1 Kings 1-5

The first book of Kings begins with the end of the reign and life of the great King David. Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan team up to thwart the ambition of Adonijah and ensure that David appoints Solomon as his successor. David instructs Solomon that he must seek revenge on those who previously wronged David, but whom David had promised not to personally harm. Solomon therefore orders the deaths of Joab and Shimei. This reminds me of the penultimate scene in that great movie The Godfather, when Michael Corleone "settles all the family business" after his father has died. 

Adonijah brings about his own death as well by asking permission to marry one of Solomon's concubines--a request that apparently signaled his lack of loyalty to King Solomon. I say apparently, as I rely on a note in my Bible, not being familiar with the politics of concubines.

The Lord comes to Solomon in a dream and offers him anything he desires. Solomon chooses "an understanding heart to judge [God's] people and to distinguish right from wrong." God grants his request:

I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.

Solomon's special gift is wisdom. Yet, contrary to what I had always assumed, the words make it clear that this special gift "resides" in his heart, not his brain. An understanding heart--not merely an elevated judgment or intelligence. Solomon puts his gift to good use in the famous story of the two women who claim to be mother to the same baby. 

Solomon resolves to build a great temple to house the ark. He makes an agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre, for the supplies he needs. Even Hiram recognizes Solomon's greatness, and how it gives glory to God:

Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given David a wise son to rule his numerous people.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

This week was spent making my way through 2Samuel--the story of David's eventful reign as King of Israel. David does great thing, loves much, forgives much, and strives to do right by the Lord God. He also sins much, strays much, and suffers much. In short, he is human. But on a grand scale. In some ways, we are all kings and queens in the eyes of the King of Kings. And we an see our triumphs, defeats, successes, and failings in David. Some memorable characters share the stage with David--Bathsheba, Absalom, Uriah, Nathan, Joab, and Abner. But it is David, of course, who is the central figure--teaching us much and giving us hope.

2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel 5-9

2 Samuel 10-14

2 Samuel 15-18

2 Samuel 19-24

Have a great week!!

John

2 Samuel 19-24

David's humanity continues to be on full display as he mourns the death of his son, Absalom. Let's face it, his wayward, ungrateful son. But a son David loved nevertheless--as God the Father loves me. The image of the grieving father again appears in the Old Testament. How much more, I imagine, did God the Father weep and mourn at His blameless Son's suffering and death!

Finally, though, Joab tells David that mourning so deeply and openly at his son's death is actually bringing David to shame with his people, since it appears to them that David is loving one who hated David (that is, Absalom), while hating those who love him (that is, the people of Israel). Joab admonishes him: "Go out and speak kindly to your servants." This strikes a chord with David, who is a leader at heart, and he takes successful steps to again win the Judahites over. 

In short order, David reconciles with others as well. Shimei, who had made David suffer by calling him a murderer in public, comes to David now seeking forgiveness with these heartfelt and beautiful words:

May my lord not hold me guilty, and may he not remember and take to heart the wrong that your servant did the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. For your servant knows that he had done wrong.

David forgives Shimei. 

Meribbaal, son of Saul, also seeks, and receives, David's mercy. David shows favor to Barzillai, who helped David during the period when he had been driven from Jerusalem.  Soon, though, some of the Israelites--led by Sheba--rebel against David and the Judahites. But Joab brings about Sheba's death and ends the rebellion.

After so much has transpired, David sings a beautiful song of thanksgiving to the Lord, which includes the words:

In my distress I called upon the Lord
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice, 
and my cry reached his ears.
*      *      *      *
He set me free in the open, 
and rescued me because he loves me.
*      *      *      *      
You are my lamp, O Lord!
O my God, you brighten the darkness about me.
*      *      *      *
He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
*      *      *      *
The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock!
Extolled be my God, rock of my salvation.

Such beautiful words of praise and thanksgiving from a man who was truly blessed in the eyes of the Lord--but who also sinned much and suffered much. 

