God’s presence

Waiting to be Found…

From childhood, the name Anthony has evoked two thoughts more prominently than others, spaghetti day and help in finding what has been lost— “St. Anthony, please come around: something is lost, and it cannot be found,” or the less formal, “Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found!”

Today, June 13th, is the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua whose life in words and actions is an inspiring example of participation in the Kingdom of God, here on earth, and everlasting. Anthony accepted the invitation, sought union with the Lord, and allowed himself to be led, leaving behind a path that guaranteed him earthly wealth and power. It seems so appropriate that the name Anthony means fortunate… blessed… praiseworthy… priceless. Words that create an image of abundance, and that one can also imagine applying to the Kingdom of God.

In the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, it is written:

Thus says the Lord God:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
    from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
    on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
    and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
    every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
    that I, the Lord,
bring low the high tree,
    lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
    and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do. – Ez 17:22-24

Reading this passage, listening to the words and phrases within it, and considering the example of St. Anthony, one is reminded that just as the Lord stooped down, becoming one of, and with us, we also, are called to abandon lofty ideals, places, and practices. While the world, and all that is passing, might seek to grip and hold us down, God seeks to meet us on ground level, and elevate us to that which is eternal. In what ways, might this Divine invitation be accepted more fully?

“The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant.” – St. Anthony of Padua

Shelter in the storm, and out…

Inside seeking shelter on a very stormy day, I hear the wind howling… beckoning, come and see.

Looking out the window, great and mighty power, the surge before my eyes.

The wind, it whips and stirs. The waves, they’re in a frenzy, crashing down on all, in the way or not.

Rain, it’s driven sideways. I wonder if it minds.

Then, the birds. Something else. Just being birds, but more. Unphased by all the bother. Flying high, swooping low, drifting, diving, floating, gliding, in the winds that blow.

Beauty in the chaos. Stillness in the storm.

Trusting, not resisting.

All, it will be well.

Listening, not withdrawing, but drawing from within.

Knowing, sensing, feeling, it is—the One who is.

All, it is well.

At the Foot of the Mountain…

Driving through a countryside, a few years ago, on a quiet summer day, we started to come across farm after farm sprinkled with round bales of hay. Not seeing much activity, we continued the journey, enjoying being surrounded by the scenery and its peace.

Then, after some time, we came to a place where the farmland, still wide open and stretching far ahead, seemed to suddenly meet the mountains. It seemed both so out of place and so appropriate at the same time. A beautiful sight to behold and, having never traveled this road before, completely unexpected.

Taking in our surroundings, I started to wonder what it was like at the foot of that mountain that seemed so way off in the distance. What might be waiting there, or on the other side?

While I may have been tempted to stay where I was and speculate from afar, maybe even labeling what was there—obstacle or challenge… perfect match… gift unclaimed… perhaps, none, some, or all, of the above, it was the beauty that lies within, connecting to the beauty directly before my eyes, that drew me in, reaching into my soul, and calling to me… remember.

What lies behind us and what lies in front of us pales in comparison to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

On the last and greatest day of the feast,
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says:

Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”

He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
There was, of course, no Spirit yet,
because Jesus had not yet been glorified. – John 7:37-39

Remain…

In a few weeks, my oldest child will be turning the page toward a new chapter in his life, as he graduates. So many years have passed and so much has transpired since his birth, yet it’s still hard to believe that this milestone is already here. As I think about the journey as a parent, I recall moments of feeling joy and pride as well as moments of feeling fear and uncertainty. What an awesome responsibility… what an awesome privilege. But then, isn’t that what love is all about? Being present, holding on, lifting up, letting go, and along the way, being drawn toward the balance that lies between?   

In the Gospel according to John, Jesus says:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” (15:9)

How do we do that?

We remain in love, by choosing to live in Love. When we choose to be present to each other and creation, we are also choosing to be present to God, and God’s love for us. This is the source of joy, and it can only be complete when it is shared and flowing freely among us. So often though, things get in the way, distracting us, and pulling us apart from each other, as well as from God.

When we remain in God’s love though, we can see things for what they are more readily, and withhold the judgment that seeks to lead us against one another rather than bring us together. What an awesome responsibility… what an awesome privilege. But then, isn’t that what love is all about? Being present, holding on, lifting up, letting go, and along the way, being drawn toward the balance that lies between?

Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” — Rumi

Shaken and Stirred…

One evening, a long time ago, as a teenager, I was travelling by car with a few friends, when the driver had to jam on the brakes, to avoid an accident. Prior to that moment, there was lots of chatter going on as we drove. However, as the car swerved to stay on the road, narrowly missed a sign that had been to the right of the car, but was now on the left side, and finally screeched to a halt, the noise ceased. In those seconds, it was as if we had shifted into slow motion and were transported into a vacuum, void of all sound. Hearts pounding, we just sat there, recognizing the potential disaster we had escaped. Then, after catching our breaths, we drove on, continuing in silence all the way home. None of us spoke about what had happened.

Throughout life, sometimes events can suddenly thunder into presence of mind, body, and soul. They can do so in such a powerful way that all that is left behind is silence. In chapter 9 of the Gospel according to Mark, the Transfiguration of Jesus is described as both an awesome and frightening experience for the apostles, Peter, James, and John. What transpired, was completely unexpected. In verse 6, Jesus is described as somewhat speechless in terms of how to respond to his companions—“He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.”

