Wonder Bred?4/30/2020 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
I wonder if we are bred for wonder? Is wonder part of our human DNA? There are different kinds of wonder, of course. There is the wonder that is an expression of curiosity, asking oneself a question; "I wonder when life will return to some semblance of what it once was." And there is the wonder that accompanies “awe.” It’s the expansion of consciousness leaving one swept up and away by beauty and mystery. Thank God that in this time of wonder/worry there are also “wonder-filled” moments. Every morning I wake to wonder what I will see when I open my bedroom door. I ask myself, “What am I about to see? Will it be a sky filled with pastel colors? Or will it be a gloomy grey, as predicted? As you can see from the photo about, this morning’s was quite wonderful and elicited from me a “wow.” This morning’s sky was a “wonderful” surprise. Given that this morning’s theme is “wonder bred,” I’ve chosen to resurrect last year’s reflection. Any resurrection is appropriate in the Easter season! Any of you who grew up in the 50’s as I did, will remember Wonder Bread. In our house it was the only bread available, except for an occasional rye (without seeds) If you remember Wonder Bread, you will remember that it had no taste or texture. In retrospect I wonder if it was bread at all! Perhaps “a mysterious substance pretending to be “real” bread.” “A mysterious substance pretending to be “real” bread.” That sounds like the unleavened, tasteless, textureless, “bread” that we receive as Eucharist. For centuries the Eucharistic bread was whatever was available to the community. I imagine it had taste and texture. For a decade I worked as chaplain to a community of sisters of the Cenacle in Brighton and one of them made the bread for the Eucharist. Her recipe included just a “tad” of leaven and a “soupcon” of honey. It was WONDERFUL! Who knew that Jesus could taste so good! When we used the recipe at St Ignatius parish, we were reported for having “illicit” Eucharistic bread. Sometimes it makes you wonder! Jesus tells us the he is the “bread of life.” Since the Eucharistic bread that we use neither looks nor tastes like bread, perhaps the focus should be on “life.” When we receive the body of Christ, can we look beyond the “wafer” or the “host” or whatever we call it, and receive “life” as it is embodied in the life of Jesus the Christ? That means receiving his humanity and divinity. It means that we receive the “taste and texture” of his living, dying and rising. I’m always struck by the words “On the night he was betrayed” which are the prelude to the words of institution in the Eucharistic Prayer. In the Eucharist we are receiving the one who “healed the sick, forgave sinners, experienced betrayal, denial by his close friend, suffered death on a Cross and was raised by God’s infinite love and fidelity.” That’s the “bread of life.” And if we are really “wonder bred,” then we may be able to stand in awe at the mystery of life we receive and know that as we receive Him, he is receiving us with our faults and flaws, hurts and hopes, loves and longings. There is a poem that I wrote last November when the 3 day Northeaster was finally over. As I woke to wonder this morning, I thought about the poem. My hope and my prayer is that a day will come “soon and very soon” when we will wonder, “Where did it go?” PSS (Post Storm Script) I wake to wonder Where did it go? That storm with its wailing winds, With its tumult and turbulence Whipping seas to creamy crests, Crescendos of sound Lashing out, unleashing nature’s fury. In the storm’s wake Whispering winds, caressing limbs and branches broken and twisted in the storm. Diminuendos of sound Soft, muted, pianissimo One has to strain to hear. I wake to see Surfers skimming the surface of the lawn With boards under their arms, Racing to reach the sea, to catch the waning waves. The white board sky is now Blue on blue with streaks of yellow/red/orange Pre-script for sunrise, post script for grey skies I wake to wonder Where did it go? My storm with its woes and worries, With its tempests and terrors, Whipping me with its lashes Crescendos of sound, “Unclean!, Unclean!” Keep your distance and disdain! In the storm’s wake, Now only the voice of Jesus Whispering words, Caressing limbs Broken and twisted by life’s leprosy. “Go and show yourself!” The show must go on! In the storm’s wake All is calm, all is bright No more whining, Only bread and wining. Eucharist You carry us, God of storm, sea and sky Jesus, healing word and Self-giving sacrament, And we give thanks.
