Living in this part of the country we see the distinct movement of seasons - from fall with its brilliant colors to winter with snow and ice to spring and the re-emergence of new live, to summer and garden growth. Many of the birds follow the seasons migrating to warmer weather in the fall and back again in spring. Gone are the orioles, Eastern bluebirds, and hummingbirds and now the frequent visitors to the feeders and suet cages in our yard are the woodpeckers and chickadees. We have long grown accustomed to the definite rhythm of seasons in this corner of the world and it all makes sense to us.
These few weeks of the year when it comes to celebrations in the church (particularly the Catholic church) I've long been perplexed about the out of sync designated Sunday gospel readings. First on Christmas, of course, we celebrate and rejoice in the wonder of the Incarnation - the breaking into the world of the Sacred in human form; the Word made flesh. This Sunday, all of a sudden, our gospel reading tells us of a time when Jesus was twelve years old. And then next weekend the gospel takes us backward in time to the story of the Magi when Jesus was an infant again. My thoughts return again and again to the opening line in chapter three of Ecclesiastes: "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens" and the lingering question becomes: how does the movement of our gospel readings over these three church-designated celebrations make sense?
Whether or not it all makes sense to our twenty-first century minds, the message of the season remains clear: The Sacred One came to dwell among us, each of us is a child of our Holy Creator and we all have been blessed with gifts and talents meant to be graciously shared. And...we are so deeply and abundantly and unconditionally loved by the Holy One. Now that something to celebrate!
Peace on the Journey.
26 December 2009
19 December 2009
Blessing and Gift: 20 December 2009
Out in our little corner of the world we rarely see a variety of birds during the winter months. The Downy and Red-bellied woodpeckers are abundant and frequent visitors to our three maple trees and the Chickadees gather from time to time. But that’s about it since the woods is a ways from our house. However, on rare occasion if lucky, one just might catch a glimpse of another species of bird that ventured all too briefly out of the woods into the yard. Such was the case the other day when I just happened to look out t
he window and catch sight of a Blue Jay that had come for an all too brief visit to one of the trees near the house. Now, on walks and drives near and through the woods they are much more abundant. But I cannot remember ever seeing one in our yard the almost 20 years we’ve lived here. My appreciation of the wonders and beauty of nature has grown tremendously over the past few years and seeing this Blue Jay was pure joy and delight – it was such a blessing and gift.
That got me thinking about Christmas. We’re on the home stretch now with our holiday preparations. Most likely the tree is up and trimmed, the house is decorated, some of the baking is done, hopefully the shopping is done too and the presents wrapped and tagged, the Christmas cards have been written and mailed, and on and on. Yet there feels as if there’s still so much to do in the next four or five days. As I listened to Christmas music on the radio while making a final trek into town this week to pick up more wrapping paper I couldn’t help wondering why most of the music I was hearing really doesn’t have anything to do with what Christmas is really all about. There are the songs about St. Nick, having a white Christmas, jingle bells, how it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and more. I really listened to the song lyrics that day and was saddened by them – almost all of them played on the way into town and back home again had more to do with Christmas trees, snow and presents under the tree. Granted we also have the more “holy” songs too but none were played on the radio that morning. Now I have come to understand all the things and “traditions” like trees and snow and presents have long been a part of celebrating Christmas in our lives but…what does all that really have to do with the true meaning of Christmas?
Pure joy and delight…blessing and gift. In all the preparing we put ourselves through each year getting ready for Christmas do we also take the time to reflect on just what it is we are preparing to celebrate? Whether or not we consider ourselves to be “church goers” or “religious”, when it comes to Christmas this IS a very sacred time. Christmas is less about trimmed trees, snow on the ground and presents under the tree (not to mention who buys or gets the biggest and best retail gift) than it is about the joy and delight and graciousness of our Sacred Creator. Christmas is all about the awesome blessing and gift of Holy love made real by the Divine breaking into the world by becoming human.
As Christmas draws very near, I extend an invitation for us to pause a bit and what our celebration of Christmas will be all about for us this year.
Peace on the Journey.
he window and catch sight of a Blue Jay that had come for an all too brief visit to one of the trees near the house. Now, on walks and drives near and through the woods they are much more abundant. But I cannot remember ever seeing one in our yard the almost 20 years we’ve lived here. My appreciation of the wonders and beauty of nature has grown tremendously over the past few years and seeing this Blue Jay was pure joy and delight – it was such a blessing and gift.That got me thinking about Christmas. We’re on the home stretch now with our holiday preparations. Most likely the tree is up and trimmed, the house is decorated, some of the baking is done, hopefully the shopping is done too and the presents wrapped and tagged, the Christmas cards have been written and mailed, and on and on. Yet there feels as if there’s still so much to do in the next four or five days. As I listened to Christmas music on the radio while making a final trek into town this week to pick up more wrapping paper I couldn’t help wondering why most of the music I was hearing really doesn’t have anything to do with what Christmas is really all about. There are the songs about St. Nick, having a white Christmas, jingle bells, how it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and more. I really listened to the song lyrics that day and was saddened by them – almost all of them played on the way into town and back home again had more to do with Christmas trees, snow and presents under the tree. Granted we also have the more “holy” songs too but none were played on the radio that morning. Now I have come to understand all the things and “traditions” like trees and snow and presents have long been a part of celebrating Christmas in our lives but…what does all that really have to do with the true meaning of Christmas?
Pure joy and delight…blessing and gift. In all the preparing we put ourselves through each year getting ready for Christmas do we also take the time to reflect on just what it is we are preparing to celebrate? Whether or not we consider ourselves to be “church goers” or “religious”, when it comes to Christmas this IS a very sacred time. Christmas is less about trimmed trees, snow on the ground and presents under the tree (not to mention who buys or gets the biggest and best retail gift) than it is about the joy and delight and graciousness of our Sacred Creator. Christmas is all about the awesome blessing and gift of Holy love made real by the Divine breaking into the world by becoming human.
As Christmas draws very near, I extend an invitation for us to pause a bit and what our celebration of Christmas will be all about for us this year.
Peace on the Journey.
11 December 2009
Black and White?: 13 December 2009
Just three days ago winter came to our corner of the world in a furry with the onset of a blizzard transforming the landscape from the various shades of brown to what I refer to as a world of black and white. At first the snow fell gently covering the ground little by little. But soon the storm really hit and as travel became down right dangerous the task at hand was to try to keep up with shoveling a path from the house to the garage. Before long the strong winds kicked in causing various heights of mounded snow everywhere (especially in front of our door). The pile of plowed snow on the side of our driveway is at least half the height as it was last year…in February!
As the snow began falling and despite the increasing accumulation and wind the chickadees showed up for the first time at the feeder and the downy woodpeckers flew in often for sustenance at the suet cages. At first glance it appeared both species only added to the black and white of the winter landscape. I couldn’t help thinking with this being the
first significant snow of the season, it’s going to be a good long time before Mother Nature graces us with the vibrant colors of spring. But as the woodpecker moved around on the suet cage, the small tuft of red on his head gave a welcome reminder that, as with most things in life, not all is black and white.
Such too was the case for the people Israel in the prophet Zephaniah’s time – not all the prophet preached was doom and gloom. The hallmark of the biblical prophets was their gift of being able to keep an eye on the past reminding the people of where they came from and how the Sacred One moved in their ancestor’s lives, to be keenly aware of what was going on in society in the present time, and to look toward the future and offer both warnings and comfort and hope. Though Zephaniah openly pointed out the people’s transgressions – smugness, rebellion, treachery and lack of faith – the book of this prophet ends with the foretelling of a hopeful future for the people - a joyful song (3:14-20)!
Although the long, harsh, black and white winter has just begun, the promise of spring’s return with all its vibrant and colorful life awaits us. I wonder…amid all our hustle and bustle of holiday preparations can we pause a while to ponder the miracle of that first Christmas and how it still provides the promise of a hopeful and bright future of many colors for us all?
Peace on the Journey.
As the snow began falling and despite the increasing accumulation and wind the chickadees showed up for the first time at the feeder and the downy woodpeckers flew in often for sustenance at the suet cages. At first glance it appeared both species only added to the black and white of the winter landscape. I couldn’t help thinking with this being the
first significant snow of the season, it’s going to be a good long time before Mother Nature graces us with the vibrant colors of spring. But as the woodpecker moved around on the suet cage, the small tuft of red on his head gave a welcome reminder that, as with most things in life, not all is black and white.Such too was the case for the people Israel in the prophet Zephaniah’s time – not all the prophet preached was doom and gloom. The hallmark of the biblical prophets was their gift of being able to keep an eye on the past reminding the people of where they came from and how the Sacred One moved in their ancestor’s lives, to be keenly aware of what was going on in society in the present time, and to look toward the future and offer both warnings and comfort and hope. Though Zephaniah openly pointed out the people’s transgressions – smugness, rebellion, treachery and lack of faith – the book of this prophet ends with the foretelling of a hopeful future for the people - a joyful song (3:14-20)!
Although the long, harsh, black and white winter has just begun, the promise of spring’s return with all its vibrant and colorful life awaits us. I wonder…amid all our hustle and bustle of holiday preparations can we pause a while to ponder the miracle of that first Christmas and how it still provides the promise of a hopeful and bright future of many colors for us all?
Peace on the Journey.
04 December 2009
Mountains and Valleys: 6 December 2009
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. (Luke 3:5)
Well, it finally arrived last evening: the first snow of the season that actually stuck to the ground. And then today there were snow flurries off and on all day long. At one point memories of last year’s abundant snowfall and how little by little the pile of plowed snow along side our driveway grew into such a huge mountain that I was certain it wouldn’t all melt until July. As the years come and go I gain an ever-growing appreciation of the saying, “Snow is pretty to look at if you don’t have to travel anywhere”.
An abundance of snow has the capacity to change the landscape – drifts mound high on level surfaces, ditches are filled to the brim and the high spots in the field that surround our abode do not look quite so high. A heavy, blustery snowstorm puts us all on an even level as far as making it difficult, or impossible, to travel anywhere.
Many of us come to discover over the years that an abundance of snow also has a way of changing our inner landscape as well. Too many snowy days in a row, or too long of a wintery weather season brings about that feeling of cabin fever – those times when we may just want to shout out “Get me out of here!” Title, status, wealth, social position, etc. sure doesn’t matter to Mother Nature’s winter fury. Hmm…why is such importance placed on those things by so many people in our world? Deep down in the core of our being are there inner mountains of lofty attitudes we cling to that need to be made low? Are there valleys such as feelings of guilt, unworthiness, sadness or spiritual dryness that need filling?
Perhaps during this Advent season of preparation something worth our time is to pause a while and reflect on the shape of our inner selves – the heart and soul and spirit part of us that connects with our ever-present and indwelling Sacred One who loves us so completely and unconditionally.
Peace on the Journey.
An abundance of snow has the capacity to change the landscape – drifts mound high on level surfaces, ditches are filled to the brim and the high spots in the field that surround our abode do not look quite so high. A heavy, blustery snowstorm puts us all on an even level as far as making it difficult, or impossible, to travel anywhere.
Many of us come to discover over the years that an abundance of snow also has a way of changing our inner landscape as well. Too many snowy days in a row, or too long of a wintery weather season brings about that feeling of cabin fever – those times when we may just want to shout out “Get me out of here!” Title, status, wealth, social position, etc. sure doesn’t matter to Mother Nature’s winter fury. Hmm…why is such importance placed on those things by so many people in our world? Deep down in the core of our being are there inner mountains of lofty attitudes we cling to that need to be made low? Are there valleys such as feelings of guilt, unworthiness, sadness or spiritual dryness that need filling?
Perhaps during this Advent season of preparation something worth our time is to pause a while and reflect on the shape of our inner selves – the heart and soul and spirit part of us that connects with our ever-present and indwelling Sacred One who loves us so completely and unconditionally.
Peace on the Journey.
27 November 2009
Reality Check: 29 November 2009
As I write this evening, I can well imagine there are a great many shoppers who are now home, exhausted from the shopping frenzy of the day, searching for parking spots, weaving in and out of the way of other shoppers in the stores, waiting in long check-out lines. Even though most all the stores have had Christmas displays and items out for weeks already, this day dubbed Black Friday has become the official kick off of the holiday shopping season. A great many years ago I did venture out to the stores the day after Thanksgiving like so many others and vowed never to do that again. I returned home bumped and bruised from getting banged into with shopping carts. Since that time I prefer to call this particular holiday shopping day “Black and Blue Friday”.
No doubt a great many people found some good deals on items on their shopping list. From the brief images shown on the local news this evening, the parking lots and stores were filled. One woman reported being hungry after shopping and waiting in line for so long (hmm…how many people go to bed hungry every night?). Another couple of people got into a “fight” (argument perhaps) over a GPS system and the store management had to call the police for “crowd control”. It gets me to wondering… Why do we put ourselves though all of this? What are we trying to accomplish or prove? Is all the excess spending really necessary to celebrate Christmas?
There are a great many people who are without employment in our little corner of the world, who are finding it hard to pay bills, put food on the table, afford the basic necessities of life, or do not have a place of their own to call home. Here are a few statistics I found today: Christmas shopping this year is expected to amount to $21.5 billion spent on electronics, $3 billion spent for gifts for pets and $145.5 billion spent on holiday celebration (yes, billion)! A few other numbers: 300 million children in our world do not even have one pair of shoes to wear, 3 billion people around the world live on less than $2 a day and over 100,000 people die each year from parasite infections (because they have no shoes). These staggering numbers of excess and poverty should give us pause – be a reality check for what is going on with our holiday preparations and with our sisters and brothers around the world.
As we begin this Christian season of Advent, a time of preparation, perhaps we can pause a while to remember and reflect on just what it is we are preparing for. Is it really that big bucks celebration or…is it something more – something much more valuable and lasting? The prophet Jeremiah foretold of the coming of one who “shall do what is right and just in the land” (33:15). An often heard comment to justify much of our excessive holiday spending is: “Christmas is for children”. Well, yes it is - for each and every one of us is a child of our loving Creator. As richly blessed and holy children, perhaps this year while we are going about our holiday preparations this Advent season, we will be moved to participate according to our abilities in co-creating a safer, more secure, just world…one person at a time.
Peace on the Journey.
