Seeking Peace and Freedom

“I will hear what God proclaims;

the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.”

Psalm 85:9

Today in the United States we celebrate Independence Day, the Fourth of July, celebrating and remembering all those who made freedom and peace and hope possible for a people who were desperate for it. America has been commonly called the land of dreams and a place of opportunities and freedom. However, all this is now at stake. Though we live in a country who boasts of its freedom of religion and speech, we have enslaved ourselves by our indifference and hatred. Some may say, “Well, not me!” Yes, true. But if we are to be truly the “United States of America,” then when one part suffers, we all suffer; when will we stand united and reclaim the name we call ourselves?

The freedom of this country was secured because we boldly proclaimed, “In God we trust.” But this freedom, this peace, and this country is now at risk because we, as a whole, as one, no longer trust or believe in God. True freedom and peace only comes from God, and so when we break away from God, the source of all life and truth, we are longer free. Hatred, bigotry, and bondage takes over. This Independence Day may we return to the God who loves us, who gives us peace, and who sets us free. Screaming and yelling, pointing fingers and shaking our heads won’t do it. It is not an outward change that is needed.  What is needed is an interior change. May we seek out the God who proclaims peace to His people.

From Doubt to Confession

“Thomas answered and said to him,

‘My Lord and my God!’”

John 20:28

Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

St. Thomas is usually given a bad reputation with the nickname of “Doubting Thomas.” Yes, Thomas doubted when his brothers told him that Jesus is alive and has resurrected. But that does not define him as a person. Earlier on when Jesus was speaking with His Apostles, assuring them that there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house and that where He is going, they know the way.  At this Thomas asked, “Master we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”  At this Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because of Thomas’ questioning, Jesus made a profound statement that is commonly quoted today. This statement was a statement of identity.

Questioning and doubting does not always signify something bad or weakness. It can be a sign of a desire to deepen one’s trust and faith. When we want to get to know someone better we ask him or her questions. So, Thomas questioned. He wanted to know more. He wanted to know the way, and Jesus reminded Him and enlightened his mind, telling him that He is the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus revealed to Thomas who He was and His relationship to the Father. Yes, Thomas may have made a statement of doubt after Jesus rose from the dead, but he later made a great confession, proclaiming Christ as, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas remembered what Jesus said when he saw Him and he was moved to conversion and into a deeper relationship with Jesus.  He went from not knowing the way, to not only knowing that Jesus was His Lord but that He was also His God.  May we grow ever deeper in our trust and faith in the Lord.  

The Faith of Others

“When Jesus saw their faith,

he said to the paralytic,

‘Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.’” 

Matthew 9:2

We are told that “when Jesus saw THEIR faith” was when the paralytic was healed. Jesus was so moved by the people and their love for this friend and brother of theirs that He healed him. Love, my friends, bring healing. Not the kind of love that seeks pleasures or self-interest, but the kind of love that wants only the good for another. The kind of love the moves us to sacrifice our own comforts and wants for the sake of another, even to the point of sacrificing our own lives.  That is the kind of love that those friends had when the put aside their own wants and struggled to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus.

We need one another. Intercessory prayer is crucial. We are not alone on this journey of faith. Sometimes when we are paralyzed by our sinfulness and shame, we must ask others to help bring us to Christ. We can not do this alone. When we bring to Jesus our prayers, He hears them. When Jesus sees the earnest look in our eyes, His heart is moved. And by our persistence in prayer and commitment to love, may the Lord see our faith and say to us, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”