We can do great things in our own lives, trying to live as God asks us, showing mercy and generosity to others. And even though we sin and fall short, as David did, God will still hear our cry, will still set us free, will still brighten our darkness, shield us from our enemies, and be a rock for us.  Wow!

2 Samuel 15-18

Once again we are treated to the story of dysfunction within a family. After being pardoned by and reconciled to his father, Absalom hatches a plot to win over the affection of the people and supplant David as king. David was basically a good and loyal "son" to Saul. He is a flawed but ultimately forgiving father to Absalom. Perhaps Absalom still holds a grudge for David's failure to protect or avenge the rape of Absalom's sister, Tamar, by Amnon. Or perhaps he is simply vain and selfish. It is not entirely clear. But what is clear is that, Absalom means David harm, while David loves his son.  David must flee the city and he retreats to the Mount of Olives, where he weeps without ceasing--reminding me of Jesus in Gethsemane. To be betrayed, even hated, by your own son must be a terrible thing. While traveling, David is subject to insults and taunts by a man named Shimei. David prevents his servant from dealing with Shimei to stop this, saying instead:

Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering today.

These words also remind me of Jesus' Passion, where he silently endured the taunting of the Roman soldiers, the Pharisees, and one of the criminals being executed alongside Him.  

David works out a plot with his servant, Hushai, to lead Absalom into an ill-advised battle. David is convinced by his advisors to stay back and not engage in the battle himself. He heeds the advice, but directs his soldiers to treat Absalom gently. The plot succeeds, and David's army prevails. But notwithstanding David's instructions, his close advisor Joab sees to it that Absalom is killed as he hangs helplessly from a tree. Absalom, son of David, dies hanging from a tree. Sounds like the Lord's crucifixion. It is hard to imagine a parallel is being drawn between Absalom and Jesus, so I am struggling to understand the significance of these details. 

Messengers return from battle, bringing word of victory, and of the death of Absalom.

2 Samuel 10-14

The great King David is a rich and complex person. His plot to put Uriah the Hittite in harm's way in battle to ensure his death, so that David can have Uriah's beautiful wife, Bathsheba, reveals David as selfish, covetous, ruthless, and scheming. David's anger at His son, Absalom, for killing another of David's sons (and Absalom's half brother), Amnon, lasts for years--even though the Lord was willing to forgive David when David was sorry for his own transgressions. And David was not moved to anger against Amnon even though Amnon raped his half-sister (and David's own daughter), Tamar. 

Yet David is also a great and caring leader. He loves his people and fights for them. He is deeply remorseful when he sees the error of his ways. He does penance and tries to make amends. He is loyal. He is willing to listen to and learn from others. He seeks to do God's will. He ultimately reconciles with Absalom.

I was moved by the parable Nathan told David, shaming him into seeing the error of his ways in having his faithful soldier, Uriah, killed. It is a parable of greed and covetousness. Of not being satisfied and thankful for what one has. Of feeling somehow cheated if others have good things or beauty or success. David seemingly has everything, yet wants more. 

Yes, there are times when this parable speaks to me--but less so as I get older. God has been incredibly good to me. I have much to be grateful for--more than I deserve, to be honest about it. I don't very often look at what others have and wish I had it. Although I have to confess I might switch places with Robinson Cano for a couple of years and finally fulfill my dream to play second base for the New York Yankees.

2 Samuel 5-9

David's reign over all of Israel is confirmed, as all the tribes anoint him as their king. David is a good and godly ruler, who realizes

that the Lord had established him as king of Israel and exalted his rule for the sake of his people Israel.

God then enables David and the Israelites to defeat the Philistines, and David acknowledges:

The Lord has scattered my enemies before me like waters that have broken free.

In thanksgiving, David has the ark of the covenant brought to Jerusalem, and celebrates joyfully with his people. Prefiguring the coming of Jesus, the Lord then promises David:

I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.