No doubt a great many people found some good deals on items on their shopping list. From the brief images shown on the local news this evening, the parking lots and stores were filled. One woman reported being hungry after shopping and waiting in line for so long (hmm…how many people go to bed hungry every night?). Another couple of people got into a “fight” (argument perhaps) over a GPS system and the store management had to call the police for “crowd control”. It gets me to wondering… Why do we put ourselves though all of this? What are we trying to accomplish or prove? Is all the excess spending really necessary to celebrate Christmas?
There are a great many people who are without employment in our little corner of the world, who are finding it hard to pay bills, put food on the table, afford the basic necessities of life, or do not have a place of their own to call home. Here are a few statistics I found today: Christmas shopping this year is expected to amount to $21.5 billion spent on electronics, $3 billion spent for gifts for pets and $145.5 billion spent on holiday celebration (yes, billion)! A few other numbers: 300 million children in our world do not even have one pair of shoes to wear, 3 billion people around the world live on less than $2 a day and over 100,000 people die each year from parasite infections (because they have no shoes). These staggering numbers of excess and poverty should give us pause – be a reality check for what is going on with our holiday preparations and with our sisters and brothers around the world.
As we begin this Christian season of Advent, a time of preparation, perhaps we can pause a while to remember and reflect on just what it is we are preparing for. Is it really that big bucks celebration or…is it something more – something much more valuable and lasting? The prophet Jeremiah foretold of the coming of one who “shall do what is right and just in the land” (33:15). An often heard comment to justify much of our excessive holiday spending is: “Christmas is for children”. Well, yes it is - for each and every one of us is a child of our loving Creator. As richly blessed and holy children, perhaps this year while we are going about our holiday preparations this Advent season, we will be moved to participate according to our abilities in co-creating a safer, more secure, just world…one person at a time.
Peace on the Journey.
20 November 2009
Giving Thanks: 22 November 2009
While on our daily walk through the pasture on Wednesday the Eastern bluebirds were once again spotted fluttering around the field and nearby trees. It just feels so unusual to see them this time of year. Surely they should have been long gone to a place of warmer weather. For their lingering I am thankful. As we approached the woods, a very familiar rustling sound was heard. Though I didn't see it, I knew from past experience it was the would of a deer moving through the trees just beyond the rise of the hill safe for a few more days from the avid hunters in the family. I've grown very fond of these daily walks in the wide open spaces of nature - the changing colors of the landscape, the crispness of the air, the distinct smells of crop harvesting and field plowing, the sound of honking geese flying in V formation high in the sky. For all this wonder I am truly grateful.
After having observed the beauty and abundance of spring and summer it is so appropriate we celebrate Thanksgiving this time of year for there is much to be thankful for: life, health, love, home, comfort, children, grandchildren, family, friends... Even the struggles and challenges and sadness that may have come along this past year are events that warrant gratefulness for they do have a way of moving our hearts and minds closer toward the Holy, if we open ourselves to their gentle nudging (or pushing).
As we sit down for our holiday meal, let us consider all the people, things, and events that have graced our lives and join our hearts and thoughts with the psalmist with gratitude in saying, "I thank you, Lord, with all my heart" (Psalm 138:1) for all the ways our Sacred Provider abundantly loves us and blesses our lives.
Peace on the Journey.
After having observed the beauty and abundance of spring and summer it is so appropriate we celebrate Thanksgiving this time of year for there is much to be thankful for: life, health, love, home, comfort, children, grandchildren, family, friends... Even the struggles and challenges and sadness that may have come along this past year are events that warrant gratefulness for they do have a way of moving our hearts and minds closer toward the Holy, if we open ourselves to their gentle nudging (or pushing).
As we sit down for our holiday meal, let us consider all the people, things, and events that have graced our lives and join our hearts and thoughts with the psalmist with gratitude in saying, "I thank you, Lord, with all my heart" (Psalm 138:1) for all the ways our Sacred Provider abundantly loves us and blesses our lives.
Peace on the Journey.
13 November 2009
Paths: 15 November 2009
You will show me the path to life.
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 16:11
It is the time of year when many of the fields are prepared for the winter and next spring’s growing season. The barley field surrounding our house was harvested a couple weeks ago and this morning it was plowed leaving a rather dismal looking dark brown landsca
pe. If my recollection of the cycle of plantings in this particular field is on target, next spring it will be planted with corn. As much as I appreciate and respect the gift and toil of farmers, I can’t help feeling disappointed that the field is now plowed because when the grain was harvested it provided an extremely accessible short cut to the pasture where I take my daily walk with the dogs where I can let them loose to run freely and safely. That convenient “path” across the field is now gone.On the plus side, the paths winding up and down and around the hills in the pasture are quite accessible. And…there is certainly an alternate route to take to the pasture other than the short cut through the now plowed field.
Our spiritual life mirrors the image a path. Sometimes we see the path, or way, clearly and it becomes familiar and comfortable. At other times our preferred spiritual practices just don’t reap the connection with the Divine we have grown to find comfort in and we may experience much difficulty, or even find it next to impossible to find comfort and peace and rest and nourishment for our weary souls. What was once consoling or enriching becomes dry or stagnant. We find it hard to know which path, or spiritual practice, to take to renew our spirits. As a result we may frantically go about searching for other options based on what others tell us (which may or may not be in our best interest) and perhaps make choices on impulse rather than listening for the voice of the Holy within.
When we come to realize it is our task to trust in our Sacred Guide who will indeed show us, as the psalmist writes, the path to life, we take a huge step in letting go of our human desire to be in control of everything. What a blessing and gift it is to let go our human desires and rely on the graciousness of Divine Love to show us the way and guide us along the path created just for us.
Peace on the Journey.
06 November 2009
Outward Appearances: 8 November 2009
While out for a walk this afternoon I was captivated by the sight of a soaring red-tailed hawk. The scene evoked an ever growing appreciation of nature’s beauty. Standing atop a hill I watched as it gracefully glided up and down and around above and below the tree tops at the edge of the woods with wings spread out wide and barely flapping in the strong wind and I couldn’t help thinking about the elegance of its movements. But all is not as it appears. Though the hawk’s flight was a joy to behold, we know it to be a large and aggressive sharp-taloned bird and what we may view as a splendid and glorious air show is in reality a search for prey – an unsuspecting rabbit, vole or mouse. (If you ask me, a few less mice in the world would not be a bad thing.)
We can ponder how events or sights in nature can image many experiences in our own lives. The apparent effortlessness of the hawk’s flight evokes a bit of envy – life for us humans is rarely all that easy. And the sheer beauty of the graceful flight is in part a deception for the intent is the destruction of life. Yes, it’s all a part of survival in the animal world but it is not appropriate or acceptable behavior to prey upon one another in the human world.
Jesus cautioned the people of his time to beware of those who outwardly appeared righteous and honorable and yet have the inner intent of causing hardship to the vulnerable (Mark 12: 38-40). There are times when we too need to be cautious of those who would deceive us by singing their own praises with flashy words, promises and titles and those who may attempt to lead us away from our true identity and responsibility as beloved creations of the Sacred. Each of us is richly blessed with our own talents and gifts not to be flaunted but to be unselfishly and humbly shared – to uplift and to care for others with compassion, mercy and love...just as abundantly as we are loved by the Holy.
Peace on the Journey.
We can ponder how events or sights in nature can image many experiences in our own lives. The apparent effortlessness of the hawk’s flight evokes a bit of envy – life for us humans is rarely all that easy. And the sheer beauty of the graceful flight is in part a deception for the intent is the destruction of life. Yes, it’s all a part of survival in the animal world but it is not appropriate or acceptable behavior to prey upon one another in the human world.
Jesus cautioned the people of his time to beware of those who outwardly appeared righteous and honorable and yet have the inner intent of causing hardship to the vulnerable (Mark 12: 38-40). There are times when we too need to be cautious of those who would deceive us by singing their own praises with flashy words, promises and titles and those who may attempt to lead us away from our true identity and responsibility as beloved creations of the Sacred. Each of us is richly blessed with our own talents and gifts not to be flaunted but to be unselfishly and humbly shared – to uplift and to care for others with compassion, mercy and love...just as abundantly as we are loved by the Holy.
Peace on the Journey.
30 October 2009
Remembering: 1 November 2009
When I was quite young we had one black and white TV in the living room of our house. Grandma and Grandpa were the first in the whole family to purchase the latest technology of the time: a color television. There was such excitement when visiting them as we watched programs “in living color”. It felt as if we were seeing programs and actors in a new way and for the very first time. But alas, when visiting time was over and we returned to the drabness of black and white.
The view from my window on this cloudy, rainy and windy afternoon is a stark reminder that autumn is waning and those long, cold winter months will soon be upon us. The lush green of many fields has turned to various shades of brown, the colors of foliage hav
e dulled considerably, and the leaves on the trees in our woods have thinned so much so that in many places one can see clear through the woods to the other side. All too soon the predominant colors of our Midwestern landscape will become black and white. This particular time of year, when our natural surroundings begins to look so barren on the heels of providing us with such splendid colors, gives us the opportunity to pause and consider endings and memories and…beginnings.
According to the Christian calendar we celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday and All Soul’s Day on Monday. We remember all those who have gone before us from this life. Did they make a difference? The saints, the canonized ones according to the Church, certainly did. But I suggest we consider all our dear departed loved ones as saints in their own right. Were they perfect? No, just as we are not perfect, but neither were most of the people officially declared as saints by the Church! Those with whom we had a connection during their life certainly had an influence on us – whether the relationship we shared with them was good or strained, they made a difference in our lives and our world if only through helping to shape who we have grown to become.
On Sunday and Monday consider joining me in celebrating the lives of our dear departed loved ones. Pay a visit to the cemetery or mausoleum. Flip through old photo albums. Ponder and savor the memories. Gather with family and tell the stories of their lives. Light a candle in remembrance. Because of the death of our loved ones life has truly changed but it just as certainly not ended – for us or for them. Jesus said: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me” (John 6:37). How comforting it is we have such a loving and gracious Creator who turns what we feel as an ending into a whole new beginning…much like the promise of spring’s new life awaits us after the barrenness of winter.
Peace on the Journey
The view from my window on this cloudy, rainy and windy afternoon is a stark reminder that autumn is waning and those long, cold winter months will soon be upon us. The lush green of many fields has turned to various shades of brown, the colors of foliage hav
e dulled considerably, and the leaves on the trees in our woods have thinned so much so that in many places one can see clear through the woods to the other side. All too soon the predominant colors of our Midwestern landscape will become black and white. This particular time of year, when our natural surroundings begins to look so barren on the heels of providing us with such splendid colors, gives us the opportunity to pause and consider endings and memories and…beginnings.According to the Christian calendar we celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday and All Soul’s Day on Monday. We remember all those who have gone before us from this life. Did they make a difference? The saints, the canonized ones according to the Church, certainly did. But I suggest we consider all our dear departed loved ones as saints in their own right. Were they perfect? No, just as we are not perfect, but neither were most of the people officially declared as saints by the Church! Those with whom we had a connection during their life certainly had an influence on us – whether the relationship we shared with them was good or strained, they made a difference in our lives and our world if only through helping to shape who we have grown to become.
On Sunday and Monday consider joining me in celebrating the lives of our dear departed loved ones. Pay a visit to the cemetery or mausoleum. Flip through old photo albums. Ponder and savor the memories. Gather with family and tell the stories of their lives. Light a candle in remembrance. Because of the death of our loved ones life has truly changed but it just as certainly not ended – for us or for them. Jesus said: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me” (John 6:37). How comforting it is we have such a loving and gracious Creator who turns what we feel as an ending into a whole new beginning…much like the promise of spring’s new life awaits us after the barrenness of winter.
Peace on the Journey
23 October 2009
In Sight or Insight?: 25 October 2009
Upon awakening few mornings ago and looking out the window I was hard pressed to see our neighbor’s house through the thick fog. Since we don’t live in the city, the neighbors houses aren't only a few feet away from ours, but there is such an uncomfortable feeling of being so isolated when I can’t see their house or the woods that grace our property or even the road as has happened on occasion. It’s glorious and pure gift to see all the beauty that surround
s us on a clear day, especially this time of year. Last week on a drive to a friend’s house I spotted an eagle’s nest. I pondered its location high up in a tree and thought about what a marvelous view there must be from that vantage point. Just imagine how far and how much one could see from way up there!
Those of us who don’t see well can feel isolated and uncomfortably dependent on others when poor eyesight strips away at our independence in the form of no longer being able to drive safely. We may take our ability to see for granted but it is a huge blessing and it’s comforting to know we have the capability to navigate our way by sight.
Bartimaeus knew well the physical and social distress of blindness. Destined to life as a roadside beggar he was seen as an outcast – one who did not merit the common decency of kindness when he called out to Jesus as he and his disciples were passing by. The gospel says “many rebuked him”. Rebuked – reprimanded, scolded, admonished, chided, ridiculed – when he was merely asking for pity; for someone, anyone, Jesus to notice him and his plight. His only request: “I want to see”. We know from the gospel Jesus healed Bartimaeus’ blindness (Mark 10:46-52) and forever changed the life of the man once born blind.
What is it we want to see? Here’s what I want to see: A society where children are not abducted or are horribly abused but are safe and cared for and loved, where jokes about people of different ethnicity's cease, where workers are paid a just wage for a good day’s work, where people drive like they own the car not the road, where each of us is respected as equals. I want to see a world without war, discrimination, and terrorism and a world where women are valued members of society. I want to see (and breathe) clean air. I want to see a prime time television show that is not filled with violence, sexual innuendos or “reality” that really isn’t reality for most of us. I want to see politicians and leaders of nations, states, cities and yes, even some churches, cease to use power and control as their governing agenda. Will I ever see all this? Probably not but…I truly believe if we sincerely strive to live as people wonderfully and blessedly made image of our Sacred Creator, we will have a good chance of being able to see beautiful things all around us…maybe clearly for the very first time.
Peace on the Journey.
s us on a clear day, especially this time of year. Last week on a drive to a friend’s house I spotted an eagle’s nest. I pondered its location high up in a tree and thought about what a marvelous view there must be from that vantage point. Just imagine how far and how much one could see from way up there!Those of us who don’t see well can feel isolated and uncomfortably dependent on others when poor eyesight strips away at our independence in the form of no longer being able to drive safely. We may take our ability to see for granted but it is a huge blessing and it’s comforting to know we have the capability to navigate our way by sight.