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Staff of Life/ Bread and Better!4/29/2020 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Bread is often referred to as the “staff of life.” What does that mean? How is bread a staff of life? I suppose it has to do with a “staff” being a support, something to lean or depend on. Like “manna” is the “stuff” which fed the Israelites in the desert, “bread” is the “staff” which sustains and nourishes us. As wonderful as bread is (if you are not allergic to its ingredients), we claim that the “bread of life” is “better” in the sense that we receive so much more than bread. We receive and share the body of the Risen Lord. This “bread” sustains and supports us spiritually. It’s the “stuff and staff of our spiritual lives.” At this time in the Church’s history, when people are unable to receive this spiritual sustenance, are we called to reflect more deeply on its meaning and not take the gift for granted? Today, we celebrate the life of Catherine of Siena, mystic and doctor of the Church. It’s interesting to remember that in Catherine’s time, it was only the priest who received the Eucharist. All that was available to the laity was a “spiritual” communion, referred to as the “gaze that saves” as one looked on to see but not “taste.” Communion was reserved for the death bed in viaticum. One of the primary reasons for this was what was thought to be the “unworthiness” of the ordinary person to receive the sacrament. Our present reality can remind us of how fortunate we are to live in a time when the Eucharist is “usually” so readily available to us. How else might the Eucharist be the “staff of life” for us? We associate the staff with the shepherd. (This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday) A number of years ago a young man who had received Eucharist for the first time told me he thought what I was saying was “You Carry Us.” God knows we need the Eucharist and we need Jesus Christ to “carry us, “ like a shepherd carries his sheep to safety. Since it is the feast of Catherine of Siena, I include the painting “Good Government” which hangs in City Hall in Siena. Years ago, the image of the “elegant ladies” dancing inspired me to include this image in the Second Act of A Dancer’s Christmas. Hopefully, seeing this will be a little “leaven” and “raise” your spirits. vimeo.com/60840818 Enough’s Enough! What’s the manna with you? Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter At this point in the crisis, you have probably felt, “Enough’s enough!” How much more can we handle? In this time of fasting from physical presence, ordinary life, and Eucharist, when we are painfully aware of our hunger and thirst for community and “normality,” we hear the discourse on the “bread of life.” Even though I’m fortunate to be able to receive the Eucharistic bread and cup daily, I know that there is something missing, or better some “ones” missing. How can the Risen Christ be present when the body of Christ, the people of God are unable to partake of the Eucharistic meal? Isn’t this time making us more aware, not only of our hunger for the “bread and wine” that is the body and blood of Christ but also our hunger and thirst to be a community that gathers around the table again? Is this time fine tuning our appreciation of the “who” and “what” we celebrate in the Eucharist? In my prayer these days, I think I hear the Risen Lord, Jesus asking “Am I enough for you at this time when life feels so “extra-ordinary?” Am I enough to satisfy your hunger and thirst for life’s meaning when you feel lost and abandoned? Am I enough to give you a reason to hope, to trust and love? Am I enough? Another question I think I’ve heard is “what’s the manna with you?” I’m sure this comes from today’s scripture which refers to the manna in the desert. “Manna” in the Hebrew translates to “What is this stuff?” The Israelites were being fed but they didn’t know what was feeding them or how it was happening. I wonder if there’s not an invitation for all of us to answer the question, “What’s the manna with you?” What’s the “stuff” of life that’s sustaining you these days that are so trying, when you want to shout “Enough’s enough!” “Manna” for me this morning was remembering Eucharistic processions singing the Taizé hymn: Eat this bread, drink this cup. Come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread, drink this cup. Trust in him and you will not thirst 12_bread_of_life.m4a And Bernadette Farrell’s Bread of Life, Hope for the World Jesus Christ, our brother Feed us now, give us life Lead us to one another. And so, “what’s the manna with you?” Down Scything4/27/2020 Monday of the Third Week of Easter
We certainly have had to “downsize” during this pandemic. Confinement and enclosure have forced us to get down to the basics; what we really need and what we can forgo. We are not yet having to live on “bread and water” but it’s worth thinking about the essentials. Interestingly enough, it’s “bread and water” that are two prominent themes during the first weeks of the Easter season. Last week we heard of the “water of life” that comes through baptism into the dying and rising of Jesus. This week the focus is on the “bread of life.” Throughout this week we will be hearing the “bread of life” discourse from John’s Gospel. Last year, I began my reflections on this third week of Easter sharing with you a “Bread Dance” (not a “break dance) that was part of the BLDE’s retreat repertory. At that time, I did not have a video of the work. You can use the link below to view it. Here Is the sequence of movements. (You’ll see why I entitled this reflection, “Down Scything!)