David praises God for his blessings and for this special promise. Looking backward, in a sense, David also finds it in himself to honor Saul (and his beloved friend Jonathan) one more time, by gifting all the property that had formerly been Saul's to his surviving grandson (and Jonathan's son), Meribbaal. He further honors Meribbaal by insisting that Meribbaal be seated with him at the king's table for his meals. 

2 Samuel 1-4

David is filled with grief upon learning of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. After all this time, David still loved Saul and respected him as the anointed king of Israel. Only after Saul's death is David anointed the new king by the men of Judah. A war between the house of Saul and that of David (essentially, David and the men of Judah) ensued. After some internal quarreling in the house of Saul, and some pitched battles, Abner (the leader of the house of Saul) and David were reconciled and made peace. But Joab, one of David's men, harbored a grudge against Abner for causing the death of one of Joab's brothers. Joab attempted to deceive David about Abner's intentions, pursued Abner, and then killed Abner after tricking him into letting down his guard. David grieved once again, saying "You must recognize that a great general has fallen today in Israel." Thereafter, thinking they were acting in a manner that would please David, two leaders in the army of the house of Saul murdered one of Saul's sons in his bed while he slept. When they brought his head to David, David was again troubled. He killed the men for having murdered an innocent man.

This is, to me, a confusing series of events. In 1Samuel, David showed mercy to Saul time and again. He always respected Saul and showed him honor and deference as the king of Israel--even when Saul sought David's death. David continued to show Saul honor and respect after his death, openly grieving and punishing those who brought about the death of Saul and his sons. There is something about David's love and faithfulness even in the face of Saul's open hostility and attempts at violence toward David that suggests the infinite love and mercy God has for us--for me.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

I am flattered and humbled to have been asked to participate in Sunday Snippets.  So, here goes with my initial post!

By way of context, my blog, On Jacob's Ladder, is a record of my thoughts and reflections as I try to read the Bible start to finish during 2013.  Here and there, there are posts about other things that are going on.  For example, my family vacation to Paris was the recent topic of a few posts.  

This past week, I have been working my way through 
1 Samuel. Although most would consider it the story of Samuel and David, I have been captivated by Saul--a fascinating, flawed man whose life reads like a Shakespearean tragedy.

1 Samuel 13-15

1 Samuel 16-19

1 Samuel 20-24
1 Samuel 25-28

1 Samuel 29-31

In addition, I was asked to write a personal reflection on Matthew Kelly's book, Rediscover Catholicism.  The book impacted me greatly, as it brought me face to face with a challenge regarding my own accountability for being the change I want to see in the Church and in the world.

Rediscover Catholicism--A Personal Reflection

Have a great week!

Rediscover Catholicism--A Personal Reflection

I was recently asked to write a reflection for a parish publication. The book is Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. I thought I would share it here.
****************

Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Catholicism is aptly named, as it is a book that calls us to rediscover the hunger within ourselves for truth, for love, for God.  If we respond to this call of rediscovery, Kelly contends, we will become who God created us to be--the very best version of ourselves.  As we allow ourselves to be transformed, we will, in turn, transform the Church and, beyond that, the whole world.  For me, the core challenge of Rediscover Catholicism is a deeply personal one.  Reading it was a very moving, and in some ways unsettling, experience. 

Early in the book, Kelly recounts an anecdote about Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most admired men of the twentieth century.  Known to be a regular reader of the New Testament; Gandhi once was asked why he had not himself become a Christian. Gandhi replied, “If I had ever met one, I would have become one.”  Kelly writes of his reaction to Gandhi’s words that they speak to him “ with a clarity that pierces my heart.”  I could not agree more.  They struck me like a hard slap in the face.

Many years ago, I latched on to the idea that if every Catholic in the world acted as God calls us to act for just the next ten minutes, the entire world would be converted to Jesus.  This formulation had the “value” of placing responsibility elsewhere.  Gandhi’s words brought the challenge embedded in my hopeful fantasy right back to my doorstep.  Perhaps if I were the person God calls me to be—that He created me to be—for just ten minutes, the ripple effects would transform the whole world.  If this is true for me (and for you), then each of us has a profound mission.

