Reflections on spirituality, life, meaning, and purpose
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Author: Carissa A. Kane
Carissa A. Kanehttps://hopethatfloats.wordpress.comI am passionate about spirituality and the journey to deepen and grow in relationship with God.
My desire to live a life rooted in the Divine, and to journey with others who wish to do so, has grown, as have I, through the joys and sorrows, the struggles, victories and challenges of life.
I feel blessed to be a child of God, wife, mother, writer, spiritual director, and retreat director.
Reading the responsorial psalm for Palm Sunday and the response, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:2) my mind is immediately filled with thoughts of the dear, innocent people of Ukraine whose lives have been taken, trampled upon, and upended, most recently over the course of the past several weeks, as well as for the dear, innocent people throughout the world who each day suffer such cruel and unjust treatment at the hands of others. It’s hard to comprehend how, with all the advances humankind has made in the past 2,000 years, the same hatred that slithered its way into the hearts and minds of those who sought to crucify Jesus, still exists, and that acts of such cruelty and utter disregard for humanity are still carried out.
It’s hard to understand, but perhaps that’s the point. It’s not understandable. What we are witnessing is the devastation that comes in situations where the heart of the matter—we are One—is lost; overruled by greed, hatred, lust for power, and indifference. Yet, at the same time, we are witnessing the heart of the matter—we are One—rising up, calling out… alive and well in the spirit of unity seen in those who stand up, reach out, sacrifice, and stand together.
The Passion of the Lord is about reclamation and answering that call.
Reflecting on the Passion of the Lord in the Gospel according to Luke (chapters 22-23), how do you bring your thoughts and feelings about all that is happening in the world today to God? Where do you meet Jesus? In what ways do you accompany Jesus in his Passion? And how do you draw inspiration and strength from the journey?
Waking up to the sounds of birds singing to each other, Calling back and forth, Noise bouncing here and there—echoes, Do they realize how far their voices reach? What is their intention? What’s that now? What do they say? Something familiar, something new, They whistle in possibilities, And the newness of the day. What is my intention? How does it travel? What do I say? Do I realize the blessing that comes with this new day?
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:3
In Greek mythology, keeping the gods and goddesses happy was central to life. So, temples were built, activities were held, sacrifices were made, all to please the gods and goddesses so that the people in turn might be helped along or rewarded rather than punished. Having recently seen a show that involved Greek mythology and the challenge of relationships, reading “…be reconciled to God,” in chapter 5, verse 20 of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, strikes a chord. And then there is the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent which includes the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), which really leads one to think about relationships. Combining the two, it can be intriguing to look more closely at the differences and similarities between one’s relationship with God and one’s relationships with others (family, friends, acquaintances, etc.). And perhaps consider further, the impact of both the things we can see and those we think we can see but cannot.
Looking to St. Paul and to the Prodigal Son, it’s all about stripping away the extraneous, drawing closer to what lies within, and trusting one’s experience. However, not one’s experience of self or others, but looking for, remembering and trusting one’s experience of God within the interactions and dealings we have with one another.
Imagine riding along from start to finish with Saul of Tarsus, soldier… warrior, active persecutor of early Christians who was literally knocked off his horse, called to conversion, and way down the road, became St. Paul.
Envision travelling with the Prodigal Son. The son who took his inheritance while his father was still living and turned his back on everyone and everything that he had previously known. He had to take his own path and have his own way; it was just something he needed to do. However, on that path, he lost everything, but then gained so much more than he could have ever dreamed of, by owning the truth and returning home, where he was immediately welcomed and embraced.
For St. Paul and the Prodigal Son, it turned out that the things that drove them… the things that sucked them in as being so important or so necessary, weren’t. And while it may have seemed to them as though they lost everything in the process of their falling, they did not. Both experienced the kindness and love of God both directly and through others—the grace that led them to pivot—and it is through that, that they came to know their true worth as God’s beloved, and that what really matters can never be taken away, only shared and magnified.
Tomorrow, March 20, 2022, is the vernal equinox, giving those of us in the Northern Hemisphere an even split between day and night and marking the beginning of spring. It’s not often we experience such balance in a day. In fact, it only happens twice a year on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, and given the pace of life, the light of these days likely slips by without much notice.
The thing that’s interesting though, is as with many happenings in the natural world around us, there’s a message or lesson they hold. The vernal equinox can serve as a concrete example to not only bring equity and balance to heart and mind, but also perhaps to provide an experience we can all relate to, no matter where we are, and in doing so, on some level, restore a sense of harmony.
Take some time to absorb what is often the background as we go about each day—nature. Bring it to the forefront. Next, as you look around, consider your life. Where do you find balance and harmony? In what ways do you experience the Lord as kind and merciful in the hours of both the day and night? How are you inspired?
Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord does righteous deeds, brings justice to all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, to the Israelites his deeds. Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. He will not always accuse, and nurses no lasting anger; He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve. – Psalm 103: 1-10
Sitting with the readings for the second Sunday of Lent, like an old friend, the word “Trust” enters the room with a warm smile and as if to say, “Remember me… remember when…” So much of life is about trust and so often, it seems to come down to whom or what one trusts, to what degree, how that trust is received, and the impact or consequences of its handling.
