For Such a Time as This

Welcome to Day 44 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us!  You can contact us at our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 19:17-27

“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (v 25)

Mary the mother of Jesus has always been here. She was present at Jesus’ coming into the world, the first to hear the definitive announcement. She gave of her own body, poured out her own blood for the Son of God to become man and dwell among us. She interceded to Him for His first public miracle, surely knowing that this would usher in the time of His Hour. And now she is here, at the cross.  His hour has come. Her hour has come.

She has long known that it would come. The words of Simeon echoing in her mind throughout His life are now playing loudly: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). For many of us, this impending sorrow would be too much. We would run from it, try to prevent it, or find some way to control it.

But Mary stays. She stays by the cross of her Son, and just as she interceded at Cana, she is interceding now. She allows her soul to be pierced as she looks upon her beloved. Through tear-filled eyes, she holds his gaze as He looks at her. “Woman, behold, your son,” He says to her. And she understands. So she turns to us, her children, now, and implores us: “Look at him, child. Look at what He has given for you. Look at what I have given for you. Behold, the Lamb of God, one without blemish, yet led to slaughter. He is taking away the sin of the world right now. I know it is hard for you to look, but you need to know the price. My Son has paid this price for you. But know this: if He has paid this price, then you are worth this price to Him. Yes, my child, you are worth it.”

Prayer: Mary, how can I stand before you and Jesus, knowing what you both have given up for me? I know that I am not worthy, but He tells me that I am worth this price, that He loves me this much. May I live my life aware of the precious price He has paid for it, and may I give it away as lovingly as He gave away His.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is Day 43 of our walk through the gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  Find us at markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 19:1-16

“I find no crime in him.” (v 4, 6)

Pilate is conflicted. Despite asserting three times that he finds Jesus innocent, it seems he cannot release Him. The mob is unrelenting, demanding capital punishment and threatening Pilate with accusations of treason against Caesar. His resolve is weakening, and he is unsure of the right action here.

This is the conflict of one without truth to guide him. He has no truth to judge the right way. So he lets himself be worn down by the crowds.

But Jesus looks him in the eye and speaks the truth in love: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above…” This is truth. Nothing that Pilate will do to Jesus has not been allowed by the Father. Truth says, “You think this world is all there is, that this power and control you have on earth is it. You think all is lost without it, and you must do whatever you can to keep it.  But I know this is not true. I know that true power, true authority, comes from above. Whatever you propose to do, whatever happens, it has all been allowed by my heavenly Father. He sees and touches all that comes to pass, knowing, in His incredible Wisdom, how to bring good out of any and all circumstances. If you would seek truth, know this: God, the creator of the Universe, is holding everything in His hands. Nothing and no one fall through the cracks.”

As we look upon Jesus today, beaten, mocked, and humiliated, may we see His witness to this truth. Love and Truth have driven Him here, standing before us bruised and bloodied. He lays down His life so that we may come to know this truth in our hearts: The Father has not allowed anything in our lives to touch us that would be too much for us. He has touched everything ahead of time, already knowing well in advance how to use our own weakness, sin, and suffering to bring about great goodness in our lives and the whole world. May we see Jesus and believe.

Prayer: Father, you did not even spare your own Son so that I might come to know the truth of your great love for me. I am sorry, Father, for the times I doubt it. In the midst of my own suffering, come close to me, and let me feel your hands holding me up.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome to Day 42 of our reflections on the Gospel of John.  Thanks so much for listening!  To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 18:28-40

“’Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice’ … ‘What is truth?’” (v 37b-38a)

Jesus is calling his lost sheep. He promised that those who are not of this sheepfold would hear His voice, and this is how they are to hear it: the truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He has planted the seed of truth in the hearts of all of His followers, past, present, and future. It is a seed that sprouts into a searching, and a searching that makes the lost found.

Oh, what beautiful Truth He is! He is the Word made flesh, the Son come down from Heaven. He is the Love of God incarnate, the Face of God that we can see. This Truth is a shockwave that heralds to all who will hear: “for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)! It is a Truth that changes the dignity of mankind forever, a Truth that has come to “proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

We have been oppressed by falsehood, by temptation and doubt, by sin. But the Truth will set us free, He will set us free, if only we will hear!