Kelly spends many pages discussing the state of the Church today, both the positives and negatives.  He doesn’t pull punches.  He takes aim at the ways that society—and, at times, our own Church--makes it more difficult for us to make room in our lives for God, and to find our way back to Him.  But it would be a mistake to dwell on those aspects of the book, for Kelly’s message is that you and I can overcome or transform those obstacles.

Do I wonder why fewer Catholics go to Church every Sunday?  Why fewer participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Why few people say the Rosary or pray the Liturgy of the Hours?  I could try blame television or the Internet or the quality of sermons or the discomfort of face-to-face confessionals.  But for me the lesson of Kelly’s book—the personal aspect of his challenge--is that the “fault” is mine.  Take Sunday Mass as an example.  If I were to make a greater effort—by preparing myself in advance, participating enthusiastically, actively listening for God’s message to me each Sunday—I would get more out of the Mass.  In turn, my life would gradually be transformed by the grace I would find there.  This would spill into the rest of my life and others would notice.  They’d see the positive difference in me and they would ask themselves, “How can I get some of that?”  And when they asked me, I’d tell them. I can be that one Christian Gandhi never met if I would commit myself to letting God’s grace work in my life.  I can be an agent of change in the Church and in the world by letting God be an agent of change in my life.  To do so, I must commit myself to making the effort to be the person that God calls me to be, the person that God sees when He looks at me. 

To be clear, though, Kelly’s book is not a “downer” in any way.  His message is one of hope and joy.  It is radical and simple—but simple doesn’t mean easy.  God is ever-merciful and loving.  He waits for us.  We can blame others—society, the Church, the media—or we can accept the personal challenge to rediscover Catholicism.  If, rather than accept this challenge, I decide that “others” are to blame, nothing will change.  But if you and I each try to be the best version of the person God created us to be, we can, with God’s help and grace, change the world.

1 Samuel 29-31

Saul comes to an ignominious end. Having heard from the conjured spirit of Samuel that his kingship would end badly, for he had disobeyed and displeased God, Saul was thrown into deep despair. The Philistines renewed their hostilities with Saul and his army, re-engaging them in a battle that ended in the death of Saul and his sons. Once badly wounded, Saul fell on his own sword rather than suffer indignity at the hands of the Philistine army. In death, his corpse was desecrated by the Philistines, and the book ends with the Philistines triumphant. In what is to me an odd sidelight, if I am reading correctly, David offered to go into battle with the Philistines against Saul and his army--but the Philistine lords rejected his offer.

Let me return one more time to a sentiment I expressed in an earlier post: I find Saul a very sympathetic figure despite his many faults. He is complex, for sure. More so, to my mind, than any character so far in the Old Testament. He is a father who loves his sons, and even loves his "adopted" son, David. He is a leader who loves his people. He feels things deeply. He admires the holy man, Samuel, who taught him the ways of the Lord. And he seeks to serve God. But he is also small-minded and petulant and jealous. He is willful and violent and egotistical. He is, in short, a man. He loses his himself in disobedience and egotism, and he cannot find his way back to God. Looking over Saul's life makes me sad.

1 Samuel 25-28

It seemed as if Saul had experienced remorse to change his heart, but not so. Although spared by David in the cave, Saul returns home but continues to seek David's death. David sends some of his men to seek assistance from a wealthy man, Nabal. Nabal rejects them, but his intelligent and beautiful wife, Abigail, goes to David with food and supplies and seeks his mercy, for David and his men were preparing vengeance. When Abigail returns home and informs Nabal, he is frightened to the point that he soon dies. David interprets this as the Lord's revenge on Nabal. Soon after, David takes Abigail and another woman as wives, leaving his first wife, Saul's daughter, behind.