As human beings, we share in a perfectly, imperfect nature, as we navigate life in, and surrounded by, a competitive, material world. It can be tempting to think or feel, even if subconsciously, that there is something we can do about anything happening around us at any time; that a level of control is always within our grasp. We may even look to capture the things that we, as human beings, think will help us to have that control. Yet, the only control we ever really have, and the only victory ever really won, is in choices that we make to trust in God’s ways and to let go, or shed the impulse or notion that any one interest outranks everyone’s interest.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, Peter, John, and James ascend the mountain with Jesus and share in the experience of his transfiguration. In the passage prior to this one, while explaining what it means to be a disciple, Jesus says, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25). Looking at the circumstances in the world today, one can clearly see that there is no profit in profiteering, only loss for everyone.
Think about what it must have been like for Peter, John, and James to hear Jesus’ words about discipleship and then to witness his transfiguration seeing him stand alongside the prophets, Moses and Elijah.
Looking to today’s world, when it seems there is nothing to do, or there is no good way to stop what is already in motion, perhaps the best place to start is to forget control, then pause to go back and remember the beginning. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. One can only wonder, what was in their hearts as they placed their trust in Jesus and followed him up that mountain. One can only wonder how they received what happened and what they carried in their hearts on the way down, and thereafter.
How does your trust in Jesus shape your choices, create unity, express love, and spread goodwill? Connecting with Jesus as an old friend greeting you with a warm smile, how would you proceed from the phrase, “Remember me… remember when…?”
Share with Jesus what you carry in your heart as you reflect on the world we live in, and the journey you are on within it.
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. – Lk 9:28b-36
Please join in prayer for the people of Ukraine. May they experience a non-stop, abundant outpouring of love from the rest of the world. May God continue to give them the strength, the means, and the courage to keep standing up to those who are perpetrating violence and seeking to overthrow their country and its leadership. May God turn the hearts and minds of all those in positions to affect what’s happening in Ukraine to whatever is the greatest good possible in this situation, and give those people the wherewithal to choose it.
Looking out the window, branches all around. Open arms holding up the snow, or the snow resting on open arms? Both clinging to each other, or one melting into the other? Does it really matter? Still, looking out the window. Still, branches upon branches. Some sturdier than others, some swaying more than others. Does it really matter? More looking out the window, at those branches and that snow. Through it all, they just keep gently staying. Perhaps, that’s all that really matters.
Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. – Phil 2:15d,16a
In chapter 13, verse 34 of the Gospel according to John, Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” And, throughout the Gospels, there are many examples of Jesus’ love shown through his words, actions, reactions, and responses. Yet, to love as Jesus loved, can be very challenging, and maybe even feel impossible at times.
However, in the First Letter to the Corinthians (15:45-49), St. Paul really puts the focus on the keys to unlocking the ability to love as Jesus did. In comparing the first Adam to the last Adam (Jesus), St. Paul puts a reminder out there to not get caught up in the things of the world. The things that are material or mainly have to do with personal gain, in the end, will be immaterial. Furthermore, like with Adam and Eve, these things have a way of distorting our vision and pulling us away from the spirit of God.
So, too, it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam a life-giving spirit. But the spiritual was not first; rather the natural and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. – 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
St. Paul is saying, remember the truth of who you are, and stay connected to it. There is no loving as Jesus did, without being able to embrace the grace of God in whose image we are created. There is no loving as Jesus did, without the spirit of God helping us to strip away the human inclination toward the world’s view of any situation or thing. It is only through the grace of God, that we can be authentic, operating in the image of God that we are, seeing beyond the haze to what really matters, and then proceeding to receive and respond to the world around us from the place that is eternal.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
As the minutes pass and the hours turn toward Valentine’s Day, flowers, cards, candies, and more are scooped up and distributed as gifts from one heart to another. So many thoughts and sentiments, varying degrees of affection and dedication expressed through things symbolizing love and care. What a great time to think about relationships, objects reflecting one’s dedication, and how, underneath it all, perhaps sometimes lost, is the Divine. After all, how else might one consider, or be reminded, that there’s more than me, myself, and I, and my concerns?
Broadening the scope, throughout the history of humankind, it would be fair to say that lasting relationships are built upon the ability to be present, a movement of the heart, and a sense of connection and trust. The capacity for each, placed in every being from inception and created to be held as well as extended—a full circle, inclusive kind of thing between and among the Creator and the created. Beautiful, and rightly so, when rightly exercised. However, when those elements disintegrate, for whatever reasons, relationships crack and crumble. And frequently it seems, sides are formed, heels are dug in, and maybe even enemies declared. What for? And, what’s the source of that?
Still though, despite any disturbances or folly along the way, there is always what is Divine. It is the place where faith resides, truth is revealed, and all is known. The place where H is for Hope in God, the One and Only, where love is what truly matters and is nurtured, and where everything else can be put aside, and laid to rest.
As the minutes pass and the hours turn toward Valentine’s Day, take time to remember and to be inspired by the hope and love of God, and the ways in which it is extended not only in and through you, but also to you. How can you nurture it, and be nurtured by it?
We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture? This, then, is the fullness of time: When the Son of Man is begotten in us. – Meister Eckhart
Mind over matter, What difference does it make? The set of one’s mind, May toggle or break, Or yet even worse, Get stuck in one place.
Heart in the matter, What difference does it make? The set of one’s heart, When inspired by God, Finds purpose, builds faith, Sings praises, gives faith.
One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! All the earth is filled with God’s glory!” – Isaiah 6:3
HopeThatFloats 
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