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
28 August 2009
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
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