Meantime, Samuel has died and Saul continues his pursuit of David. David and one of his men sneak into Saul's tent one night, while Saul and his en are sleeping. Rather than kill Saul and end his personal exile, David again spares Saul's life, instead stealing his spear and water jar. Faced again with evidence of David's mercy, Saul tries to coax his return. But David remains skeptical and does not return. The Philistines, meanwhile, advance on Saul and his men, and Saul loses heart. So desperate is he that he visits a prophetess or witch, who wakes the spirit of Samuel from his death slumber. Samuel reminds that all of his misery is coming to pass because he did not obey the Lord's commands early in his reign.

I read this Saul "arc" as the story of a man whose sin and stubbornness led him so far from God that he becomes unmoored from who he is and who God created him to be. God does not call us to obedience to show His Power, or to somehow please Himself, but rather obedience to God's Will and His commands is what enables us to be the best selves that God created us to be.

1 Samuel 20-24

I guess this is the story of David, but I cannot help being drawn toward the underlying story of Saul. 

David is the war hero. The strong and brave soldier of Saul and of Israel. He leads Saul's army to many victories, vanquishing the foes of Israel. He engenders the admiration of the Israelites. He is a loyal "son" to Saul. A loyal friend and brother to Jonathan. Indeed, he and Jonathan are a wonderful contrast to the dysfunctional relationships of Cain and Abel, and of Jacob and Esau. No matter how vigorously and vindictively Saul pursues him, the bewildered David remains faithful. Even when he has the easy chance to kill Saul and end Saul's relentless persecution, David does not do so. Rather, he spares him, and professes his loyalty and love, prompting Saul's remorse.

But it is Saul who fascinates me. He is so human. He too is brave. A strong soldier who battes for Israel and the Lord. He tries to please Samuel and the Lord. But he errs time and again, even when his intentions are good. He sees the future, that David will eventually become the king of Israel. He grows insecure and jealous. So much so that he works hard to bring about the death of David, even though he clearly loves him. He loses himself. He has dozens of priest murdered. He fractures his relationship with his son, Jonathan. Yet at the moment when he realizes that David still loves him and has spared his life, Saul is remorseful. He becomes himself again in some way. He is transformed, if only for this moment, by the power of love and forgiveness. 

1 Samuel 16-19

Having rejected Saul as the king of Israel, the Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to find and anoint a new king. Directing Samuel to the house of Jacob, the Lord instructs Samuel to select one of Jacob's sons. In doing so, the Lord cautions Samuel:

Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.

The Lord chooses David, the youngest of Jesse's sons, and Samuel anoints him. Soon after, because of is talents on the harp, David finds himself at Saul's side, playing soothing music to calm Saul when the evil spirit sent by the Lord is tormenting Saul. Saul becomes fond of David. When faced with a battle against the Philistines, Saul's army is terrified and their God insulted, by the giant, Goliath. Of all people, it is David who accepts the challenge to face Goliath one-on-one, saying:

I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today, the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head.

And so he does. With his slingshot, he fells Goliath and cuts off his head--sending the Philistines fleeing in terror and securing victory for the Israelites. 

From this event, many consequences ensue. Saul's son, Jonathan, becomes a great friend and admirer of David's, as fond of him as if his life depended on him. The people of Israel see David as a hero and literally sing his praises. He becomes the head of Saul's army and leads them to many victories. But Saul becomes increasingly jealous over time, to the point that he schemes to bring about David's death. After marrying one of Saul's daughters, David is ultimately forced to flee his home to avoid death at Saul's hands. David finds refuge with Samuel to escape Saul's persecution. Saul finds him even there in that hiding place, but Saul himself is overcome with the prophetic spirit that had enraptured Samuel, David, and the others staying with them.

The Lord helps David, a handsome but otherwise ordinary seeming man, become a great hero, filling him with the spirit of the Lord. With that spirit, David--and all of us--can surely do great things. 