Bartimaeus knew well the physical and social distress of blindness. Destined to life as a roadside beggar he was seen as an outcast – one who did not merit the common decency of kindness when he called out to Jesus as he and his disciples were passing by. The gospel says “many rebuked him”. Rebuked – reprimanded, scolded, admonished, chided, ridiculed – when he was merely asking for pity; for someone, anyone, Jesus to notice him and his plight. His only request: “I want to see”. We know from the gospel Jesus healed Bartimaeus’ blindness (Mark 10:46-52) and forever changed the life of the man once born blind.
What is it we want to see? Here’s what I want to see: A society where children are not abducted or are horribly abused but are safe and cared for and loved, where jokes about people of different ethnicity's cease, where workers are paid a just wage for a good day’s work, where people drive like they own the car not the road, where each of us is respected as equals. I want to see a world without war, discrimination, and terrorism and a world where women are valued members of society. I want to see (and breathe) clean air. I want to see a prime time television show that is not filled with violence, sexual innuendos or “reality” that really isn’t reality for most of us. I want to see politicians and leaders of nations, states, cities and yes, even some churches, cease to use power and control as their governing agenda. Will I ever see all this? Probably not but…I truly believe if we sincerely strive to live as people wonderfully and blessedly made image of our Sacred Creator, we will have a good chance of being able to see beautiful things all around us…maybe clearly for the very first time.
Peace on the Journey.
16 October 2009
Who’s Got Talent?: 18 October 2009
This is such a beautiful time of the year here in NE Wisconsin. The fall foliage is now at peak color and the landscape dances with brilliant oranges, reds, yellows amid the green of pine and spruce trees. Taking a glimpse at the woods on our land from the house I can see some red and a few splashes of orange foliage but to my dismay the most common color is yellow. I know that just on the other side of the woods there are plenty of trees with vibrant orange leaves but the view cannot be seen or enjoyed from the house – it remains hidden (unless I take a drive around this country block). And I ponder things that are hidden.
Though not the gospel for this weekend in most Christian churches, I cannot help thinking about the story of the servants who received talents from their master – five, two and one – and the servant who received only the one talent going off and burying it so as not to lose it (Matthew 25:14-18-25). What are the things, the qualities that make up who we are and what we enjoy that we hide from others and sometimes even ourselves? Our Sacred Provider lavishes each of us with rich blessings and talents meant not to be hidden away for safe keeping but to be enjoyed and shared. Oh, we may think we don’t really have any special talents or anything of value to share with others, but we do! By working on a hobby or learning to become more proficient at a craft honors our Sacred Gift-Giver who has bestowed upon us the ability to create, whether it is making something useful, writing, photography, or any number of leisurely pursuits. And we can brighten someone’s day merely by sharing the gift of ourselves – our time, care, compassion. It costs us nothing but the returns are abundant.
I snapped this picture on today’s rainy and dreary afternoon. To my delight, th
e various vibrant fall colors of the woods, when taken in as a whole appear to be hidden from sight as compared to the view on the back side of the woods, are amazingly abundant with color when captured on film. When another looks at us, what do they see? William Shakespeare wrote: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man” (Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3). If we are to be true to who we really are, the beloved of our Sacred Creator, will we strive to develop and use the gifts and blessings we have been given to benefit the lives of others and our world?
Peace on the Journey.
Though not the gospel for this weekend in most Christian churches, I cannot help thinking about the story of the servants who received talents from their master – five, two and one – and the servant who received only the one talent going off and burying it so as not to lose it (Matthew 25:14-18-25). What are the things, the qualities that make up who we are and what we enjoy that we hide from others and sometimes even ourselves? Our Sacred Provider lavishes each of us with rich blessings and talents meant not to be hidden away for safe keeping but to be enjoyed and shared. Oh, we may think we don’t really have any special talents or anything of value to share with others, but we do! By working on a hobby or learning to become more proficient at a craft honors our Sacred Gift-Giver who has bestowed upon us the ability to create, whether it is making something useful, writing, photography, or any number of leisurely pursuits. And we can brighten someone’s day merely by sharing the gift of ourselves – our time, care, compassion. It costs us nothing but the returns are abundant.
I snapped this picture on today’s rainy and dreary afternoon. To my delight, th
e various vibrant fall colors of the woods, when taken in as a whole appear to be hidden from sight as compared to the view on the back side of the woods, are amazingly abundant with color when captured on film. When another looks at us, what do they see? William Shakespeare wrote: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man” (Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3). If we are to be true to who we really are, the beloved of our Sacred Creator, will we strive to develop and use the gifts and blessings we have been given to benefit the lives of others and our world?Peace on the Journey.
09 October 2009
Possessions: 11 October 2009
Have you ever wondered about dreams? Not those stop in the middle of the day to let your mind wander off daydreams or the hopes and dreams we have for our future, but the dreams we encounter during our night’s sleep. I don’t pretend to be at all skilled in dream analysis, nor do I take the time to sit down and try to figure out what a particular dream meant or what may have prompted the dream. Of late I’ve been conscious of dreaming nearly every night. Most of them have been rather disturbing and some were down right nightmares. As a child, as I suspect with many children, there were a lot of nightmares. Those scary dreams I have in the wee hours of the morning are easy to remember (for a while) and most often cause difficulty in returning to sleep. But more often than not once the alarm goes off in the morning I have trouble remembering most if not all of the dreams. What little I can remember, the main theme of many usually plays out to be someone trying to take something away from me – a valued possession, a person in my life, or even an unknown villain trying to threaten my life or that of someone I love.
In real, waking life it’s difficult to say the least to have something or someone loved and integral to our life taken away from us. But how very hard it is to willingly give up things we value and prize – things that may mean nothing to anyone except us, things that visibly show us and the world we are successful and well off, things that in reality can well be viewed by ones so immersed in poverty as wasteful excess. The story of the rich young man who approached Jesus and asked what he needed to do, besides already having kept all the commandments, to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-22) is a great lesson in what really matters in life: to treat others with respect, to place much value and importance on assisting the poor of our world to the best of our ability and in doing so honoring our Sacred Creator and living as the caring, compassionate and loving people we are intended to be. Unfortunately for the young man, he went away sad because he had many possessions – things that defined who he was, things he was not ready or willing to give up.
This story gives us cause to ponder: what excess are we living with; what are the things we really do not need that would be of benefit to someone else and help to ease their lack of basic necessities? It all boils down to how we define ourselves – by our possessions or as the Sacred’s beloved.
Peace on the Journey.
In real, waking life it’s difficult to say the least to have something or someone loved and integral to our life taken away from us. But how very hard it is to willingly give up things we value and prize – things that may mean nothing to anyone except us, things that visibly show us and the world we are successful and well off, things that in reality can well be viewed by ones so immersed in poverty as wasteful excess. The story of the rich young man who approached Jesus and asked what he needed to do, besides already having kept all the commandments, to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-22) is a great lesson in what really matters in life: to treat others with respect, to place much value and importance on assisting the poor of our world to the best of our ability and in doing so honoring our Sacred Creator and living as the caring, compassionate and loving people we are intended to be. Unfortunately for the young man, he went away sad because he had many possessions – things that defined who he was, things he was not ready or willing to give up.
This story gives us cause to ponder: what excess are we living with; what are the things we really do not need that would be of benefit to someone else and help to ease their lack of basic necessities? It all boils down to how we define ourselves – by our possessions or as the Sacred’s beloved.
Peace on the Journey.
02 October 2009
Harvesting and Sowing: 4 October 2009
Living in or traveling through the rural areas of NE Wisconsin this time of year, one cannot help but notice the signs of fall and approaching winter: corn fields are in the process of being or already have been harvested, some fields not long ago abundantly green are already plowed and barren of plant life, flocks of geese are beginning to head south, even the number of various bird species has decreased as they too have headed for warmer weather. Just yesterday I noticed a flurry of Eastern bluebird activity in the back yard; today they are gone, presumably until early spring arrives again. Outside our home is a field of barley, planted as a late crop after the winter wheat was harvested. The
past couple of weeks a pair of sandhill cranes has visited daily to partake of the barley almost ready for harvesting. They are a curious pair – when I leave the dogs out the cranes squawk loudly and dance around in a frenzy probably in an effort to protect their bountiful territory. Otherwise they go about quietly reaping and eating some of the handiwork of the farmer’s planting.
Late last May when I planted the garden, the tomato plants looked so fragile and tiny. The growing season, although quite dry, proved to be a good one and the tomato harvest has been quite abundant. So much so that a good many quarts of tomato juice have been processed to date with more to come. By my estimation there already has to be enough to last through the winter, into spring, and maybe even until next year’s first tomato ripens on the vine. It’s a wonder of nature, with little skill on my part, to be blessed with a harvest plentiful enough to offer one enjoyment of the fruits of her or his planting, weeding, watering and preserving handiwork for months to come. The saying “We reap what we sow” literally rings true for us gardeners this time of year…in a very good way!
“For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork” (Psalm 128:2) is a good reminder that although we can take this verse literally, as I wrote in the paragraph above, it also moves us to look deeper into how we live and relate to others. Our handiwork bears fruit when we set aside our own “vices”, perhaps those of conceit, arrogance, indifference, intolerance, bias, etc. to place our focus on building bridges and relationships with open and honest and caring and compassionate communication. A good turn done for another in need does indeed return to us in abundant ways – a smile, a thank you, a kindness returned – the fruit of our handiwork of kind generosity. The psalmist also reminds us that it is not by our hands alone that we prosper but also by our faith in and reliance on the grace of our Sacred Creator’s abundant Love and blessings.
Although it’s now harvest time, I wonder…what is it, at this very time that we now wish to sow and watch as it grows?
Peace on the Journey.
past couple of weeks a pair of sandhill cranes has visited daily to partake of the barley almost ready for harvesting. They are a curious pair – when I leave the dogs out the cranes squawk loudly and dance around in a frenzy probably in an effort to protect their bountiful territory. Otherwise they go about quietly reaping and eating some of the handiwork of the farmer’s planting.Late last May when I planted the garden, the tomato plants looked so fragile and tiny. The growing season, although quite dry, proved to be a good one and the tomato harvest has been quite abundant. So much so that a good many quarts of tomato juice have been processed to date with more to come. By my estimation there already has to be enough to last through the winter, into spring, and maybe even until next year’s first tomato ripens on the vine. It’s a wonder of nature, with little skill on my part, to be blessed with a harvest plentiful enough to offer one enjoyment of the fruits of her or his planting, weeding, watering and preserving handiwork for months to come. The saying “We reap what we sow” literally rings true for us gardeners this time of year…in a very good way!
“For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork” (Psalm 128:2) is a good reminder that although we can take this verse literally, as I wrote in the paragraph above, it also moves us to look deeper into how we live and relate to others. Our handiwork bears fruit when we set aside our own “vices”, perhaps those of conceit, arrogance, indifference, intolerance, bias, etc. to place our focus on building bridges and relationships with open and honest and caring and compassionate communication. A good turn done for another in need does indeed return to us in abundant ways – a smile, a thank you, a kindness returned – the fruit of our handiwork of kind generosity. The psalmist also reminds us that it is not by our hands alone that we prosper but also by our faith in and reliance on the grace of our Sacred Creator’s abundant Love and blessings.
Although it’s now harvest time, I wonder…what is it, at this very time that we now wish to sow and watch as it grows?
Peace on the Journey.
25 September 2009
In or Out?: 27 September 2009
A group of kids head out to the playground for a game of kick ball. The captains, usually two of the most popular kids, choose players for their team typically based on who they like. A family is gathered for a holiday celebration and after the meal, one group of people (the original family members) is seated at the table engaged in conversation and around the perimeter of the room are the in-laws…separated. Oddly enough, these two brief scenarios have something in common: who’s included and who’s not.
I’m not sure just when it happens during the course of our childhood socialization – what I call the discrimination factor – but at some point we do learn the concept of “us and them”. Taken to the extreme, as fairly recent history in our own country has taught us, this discrimination factor has produced judgments and segregation of people based on their ethnic origins that still have not completely dissipated. We are keenly aware of the tensions between people of different cultures, beliefs, even religious traditions. And if we listen closely to the language, at some point in life we will likely hear comments that include the words “those people” or “it’s us against them”. With healthy, playful competition we learn how to be gracious winners and not sore losers. But competition becomes unhealthy, even hurtful, when it serves as a means of deciding who is superior or worthy – who’s in and who’s out, who gets our attention and care and who does not.
Just because someone may not be at the “right” place at any given time as were Eldad and Midad (Numbers 11: 26) or the “right” station in life does not mean he or she is less blessed, less gifted in unique ways or even less of a person. I haven’t decided which, but I do muse whether our Sacred Creator is color blind or delights great variety when it comes to people. Maybe it’s both! What I do believe is that the Divine One lavishes each of us with unconditional love.
Perhaps one day all the lines of intolerance and prejudice in our world will be blurred and we will begin to see each other more clearly – as wonderfully made in the image of our Creator.
Peace on the Journey.
I’m not sure just when it happens during the course of our childhood socialization – what I call the discrimination factor – but at some point we do learn the concept of “us and them”. Taken to the extreme, as fairly recent history in our own country has taught us, this discrimination factor has produced judgments and segregation of people based on their ethnic origins that still have not completely dissipated. We are keenly aware of the tensions between people of different cultures, beliefs, even religious traditions. And if we listen closely to the language, at some point in life we will likely hear comments that include the words “those people” or “it’s us against them”. With healthy, playful competition we learn how to be gracious winners and not sore losers. But competition becomes unhealthy, even hurtful, when it serves as a means of deciding who is superior or worthy – who’s in and who’s out, who gets our attention and care and who does not.
Just because someone may not be at the “right” place at any given time as were Eldad and Midad (Numbers 11: 26) or the “right” station in life does not mean he or she is less blessed, less gifted in unique ways or even less of a person. I haven’t decided which, but I do muse whether our Sacred Creator is color blind or delights great variety when it comes to people. Maybe it’s both! What I do believe is that the Divine One lavishes each of us with unconditional love.
Perhaps one day all the lines of intolerance and prejudice in our world will be blurred and we will begin to see each other more clearly – as wonderfully made in the image of our Creator.
Peace on the Journey.
18 September 2009
Sustained: 20 September 2009
This is such a beautiful time of year. Being out and about several times over the past couple of weeks I’ve had the opportunity to watch as little by little the vibrant colors of the landscape begin to emerge. With each day the various wooded areas change in appearance showing bright and muted oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. This is also a busy time of year for those who are gardeners. Much of the late vegetable harvest is ripening and all too soon the gardens will need cleaning out. Leaves have begun to fall from the trees, some would say littering their yards, and so the seemingly unending fall task of raking begins. All too soon that first “killing” frost will arrive and this season of beauty will fade into the deep, long rest of winter.