The music that we used was the Taizé, Veni Sancte Spiritus which has a beautiful, repetitive, rhythmic structure which works well for this dance. vimeo.com/346228177#t=1017s The photos above and below are the only ones in my possession that have "bread and water" in them. Of course, there is wine and oil as well :-) This is the "dei" the Lord has made!4/26/2020
Third Sunday of Easter
The icon above "On the Road" was just sent to me by the artist who painted it. Lynn Runnels is a frequent visitor here at the retreat house. Don't you love the vibrancy of the colors? And don't you love that there it's a man and woman, (husband and wife) who encounter the Risen Jesus? I may be imagining this, but I think what you see in the background is Gloucester, where Lynn lives! (This is not the original. Lynn tells me it's a photo of a print that she had made. The original is "on the road" somewhere after it was sold. There’s a great deal of meaning contained in the three letter Greek word “dei” It means “it is necessary” In the Emmaus Gospel, Jesus says that “it was necessary” that he suffer and die and be raised. Isn’t it interesting that the three letters in the Greek word “dei” are the same as the English word “die.” Another three letter word that plays an important role in the Emmaus story is “had.” “We had hoped.” And, of course, “had” also has the meaning “must” as in “had to.” This is what I wrote in my communication to the folks who made the Holy Week Retreat here at Eastern Point. (I realize some of you reading this, are on that list.” This Third Sunday of Easter is all about “seeing,” having our eyes open and recognizing the Risen Lord walking on the road with us and joining us at table. The story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus is one of the most beloved since it speaks so authentically to our experience of heartbreak and hope. How many times during these past months of the COVID19 crisis, have you said, “I had hoped that…. We had hoped that… You can fill in the blanks. Here at Eastern Point we have heard from many of you the echo of those road weary Emmaus disciples. “I had hoped that I would be on the road to Eastern Point for my retreat, but because of the present crisis, that will not come to be. How do we cope these days with our unfulfilled hopes and anxiety about the future? Does the story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus offer us a way to see and know that the Risen Jesus is walking with us during this time of heartbreak and confusion? Will we ask him to “stay with us” so that our eyes can be opened and our hearts be hope filled? I’ve already shared with you Emmaus with a Zoom Lens but here’s a poem that I wrote yesterday that uses “dei” and “had” “Had” Have we been “had,” taken for a ride, sold a bill of goods? Wouldn’t a good God be better than this, besting disease and death? How many days is it now? We’ve lost count. Countless lives lost counting for more and not less and still the daze drag on, This dragon slaying life’s good and better And best We “had” hoped But Hope now is as empty As a tomb, A grave Six feet deep, distancing love’s embrace, leaves embers, and remembers what Hope had been. A stranger speaks, One who is no stranger To death and disease His “dei” counts for all What “dei” is this, you say? This is the “dei” the Lord has made Rejoice and be glad! I had been “had,” taken for a ride on a foal, for thirty pieces of silver sold. Why this way? Why cross-way, cross-wise? Wise prophets foretold something like this “dei” But none could predict this “dei” like no other. asking all from one and no other. This “Had” held me fast. past, over at last breath, perfect in its surrender, tender love unseen, yet soon to be seen. God’s “dei” slaying death’s dragon once and for all. But this day, how hope? In the blessing, You say In the breaking You stay In the giving Your “dei” Now, of necessity, bread becomes body, embers remember, fire-breathing life into hope that “had” been, has been, is and always will be. This is the “dei” the Lord has made. Rejoice and be “had.” This past Wednesday was "Earth Day." I put together this slide show with the song "Laudato Si" composed by Paul Melley. I wrote the lyrics when I was reading Pope Francis' encyclical. The images are from Eastern Point as well as from Taylor Bray Farm in Dennis, Cape Cod. Laudato Si from Robert VerEecke on Vimeo. "Phew!"4/24/2020 Friday of the 2nd Week in Easter
Phew! An expression of relief, fatigue, displeasure, surprise, impatience. If you are a person of “phew” words, you know how much feeling is conveyed by these “few” letters. I can only imagine how many times a day, “phew” is what we feel when we are exhausted by the toll that the virus is taking on the lives of so many at home and around the world. “Phew” is what we may say when we don’t think we can handle another day of uncertainty. And there may even be a “few’ times, when our “phews” are an expression of relief for some small victory. Today’s reflection stems from the Gospel passage, the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes according to John, What has always captured my imagination is that so much comes from so little, so many loaves of bread and fish from the few. In this version of the story, it’s a young boy who is asked to share what he has so that many can be fed. If you haven’t heard it before, you may want to read the story of Rachel and Michael’s Miracle that was inspired by this