Journey

Work of Our Hands…

It’s said that the owl’s wisdom lies in its waiting, watching, and listening. In its patient, persistent process, its senses are fine-tuned, making it easier to recognize and distinguish between and among things. The owl’s very own nature leads and nurtures the animal, teaching it to tap more deeply into what it genuinely needs to survive and thrive.

This in-born nature that helps the owl to be at its best, also resides within all living things. And when tuned into, exercised, and held onto, it helps all living things to operate at their best, most authentic self. For human beings especially, the task at hand is to sort through and root out all that interferes with this natural, God-given ability.

In the Book of Wisdom, King Solomon shares:

“I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me” – Wisdom 7:7.

While this is a great example of “ask and you shall receive,” it is also an example of the gift of humility. Oftentimes, it is humility that opens the door to wisdom. King Solomon humbled himself, he “prayed” and “pleaded” for wisdom, a gift that no amount of money in the world could buy. Throughout the Bible, and throughout history, there is no wisdom, without humility. For it is a gift that can only be received at the time and place where an open, willing, and humble heart meets the humility of God—unconditional love.

So how does one move toward this place? For starters, perhaps by praying for the grace to become more aware. Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents.”

Thinking about current day events, where do you see wisdom? In what places do you meet unconditional love… truth and peace together?      

Looking back to history, Psalm 90 begins:

“A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, from eternity to eternity you are God” (verses 1-2).

Wisdom draws Moses’ heart to give voice to God’s faithfulness, and seek God’s help, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart,” (verse 12), mercy, “Make us glad as many days as you humbled us, for as many years as we have seen trouble,” (verse 15), and grace, “May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” (verse 17).     

When you reflect on the work of your hands, what aspects of God (loving, patient, gentle, kind, honest, peaceful, faithful, life-giving, etc.) resonate in them? When you look at the world around you and the things in which you choose to participate, which ones bring you closer to the image of God, Love, in which you were created? In what ways do you feel inspired by the humility and generative nature of God, for whom all things are possible?

Establish the Work of Our Hands – https://youtu.be/5V2_cs8gTIw?t=9 – the Porter’s Gate (feat. Aaron Keyes and Urban Doxology)

If You don’t build it, we labor in vain,
Without Your Spirit, we stand with no strength.
I know my life is passing away,
but the works of Your hands
are what will remain.
Let the favor of the Lord rest upon us…

O Lord, establish the work of our hands!
O Lord, establish the work of our hands!

Teach us to number the length of our days,
Pour out Your power, we’ll pour out Your praise.
Teach us to run, to finish the race,
for only what’s done in love will remain.
Let the favor of the Lord
rest upon us…

O Lord, establish the work of our hands!
O Lord, establish the work of our hands!

Al – le – lu – ia, al – le – luia, al – le – luia
Al – le – lu – ia, al – le – luia, al – le – luia 

© 2017 Hymns From the Porter's Gate (ASCAP) and Porter's Gate
Publications (SESAC). All rights reserved and administered by
Fair Trade Music Publishing c/o essentialmusicpublishing.com.

Love Lifts Up and Over, If You Let It…

In the First Letter of John, chapter 4, verse 12, it is written:

No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. – 1 John 4:12

While it may be true that no one has ever seen God, Love and the goodness of God can be experienced daily, in any number of ways and through an unlimited number of people, places, and things. Think about a situation that recently brought peace, joy, laughter, gratitude, etc. into your heart. In what direction did you feel motivated as a result?

Think about who and what you love, in both the past and now. In what ways do you feel inspired as you reflect on this?

Tomorrow, October 4, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. He was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone and is perhaps most widely known for the Prayer of Saint Francis (and inspirational song) – “Make me a channel of your peace/Where there is hatred, let me bring your love…” as well as for being a lover of animals and the inspiration behind the practice of the blessing of animals.

Being born into a wealthy family, St. Francis’ life began in financial and material security. However, rather than a life focused on increasing or holding onto the guarantees that would come with money (status, power, and influence), he chose a journey far more challenging, but one that would lead toward the riches and rewards of a spiritual life—peace.

St. Francis wrote, “It was easy to love God in all that was beautiful. The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me to embrace God in all things.”