Pontius Pilate has closed his ears to the truth. He believes only in what is set before him, and what he sees gives him no confidence in truth. The world is full of evil, of deception, of violence and hatred. Though Truth stands before him, he has closed the eyes and ears of his heart, and He will not hear.

When we see only what sits before us, we will be deceived. The world is so much more than what we can see and hear with our human faculties. We must open the eyes and ears of our hearts, listen in the quiet, and hear Truth calling our names.

What is keeping me from opening my ears to hear Him?

Prayer: Jesus, may I sit today in the quiet and hear Your voice calling my name. You, Lord, are Truth. May your Truth be louder than the falsehood surrounding me. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is Day 41 of our reflections on the Gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  To contact us, visit our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A reflection on John 18:12-27

“Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.” (v 27)

Peter is stunned. He thought that this was the moment, that this was it. He knew and believed with all his heart that Jesus was who He said He was. He was the Messiah, the Rescuer of Israel and Savior of the World, the Son of God. Yet, what had just happened?

When Peter was ready to fight for his Lord, he had been rebuked. And in the moment of shock that followed, Peter watched as Jesus let Himself be led away by a band of soldiers. What is going on?

Shaking himself out of his stupor, Peter follows quietly behind. He keeps replaying the moment over and over again. Had he done something wrong? What had he misunderstood? How had he misunderstood? If only he could speak to Jesus now, Jesus would help him understand and tell him what he was supposed to do next. But he can’t get to Him.

He is let into the courtyard. “Are not you also one of this man’s disciples?” he is asked. He is caught off guard. He looks at the maid, shocked. He blinks away the tears that have sprung into his eyes, as the icy grip of fear closes around his heart. He shakes his head, mumbling, “I am not.”

He feels numb as the shame creeps into his soul. What has he done? He hears nothing but a roar in his ears, and, as he tries to warm his fingers, he can’t even feel the heat of the fire. Another asks, and then another. No, no, he shakes his head. The tears are streaming freely now, and he turns away from the fire so as not to be seen. The cock crows, and a cry of agony is caught in his throat. He hears the words of the Lord echoing in his mind: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times” (13:38). The sob escapes, and he collapses to his knees.

Prayer: Oh Jesus, how many times have I felt like Peter? I have been confused by the way my life is going, I have lost my trust in you, and in those moments, I have denied you. Oh Lord, I am so sorry. Forgive me, Jesus, forgive me.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Thanks so much for joining us for our reflections on the Gospel of John!  Today is Day 40.  You can contact us at our website, markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 18:1-11

“Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” (v 11)

It is quiet in the garden. Peaceful. This is a place that is familiar to the apostles. They have come here often with the Lord. They know this is a favorite spot for him to pray, for them to rest. So, they recline, and listen to the soft sound of the breeze rustling the trees, with no suspicion of what will happen next. It is so serene that they are lulled to sleep.

The noise of the soldiers disturbs their rest. They open their eyes to see their torches approaching. What is a band of soldiers doing out here? Their hearts beat faster as it becomes clear that the mob is coming to the garden, to them, and they see Jesus taking steps to approach them.

Jesus places Himself between the apostles and the soldiers. He stands as a wall of protection between them, taking on the hostility, as He will soon take the world’s punishment upon Himself.

“If you seek me, let these men go,” He insists. As the Lord speaks, they can feel the hostility rising in those surrounding them. Peter, with a surge of anger, pulls his sword and strikes. He is ready for this fight; he has been ready for a long time. But Jesus holds up his hand and rebukes him. The Lord is not going to put up a fight. He is going to go with them. He will drink the cup which the Father has given Him, the cup of punishment meant for us that He has accepted in our place.

