Week 48 Daily Dose of Love
#330 (11/26)
That They
May All Be One
John 17:20-26
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in
me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that
the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that
they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that
you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom
you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation
of the world.
“Righteous
Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your
name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
This
passage clearly describes the focus, direction, and outcome of love. In a reflection on these words, the 17th Century French Bishop, Jacque Benigne Bossuet wrote:
“That they may be one, ...not only in words but in deeds and the effects of true charity; that they may be one
in reality; that they may be one inseparably; that they may show and see in themselves, in the perpetual perseverance of their
mutual union, an image of that eternal and incomprehensible unity by which the Father and Son being one, share one nature,
one intelligence and one love, yet are one God; thus may they form among themselves one body, one soul, one Christ.
For that end, let us free ourselves more and more from that which separates us from our brethren; let us be rid of
our goods, our own wishes, our own thoughts, our love of self; nothing will remain but the common good which is God, in whom
we are all one.”
Thomas Merton wrote: “We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it is only when we are
fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves properly and thus also love others. What do
I mean by loving ourselves properly? I mean, first of all, desiring to live, accepting life as a very great
gift and a great good, not because of what it gives us, but because of what it enables us to give others.”
Reflection/Discussion:
What keeps us from becoming “completely
one”?
Principles of Love:
Unity
Pray Through the Day:
Bring us together
In your love
#331
(11/27)
Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
Then
Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and
pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.
Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.”
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this
cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found
them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and
pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will
be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So
leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to
the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son
of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Mark 14:32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to
his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began
to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here,
and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the
hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup
from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to
Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may
not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again
he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their
eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of
sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Luke 22:35-46
He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack
anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” He said to them, “But now, the one who
has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For
I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is
written about me is being fulfilled.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He
replied, “It is enough.” He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and
the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come
into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and
prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”
[[Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly,
and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] When he got up from
prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping?
Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
John 18:1
After
Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden,
which he and his disciples entered.
“Not my will but yours be done” is a perfect prayer for love in troubled times.
Jesus knows he is about to be betrayed; yet he prays to his father, “Not my will but yours be done.”
He knows that he is about to be mocked and tortured, but says, “Not my will but yours be done.”
He knows that his closest followers will abandon and deny him, that he will suffer tremendous pain leading to a shameful
death on a cross, but still he repeats,” Not my will but yours be done.” This is also
the perfect prayer in times of temptation. If we have an impulse to take care of ourselves first and ignore
the needs and concerns of others, we can pray, “Not my will but yours be done.” When
we are tempted to overindulge, to take more than we need, or even want, we can say, “Not my will but yours be done.”
As we are drawn to things that will bring us security, pleasure, or esteem at the expense of others, we can repeat,
“Not my will but yours be done.”
Jesus continues to teach
us, even in his most difficult moments, “Not my will but yours be done.”
Reflection/Discussion:
How do we set our will aside so that God’s
will can “be done”?
Principles of Love:
Accept; Suffering; Commitment
Pray Through the Day:
Not my will
But yours be done
#332 (11/28)
Jesus Arrested
Matthew 26:47-56
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve,
arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.”
At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said
to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting
off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword
will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more
than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen
in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs
to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me.
But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples
deserted him and fled.
Mark 14:43-52
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve,
arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away
under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed
him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew
his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, “Have
you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you
in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them
deserted him and fled. A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught
hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
Luke 22:47-53
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and
the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas,
is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” When those who were around him saw what
was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the
slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And
he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police,
and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When
I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
John 18:2-12
Now
Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas
brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns
and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them,
“Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied,
“I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said
to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom
are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told
you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that
he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who
had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given
me?” So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
Jesus lived what he taught. Early in his ministry he had said, “Love your enemies;”
“Turn the other cheek;” and “I am the lamb of God.”
Fighting is always an option but it feeds off
impulse and focuses attention on the immediate battle. Love requires greater vision and more profound courage
than fighting. Jesus shows us that it is possible to maintain our vision and dig deep into our heart to find the
courage to stand our ground in the midst of fear and confrontation. Reflection/Discussion:
How do we make clear choices when strong
impulses pull us in another direction?
Principles of Love:
Accept; Suffering
Pray Through the Day:
Not my will
But
yours be done
#333 (11/29)
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
Matthew 26:57-68
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the
high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance,
as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him
to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow
said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” The high
priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But
Jesus was silent.
Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before
the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell
you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses?
You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.”
Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is
it that struck you?”
Mark 14:53-65
They
took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Peter
had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself
at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put
him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not
agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him
say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’
” But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood
up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But
he was silent and did not answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah,
the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated
at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’ ”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have
heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began
to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him over
and beat him.
