Greetings Friends!
The other evening I sat on our step and watched how alive and active nature is this time of year. The birds were soaring and dashing about, chirping a joyful noise. Those once tiny bluebirds are now nearly fully grown and gracefully dart about from tree to wire to grass to tree again each evening. Actually I'm surprised they have stuck around so long this year. They soar with a great freedom that reminds me of our upcoming holiday - Independence Day. It is my hope that we all have a safe and wonderful celebration, remembering all who serve to preserve and protect the freedom we enjoy, both now and in the past.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about some of our young feathered friends as they followed their parents and mentioned that they know - they know their nature; who they are. Sure, we realize animals have a certain innate or instinctive nature, but those young ones just looked as if they were learning and growing into their knowing. Most people, when asked the question "Who are you? tend to answer with words that are more of a description of what they do. Oh, I'm a wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent; I'm a factory worker, farmer, teacher, nurse; I'm single, married, widowed; etc. Perhaps it's safer to answer that way, or maybe we have just become accustomed to thinking of ourselves in terms of what we do. It kind of reminds me of how I lost my identity when my daughter entered school. Suddenly I became known as "Sara's mom" rather than Brenda/ But I truly believe we should spend some time pondering who we really are - including all those wonderful qualities God has blessed us with. We could begin by using adjectives rather than nouns - generous, compassionate, caring , loving, kind, playful, serious...
Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15) I believe Jesus asks us this same question as well. Is he, for us, just some holy person who happened to live some thirty-some years two thousand years ago, or is he the "Son of the living God" whose words and actions continue to make a difference in the world though our hands and words and actions? Is Jesus our brother, friend, mentor, and constant companion on our journey through life? Or is Jesus someone we think about only when the times get tough? Am I open to receive the gift of faith in and from Jesus or am I arrogant and closed, burdened by an inflated view of my own self-worth? These are the questions I wrestle with from time to time. And yet, Jesus' invitation stands firm today as it did all those years ago: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me". Through a life lived in live, as Jesus teaches, we will find true rest and freedom. Now...that's something to celebrate!
May we continue to rejoice in the abundant Love and Life God has given us in all we do and are!
Peace on the Journey
29 June 2008
22 June 2008
22 June 2008
Greetings Friends!
The continuing saga of the Eastern bluebirds: My curiosity got the better of me on Sunday and I peered once again into the little white birdhouse handing in our tree. There they were, a mass of feathers, now showing some distinct markings. Three sets of eyes peered back at me and I couldn't help but tell the tiny but growing creatures they would soon be leaving the comfort of the nest and testing their wings. Lo and behold, as I passed by the window this morning just before heading to work, there they were - all five of them, Mother, Father, and the three younglings perched on the crossbar of our clothesline post. The had indeed left their nest! It was a rather amusing sight to behold. One by one, the parents would coax the little ones off the crossbar into flight. It seemed one of the young ones was very tentative about taking flight. Perhaps she (or he) was afraid. Finally, Father Bird seemed to be having quite a discussion with the little straggler. And after another few minutes this young one gathered the courage to make a glorious and successful flight from the crossbar to the garden's edge...and back again!
I can't help but reflect on today's gospel in light of this initially tentative little bluebird (Matthew 10:26-33). Jesus, three times, speaks to his disciples about fear. He tells them twice "do not be afraid" and once to "fear no one". As people of faith, baptized in the Name of our Triune God, we are to speak our faith with our very lives - in all that we say, do, and are. For when we know deep within our very soul and fully embrace that it is Christ who is our center, we have nothing to fear! Oh, God may prompt us, push us, urge us to stretch beyond where we often times would rather not go. But the good news is that God will never abandon us. We are called to be people who "speak in the light" proclaiming from the housetops the constant and abundant Love our gracious God has for each and every person, creature...all of creation! And by boldly witnessing to God's Love through who we are and what we do and say, we really need fear nothing and no one.
Peace on the Journey
The continuing saga of the Eastern bluebirds: My curiosity got the better of me on Sunday and I peered once again into the little white birdhouse handing in our tree. There they were, a mass of feathers, now showing some distinct markings. Three sets of eyes peered back at me and I couldn't help but tell the tiny but growing creatures they would soon be leaving the comfort of the nest and testing their wings. Lo and behold, as I passed by the window this morning just before heading to work, there they were - all five of them, Mother, Father, and the three younglings perched on the crossbar of our clothesline post. The had indeed left their nest! It was a rather amusing sight to behold. One by one, the parents would coax the little ones off the crossbar into flight. It seemed one of the young ones was very tentative about taking flight. Perhaps she (or he) was afraid. Finally, Father Bird seemed to be having quite a discussion with the little straggler. And after another few minutes this young one gathered the courage to make a glorious and successful flight from the crossbar to the garden's edge...and back again!