As you imagine embracing God (Love) in all things, what situations come to mind? Where are the places that are easy to carry and exude the love of God that resides within you? Where are the places that present a challenge, causing the light of God within you to diminish, and love to be held back or rebuked?

In the Gospel according to Mark, it is written:

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them. – Mark 10:13-16

Jesus’s example is one of embracing the moment, and all that it holds, with love despite the responses, reactions, or expectations of his disciples and others. With Jesus, everyone is invited… there is room in his heart for everyone.

Now imagine the situations that are easy for you to embrace with love and those that are not, as both belonging to the kingdom of God. What is that like?

Continuing to reflect on these situations, what is most important to you, and how or where does that fit in with your faith as you strive to live by it? Share your thoughts and feelings on this with Jesus. What invitation might Jesus be extending to you?

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. – St. Francis of Assisi

Trust in God’s Reach…

At first it may seem that Eldad and Medad are just the names of two of the elders mentioned in chapter 11, verses 25-29 of the Book of Numbers. However, while it may be tempting to readily move past them and keep reading on the way to the Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, it’s worth pausing to consider this scene some more.

While all the other elders are gathered at the tent to receive the spirit of the Lord and begin to prophesy, Eldad and Medad are back at the camp. Despite not being at the “right place, at the right time,” at least not physically, they are still included by God, the Spirit is bestowed upon them, and they begin to prophesy.

This is key. Eldad and Medad receive the spirit and prophesy right where they are, giving testimony to the fact that the grace of God is not limited and that there is more than one way, more than one place, to be gathered before the Lord. Reflect on this truth: regardless of where we are, all of us are always within reach of God’s grace. What’s significant… what matters most, is whether we are open to receiving the grace of God, however it is presented.

Continuing to look more closely at this passage, Eldad, whose name means “Love of God”, and Medad, whose name means “Love,” have been called. Their names are known to God. All that is required of them, and us, is not to meet the expectations of others, or to hurry up over to the meeting place to join their fellow elders, but rather, to simply be where they are and be willing to be whom they were created to be. That is, to not only embrace their gifts with an open heart and mind, but also to allow themselves to be inspired by the Spirit of the Lord as to how to use and share them.

Eldad and Medad numbered among many. It’s not only interesting, but also a simple imperative by which to live—Love of God, Love.

The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the Lord bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.

Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, “
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
“Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!
Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” – Numbers 11:25-29

What Ranks…

Stature… status… standing… are just a few of the words that the readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time bring to the forefront as being of great disservice to one and all.

In the Book of Wisdom, the competition is highlighted, and the plot is foreshadowed—how to be rid of the one who is Justice and Mercy—Jesus.

The wicked say:
    Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
        he sets himself against our doings,
    reproaches us for transgressions of the law
        and charges us with violations of our training.
    Let us see whether his words be true;
        let us find out what will happen to him.
    For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
        and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
    With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
        that we may have proof of his gentleness
        and try his patience.
    Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
        for according to his own words, God will take care of him. – Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

We all have moments where we disagree with, or feel offended by others, but where is the line that crosses over toward wicked? Perhaps, more importantly, what is it that leads one to feel that another human being is so intolerable, especially (in Jesus’s case) for being true to God and serving Love in both words and actions?

In the second reading, the Letter of James presents the dangers of being drawn into focusing on stature, status, and standing. It is a warning that ill-conceived competition is what wreaks havoc. The author makes a call, or a plea, to look more closely at the ways in which human beings are driven apart and put up against each other instead of being led by grace toward community, communion, and the greater glory of God.

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice. 
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity. 
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from? 
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members? 
You covet but do not possess. 
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war. 
You do not possess because you do not ask. 
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. –  James 3:16-4:3

Finally, in chapter nine of the Gospel according to Mark, the exclamation point! Jesus proclaims that human striving is not to be the rising in stature, status, and standing, but in fact, the opposite. That is, to embrace our fellow human beings in both our words and actions… making room, lending a hand, and beholding all that’s in one’s spirit as a child, the channel of God’s love and kindness.

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” 
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?” 
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest. 
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.” – Mark 9:30-37

Thinking about the great divides in all that’s going on around the world today, so much seems to be created from the tunnel vision that comes with primarily focusing on protecting one’s perceived stature, status, and/or standing. However, just as over 2,000 years ago, the biggest threat and obstacle one must ever overcome, is oneself.