1 Samuel 13-15

Saul is basically a good man and a caring leader. He wants to follow God, he tries to do so diligently, he errs at times, and he is remorseful and seeks forgiveness when he falls short. Yet Samuel reproves him and he is punished--Samuel tells him "your kingdom shall not endure . . . because you broke the Lord's command." Saul can also be rash, and an oath he impulsively swears nearly results in the death of his own son, Jonathan. It is only because of the pleading of the very people saved by Jonathan's bravery in battle that he is spared from death. Saul led the Israelites to victory against many of the enemies surrounding Israel, and caused the Philistines to return to their own land. The Lord, through Samuel, then directed Saul to make war on Amalek, and to slaughter all of the people there and their animals. Saul waged the battle and claimed the victory, but he spared Agag, the king of Amalek, and the best of his animals, with the intention of sacrificing those animals to the Lord in thanksgiving for their victory. But again Samuel rebuked Saul for disobeying God's command and failing to fulfill the mission on which God sent him. He explained to Saul:

Obedience is better than sacrifice and submission [better than] the fat of rams. 

Samuel went on to tell Saul that the kingdom of Israel would be torn from Saul. Samuel returned with Saul that they might worship the Lord. Samuel then ordered that Agag be brought into his presence, and Samuel himself killed him. Samuel then departed from there, never to see Saul again. The section ends by noting that Samuel:

grieved over Saul, because the Lord regretted having made him king of Israel.

I must say I am baffled by this passage. The all-forgiving God who showed such patience and mercy for the Israelites for many, many years, under one judge after another, has little patience for Saul.

1 Samuel 8-12

In this section, the monarchy is established in Israel. Both God and Samuel are displeased and disapprove, but like parents of headstrong teenagers, they give their advice, express their disapproval, warn of the negative consequences to come, and let the insistent Israelites have their way. So it comes to pass that God leads Samuel to Saul. Or better, He leads Saul to Samuel. Samuel anoints Saul with oil and instructs him that his responsibility is to goverm Israel and protect the people "from the grasp of their enemies." Samuel also tells Saul that "the spirit of the Lord will rush upon you" and that Saul "will be changed into another man." Afterwards, we read, God gave Saul "another heart" and the signs Samuel had predicted for Saul came to pass.  Samuel called the people together that they might select a king by lot. At the end of that process, Saul, who stood "head and shoulders above all the crowd", was their king. 

The passage ends with Samuel recounting for the people all that God has done for them, from their rescue from slavery in Egypt onward, and issuing a reminder of God's displeasure with them for having insisted on an earthly king to govern them.

I am struck by how Saul's acceptance of the call to be king transformed him. God gave him a new heart, and the prophetic spirit filled him. God gave hm the strength and compassion and courage to embrace and fulfill the role to which he had been called. When I face a decision, do I have faith both that God will help me choose correctly and that He will help me face the challenges that come once I have made the choice?

1 Samuel 3-7

The story of Samuel being called by God gives me goosebumps. How many times in my own life have I heard God's call, sometimes even at night, alone, in the silence of my dark room, pulling at my heart? And yet how often have I resisted that call, or ignored it, or pretended i didn't hear it, or even promised myself that I would answer it only to forget my promise soon after? Too often to count. Yet God keeps calling to me. I am trying to do as Samuel did--to respond with "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." But it is hard. I am happy and blessed and more or less comfortable where I am. Those are good things. Great things. Yet God may be calling me to something more or something different--something unknown. And unlike Samuel, I am afraid. 

The remainder of this passage tells of the Philistines capture of the Ark, the sufferings they undergo as a result, the return of the Ark to Israel, and the subsequent defeat of the Philistines. 

Comic moments (to me a least): the Philistines send back a guilt offering along with the Ark, in the form of golden hemorrhoids. Yup, golden hemorrhoids (according to my translation). Umm, ok. Also, two of the minor characters in this passage have names that we find, many centuries later, as prominent characters in classic works of literature: Ichabod (Crane) and Ebenezer (Scrooge). 

