knowing us, giving us life, leading us in truth.  To me it sounds like:“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together...goo goo g’joob*. It’s all so openly cryptic. When it comes to the Trinity I think of an old guy, a bearded middle aged guy, and a bird. Now, I know this isn’t anywhere near the right portrayal of God, but my limited mind keeps bringing these concepts down to the familiar. I don’t know how to break out of my religious molds. ButI can tell you this; I’ve been at this for a while now. I have a headache. I am frustrated, tired, and going to bed...

The Creator Flies a Kite (Psalm 104:1; 24; 29-31)

I see a cloud of kite swarming over the ocean. I round the curve in the beach and cross under the fishing pier. Now I have a clear view of the scene. I am astonished! There were so many kites that I had imagined a large crowd, young and old alike each holding one, but no. Just one man with countless lines anchored in the sand stretching toward the sky like strings of a gigantic harp.  I’m close enough now for conversation.  I don’t want to speak first for fear of disturbing his concentration as he moves among the cords: pulling, reeling and slacking the lines. Besides, there is so much to take in! Kites of all shapes and sizes: deltas, parafoils, sleds, dragon tails, and many others weaving and dipping around a diamond arch frame. This chaotic choreography was somehow all so beautifully controlled; I marvel.

“Do you like kites?” he asks.

“Yes,” I answer, “and I can see that you really do.”

“I design and build each one myself.” He beams, “Right up here.” He points to his temple with a finger.

“Impressive. Does it take a long time?” I ask.

“Most people might think so, but I’m pretty quick at making things and I’m very good at it, I might add...no brag, just fact.” he replies. “Do you want to fly one?”

“Really?”

“Sure, let’s see. OK, take this string to that delta there, yes, Phoenix.” It is an absolutely beautiful kite. He so captured the pride and power of the bird, it is like flying art. Nervously, I hold the string and it sternly jerks my hand in a frantic tug-of-war to be free. 

“It wants to run,” he shouts over the surf, “Convince it to stay. Focus. Feel! Speak with the string, and the wind to the kite, not at it.”

I relax. I join in the conversation of the flux and flow of cord and wind. I feel, YES!  The kite is alive! It awakens something within me. The discovery is quite unexpected, like finding money in the pocket of some forgotten jeans. “Oh my God, this is fantastic!” I exclaim in exhilarated surprise.

“Yes,” he said knowingly. He lets me have my kite fix and we talk. It is therapeutic. After awhile he tells me to reel it in.” He takes it from me. “That’s all for you, Phoenix.” he says  and quickly dismantles it with rough and nimble fingers. It is gone in an instant, broken down to its fundamental pieces. He sees my disappointment. “Don’t cry because it’s over smile because it happened. I’m giving you the pieces to take home, put Phoenix together for yourself; enjoy her.”

“Thank you, very much!” I say, “You know I never got your name.”

“You can call me, Iam.”

“Iam. That’s different,” I say.

“Yes, there’s a story behind it. But, before you leave, take my card. Go to where they do the paragliding and show it to the owner. Tell him Iam sent you.”

“Paragliding?” I said puzzled.

Iam answers “Trust me.”

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Zoey and the Paraglider (John 14, Romans 9:8-17)

After being lost for a while, I find the paragliding office. I walk in to see a gorgeous young woman with fiery red hair, green eyes, and beautiful dove white skin.

“May I help you?” she asks in a cooing voice.

She’s bedazzling and I blank for an instant. I see her name tag: Zoey. “A...a...man told me to ask for the owner.” I stammer.

“A man? Who?” she asks.

I reach into my pocket. “He gave me his card. It’s a little bent...sorry. Do you know him?”

“Yes, we know him very well,” she goes out a side door, waves, and comes back in. “He’ll be with you in a minute.

There’s a knock at the door. I open it.  He’s tall, rugged, middle aged, and wearing a white t-shirt with red letters “Easy Yolks”, which is the breakfast place next door.

“I’m Angus, pleased to meet you,” he shakes my hand. “I see you’ve already met Zoey.”

“He has one of your father’s cards,” informs Zoey.

“Is that so?” he says. “OK, my friend, you come with me.”

“Is it safe?”

“Now, what do you think? Have a little faith and follow me,” Angus opens the door and we walk out together.