Luke 22:63-71
Now the men who were holding Jesus began
to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”
They kept heaping many other insults on him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people,
both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If
you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will
not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You
say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves
from his own lips!”
John
18:13-14,19-24
First they
took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one
who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Then the high priest
questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly
to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing
in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.”
When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer
the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I
have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
There is a stark contrast between the vision of Jesus and the perspective of the high priest.
The high priest maintains a narrow, rigid view of religion that fits his own self-interest. Jesus
sees the whole picture. He sees that he will be tortured, mocked, and murdered. He sees
the love of his father and the potential for love in each of our hearts. He sees us reading these words
two thousand years later, and sees that we can gain strength and perseverance from his example.
Reflection/Discussion:
How do we keep our hearts open when we
are treated unfairly?
Principles of Love:
Suffering; Acceptance
Pray Through the Day:
Use our pain
To
deepen our love
#334 (11/30)
Peter’s Denial
Matthew 26:69-75
Now Peter was sitting outside
in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But
he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he
went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders
came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then
he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed.
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he
went out and wept bitterly.
Mark 14:66-72
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of
the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also
were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand
what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl,
on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he
denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are
a Galilean.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking
about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had
said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Luke 22:54-62
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at
a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat
among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also
was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A
little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.”
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking,
the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he
had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out
and wept bitterly.
John 18:15-18,25-27
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high
priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other
disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in.
The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I
am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were
standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Now Simon
Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied
it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose
ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied
it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Peter had a history of acting on impulse, allowing the emotion of the moment to dictate
his actions. Impulse and emotion can easily dominate one’s vision. We act
without thinking, based on what feels right at the moment. Our own personal safety is probably the strongest
impulse. But what good is survival if we lose our heart. Peter, who was “the rock,”
the foundation upon which the church would be built, temporarily lost heart. But the rooster crowed, announcing
a new dawn, and he realized his sin. It is critical that the first thing he did was to weep.
He let the pain of his sin penetrate deep into his heart and allowed his tears to begin to rinse it clean. May we all have many roosters in our lives.
Reflection/Discussion:
How can we recognize when we may be tempted
to betray Jesus’ love?
Principles of Love:
Commitment; Humility; Opening
Pray Through the Day:
Help us to love
When our will is weak
#335 (12/1)
The Death of Judas
Matthew 27:3-10
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned,
he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned
by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing
down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests,
taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.”
After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For
this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been
spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price
had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the
Lord commanded me.”
Unlike Peter, Judas does not mourn the loss of his heart. He allows the pain of
his betrayal to dominate his vision and sees no alternative but to end his life. When pain is not accepted
and losses are not mourned, our hearts become compressed and hardened by the tension that builds by holding it in.
If we do not move through suffering we become stuck in it. It’s like being in a deep, narrow
hole. If we do not look up, all we see is darkness. Judas did not look up. He
did not weep or open his heart. He allowed his emotional blindness to shadow the light of God’s love
in his soul. Ending his suffering became more important than rediscovering the love of Jesus. Judas left
us with a powerful lesson about the importance of accepting and facing our sins. May we never become such
a lesson for others. Reflection/Discussion:
How can we remember to accept and ask forgiveness when we sin?
Principles of Love:
Forgiveness; Suffering; Acceptance
Pray Through the Day:
Lord, Jesus Christ
Have mercy on us
#336 (12/2)
Trial before Pilate
Matthew 27:1-2,11-14
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in
order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus
said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.
Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But
he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Mark 15: 1-5
As
soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound
Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things.
Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.”
But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Luke 23:1-5
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before
Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us
to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then
Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”
But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where
he began even to this place.”
John 18:28-38
Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters.
It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able
to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this
man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to
you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.”
The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what
Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
Then Pilate entered the headquarters
again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do
you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew,
am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus
answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to
keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked
him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I
came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate
asked him, “What is truth?”
Pilate makes an attempt to discover the truth but fails to realize that he is standing
in front of the source of all truth. Thomas Merton said, “Every sin is a sin against truth, a sin against obedience, and
against love. But in all these three things sin proves itself to be a supreme injustice not only against
God, but, above all, against ourselves.” Pilate sees his task as judging Jesus, but Jesus’ words (in John’s gospel) make it clear that Pilate has
passed judgment on himself. The greatest, clearest, most profound truth is God’s love residing in
our hearts. Jesus came to testify to this truth but Pilate does not listen from his heart and in unable
to hear him. We are challenged to discover what is true in our
world every day. We can base our investigation on self-interested analysis as Pilate did, or we can listen
from our heart to the voice that is the source of all truth.
Reflection/Discussion:
What is true in our lives?
Principles of Love:
Vision; Opening
Pray Through the Day:
Open our eyes
To deepen our love