Seek to be led by Justice and Mercy, serve and trust in the grace and glory of God, and remember always, “The Lord upholds my life” (Psalm 54:6b).

But for the Light…

With the vast array of devastation caused by wildfires on the left side of the United States and hurricane Ida and resulting treacherous weather throughout the right side of the United States, not to mention ongoing multi-faceted struggles around the entire world, it can be easy to fall prey to a sense of doom, regardless of whether one is experiencing dire need, a direct impact, on the fringes of such impact, or farther removed.

On what is a dreary day, on the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta, it is good to remember that despite the darkness, God is with us amid all these trials and tribulations. Leading the way, before one might even know it. Providing light and love. Lifting spirits, opening minds, increasing the will to help, and strengthening the bond of human hearts toward one another.

Say to the fearful of heart:
Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.

– Isaiah 35:4

“There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.”

– St. Teresa of Calcutta

Serve Love…

I remember as a young student feeling fascinated as I learned all about the human heart, its functions and their importance. I was most amazed by the strength of the heart and its capacity, pumping 2,000 gallons of blood each day throughout the body. It wouldn’t be until years later that my amazement would become even greater in coming to understand the heart’s greatest asset—the rhythm, steady and strong, seeking to draw one closer, revealing God, and yearning not only to keep the connection of love, peace, and healing going, but also to help it to thrive without bounds. As the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, wrote, “Love is the bridge between you and everything.”

In chapter 7 of the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus says to the Pharisees,

“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

    This people honors me with their lips,

        but their hearts are far from me;

    in vain do they worship me,

        teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (Mk 7:6-8)

Jesus is calling on them to be honest… to look more closely and to see that their hearts are not leading them in union with God. Their love has become misplaced. It is self-serving and focused on what is earthly rather than what is truly, right and just. Their words and actions do not come together to reflect the beauty of God’s goodness—the law that is placed in every heart—dignity, care, and love of all who are placed alongside us whether in location, heart, or mind.  

This same love is what the author of the Letter of James is calling people to when he writes,

“Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,

for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” – Jas 1:19-22

No matter where one might be, or the circumstances that exist, Love is the only true hope there is. And while there may be many things that seem beyond reach, or out of control, Love is the anchor that holds us altogether, moves us into action, and brings peace, or peace of mind, strength, truth and justice, never growing cold.

Quieting the Murmur…

Depending upon one’s experiences, certain words can bring to mind a particular image or situation. Hearing or seeing the word, “murmur,” many people might think of the human heart and the condition of a heart murmur, speaking in a low volume as in under one’s breath, or perhaps a hushed conversation between a number of people within a larger setting. Interestingly, in any of these cases, the murmur, or anything else that may be transpiring, can be of no significance, or the opposite. And, as always, the only way to know more certainly is by tuning in more closely.

While searching to discover what’s going on may seem pretty basic or obvious, human nature often leads us toward conjecture, murmuring amongst ourselves rather than seeking the source directly and looking for the answers or understanding there.

In the Gospel according to John, chapter 6, verses 41-51, the people are in disbelief, and maybe confused about Jesus’s statement that he is the bread of life that has come down to earth from heaven. Filled with questions, and likely doubt, with a limited knowledge of who Jesus really is, they are quietly speaking amongst themselves. They are looking for answers from each other, even though none of them understand what was said or what Jesus meant by it. What might this passage, and what follows from it, look like if instead of asking each other, the people asked Jesus directly about his statements, and took careful notice of his response together with his actions?

Moving forward to the way that Jesus responds to the hushed voices going on around him, regarding him, it is as if Jesus is simply saying, “Stop,” to the gossip and speculation. He does not enter into the grumbling. He does not succumb to it, and the questions the people were asking each other instead of engaging directly with Jesus, go unanswered, while Jesus continues to focus on Truth, and giving voice to it. After all, the fact of the matter is that more often than not, it really is as simple as continually asking Jesus for help in seeing something for what it is, saying, “Stop,” to nonsense, understanding and embracing what is of genuine importance, and listening, so as to recognize when and how to be moved.

