This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” [Jeremiah 6:16]

Amid words of judgment, Jeremiah describes God’s people as not listening and closed-minded, with calloused consciences. Then, with the words above, he concludes that they can’t be helped. God gives them the good path to follow, but nothing doing.

Maybe you’re at a crucial intersection in your life. And like we used to do in the “pre-Waze” days, God urges us to ask for directions. God assures us that if we ask and then follow the directions, we will find rest for our souls on this journey.

Ask…how? Prayer, a wise friend, an open Bible, a spiritual counselor, a mature mentor. Jesus, too. He said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Try it. “Rest for your soul.” Sounds inviting, doesn’t it?

For your reading accompaniment: “Pie Jesu” (“Merciful Jesus”)

Beautiful, traditional communion piece. Performed here on cello by HAUSER and accompanied an array of musicians and vocalists.

The doctor is in
Dr. Michael Zollicoffer practices medicine in a very poor neighborhood of Baltimore. Called Dr. Z by his patients, this 60-something family physician embodies the Gospel’s call to care for the poor.

His care, genuine love, and infectious joy are what makes him so special. “I just love people,,” Zollicoffer told CBS News. “I love to see a rash. If you say you got a rash, I’m going to find you, because I love a bump on your head.”

Lita Johnson, a patient of his, sings Dr. Z’s praises. “He is unbelievable, because you’ll never meet another person like him ever.”

And his billing? “Forget that doctor bill,” Zollicoffer said. “I’m going to see you no matter what. You walk in that door; you will be seen. You bring your grandma with you, I’ll see her, too.” If you can’t pay or are uninsured, that’s not a problem with Dr. Z.

This doctor is not only affordable, he’s always available! Dr. Z tells every patient they can call him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. “I have his cellphone number,” patient Nykidra Robinson told CBS News.

Multiple choice (Who said the following words?)
“The sun which we see rising for us each day at his command, that sun will never reign nor will its splendour continue forever; and all those who adore that sun will come to a bad, miserable penalty. We, however, believe in and adore the true sun, that is, Christ, who will never perish. Nor will they perish who do his will but they will abide forever just as Christ will abide forever. He lives with God the Father almighty and with the Holy Spirit before the ages began, and now, and for all the ages of ages. Amen.”

a. Galileo Galilei (17th-century Italian astronomer)

b. Hugh Ross (astrophysicist and Christian apologist)

c. Ken Ham (founder of The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum)

d. St. Patrick (5th-century missionary to Ireland)

Is March really all that mad?
The men’s and women’s college basketball tournament brackets were revealed on Sunday. From what I read, Auburn (men) and UCLA (women) are the favorites going in. I must confess that my interest this year is practically nil. I think it’s because there is no Ohio State or Kent State or Caitlin Clark in this year’s tournaments. Are you part of a brackets pool? Did you know you have a 1 in 120 billion chance to have a perfect one?

On the big screen
A few movies coming out with a biblical/Christ theme that seem notable:

The Last Supper depicts Jesus’ last days that lead him and his apostles into the “Upper Room” where they share in the now famous “Last Supper,” the basis for the Church’s communion sacrament. The movie was released last Friday and is co-written and directed by Mauro Borrelli, with Chris Tomlin as an executive producer. The inspiration for The Last Supper movie came from Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of the same name. At first, Borrelli wanted to shoot the entire movie in one room to tell the story of this timeless event. But when he began to write the script, the story quickly grew in scope and content.

The movie Mary came out late last year on Netflix. With many notable names, including Anthony Hopkins (Herod) and Joel Osteen (an executive producer), this film created a lot of interest. The film includes not only the birth of Jesus but also the birth of Mary. This extra-biblical story is familiar in Orthodox and Catholic traditions. From what I have read, this movie may not be some Protestants’ cup of tea, if you catch my drift. Some Roman Catholics have also taken to criticizing Mary for using Jewish Israeli actors (i.e., not Christians) in the roles of Mary and other key characters and for showing Mary experiencing labor pains when giving birth to Jesus.

The Passion of the Christ II: Resurrection is the sequel to The Passion of the Christ and is scheduled to come out on Good Friday this year. Mel Gibson has brought back key actors from the original cast, including Jim Caviezel (Jesus) and Maia Morgenstern (Mary). Resurrection will supposedly cover the timeline leading up to the empty tomb. It will also depict the confusion and events that were happening in Herod’s palace and then conclude with all that took place in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday.

That’s seem rather fishy
So what’s with the interest in fish during Lent? I grew up Roman Catholic and never quite understood the connection or explanation. Was it only on Fridays? Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan says eating fish during Lent comes from the idea of church leaders thinking of the most painful discipline they could to help people identify with the sufferings of Jesus. I rather like fish. And I know a friend who doesn’t do fast food but says that the McDonald’s fish filet sandwiches are quite good. He’s been known to occasionally grab one during Lent. This article says that of the 300 million fish filet sandwiches McDonald’s sells a year, 75 million of them are sold during Lent. And my friend is only responsible for like half of that. 😉 

And the answer is…
Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland. Having nothing to do with green beer or other cartoonish habits of revelry, Patrick was a devout follower of Christ whose life and calling was greatly impacted and shaped by the power of the Gospel. Here is his “Confessio” that describes his life and beliefs.

“I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.”
[St. Patrick’s Morning Prayer, “Lorica”]