Change

Then, Look Around…

First, listen, and then, look around. Allowing one’s senses to take in and sincerely contemplate the happenings of a day can be challenging, never mind those of the times. Yet, it is these happenings that impact not just our own personal space, but also extend beyond what we might imagine. They are like sound waves rippling outward and amplified, stirring the air all around us.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time begin with a passage from the Book of Jonah (Jon 3:1-5, 10) where the initially resistant prophet Jonah warns the people of Nineveh of their impending doom. However, just like Jonah who was previously swallowed up and in darkness (in the gut of a whale), the people of Nineveh see it fit to change their course, let go of their way, and open their hearts and minds more fully to God.

In Psalm 25, the psalmist expresses a desire to understand and to live by the ways of the Lord. The psalmist prays for God, who is faithful, compassionate, merciful, good, and upright, to teach them how to embody and live by the same ways. For this to happen though, like Jonah and the people of Nineveh, the psalmist realizes they must let go of the old (acknowledge and turn over their trespasses to God) to be more fully open to God. And thus, to live more fully as one created in the image of God, abiding by, and living in God’s ways.

In chapter 7 of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, the people of Corinth are urged to pay attention as time is of the essence. The passage (verses 29-31) begins with, “I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.” and ends with, “For the world in its present form is passing away.“.  In between, St. Paul writes:

“From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.”

Perhaps what St. Paul is warning the Corinthians, and us, about, is being consumed by anything or anyone. He is calling us to be careful about what holds our attention, not to become self-consumed or fixated on anyone or anything earthly, as all of it is bound by time, is imperfect, and therefore passes away. Focus instead on that which is timeless—God and God’s ways.

This leads to the Gospel passage, Jesus’ announcement of the Kingdom of God as being at hand, and the call of the disciples Simon, Andrew, James, and John (Mark 1: 14-20). The disciples are busy, at work, mending their nets. This is useful work, but God had other work in mind for them at that time. Jesus reaffirms them in that yes, they are fishermen. However, he redirects them to being “fishers of men,” but again as we saw in the other readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, only if they will it as well. With Jesus, as with God, no one is ever forced to choose God and God’s ways. And although the time is now, the essence of God is that Time is not rushed or pressured (there is no act swiftly or lose out), and perhaps most importantly, Time is faithful, compassionate, merciful, good and upright, patient, and always open to change.

Make known to me your ways, Lord;
teach me your paths.
Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
for you I wait all the day long.
Remember your compassion and your mercy, O Lord,
for they are ages old.
Remember no more the sins of my youth;
remember me according to your mercy,
because of your goodness, Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he shows sinners the way,
He guides the humble in righteousness,
and teaches the humble his way. – Psalm 25:4-9

The Bottom Line…

Oh no! Not again, again.
Utter outrage is not enough.
The bottom line if not obvious, is this,
There are no excuses,
There are no good reasons,
There is no lower we can go,
Beyond bottom is where we already are.

Over and over, we say no more,
But here we are, again, and again,
More than once more,
By many more.
As if it’s never enough.

Too much!
More than enough already.
Violence begets violence,
But I’m not violent,
One might say,
But if we’re being honest,
Aren’t we all,
In some way?

Thinking carefully,
Competition here and there,
Competition everywhere.
Through the years,
Things get turned upside down,
Words get mixed,
Intentions sway,
Power plays,
Hands shake,
All as if nobody is the wiser.

Enough already!
Place the value in what’s valuable!
Get over self-inflation,
Turn right side up, and
Come back down to earth.
Look reality in the face,
And address it wholeheartedly.
Join each other as One nation.

Stop the violence,
Stop it now.
No more loss.
None! Not any!
It ought to be common sense.
That’s what ought to be automatic.

Consider communicating (and re-communicating) to elected officials concerns and wishes regarding gun control and reform to laws, and exercise the right to vote to put people in office who will work to address gun violence more effectively. Pray, because prayer never hurts, and can only help. In addition, the following is a short list of organizations working to increase awareness and stop gun violence.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/arms-control/gun-violence/

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/departments/health-policy-and-management/research-and-practice/center-for-gun-violence-solutions

https://www.bradyunited.org/

https://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-injury/preventing-violence-advocacy

Stuck at the Edge…

Perhaps one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing things about the ocean is its motion. Despite its unrelenting, constant movement, and the change and transition that it brings about for anyone or anything within it, it is found, more often than not, to be soothing or healing. Yet, in any other arena, on land, in the air, or in our lives, it seems fair to say that the movement of the ocean would be considered chaos, and be an unsettling presence.

In the Book of Revelation, it is written, “The One who was seated on the throne said: ‘Behold, I make all things new…'” (21:5). This verse is a great reminder that God is not static, but rather like the ocean, always encouraging change and seeking balance—the greater good.

In such volatile times, it is worth the exploration to see the things that are as opposed to the things that used to be.  Where there is little or no true change, there is always room to do better… to do more than just look. To act, rather than to sit, stuck at the place that is only the beginning.   

