The Opposite of Everything

Excerpts from the mass readings this week from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 9: verse 24;  Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Mark 9: verse 35;  Then He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Mark 9: verse 39;  

Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

Our entire story begins with light from darkness.

 

For most of us, every single one of our senses can experience the ultimate extreme on both ends of the spectrum.  Our cognitive ability, our reasoning and even our emotions perform to maximum gain when we compare and contrast the differences in and around us.

 

What events in our lives do we tend to remember the most?  The middle of the road stuff that roller coasters us through our daily experiences?  Or, the events that bring us to the extremes (physical, emotional or otherwise) of human existence?

 

The path to God is not about toeing a straight line directly to His heart.  The path to God is an extreme experience of His truth, with the understanding that we cannot toe the line without Him.

 
We can't get to Him without Him!  How is that for an opposite?  Here we are on a journey to a destination that we need to have within us to pursue.  And to make matters even more confusing, the more we desire His presence, the further away we realize we are (which brings us closer).

There is not a roller coaster in the world that can bring us the thrill that comes with trying to live our lives to die for Him.  And so the joyous journey continues!

 

There is a way and His name is Jesus Christ.

We suffer for joy.

We lose to gain.

We live to die.

 

God our Father, I humbly honor your Spirit with the intention of sharing His gifts with those whom read these words.  For this I pray to The Lord.  Amen.