The Inner Room- Emotions in the Bible

We have an advocate in Heaven in Jesus’ earthly Father. In this year of St Joseph, we dedicate ourselves to imitating his virtues. He lived closer than anyone else besides Mary to Jesus. Jesus probably spoke like Joseph, worked like him, danced like him. Jesus was known as the son of the carpenter.

Jesus sends us. Catherine of Siena had visions of Jesus. She took seriously that she was sent. She helped the poor and the ill around her. There was a plague and corruption just like we experience today. She was light for the world. We are called to be the same.

Jesus tells us there’s the way of light and the way of darkness. When we choose darkness we condemn ourselves only when we reject Jesus, not if we falter on our way.

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the dedication of the temple speaking in the portico of Solomon. He’s instructing the Jewish people to follow the way. He continues to instruct us to dedicate ourselves. It is in Antioch the Christians are first called Christians.

During this Easter season we see Paul and Peter preaching through the region appealing to the Gentiles. It would’ve been hard to call on Jewish people that were strict followers of rules of Leviticus And invite them to a different way. Jesus invites us to follow his way, to invite the Gentiles of our life to listen to his voice and enter through the gate that he has prepared for us. Athirst is my...

It is still Easter! Our Shepherd calls. Let us follow.

People abandon Jesus in John 6. Peter says “to whom shall we go, you have words of everlasting life.”With that faith he raises Tabitha from death in the acts of the apostles chapter 9. Today we pray for all those around us that do not believe and we ask God to help them turn around as Psalm 116 invites- How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?

The plot thickens ... as Saul dramatically meets Jesus whom he is persecuting on his way to Damascus we encounter Ananias who is asked to attend to Saul, blind and shocked, awaiting God’s directions. Psalm 117 is his mission- “Go and tell all the world!.” We meet Jesus again in John 6, attacked bu those who find the idea of Jesus as bread of life abhorrent and leave him. Jesus will need people lik...

The Apostles bury Stephen and the disciples spread throughout the region being persecuted. The glory of God of which Psalm 66 speaks is revealed through us when we are fully alive. It is impossible on our own devices. It is difficult under persecution. We are not alone. Jesus remains with us as the Bread of Life until the end of time. Do you believe it?

Stephen is killed by a furious crowd as he looks up and sees Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Psalm 31 teaches us to pray with Jesus “Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” Jesus will pray this at the Cross. Jesus Himself encounters in John 6 stiff-necked people who wants more miracles. They are about to abandon Him.

The readings of today show Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit speaking before the Sanhedrin brought there by people filled with lies and hatred. Facing them with wisdom and strength from Heaven he appears like an angel, unfazed by the opposition. In the gospel reading, Jesus pushes back on his followers who want to be with Him after the multiplication because they were fed. Why did Stephen follow...

Peter gives a wonderful speech on Acts 3. He tells the crowd they killed Jesus and then acquits them inviting them to repentance. We sing with Psalm 4 our wish to see the face of our God. And our Lord delivers on our need. Jesus comes in the midst of the apostles and says peace be with you. He says that to you and me. For the next 40 days after his resurrection Jesus helped the Apostles understand...

Jesus walks on the Sea and says: “Do no be afraid.” Lord let Your mercy be on us as we place our trust in You.

Gamaliel buys time for the Apostles in front of the Sanhedrin. They are sent away rejoicing after they are flogged. How is that possible? Because the live in the House of the Lord in their hearts, Psalm 27, because the Lord is their refuge and they are not afraid. Jesus multiplies bread and fish for 5000 because of the generosity of a boy that will not keep that for himself. He witnesses a great m...

Peter and John speak boldly before the authority figures of the time. They are ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus and yet, they cannot hold back. They are fulfilling what we read in John 3: “ he testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.” Go...

In Acts 4 we continue to follow the folly of Jewish leaders who respond to the curing of a crippled man with despondency and jealousy. They imprison the Apostles and an Angel of the Lord rescues them to their astonishment. Peter and Paul, having had their cry heard as in Psalm 34, return to the Temple to preach and teach. They have seen a great light in Jesus and need to share the Good news with a...

Nicodemus continues to wrestle with what Jesus means by being born from above. Jesus gives room to Nicodemus, a leader of the people who does not understand how the grace is moving in his heart, transforming what he knows. Our psalm today says God is supreme and robed in majesty. And yet our reason can make God so small. We put God in a box. Don’t get me wrong, reason is a gift and it is necessary...

Jesus turns our world around with His Word. He recreates Nicodemus. And you and me if we let Him

As we come to the end of Divine Mercy Sunday, let us spend a moment in awe of Our Lord

Divine Mercy Sunday, our celebration of God’s infinite love, is the heart of the resurrection. We utter with Thomas, my Lord and my God in Jesus’ depth of intimacy as He lets us touch His wound. He builds our belief. John says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God.”

Mark’s short version of Jesus’s apparitions to the apostles after the resurrection tells us about Mary Magdalene, Emmaus and they 11 sitting at a table as Jesus appears. We sing in Psalm 118, I will give thanks to you for you have answered me. John and Peter are told not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they reply it’s impossible for them not to speak about what they’ve seen and heard. Let us be...

Acts of the apostles chapter 4 shows Peter and John imprisoned for curing a crippled man. The economic political religious and societal forces of Israel, upon the apostles with the force to squash them. Do you feel like that today yourself, persecuted? Peter proclaims boldly, “the stone rejected by you the builders is the corner stone and there is no salvation through other than Jesus.” Jesus had...

Jesus appears to the disciples and says “peace be with you” and then asks for something to eat. He sits to eat with us and wants us to tell him what troubles us. We recognize him in the breaking of the bread. And so as His witnesses we go out into the world. He still walks amongst us and wants to break through places that are hardened in our lives and hearts.

The story of Emaus is amazing! It is our story! We walk about downcast and worried as our resurrected Lord walks amongst us. We need His perspective but our feelings get the best of us. The Lord draws near. He seeks us. He remains with us until the end of time. That is why we proclaim with Psalm 105 Rejoice o hearts that seek the Lord! And leap for joy with the cripple man cured by Peter in front...

Is Peter has received the Holy Spirit and converts 3000 people. Psalm 33 says the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Mary Magdalene encounters first to angels and then Jesus calls her by name