Greetings Friends,
During the late spring and early summer months I wrote several times about the Eastern bluebirds that took up residence in our little white birdhouse, telling of the building of the nest and my delight in watching the first three tiny birds as they grew and then took flight. And then came yet another two eggs from which two more little ones emerged and I very much looked forward to witnessing their growth and development and their first attempts at flight, only to find one day in July that these two did not survive. If there are any who have not guessed by now, watching the wonders of nature that surrounds our home during this time of year is one of my great delights – something I would like to hold on to for more than a mere few months.
I suspect in all our lives there are events that give us great joy - ones we wish could last forever. But alas, nature has its own rhythm and the change in seasons brings about a change in our surroundings. Soon summer will give way to fall and the beautiful, bright colors that are a hallmark of that season. I also suspect each of us have had someone, or many people, in our lives who have been a blessing and very special and significant to us: best friends, family, other loved ones. And we probably have wished they could be with us forever. The very thought of having to say good-bye is almost unthinkable. And yet, like the seasons of the year, we come to realize there are also seasons of life and good-byes are eventually part of the hard life rhythms we have to face and move through. As I write this, during the wee hours of this July 21st morning while pondering the two lives celebrated at funeral liturgies over the past two days at St. Thomas, I cannot help but see a connection with Peter in today’s gospel.
As Jesus was preparing to go to Jerusalem, to his death, Peter could not or would not accept that this would in fact be Jesus’ fate. Peter did not want to have to say good-bye to Jesus. Does his reaction not also speak of our own response to the death of a loved one? And yet as Peter would eventually come to know, God had a greater plan in mind (Matthew 16: 21-27). It is through our faith and our trust and belief in the promise of eternal life from our loving God, that we have hope and can come to find comfort in our time of sorrow. Indeed if not clearly evident at no other time, it is in our experiencing the death of a loved one, that life has changed, but life has also not ended. For just as Jesus spoke of his coming death, he also spoke of his resurrection – new life! I pray for comfort and peace to fill the hearts of all who grieve.
May we always know the abundant love of God is forever with us.
Peace on the Journey
31 August 2008
24 August 2008
24 August 2008
Greetings Friends!
It hasn't happened this year...yet, but every now and again I seem to lock myself out of our house. On several of these occasions in the past, to my dismay, the spare key was not in the usual hiding place. Add to that all the windows being locked. Most times this has happened I was on my way to an appointment or work and hastily rushed out of the house leaving my keys locked inside. These times have been most distressing but also so very inconvenient.
Keys hold a certain sense of control for us humans. They open, unlock, doors that only are meant for us (and a select few) to enter. And when keys are lost or left behind, that sense of control is suddenly gone and at times panic sets in. We do not like to be without a sense of control. But control in many respects equates with power. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but...a sense of power can feed the perceived need for more control which inflates the sense of importance and power, and on and on. Left unchecked, it can become a vicious circle, and one that is isolating at that. Power and control is not the food of relationship; it does not build community or trust nor does it foster any sense of service or collegiality. When power and control are the predominant dynamics of any relationship, whether with another or a group of people, an integral and very necessary piece is missing from the relationship: a sense of togetherness - that we are all in this together!
We see in our reading from the prophet Isaiah today that this important concept of togetherness is lacking in Shebna's relationship not only with the people Israel, but with God as well. Well, we would see it more clearly if we read the whole 22nd chapter of Isaiah! Shebna was very much into power and control - a person who had a mighty high opinion of himself and his status. He held the keys, so to speak, to God's people. But God had other plans and they had no room for arrogance, conceit, and power/control hungry masters of a palace. God's plan involved servant leadership. Hmm, I think God's plan still does!
Together may we dance to the divine music of God's constant Love!
Peace on the Journey
It hasn't happened this year...yet, but every now and again I seem to lock myself out of our house. On several of these occasions in the past, to my dismay, the spare key was not in the usual hiding place. Add to that all the windows being locked. Most times this has happened I was on my way to an appointment or work and hastily rushed out of the house leaving my keys locked inside. These times have been most distressing but also so very inconvenient.