young boy’s willingness to share his few loaves and fish. What this time of confinement and uncertainty may offer us is the opportunity to focus on the small gestures of kindness and generosity. In the midst of a global pandemic that is affecting life for all on a “grand” scale, (although there’s nothing grand about it!) it may help to recognize a few of the little graces and gifts that make a difference. In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus said to Nicodemus, God does not ration the Spirit. Today’s gospel is a classic example of God, through the action of Jesus, not holding anything back and certainly not “rationing” the bread and fish that feed so many. I learned this morning that a dear friend and long-time parishioner of St Ignatius died last night. Eleanor O’Connor was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. It was in the small gestures of kindness, like remembering special days in your life as well as expressions of gratitude that would arrive in the most beautifully hand-written notes. I can still see her elegant “cursive” in my mind’s eye. She always reminds me how so little can mean so much. So above and below are a "few" images of Spring's arrival, that might elicit a "Phew, " a sigh of relief that change and new life is not only possible but it surely coming. By George! A Drag-on Slayer!4/23/2020 Thursday of the 3rd Week in Easter/ Memorial of St George
Today’s reflection begins with a little diversion from the baptismal theme of this week. It happens to be St George’s feast day. And where there’s a George, there’s usually a dragon ready to be slayed! My prayer for this morning was “Oh, for a George to slay this dragon of a virus that is wreaking such havoc on the world!” When I thought about George’s dragon, I also thought of the days “dragging on” and what a “drag” on people’s spirits this crisis is. The truth, however, is that they are many George’s on the front lines who are “slaying” this dragon with their care and dedication. They are the health care workers and the staff in hospitals who are going to work every day to help heal as well as those who are risking their lives to clean rooms and change beds and do all that critical tasks. Then, there are the “Curious Georges” who are the researchers seeking to find vaccines, and antidotes and cures. (It’s interesting to note that in the Nicodemus story, Jesus references the “serpent” lifted up as the antidote to the illness that struck the people of Israel in the desert.) The dragon slayers these days are governors and other municipal leaders who have to make difficult decisions for the common good. And, teachers and parents and…… There are too many “Georges” to name. When I asked in prayer for God to send a “dragon slayer” for our time, the response I heard was, “By George, I’ve already sent you the one and only one, my beloved, only begotten Son? Haven’t you been paying attention all week to the Gospel of John. “I loved the world so much that I sent my only begotten son. Look to him, on the Cross, Risen now. With you.” By (God and St.) George! This dragon/ drag on/ will be defeated by the power of the Risen One. The photos I have chosen for today are quite remarkable. Can you see the cross of light, emanating from the sun in the photo below? And is that a “light saber” I see in the photo above? Saber is the Spanish word for “to know” Hmmm…. Streams of Loving Water4/22/2020 Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter/ Mary the Mother of the Society of Jesus, Earth Day
Today there is a confluence of feasts and celebration. It is Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter and we continue to hear the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus with all its baptismal references; born again of water and the Spirit. Its also the Feast of Mary, the Mother of the Society of Jesus, since it was on this day in 1541 that the small group of companions in the Lord made their solemn vows at the altar of Our Lady, in the church of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. And it also happens to be Earth Day! Keeping with the baptismal theme of this week, we’re invited to see these three celebrations as “streams of loving water.” Why the change from “living to loving?” In the third Chapter of John, we have what must be the most quoted verse of all scripture. “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him, might not perish but might have eternal life.” The water of baptism is not only “living” water, as we hear in the story of the Woman at the Well, but it is a stream of love, flowing from God who gifts us with Jesus, the only-begotten Son. And how lovely is it that this celebration in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus, coincides with an Easter weekday that reminds us the stream of love from God, the Father. And then, of course, on Earth Day we give thanks for the gift of all of creation, but especially, our mother Earth. I found this prayer on the website for the Jesuits in Britain. I think it is a fitting prayer for our present circumstances. Mother Mary, Be for me an example of surrender and engagement Create within me A heart that is honest and pure, A heart that offers a haven to others A heart that is generous and resolute, Ever able to overcome difficulties, Always ready to begin again A humble heart That expects everything from you son and our Lord. Amen. Sparkling Water4/21/2020 IMG_0793 from Robert VerEecke on Vimeo.