“Thus says the Lord: … ‘Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more.’” (Isaiah 51:22)

Prayer: My Jesus, as I stand here in the garden, witnessing all that is happening, I am struck with so many conflicting emotions: confusion and amazement, fear and anger. I am in awe that You can face Your enemies so steadfastly, and even more so that it is Your Love for me that leads You to do so. You have taken the cup out of my hands, and have taken my punishment upon Yourself. Jesus, I am not worthy, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome to Day 39 of our reflections on the gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 17:20-26

“That they may be one even as we are one…” (v 22)

On His last night on earth, Jesus turns His prayer now to us. We are those who, “believe in (Him) through (the apostle’s) word” (v 20). And what does He desperately desire for us? What does He repeatedly ask for from the Father? That we may be one. He wants our unity. But how can we be one when our own hearts and souls are divided?

Jesus: “Child, I see the pain and division even in your own heart. I see that you desire unity with Me, that you desire to be with Me, but I also see the other part of you, the part that is still clinging to the things of this world, hoping they will satisfy. I see that even though it is painful, you still cling to your wounds because in them is your identity. You don’t know who you are without them. You have to let go, child, because when your very heart is divided, you cannot be united to another. Dear one, I would not ask you to let go if I did not have something to give to you. I know who you really are.  You are the child of my Father, my beloved. You do not have to live this fractured life. I can bring everything together, make all things work together for your good, even your past wounds and sins. I can bring unity to your soul. And from this interior unity, you can extend love to one another and be one in each other. True unity is born out of complete self-giving and receiving, but you can only give yourself completely when you are completely one yourself.

I have given my whole self to the Father, and I will draw you up into the unity that we have. As you dwell within Us, let the Love between Us, the Holy Spirit, flood your soul. Let Him mend all the pieces of your broken heart and bring unity back to your life. Be filled with this Love. Then turn, and give it to your neighbor. With the courage of a unified heart, you can give without fear. Let your love and unity shine forth, ‘that the world may believe that (the Father) has sent me’ (v 21).”

What is divided in my own heart? What wound or attachment am I still clinging to?

Prayer: Jesus, I realize my own brokenness. I admit to you my own division. In your name, Jesus, I release my sins, wounds, and attachments to You. Unify my heart, so that I may love as You and the Father do. May Your Spirit come and heal all division within me, within my family, and within the Church.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is Day 38 of our reflections on the gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  You can contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 17:1-19

“‘Father, the hour has come…’” (v 1)

It is time.  Since the crowds welcomed Him into Jerusalem, waving palms and shouting praises, Jesus has been telling us that his hour is come.  That arrival set into motion the series of events that have happened and will happen next.  And there is no going back.  He has ministered to His most beloved, and now, lifting up His eyes, He returns to the gaze of the Father.

And what does Jesus say in these last precious moments?  He offers Himself, that the Father’s will may be done.  He prays for His apostles, that they may remain in truth, and He prays for us.  Jesus’ whole life, and now this last prayer, is one continual offering.

I wonder what we will offer?  Do we think of our lives in this way?  Is it possible, friends, that your life is not about you?  Most of us have probably spent a good part of life seeking to get the most out of it, or grasping for control, or, when that fails, numbing or coping to deal with the disappointment we inevitably face.  But could there be another way?

"Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for himself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self." (Gaudium et Spes, No. 24).  Today we find this in Jesus’ example.  We are made in His image, and His life was all about this gift, this offering, this hour.  What will our gift be?

Prayer: Father, I want to give the gift of my life to You. Honestly, Father, I do not feel like it is enough. How can I ever give anything that is enough after what You have given me? But, like a parent who receives a handmade gift from their child, I know that You delight in my gift, because you see my heart, my desire to give to you. Jesus, help me to be like you, realizing my life is not about me, but about how I can love like You do. Only in this gift of myself will I truly find all that my heart desires: true freedom, love, and joy.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Thanks so much for joining us for our reflections on the gospel of John.  Today is Day 37.  Contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 16:16-33

“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (v 22)

How often do we feel like the Apostles did: “What does he mean…?  We do not know what he means.” (v 18).  It is confusing because we can’t always understand why we must have sorrow.  When He has promised us great joy, why do our days feel like we are slogging through life?  Why do our daily obligations, the little requirements of our vocation, make us feel crushed beneath a weight we cannot carry any longer?

