Being in the world

145 Reasons, and More…

As they sing, the birds convey a sense of joy as if to say, “All is well,” with a confidence that comes from deep within and extends far beyond the earth and sky. Listening to their song is like listening to a parable, a more basic or simple presentation of the message at hand. Divine messages, signs, evidence, or assurances are all around, all the time.

Despite this, human nature is consistently tempted to tend toward throwing up our hands when situations seem impossible or the odds seem stacked against us. Yet, time and again, and perhaps when we least expect it, the stars align and “I Am” shines ever bright, reminding us that all things are possible for and through God.

The disciples, Philip and Andrew, basically tell Jesus that there are too many people, too little money, and too few items of food (John 6:1-15). They believe the situation is impossible and that there is no way for them to make a difference. Instead of forgetting themselves (and what they may be capable of, or limited to, on their own), they forget who is with them—Jesus!

This reaction or response, when faced with needs that are greater than what is known or visibly available to meet them, is nothing new. In the Old Testament in the second book of Kings, it is written, “A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing the man of God twenty barley loaves made from the first fruits, and fresh grain in the ear. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people to eat.’ But his servant objected, ‘How can I set this before a hundred?’ Elisha again said, ‘Give it to the people to eat, for thus says the LORD: You will eat and have some left over.’ He set it before them, and when they had eaten, they had some left over, according to the word of the LORD” (2 Kings 4:42-44).

Faith calls us to remember and to grow strong in our belief that when genuinely striving to be faithful to God, ultimately, the odds are with us. Faith calls us to think beyond ourselves and to say with our entire being, “I believe. Show me how. Show me the way, Jesus,” and then to listen, trusting as we follow, “The hand of the Lord feeds us, answering all our needs” (Psalm 145:16).

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Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip,
“Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.”
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

– John 6:1-15

Packing for the Trip…

From the first days of school I remember carrying with me a lunch box and backpack. Over time, the backpack got bigger and heavier as the items needed for each day became more numerous… a variety of school supplies for writing, calculating, and measuring; more books and folders; outer wear, sports gear, etc. A major part of being prepared and ready to go each school day, which eventually turns into each work day, involves packing for “the trip.”

It is hard to imagine going out for even a few hours, yet alone a whole day or more, without taking a bag and bringing along some provisions. However, Jesus instructs his disciples to carry only the clothes they are wearing on their backs, refraining from the business of traveling with a packed bag. He tells them to focus not on what they think they need—security (food, luggage, clothing, and money), but rather on what is really needed for any journey worth taking—trust.

While security offers a path that is thought to be safe and perhaps predictable, it often comes at the expense of what is good for the soul. On the other hand, trust, when placed appropriately… prayerfully, leads to a path that not only preserves the glory of God within, but also lifts the soul to new heights.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

– Mark 6:7-13

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Cloaked in Courage…

A long time ago, there was a woman with an illness for which there seemed to be no cure. She tried everything she could possibly try within the realm of conventional or traditional practices. However, the only changes were negative as both the condition of her health, and her wealth, continued to suffer.

After being through so much over the course of many years, the woman was moved to try something not only different, but also bold and new. It would take courage, especially given the times in which she lived and her status in society. It would also require a great leap of faith. However, as nervous or afraid as she might have felt, when she considered all things, deep down she knew that trying more of the same, would only lead to further suffering. She came to see that she needed to do something different, so she did, and it made all the difference.

Oftentimes, steadfastness can be confused with, or perhaps too tightly associated with, choices that are “conventional” or “traditional.” Yet, when looking through the eyes of faith and one’s experience along with tradition, and Scripture, God’s steadfastness is not stagnant, nor is it ever tied to the “rules” of the time, space, or place in which one might find themselves.

In many ways, and as seen through all of Scripture, including the life and ministry of Jesus, God is always present as well as constantly evolving. At the same time, God calls each of us to evolve, too.