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Throughout this week, the Gospel relates the encounter of Jesus with Nicodemus. This is a baptismal theme, if ever there was one! “Unless a person be born again of water and the spirit, they cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Baptismal water is “sparkling water. It sparkles with new life in Christ. It may be the reason that when an infant, a young person or adult is baptized there is something “sparkling” about the experience. You see it in the eyes sparkling with delight of the parents of a newly baptized infant. You see it in the eyes of an adult as he or she experiences immersion baptism. I see “sparkling water” right before my eyes, even when it’s a cloud-covered sky that “sparkles” are on my mind. Yesterday, I spoke of “Sparkle” window cleaner and today, I noticed that “Sparkle” is the name of the paper towels I was cleaning with. I can't seem to get away from "sparkle" this week. It sparkles most when the sun is shining but even a glimmer of light can make the sea sparkle. Isn’t it interesting that a “spark” is usually associated with “fire.” You see sparks fly from a conflagration. An engine is ignited with spark plugs. But in “sparkling water” it’s seems as if water is on fire when it sparkles so! We are not living in “sparkling” times. In fact, the “sparkle” has gone out of so many people’s lives as they have lost loved one, employment and wonder if life will ever be the same. Is there a challenge these days for us to find the glimmers of hope and a sparkle, here and there? Life many not be effervescing and bubbling over with joy these days but can we see some “sparkling” around us? After a few hours of making windows sparkle, I was quite content and had to admit to a spark of joy seeing my handiwork. Then, crash! A storm window that I had leaned up against an open window was blown over by a gust of wind. There were shards of glass everywhere! Any spark of joy was blown away by that wind. I couldn’t help thinking of the verse from today’s Gospel, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes.” Amen to that! If you’ve every broken glass, you know that the tiniest pieces can be found everywhere. As I tried to clean up, I kept finding more and more of them. It was then I began to see these tiny shards of glass not as fragments of something broken, but as a something sparkling, in its own right. Does our life in Christ that begins with the “sparkling water” of Baptism, encourage us to find the light, the peace, the joy, the “sparkle” even in the most difficult times when life has lost its “fizz?” "Opaque" Can You See?4/20/2020 Monday of the 2nd Week in Easter
I’m posting this reflection later than usual since I spent the morning washing windows. The chapel where I pray each morning has windows that were almost opaque. Whether from age, salt spray, or just plain neglect, these windows which look out upon the Ocean and Brace Rock have been calling me for some time, asking me to help them “sparkle.” And, thanks be to God, I found a window cleaner named “Sparkle.” And it works! Hopefully, you can see “clearly” in the photo above. This week we hear the story of Nicodemus who comes to see Jesus under cover of darkness. He is a crypto-disciple. He seems to want to find out more about Jesus but finds his words “opaque.” He cannot see through the words to the person who is the Word, made flesh. Does “opaque” describe the time in which we are living? It’s so challenging to see where God is and trust that the Spirit is working these days. And where in the world is the Risen Jesus? Is the grace we need to ask for the ability to see more clearly? More on this tomorrow. The morning sky 4-20. Anything but "Opaque!" AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
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