It has become uncommon to hear the psalm of the day as it is written in the lectionary proclaimed or sung at Sunday service in the Catholic Church (at least in our area). Often we are blessed with hearing another psalm or the same one but with slightly different words sung by cantor or choir. I write this not make a judgment but merely to state an observation. This week I made a point of reading the psalm for this Sunday and found in it one line that really sticks in my mind and heart: “…the Lord sustains my life” (Psalm 54:6). Through all the seasons of time and life no matter what they bring, our Sacred Creator, Companion and Protector is always so deeply intertwined in the fabric of life sustaining all that is with gentle care and love.
We have become so prone to turn our thoughts toward the future, wondering what the next day, week, month, season or year will bring. We plan, make preparations for gatherings and holidays, schedule vacations and appointments. But for all our careful planning, at times life just doesn’t go according to plan; we find out we really aren’t the ones in control. Sometimes we may feel so overwhelmed – with work, busyness, grief, sadness, disappointment, even with the sameness of our daily routine. But there are other times, if we happen to take the time to observe, when we are delightfully surprised at something so ordinary,
almost routine, and yet at the same time a most profound sight, insight or revelation it simply takes our breath away. And when we do take notice, we come to realize how blessed we are – how we can feel so utterly sustained by a Sacred sunrise masterpiece.
Peace on the Journey.
It has become uncommon to hear the psalm of the day as it is written in the lectionary proclaimed or sung at Sunday service in the Catholic Church (at least in our area). Often we are blessed with hearing another psalm or the same one but with slightly different words sung by cantor or choir. I write this not make a judgment but merely to state an observation. This week I made a point of reading the psalm for this Sunday and found in it one line that really sticks in my mind and heart: “…the Lord sustains my life” (Psalm 54:6). Through all the seasons of time and life no matter what they bring, our Sacred Creator, Companion and Protector is always so deeply intertwined in the fabric of life sustaining all that is with gentle care and love.
We have become so prone to turn our thoughts toward the future, wondering what the next day, week, month, season or year will bring. We plan, make preparations for gatherings and holidays, schedule vacations and appointments. But for all our careful planning, at times life just doesn’t go according to plan; we find out we really aren’t the ones in control. Sometimes we may feel so overwhelmed – with work, busyness, grief, sadness, disappointment, even with the sameness of our daily routine. But there are other times, if we happen to take the time to observe, when we are delightfully surprised at something so ordinary,
almost routine, and yet at the same time a most profound sight, insight or revelation it simply takes our breath away. And when we do take notice, we come to realize how blessed we are – how we can feel so utterly sustained by a Sacred sunrise masterpiece.Peace on the Journey.
11 September 2009
Balancing Act: 13 September 2009
A buzz word I’ve heard many times over the past months is balance. We balance our checkbooks, gymnasts balance on beams, there are scales that balance. From what I’ve observed, our four-legged and feathered friends who live in the elements of nature instinctively know how to achieve balance. For example birds migrate at the appropriate times of the year and other animals hibernate during winter. They just know when it’s time to head north or south or when to rest. But when it comes to us humans and our lives, having or feeling an inner sense of balance can be so illusive.
We sure can be a driven people – always doing, working, engaging in some or another activity. Then throw in an unexpected crisis and we are called upon to navigate our way through difficulties that in a flash drains any sense of balance we may feel. As we get older and our children have grown, left home and started families and/or careers of their own we find they are no longer so dependent upon us. For us, we thought this would be a time of “clear sailing” freeing us up for enjoyable and relaxing times. Like many, we found out that though our nest was empty, our family elders needed us to tend to them. It is a blessing to be able to do so though our energy level certainly isn’t as high as it was in our twenties. And we soon came to discover finding balance in our lives at times became more illusive as ever.
At first glance the author of James (2:14-18) appears to be writing a back and forth on which is better – to have faith or to do good works. But in reality this is not a written balancing act of either faith or good works. It’s yet another both/and. Our Sacred Creator calls us to tend to our world, our sisters and brothers in need and to each other. And indeed we do demonstrate our faith in the Sacred and the blessedness of all life by our works; the ways we spread goodness and love.
Our preferences for finding or making time for relaxation and renewal are as individual as each of us. So too are our daily tasks; activities; and ways supporting, caring for and encouraging our loved ones and those we encounter. What is common to all of us is our need to find rest for ourselves – to offer thanks for our blessings, to refresh our spirits and to find a sense of inner peace and…balance.
Peace on the Journey.
We sure can be a driven people – always doing, working, engaging in some or another activity. Then throw in an unexpected crisis and we are called upon to navigate our way through difficulties that in a flash drains any sense of balance we may feel. As we get older and our children have grown, left home and started families and/or careers of their own we find they are no longer so dependent upon us. For us, we thought this would be a time of “clear sailing” freeing us up for enjoyable and relaxing times. Like many, we found out that though our nest was empty, our family elders needed us to tend to them. It is a blessing to be able to do so though our energy level certainly isn’t as high as it was in our twenties. And we soon came to discover finding balance in our lives at times became more illusive as ever.
At first glance the author of James (2:14-18) appears to be writing a back and forth on which is better – to have faith or to do good works. But in reality this is not a written balancing act of either faith or good works. It’s yet another both/and. Our Sacred Creator calls us to tend to our world, our sisters and brothers in need and to each other. And indeed we do demonstrate our faith in the Sacred and the blessedness of all life by our works; the ways we spread goodness and love.
Our preferences for finding or making time for relaxation and renewal are as individual as each of us. So too are our daily tasks; activities; and ways supporting, caring for and encouraging our loved ones and those we encounter. What is common to all of us is our need to find rest for ourselves – to offer thanks for our blessings, to refresh our spirits and to find a sense of inner peace and…balance.
Peace on the Journey.
04 September 2009
Being Opened: 6 September 2009
There’s a lot that grabs our attention during the course of any given day. If we work outside our home perhaps we focus on things such as the work in front of us, what our colleagues are doing, phone calls, meetings, schedules, agendas, appointments, deadlines, etc. Work days can become a frenzy of activity and at times leave us feeling exhausted at the end of the day or the work week. Those of us who are no longer working by choice or because of circumstances beyond our control can be no less busy during the day as our fellow nine-to-fiver’s. We may very well find our days filled with a great many activities some of which may range from tending to elderly family members or perhaps job hunting to running errands, babysitting the grandkids, garden and lawn maintenance, keeping up with housework, and so many other activities that we too can find ourselves quite drained at the end of the day. We certainly are a people who tend to focus on doing something…anything to stay busy. This is not necessarily bad or wrong but we can miss much when we so often immerse our selves and our minds in a flurry of activities day after day and…at the end of the day find ourselves vegging out in front of the TV or busying ourselves with even more activities. After all, grandma used to say, “Idle hands are the devil’s handiwork”. Another saying I often hear is: “If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind”.
Imagine the following scenes: First we have a family with kids in school. After school a son is busy with sports practice, a daughter has dance lessons and of course, neither of which happens at the same time. Their mother is constantly on the go providing transportation to and from her children’s activities. Their father often works late. It is a very rare occasion when all their schedules coincide so that they can, as a family, actually sit down and enjoy a meal together. In another household husband and wife both work and here too their schedules and activities do not always offer them the “luxury” of being able to spend evenings truly connecting with each other. They both get home from work, the TV gets turned on to catch the evening news, the woman begins to prepare the evening meal (most often a quick and easy “packaged” sort of meal) while her male partner may bury his attention in the newspaper or go off to do a “quick” something or another that needs tending to before supper is ready. (At our house there is no such thing as a “quick” project.) Oh, the members of these two families do talk to each other but more often than not the focus is on doing, keeping busy and with different schedules, not to mention that TV blaring in the background. All this hectic busyness of these two fictional families should cause us to wonder just how often, at times, we deliberately/intentionally stop our busyness and open ourselves up to good old fashioned communication and really concentrate on hearing and listening to the dear ones with whom we live.
And the people brought to Jesus the deaf man with a speech impediment. Two little but oh so powerful words from Jesus: “Be Opened” offered this man both a cure and great opportunity (Mark 7:32-34). No longer could this man be labeled as “the deaf man” – he could now speak, hear, tell people his name, carry on a conversation with anyone and for the first time really listen to others. Not only were his ears and mouth opened, his whole life and way of being was opened to great and wonderful possibilities to connect with people in ways that were previously not available to him.
Amid the busyness of all our doing, how open are we to the many opportunities we are given each day for rich and meaningful connection and communication with those closest to us? And how open are we to looking for, seeing, hearing, taking into our hearts the multitude of Sacred wonders all around us? The already bright orange leaves on one tree
in the woods at the edge of the pond and the little fawn prancing effortlessly across the field this morning caused me to pause a while for they truly imaged to my eyes and soul the great abundance of sacred gifts all around!
Peace on the Journey.
Imagine the following scenes: First we have a family with kids in school. After school a son is busy with sports practice, a daughter has dance lessons and of course, neither of which happens at the same time. Their mother is constantly on the go providing transportation to and from her children’s activities. Their father often works late. It is a very rare occasion when all their schedules coincide so that they can, as a family, actually sit down and enjoy a meal together. In another household husband and wife both work and here too their schedules and activities do not always offer them the “luxury” of being able to spend evenings truly connecting with each other. They both get home from work, the TV gets turned on to catch the evening news, the woman begins to prepare the evening meal (most often a quick and easy “packaged” sort of meal) while her male partner may bury his attention in the newspaper or go off to do a “quick” something or another that needs tending to before supper is ready. (At our house there is no such thing as a “quick” project.) Oh, the members of these two families do talk to each other but more often than not the focus is on doing, keeping busy and with different schedules, not to mention that TV blaring in the background. All this hectic busyness of these two fictional families should cause us to wonder just how often, at times, we deliberately/intentionally stop our busyness and open ourselves up to good old fashioned communication and really concentrate on hearing and listening to the dear ones with whom we live.
And the people brought to Jesus the deaf man with a speech impediment. Two little but oh so powerful words from Jesus: “Be Opened” offered this man both a cure and great opportunity (Mark 7:32-34). No longer could this man be labeled as “the deaf man” – he could now speak, hear, tell people his name, carry on a conversation with anyone and for the first time really listen to others. Not only were his ears and mouth opened, his whole life and way of being was opened to great and wonderful possibilities to connect with people in ways that were previously not available to him.
Amid the busyness of all our doing, how open are we to the many opportunities we are given each day for rich and meaningful connection and communication with those closest to us? And how open are we to looking for, seeing, hearing, taking into our hearts the multitude of Sacred wonders all around us? The already bright orange leaves on one tree
in the woods at the edge of the pond and the little fawn prancing effortlessly across the field this morning caused me to pause a while for they truly imaged to my eyes and soul the great abundance of sacred gifts all around!Peace on the Journey.
28 August 2009
Following the Rules: 30 August 2009
If we think back to the days of our youth, I’m willing to bet most if not all of us can remember mother often saying, “Wash your hands”. Wash your hands before lunch, wash your hands before supper, wash your hands after playing outside, wash your hands after rummaging around in the basement. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. In our house, it was almost a mantra heard several times a day. And…more often than not, I would roll my eyes (because after all it was only dirt) and then dutifully go wash my hands sometimes even using soap. In later years I had many times said the same thing to my daughter and now to my grandson: “Wash your hands”. It’s not just one of those “mom rules”, though I do think moms say it the most; it’s a “rule” that simply makes a whole lot of sense and does prevent the spread of germs.
We live by a whole lot of rules and laws. Many of them make sense to us and help to keep us safe – like look both ways before crossing the street. Others we may have a bit of difficulty with. For example, who’s in charge of letting family members know when mom or dad has a health crisis? Is it the eldest son or daughter? Is it appropriate for one of the in-laws, who has first-hand knowledge of the situation, to alert the rest of the family? Well, I guess it pretty much depends on the “rules” or “traditions” of the family.
When it comes to church, a frequent comment in our house has been: “It was so much easier back when I was a kid and you knew what the rules were” (as opposed to really thinking and praying about what is the morally right and just way to be and live). In a perfect world everyone would just follow all the rules to the letter and we would all would live happily ever after. But…whose rules?
I think one of the main points Jesus was trying to get across when he responded to the Pharisee’s complaint that Jesus’ disciples did not observe the tradition of the elders by washing their hands before their meals (Mark 7:1-8) was to get the Pharisees and us really thinking about whose laws we should be following. Like the Pharisees of the gospel, at times we may outwardly appear to be following all the rules (many of which have been humanly constructed) and yet on the inside feel quite self-righteous about doing so, perhaps going so far as to think or even point out to others how much better we are because we follow the “rules”. But is looking good in fact what truly matters? Doesn’t it all really come down to the intention of our heart – what propels us to follow the rules? Is the reason we strive to observe the traditions and doctrines, “the rules”, merely a sense of obligation or a way to show off to others? Or…do we do so out of love and respect for our Creator and one another. Hmm…and isn’t it written that the greatest commandments, the most important rules to follow are to love our Creator with our whole mind, heart and soul and to love one another as ourselves? I’m going to think about that the next time I wash my hands.
Peace on the Journey
We live by a whole lot of rules and laws. Many of them make sense to us and help to keep us safe – like look both ways before crossing the street. Others we may have a bit of difficulty with. For example, who’s in charge of letting family members know when mom or dad has a health crisis? Is it the eldest son or daughter? Is it appropriate for one of the in-laws, who has first-hand knowledge of the situation, to alert the rest of the family? Well, I guess it pretty much depends on the “rules” or “traditions” of the family.
When it comes to church, a frequent comment in our house has been: “It was so much easier back when I was a kid and you knew what the rules were” (as opposed to really thinking and praying about what is the morally right and just way to be and live). In a perfect world everyone would just follow all the rules to the letter and we would all would live happily ever after. But…whose rules?