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
“I am the bread that came down from heaven,”
and they said,
“Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

– John 6:41-51

Beyond the Fray…

Looking into the world of nature, it can be very easy to come across what makes for a beautiful picture. Whether one’s eye is caught by a single object or multiple ones combining to create a scene that captivates and captures attention, it all starts with posture.

The picture below was taken at the base of a road on the way back down, after having traveled it to the top of a mountain. The way that everything came together and seemed to fall into place in the moments we happened upon it, was rather striking. As we were returning from the summit on a sunny, gorgeous day, the sun was quickly overtaken by fast moving clouds, and as we drove, we moved in and out of brief periods of rain. However, once we reached the base, things looked much brighter. Then, not much further along, we entered the scene. It was like stepping into a painted landscape.

Again, everything—road, rock wall, water, building, sand, trees, and sky—seemed to come together, bringing out the best of what that day and time could offer, and it was perfect. Unity and peace within rising above and beyond turbulence. Not only a pretty sight or precious thought, but also at the heart of faith and faithfulness—the way in which one works, lives, and cooperates with the grace of God, who resides within us, and in whose image, we are all created.

What one carries or holds onto as they journey, quite literally, impacts everything—reception, perception, reaction, response, etc.

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all. – Eph 4:1-6

The Sum of Kind and Wonderful…

With lots of rain this past week and existing conditions around the globe, it certainly seems like stormy times continue to be the pattern. Not only that, but it’s like they are holding as if super glue. So why not embrace them?

We know that the perfect storm forms out of what can be predicted or seen combined with what is unforeseen or unplanned. That is why such a storm often catches us off guard; there is an opening. Similarly, anything in life that is mutually beneficial, or truly divine, comes to fruition. And, even in the times when we cannot perceive or name it, there is always something more than what meets the eye, seeking to bear fruit. Always something more working through whatever failings or inadequacies there may be, to spread light and love, and ultimately, to break through, bringing what is good into the world.

During all this storminess, sometimes it can be tempting to look at life through a smaller lens, as if a mathematical equation to be solved. As if you get out of it what you put in, and the sum of all our human efforts creates a whole or complete picture of the end sought from the beginning. Yet, although these philosophies may be true to some extent, there is a lot more that comes into play for any given situation.

Often, in times like these, there is an invitation to see more clearly, and a reminder that while the surface may seem clear cut, Truth is encompassed in the depths and cannot be erased. It draws for us a complete picture, and what is Whole, never lies.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85:8

Like a Lady…

Behold God beholding you… and smiling. – Anthony de Mello, SJ

Pausing to take a deep breath and take in a beautiful day, as I survey my surroundings, I take joy in a ladybug who comes into view, also exploring. Interested, I move closer to get a better view. There it is. Moving along, wings closed, orange with spots of black, yellow head, eyes, antennae, and legs; many parts, one body.

As I watch, I am amused by its way—steady… patient… gentle, but also driven—purposeful. Different, yet underneath it all, the same. A reminder to remember, everyone… everything, is heading somewhere, here and now, and eventually, as well as ultimately.

In the Gospel acclamation for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, it is written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor” (Lk 4:18). If you had to re-write this sentence, applying it to yourself, what is it that the Lord has anointed or wants to anoint you for?

Moving on to the Gospel according to Mark, in chapter 6, verses 1-6, we read about Jesus essentially being shut out in his hometown area. It appears he is seen through a very narrow lens and because of this he is not welcome, encouraged, or accepted for who he truly is in the present. There is a lack of openness to the value he brings to the table, and he is limited in what he can accomplish.

It is important to remember that Jesus’s inability to be effective has nothing to do with Jesus. It is the result of the closed-minded, closed-hearted resistance he meets. A meaningful encounter cannot happen in the conditions that exist, and so, he must move on.

Perhaps one of the things Jesus is asking us in this passage is to examine the conditions that exist within our own hearts and minds. If, for example, we had to take our words and actions throughout the course of the day and insert them, one by one, at the end of the phrase, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to,” how would they fit in with Christianity?

In praying with this passage, as you hold dear the desire to honor the Lord whose Spirit is upon you, and who not only anoints you, but also delights in you, what invitation(s) is awaiting?

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith. – Mark 6:1-6