He drew a circle that shut me out -

heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But love and I had the wit to win.

We drew a circle that took him in.

-Edwin Markham
“Outwitted”
When I read this quote, I immediately thought of the times when I try to help someone, but they put up a barrier wall. That imaginary wall impedes communication and usually is built out of fear. When someone is afraid of failure, or afraid of trying new things, or afraid of opening their hearts and being hurt again, they generally lash out at others, or coop themselves up alone.

Like I said, that was my first thought when I read the quote. However, it didn’t take long to realize that the same quote could be said of us by our Lord, God. I can think of times in my life when my faith was not strong, or when I tried to control all aspects of my life. I can think of times that I knew God was trying to communicate with me, and I shut him out.

Thankfully, God does not give up. … continue reading…

When Jesus began his public ministry it was by word of mouth and deed that people began to see more than “just  another prophet.”   Some saw him only as a prophet though and could not open their hearts to the possibility that he really was the long awaited Messiah that John the Baptist announced.    

 The Gospel today (Mark 6:14-29) shows how the last days of John the Baptist parallels that of Jesus’ passion and death.  Herod even thinks that Jesus is John raised from the dead.  Today, aside from the oral and written words (Scripture) of our faith, through modern technology using the internet and Googling, etc, we have the benefit of learning about Jesus.  Who do we follow?  Can we see the real Jesus?  This is our challenge today – ask yourself, who is Jesus for me and how can I follow him more closely?  Does knowing Jesus help me to understand my vocation in life?  God’s will for me?