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin 

Reach…

They started out a neatly organized bouquet of tulips, bulbs closed and standing upright in a vase, but with time, each came into its own. Still tulips though, and called by name, no matter the style or type of display. Some still upright. Some bending, turning, twisting, as if being called toward something else altogether, but again, all still called by name—side by side—together.

More than humane… a compelling lesson for humanity. Nothing new… it is as it has always been. In opening up, reaching out, and stretching toward another… letting go of “other,” change is made. What is true and meaningful, is more than comprehension. When the peace within one’s heart, reaches out, it permeates from soul to soul, and only then, is it about becoming.

Just as he said to the disciples who met him on the road to Emmaus, Jesus says to us, “You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48). As followers of Jesus, what did they do with that?

Fast forward to today… As disciples of Jesus, what do we do with all to which we have become witnesses? How do we stand with both the crucified and risen Jesus?

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

– Matthew 5:1-12

The One I Know…

While running an errand with my son the other day, as we drove along, we were listening to one of his favorite albums, Benefit by Jethro Tull. Despite hearing this album quite often, I am still always struck by the line “I’m going back to the ones that I know, with whom I can be what I want to be,” from the song “With You There to Help Me” sung and written by Ian Anderson. As a parent, I like to think, and I hope and pray, that my children not only know without question, but also will remember that no matter where, or how, they go, they are not alone, and that they can always come back.

In the Gospel according to John, chapter 8, verse 12, it is written, “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” Jesus does not say whoever follows me from start to finish… whoever follows me in a particular order… whoever follows me, living in a particular way… whoever follows me without blemish. There are no conditions! Anyone and everyone, whoever or wherever they may be, not only can, but is also welcome, to follow Jesus.

Jesus never said, change who you are, and then you can follow me and have the light of life. On the contrary, everything about Jesus says, come as you are, follow me, and you will live. Jesus trusts in the process and allows God to be God.

Jesus encourages us to be our true selves and to let others do the same, too. Jesus knows, and shows it through his words and actions, that whether or not anyone else knows or sees it, each person, is born with goodness in their hearts and unlimited potential. That’s something to follow!

So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone. – John 8:13-15

How do we, as individuals and in organizations, nurture and allow ourselves and each other to tap into that potential—the image of God within each of us? In what ways do we give each other the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to help make the world a better place?

TheOneIKnow

Trust and You Will See…

Yes! I can see it! Something new!

Noticing the flowers that were in full bloom among those that were just breaking out of the bud, and alongside those that were still tightly wound, enclosed in leaves of green, it was easy to take in the beauty of what was there and find joy in the anticipation of what seemed sure to be… more flowers.

When my children were much younger they had a few classroom activities throughout their preschool and early elementary school years that highlighted the cycle of life for plants and animals. I remember both their interest and their awe at each new stage or milestone. I also recall their lack of interest during the times of “stagnancy”… when it seemed nothing was happening.

One year there was the small clay pot filled with soil that eventually sprouted a stalk and green beans. For what seemed like an eternity to my children—two weeks—the pot of soil seemed the same, day after day. However, with care and proper attention, beneath the surface, buried in the soil, the seed was changing and growing the whole time. Then one day, the stalk was there. It seemed like it came out of nowhere.

It is so much easier to trust that something worthwhile lies ahead, is coming into existence, or is already happening when one can see or sense even the tiniest of signs. This is no secret. Not only do we know it, but so does God.

Seek signs, but first ask God for them.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:5

TrustAndYouWillSee

Optimum…

“Sometimes it’s best to start moving in the direction you think God may want you to go, and then trust Him to lead you—closing doors He doesn’t want you to go through and opening up others.” – Billy Graham

As I entered the room, a plant across from me caught my eye. Despite regular watering, it did not appear as healthy as it was previously. In looking more closely, I thought, “Oh. I know.” It was time for me to move the plant to a bigger pot. If left unchanged, the plant would be sure to slowly wither and eventually die. With a new, bigger pot, though, the plant would have the proper environment within its immediate reach in order to not only survive, but also to thrive once more.

I remember years ago, purchasing and planting a bleeding heart plant in the front yard during the spring. However, the following spring it seemed to have died so we pulled it out from the ground and got rid of it in the woods behind the house. As seasons changed and a few years passed we had forgotten about this plant. Then, however, one day when disposing of grass clippings, my husband came across a flowering bleeding heart plant in the same area of the woods. The plant that we thought was dead, was alive once more.

For whatever reason, the initial planting spot that we had picked, was not capable of providing the amount of nutrients and light that this plant needed in order to grow, and grow well. How important the immediate environment can be in determining whether or not, and to what extent, growth occurs. Even though both plants had good soil and light, in the case of the bleeding heart, it was not at the right levels in the front yard, and in the case of the potted plant, it outgrew the pot and needed more room in order to continue to be healthy and to grow.

In both cases, all the love and care in the world, would not make a difference unless it included some sort of action toward change. Oftentimes, in life, there are situations that challenge one to stay in a particular environment, and that can be very good. However, there are also times that call for making a change so that the life and light within cannot be hindered, trapped, or stopped from coming to the surface. Look toward the places where you feel free to shine as well as welcome to do so.