Clearly, this event shook the apostles; stopping them in their tracks, and reshaping the manner in which they would receive and respond to what was to come, whether consciously or subconsciously. While it seems fitting that the occurrence would happen on a mountain top, what happened would have been a life altering experience, regardless of where it took place or how it was understood at the time. In the Transfiguration of Jesus, eyes were wide open and seeds were firmly planted.

Oftentimes, the Divine is overlooked, dismissed, forgotten, or left behind simply because it’s easier, more convenient, or perhaps preferred, to believe and hold onto experiences that happen where and how one might expect them to occur. Yet, God is not deterred. On that evening so long ago, I remember being shaken and stirred. I also remember the deafening silence all the way home. And in that, the memory etched… to return, here and there. Only with time, and a lot of it, could I see that God was with us that night.

How patient God is! A reminder of the opportunity that openness to the wisdom of each moment, whether it is here and now, in the past, or yet to come, brings. No matter the locale or the emotions an experience evokes, God is with us, with a desire to take hold, to call us forward, and to help us remember as we do, the wisdom that is all around us.   

Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant. – Mk 9:2-10

In Every Season…

Flowers and an icicle do not seem to fit together, and yet, they do, or they did yesterday.  From a distance, each called attention in its own manner, a splash and depth of color and a long, glass-like spear.

Up close, and from numerous angles, with the light, and contrasted against the background, the delicate nature of each made prominent. There were so many petals, all the same composition, with similar shapes, and tips with greater variation, but coming together as one in each flower.

Then, the icicle, seemingly one big, smooth flow of water, many molecules, frozen… stuck in time. Yet, stepping nearer, not so plain and clear, layers, twists, and turns coming together to create it.

The beauty of nature in all its various forms comes into presence, like life… like love… like God, in both the expected and unexpected ways.

Embracing the moment, quietly, silently, gratefully, and allowing it to saturate one’s being, is the beginning of knowing, exercising, and extending Love. It is true that Love is timeless, and for the times, but in order to carry on toward fruition, Love must be experienced and embodied. For one can only put forth that which resides within. This is why time, and the way in which it is used, or not, is of the essence.

In the midst of whatever season one might find oneself, the benefit of using, spending, making, or taking time to rest in the love of God, wherever and however it suits one best, is never wasted.

Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. — James Baldwin

If Today You Hear…

Looking across the room and then glancing down, I see ridges all around—like a welling up of paths. Whether taken in patches or one by one, they give the appearance of being well-traveled in some spots and lightly, or not at all in others. It is not unlike the journey of coming and going throughout the years.

So many paths not only along the way, but also sometimes in it. Then, in the ways we travel, we often weave, and as we do, some paths seem steadier, tried and true, and we visit them with greater frequency. While other paths, are traversed less often, sometimes only at a gentle coaxing from within or a push from expectations on the outside pressing in. And finally, there are the paths that are perhaps averted altogether. For good, or not?

There are a great number of ways as we go. Each has its own enticements. However, to stay on a track worth trekking, one needs the help of inspiration. Shifting gears and tuning into motivation, influence has a multitude of sources. They are, more or less, good or bad, better or worse, and more, but it’s always wise to explore them, to discover what’s really at the core.  

In looking underneath the surface, discernment is waiting to be used. While hope is the light that moves us, discernment, when it’s true, is earnest, and looks to help us as we choose. We slip and slide when we lose focus, and quite often, wisdom escapes us. But motivation stores the details of one’s heart and is always within reach. It brings forth words and actions, and influences replies. It’s where God is calling to us to love, but often gets denied.  

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” – Mk 1:7-11

Genesis bringing Light all The Way through…

If not for the memory of the Light, I could not stand the silence in the darkness of the night.

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth—and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Evening came, and morning followed—the first day.

– Genesis 1:1-5

On the eve of Christmas, in a year, that so many are glad, is coming to an end, there is so much up in the air. At times, it seems as if the world is pending, wobbling like a coin as its spin is heading toward an end. Yet, time continues, faith remains, and still, a hearty globe—goodness here and there—Goodness, always in the air. We think we wait, but really, all of Life believes in us, and is awaiting our arrival.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

– John 1:1-5
Illustration by Nicola Gregory

Give Us This Day…

In a couple of days, it will be the shortest day of the year for some people and the longest day of the year for others. On December 21st, in the Northern Hemisphere it will be the Winter Solstice and daylight hours will be fewer than any other day in the year, and at the same time, in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the Summer Solstice and daylight hours will be greater than any other day in the year. Other than in a geography class, long and far ago, I cannot say that I have ever really thought much about that prior to today. Yet, as I do, I think about how remarkable it is that no matter where one stands, and no matter how experiences may vary, far and wide, the promise is forever, and the parts, although they matter… they are never greater than the Whole.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her. – Luke 1:26-38

Play it again…

Here and there throughout the years, a woodpecker or two take a liking to the backyard, and then the shed, or even sometimes the house. At that point, paths tangled, it becomes CD time. And so, with fishing line, one by one, the ornaments are hung in hopes of protecting the outside of the shed and house.

Initially, as the CDs inflect, reflect, and deflect the rays of light that shine their way throughout the day, they deter not only the woodpeckers, but also the cardinals, robins, and blue jays that are normally here. However, after a week or so, thankfully, the others seem to remember, or become aware of what is going on, and they return home. Then, looking out from the inside, the backyard is back to the more typical flutter of more inspiring activity.  

It is interesting how, whether inside or out, day or night, there is the shimmering of Light, sometimes brighter or more noticeable. Always present though. And, while it drives away some, it draws in others.

Inflecting… reflecting… deflecting… resonating life. Calling to one, calling to all, trust… believe… stay the Path.

The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth. – Psalm 145:18