I think one of the main points Jesus was trying to get across when he responded to the Pharisee’s complaint that Jesus’ disciples did not observe the tradition of the elders by washing their hands before their meals (Mark 7:1-8) was to get the Pharisees and us really thinking about whose laws we should be following. Like the Pharisees of the gospel, at times we may outwardly appear to be following all the rules (many of which have been humanly constructed) and yet on the inside feel quite self-righteous about doing so, perhaps going so far as to think or even point out to others how much better we are because we follow the “rules”. But is looking good in fact what truly matters? Doesn’t it all really come down to the intention of our heart – what propels us to follow the rules? Is the reason we strive to observe the traditions and doctrines, “the rules”, merely a sense of obligation or a way to show off to others? Or…do we do so out of love and respect for our Creator and one another. Hmm…and isn’t it written that the greatest commandments, the most important rules to follow are to love our Creator with our whole mind, heart and soul and to love one another as ourselves? I’m going to think about that the next time I wash my hands.
Peace on the Journey
21 August 2009
Protective Companion: 23 August 2009
Dear Friends,
In recent weeks Mother Nature has provided our country and world with a variety of what the meteorologists all too often refer to as “weather events”. It’s an almost comical term in that any given “event” can last for days, weeks, or even months. There have been stories of devastating forest fires threatening communities, homes and lives; a typhoon hitting Japan and Taiwan; tropical depression Claudette bringing torrential rains to the panhandle of Florida and Alabama, severe drought in many areas of our country and flash flooding in
others; tornadoes; hail; damaging winds; dangerously hot temperatures in the southwest; deadly lightening strikes; hurricane Bill is threatening to provide storm surges to the east coast as early as this weekend and more. Recently in this corner of the world we’ve received some much needed and welcome rain over the past few days. Such a variety of “events” – some welcome but many downright dangerous and potentially life threatening and changing.
As I ponder these active weather “events” I can’t help thinking how much they echo the patterns of our lives. There are times when life goes along on an even keel – all is in place and all is well. Then there are other times when storms hit us and seeing the signs of difficulty ahead we have prepared our hearts and minds for the inevitable – braced ourselves for the storm. And then there are life-changing events we just didn’t anticipate or see coming: a deadly car crash, violent crimes, a sudden illness, a devastating diagnosis, a death of someone dear, the loss of job and/or home, the disintegration of a relationship, etc. Life can certainly bring “events” – many twists and turns to our lives, some coming “out of the blue” and, admittedly, some as the result of our own choices. But the one constant, through the good, the rough, and the bad times, is that we are not alone.
Just as the people of the tribes of Israel proclaimed being accompanied by the Lord God as they escaped from Egypt, witnessed great miracles and were protected and provided for in the desert (Joshua 24:17), the same is true for us: we are not alone on our journey. Despite the events of our lives – both the good and the devastating, our Sacred Guide and Protector walks with us every step of the way. Often the challenge we face is realizing, feeling, knowing, embracing the constant, loving presence of our Holy Companion.
I wonder…when life gets tough (and even when things are going along well) is our oasis of comfort and compassion found exclusively in the reality that we are unceasingly companioned by the Sacred One throughout life or…do we actively and intentionally seek out ways to invite the Sacred into our lives? Ah, isn’t the answer yet another Both/And? And are we not also invited to be companion to others as well?
Peace on the Journey
In recent weeks Mother Nature has provided our country and world with a variety of what the meteorologists all too often refer to as “weather events”. It’s an almost comical term in that any given “event” can last for days, weeks, or even months. There have been stories of devastating forest fires threatening communities, homes and lives; a typhoon hitting Japan and Taiwan; tropical depression Claudette bringing torrential rains to the panhandle of Florida and Alabama, severe drought in many areas of our country and flash flooding in
others; tornadoes; hail; damaging winds; dangerously hot temperatures in the southwest; deadly lightening strikes; hurricane Bill is threatening to provide storm surges to the east coast as early as this weekend and more. Recently in this corner of the world we’ve received some much needed and welcome rain over the past few days. Such a variety of “events” – some welcome but many downright dangerous and potentially life threatening and changing.As I ponder these active weather “events” I can’t help thinking how much they echo the patterns of our lives. There are times when life goes along on an even keel – all is in place and all is well. Then there are other times when storms hit us and seeing the signs of difficulty ahead we have prepared our hearts and minds for the inevitable – braced ourselves for the storm. And then there are life-changing events we just didn’t anticipate or see coming: a deadly car crash, violent crimes, a sudden illness, a devastating diagnosis, a death of someone dear, the loss of job and/or home, the disintegration of a relationship, etc. Life can certainly bring “events” – many twists and turns to our lives, some coming “out of the blue” and, admittedly, some as the result of our own choices. But the one constant, through the good, the rough, and the bad times, is that we are not alone.
Just as the people of the tribes of Israel proclaimed being accompanied by the Lord God as they escaped from Egypt, witnessed great miracles and were protected and provided for in the desert (Joshua 24:17), the same is true for us: we are not alone on our journey. Despite the events of our lives – both the good and the devastating, our Sacred Guide and Protector walks with us every step of the way. Often the challenge we face is realizing, feeling, knowing, embracing the constant, loving presence of our Holy Companion.
I wonder…when life gets tough (and even when things are going along well) is our oasis of comfort and compassion found exclusively in the reality that we are unceasingly companioned by the Sacred One throughout life or…do we actively and intentionally seek out ways to invite the Sacred into our lives? Ah, isn’t the answer yet another Both/And? And are we not also invited to be companion to others as well?
Peace on the Journey
14 August 2009
I Am: 16 August 2009
Dear Friends,
Sometimes the people close to us, our friends and colleagues and at times even our family, can be oblivious to who we are. We tend to see people on the surface – by what they do, how they look, how they dress and act - and can overlook the deeper qualities that make them who they really are. Though it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get into someone’s head and heart to really know what they are thinking and feeling (and why), one would think those closest to us in a friend, colleague and/or family relationship would have the wisdom to at least be supportive and understanding – especially when things “go wrong” in our life.
Example: Imagine the woman (or man) who has just experienced the death
of a dear loved one. Their emotions can be all over the place and their words and actions can appear out of character to us on the “outside”. She (or he) returns to work and life feeling raw, devastated, exhausted…grieving…and are met with a variety of responses. Some people in her (or his) life may wonder, even out loud, “Why don’t you just get over it?” Some may not even acknowledge the person’s loss and grief and ignore the person all together. Others may simply do everything they can to avoid any contact with the person. And yes, there are some, if only one, who is there willing to listen, support and try to understand all that is going on on the inside. We really cannot judge a book by its cover. We have to open the pages – our eyes and heart and take a closer look at what is hidden deep inside – to begin to understand who this person is now; this person who finds every fiber of their being screaming with pain, a deep sense of loss, and may be silently saying "I am in need at times to be alone and at other times to have the company of a sympathetic, empathetic, supportive, compassionate listening ear". It’s a sad truth that when times get tough in life we find out who our true friends are.
All major life changes, be it a death, loss or change of employment, the kids growing up and leaving home, etc. affect us at a deep level and...if we think about it, will cause us to ask ourselves, "Who am I now?"
The gospel this weekend begins with one of those “I am” statements of Jesus so familiar to the gospel according to John (John 6:51). The “I am” statements are, in simple terms, the author’s way of revealing and asserting Jesus’ true and divine identity. Many of the people of the time, “the Jews” in John’s words, apparently are able only to see Jesus on the surface – who he is as a person based on where he came from (Nazareth) and who his earthly family is. But there is so more to the “book” that is Jesus, as with all of us, than what is outwardly seen. His invitation is to dig deeper, gain understanding, and find in him – his words, actions, and who he really is – the very life-giving sustenance we all truly desire.
Are we willing and able to set aside our judgments of others based on what we see on the outside in order to recognize the whole person for who they are: one who is so deeply loved by our Sacred Creator and who, like all of us, at times is in need of understanding and gentle care?
Peace on the Journey
Sometimes the people close to us, our friends and colleagues and at times even our family, can be oblivious to who we are. We tend to see people on the surface – by what they do, how they look, how they dress and act - and can overlook the deeper qualities that make them who they really are. Though it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get into someone’s head and heart to really know what they are thinking and feeling (and why), one would think those closest to us in a friend, colleague and/or family relationship would have the wisdom to at least be supportive and understanding – especially when things “go wrong” in our life.
Example: Imagine the woman (or man) who has just experienced the death
of a dear loved one. Their emotions can be all over the place and their words and actions can appear out of character to us on the “outside”. She (or he) returns to work and life feeling raw, devastated, exhausted…grieving…and are met with a variety of responses. Some people in her (or his) life may wonder, even out loud, “Why don’t you just get over it?” Some may not even acknowledge the person’s loss and grief and ignore the person all together. Others may simply do everything they can to avoid any contact with the person. And yes, there are some, if only one, who is there willing to listen, support and try to understand all that is going on on the inside. We really cannot judge a book by its cover. We have to open the pages – our eyes and heart and take a closer look at what is hidden deep inside – to begin to understand who this person is now; this person who finds every fiber of their being screaming with pain, a deep sense of loss, and may be silently saying "I am in need at times to be alone and at other times to have the company of a sympathetic, empathetic, supportive, compassionate listening ear". It’s a sad truth that when times get tough in life we find out who our true friends are. All major life changes, be it a death, loss or change of employment, the kids growing up and leaving home, etc. affect us at a deep level and...if we think about it, will cause us to ask ourselves, "Who am I now?"
The gospel this weekend begins with one of those “I am” statements of Jesus so familiar to the gospel according to John (John 6:51). The “I am” statements are, in simple terms, the author’s way of revealing and asserting Jesus’ true and divine identity. Many of the people of the time, “the Jews” in John’s words, apparently are able only to see Jesus on the surface – who he is as a person based on where he came from (Nazareth) and who his earthly family is. But there is so more to the “book” that is Jesus, as with all of us, than what is outwardly seen. His invitation is to dig deeper, gain understanding, and find in him – his words, actions, and who he really is – the very life-giving sustenance we all truly desire.
Are we willing and able to set aside our judgments of others based on what we see on the outside in order to recognize the whole person for who they are: one who is so deeply loved by our Sacred Creator and who, like all of us, at times is in need of understanding and gentle care?
Peace on the Journey
07 August 2009
Left-Overs: 9 August 2009
Dear Friends,
Last Friday the winter wheat field near our house was combined, harvesting the grain and leaving the long, topless stalks piled in rows. Yesterday the farmer came back and gathered what was left into chopper wagons. To this once very much a city girl, the field appeared to be completely stripped of its crop and once again awaiting cultivation. But early this morning as I stood by the window soaking up the morning sunlight and the beauty of nature surrounding our humble abode, I was met with a sight that dispelled the notion
of this field being barren. Geese were everywhere! There were at least seventy-five or more of them covering the landscape of the field, grazing and feasting on the left-overs. (Click on picture for a better view, then click the back arrow on your browser to return here.)
Left-overs do provide nourishment. It’s pretty common in our household to whip up a big batch of some or another main entrée at the beginning of the week and partake of the left-overs for a meal or two (or three) during the rest of the week or…to freeze some for later use. But there’s something about that first meal that just tastes so much better.
Elijah, while fleeing into the desert for his life, found a hearth cake and jug of water provided him by God to strengthen and sustain him for his journey to the mountain (1Kings 19:4-8). Our Sacred Provider gives life-giving nourishment, the Bread of Life, to enrich and sustain us for our own journey in the person and actions of Jesus (John 6:41-51). These are not left-overs presented to us. We are continually offered the blessing of receiving the first plateful of sacred sustenance.
Not that there’s anything so wrong with partaking of or serving left-overs, but it gets me to pondering: What do I, what do we offer to others? Am I, are we, so caught up in the flurry of life, activities, schedules and agendas leaving little, if any, room or energy to offer anything but our left-over time or gifts and blessings or talents? Or…Is it a portion of the best we have that we offer – in our relationships, in giving of ourselves and our time, in charitable acts, in kindness to a stranger, in tending to the best of our ability to those in need of basic human needs or providing a compassionate listening ear that will serve to ease, heal or comfort those in need?
Peace on the Journey
Last Friday the winter wheat field near our house was combined, harvesting the grain and leaving the long, topless stalks piled in rows. Yesterday the farmer came back and gathered what was left into chopper wagons. To this once very much a city girl, the field appeared to be completely stripped of its crop and once again awaiting cultivation. But early this morning as I stood by the window soaking up the morning sunlight and the beauty of nature surrounding our humble abode, I was met with a sight that dispelled the notion
of this field being barren. Geese were everywhere! There were at least seventy-five or more of them covering the landscape of the field, grazing and feasting on the left-overs. (Click on picture for a better view, then click the back arrow on your browser to return here.)
Left-overs do provide nourishment. It’s pretty common in our household to whip up a big batch of some or another main entrée at the beginning of the week and partake of the left-overs for a meal or two (or three) during the rest of the week or…to freeze some for later use. But there’s something about that first meal that just tastes so much better.
Elijah, while fleeing into the desert for his life, found a hearth cake and jug of water provided him by God to strengthen and sustain him for his journey to the mountain (1Kings 19:4-8). Our Sacred Provider gives life-giving nourishment, the Bread of Life, to enrich and sustain us for our own journey in the person and actions of Jesus (John 6:41-51). These are not left-overs presented to us. We are continually offered the blessing of receiving the first plateful of sacred sustenance.
Not that there’s anything so wrong with partaking of or serving left-overs, but it gets me to pondering: What do I, what do we offer to others? Am I, are we, so caught up in the flurry of life, activities, schedules and agendas leaving little, if any, room or energy to offer anything but our left-over time or gifts and blessings or talents? Or…Is it a portion of the best we have that we offer – in our relationships, in giving of ourselves and our time, in charitable acts, in kindness to a stranger, in tending to the best of our ability to those in need of basic human needs or providing a compassionate listening ear that will serve to ease, heal or comfort those in need?
Peace on the Journey
31 July 2009
Daily Sustenance: 2 August 2009
Dear Friends,
Every evening, as we sit at table for supper, we witness a flurry of activity at the hummingbird feeder. Even though there are eight feeding holes at the base of the feeder, each evening there were at least five or six hummingbirds vying for a spot at the feeder for refreshment and nourishment. Two will approach and upon seeing each other, will make a frenzied and usually successful attempt to prevent each other from gaining their intended sustenance. Though it doesn’t happen often, on occasion I have seen two or even three hummingbirds feeding at the same time, apparently unaware they are sharing the same food. A most common occurrence is the early arrival of the male I have dubb
ed “the sentry”. Each evening his appearance at his post on top of the feeder hanger signals the onset of this most active feeding time. He watches for approaching hummingbirds and when they come near he darts off after them, chases them away and then returns to his post. I wonder if the other hummingbirds grumble about being hungry and unable to reach the feeder while “the sentry” maintains his post. Eventually though, he does leave and the others come by, one by one, and are able to receive their evening sustenance.
