Shema

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

The above verses compile what the Jewish people calls the “Shema” from the Hebrew word meaning “hear.” This prayer is central to the Jewish people and it should be central to Christians too. If you read it closely it should make you think of something in the Gospels. Jesus used this in His answer when He was asked what was the Greatest Commandment. In some ways this prayer serves as the hinges of the day for the People. In this prayer — which is really a confession of faith, too, a creed if you will — the people acknowledge who God is (their ONE and ONLY God) and they are reminded to love God with their entire being and to teach this to their children at all times. To someone who is not Jewish or Christian may read this and think “Wow, this god seems to make himself the center of everything. How selfish and arrogant!” But to someone of faith, to someone who has encountered God and experienced His love and mercy, this ancient prayer arises out of thanksgiving and gratitude.

Moses had to say this and remind the people of this because they were a “stiff-necked people,” who always seemed to forget where they were and how far they have come, and not by their own “luck” or efforts, but solely because of God and His love for them. This is not because God is arrogant and need people to praise Him, but because God wants the people to live life to the fullest and for that life to be filled with hope, joy, and peace. Think about it. When we really know and believe that we have a God who loves us conditionally, who forgives us not just once but infinitely, and who comes to us continually, and when we live our lives knowing this, how can our lives be anything other than filled us joy and thanksgiving?

And so, the Shema was not meant to control the people but rather to lead them to true freedom. In the same way, the Church and all that she teaches is not meant to control us or hold us down, but rather to liberate us from the chains that hold us down, the chains that prevent us from being fully alive, fully free. All that the Church teaches is meant to draw us deeper in love with the God who has created us in His image and likeness and who has loved us from all eternity. But if we approach this simply from an intellectual perspective, it will make no sense. However, if we approach this truth being our entire beings — mind, body, and soul — it still might not make sense (with reason), but we will know that there is no other way to live but this way, and any other way will only lead us to unfulfillment and sadness. Today, may we pray this ancient prayer, the Shema, and pray it everyday, and throughout the day because although today it may just be a recitation of words, but I guarantee you, if you persevere, it will become the very words that transform your life.

Seeing God

“Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,

‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.’
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.”

Mark 9:7-8

Jesus brought Peter, James, and John up the mountain. We know something is about to happen when we read “up the mountain” for mountains are places where God meets His people. Moses on Mt. Sinai. Elijah on Mt. Horeb. Jesus on Calvary. God comes to meet His people.

Peter, James, and John did not know what was about to happen. They saw Moses and Elijah. They were ecstatic! These were like two big celebrities from the past. Then the Father spoke — “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” They heard God speak. The Father affirms the Son’s identity and then He speaks to Peter, James, and John, telling them to listen to His Son. The term used to describe this event is “theophany.” A manifestation of God that is experienced by humans. The Apostles saw God, heard Him, and felt Him. But what did they do with that experience? Peter wanted to stay on the mountain by making some tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Perhaps it was a good place to be at and the company was amazing, but the truth was as it is now: they cannot stay there.

An experience with God cannot be kept to ourselves. When we have seen God, our lives cannot remain stagnant. The life of a Christian is one of encounters, with God and with man, a series of mountaintops and valleys. We can never be sure how those experiences will turn out to be, sometimes they will be filled with joy and inspiration, and other times they will be filled with sorrow and feelings of emptiness. But there is one thing we can be sure of, and that is that Jesus will always be there. “Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone by Jesus alone with them” and that should be enough. When the going gets tough, and when the world seems dark and lonely, we must always remember that Jesus is with us. When we encounter Jesus in our brothers and sisters and in the sacraments, we will have seen God. And in seeing God, He comes to us and calms all our fears and worries, giving us all the graces we need at that moment to weather through those storms. Our Lord is waiting to encounter you, will you see Him?

**For a related reflection/article on the Transfiguration, see “Building Tents and Mountaintop Experiences” on Philip’s earlier blog.

Personal Acknowledgment

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”

Matthew 16:15

Would you rather simply hear about someone or would you like to actually meet him or her? In order for a friendship or relationship to develop and grow, the two people must meet and encounter one another, and only through this will they have knowledge of one another. Think about your own friendships and relationships. What makes them possible? What sustains them?

When Jesus called Peter to follow him, he was a fisherman trying to make a living. Peter didn’t know Jesus or much about Him. But as he followed Him and journeyed with Him, he began to talk with Jesus, listen to Jesus, and began to get to know who He was and why He’s there. Jesus then asked Peter who did the people say that He was. Afterwards, Jesus asked Peter who did he say that He was. Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” By walking with Jesus, talking with Him, listening to him, and encountering Him, Peter was able to make this confession about Jesus’ identity and mission.

Do you know Jesus? Have you spoken with Him? Have you listened to Him lately? Have you encountered Him in others and in the sacraments? How about Jesus? Does He know you? Do you spend time with Him in prayer? Do you invite Him into you everyday life? Do you invite Him into your joys and sorrows? Jesus wants to get to know you, too. Who do you say that Jesus is? Who is Jesus to you? There must be personal acknowledgement of the other for a relationship to work. Jesus wants one with you. Do you?