Meet me at the Intersection. You know the place. The one where our wills meet, And where differences are laid aside. The one where hearts meld for all.
Meet me at the Intersection. You know the place. The one where face to face, Our guards recline and fears subside, As we recall the beauty of our Oneness.
Meet me at the Intersection. You know the place. The one, and only One, Where we help each other, And the choices made, Regardless of their ilk, Shine with greater Glory.
Meet me at the Intersection. You know the place. The one where we walk, hand in hand, And there is no wedge between us. Where we recall, together is our destiny.
Meet me at the Intersection, You know the place. For there is no other way, But the Way—open, just, and free, As life, in all its Glory, rises to its fullness.
When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Say to daughter Zion, “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” – Matthew 21:1-11
Today, March 25th, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The readings for this day, are a reminder, “God is with us” (Isaiah 8:10), “for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37), and guidance to contemplate relationship with God. An opportunity to consider how one responds to the call of the ever present God of love, mercy, and redemption. What happens at the thought of “I come to do your will.” (Psalm 40:8a, 9a; Hebrews 10:7b, 9a), or Mary’s response of “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” (Luke 1:38)?
Spending time with the road traveled by the Prophet Isaiah, the Psalmist, Mary, and St. Paul, one can draw inspiration, perhaps more easily, because we know, or we can read about the ways in which God was with them and enabled them to fulfill the path that was theirs, in the face of trials and tribulations.
In the first reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, it is written, “I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:14).
The verses that follow this passage, are referred to as the joining of the two sticks. That is, God’s intention or call… God’s will for the tribes of Juda and Joseph to come together and for the people to be united.
“Thus says the Lord God: I will soon take the Israelites from among the nations to which they have gone and gather them from all around to bring them back to their land. I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one king for them all. They shall never again be two nations, never again be divided into two kingdoms.” – Ezekiel 37:21-22
Thinking about this in terms of the division in families, communities, and the world at large today, in what ways do you see the Spirit of God shining through in your life, your community, and the world?
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. – Psalm 130:7
Where do you experience love, mercy, and unity? And how do you desire to be an agent or a partner in not only carrying, but also sharing the essence of these attributes of God?
Looking around and sitting with personal challenges and the state of the world today can be daunting at times. There is much that is awry and issues that can seem insurmountable. With these realities it can be tempting to not look around or to not focus much attention or thought on the problems that exist. However, not ignoring what’s going on, is part of what it means to carry the cross—to live in reality, whatever it may be, praying and proceeding with hope that is eternal, and that resides in and seeks to be guided by God, for whom nothing is impossible.
As St. Paul writes, “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you.” (Romans 8:11). How do you desire the Spirit of the Lord to be present to you at this moment? In what areas do you desire greater light and life?
In lots of ways, the times we are experiencing lend themselves to the deception that we are dealing with the impossible and that throwing the towel in, or walking away is the answer. Yet, faith beckons one to pause and to notice. Who or what is deeming the situation a lost cause? What is the source? Is it a human summation? From what spirit does it come?
In chapter 11 of the Gospel According to John, verses 1-45, we read about the raising of Lazarus. In order to go to the home of his good friends, Mary, Martha, and the now deceased Lazarus, Jesus must return to the town where people have tried to stone him, more than once. In addition, by the time Jesus arrives there, it has been four days since Lazarus’ lifeless body was placed in the tomb. Many would deem this situation hopeless or impossible. Why does Jesus go back to the place where he is mocked, and people are seeking his demise? Why does Jesus even attempt to raise Lazarus who is clearly beyond resuscitation?
Because Jesus is Life! He is full of love and mercy, the embodiment of God, and death, in any of its forms, cannot and will not defeat Him, or those who belong to Him. For it is through Him, that all things are possible.
Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” He said this, and then told them, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.” So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?” So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. – John 11:1-45
Sitting in the audience as the story continues to unfold, there is a scene where one character calls out, asking, will you love me either way? Do you care if I win, or if I lose? Then comes the response, something along the lines of, to be honest, I don’t really care about those kinds of things.
Thinking about this exchange, it’s interesting how importance is assigned and judgments are made that are often based upon our (society’s) lack of understanding. And, in the process, these “ideals” often stir up false notions of what is good, righteous, and true, and even worse, they often fuel fear, in the competition to keep or attain the imaginary security living up to them brings.
The scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent show how these false ideals can lead to fear and judgment and get in the way of actual goodness, righteousness, and truth.
In the first reading (1 Samuel 16:1-13), we learn how David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, was chosen by God to be anointed by Samuel. Upon encountering Jesse and his sons, Samuel’s assumption is that the one to be anointed will have certain characteristics that could be judged at first sight. However, it is written, “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (v. 7b). It turns out that the last, and least likely to be judged as the chosen one, is in fact, chosen, and for qualities that cannot be readily seen.
As we go through life, we are constantly subject to judgment based on external values (clothing, education, mode of transportation, location of and type of housing, etc.). We are constantly being marketed to and pulled toward someone else’s notion of how to be and someone else’s definition of success. We also hear so much about first impressions. None of these things, however, really inform anyone of the most important feature of humankind—the heart, or the most important voice—that of the Creator. They are almost always based upon the external, and often look past qualities that convey deeper meaning, value, and purpose.
In Psalm 23, verses 1-6, it is written, “The Lord guides me along the way of righteousness.” (v. 3b). These words encourage us to trust, like David, that the path of righteousness is made known to us through God. If we were to look solely at man-made ideas about what’s important and how to live, depending on where we were and who we were surrounded by, we might be okay, but even if we were, the person or people leading us, would still be susceptible to falling away from what is good, just, and true. So, it’s important to have a relationship with God and to entrust oneself to the One who really knows the way that is best, and whose focus is the well-being of all hearts and souls.
St. Paul expands on this notion in the Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:8-14), when he writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” (v. 8-9).
When we look to the Gospel According to John (chapter 9, verses 1-41), we see the Pharisees, on the surface, defending the faith. However, what they are really defending is a way of operating that breeds fear and judgment and seeks to confine, control, and conform God’s ways to their ways. How do we know this?
Looking at the actions and responses of the Pharisees, we can see how they treat the blind man who was healed, his parents, and Jesus. Their hearts are closed. At one point, they say to the blind man who can now see (because of Jesus), “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” (v. 34). After saying this, they removed the man from their presence. All for answering them truthfully, when he was interrogated for a second time and said, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” (v. 30-33).
During this Season of Lent, it’s a great time to reflect on our words and actions, and with this Sunday’s Scripture passages, an even better time to consider how fear and judgment come into play in what we see and how we respond.
As pockets of clouds drifted across the clear night sky, the moon, at its fullest continued to reflect hope and promise in each passing moment, inspiring hope and promise with each passing thought. What is, what would be, what could be, beholden to One, the only One. There is I Am.
The response to the Psalm for the Third Sunday of Lent is, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” (Ps 95:8). What does a hardened heart look like? Physically, it is one in which arteries may be clogged, or the lining may be thickening, to name a couple attributes. Overall though, it is a heart that is blocked in one way or another from working optimally or as designed. Spiritually, a hardened heart is also blocked in one way or another from working fully, as intended by God.
So how does one recognize a hardened heart? Well, as with many things, there are indicators as well as tests that can alert one to the status of their heart. And in faith, the directions always start at the beginning. “If today you hear God’s voice…”
What does God’s voice look, or sound like to you? What adjectives would you use to describe God?
Now, taking Light to life, what happens when you try to assign those same adjectives to describe the heart behind your words and actions throughout the day, the week, and more? In what situations do they fit? And in what situations, is there an invitation for greater growth and movement toward taking on the heart of Jesus?
A Lenten Prayer: Heart of Jesus, open our eyes and ears. Heart of Jesus, show us what our hearts are looking past. Heart of Jesus, help us to acknowledge what is, what would be, what could be. Heart of Jesus, guide us in your way. Heart of Jesus, bind our hearts to yours.
Walking alongside a beach, the sand is smooth and the waves gentle, like ripples in a lake, pond, or puddle. The path is peaceful and seemingly continuous, until the disruption up ahead; a trench created by water draining back toward the ocean. The chasm is too large to jump across, and there’s no way around it. Or at least no way to get to the other side without having to come off the beach and onto the cracked, uneven sidewalk, stepping through the cold water, or trudging down into and through the muddy-like sand. Pausing to ponder… how best to make it through what seems like the great divide?
