So let's talk about today's readings 4/20/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/readings/042009.shtml

“enable your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,
and signs and wonders are done
through the NAME of your holy servant Jesus”

I always say “your son Jesus” or “our Lord Jesus” or any number of things but
I have never said, “you holy servant Jesus” in prayer. What made them choose
this description in prayer? And there’s that word “name” again. Why are
miracles performed through the “name” of Jesus, instead of through the power
of Jesus? What does it mean?

This psalm has always bothered me. I cannot imagine God laughing at anyone
and laughing them to scorn, no matter what they’ve done. Is God a human being
that He should make fun of someone? He already knows their life is in His hands.

Today’s gospel explains the Holy Spirit:
“The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Yes, God sends His Spirit where He does, no one can figure it out.

So what struck you about today’s readings? :bible1::twocents:

 

[thevickinator16]

usccb.org/nab/readings/042009.shtml

“enable your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,
and signs and wonders are done
through the NAME of your holy servant Jesus”

I always say “your son Jesus” or “our Lord Jesus” or any number of things but
I have never said, “you holy servant Jesus” in prayer. What made them choose
this description in prayer? And there’s that word “name” again. Why are
miracles performed through the “name” of Jesus, instead of through the power
of Jesus? What does it mean?

This psalm has always bothered me. I cannot imagine God laughing at anyone
and laughing them to scorn, no matter what they’ve done. Is God a human being
that He should make fun of someone? He already knows their life is in His hands.

Today’s gospel explains the Holy Spirit:
“The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Yes, God sends His Spirit where He does, no one can figure it out.

So what struck you about today’s readings? :bible1::twocents:

Did not Jesus tell the disciples while He washed their feet, that He came to serve? This is where I believe they got this idea. He came to save us by His Body and Blood through His Father. Is this not a servant? It does seem strange to think of Him as a servant. I never did until I really paid attention to Holy Thursday. This was my first inkling of what this meant.

Now for the second part. Do you think that when God laughed it was because He alone knows how futile we creatures become when we try and do without Him. We know He is way above human for sure. Still does He laugh at other times also. Like when a Saint pleases Him? Or when a person is baptized in His name? God is incomphrensible, so I do not think we can truly figure out what it means when He laughs.

I like the comparsion to the wind in the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is the most elusive part of the Trinity for me. As I have always known much of Father and Son, my knowledge of the Spirit was/is still limited. I understand His role in our salvation and I do believe in Him. I just don’t know much about Him. If that makes any sense.

God Bless!

 

[cheeto1]

Or when a person is baptized in His name?

And there’s that word “Name” again.

Yes, when you think of Holy Thursday, “servant” really makes a lot of sense.
Speaking of Holy Thursday, isn’t it funny how we always try to be more and more
like Jesus, and they even invented “WWJD”, but we never wash each other’s feet?
I am sure Jesus didn’t just mean once a year during mass. I don’t think He really
wants us to wash each other’s feet since that’s just not customary these days,
but what if He does?

I hope you are right about God laughing at people in a loving way, but, the psalm
sure seems to say otherwise.