Wait, a While11/30/2020 Feast of St Andrew, Apostle My reflections this week are similar to the ones I’m sharing in the Advent Adventure, resources for prayer from Eastern Point. I’ve chosen the title “wait, a while” since it combines the “waiting” of Advent with the “while” of a motto, associated with St Andrew’s in Scotland. Read on to find out more! As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Ordinarily, on Monday of the first week of Advent, we hear a reading from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of the healing of the Centurion’s servant. The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle takes precedence, however, and so we hear about Andrew’s call to follow Jesus. A call, of course, is an invitation that we can accept or reject (or send to voice mail!) It may be serendipitous for us to hear this scripture as we begin an Advent journey together. Here is a poem about the call of the “other” brothers, James and John. It could work for Andrew and Peter as well!
Mind Meld Keep mending not minding the one milling about the shore watching us working our trade. Our nets worth, wages and daily bread, we must be about our father’s business John the younger jostles James the elder Listen! His voice across the waters My mind melding with his. Mending me? Am I my net worth? Listen! He’s speaking to us “Trade trades, Fish for folk, Come after me, Be the nets. Untie the knots Help them go free with Me.” Zebedees do Jump ship Cast themselves into deeper waters Trusting the One who melds minds, mends hearts, molds lives, to Him. Question for Reflection: Am I open to hearing Jesus’ call to me? Am I willing not only to “cast a net” but “be a net” that will draw others in, closer to Christ? Another bit of serendipity (aka Grace) is that the motto for St Andrew’s in Scotland is the expression, Dum Spiro, Spero. (while I breathe, I hope) Tradition has it that the bones of St Andrew were brought to this town in Scotland centuries ago. These days, we all need to “take a deep breath” and fill our lungs with Hope! This Advent season offers us the opportunity to renew the hope that comes from knowing that we have already been redeemed by Christ’s love for us. We know that he is with us “now.” It is so easy to be discouraged and to lose hope during this difficult time when we have lost so much. And still we are urged to “Wait in Joyful Hope!” A Spiritual Exercise: Use the words, “Dum Spiro, spero,” alternating them with “While I breathe, I hope,” as a mantra during the day. Breathe in on “Dum spiro” breathe out on “Spero.” Breathe in on “While I breathe,” breath out on “I hope”
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An Advent-Sure!11/29/2020
First Sunday of Advent
If you have subscribed to the Eastern Point “Advent Adventure” that I’m facilitating, you may already have these materials. If not, here they are. The photos above are from this morning's pre-dawn and sunrise. Notice the interplay a light and dark and the different "hues" of the morning sky An Advent Adventure Week 1 Advent as a liturgical season has always had its challenges. How do you invite people into an experience of interiority, silence, stillness when there’s such a rush, hustling and bustling to prepare for Christmas? As a pastor, I would always begin the season with some “Advent Carols” in the hope’s that parishioners would stay focused on Advent and not jump ahead to Christmas. Everything about the “outside” in stores, shopping malls, on television, radio announced that Christmas was not just “coming” but in a sense was already here. This Advent will have its own challenges because of the pandemic and restrictions on gatherings in Churches and homes. As we adapt to the social changes and have to alter our traditions, we actually may find that Advent has a rediscovered meaning. As you well know, Advent begins with scriptures that focus on the end times. There is always a sense of anxiety that is stirred up in us as we hear these scriptures that caution us to be “awake and vigilant.” We are asked to “wait” with great expectation for the coming of Christ, not just an historical event but his coming “now” and “again.” As we have lived through this pandemic time, we have had to be on our guard, vigilant to protect ourselves against any contact that would bring us close to the virus. We have lived with such great anxiety as we have wondered not only about the pandemic and how it would affect us, our loved ones, our futures, but also the anxiety that the election has produced. Who is not waiting anxiously for the political noise to be silenced and for an end to the bickering and bitterness that divides our nation? In this Advent Adventure, can we let the experience of waiting, anxiety and disruption of our lives of the past months become our Advent prayer? First Sunday of Advent Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. The first reading from today’s liturgy is a cry from the heart of Isaiah. It must have felt like his world was “coming apart at the seams.” There has been a rupture between God and God’s people. This is a desperate cry for God to be God as Father/Mother, tender, healing, loving, redeeming. Questions for Reflection: How has God been for you during this pandemic time? Have you felt abandoned or accompanied? With all the disruptions in your day- to-day life, have you felt a rupture in your relationship with God? Advent is a time when we reflect on God’s “inbreaking” into our world? Do you feel that this is still happening? We are the clay and you the potter: We are all the work of your hands. After his heart- rending cry of desperation, Isaiah gives us the beautiful image of God as potter and we as the clay, the work of God’s hands. It’s as if he takes a deep breath and a calm and inner quiet takes hold of him, reminding him that we are intimately bound up with the life of God who molds us and shapes us with love. Questions for Reflection: How malleable have you been through these difficult times? How is God molding and shaping you these challenging days? Colloquy: Speak to God as one friend speaks to another. Don’t be afraid to share your anxieties, fears and frustrations with God. Ask for the grace to be in whatever shape God desires you to be? Ask for the grace to know what shape you’d like to be in! The second reading today from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians says that we have been endowed with “every spiritual gift.” There are 26 days until Christmas. Here is an alphabetical list of “spiritual gifts” that you might want to reflect on during the advent season. In this “B” cycle of the liturgical year. Here are some ways of “being.” BE Attentive, Bold, Creative, Daring, Empathetic, Forgiving, Generous, Hopeful, Inspired, Just, Kind, Loving, Merciful, Nice/ not naughty, Open, Positive, Quiet, Reverent, Sincere, Truthful, Uplifted, Vigilant, Watchful, X(CH)ristlike, Yourself, Zealous. An Advent Spiritual Exercise: Each day of the 26 until Christmas, open up a spiritual gift from the list above, or one of your own making. Think of it as an Advent Calendar where each day you open a new window and find a word that invites you to enter into the spirit of Advent transformation. Today’s Gospel invites us to be “ watchful and alert” We do not when the time will come. The Gospels of the first Sunday of Advent always create a sense of expectation and anxiety. They point us to Christ’s “second coming” at some time in the future. And yet, we experience Christ’s coming in the “here and now.” We trust that he is with us in the Eucharist and that he comes to us in our prayer and the deepest reflections of our mind, heart and soul. Questions for Reflection: What am I waiting for? How do I need Christ to “show up” for me know in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this present age and the crises that I encounter in my own life and the lives of loved ones? What am I watching for? Can I recognize Christ’s coming in the present age as I wait with “joyful hope” for this coming at the end of time? What is God waiting and watching for in you? Colloquy: Speak to God as one friend speaks to another. Ask for the grace to have eyes and ears open so that I may recognize God’s spirit and Christ’s presence each of these Advent days. And here’s a poem for the First Sunday of Advent On “That” Day Advent -sure as the day’s dawning, the sun’s yawning, rays reaching, like arms in a morning stretch waking “this” day. “That” day will have its say. Advent-sure Is a hyphenated time Linking past- present- future, tense, Already - not yet, Then - now - then Time’s over- over time, Still time - time still A cosmic chiasm, ABBA chiming “That” day will have it say . An alarm sounds! Storm’s soundings Winds wailing, Whining, whistling Wake from sleep! Is “this” “that” day? Apocalypse nowadays Noah-days Crashing, thrashing Waves washing over Walls crumbling, Tumbling down. “This” day will have its say. They say the Son came once up on time. Time’s nodding, “Yes” Time’s knowing, Now, comes the Son “this” stormy sea-saw day Already - not yet “that” day still has its say. Advent- sure is an adventure! See-saw Past-present Presence-passed Now you see him Now you don’t Heaven’s hyphen All in God’s time We know not The day nor the hour Only Now we know To ask ABBA to give us “this” day While we while away the hours Waiting for “that” day. A "Pass" Way11/27/2020 Friday of the 34th Week in OT
I was planning on taking a “pass” on sharing a reflection today since I’m preparing for “An Advent Adventure” which will begin on Sunday. But I found the Gospel too good to “pass up” with Jesus’ words: Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” When Luke was writing his Gospel, the expectation was that the “end times” were near. Two thousand years later the heavens and earth are still around and countless generations have passed away. And yet, we know deeply the experience of time passing, loved ones passing, life passing us by. We are rooted in the experience of transience. As Jesus says, we learn from trees who speak to us about the cycle of life, leaving, losing, rebirthing. How beautiful is it that we can at once see “deciduous” trees with bare branches and “evergreens” that give the appearance of permanence, even though we know they too will pass. Can you see the "evergreen" concealed by all the other deciduous trees in the photo above? There is a profound regret and melancholy that comes from the knowledge that all things will pass away and yet, in faith, hope and love there is a “pass” way opens up into the everlasting, the labyrinth of God’s eternal love. If you have a few moments, take a look at the November 2019 blog. “Look Back Friday” is an easy “scroll” down to November 29th. With the Book of Revelations references to the scrolls being opened, it’s a good day to take a ‘Scroll Stroll” (The photo below is of me and my friend, Joel, walking the labyrinth.) ThanksBeing! Today and Tomorrow11/25/2020 Wednesday of the 34th Week in OT
On this day before Thanksgiving, I’m asking myself the question, “what am I really thankful for?’ This is not going to be a "Thanksgiving" where gratitude comes easily. The immense toll that the pandemic has taken on our world, our communities, friends and families, challenges us to go much deeper than may be customary. All those years when we have gathered for Thanksgiving dinner with a host of friends and family, have we taken for granted food and fellowship? Could our “thanks” be an acknowledgment of how grateful we are for what we do have and not just a lament for who or what is missing? It has not been an easy year to “sing God’s praises.” The temptation to “give up” has often been stronger than the desire to “give thanks.” And yet, we are at this point in time when we are called to remember and give thanks. And if it is only one or two who are gathered in his name around the table, Christ is with you. And that is good reason for giving thanks. I'm wondering if this year the name of Thanksgiving, should be changed to "Thanks Being." It may be a way of recognizing that we are called to be thankful in all times and circumstances, with our without, alone or with others. May we "be thanks" in our lives! On this day before Thanksgiving, I am truly grateful for those of you who take the time to read my reflections. And, of course, I’m grateful for the blessings I have received through my work at Eastern Point and for those with whom I work and whom I’m privileged to accompany on their spiritual journeys. I have been wanting to use the aerial photo of Eastern Point since I saw it this past July. Needless to say, I didn’t take the photo and I honestly do not know who the credit should go to. You’ll notice Eastern Point Retreat House in the upper right quadrant of the photo. From a distance, of course, it seems so small and yet, the encounter between retreatants and the God whom they seek is of such great magnitude that it is always life affirming and sometimes life-changing. Thanks Be to God! The mystery of God’s work in creation and in the hearts of each person are given voice in today’s psalm. R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God! Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; And so, despite the heaviness of heart that comes from this Thanksgiving not being what is has been, there are still so many reasons for “Thanks Being” Apocalypse Now or Never?11/24/2020 Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
“and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” That’s the final line of today’s apocalyptic, or “end times” Gospel. I chose the photo I took last night at sunset to accompany the Gospel and the reading from the book of Revelations. Looks like an “apocalyptic sky” to me! These “end time” readings can be quite disturbing and terrifying. And we have seen such “signs” on the earth quite dramatically this past year. With the wild fires, hurricanes, pandemics and plagues, it’s not too difficult to plug into the fear and trepidation that comes from reading the scriptures. And yet, praying with these scriptures, especially today’s psalm, may bring some comfort. The word that is most telling is “constancy.” “God comes to rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.” This is God’s creation. We are God’s chosen and beloved. God’s constancy is God’s “standing with” us in Jesus Christ. In the midst of the trials and tribulations of our times, can we feel God’s constant contact? Can we see and know God as the one who stands firm with us? Might Mite11/23/2020 Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
I had no idea that “mighty mite” was the name of a light-weight truck, a vacuum cleaner and a guitar maker! I’m referring, of course, to today’s Gospel which is Luke’s version of the widow’s mite, a small donation with a mighty powerful meaning. Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. How could something as small as a single person’s life be significant, given the vastness of the Universe and the number of people who have lived since the beginning of our species. And yet, this widow’s gift is cherished in the memory of all who have heard her story. Yesterday was Joel Peterson’s 50th Birthday. His sister, Ellie, planned an outdoor surprise party for him in the parking lot of her parish church. As I shared with you last week, Joel was here for a pre-birthday celebration since I was not able to be there yesterday. This morning, however, Joel is on my mind again. As I was searching for a piece of choreography I had done to What Wondrous Love is This whose lyrics contain the words of today’s reading from the Book of Revelations. To God and to the Lamb I will Sing, I came across Joel’s dancing to Paul Melley’s God is Love. As always, Joel’s dancing was heartfelt and beautiful. It reminded me of the widow’s mite in the sense that he always gives completely of himself when he dances. He never holds back anything. I thought of him as well, however, since he’s a great follower! Watch him in this video and you’ll see how well he follows. Here are two links: The first is God is Love with Joel dancing his heart out. vimeo.com/137091530#t=1185s The second is the section of What Wondrous Love is This, danced for evening prayer at St Francis Xavier with Maresa D’Amore Morrison and the Xavier Dance Ministry. vimeo.com/213128058#t=2460s Today is a very rainy, bleak day but these two dance pieces brought me more than a "mite" of joy! I hope they will for you as well Solemnity of Christ, Kin of the Universe
The word “thrall” has had me in its thrall these past days. One of the retreatants I was seeing this past week was hoping to be “enthralled” by Jesus Christ. Of course, my ear perked up when I heard that word and wondered where it came from. We use the expression to be in someone’s “thrall” to mean that we are captivated by a person or subject. I was startled to find out that in its origins it means, a slave. Being “captivated” by someone or something seems appropriate! When we use the word, however, it usually does not carry with it the sense of slavery or bondage. I, for example, am “enthralled” each morning by the cloud formations, the sunrises, sunsets, the movements of the oceans here at Eastern Point as see in the photos above and below taken this morning and last night. So I have been “enthralled” by the word “thrall” as I reflected on the question, “in whose thrall am I these days?” The pandemic’s thrall? The election’s thrall? Hope’s thrall? Through it all these days, are we in Christ’s thrall? As we celebrate the end of the liturgical year with the feast of Christ, our Kin, will we let ourselves trust that he reveals our God who is “All in All?” Returning to the word “thrall” in its original meaning, Paul’s letter to the Phillipian came to mind. “Although he was in the form of God, he did not cling to his status but emptied himself and became a slave.” Christ became a “thrall” for us so that he might always hold us “enthralled.” I share with you my latest poetic reflection for this feast. Enthralled In whose thrall are you held these dire days? In fear’s thrall, through it all? We dare to call these days “dire” when crises cast sufferings’ shadows cross worlds apart from one another. “Dire” derives from “dirus,” Fear incarnate, the worst is yet to be In fear’s thrall, a chain reaction bound to come bust or Boom, come Hell or highwater. Well, held in fear’s fist, A grip tight, ropewalk taut, A high wire, strung out- stretched arms, crosswise. In whose thrall are you held these dear days? In Christ’s thrall, through it all? How dare we call these days “dear” when one is filled with dread for dear ones at great cost, deprived of one another? “Dear” derives from “dier” and “duur” “beloved” and “costly” Double Dutch words as twin ropes intertwined, heart’s skipping the best is yet to be In Christ’s thrall, An unchained reaction, bound to come best and bloom first and fruitful. Weal, yes and held in His grasp, Crosswalk taught, His high wire strung A cross, the universe Love’s gravitational pull In this heart string theory. Are you yet enthralled? Coming Apart/ Sweet and S'ours11/20/2020 Friday of the 33rd Week in OT
In last night’s reflection at Mass, one of our spiritual directors used the expression, “coming apart.” She was referring to the retreatants coming apart from their ordinary lives, to spend a few days in prayer and reflection. Although I knew her meaning, I heard it as “coming apart” in the other sense. It seems that our world is “coming apart” these days as divisions in politics tear the fabric of our democracy apart. We keep hearing the expression “the Divided States of America.” The common good is rarely referenced. And with the pandemic surge, we are feeling like we are “coming apart at the seams.” Our usual “coming apart” for the holidays is not going to happen this year. And again, it “seems” like so much that was familiar is coming apart. Jesus, in today’s Gospel seems to be “coming apart” as he drives the money changers from the temple. And yet, Luke’s version of the story is much tamer than the others. There are no whips and cords and overturning tables. Yes, Jesus says, “My Father’s house is a house of prayer and you have made it a den of thieves,” but there are no dramatic actions to accompany the words. It is neither chilling nor heated. You could say it’s “Luke-warm.” Pope Francis, in his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, is anything but “lukewarm” in his concern for the “coming apart” of the social fabric of our world and the need to recognize all as God’s children and brothers and sisters in the human family. 280. At the same time, we ask God to strengthen unity within the Church, a unity enriched by differences reconciled by the working of the Spirit. For “in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13), in which each member has his or her distinctive contribution to make. As Saint Augustine said, “the ear sees through the eye, and the eye hears through the ear”.[276] It is also urgent to continue to bear witness to the journey of encounter between the different Christian confessions. We cannot forget Christ’s desire “that they may all be one” (cf. Jn 17:21). Hearing his call, we recognize with sorrow that the process of globalization still lacks the prophetic and spiritual contribution of unity among Christians. This notwithstanding, “even as we make this journey towards full communion, we already have the duty to offer common witness to the love of God for all people by working together in the service of humanity”.[277] Today is the final full day of clergy persons who have “come apart” to be refreshed in this time when it feels like the world is “coming apart.” I trust that they have been able to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord,” and can resonate with the psalmist today who prays, R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth! R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! Your decrees are my inheritance forever; the joy of my heart they are. R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands. R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! The reading from Revelations says that the scroll will taste as sweet as honey in the mouth, but it will turn sour in the stomach. Hopefully the “sweetness” of this “coming apart” will help them remember that sweet and sour can work together, especially if the “sweetness ‘s ours because of God’s gracious love.” (I was on the verge of “coming apart” when what I had written disappeared from my computer screen and I could not retrieve it! It wasn’t the end of the world I just heaved a sigh and began again.” 7 UPS11/19/2020 Thursday of the 33rd Week in OT
The number 7 plays a significant symbolic role in the Book of Revelations. Just listen to today’s scripture. 7 seals, 7 horns, 7 eyes, 7 spirits and in earlier chapters, 7 churches, 7 torches, 7 lampstands. There are even 7 words that describe the attributes of the Lamb “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,honor and glory and blessing.” Today’s reflection is brought to you by the number 7 which symbolizes completeness and perfection. It was the number 7 that brought me back to the Pope’s Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti and yes, to Chapter 7! Chapter 7 reminds us that we as a human society have a long way to go before we are “complete and perfect.” It is one of the most challenging chapters in that it stresses the need for forgiveness, an end to the argument that any war is “just” and that the death penalty is justified. PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER 225. In many parts of the world, there is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds. There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter. 231. Negotiation often becomes necessary for shaping concrete paths to peace. Yet the processes of change that lead to lasting peace are crafted above all by peoples; each individual can act as an effective leaven by the way he or she lives each day. Great changes are not produced behind desks or in offices. This means that “everyone has a fundamental role to play in a single great creative project: to write a new page of history, a page full of hope, peace and reconciliation”.[216] There is an “architecture” of peace, to which different institutions of society contribute, each according to its own area of expertise, but there is also an “art” of peace that involves us all. From the various peace processes that have taken place in different parts of the world, “we have learned that these ways of making peace, of placing reason above revenge, of the delicate harmony between politics and law, cannot ignore the involvement of ordinary people. Peace is not achieved by normative frameworks and institutional arrangements between well-meaning political or economic groups… It is always helpful to incorporate into our peace processes the experience of those sectors that have often been overlooked, so that communities themselves can influence the development of a collective memory”.[217] We hear Jesus speak of peace as he weeps over Jerusalem in today’s Gospel, As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. Dare I suggest that Pope Francis is bringing to light what makes for peace in the 7th Chapter of Fratelli Tutti? When I wrote the title of today’s reflection and used all “caps” for ups, it made me think of those UPS drivers who are working overtime these days to bring us all sorts of packages. Of course, “peace” is never neatly packaged, but Pope Francis’ challenge to find renewed paths of encounter has more UPS than downs. I chose "peaceful" photos for today and there had to be 7 (ducks and swans) Jasper and Carnelian11/18/2020 Wednesday of the 33rd Week in OT
This is the homily I gave today.... “On the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian.” Jasper and Carnelian, sounds like a TV detective duo, like Starsky and Hutch, Cagney and Lacey or Stacey and Muldaur on the X Files. I’m sure you know that jasper and canrnelian are red gems in the book of Revelations, but it would certainly help if they were detectives since the Book of Revelations is written in code and you need some good detective work to understand it. What’s interesting about the choice of jasper and carnelian is that they are both “red.” Usually the color red in the book of Revelations is associated with blood, war, violence. But the author “sees red” differently here. Red is also the color of passion, of heart, of love. Here we “see red” in a very different sense of how the color is usually coded in Revelations. “Seeing red” is usually associated with anger, fury, rage. The nobleman in today’s Gospel is “seeing red” in his fury with the servant who hid his gold coin in a handkerchief and proved himself to be useless in the eyes of the nobleman. Although I didn’t have detectives Jasper and Carnelian to do some digging to find out what this text is really about, I am indebted to the exegisis of Sr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ who wrote about it in Give Us this Day at the beginning of the week. Today’s parable, she points out certainly sounds a lot like Matthew’s parable of the talents which we heard this past Sunday but it also has traces of another about a nobleman who imposes his will on unwilling servants. It’s really a mish-mask, anything but crystal clear. Did I say mish-mask? Could that be a clue to the meaning of the parable? You’re all wearing masks, face coverings. Did you know that the Greek word in the Gospel text that is translated as "piece of cloth" or “handkerchief” is the word for facial burial cloth? It could be said that this man in the Gospel is “digging his own grave., hiding his money in a sudario." But wait, "sudario" is the same word that is used when Peter and the beloved disciple enter the tomb and do not find the body there. Could this parable coming before the entry into Jerusalem have anything to do with Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection? In fact, the very next passage is Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the people acclaim Jesus as the One who comes in the name of the Lord and want to make him king. And yet, we know that Jesus is not at all like the king in the parable who is described as demanding and self-serving. Jesus in his upcoming passion will show himself as the one who gives his life freely without expecting interest on his self-investment. And then there’s the sudario! His self-gift on the cross will be rewarded with something worth so much more then coins, cities or talents. He will leave behind the burial cloth in the tomb as he is raised from the dead. This parable describes the antithesis of the kind of King that Jesus will prove himself to be. Mystery solved? Case closed? Crystal clear? I doubt it. How can you be crystal clear with the Book of Revelations and a mis-matched parable like the one we just heard? And yes, Isn’t it interesting that the word crystal is used to describe the sea in the front of the throne and yet the book itself is anything but clear. What we do know is that it was written for churches in a time of tribulation. Its primary message is “hold on” This too shall pass. See the one like a Son of Man, and trust in him. Let him crystalize in your mind and heart and know what he is always, always with you. And what could all this mean for you on this week of retreat when you see a crystal blue sea and sky? Will you let Christ crystallize before your eyes. Will you let his passionate love for you sparkle like “Jasper and Carnelian” and shimmer like a rainbow as an emerald? Will you let yourself be seen as a “real gem” in Christ’s eyes? Crystal- Eyes Brisk and bracing, A crystal clear Day dawning Bright blue skies Sun light shimmering Navy blue seas High now, low later Morning’s initiative. An invitation To come and be Caring’s curator Healed and healer Sealed and sealer Weal and welder Heart’s risk and racing No crystal clear here Hope’s drowning Blood-shot skies Sun light shivering Whine-dark seas Low now, always ebbing And still Be still, my heart! Christ’s initiative An invitation To come and be Healed by the Healer Sealed by the Sealer Weal with the welder A wider yoke for two. What medicine wheel you take to heal when pain drains the life from you the love from you A question mark? Or exclamation point! You’re the curator. Will you choose Christ’s crystal? The difference between Morning and mourning? One and only U! The sky in the photo above appeared to me as a vision of "jasper and carnelian! Here's a bit from my posting last year on this day. Quahkahkanumad If you’re wondering where in the world, Quahkahkanumad comes from, it’s a Potawami that means “Woman Who Prays Always.” It was used by the children of the tribe in Eastern Kansas where the Jesuits had a mission to describe St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne whose memorial is today. Rose, one of the founding members of the Religious of the Sacred Heart along with Madeline Sophie Barat, was the first of her congregation to come to America and open schools in the Midwest. At age 71 she went to live with the Potawami tribe where she was known as Quahkahkanumad . I’m not sure how to pronounce it but it’s meaning is clear! One could quote the Christmas hymn, Lo How a Rose, reflecting on how much “bloomed” because of this “woman who prays always” contribution to the Church and the education of young women. 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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