Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI

Reflection for March 22, 2015

Dying and rising: Jesus models obedience to God so that we may have salvation

by Sister Carolyn Zahringer

Raised in a Jewish family, Jesus was steeped in covenant language. He probably read the Book of Jeremiah multiple times. Jeremiah records a promise of a new covenant which will be written upon the heart. There will no longer be a need to teach friends and relatives HOW to know the Lord. (Jer. 31:33,34)

John's Gospel records Jesus' words for today: "... unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Jn. 12:24

 

Thanks, Carrie, for raising such pertinent questions to reflect upon. Pondering time needed.

Thank you Sister Carrie for the reminder that it is important for the head and heart to know how to Love the Lord.

Great questions, Sister Carolyn. We are continuously dying, but are we bringing forth the fruit we should be in our lives? We are very valuable as Jesus has taught, now we should be living our value to others.

• What has happened to us that the covenant is NOT written deeply on our hearts?

And the question's "other side" is also valid:
"What has NOT happened to us ...." In other words, what's been missing, neglected, oppressed / repressed within us, our church, our culture that has not allowed for a Full-Hearted response to an Over- Full-Hearted Loving God?"

I ask this question because the first time I visited one of my sons in college (in 1994?) I was struck by a poster of a quote from Einstein that his roommate had put up: "I only want to know God's mind; all the rest is detail."

My immediate response was, I would change that to: "I only want to know God's Heart ....... [all the rest is detail.]

That has stayed with me so much so, as the quote itself was a big eye-opener for me as to what's been "missing" or "amiss" from our Full View.

•Is now another planting cycle?

Oh my, what a thought! Really?! After all I've been through?! Do you mean I still have the opportunity to share in the work of "new life?!"

(One wonders if this isn't some of how Mary Magdalene felt at that Early Morning Tomb Encounter?)

Thanks Carrie, very thought provoking.

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