1 Samuel 1-2

I read and re-read this opening section of the story of Samuel, marveling at the many ways it prefigures the story of Mary and the birth and childhood of Jesus. Hannah, a woman thought barren, is so faithful, so trusting in the Lord. She pours out her heart to God; she shares her bitterness and her disappointments with Him; and she trusts in Him despite her "deep sorrow and misery" with Him. And God hears her prayer. Eli, the priest, offers her words of hope that God will grant what she has asked. She leaves the temple with renewed hope--her burden seems lifted and she is no longer downcast. Soon after, she conceives a son, Samuel. Keeping her promise to God, she gives her young son to Eli, the priest in the temple, that Samuel might serve the Lord for the rest of his life. In doing so, she offers words of thanksgiving that greatly resemble the Magnificat of Mary proclaimed at the Annunciation--beginning with "My heart exults in the Lord." How trusting indeed in God is Hannah that she can proclaim with joy her gratitude at a time she is giving up her only son to God. I also marvel that Mary, Mother of Jesus, must surely have been familiar with this story and seen the echoes of it in her own life. Perhaps she even drew inspiration and confidence from it. What an inspiring model of faithfulness Hannah is. 

Easter Week II

Well, I fell behind not only in my Bible blogging, but even in my vacation blogging. So, a quick recap of the remainder of our week with my daughter in Paris. It was unseasonably cold the entire time. Apparently, it is the coldest winter and early spring since they began recording the weather in Paris. We were underdressed and cold the entire time. But that was the only downside. Thanks to my wife, an excellent researcher and planner, we had amazing meals throughout our stay. We visited the cathedral at Chartres, which was dark and frigid, but beautiful. How in the world did Catholics attend Mass during winter in these unheated stone cathedrals? We revisited Louvre and Orsay (we had hit them hard several years ago), and also stopped in to some smaller museums that were amazing. A particular highlight was the Gustav Moreau museum. I do think God was sending me a message, as the paintings that struck me over and over again were those that presented the supper at Emmaus. In particular, multiple versions by Rembrandt (very nearly, but not quite, my favorite painter). Again and again I found myself turning over these words in my mind:

Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us? 

Simply standing in front of some of these paintings, my heart did burn inside me.

My heart also burned inside me during our day trip to Normandy. Being on Omaha Beach, where so many men lost their lives fighting to reclaim freedom, was awe inspiring and unsettling. I find myself conflicted because I feel a sense of pride and gratitude about their bravery and sacrifice--and yet at the same time I am horrified by the senselessness and inhumanity of war. I am not sure how I "should" feel. We visited the American cemetery at Normandy, where more than 9,000 Americans are buried, and some 1,500 more are honored, but whose remains could not be matched to names. We happened to be there for the playing of taps and the taking down of the flag that day. We were asked to assist the cemetery employees with this ceremony, removing the flag from the pole and folding it into the triangle shape in which it is stored. This was a particularly moving moment for my wife and me, as we lost our nephew in Iraq almost seven years ago--a proud Marine named Michael, who is in heaven now.

Easter Week I

Easter in Paris. With my family. Marvelous. Wonderful. Frigid. Yes, the coldest winter I ever spent was spring in Paris--with apologies to Mark Twain. But really I should not complain. It is a blessing to be here, and to spend time with my beautiful daughter, who is studying abroad for a semester.

There is much to love about Paris. No surprise there. A highlight was Easter Mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Yes, that Notre Dame. Prior to Mass, there was a magnificent half-hour of Gregorian chant for Lauds. The music was outstanding and memorable. For Mass, the Cardinal presided. It is so moving to attend Mass in a foreign country--even when one does not understand the language. It brings to my mind that Catholics all over the world were hearing the same readings, saying the same prayers, and celebrating the same astounding, impossible event--the Resurrection of the God-made-man. Somehow, it felt more devotional and more reverent than the Good Friday veneration of the crown of thorns.

At the end of Mass, the new bells of Notre Dame were rung. The bells were just recently replaced, as part of the 850th anniversary of Notre Dame. Apparently, they had been out of tune for years, if not centuries. These new bells made an unforgettable sound that resonated within the church and outside for blocks around. 

We followed with a delicious luncheon at Chez Julien just across the Seine to cap off a very moving and memorable morning.