The woman who suffered with hemorrhages for twelve years certainly had faith. We can also surmise that she had been praying all that time too in addition to seeking medical help. However, her healing only came when she listened deep within, took courage, did the unconventional, and touched the cloak of Jesus.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?'”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” – Mark 5: 25-34,

On the Edge, Greatness…

At the beginning of the week, as I looked out the window and scanned the back yard, I spotted a doe, yes, “a dear, a female deer,” at the edge of the grass path that leads to the woods. Although tempted to step away to get my camera to try to capture the moment, instead I stayed and watched. For quite some time the doe just stood there in its peaceful, patient way, nibbling at the leaves of a branch. Every so often it lifted its head to glance all around, surveying and taking in the environment with its big, beautiful, pensive eyes. Then, in what seemed like a flash, it was gone, heading off deeper into the woods.

Thinking about this experience, I am struck by the faith that is needed to go into, or to return to, the wilderness. Yet, it is this very same faith that calls creation to the place that is less familiar, less comfortable, or perhaps altogether unknown. Even more, it is the same faith that assures us, moving us toward peace and patience, and helping us to know, we are never alone.

True faith awakens and arises us, calling us closer to the edge, and whispering: Come. Come deeper into the mystery that is God.

In Every Age – by Janet Sullivan Whitaker

Long before the mountains came to be
and the land and sea and stars of the night,
through the endless seasons of all time,
you have always been,
you will always be.

In ev’ry age, O God,
you have been our refuge.
In ev’ry age, O God,
you have been our hope.

Teach us to make use of the time we have.
Teach us to be patient even as we wait.
Teach us to embrace our ev’ry joy and pain.
To sleep peacefully,
and to rise up strong.

In ev’ry age, O God,
you have been our refuge.
In ev’ry age, O God,
you have been our hope.

You have been our refuge
You have been our hope.

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Because it’s the right thing to do…

“Why? I don’t understand why we have to do this?” To which the father responded, “Because, it’s the right thing to do. I can do my best to explain it, but whether or not you, I, or anyone understands, we are doing it, because right here, right now, it’s the right thing to do.”

We all experience moments in life when it can be hard to put something into words or to provide reason or logic. However, even when one cannot understand, there is always a reason. At those times, the challenge is to take what is felt in one’s bones and trust it. Give it whirl, allowing it to have a voice, letting it come to life, and seeing what happens.

Oftentimes, sticking to what we “know,” what we think we know, or what we have been told, takes us further away and pales in comparison to what we may be headed toward or on the brink of discovering… learning… experiencing.

In June of 1949, Cardinal Emmanuel Suhard was buried in Notre Dame Cathedral, alongside archbishops by whom he was predeceased. He had entered formation, despite not having the support of his pastor. He went on to become a priest in 1897, professor, bishop, and eventually Archbishop of Reims in 1930.

In 1942, Cardinal Suhard found his way to using his voice publically against the Vichy government, its deportation of the Jewish people of Paris, and essentially its collusion with the Nazi government. The Cardinal was detained for his actions which went against the clergy and the government of his time and place. However, this was not the first time, he paid consequences for the doing what he felt was the right thing to do.

In his lifetime, Cardinal Suhard was also instrumental in the creation of what was referred to as the Worker-Priest movement. Although the movement was originally supported by the church hierarchy as a means to bring people, specifically the French working class, back to the church, it took on a life of its own.

The priests were sent out into everyday life in the everyday world. The ones who participated in the movement worked in the factories of Paris and other cities. As they experienced the environment and conditions of their fellow workers, they could not help but become involved in trying to make things better. In doing so, they came to be seen by the factory owners, and were reported to the church, as being divisive for their efforts to improve the injustice and wrongdoing they saw and experienced. As a result, the worker priests were told to return to their churches. Some did, and some did not. As for the movement, it went through various stages, including some years of being halted altogether, but has essentially carried on in one form or another.