Keys hold a certain sense of control for us humans. They open, unlock, doors that only are meant for us (and a select few) to enter. And when keys are lost or left behind, that sense of control is suddenly gone and at times panic sets in. We do not like to be without a sense of control. But control in many respects equates with power. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but...a sense of power can feed the perceived need for more control which inflates the sense of importance and power, and on and on. Left unchecked, it can become a vicious circle, and one that is isolating at that. Power and control is not the food of relationship; it does not build community or trust nor does it foster any sense of service or collegiality. When power and control are the predominant dynamics of any relationship, whether with another or a group of people, an integral and very necessary piece is missing from the relationship: a sense of togetherness - that we are all in this together!
We see in our reading from the prophet Isaiah today that this important concept of togetherness is lacking in Shebna's relationship not only with the people Israel, but with God as well. Well, we would see it more clearly if we read the whole 22nd chapter of Isaiah! Shebna was very much into power and control - a person who had a mighty high opinion of himself and his status. He held the keys, so to speak, to God's people. But God had other plans and they had no room for arrogance, conceit, and power/control hungry masters of a palace. God's plan involved servant leadership. Hmm, I think God's plan still does!
Together may we dance to the divine music of God's constant Love!
Peace on the Journey
17 August 2008
17 August 2008
Greetings Friends,
As we wind down into the final weeks of August, I can't help but think of the upcoming school year. What a busy time of preparation this is for many - accumulating school supplies and clothes, registering for classes, leaving home for college for some, teachers preparing and finalizing lesson plans, and on and on. We notice in some children great anticipation in returning to school with thoughts of meeting both old and new friends. And then there are probably some who are quite anxious about the whole thing - perhaps they will be attending a new school where they know no one and wondering, even fretting over how they will be accepted by the other students. It's tough to be the "new kid" in school; a stranger to literally everyone. Been there, done that.
Imagine being in a place where we do not feel comfortable, let alone welcome. Imagine mustering up the courage to speak what is on our mind and in our heart in the midst of strangers. And now imagine having our very presence seemingly dismissed as inappropriate or insignificant. Perhaps the feelings this scenario evokes in us are feelings akin to those of the Canaanite woman as she made the decision to approach Jesus and pleaded with him to heal her daughter (Matthew 15:22-28). After all, Jesus was a Jew and she a "dreaded and hated" Canaanite. And yet this woman of courage and strength believed in Jesus' power to hear, trusted that he would receive her request with compassion, and had faith that he would indeed heal her daughter. All this is evident in her persistence in refusing to be pushed aside and sent away.
Perhaps the story of the persistence of this woman can give us an inkling of the way God pursues us - unceasingly, relentlessly, every moment of every day. Perhaps the compassion of Jesus in healing the woman's daughter can touch our hearts in a way that encourages us to continue reaching out to others both near and far sharing God's love for us with generosity and compassion.
May we trust in the abundant Love of God to bring joy and peace to our hearts.
Peace on the Journey
As we wind down into the final weeks of August, I can't help but think of the upcoming school year. What a busy time of preparation this is for many - accumulating school supplies and clothes, registering for classes, leaving home for college for some, teachers preparing and finalizing lesson plans, and on and on. We notice in some children great anticipation in returning to school with thoughts of meeting both old and new friends. And then there are probably some who are quite anxious about the whole thing - perhaps they will be attending a new school where they know no one and wondering, even fretting over how they will be accepted by the other students. It's tough to be the "new kid" in school; a stranger to literally everyone. Been there, done that.
Imagine being in a place where we do not feel comfortable, let alone welcome. Imagine mustering up the courage to speak what is on our mind and in our heart in the midst of strangers. And now imagine having our very presence seemingly dismissed as inappropriate or insignificant. Perhaps the feelings this scenario evokes in us are feelings akin to those of the Canaanite woman as she made the decision to approach Jesus and pleaded with him to heal her daughter (Matthew 15:22-28). After all, Jesus was a Jew and she a "dreaded and hated" Canaanite. And yet this woman of courage and strength believed in Jesus' power to hear, trusted that he would receive her request with compassion, and had faith that he would indeed heal her daughter. All this is evident in her persistence in refusing to be pushed aside and sent away.
Perhaps the story of the persistence of this woman can give us an inkling of the way God pursues us - unceasingly, relentlessly, every moment of every day. Perhaps the compassion of Jesus in healing the woman's daughter can touch our hearts in a way that encourages us to continue reaching out to others both near and far sharing God's love for us with generosity and compassion.
