The mark is made, The season begins, From one to forty, Days, one at a time, As if turning pages We make our way, From start to end, Through these Lenten days.
Giving up, giving in, letting go, Yet not one thing for another, As if a game of swapping. No. Not at all. Some thing, or things, for One. The point remains on focus, In the here and now, Not here and there Or scattered about, But brought together.
Body and soul, Front and center, Sorted out or broken down, But always built back up, From one desire to another, According to Thine will, Heart and mind become one, Drawn closer, e’er closer, To the image of One.
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. – Psalm 51:12
In a few days, it will be Valentine’s Day, the holiday synonymous with hearts and love. It will also be Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season, known by its call for prayer, almsgiving and fasting, all aimed at drawing closer to Jesus, growing in awareness of falsities that hold one back, and trying to shed them. Both occasions, despite the differences in how they are celebrated, come down to love, whose source is God, and the ways in which it is expressed, received, nurtured within, and responded to.
While one might associate Valentine’s Day more with romantic love, there’s no denying that it, as true love in any variation, often extends and ripples outward in positive ways, affecting those beyond the initial recipient. With Ash Wednesday and during Lent, a more concerted effort is made to strive to recognize and overcome, through God’s grace, whatever may be interfering or holding back the love one has received from flowing more fully and freely so as to make them more Christlike in their way of being.
The Gospel passage for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time provides an opportunity to reflect on what might be referred to as the beginning of love—kindness. If love is an open door to the heart, kindness is the door cracked open, just enough to check it out and consider the other, allowing the heart and soul to be moved into action that shows care.
In the following Gospel passage, we read about Jesus curing a leper. Again, as in other passages where he heals and cures people, we see the kindness of Jesus, who is “moved with pity”.
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. – Mark 1:40-45
Keep in mind that the man with leprosy would have been living away from others, perhaps as part of a leper colony. It seems he would have felt like and been treated as an outcast. What else do you think a leper or outcast might experience?
Upon being healed, the leper could once again join the fold. Imagine his thoughts and feelings over now being allowed to be part of and engage with a broader community. What would that be like? How would you feel and react, given a similar experience?
Spend some time reflecting on the kindness of Jesus. What would Jesus remember most about the leper, his condition, and the way He was approached by him? What do you imagine Jesus’ response or reaction would be to the leper telling everyone and anyone about Jesus healing him, leading to Jesus having to remain “outside in deserted places”?
As the days of Lent draw closer, are there areas in your life where you feel challenged when it comes to receiving or giving with a heart full of kindness rather than a sense of obligation, duty, etc.? When it comes to this, in what ways do you desire to experience the kindness of Jesus? How might your kindness, or inclination toward it, remain balanced while also continuing to evolve more fully into love?
The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time offer an opportunity to consider priorities and the values that elevate some over others.
In the first reading (1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12), we can see that Solomon acknowledges that although he is king, he needs God’s grace if his desire to rule wisely is going to be fulfilled. He knows that to do right requires more than his own knowledge, perception, and opinions. He understands that he needs to be able to have a sense of more than what he can surmise, and this is why he asks God for a discerning heart (and mind) when he could’ve asked for anything else at all. His top priority is not solely for himself, but for the benefit of all whom he serves as king.
In the psalm, we read the response, “Lord, I love your commands.” (Ps 119:97a). Again, we see reliance on God, as well as value and priority placed on God’s words as providing what is necessary. The psalmist tells of how God’s words are precious, carrying kindness and compassion, and expresses a desire to honor God’s words by living them (“For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate” – Ps 119:128). Then the psalmist says, “The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps 119:130). Again, we see evidence of fulfillment of a desire for truth and understanding as well as a continued desire to be led by God. It’s important to remember that the psalmist has experienced the grace of God directly, just like Solomon. It is in the words of God through intimate, personal exchanges that Solomon and the psalmist come to know in a particular moment what is good and right and wise in God’s eyes.
When we read further, in the second reading, St. Paul stresses relationship with God. In essence, he is saying that when priorities and values are centered in and through God, we become like the Love who created us.
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.” – Rom 8:28-30
This brings us to the Gospel reading (Mt 13:44-52) and an invitation to prayer and reflection on priorities and values.
Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” – Mt 13:44-52
The word of God is the revelation of God, and through our graced experiences, we participate in the living word of God. Take some time to pray and reflect on your life through the lens of being a participant in the word of God? What comes to mind? What feelings arise from within? And in what ways do you feel inspired by the word of God, yesterday… today… as you think about the future?
Opening the oven door as the kitchen timer worked its way toward zero seconds, an unanticipated outcome awaited. The bread inside, although cooked through, was not quite what was expected. Shocked at its stature and the rather dense outcome, and wondering what happened, I revisited all that went into its making. First, I envisioned all the steps, and then opened cabinet doors to look again at some of the baking ingredients, but nothing stood out.
Upon thinking some more, and feeling certain that baking powder was added, I thought perhaps it was expired and had lost its potency. Then, there it was. In the process of re-examining, the problem was revealed. It wasn’t baking powder after all that was used. The canister had the same shape, height, color, and text, but rather than containing baking powder, it held cornstarch. And although the bread tasted almost the same as any other banana bread that was made, its consistency and body was not at all the same.
Contemplating the Gospel passage for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:24-43) and reflecting on Jesus’ words as he tells the parables of weeds among wheat, the mustard seed, and the yeast, one is reminded of the importance of what goes into things. Or, in other words, what makes them up or influences them. Are there hidden ingredients? What’s the intent, the source, or motivation, and what, ultimately, is being sought?
So how does one really know what’s what with so much that is conflicting and competing in the midst of what can be confusing and misleading times? How does one distinguish between what things look like and what they really are, and decipher what’s happening around them and how it might be influencing them?
Prior to the Gospel, in this week’s readings, we read:
“The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”—Romans 8:26-27
To discover what’s real, or what’s true, one must not only be willing to take a good look inside and out, but also be willing to look again, and then some more, searching with a heart that is sincere and an openness to the possibility that what looked like baking powder might not have ever been baking powder at all.
At the beginning of the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Advent (Matthew 3:1-12) there is a description of the “voice crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (verse 3). We read that John the Baptist is outfitted in camel hair clothing and has a “wild” diet of grasshoppers (a.k.a. locusts) and honey. Based solely on this physical description and his location in the desert, it’s easy to envision John as having a gruff or primitive appearance. Yet, there were many people who traveled to be baptized by him. So, what was it that drew them to him?
Imagine someone dressed in clothing made from material that was typically used for making cloaks, tents, and carpets and eating bugs and wild honey telling you to get ready… to straighten up and make a proper path for the Lord. What would you notice first? What would you think? How would you respond?
What obstacles are there to looking at the appearance of John the Baptist, and seeing the heart of a faithful servant of God, or a guardian angel pointing out the way?
Oftentimes, we can become conditioned by our surroundings, social circles, and society in general as to how people or things should look, act, or speak. However, these expectations not only make it easier to miss the spirit and the heart of those we encounter along the way, but also make it easier to be misled or go astray. When thinking about preparing, an ideal image or notion of what should be may come to mind, and although it may be helpful to have a sense or an idea about things, it’s important to always leave a little space to prayerfully ponder that which is different, unknown, or unfamiliar.
An Advent Prayer: Lord, in a world that seeks to glorify based on appearances and all that fades, help me to go with Your grain, instead of society’s. Help me to overcome any obstacles that may prevent me from seeing beyond appearances. Help me to look to You and grant me the grace to notice and appreciate the beauty and goodness of all creation, and the heart and soul of those I encounter each day.
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” – Matthew 3:1-12
In a lot of ways, it’s human nature to see preparing in terms of stocking up on tangible assets such as food, beverage, health, and other household supplies. However, the preparation Jesus is talking about in chapter 24, verses 37-44 of the Gospel according to Matthew (included below) , is about not being so attached to that kind of mindset, but rather to focus on embracing what can be attained not through material means, but through a heart that is maturing in its capacity to love and to be loved. This is something that is not accomplished by how much one does or the number of prayers that one might say, but rather by how one’s prayer influences decisions, actions, and interactions, so as to strive to live in such a way that one reflects the heart of God here on earth.
It’s not that preparing to have what one needs to sustain oneself physically is not good. It’s that it can be easy for that to become a bigger part of one’s concerns and for the mind to take over, leading to a heart that’s less than what it is created to be. One that is more self-serving than it is open to being a servant of God. Comparatively, when one can start with their heart, inviting God into the mix, everything else can fall into place. The result being that one has what they need, and not only sees the places where they are able to give, but also has a desire to do so.