In looking to the Gospel passage for the Second Sunday of Lent, Peter says, “Lord, it is good we are here.” This is because he recognizes the moment as a sacred one; something greater is happening here, and we need to take heed and behold it. As he continues speaking, the bright cloud appears, a shadow is cast by it, and a voice says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” With this, the environment shifts for Peter, James, and John, and their posture changes, but they still recognize the moment as sacred, “they fell prostrate.”
As we try to navigate this world, it can be tempting to shy away, to want to hide, circumvent, or look the other way, and to carry on insulated from the chaos and division that swirls around us. Yet, faith calls us to face the shifting environment by placing our hope and trust in Jesus. Rather than losing heart, we are called to take on the heart of Jesus. And in doing so, even when the reality in front of us may be unpleasant or seem bleak, we are able to face it through the Light of God who helps us to know when and how to rise, and to recognize each moment in these turbulent times as being sacred; holding hope and promise. This is simply because, God is with us, making the dark clouds become bright and spreading light in the midst of darkness, even when, like Peter, James and John, we don’t see it coming.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” – Mt 17:1-9
Covered with snow, the landscape so quiet, so still, so beautiful. The branches and shrubs become as if carefully wrapped, insulated from the elements, as well as by the elements. Becoming part of what’s on the outside pushing inward? Or, perhaps, it’s the outside becoming part of what’s inside and underneath, pushing outward? How will they lean, where will they fall, maybe, just maybe, they will stand upright, if anything at all.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. – Ps 51:12
The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent (Mt 4:1-11), is an account of the temptation of Jesus. We all experience variations of temptation throughout our lives. We all have weaknesses or tendencies that can lead us astray or take us away from being at or near our best, most genuine selves.
Looking to the example of Jesus, we can see his response to temptation, is first and foremost, to be aware and recognize it. Then second, to respond by remembering, and not only naming, but also reclaiming God as the source of all wellbeing. Jesus keeps God at the center throughout, and God’s grace enables him to overcome each temptation.
How can one apply this to real life experience in today’s world?
We can start by being aware and recognizing that temptation works in different ways. Sometimes it tries to move us toward “absolute” or limited views and the choices that flow from them, while at other times, temptation seeks to blur the lines between choices so that the best choice is left behind for the choice that seems good enough. Temptation tries, and keeps trying to find whatever hook will sink, to snag and pull one toward a more self-centered space and making a choice from there, instead of making it from a God-centered space where the choice is generative and beneficial beyond what one can surmise.
In the Gospel passage of the temptation of Jesus, Jesus shows us how to lean on the grace of God, and how to patiently endure to overcome temptation by living with God at the center—always in our hearts and minds. He reminds us that what has been written, holds true now, as well as forever.
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. – Dt 8:3
He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Ps 91:11-12
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test. – Dt 6:16
The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve. – Dt 6:13
Reflecting on each of Jesus’s responses above, what comes to mind in terms of your own experience of God’s grace in the face of a struggle or challenge you faced? Recall how God was present to you, and how you were, or became present to God? Share with God what that experience was like, and what it means to you today. What inspiration or insight might God want that experience to reveal to you today?
Standing up to take a break, stretch a little, and take a few steps around before returning to work in a temporary workspace for the day, the sign pictured below came into view. I read it and looked around some more. Taking in the environment and noticing more fully the ambience created by the natural light, gratitude and appreciation arose for the light and the souls who not only thought to share these interesting facts about sunlight and its benefits, but who also acted to shed the light, both in word and experience.
Oftentimes in the course of a day or week, we can be quick to move from task to task, and perhaps we miss the sign, put off the call, or rush through or past it, on the way to something else. Yet, much of the time, that thing, whatever it may be, that has a greater hold on our attention, robs us, “like a thief in the night,” of being present in a moment or for an opportunity to experience that which enlivens the soul, helps us to look beyond our own, often limited, schedules, scopes, or agendas, and reminds us of what’s really important—our connectedness, how we respect and appreciate each other—differences and all—and how we share our time and what we have, as blessings from Above.
Stepping out on an overcast night, part of the sky is aglow. It’s as if the moon, in its fullest state, is straining to be seen through the clouds. When, in actuality, the moon, in its fullest state, authentic as can be, is not held back by the clouds. Neither are we.
In chapter 5 of the Gospel According to Matthew, it is written, “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (v. 20).
While the scribes and Pharisees were learned and appeared to be fastidious in their commitment to God and practice of the laws, many of them were missing the most important piece of the law. That is, the need to serve with love, compassion, and mercy. Without these components, an oath becomes empty words, the law loses its integrity, and hearts become self-righteous rather than righteous.