May we trust in the abundant Love of God to bring joy and peace to our hearts.
Peace on the Journey
10 August 2008
10 August 2008
Greetings Friends,
It is almost amusing to hear weather forecasters use the term "weather event" when describing an approaching storm, significant snow, damaging winds. I have no personal experience of earthquakes, hurricanes, or devastating fire, but I do know something about storms and fear.
I didn't know it at the time, but it was the last time I went fishing on Lake Michigan with my dad before his death. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon: not a cloud in the sky, calm waters, a comfortable 75 degrees. We headed out two miles east and set our lines for the "big catch". About a half hour later, my dad noticed a bank of clouds, which appeared out of nowhere, approaching from the west and said, "There's a front coming up fast. We had better pull the lines and head in". Almost immediately the wind kicked up and waves rocked the boat with increasing intensity. Dad told me to "take the wheel" while he finished pulling up the lines. Now, I had driven his boat several times without difficulty, and never got sea-sick but this was different. I had a lot of trouble handling the boat in such rough water - these waves were intense, rocking the boat with fierce abandon and crashing over the side. I pleaded with dad that I could not do this - I could not handle the boat. And he told me in no uncertain terms that I could and calmly told me what to do. His voice seemed a whispering to me for by this time the storm was in full force. And I was afraid - afraid we would not make it back to shore, afraid I would do something wrong and would capsize the boat, afraid for our very lives (and the life of my then unborn child). But I listened to dad's instructions, trusted in his confidence in me even though I would have preferred to cower in a corner somewhere, and eventually we made it back to the dock safe and sound.
The story of Elijah on the mountain is one of trust and fear and trust (1 Kings 19:11-13). He trusted he would encounter God on the mountain because God told him so. How could Elijah not be afraid given the "weather events" he endured: wind, earthquake, fire? And yet these are typical biblical symbols of God's presence! But it was in the tiny whispering sound where God was revealed to Elijah - a most unexpected place indeed and a place that called Elijah to trust God was present there.
Where do we hear the voice of God speaking in our lives? Is it always in the "big stuff"? Or might God speak to our hearts in quiet, subtle ways - a kind word received, a smile from a stranger, the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, the "new life" of spring, the colors of fall... The task for us becomes noticing - taking the time to notice all the ways, the tiny, subtle ways God blesses us and above all love us so unceasingly every moment of every day - even when we are afraid, even when we doubt, even when we find it difficult to trust.
May the diving and eternal dance of life and love God invites us to enter into always being joy and peace to our hearts.
Peace on the Journey
It is almost amusing to hear weather forecasters use the term "weather event" when describing an approaching storm, significant snow, damaging winds. I have no personal experience of earthquakes, hurricanes, or devastating fire, but I do know something about storms and fear.
I didn't know it at the time, but it was the last time I went fishing on Lake Michigan with my dad before his death. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon: not a cloud in the sky, calm waters, a comfortable 75 degrees. We headed out two miles east and set our lines for the "big catch". About a half hour later, my dad noticed a bank of clouds, which appeared out of nowhere, approaching from the west and said, "There's a front coming up fast. We had better pull the lines and head in". Almost immediately the wind kicked up and waves rocked the boat with increasing intensity. Dad told me to "take the wheel" while he finished pulling up the lines. Now, I had driven his boat several times without difficulty, and never got sea-sick but this was different. I had a lot of trouble handling the boat in such rough water - these waves were intense, rocking the boat with fierce abandon and crashing over the side. I pleaded with dad that I could not do this - I could not handle the boat. And he told me in no uncertain terms that I could and calmly told me what to do. His voice seemed a whispering to me for by this time the storm was in full force. And I was afraid - afraid we would not make it back to shore, afraid I would do something wrong and would capsize the boat, afraid for our very lives (and the life of my then unborn child). But I listened to dad's instructions, trusted in his confidence in me even though I would have preferred to cower in a corner somewhere, and eventually we made it back to the dock safe and sound.
The story of Elijah on the mountain is one of trust and fear and trust (1 Kings 19:11-13). He trusted he would encounter God on the mountain because God told him so. How could Elijah not be afraid given the "weather events" he endured: wind, earthquake, fire? And yet these are typical biblical symbols of God's presence! But it was in the tiny whispering sound where God was revealed to Elijah - a most unexpected place indeed and a place that called Elijah to trust God was present there.
Where do we hear the voice of God speaking in our lives? Is it always in the "big stuff"? Or might God speak to our hearts in quiet, subtle ways - a kind word received, a smile from a stranger, the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, the "new life" of spring, the colors of fall... The task for us becomes noticing - taking the time to notice all the ways, the tiny, subtle ways God blesses us and above all love us so unceasingly every moment of every day - even when we are afraid, even when we doubt, even when we find it difficult to trust.
May the diving and eternal dance of life and love God invites us to enter into always being joy and peace to our hearts.
Peace on the Journey
03 August 2008
3 August 2008
Greetings Friends!
Indulge me, if you will, in another story. It is a fictional story but one that just may reflect some of the attitudes abundant, or at least obvious to some degree in our society and our world. It is the story of two sisters.
The elder sister lived a rather simple and content life while the other never seemed to be able to get enough. The first sister built a small home and lived well with little. Upon seeing this, her younger sister built a plush home - a grand structure with more rooms that she needed and filled with the finest of furnishings. The elder sister scrimped and saved for a yearly weekend vacation at a cabin. The younger sister responded by searching vacation real estate and purchasing an extravagant cottage on an exclusive lake. The elder sister was employed in work she loved though the pay was meager but adequate and the position held little prestige or room for advancement. Her younger sister jumped from job to job in search of employment that would cause her to "be somebody" of importance in the business world and provide her with wages that would help meet her need for attaining more and more and bigger and better possessions - ones of the latest style and technology. The elder sister was quite satisfied with her life and gave freely to those who asked and those in need while her sister hoarded what she had, was openly critical of those who did not have her drive for "success", and seemed to be miserable much of the time.
One line in particular in our first reading from Isaiah today caught my attention. God said: "Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?" (55:2) This question prompts us to consider, once again, what it is that is truly important in life. I invite us to ponder these questions this week: Will having the latest and greatest of anything and everything be that which satisfies the deepest longings of our heart and soul? Will all the "prized" and sought after possessions the world has to offer truly bring us closer to the God to whom we belong and who so unceasingly pursues us and invites us into relationship? What attitudes and actions cause us, at times, to distance ourselves from the Love of God? Is it not the Word of God, the Bread we partake in, and our connection to each other as community that which will feed and satisfy our sometimes restless souls?
May we always know deep in our hearts the abundant Love of God and reflect the blessing of that love by gratefully and humbly reaching out to those who cross our path.
Peace on the Journey
Indulge me, if you will, in another story. It is a fictional story but one that just may reflect some of the attitudes abundant, or at least obvious to some degree in our society and our world. It is the story of two sisters.
The elder sister lived a rather simple and content life while the other never seemed to be able to get enough. The first sister built a small home and lived well with little. Upon seeing this, her younger sister built a plush home - a grand structure with more rooms that she needed and filled with the finest of furnishings. The elder sister scrimped and saved for a yearly weekend vacation at a cabin. The younger sister responded by searching vacation real estate and purchasing an extravagant cottage on an exclusive lake. The elder sister was employed in work she loved though the pay was meager but adequate and the position held little prestige or room for advancement. Her younger sister jumped from job to job in search of employment that would cause her to "be somebody" of importance in the business world and provide her with wages that would help meet her need for attaining more and more and bigger and better possessions - ones of the latest style and technology. The elder sister was quite satisfied with her life and gave freely to those who asked and those in need while her sister hoarded what she had, was openly critical of those who did not have her drive for "success", and seemed to be miserable much of the time.
One line in particular in our first reading from Isaiah today caught my attention. God said: "Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?" (55:2) This question prompts us to consider, once again, what it is that is truly important in life. I invite us to ponder these questions this week: Will having the latest and greatest of anything and everything be that which satisfies the deepest longings of our heart and soul? Will all the "prized" and sought after possessions the world has to offer truly bring us closer to the God to whom we belong and who so unceasingly pursues us and invites us into relationship? What attitudes and actions cause us, at times, to distance ourselves from the Love of God? Is it not the Word of God, the Bread we partake in, and our connection to each other as community that which will feed and satisfy our sometimes restless souls?
May we always know deep in our hearts the abundant Love of God and reflect the blessing of that love by gratefully and humbly reaching out to those who cross our path.
Peace on the Journey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)