I can't help but reflect on today's gospel in light of this initially tentative little bluebird (Matthew 10:26-33). Jesus, three times, speaks to his disciples about fear. He tells them twice "do not be afraid" and once to "fear no one". As people of faith, baptized in the Name of our Triune God, we are to speak our faith with our very lives - in all that we say, do, and are. For when we know deep within our very soul and fully embrace that it is Christ who is our center, we have nothing to fear! Oh, God may prompt us, push us, urge us to stretch beyond where we often times would rather not go. But the good news is that God will never abandon us. We are called to be people who "speak in the light" proclaiming from the housetops the constant and abundant Love our gracious God has for each and every person, creature...all of creation! And by boldly witnessing to God's Love through who we are and what we do and say, we really need fear nothing and no one.
Peace on the Journey
15 June 2008
15 June 2008
Greetings!
One day in April I was traveling the back roads to an appointment. It was a beautiful spring day: warm, the country side was green with new growth birds were chirping with glee, a male pheasant stood proudly on the roadside displaying his beautiful colors. I couldn't help taking in all the beauty and thinking about the wonder of this season of new life. As I neared my destination, I passed through a wooded patch. A Deer Crossing sign alerted drivers of the potential hazard of deer dashing out onto the road. Just a little way past the sign, I noticed a tiny fawn standing in the ditch all alone. This seemed so strange - I had never before seen such a young one alone. He (or she) seemed lost and just stood there looking up the roadside to the north. After driving a mere quarter mile farther, there she was, lying contorted and motionless on her side, belly bloated, lifeless - presumably the doe that bore the young, lost fawn. I often wonder what ever became of that little lost and abandoned fawn. Did it survive? Did some other doe take on the task of raising it?
I don't know if deer, or other animals for that matter, ever feel troubled. Bit it was apparent to me that this little spotted fawn felt abandoned, lost, because she (or he) now had no one as guide and teacher and nurturer. And my heart ached for this little one.
Jesus' heart was moved with pity at the sight of the troubled and abandoned crowd. And he sent out his disciples to tend to them. There are two lessons in today's gospel (Matthew 9:36 - 10:8) for us: we too are to go out and tend to those who are in need, to care for and about others around us - people we know and those we may not yet know, traveling along together on the journey bringing hope, life, and the love of Christ in all that we say and do according to our gifts and talents. The second lesson is that we too need not feel lost or abandoned or like sheep without a shepherd, but ever hopeful. For God is always with us, God grasps us by the hand and is woven deeply into our being, and God draws us near through God's deep and passionate love for each and everyone. Wow! God is awesome indeed!
May we celebrate with joy all that is good - in life, in faith, in each other.
Peace on the Journey
One day in April I was traveling the back roads to an appointment. It was a beautiful spring day: warm, the country side was green with new growth birds were chirping with glee, a male pheasant stood proudly on the roadside displaying his beautiful colors. I couldn't help taking in all the beauty and thinking about the wonder of this season of new life. As I neared my destination, I passed through a wooded patch. A Deer Crossing sign alerted drivers of the potential hazard of deer dashing out onto the road. Just a little way past the sign, I noticed a tiny fawn standing in the ditch all alone. This seemed so strange - I had never before seen such a young one alone. He (or she) seemed lost and just stood there looking up the roadside to the north. After driving a mere quarter mile farther, there she was, lying contorted and motionless on her side, belly bloated, lifeless - presumably the doe that bore the young, lost fawn. I often wonder what ever became of that little lost and abandoned fawn. Did it survive? Did some other doe take on the task of raising it?
I don't know if deer, or other animals for that matter, ever feel troubled. Bit it was apparent to me that this little spotted fawn felt abandoned, lost, because she (or he) now had no one as guide and teacher and nurturer. And my heart ached for this little one.
Jesus' heart was moved with pity at the sight of the troubled and abandoned crowd. And he sent out his disciples to tend to them. There are two lessons in today's gospel (Matthew 9:36 - 10:8) for us: we too are to go out and tend to those who are in need, to care for and about others around us - people we know and those we may not yet know, traveling along together on the journey bringing hope, life, and the love of Christ in all that we say and do according to our gifts and talents. The second lesson is that we too need not feel lost or abandoned or like sheep without a shepherd, but ever hopeful. For God is always with us, God grasps us by the hand and is woven deeply into our being, and God draws us near through God's deep and passionate love for each and everyone. Wow! God is awesome indeed!
May we celebrate with joy all that is good - in life, in faith, in each other.
Peace on the Journey
08 June 2008
8 June 2008
Greetings!
Those tiny blue eggs in our little white birdhouse have hatched! One evening I peered inside to find three tiny, wide open beaks waiting for food. Not long after, first mother and then father bird returned with the first two courses of the evening meal for their younglings. It won't be long before those now tiny balls of fuzzy feathers are kicked out of the nest and soaring away behind their parents. One day I noticed the pair of geese that took up residence on our pond swimming near the water's edge. Four goslings followed playfully and faithfully. And just a couple of evenings ago on the back pond four or five little Wood ducklings swam peacefully behind their mother. Wow, nature is lo alive this time of year!