Jesus brings fulfillment through his authenticity. He doesn’t just talk about the Way, but he also lives it, inviting us to join him, and enabling us to strive toward love, compassion, and mercy, in all we do, while also being accountable. And when we accept the invitation, at the end of the day, not even the clouds or darkness hold us back.
“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” ― Zora Neale Hurston
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife – unless the marriage is unlawful – causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
The first reading for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of helping those in need as the way to overcome darkness. The Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” (Is 58:9b-10). Perhaps this can be seen as an invitation to greater unity through the exercise of mercy and compassion. Think about a time when you were shown mercy and compassion. What was that experience like? How did it impact you? Oftentimes, in showing mercy and compassion, a greater sense of unity is born and the light within each of us shines brighter with Life, making the darkness in the world, what it really is, “less than.”
In the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes, “…my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:4-5). It’s human nature to want to understand and to make logical conclusions. It’s just the way we are. However, when the determination to meet this need to know or to make sense of happenings becomes more driven by human motivation, the results tend to run narrow, and create vision like that of being in a tunnel. It is then, that our understanding becomes warped and more of an obstacle than an aid to seeing the “greater than” that exists in each situation. Instead, it leads to a hardening of both one’s mind and heart, and an approach that pulls one away from living with authenticity and integrity and making choices in the light of truth and justice.
In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, we read, “… I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer 31:33).
In striving to make choices that are truly beneficial—ones that embrace love, peace, and justice for oneself as well as others—balance is necessary, and the starting place for that is in one’s heart. It is only in our hearts that we can begin to understand in a way that will lead us to what is best. It is only in our hearts that Jesus, the light of the world, shows us the way that is truly just. And it is only through our hearts that our motivation becomes purer, our minds move toward a broader way of being, and we can genuinely shine before others, giving glory to God (Mt 5:16).
So, when I can’t understand, show indifference or disdain, begin to make assumptions, can’t give the benefit of the doubt, and can’t wrap my head around something, perhaps it’s because, first, I need to be wrapping my heart around it.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright; they are gracious and merciful and just. Well for them who are gracious and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. – Psalm 112:4-5
From a young age, one is often taught to pay attention to the weather. When you hear thunder, go inside as rain, wind, and lightning may be near or approaching, if not already there. If there are heavy winds and/or lightning, stay inside and away from the windows, and so on. When there’s snow or sleet, beware of the road conditions—stay home. Most of what is taught about stormy weather is about actively retreating or staying put for one’s own well-being. Yet, sometimes, these efforts can instill fear and anxiety as the motivators for one’s actions.
Considering the state of, or conditions in the world today, the feeling or thought that we are in stormy times, both literally and figuratively, is palpable for so many. At times, it can lead one to retreat or stay put, shrinking, or turning away from active participation in the larger world. And while a certain amount of self-preservation can be good, withdrawal serves one and all best, not only when it is temporary, but also when one is intentional in how that time away is spent, and the choices and actions that result from it.
So, while the times may be stormy, perhaps the storm is perfect. Perfect for taking a step back and noticing for what one’s heart beats. Perfect for contemplating where one is, and where one is moved to be. Perfect for retreating to prayer and reflecting on what the world needs, one’s openness to the invitations of Grace that await, whether amid the storm, on its edges, or in an entirely different relation, and one’s desire to become more aware of what active participation in this stormy world might mean on a personal level, as well as how these storms can be overcome by being held as a meeting place for Jesus.
We often think or speak of the calm after the storm, and it often seems easier to appreciate the beauty of the sun after a rainstorm, or the snow-covered trees when removed from the threat and possible dangers of the driving winds and snow. However, Jesus tells us that he is with us always. Thus, the calm never ceases. It’s up to us though, to nurture our deepest, truest desires, to strive to invite peace into each situation, and to choose to not only look for, but to also navigate in, with, and through Grace. In doing so, we stay connected, our retreating or staying put remains temporary, and brings forth fruit that is lasting. Fruit that is ordained by God, bringing us back into the fold, with greater life, and as unconquered hearts whose actions flow from, and glorify God, and all creation.
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow on me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – St. Thomas Aquinas
When Jesus 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.” – Mt 5:1-12
HopeThatFloats 
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