Greetings!
As if life isn't busy enough for all of us in one way of another, this time of year begins yet again a time of added activities on top of our day-to-day busy lives. The months of May and June bring graduations (congratulations to all who are graduating this year) and many weddings and baptism celebrations. Even though we may not have any of our children or grandchildren, or other relatives graduating, getting married or celebrating baptism this summer, there is near certainty we will receive an invitation to two (or three or more) invitations to attend these wonderful celebrations of life. The very act of celebrating is faith-filled. When we celebrate with another the movement through through their significant "phases" of life, we celebrate life itself! We celebrate the Life that has been given to us by the grace of God though our very creation.
I just returned from a short (in my estimation) vacation to Florida during which I had the opportunity to celebrate my friend's birthday with her. We spent a few days at the beach soaking up the awesome vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, taking long walks along the shore, asking the Spirit to refresh and renew us, and listening for God to reveal a kernel of wisdom. True to all my past experiences at the wonder-filled place, that kernel of wisdom did eventually reach my heart: God did not create us to be unhappy. That simple yet profound piece of revelation rings true in our Scripture readings today.
The writer of John's gospel tell us "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world" (John 3:17). God became flesh in the person of Jesus so that we may have life to live it abundantly with joy. Oh yes, there are circumstances, twists and turns, that cause us sorrow, pain, frustration,and a myriad of emotions, some of which are the result of our own choices and some that are beyond our ability to change. And yet through it all, we are called to celebrate life - our own and the life of those around us. God has received us as God's own and walks with us every moment of our life. We are always loved deeply and passionately by God and we are infused with the Holy Spirit - even when we are not conscious of that divine love or that movement of the Spirit in or life or our world. The promises of God remain constant. Wow! What an awesome thing to celebrate and to share with those we encounter.
May we celebrate with joy the abundant Love and Life God has given us in all we do and are!
Peace on the Journey
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A warm welcome!
The content of my writings strives to serve as an invitation to consider and ponder how everyday life connects to the Sacred and our spiritual dimension.
Most often a thought or theme from the Christian scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday is woven into these reflections. It is my sincere hope that what is written here will appeal to a wide audience, spanning the diversity of faith traditions and beliefs. New articles are posted weekly.
Comments are always welcome! Individual articles can now be emailed to friends by clicking on the envelope at the bottom of each post.
Brenda
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