We follow a trail of coin sized blood splatters leading to the edge of the pier. I ask Angus about it.    “I had an argument with some nails.” he says. Halfway along Angus stops and steps into a shed. He starts handing me gear: life jacket, helmet, straps...He slips everything on me. I’m really starting to wonder if this is a good idea, after all. He reads my face.

“If you don’t want to do this now’s the time to stop,” Angus says.

“Can I call it off once I’m in the air?” I ask.

“Listen,” he gets up close and personal, “I put my life’s blood into this business. I sweat for this place, your helmet, that harness, all so I could share the joy that I have when I’m up there with others,” He plants a finger from the bandaged hand in my chest and continues, “So, when we’re up there, if you can’t appreciate my sacrifice or what I’m doing here, I’ll be way beyond unhappy. Understand?”

“Yes!” I am more afraid of him now than any paraglide ride. “Ok, let’s do this.”

“Great! Don’t worry,” he soothes, “We’re tandem. You and I...we’ve got this.” Angus puts an encouraging hand on my shoulder and finishes with the last buckle.

I’m in the harness. Angus is behind me. There are a few yards of pier ahead of us and then a drop to the water. Angus gives me instructions, “You understand everything?”

I nod.

“Now, let’s take that leap of faith everyone talks about...GO!” he adjusts the wing as we race to the edge. The wind picks us up, and the earth loses its grip.

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The ropes groan with the strain of our weight and I’m apprehensive. “OK, up front?” Angus asks.

“Are you sure the ropes will hold? another dumb question.

“Well, I don’t know,” Angus tells me and this sends a shock up my already adrenaline saturated spine, “If you lift your feet up it may help to make us lighter,” He laughs, “Relax. If you think we’re too high, I’ll take us down.” He sends us into a roller coaster like dive toward the ocean. I scream like a little girl. We pull up feet above the water. I feel like I could almost walk on it as we skim the surf. “Sorry to mess with you,” he says from behind, “but you have to let your fear go and get into the moment. Trust me. I AM VERY GOOD!” he shouts and we climb toward the sun like Icarus. He’s right. I have to chill. So, I let go of my fear the best I can, trust him, and pretend I’m sitting in my lounge chair at home. The view is breathtaking; miles of land and sea stretch out in all directions. The panorama is so beautiful that I forget my anxiety. Peace covers me like a blanket and I feel like the king of the world! Angus is doing maneuvers and I love it! So many experiences on different levels: trust in my co-pilot and the fragile strength of the glider, the exhilaration of speed, the wonderful control of rope and canopy for our skybourne ballet,  the wonder of the air that suspends our bodies in space and simultaneously enters my lungs, but I do not burst open! I am one with the wind. I am the kite set free! I am a Phoenix! I defy death with the Paraglider and I am born again! Thank you, IAM!

All Together Now (Pentecost Acts 2:1-11)

I hear a female voice behind me say, “Happy birthday!”

I turn around. It’s Zoey! “What are you doing here? Where’s Angus?”

“We’re all here! Iam too! Now hold your arms up at the sides and close your eyes. Your new life begins now.

I comply. There’s a flash. The wind violently rushes behind me, collapsing the glider around me like a blanket. Suddenly, I lose all sensation of it. I open my eyes to see that I am a sail tied to a crossed shape mast. Somehow, I know it’s Angus. I see that I am one of many sails on the rigging, pulling our vessel on its way. I look down and see captain Iam at the helm. Zoey whispers to me in the wind that stretches me with power “Look to the horizon. We are joining the fleet!”

As we catch up, I see ships of all shapes and sizes from all over the world: Schooners, Galleons, Brigs, Junks, Longships, Dromons...I’m overwhelmed. All have their signal flags flying the same message: Jesus Saves. Our armada circumnavigates the globe and reaches every port of our world, up every river, and into the most remote tributary with the gospel message. Then with our mission accomplished, we sail off the edge of the earth and fly like Peter Pan, course heading: heaven!

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I Wake Up

That was a very strange dream, but maybe we need the language of dreams and poetry to better grasp the spiritual. Perhaps it could be that metaphors, similes, and stories are the dots and dashes of God’s Morse code to communicate to us. After all, Jesus taught in parables. When it comes to the spiritual, things are not always what they seem. We need to read the Bible between the lines: to observe and not only see. To see that symbols surpass mere words. To understand that concrete thought is the concrete that’s holding us down. Let Go!

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●     I am the Walrus. The Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles