Knocking on the Door: The Chosen Reflection Pt. 6

 I saw the biblical image of Jesus knocking on the door in Santiago's room and immediately felt a sense of comfort. I couldn't also help but think of this blog post I wanted to write, regarding this certain image, and its profound beauty and meaning.

I was looking back at an early episode in season 1 of The Chosen that I hadn't seen before. Towards the end the Jews are getting ready for dinner for the Sabbath. Mary Magdalene is hosting and putting ion the dinner and a few guests have already come. She is learning how to do it all and what is accustomed. Right before their meal starting, there is a knock at the door; someone else has come.

As Mary opens the door, she is surprised and taken aback that Jesus has arrived. At that time, she didn't know his name but recognized him as the man who healed her from her demons. She invites in him after a while of staring at him for a while and in awe that he has come to her place. He sits at the last available seat at table, and you can tell the loving look he has in his eyes. You sense mercy, forgiveness and a desire to be present and sharing a meal together.

 Some things are hard to describe purely in words, but this is what I got from watching this scene/part of the episode. Jesus had already called two of the disciples present there as his students. Mary Magdalene would soon be next and was learning more about who Jesus is and more about her culture as a Jew. It made me think of how Jesus knocks on our door- the door of our hearts and seeks us out to be with us, heal us, comfort and support us and encourage us on our journey. 

Be Opened: The Chosen Reflection Pt. 5

 There were many elements to The Chosen season 3 episode 7. But the main one I will highlight is Jesus has something in mind for us that's different than others. Jesus asks John to stay behind while him and the others go to the Decapolis. 

John doesn't understand why he should stay back, when he could be more useful going with the rest of the disciples. But Jesus has something else in mind, another purpose. John is to stay back so he can wait for Simon. Jesus knows best and sees all even if whatever it is feels less than or doesn't make sense. 

Jesus tells John that the Decapolis depends on Simon, so it's important that Simon will be there when John and he go together. You can tell that this is hard for John to hear- there is jealousy and resentment that Simon is a leader and Jesus bestows this importance on him. 

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Another aspect from this episode was when Jesus healed the man who was deaf and dumb. Jesus heals him by saying, 'Ephphatha, be opened' and immediately the man is healed of his disability and is able to speak and hear. This can also be a lesson for us as well, to be opened to what God has in store for us, for a different way than expected. 

The people in the Decapolis had a difficult time hearing and accepting the words and teachings; there were riots and people fleeing from their homes. This is where the episode left off, with Jesus and his disciples being bombarded by the people and not sure which way to go about it. They are waiting on Jesus to lead them and for Simon and John to return. 

Tears and Forgiveness: The Chosen Reflection Pt. 4

 Sometimes our spiritual life can be thwarted by comparison. We compare ourselves to other people, particularly other women. We see ourselves as worse, less than, less experienced, and them more eloquent, bold, confident and faith filled. It's too easy to come by as women, our downfall to feed into this negative spiral. 

This came to mind while watching The Chosen, season 3 episode 6. Mary Magdalen and Tamar are the two women currently with Jesus' ministry and his disciples. But their personalities clash, and there appears to be animosity and annoyance in the air between them. Mary clearly gets annoyed with Tamar who can be outspoken and have her own opinions or ways of doing things. Mary on the other hand misunderstands Tamar and her intentions, and she isn't so welcoming to her. Her demeanor and facial expressions give this away. 

It's in this episode, where Tamar and Mary Magdalene have a heart to heart. The secrets are spilled out if you will, and Tamar asks Mary what's wrong, what's between them. Mary slowly gives her honest feelings, and the truth is revealed. 

Mary openly shares her frustration to Tamar, as she explains that Tamar went through the crowd, opened the roof of the house to let her friend in and be healed by Jesus. Jesus said to her, your faith is beautiful. While on the other hand, Jesus found her (Mary M) in a bar, drunk and possessed. 

I immediately thought of how we so easily compare our weakness, strengths to others, and where Jesus found us in our brokenness, our sin. But each story and journey are unique, there is really no room for comparison or envy.

Tamar is listening intently while Mary Magdelene speaks and shares her frustration. She goes further to explain how Tamar is new, yet comes in with brashness, boldness and confidence, and Mary seems herself to still be figuring things out. The glass is broken, if you will, of her pride and they have tears streaming down and emotion and vulnerability. 

Tamar then explains to her about her necklace (she wears lots of jewelry depicting her lineage and tribe from Ethiopia). Mary didn't understand before why she wore so much and presumed her vanity and attachment to material items, but Tamar explains the history of her necklace. It depicts her family who were all killed in her hometown before she fled. Mary didn't realize and was crying, and connected with her since she too lost her Dad at a young age. Just because Tamar isn't Jewish herself, doesn't mean she doesn't know what it means to suffer. Mary helped Tamar put back on her necklace and she asked for Tamar to forgive her. They both looked at each other with loving, tearful eyes. 

Tamar says besides Mary's shame, she wishes she had her gratitude. They are connected and united like never before, with deeper respect, understanding and appreciation for one another and the mission they are on as Jesus' disciples. 

Mary Magdelene's Confession: The Chosen Reflection Pt.3

 Mary Magdalene is ashamed. She has fallen back into her old life and ways, she has sinned deeply and is ashamed to go back, to meet Jesus. Mary, Jesus' mother accompanies her to the tent where Jesus is. She doesn't say anything, but just listens to the interaction between Mary Magdalene and her Son. I'm sure she sees his gentleness, compassion and mercy shining as he speaks with his beloved apostle.

Jesus looks at her [Mary Magdalene] and says warmly and reassuringly, "It's good to have you back."

"I don't think I can do it." Mary says sadly, emotional to the core, with her head and eyes to the ground and her tears dropping. 

"Do what?" Jesus asks uncertain of her answer. 

Mary says in a vague way, "Live up to it." Her eyes are still downcast.

"I just want your heart.

'The Father wants your heart. Give us that, what you already have. And the rest will come in time.

Do you really think you would never struggle or sin again?

Look at me. I forgive you."

Mary looks up at him and cries, but with tears of gratitude and her and Jesus hug each other warmly.

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Isn't that how it is when we go to confession? We are timid, uncertain, ashamed, guilty of our sins. But Jesus looks at us with tenderness, full of love and mercy, desiring to forgive us and make us new. He admires our humility, and when the priest gives the absolution- Jesus embraces us with his compassion and mercy, just like he did as depicted in The Chosen.

And Our Lady, standing there, accompanying us on the journey, strengthens and comforts us and listens to her Son and helps us do the same.

Do You Want to Be Healed? - The Chosen Reflection Pt. 2

  Jesus says hello, and then asks, 'Do you want to be healed?' The man who has been unable to walk for decades looks at him with disbelief, and amazement. Finally, what he has been waiting for so long will come into fruition. He will be able to enter into the water, the pool where he has been laying near for years upon years. 

'Will you carry me into the water?' the man anxiously asks. But Jesus has another way in mind. He says that the pool means nothing and will not do anything for him. In a way, it can be seen as an idol. The man is forlorn upon these words and then complains that he has never been able to enter into the water because whenever he tries, he is always stepped over and trampled upon by the others getting to the same place. 

Jesus strictly and plainly says, 'I'm not talking about others, or who's helping you or not. Look at me. I'm asking you if you want to be healed?' Jesus' gaze, his eyes, his tenderness and touch of emotion in his eyes says it all. And we can see clearly that Jesus goes back to the main point- instead of focusing on false idols, attachments, and blaming others, he goes back to the root, the source- which is healing. 

The message I received form this episode, and this scene specifically, is to focus on Him instead of our problems. He knows our deepest and truest desires. We can easily make excuses, or hold on to things that enslave us, attachments, hurts as well as false idols causing us to cloud our vision. But there is life, joy and hope when we go to Him in need of healing, as the man once he was healed was able to stand up, walk and take his mat and Jesus told him to do. 

Jesus' Loving Gaze- The Chosen Reflection Pt.1

 'Are you ready to do hard things?' This question reverberated with me and felt like this question was directed me too, with Jesus' direct gaze and loving eyes solely focused on the person He was talking to. Jesus was asking directly to Judas, in the TV series, The Chosen once Judas was interested in joining and following him and his mission. Of course, Jesus already knows the outcome of Judas' betrayal, and his passion towards greed and money that overcomes his loyalty and love for Our Lord. But how are we any different? Without God's tender love and mercy, and the grace to be reconverted and restored, we will be the same.

It's a question that we can see in many facets of our lives. Hard things come up, difficult decisions to make, difficult people to love and forgive, various circumstances, etc..

Can I honestly look at Jesus, and say, 'with your help and your grace, I can'. Judas wanted to as well as his answer. At first, he was a little taken a back. He mentioned some of the things he could contribute and give to Jesus' ministry, as well as his talents. But perhaps we have more to give, which is our love and loyalty, our yes to do hard things in love for him. 

Divine Mercy in My Soul

 

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