Jesus reminds us that pain is temporary.  This sorrow is temporary.  He reminds us that great sorrow is never without reason, like the woman in labor, our sorrow will bear life, if we let it.  He doesn’t just remind us, he promises us.  “Your sorrow will turn into joy.” (v 20).

And the Spirit, living in our hearts, reminds us of these promises.  He gives us faith to believe them, and hope to trust in them.  He gives us great love to fill our hearts with true joy, as we come to understand that all sorrow has meaning.

When we come to know that, when we assent to the truth of that promise, then we are becoming who we truly are meant to be.  When, even in the midst of sorrow and confusion, we can remember that promise, then it will come to fulfilment in us: our hearts will rejoice, and no one will be able to take our joy away from us.

Prayer: Oh, Jesus.  I get so discouraged by life sometimes.  It all feels like too much.  Jesus, in these times, send your Spirit down like a fire into my soul, so that I remember your promise:  my sorrow will turn into joy.  I believe, Jesus, help my unbelief.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is Day 36 of our reflections on the Gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 16:1-15

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (v 12)

Without the Spirit, we are spiritually immature. There are things we cannot bear. Like Peter, when pressed, we will deny our beloved Lord.

Sometimes, we can’t feel Jesus’ presence. In those moments, we are desolate, frustrated, angry even. Why does He leave? Why can He not stay with us always? And yet we know, we see, there is no growth without pain. We come to understand that if we were to constantly be fed by our Lord, like spiritual infants, we would not mature.

Come, Holy Spirit! We know we are weak. We know that without You, we cannot grow in intimacy with Jesus. Without You, we will deny, we will reject. You alone can transform our hearts.  Our human hearts are not able to love as Jesus loves, but you can transform us. You can take our stony hearts and make them soft flesh. And instead of being thrown about by the wind, you will anchor our hearts to Christ. You attach us to Him. We know in our hearts that He alone can satisfy our heart’s desire. But we don’t always know how to let Him. We don’t know how to grow. Like the seed in the field, we cannot make ourselves grow in this way. But with you, we can. With you, we can be who the Father has created us to be. With you, we can truly love those He has given us to love. With you, we can be transformed into a new creation in Christ.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I give you permission to come into my heart. Transform it. Give me the gift of fortitude for the things I cannot bear. Thank you, Jesus, for sending me your Spirit, so that I may grow as the Father desires.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is Day 35 of our reflections on the Gospel of John.  Thanks so much for listening!   You can contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 15:18-27

“But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.” (v 24)

Jesus, I think I know you. I think I know the way you work. I think I know who you are. But then, things don’t go as planned. I am hurt. I am confused. I’m not sure if I even really knew you at all.

When I’m faced with this new knowledge, I realize I have a choice. I can choose to accept you and this circumstance. I can see it as a way I am called to change and grow, a place you want to transform in my heart.

Or I can reject you. I can reject the way you are working, the things you are doing. I can reject You because this is not the way I thought of You and so I feel it must not be You.

I think this is what it was like for the Pharisees. I think they had a picture in their minds for what the Messiah would look like. Someone who was more like them, maybe, or someone who came from a prominent family. Someone who would say they are doing everything right: they are right in their judgements and they don’t need to change!

But you weren’t what they expected. You rejected their judgements, ate with sinners, called simple people to follow you. And this was too much for them. What they had in mind didn’t line up with the image in their heads and they had a choice to make. And many chose to reject you. Because rejecting you was easier than changing. And in rejecting you, they rejected the Father.

Lord, I don’t want to reject you, but sometimes it feels like the change you want me to make is so big, so hard.  It seems easier to say, “I can’t do it.” Lord help me to see you as my shepherd, gently calling me to better food and better drink. When you call me to change, you are calling me deeper into your heart, to a place of joy unspeakable.

Prayer: Jesus, open my eyes to the places where I reject you, the places where I need to let you transform me. Change my heart, Lord, from hard stone to soft flesh. Let me be molded by you.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.