We can learn much from the example of these tiny feathered creatures. As young as they are, they know, they trust, they follow. They know their nature - what God intended them to be. They do not doubt - they will be provided for. They do not stray - they hold fast to imitating and learning in order that they may grow and have life. Jesus extended an invitation to Matthew - the same invitation he extends to everyone: "Follow me" (Matthew 9:9).
May we always remember it is Christ who is the center of our Church and our faith.
Peace on the Journey
Those tiny blue eggs in our little white birdhouse have hatched! One evening I peered inside to find three tiny, wide open beaks waiting for food. Not long after, first mother and then father bird returned with the first two courses of the evening meal for their younglings. It won't be long before those now tiny balls of fuzzy feathers are kicked out of the nest and soaring away behind their parents. One day I noticed the pair of geese that took up residence on our pond swimming near the water's edge. Four goslings followed playfully and faithfully. And just a couple of evenings ago on the back pond four or five little Wood ducklings swam peacefully behind their mother. Wow, nature is lo alive this time of year!
We can learn much from the example of these tiny feathered creatures. As young as they are, they know, they trust, they follow. They know their nature - what God intended them to be. They do not doubt - they will be provided for. They do not stray - they hold fast to imitating and learning in order that they may grow and have life. Jesus extended an invitation to Matthew - the same invitation he extends to everyone: "Follow me" (Matthew 9:9).
May we always remember it is Christ who is the center of our Church and our faith.
Peace on the Journey
01 June 2008
1 June 2008
Greetings!
The other day while mowing the lawn, I took notice of the little white birdhouse that is hanging on a short, sawed off limb i none of our trees. For the third year in a row, a pair of Eastern bluebirds reside in it and faithfully tend to the tiny blue eggs in the carefully crafted nest. Surprisingly this tiny house still hung firmly in place after an extremely windy night - one so windy that it blew the swing set in our yard over on its side! Mother bird is very determined indeed. Even the roar of the lawnmower would not cause her to abandon her nest, even momentarily. Father bird keeps himself busy standing watch and "bringing home the bacon" so to speak, as he frequently brings his mate something to eat. Though this birdhouse does not appear to have a solid foundation, it is apparent these birds have chosen wisely, as the short, stubby branch on which this birdhouse is hung is sheltered by the solid foundation of the other branches on the large tree. It is also very apparent these small creatures are in tune with the concept of "we" - we're in this together.
Jesus reminds us that if we build our house on rock it will not collapse (Matthew 7:24-25). When we build our faith and nurture our hearts based on trust in God, keeping Christ as our center, we ill indeed have a solid foundation. When we truly accept and live the concept of "we" as branches together on the same vine that is Christ, it serves to strengthen not only our faith but our community as well. This is a community that has not been comfortable with the language of division - there has been no "us" and "them"; no "you' and "I". The community of St. Thomas the Apostle was formed as "we" - just like the bluebird pair - we've known from the start that our growth as community would be accomplished together and through the grace of God. Together we can continue to serve one another, care for one another, believe in one another, and love one another.
May we continue to notice the movements of God within and around us and always remember how deeply and passionately God loves every one of us.
Peace on the Journey
The other day while mowing the lawn, I took notice of the little white birdhouse that is hanging on a short, sawed off limb i none of our trees. For the third year in a row, a pair of Eastern bluebirds reside in it and faithfully tend to the tiny blue eggs in the carefully crafted nest. Surprisingly this tiny house still hung firmly in place after an extremely windy night - one so windy that it blew the swing set in our yard over on its side! Mother bird is very determined indeed. Even the roar of the lawnmower would not cause her to abandon her nest, even momentarily. Father bird keeps himself busy standing watch and "bringing home the bacon" so to speak, as he frequently brings his mate something to eat. Though this birdhouse does not appear to have a solid foundation, it is apparent these birds have chosen wisely, as the short, stubby branch on which this birdhouse is hung is sheltered by the solid foundation of the other branches on the large tree. It is also very apparent these small creatures are in tune with the concept of "we" - we're in this together.
Jesus reminds us that if we build our house on rock it will not collapse (Matthew 7:24-25). When we build our faith and nurture our hearts based on trust in God, keeping Christ as our center, we ill indeed have a solid foundation. When we truly accept and live the concept of "we" as branches together on the same vine that is Christ, it serves to strengthen not only our faith but our community as well. This is a community that has not been comfortable with the language of division - there has been no "us" and "them"; no "you' and "I". The community of St. Thomas the Apostle was formed as "we" - just like the bluebird pair - we've known from the start that our growth as community would be accomplished together and through the grace of God. Together we can continue to serve one another, care for one another, believe in one another, and love one another.
May we continue to notice the movements of God within and around us and always remember how deeply and passionately God loves every one of us.
Peace on the Journey
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