As we enter the first week of Advent, in what ways do you need the heart of God to be revealed to you? And how do you desire to be a presence of the heart of God in each moment, in the coming weeks and beyond?
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Mt 24:37-44
I believe that sometimes society seems to be hanging by a thread, but that’s not all I believe…
I believe that God creates similarities, differences, and various dimensions intentionally, rather than carbon copies, or only one kind or way of being.
I believe freedom resides within and is a gift from God entrusted to each, to do with as one wills—as in free will.
I believe that it’s up to each to choose for themselves that which affects, most especially, oneself.
I believe and, also trust, that God has more wisdom than all of us together, seeing things we cannot see and understanding in ways which humans simply cannot.
I believe that to love like Jesus is to love like God—with great depth and breadth, yet personal and unique onto each of us as if we were the only one.
I believe that where hearts and minds are open to the Spirit that is Holy, unity and diversity not only live, but also thrive.
I believe that true victory does not rob others from choosing for themselves, and that what some may celebrate as a “win,” God does not.
I believe the compassion and mercy of God is all encompassing, and that clearly humankind’s is often not.
Most of all, I believe that the greater glory belongs to God, all of “this” will fade away, and that ultimately, through the hearts that are willing, God’s unifying way of love, compassion, and mercy prevails.
I believe that sometimes society seems to be hanging by a thread, but maybe sometimes that’s what we need to be.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. – Luke 2:19
For many Christians the crescendo of what it means to be Christian is celebrated with great veracity around Christmas, and then again around Easter. Preparing to celebrate Christmas, we read and listen to Gospel passages, finding inspiration, hope, solace, and more, as we envision the journey of Mary and Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. Yet, with every liturgy or service throughout the year, we celebrate and are reminded of God’s love for us, the example of Jesus, and the call to discipleship. And all year long, we profess our belief that throughout the ages, from the beginning of time, there is one Word, one God, one Way, and one People.
At Christmastime, may the heightened awareness of Love (God) in our hearts bring us together to a place where we become blind to all that separates and pulls us apart. Instead, may we see one Light, one Truth, one Story as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. And, as God’s generosity comes alive for us, may we welcome it to the inn, allowing it to abound within and all around, melting the ties that otherwise bind us to “other,” away from God and one another.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:1-14
Pausing to notice the growing banks of snow around the house this morning, the distant past, a time when the banks were even taller, at least double the size, came to mind. It was a Sunday afternoon and after weeks with multiple storms, the time and effort spent helping to remove and reposition snow disappeared almost instantly. Suddenly, there we were, in a time and space where all that mattered was what we shared—from one side of the driveway to the other… from one heart to another, the anticipation, joy, and excitement in taking turns sitting at the top and then sliding down the “mountain” of snow.
In those moments, it seemed like such a simple thing that came to be. Yet, today, in the midst of shoveling heavy snow, it was a great reminder. There are always challenges and hard work along the way, and sometimes it can seem like there is no end in sight, or break to be had, but there always is. And, in life, all that ever really matters is the experiences we share and the spirit in which we share them.
Love is the beauty of the soul. – Saint Augustine.
Taking a stroll… wandering to and fro… wondering and thinking.
Time goes by. Still strolling… still thinking.
Noticing the plants… flowers and shrubs… the sky above…
Drawn in more than one direction. Decision indecision.
Aim high? Aim low? Maybe somewhere in between?
No, not quite… No, not right… Oh, alright.
Going about each day, it is natural to take in what is immediately in front, ahead, or in the vicinity, while keeping stride from one minute to the next. It is often easiest to see or connect with what is received at eye level or perhaps sometimes what is above. Yet, oftentimes, what is of most value, and can be most helpful, can be found at a much lower height than one’s stature, position, or aspirations. Tempting though it may be, never mistake or forsake the importance of what happens, or what can be seen, at ground level, or below, at the roots. Remember, it is in the foundation of the soul—the heart—that Truth makes itself known, and then, the path that is best, is shown.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you.
Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne.
Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act—
I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request.
So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—
I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you.
HopeThatFloats 