After leaving Egypt, where they lived in slavery but at least knowing where their next meal was coming from, and wandering in the hot, dry, barren desert the Israelites began to grumble about the lack of food (Exodus 16:2-3). It was as if they viewed Moses and Aaron as my little sentry hummingbird - as leaders who prevented the Israelites from receiving daily sustenance. The story is a familiar one – God provides manna, bread, each morning, enough to fill and sustain each and everyone. It’s truly a test of human faith but more significantly it is a sign of the mercy, care, compassion, grace, blessing and love of the Sacred Provider.
Who or what in our life and relationships, our community, our world symbolizes “the sentry”, preventing those in need of receiving daily bread – be it in the form of food, employment, justice, mercy, compassion, understanding, spiritual nourishment? Are there ways we too may at times be “the sentry” obstructing others from obtaining such daily bread? What are the signs, both subtle and visible, all around us – in our lives, in others, in nature – that point us toward seeing and receiving and even being the grace and peace and nourishment we and others yearn for and need to feed our very souls?
Peace on the Journey
Every evening, as we sit at table for supper, we witness a flurry of activity at the hummingbird feeder. Even though there are eight feeding holes at the base of the feeder, each evening there were at least five or six hummingbirds vying for a spot at the feeder for refreshment and nourishment. Two will approach and upon seeing each other, will make a frenzied and usually successful attempt to prevent each other from gaining their intended sustenance. Though it doesn’t happen often, on occasion I have seen two or even three hummingbirds feeding at the same time, apparently unaware they are sharing the same food. A most common occurrence is the early arrival of the male I have dubb
ed “the sentry”. Each evening his appearance at his post on top of the feeder hanger signals the onset of this most active feeding time. He watches for approaching hummingbirds and when they come near he darts off after them, chases them away and then returns to his post. I wonder if the other hummingbirds grumble about being hungry and unable to reach the feeder while “the sentry” maintains his post. Eventually though, he does leave and the others come by, one by one, and are able to receive their evening sustenance.After leaving Egypt, where they lived in slavery but at least knowing where their next meal was coming from, and wandering in the hot, dry, barren desert the Israelites began to grumble about the lack of food (Exodus 16:2-3). It was as if they viewed Moses and Aaron as my little sentry hummingbird - as leaders who prevented the Israelites from receiving daily sustenance. The story is a familiar one – God provides manna, bread, each morning, enough to fill and sustain each and everyone. It’s truly a test of human faith but more significantly it is a sign of the mercy, care, compassion, grace, blessing and love of the Sacred Provider.
Who or what in our life and relationships, our community, our world symbolizes “the sentry”, preventing those in need of receiving daily bread – be it in the form of food, employment, justice, mercy, compassion, understanding, spiritual nourishment? Are there ways we too may at times be “the sentry” obstructing others from obtaining such daily bread? What are the signs, both subtle and visible, all around us – in our lives, in others, in nature – that point us toward seeing and receiving and even being the grace and peace and nourishment we and others yearn for and need to feed our very souls?
Peace on the Journey
24 July 2009
Bread: 26 July 2009
Dear Friends,
As a child, I spent a great deal of time “out in the country” at grandma and grandpa’s house, particularly during the summer months. Back in those days it was pretty common for Saturday to be designated as baking day. Grandma spent the morning whipping up tasty treats like pies, cakes, sweet rolls and, of course, big batches of bread dough. She baked white and rye bread every Saturday – enough to last all week. The mouth-watering aroma of bread baking in the oven filled the whole house and we had a really hard time waiting for that first slice of buttered freshly baked bread. Grandma’s caraway rye bread was my all time favorite. One day when I was around eleven years old, I asked grandma if I could help her make the rye bread. Grandma added and mixed all the ingredients and my job was to knead the dough and eventually shape it into loaves, of course under her close supervision. And, as usual, that first slice of freshly baked bread was so yummy. When we had the kitchen all cleaned up, I asked grandma if she would write down her recipe for rye bread so I could make some at home. Now, grandma was the sort of baker who didn’t use a written recipe, adding “some” of this and a “pinch” of that, so my request had her scratching her head searching for a way to tell me the amounts of each ingredient she used. Then she hit on an idea, pulled out one of her old church cookbooks, found a recipe for rye bread and let me take the cookbook home with me.
The following Saturday, with all the ingredients spread out on the kitchen counter, I proceeded to measure and add the ingredients until… There was one thing about the recipe I just didn’t understand. It called for “5¢ worth of yeast”. In panic mode, I got on the phone and asked grandma “How much is 5¢ worth of yeast???" She laughed for a long time and finally told me to use “half of a small cake of yeast” (back in those days there was no such thing as dry yeast). My first solo attempt at making rye bread was fairly successful – not as good as grandma’s bread and the loaf turned out a little lopsided, but that familiar mouth-watering aroma while baking was there and…it was actually edible. That evening I proudly placed a plate of the bread I baked on the supper table and shared it with my family. There’s something about bread that satisfies – making it, smelling it baking, sharing it…
And “Jesus took the (five) loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those (the five thousand) who were reclining” (John 6:11). In the blessing, breaking and sharing of bread, and himself, the people were filled - satisfied. Just as Jesus was blessed (as the son of the Most High), broken (rejected, condemned, crucified), and shared himself and his message of love and compassion, are we not also in our own human and unique ways to be living examples of bread? Are we not all blessed as wonderfully made in the image of our Sacred Creator? Who among us has not had life experiences that caused us to feel broken – both through circumstances that happen to us and our intentional choices to let go our egos and own comfort for the sake of another? Do we not also have a responsibility to share of ourselves, our blessings and talents, so that friend and stranger alike can be fed and satisfied – perhaps not with actual food but certainly with the rich nourishment of our care, love, and compassion?
Being bread can make all the difference in the world.
Peace on the Journey
As a child, I spent a great deal of time “out in the country” at grandma and grandpa’s house, particularly during the summer months. Back in those days it was pretty common for Saturday to be designated as baking day. Grandma spent the morning whipping up tasty treats like pies, cakes, sweet rolls and, of course, big batches of bread dough. She baked white and rye bread every Saturday – enough to last all week. The mouth-watering aroma of bread baking in the oven filled the whole house and we had a really hard time waiting for that first slice of buttered freshly baked bread. Grandma’s caraway rye bread was my all time favorite. One day when I was around eleven years old, I asked grandma if I could help her make the rye bread. Grandma added and mixed all the ingredients and my job was to knead the dough and eventually shape it into loaves, of course under her close supervision. And, as usual, that first slice of freshly baked bread was so yummy. When we had the kitchen all cleaned up, I asked grandma if she would write down her recipe for rye bread so I could make some at home. Now, grandma was the sort of baker who didn’t use a written recipe, adding “some” of this and a “pinch” of that, so my request had her scratching her head searching for a way to tell me the amounts of each ingredient she used. Then she hit on an idea, pulled out one of her old church cookbooks, found a recipe for rye bread and let me take the cookbook home with me.
The following Saturday, with all the ingredients spread out on the kitchen counter, I proceeded to measure and add the ingredients until… There was one thing about the recipe I just didn’t understand. It called for “5¢ worth of yeast”. In panic mode, I got on the phone and asked grandma “How much is 5¢ worth of yeast???" She laughed for a long time and finally told me to use “half of a small cake of yeast” (back in those days there was no such thing as dry yeast). My first solo attempt at making rye bread was fairly successful – not as good as grandma’s bread and the loaf turned out a little lopsided, but that familiar mouth-watering aroma while baking was there and…it was actually edible. That evening I proudly placed a plate of the bread I baked on the supper table and shared it with my family. There’s something about bread that satisfies – making it, smelling it baking, sharing it…
And “Jesus took the (five) loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those (the five thousand) who were reclining” (John 6:11). In the blessing, breaking and sharing of bread, and himself, the people were filled - satisfied. Just as Jesus was blessed (as the son of the Most High), broken (rejected, condemned, crucified), and shared himself and his message of love and compassion, are we not also in our own human and unique ways to be living examples of bread? Are we not all blessed as wonderfully made in the image of our Sacred Creator? Who among us has not had life experiences that caused us to feel broken – both through circumstances that happen to us and our intentional choices to let go our egos and own comfort for the sake of another? Do we not also have a responsibility to share of ourselves, our blessings and talents, so that friend and stranger alike can be fed and satisfied – perhaps not with actual food but certainly with the rich nourishment of our care, love, and compassion?
Being bread can make all the difference in the world.
Peace on the Journey
17 July 2009
Being Fed: 19 July 2009
Dear Friends,
This past week I noticed a different sort of bird perched on the crossbar of our close line post. At first glance it appeared to be one of the male orchard orioles who frequent the hummingbird feeder. But its colors were much darker and I could see not even a hint of the deep orange belly coloring characteristic of this species. So, I got out the binoculars to take a closer look. Still I couldn’t tell what kind of bird it was but it definitely was not an orchard oriole and…to my surprise, instead of seeing one bird, there were two sitting very closely side by side. I went to fetch the camera, hoping by the time I returned to the window they would still be there. They were. I zoomed into Macro for a close-up and concentrated more on holding the camera steady than the image in the view finder, though I was certain when I snapped the picture the image of those two little winged creatures would be recorded. Reviewing my digital “masterpiece”, although it was a bit fuzzy, I was b
oth surprised and delighted at what I saw: not only could I identify these birds as barn swallows, which I have never before seen perched anywhere in our yard, but mother swallow had swooped in to feed her young! (Click on picture for a larger view, then click the "Back" arrow on your browser to return here.)
That got me to pondering ways in which we are nourished, or fed. Physically, of course, there is food – the meals and snacks we eat. Some are healthy and nutritious concoctions; others are, well, just plain junk food that contribute little to our physical well-being but can be oh so tempting and tasty treats. Our bodies are also nourished and rejuvenated by rest, relaxation, and activity. Emotionally we are nourished through our relationships with others, provided those relationships are life-giving. Engaging in reading, stimulating conversations, learning new things nourishes our intellect. Spiritually we are nourished, or can be, in a variety of ways – taking time to notice the wonders and power and play of creation while walking in the woods or on a beach or even in our own back yard; reading books or articles by authors we find inspirational (Henri Nouwen, Parker Palmer and Thomas Merton come to mind); scripture reading; engaging in spiritual practices such as meditation; centering, breathing, or any kind of prayer; journaling; attending a church service; taking time away from our busy, activity-driven lives to rest and renew; seeking out a spiritual companion with whom we can delve into our deepest desires and questionings; etc., to name a few. Unlike those two little swallows, we humans do not always have to depend on others to force-feed us spiritually, though a relationship or a connection is integral to our sense of spiritual nourishment.
After a time away engaging in getting “the message” out, “The Twelve” returned, probably both excited by their experience as well as exhausted. And Jesus said, “"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). He well knew the value and necessity of rest to renew and restore physical stamina as well as, and importantly, the opportunity solitude presents for an intimate, life-giving connection with not only each other but our inner selves and our Sacred Creator as well. Unfortunately for them at the time, their popularity was well known and the crowds actually beat them to their intended place of rest. But that this occurred is ultimately fortunate for us in that we become able to inject ourselves into the story and identify with that crowd who intentionally sought out the “food” that would nourish and sustain their spiritual hunger.
Unlike those little swallows that waited patiently for their mother to bring food to them, we are invited to seek out ways to nourish our very souls. Because each of us is wonderfully and uniquely created and though we may have had similar but clearly distinct life experiences, there is no one “right way” or path or practice for everyone that will lead us toward spiritual enrichment, for there exists many ways. I believe the key to seeking spiritual nourishment for ourselves directly relates to the depth of our commitment and intentional desire for interconnectedness and relationship with The Divine and with all of creation.
Peace on the Journey
This past week I noticed a different sort of bird perched on the crossbar of our close line post. At first glance it appeared to be one of the male orchard orioles who frequent the hummingbird feeder. But its colors were much darker and I could see not even a hint of the deep orange belly coloring characteristic of this species. So, I got out the binoculars to take a closer look. Still I couldn’t tell what kind of bird it was but it definitely was not an orchard oriole and…to my surprise, instead of seeing one bird, there were two sitting very closely side by side. I went to fetch the camera, hoping by the time I returned to the window they would still be there. They were. I zoomed into Macro for a close-up and concentrated more on holding the camera steady than the image in the view finder, though I was certain when I snapped the picture the image of those two little winged creatures would be recorded. Reviewing my digital “masterpiece”, although it was a bit fuzzy, I was b
oth surprised and delighted at what I saw: not only could I identify these birds as barn swallows, which I have never before seen perched anywhere in our yard, but mother swallow had swooped in to feed her young! (Click on picture for a larger view, then click the "Back" arrow on your browser to return here.)That got me to pondering ways in which we are nourished, or fed. Physically, of course, there is food – the meals and snacks we eat. Some are healthy and nutritious concoctions; others are, well, just plain junk food that contribute little to our physical well-being but can be oh so tempting and tasty treats. Our bodies are also nourished and rejuvenated by rest, relaxation, and activity. Emotionally we are nourished through our relationships with others, provided those relationships are life-giving. Engaging in reading, stimulating conversations, learning new things nourishes our intellect. Spiritually we are nourished, or can be, in a variety of ways – taking time to notice the wonders and power and play of creation while walking in the woods or on a beach or even in our own back yard; reading books or articles by authors we find inspirational (Henri Nouwen, Parker Palmer and Thomas Merton come to mind); scripture reading; engaging in spiritual practices such as meditation; centering, breathing, or any kind of prayer; journaling; attending a church service; taking time away from our busy, activity-driven lives to rest and renew; seeking out a spiritual companion with whom we can delve into our deepest desires and questionings; etc., to name a few. Unlike those two little swallows, we humans do not always have to depend on others to force-feed us spiritually, though a relationship or a connection is integral to our sense of spiritual nourishment.
After a time away engaging in getting “the message” out, “The Twelve” returned, probably both excited by their experience as well as exhausted. And Jesus said, “"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). He well knew the value and necessity of rest to renew and restore physical stamina as well as, and importantly, the opportunity solitude presents for an intimate, life-giving connection with not only each other but our inner selves and our Sacred Creator as well. Unfortunately for them at the time, their popularity was well known and the crowds actually beat them to their intended place of rest. But that this occurred is ultimately fortunate for us in that we become able to inject ourselves into the story and identify with that crowd who intentionally sought out the “food” that would nourish and sustain their spiritual hunger.