Emmanuel Célestin Suhard became aware, discovered, and listened to what was in his bones, his God-given purpose. It is always the right thing to do.

“To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God did not exist.” – Emmanuel Célestin Suhard

On the Edge…

The drops of water lay so gently on the flower’s petals, leaving no evidence of the heavy downpours in the hours before.

Currently, in the state of Hawaii, there are rumblings underground through which lava is flowing. Where there was no evidence of faulty ground visible to the eye, where once perhaps there was what seemed steady, tolerable or even glamorous, now there is disruption. However, depending not on where one stands, but on how one stands, the ground, though it may be cracked and shaking, remains intact.

When Peter and his fellow Apostles were carrying on after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the ground was shaky. The future was unknown, yet they remained intact. They were able to proceed despite differences, disputes, and disruptions. They remained rooted even when the ground was moving.

The Apostles stood firm in their love of God. This was the manner in which they lived—how they stood, wherever they stood. Their love of God and desire to be faithful to God, impassioned them. It opened their hearts and minds, enflaming their spirits and their willingness to listen and to be guided by the Holy Spirit, despite their prior understanding or personal thoughts on the way things should be.

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him
and, falling at his feet, paid him homage.
Peter, however, raised him up, saying,
“Get up. I myself am also a human being.”

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.”

While Peter was still speaking these things,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.
The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter
were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit
should have been poured out on the Gentiles also,
for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.

Then Peter responded,
“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people,
who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”
He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

– Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

While the Apostles lived so very long ago, the way they lived… how they stood, is much more than history. It is like drops of water on a flower petal, waiting on the edges of every experience. It is Wisdom for the ages.

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“It is at the edge of a petal that love waits.” – William Carlos Williams

Just Like That…

Ready to pack up and go, the automatic start button was pressed, the lights came on, but the engine did not. I thought, oh no! Not now! But now it was.

The events that unfolded from a number of failed attempts to start the car, the roadside technician whose heart led him to look and work where the company’s book says not to look and work, and through the remaining tasks of the day were all unexpected. However, the initial sting and set back on time, gave way to a number of experiences of the kindness of strangers, of both those helping and those in need of help, and the gift of joy waiting to be recognized as the hand of God, providing a lift for each and every one of us.

So often, things happen just like that.

Just like that, Jesus breathed his last breath and it was over (Mark 15:37). One can only imagine what it was like for those who believed. Certainly, they did not expect what had happened to occur.

Despite Jesus’ words and the foretelling of his death and resurrection, clearly, it seemed more than they could understand. Prior to his last breath, Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) What did those closest to Jesus think, and how did they feel about what was happening? We all experience moments of feeling surprised, shocked, blind-sided, or abandoned. After some time to absorb what has transpired, though, there is the important question of “What now?”

It is in looking to, “What now?” that those among the closest to Jesus discovered that what may have seemed like the end was rather the beginning of something new. Not only that, but they were also reminded of the truth. To talk the talk is important, but to also walk it is difficult, impossible without sacrifice, and at times, may also seem like it is not worthwhile.

As you approach each day, remember:

While there may be lots of big, bad, bloated wolves in the world, their power is far outweighed by those who are kind, honest, caring, and wise;

Seeking to truly put God’s will first in both word and deed enables faith, hope and love to achieve all that otherwise may seem less than worthwhile, useless, or even impossible;

Light always conquers darkness, often in ways that we could not imagine, understand, or design on our own;

When being truthful with oneself, it is clear that the ends does not justify the means;

Every breath that any one of us takes is precious; and

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118).

Praise God!

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The Greatest Show…

Last night I had the opportunity to see a musical movie that portrayed the rise of P.T. Barnum and showed how his circus came to be. It was both interesting and remarkable to step into the life and times of the main character and those previously hidden, shut out, and silenced, but who came to be at the forefront and an important part of the show. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the movie was how beautifully the uniqueness of each individual came to be celebrated and the spirit that was born out of it.