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
Whoever follows me will have the light of life. – John 8:12

Plant

A Tale, Tried and True…

Recently I attended a local theatre production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Near the beginning of this Classic story, the ghost of Jacob Marley visits his friend and business partner in his earthly life, Ebenezer Scrooge. He carries with him, wrapped around him and weighing him down, chains. As Jacob is explaining to Ebenezer the reason for his bondage… how each link in the chain was the result of the choices he had made throughout his life, Ebenezer refutes what his friend is trying to tell him and begins speaking of Jacob’s great business sense and financial success. To this, Jacob replies,

“Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

In essence, to be at our best, to be truly successful, is to be human and to act humane, as one faces the circumstances that life presents. While this can be more than just a little hard at times, especially when there is so much beyond our control, it is what we were created for… we were built for the greater good. That is the Christmas Spirit. The same Spirit we witness when people pull together, reach out and connect to one another in the face of tragedy or disaster or in the course of the every day.

Everything we need to resist and overcome evil, all that is good, the Spirit, resides within each of us, all the time. The choice is whether to uncover, seek and embrace it, to become one with it, allowing it to be palpable and visible to others. The task is to open, and to keep opening ourselves to it, each, and every day, trusting that we are not alone in this effort. Trusting… believing that in each moment, the grace of God is waiting to set us free and to help us rise up to all that we can be.

Jacob Marley visited Ebenezer Scrooge to testify to the Light so that his friend might believe, and in and through believing be changed for the better. We can do all that too.

ATaleTriedTrue

Change – Are You Ready to Let Go?

It serves us well to remember that while the sun greets each day and the moon bids it farewell, each day is not the same. Though the hours in a day remain the same, each day offers countless possibilities and opportunities. In order to pursue or partake of them, though, often requires one to make a change.

While we do need some things to be consistent and to have some structure, it is often good to re-evaluate our routines. Are there ways in which I have become closed off to that which is new or different? Is there room for change?

Change… Why is change so hard for some and seemingly not for others? Perhaps it is because there is often more to the story than meets the eye. Sometimes the need for change may not be recognized. Other times when we shy away from it, “resistance to change” is often the roommate of “struggling to let go.”

Usually one must let go of something, or perhaps multiple things, in order to make space for what is new or different. What that thing is can vary greatly. It might be a person, job, house, car or another material possession; or it might be something intangible such as an attitude or a perspective. Sometimes it can be hard to realize that whatever I cannot let go, “owns” me in some way, and, as long as it does, I will not be free to choose or be open to change.

A number of years ago as I prepared to direct my first weekend retreat, I recall feeling a sense of pressure – or greater responsibility – at the thought of working with people for such a short period of time. In looking more closely at what was going on and with a little help, I was able to recognize and name the worldly notion onto which I was holding: that somehow I alone was responsible for a fruitful weekend. Yes, my role as a spiritual director was important, and I needed to be mindful of that, but I also needed to remember that, ultimately, I was not “in charge” and the One who was, was more than capable. In doing so, I felt a greater sense of freedom and could carry on pressure-free as I met with retreatants. Letting go in this way enabled me to be more open. It also enabled me to be more patient with both myself and each retreatant, as if our time together would be endless, trusting that all desires brought to prayer are heard and responded to in time regardless of whether or not I had the privilege to witness the entire process. As the saying goes, I “let go and let God.”

Failing to let go of whatever may be holding us back, is like closing the door not only to change, but also to what may await on the horizon. We live in a world that tells us there is one shot to get it “right” and if we miss, we are out of luck. However, if we look to creation we can see that this is not true. Luckily, or rather blessedly, we often get more than one chance to rise to the occasion and embrace change.

SunRise2

SDIBlog

What’s The Story?

“Everyone has a story to tell.” These were the words on a t-shirt. Yes, there is a story behind and within everyone as well as everything. The t-shirt was striking. It was black and the words white. It was reminiscent of a chalkboard, from younger days, that would be erased at the end of each day. In a blank state, it held promise and possibility for the day to come…a new day, another chance.

Over the past week or so, further signs of spring (flowers pushing through the earth, a bounty of singing birds, warming temperatures and more) have been appearing here and there. Along with the bursts of color and sound, life is renewed in both what is new and what is old. In looking more closely, there is often more than what is initially revealed. There waits a story, perhaps a message, beyond what meets the eye or turns the ear.

Every year in New England, as season’s change, nature’s slate, although not erased or hidden completely, changes also. It gives way to birth and re-birth in so many ways. There is something new with each day even when we cannot see it or do not notice it. So often, spring seems to blossom out of nowhere, yet we know it has been in the making all winter long, and carrying over from year to year. Our lives are similar. We are offered opportunities with each hour, each day, and each year. Whether we fully realize it or not, each day in a sense is a fresh start…a blank slate…an empty canvas. How we see it and what we fill it with… what we put on it, is up to us.

Sometimes knowingly, sometimes not, we resist the call to change. We resist the Way that seeks to bring us, one day at a time, one moment at a time, into fullness of life…into wholeness. “Everyone has a story tell,” and what a story it can be when we embrace who we truly are. When we remember how blessed we are.

“In your offspring, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
– God to Abraham as written in Acts 3:25

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