Unlike those little swallows that waited patiently for their mother to bring food to them, we are invited to seek out ways to nourish our very souls. Because each of us is wonderfully and uniquely created and though we may have had similar but clearly distinct life experiences, there is no one “right way” or path or practice for everyone that will lead us toward spiritual enrichment, for there exists many ways. I believe the key to seeking spiritual nourishment for ourselves directly relates to the depth of our commitment and intentional desire for interconnectedness and relationship with The Divine and with all of creation.
Peace on the Journey
11 July 2009
Chosen: 12 July 2009
Dear Friends,
There is a very large tree just outside the side door of my mother-in-law’s house that the family calls “the bean tree”. It’s the last tree (that I know of) to get its leaves every year and in fall it produces very long bean-shaped spikes that dangle from the branches. Last weekend my grandson brought to me a branch of blossoms from this tree: beautifully delicate tr
umpet shaped white blossoms highlighted with hints of yellow and purple. Even though we put the small branch in water, the blossoms very soon wilted. So I was glad I snapped a picture of them when they were still in good shape. This branch of blossoms was chosen by my grandson because, as he put it, “Grandma will like this”. And he was right! I do so delight in the beauty of nature.
Throughout our lives we make a multitude of choices. Some are rather ordinary and made almost without being conscious of them – what time to get up in the morning and when to head to bed at night, how far we let the gas gauge in our vehicles head toward “E” before we fill up the tank again, whether to throw a load of whites in the washer before the load of colors or the other way around. Other choices are more important: who we will associate with and call friends, where we will go to school, the type of employment we will seek, where we will go on vacation. And still other choices are much more integral to our life as it unfolds: whom we will marry (if we do indeed intend to marry), how we will raise our children (if we do and are able to have children), if we will dare to follow our dreams and passions at the risk of criticism, ridicule and/or lack of understanding by those we are close to. But making choices is not the same as being chosen.
One year, way back in my grade school days, I was determined to try out for the cheerleading squad. My best friend and I faithfully practiced the moves and jumps for week and weeks every afternoon after school. The day of the try-outs arrived and I thought we both performed pretty well. I remember wanting so very much to be chosen for the squad and had high hopes it would happen. After the try-outs, one of the judges, a very popular girl, asked me in a rather condescending way, “Do you REALLY want to be a cheerleader?” Hmm…it wasn’t so much what she said, but how she said it that caused my shyness and sense of unworthiness to rise up and I replied, “No” (though I really didn't mean it). In the end I was not chosen for the squad and ultimately, at the time, felt devastated. I dare to suggest most if not all of us have had some type of experience that left us feeling let down as the result of not being chosen for something.
Being chosen can take us out of our comfort level. The prophet Amos found that out. Amos lived and worked in Judah (the Southern kingdom) and yet it was to Israel (the Northern kingdom) where he was commanded to prophesy. He came to realize he was not wanted there and the Sacred message he proclaimed was not accepted (Amos 7:12). The “Twelve” were chosen by Jesus and sent off to preach and heal with the warning that there may be places where they and their message and works are not wanted (Mark 6:7-13). Sometimes people cannot or are not ready to embrace the truth or the person sent to proclaim the truth.
Jesus is known by many names, The Chosen One, being one of them. Though we read in the gospels of miracles, healings, teachings, preaching and reaching out to the outcast, in the end Jesus too was often criticized and ultimately abandoned and rejected by many of his own people. But because of and out of his short life of ministry Christianity was born and continues to this day.
We too are chosen by our Sacred Creator; we all have a divine purpose and mission in life. What that is for each of us is unique just as each and every of us is uniquely and wonderfully made. It’s pretty much a given that because of our being chosen we will be nudged (or pushed) to places we would rather not go. Places like forgiving those who hurt or reject us, letting go of our ego and tendency to have it our way for the sake of the other, giving of ourselves – our time and blessings – to show compassion, care and comfort toward others, even speaking the truth as we have come to know it. Gosh, it’s so much easier to just go about not making waves and being concerned only with and taking care of ourselves! But... is that really the meaning of our being chosen?
Peace on the Journey
There is a very large tree just outside the side door of my mother-in-law’s house that the family calls “the bean tree”. It’s the last tree (that I know of) to get its leaves every year and in fall it produces very long bean-shaped spikes that dangle from the branches. Last weekend my grandson brought to me a branch of blossoms from this tree: beautifully delicate tr
umpet shaped white blossoms highlighted with hints of yellow and purple. Even though we put the small branch in water, the blossoms very soon wilted. So I was glad I snapped a picture of them when they were still in good shape. This branch of blossoms was chosen by my grandson because, as he put it, “Grandma will like this”. And he was right! I do so delight in the beauty of nature.Throughout our lives we make a multitude of choices. Some are rather ordinary and made almost without being conscious of them – what time to get up in the morning and when to head to bed at night, how far we let the gas gauge in our vehicles head toward “E” before we fill up the tank again, whether to throw a load of whites in the washer before the load of colors or the other way around. Other choices are more important: who we will associate with and call friends, where we will go to school, the type of employment we will seek, where we will go on vacation. And still other choices are much more integral to our life as it unfolds: whom we will marry (if we do indeed intend to marry), how we will raise our children (if we do and are able to have children), if we will dare to follow our dreams and passions at the risk of criticism, ridicule and/or lack of understanding by those we are close to. But making choices is not the same as being chosen.
One year, way back in my grade school days, I was determined to try out for the cheerleading squad. My best friend and I faithfully practiced the moves and jumps for week and weeks every afternoon after school. The day of the try-outs arrived and I thought we both performed pretty well. I remember wanting so very much to be chosen for the squad and had high hopes it would happen. After the try-outs, one of the judges, a very popular girl, asked me in a rather condescending way, “Do you REALLY want to be a cheerleader?” Hmm…it wasn’t so much what she said, but how she said it that caused my shyness and sense of unworthiness to rise up and I replied, “No” (though I really didn't mean it). In the end I was not chosen for the squad and ultimately, at the time, felt devastated. I dare to suggest most if not all of us have had some type of experience that left us feeling let down as the result of not being chosen for something.
Being chosen can take us out of our comfort level. The prophet Amos found that out. Amos lived and worked in Judah (the Southern kingdom) and yet it was to Israel (the Northern kingdom) where he was commanded to prophesy. He came to realize he was not wanted there and the Sacred message he proclaimed was not accepted (Amos 7:12). The “Twelve” were chosen by Jesus and sent off to preach and heal with the warning that there may be places where they and their message and works are not wanted (Mark 6:7-13). Sometimes people cannot or are not ready to embrace the truth or the person sent to proclaim the truth.
Jesus is known by many names, The Chosen One, being one of them. Though we read in the gospels of miracles, healings, teachings, preaching and reaching out to the outcast, in the end Jesus too was often criticized and ultimately abandoned and rejected by many of his own people. But because of and out of his short life of ministry Christianity was born and continues to this day.
We too are chosen by our Sacred Creator; we all have a divine purpose and mission in life. What that is for each of us is unique just as each and every of us is uniquely and wonderfully made. It’s pretty much a given that because of our being chosen we will be nudged (or pushed) to places we would rather not go. Places like forgiving those who hurt or reject us, letting go of our ego and tendency to have it our way for the sake of the other, giving of ourselves – our time and blessings – to show compassion, care and comfort toward others, even speaking the truth as we have come to know it. Gosh, it’s so much easier to just go about not making waves and being concerned only with and taking care of ourselves! But... is that really the meaning of our being chosen?
Peace on the Journey
03 July 2009
Going Home: 5 July 2009
Dear Friends,
Our yard is abuzz with bird activity of late. The hummingbirds and orioles are still vying for a spot at the window-mounted hummingbird feeder nearly all day long, the deck rail is a favorite daily perch for various species of sparrows, the finch feeder is extremely popular, and for the first time ever a couple of immature cardinals have ventured out of the woods and are often showing up on our deck. Lately the Eastern bluebirds have returned after a few weeks absence adding some beautiful color to the yard. Apparently it’s time for their second nesting. The other night I noticed one pair favoring the birdhouse where the tree swallows nested in spring. The male bluebird disappeared inside the birdhouse and almost immediately a tree swallow showed up perhaps thinking the house was his. Such is not the case as for the past few days the bluebirds have claimed the house, probably to the dismay of the swallow that had designs on returning back home. Circumstances change.
Many years ago, after my first round of continued education beyond high school, I returned to live at home for a year having secured my first job in the area. It was the first of several similar eye-opening experiences on the effects of going back home. Even though I had been away at school for three years, living in a dorm, finding my identity as young adult and feeling oh so very independent, I was amazed (or was it shocked or disappointed?) at being treated as if I had never left: I was still the child. Not much had changed in my parent’s eyes yet I had changed and grown. That saying about never being able to go home again rang true. Yes, I was back home again, but life there was certainly not how I had hoped it would be. Instead of being seen as an adult, I was for all intents and purposes still very much their “little girl”. It appeared the circumstances changed, but only for me. It wasn’t until a year later, when I moved on to another job and another city that I was able to find myself anew and live my independence once again. There’s much value in being able to be who we are.
When Jesus returned home, he was rejected to so speak. At least his message was rejected with the words, “"Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" (Mark 6:2-3). Apparently in his home town he would always be known for who he was during his growing up years. But circumstances had changed. Even though the people of Nazareth appeared to lack the faith in order to truly see Jesus for who he had become – who he really was – he did not allow their “offense” to alter his image or his mission.
It’s probably a given that people from our past – family, friends, classmates – will in one way or another keep us confined in a “convenient” little box by viewing and treating us as we once were without taking into account our growth, change and development through the course of our years of lived experience. The good news is that we are all wonderfully and uniquely made in the image of our Sacred Creator, who is woven so lovingly into the tapestry of our being and who, if we have the courage and faith to listen and follow the Holy Whisperings, fashions us into becoming who we are intended to be.
Peace on the Journey
Our yard is abuzz with bird activity of late. The hummingbirds and orioles are still vying for a spot at the window-mounted hummingbird feeder nearly all day long, the deck rail is a favorite daily perch for various species of sparrows, the finch feeder is extremely popular, and for the first time ever a couple of immature cardinals have ventured out of the woods and are often showing up on our deck. Lately the Eastern bluebirds have returned after a few weeks absence adding some beautiful color to the yard. Apparently it’s time for their second nesting. The other night I noticed one pair favoring the birdhouse where the tree swallows nested in spring. The male bluebird disappeared inside the birdhouse and almost immediately a tree swallow showed up perhaps thinking the house was his. Such is not the case as for the past few days the bluebirds have claimed the house, probably to the dismay of the swallow that had designs on returning back home. Circumstances change.
Many years ago, after my first round of continued education beyond high school, I returned to live at home for a year having secured my first job in the area. It was the first of several similar eye-opening experiences on the effects of going back home. Even though I had been away at school for three years, living in a dorm, finding my identity as young adult and feeling oh so very independent, I was amazed (or was it shocked or disappointed?) at being treated as if I had never left: I was still the child. Not much had changed in my parent’s eyes yet I had changed and grown. That saying about never being able to go home again rang true. Yes, I was back home again, but life there was certainly not how I had hoped it would be. Instead of being seen as an adult, I was for all intents and purposes still very much their “little girl”. It appeared the circumstances changed, but only for me. It wasn’t until a year later, when I moved on to another job and another city that I was able to find myself anew and live my independence once again. There’s much value in being able to be who we are.
When Jesus returned home, he was rejected to so speak. At least his message was rejected with the words, “"Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" (Mark 6:2-3). Apparently in his home town he would always be known for who he was during his growing up years. But circumstances had changed. Even though the people of Nazareth appeared to lack the faith in order to truly see Jesus for who he had become – who he really was – he did not allow their “offense” to alter his image or his mission.
It’s probably a given that people from our past – family, friends, classmates – will in one way or another keep us confined in a “convenient” little box by viewing and treating us as we once were without taking into account our growth, change and development through the course of our years of lived experience. The good news is that we are all wonderfully and uniquely made in the image of our Sacred Creator, who is woven so lovingly into the tapestry of our being and who, if we have the courage and faith to listen and follow the Holy Whisperings, fashions us into becoming who we are intended to be.
Peace on the Journey
27 June 2009
Touched: 28 June 2009
Dear Friends,
This week I finished reading a novel loaned to me by a friend. I’m still marveling at having actually read a novel. After nine years of courses and textbooks, this was a real treat. One of the story lines in the book dealt with a group of women making shawls for a women’s shelter. They called the shawls “hugs of comfort”. That got me thinking of hugs. What’s that statistic? A person needs 5 hugs a day. Hmm… I grew up in a family that did not hug or give out much affirmation or compliments. Hugging used to be a very foreign concept to me. Over the years I’ve become good at giving hugs but receiving them still causes me to stiffen up lots of the time. I’m pretty free with hugging my grandson, who at age ten does not always appreciate them or return them. I guess it is part of being a boy and part of growing up.
It’s no secret that the touch of another person can do wonders for one’s well-being. Touch is physically therapeutic, such as massage, and can also be very emotionally healing – hugs, a comforting touch on the shoulder, holding hands. The sensation of being touched in a loving, healing way by someone who truly cares for and about us transcends the senses and heads straight to the heart, warming us in comfort. It feels great to be on the receiving end of such tender touch; it feels great to be on the giving end too.
In the Christian lectionary this weekend we have a healing story within a healing story: the woman with the hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34). With faith she touched the cloak of Jesus and felt herself being healed. Jesus also felt something: power flowing out of him at the woman’s touch. Though the gospel does not relate whether or not Jesus actually touched the woman, but he did speak to her, it definitely demonstrates the healing power of being in the presence, being touched, by the Sacred.
At the end of last weekend, as we took our grandson home after a camping trip, I gave him a big hug right there out on the sidewalk and told him I love him. To my surprise, and delight, he returned the hug and the sentiment. Hmm…maybe, just maybe he’s getting the hint that hugs are comforting and healing (and not just something his “old” grandma does).
We are always in the holy presence of our Sacred Touch-Healer – there is literally nowhere we can go where we are not wrapped in this presence. The challenge for us many times is to realize this on a conscious level.