While it may seem odd to pair a variation of the word “beauty” with the word “circus,” it also seems so relevant. We live in times that can feel like a non-stop circus with all the happenings in today’s world. However, in it all, there is still so much beauty to be found, and to be celebrated.

Through many heated disagreements and debates, especially of recent times, silence is being shattered and a spirit that celebrates the unique and diverse, but more importantly, the authentic, is growing. While the events around us can be upsetting and trying, they can also lead to becoming more in touch with values and beliefs, feeling compelled and moved, and living more deeply, or intentionally. In the chaotic and unexpected (as well as in the humdrum and typical, and everything in between), it is remarkable how present God, the author of creation… the author of diversity, is.

“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” – P.T. Barnum

If God intended for all to be the same, or to be uniform, the ark would not have been a zoo, rainbows would be bland instead of full of color—life, and Jesus would have added to the over 600 Mosaic laws instead of simplifying them and being an example of love, mercy, compassion, acceptance and integrity.

Celebrate individuality; it is part of how the human race was created and it honors God. Encourage truth; it is important to keep it real. Embrace all that is humane and always carry hope, remembering that the heart of God is in each of us.

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When Boughs Break…

For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining, is to let it rain.
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Throughout the past few days as I have been out and about, I have seen a great number of damaged trees from recent storms. Among many branches, there have been toppled trees, exposing the underside of the root systems that used to hold them upright. Then there have been trees leaning and resting upon the trunk or branches of a nearby tree. Finally, I have seen trees where the trunk simply snapped, leaving an inside view of what seems to be sturdy, living wood. Clearly, the root systems of these snapped trees were healthy; otherwise, the trees would have toppled.

However, even if a tree trunk is in perfect health, its root system is top notch, and the ground around it is not over-saturated, it can still withstand only so much force before succumbing to it. In fact, scientific studies have shown that once wind gusts reach 94 miles per hour, healthy trees with good ground conditions begin to snap and/or topple. Now, thankfully, the storms that blew through the area I live in did not have wind gusts that high. For these snapped trees, it is likely that there was some sort of imperfection, even if slight, causing weakness in their trunks. With time, culminating with the recent storms, it led to their downfall—through no fault of their own.

Taking in the view of these fallen trees, I cannot help but think that there is so much more to them than wood on the ground. At times it can be tempting to think that strong, healthy roots—a strong foundation—is the cure all. However, these broken trees are a good reminder that very few things are set in stone; also that black and white always make a shade of gray, whether we like it or not.

It is not very different with faith. There is so much more to it than any formula could ever capture. Whether high up in the sky or on the ground, there is always so much more than what meets the eye.

I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

– Jeremiah 31:33-34

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Take time…

It is amazing how electronic devices have advanced over the years and how the technology keeps evolving. There is a lot of work and so many hours of programming and testing before devices and apps are released from the development environment out into the real world. Once they are out, though, they are used in various ways, some of which the development teams working on them had not anticipated and that may require the creation of an update to the operating system.

Once the update is created and released, in order for it to be implemented, it requires an exit from all programs and for the electronic device to shut down and restart. Without this step, the programming changes cannot be completely installed; certain files can only be changed when they are not in use. While I may choose to ignore an update and my device may still work, it will not do so in a way that is optimal. Not only that, but also, depending on what the update contains, I may be putting my device and the information on it in jeopardy by continuing to operate without the update.

It is necessary to shut down and restart the operating system every so often so that updates can be applied and it can continue to run as smoothly as possible. It is not that different for human beings. If we are to process all that comes our way and continue to evolve and function at our best, we also need to take time for periodic updates, shut downs and restarts… time to step away, give pause, remember, give thanks, prayerfully reflect, seek insight, re-focus if necessary, and allow ourselves to be renewed and refreshed.

Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.” – Mk 1:35-38

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