Peace on the Journey
This week I finished reading a novel loaned to me by a friend. I’m still marveling at having actually read a novel. After nine years of courses and textbooks, this was a real treat. One of the story lines in the book dealt with a group of women making shawls for a women’s shelter. They called the shawls “hugs of comfort”. That got me thinking of hugs. What’s that statistic? A person needs 5 hugs a day. Hmm… I grew up in a family that did not hug or give out much affirmation or compliments. Hugging used to be a very foreign concept to me. Over the years I’ve become good at giving hugs but receiving them still causes me to stiffen up lots of the time. I’m pretty free with hugging my grandson, who at age ten does not always appreciate them or return them. I guess it is part of being a boy and part of growing up.
It’s no secret that the touch of another person can do wonders for one’s well-being. Touch is physically therapeutic, such as massage, and can also be very emotionally healing – hugs, a comforting touch on the shoulder, holding hands. The sensation of being touched in a loving, healing way by someone who truly cares for and about us transcends the senses and heads straight to the heart, warming us in comfort. It feels great to be on the receiving end of such tender touch; it feels great to be on the giving end too.
In the Christian lectionary this weekend we have a healing story within a healing story: the woman with the hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34). With faith she touched the cloak of Jesus and felt herself being healed. Jesus also felt something: power flowing out of him at the woman’s touch. Though the gospel does not relate whether or not Jesus actually touched the woman, but he did speak to her, it definitely demonstrates the healing power of being in the presence, being touched, by the Sacred.
At the end of last weekend, as we took our grandson home after a camping trip, I gave him a big hug right there out on the sidewalk and told him I love him. To my surprise, and delight, he returned the hug and the sentiment. Hmm…maybe, just maybe he’s getting the hint that hugs are comforting and healing (and not just something his “old” grandma does).
We are always in the holy presence of our Sacred Touch-Healer – there is literally nowhere we can go where we are not wrapped in this presence. The challenge for us many times is to realize this on a conscious level.
Peace on the Journey
19 June 2009
Needs and Wants and Faith: 14 June 2009
Dear Friends,
I don’t like to watch the news these days; I do watch in an effort to keep informed of what’s happening in our country and our world, but I don’t like much of what I hear and see. My heart aches for the great many people who have been, are, and will be affected by the state of the economy in this country: the loss of employment, the foreclosures on homes, the deep cuts out of retirement investment funds, to name a few. The “real people” stories are the most distressing – how this (to put it nicely) “economic downturn” has deeply, adversely affected so many not only financially but in ways that have deteriorated or destroyed family life and relationships.
Admittedly, I have not researched any statistics probably out of fear that this “crisis” is worse than I think it is. My comments are based on what I see and hear both on the news, from others, and by observing what is happening in this corner of the world.
As a child, the end of the school year and looking forward to a whole three months of summer vacation was an absolute delight. There was no getting up early to trot off to school, no homework to get done every evening, no sitting in crowded classrooms for seven hours (with the same teacher), and the freedom of being able to stay up later at night. Last night on the National news I watched a story of a school that will be closing for good. But not only that, some of the older students of this elementary school who were interviewed commented on their sadness concerning the end of the school year. Why? Because, as one young lady put it, being able to go to school every day was an escape from the reality she lived in at home: a two-bedroom house with one bathroom housing not only her family but a total of 11 people, some of whom are relatives who have lost their jobs and their own homes. Another commented on what can be interpreted as the inevitable reality that he and his family will soon be homeless. School for many of those students provided a great sense of stability in their lives where outside of school abides chaos and instability. Schools are closing their doors, not only for the summer, but in some cases for good as educational funding from States has declined. In other places, our own surrounding area included, some education cuts have been in the form of teacher and staffing cut-backs: more people out of work.
One of the mantras I have heard from the financial “wizards” through all this economic mess is in order to boost the economy we have to spend, spend, spend. Hmm…I wonder, isn’t perhaps that same line of thinking the very thing that got us into this in the first place? Not only that, but our society’s tendency toward “bigger is better”, “more is better” consumerism fed by the “keeping up with the Joneses” trend begun decades ago has contributed greatly to society's current economic dilemma. Why would we “need” to purchase a brand new vehicle when the ones we own are in good working order? Why would we “need” to build big, fancy houses when more modest ones suit our needs nicely? What “profit” is there in having the biggest and best and newest of everything when so many in our country are, and have for a very long time been struggling to even put food on the table for their families or are homeless? Is there really justice in that???
From where I sit, in this tiny slice of the greater world, it all comes down to a skewing of needs and wants. Society has worked hard to convince us that wants are needs. And I propose the source of this line of thinking is based on greed – over time the greed of the wealthy has trickled down to so many of us in this country. I see the current state of the economy as a huge wake-up call for us to set our priorities right and rediscover the difference between what we really, truly need in order to survive and those “would be nice to have’s” that are not real needs.
The other day, as I took our dogs for a walk, I noticed a few things: the two flocks of geese that were born on our pond, thirteen little ones in all, were carefully tended to by their parents. As we approached, they were all sprawled across the road. As the “elders” caught sight of us, they carefully and systematically guided the little ones back to the pond and swam off in a group…TOGETHER. We took a detour and headed up the field that used to be a pasture. Once up the hill, the sight was absolutely beautiful. Some would cal
l them weeds, but…the array of colorful blooms was a beautiful sight to behold. And the bobolinks were filling the air with their joyful song. It got me to thinking about the tapestry of life woven by the Sacred and how each weed, each bloom, each bird’s song was carefully and lovingly intertwined into the design of the landscape. It’s such a simple image but also a very profound one. The nature surrounding us has everything it needs, despite the varying and sometimes devastating weather conditions that come. It really wants for nothing and survives nicely, not through work of human hands and despite human interference, but by the touch of our Sacred Tender.
Can we have that same kind of faith imaged in the beauty of our natural surroundings?
Peace on the Journey.
I don’t like to watch the news these days; I do watch in an effort to keep informed of what’s happening in our country and our world, but I don’t like much of what I hear and see. My heart aches for the great many people who have been, are, and will be affected by the state of the economy in this country: the loss of employment, the foreclosures on homes, the deep cuts out of retirement investment funds, to name a few. The “real people” stories are the most distressing – how this (to put it nicely) “economic downturn” has deeply, adversely affected so many not only financially but in ways that have deteriorated or destroyed family life and relationships.
Admittedly, I have not researched any statistics probably out of fear that this “crisis” is worse than I think it is. My comments are based on what I see and hear both on the news, from others, and by observing what is happening in this corner of the world.
As a child, the end of the school year and looking forward to a whole three months of summer vacation was an absolute delight. There was no getting up early to trot off to school, no homework to get done every evening, no sitting in crowded classrooms for seven hours (with the same teacher), and the freedom of being able to stay up later at night. Last night on the National news I watched a story of a school that will be closing for good. But not only that, some of the older students of this elementary school who were interviewed commented on their sadness concerning the end of the school year. Why? Because, as one young lady put it, being able to go to school every day was an escape from the reality she lived in at home: a two-bedroom house with one bathroom housing not only her family but a total of 11 people, some of whom are relatives who have lost their jobs and their own homes. Another commented on what can be interpreted as the inevitable reality that he and his family will soon be homeless. School for many of those students provided a great sense of stability in their lives where outside of school abides chaos and instability. Schools are closing their doors, not only for the summer, but in some cases for good as educational funding from States has declined. In other places, our own surrounding area included, some education cuts have been in the form of teacher and staffing cut-backs: more people out of work.
One of the mantras I have heard from the financial “wizards” through all this economic mess is in order to boost the economy we have to spend, spend, spend. Hmm…I wonder, isn’t perhaps that same line of thinking the very thing that got us into this in the first place? Not only that, but our society’s tendency toward “bigger is better”, “more is better” consumerism fed by the “keeping up with the Joneses” trend begun decades ago has contributed greatly to society's current economic dilemma. Why would we “need” to purchase a brand new vehicle when the ones we own are in good working order? Why would we “need” to build big, fancy houses when more modest ones suit our needs nicely? What “profit” is there in having the biggest and best and newest of everything when so many in our country are, and have for a very long time been struggling to even put food on the table for their families or are homeless? Is there really justice in that???
From where I sit, in this tiny slice of the greater world, it all comes down to a skewing of needs and wants. Society has worked hard to convince us that wants are needs. And I propose the source of this line of thinking is based on greed – over time the greed of the wealthy has trickled down to so many of us in this country. I see the current state of the economy as a huge wake-up call for us to set our priorities right and rediscover the difference between what we really, truly need in order to survive and those “would be nice to have’s” that are not real needs.
The other day, as I took our dogs for a walk, I noticed a few things: the two flocks of geese that were born on our pond, thirteen little ones in all, were carefully tended to by their parents. As we approached, they were all sprawled across the road. As the “elders” caught sight of us, they carefully and systematically guided the little ones back to the pond and swam off in a group…TOGETHER. We took a detour and headed up the field that used to be a pasture. Once up the hill, the sight was absolutely beautiful. Some would cal
l them weeds, but…the array of colorful blooms was a beautiful sight to behold. And the bobolinks were filling the air with their joyful song. It got me to thinking about the tapestry of life woven by the Sacred and how each weed, each bloom, each bird’s song was carefully and lovingly intertwined into the design of the landscape. It’s such a simple image but also a very profound one. The nature surrounding us has everything it needs, despite the varying and sometimes devastating weather conditions that come. It really wants for nothing and survives nicely, not through work of human hands and despite human interference, but by the touch of our Sacred Tender.Can we have that same kind of faith imaged in the beauty of our natural surroundings?
Peace on the Journey.
13 June 2009
Covenant: 14 June 2009
Dear Friends,
A pair of tree swallows has nested in one of our birdhouses. Most days, nearly
all day, the male can be seen perched either on top of the birdhouse or on the garden flag pole very near by. His mate faithfully stays sitting on the eggs in their nest. When I water the garden, the male does fly off, but not far, and the female pokes her head out the entrance, I imagine to watch what I’m doing or to see where her mate has gone. In human terms, I would say that these two tree swallows have a covenant between them.
A pair of tree swallows has nested in one of our birdhouses. Most days, nearly
all day, the male can be seen perched either on top of the birdhouse or on the garden flag pole very near by. His mate faithfully stays sitting on the eggs in their nest. When I water the garden, the male does fly off, but not far, and the female pokes her head out the entrance, I imagine to watch what I’m doing or to see where her mate has gone. In human terms, I would say that these two tree swallows have a covenant between them.Once again I consulted the dictionary and discovered its definition of 
covenant is a “solemn agreement”, one that is binding on all parties. Synonyms include words such as pledge, bond, pact. It would appear, in the bird world, that our two tree swallows actions do fit this definition. They most certainly have a bond or a pact with each other – the female tends to the nest and the male keeps watch and gathers food.
Once upon a time a teenage girl asked her mother what she would think if there ever came a time when the daughter wanted to live with a man she loved but not married. The mother thought for a while and replied, “Well, I’m not fond of the idea but when you’re an adult, if that’s what you want to do, it will be your choice”. The daughter looked surprised that her mother was so accepting of this life-style and asked if it would make her mother feel better if she and the man were engaged. Once again the reply was, “That will be your choice, not mine”. And once again the daughter was surprised at what she heard. However, the mother was not finished speaking on the subject. Going on she said, “Although I personally did not and would not have made that choice, you will have to make those types of life decisions for yourself. I just want you to know that agreeing with someone to live with them and even an engagement are promises the two of you make to each other. Although each person has the best of intentions to keep those promises, sometimes they don’t and then things can get messy. Marriage on the other hand is much more than a promise. It’s a vow you make with each other in the presence of others and it’s a three-way covenant: between you and your love and God. Covenants are not something to take lightly." Thus ended the conversation…for that day.
Covenants between God and people are relatively common in the Hebrew Scriptures – Noah, Abraham, the whole people Israel (to name but a few). During the Last Supper, the words of Jesus in breaking the bread and sharing the cup (Mark 14:22-24) are interpreted as the institution of a new sacred covenant which will be accomplished through Jesus’ passion and death. As theologically significant as this is for Christians, I believe we also need to remember those covenants that came before – how God cared for, loved, forgave and never abandoned the Israelites. This too is the substance of the very same covenant our Sacred Creator makes with each one of us. It’s more than a promise. If we stop and think about all the ways each of us has been blessed, perhaps we will come to realize the movement of the Spirit in and around us is a continual renewal of the Sacred One’s holy covenant with us.
Peace on the Journey.
covenant is a “solemn agreement”, one that is binding on all parties. Synonyms include words such as pledge, bond, pact. It would appear, in the bird world, that our two tree swallows actions do fit this definition. They most certainly have a bond or a pact with each other – the female tends to the nest and the male keeps watch and gathers food.Once upon a time a teenage girl asked her mother what she would think if there ever came a time when the daughter wanted to live with a man she loved but not married. The mother thought for a while and replied, “Well, I’m not fond of the idea but when you’re an adult, if that’s what you want to do, it will be your choice”. The daughter looked surprised that her mother was so accepting of this life-style and asked if it would make her mother feel better if she and the man were engaged. Once again the reply was, “That will be your choice, not mine”. And once again the daughter was surprised at what she heard. However, the mother was not finished speaking on the subject. Going on she said, “Although I personally did not and would not have made that choice, you will have to make those types of life decisions for yourself. I just want you to know that agreeing with someone to live with them and even an engagement are promises the two of you make to each other. Although each person has the best of intentions to keep those promises, sometimes they don’t and then things can get messy. Marriage on the other hand is much more than a promise. It’s a vow you make with each other in the presence of others and it’s a three-way covenant: between you and your love and God. Covenants are not something to take lightly." Thus ended the conversation…for that day.
Covenants between God and people are relatively common in the Hebrew Scriptures – Noah, Abraham, the whole people Israel (to name but a few). During the Last Supper, the words of Jesus in breaking the bread and sharing the cup (Mark 14:22-24) are interpreted as the institution of a new sacred covenant which will be accomplished through Jesus’ passion and death. As theologically significant as this is for Christians, I believe we also need to remember those covenants that came before – how God cared for, loved, forgave and never abandoned the Israelites. This too is the substance of the very same covenant our Sacred Creator makes with each one of us. It’s more than a promise. If we stop and think about all the ways each of us has been blessed, perhaps we will come to realize the movement of the Spirit in and around us is a continual renewal of the Sacred One’s holy covenant with us.
Peace on the Journey.
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