Leaning into Fall, the trees embrace the Essence of their nature. Season after season, year after year, who’s to say on time, or in time? Either way, waiting without edge, trusting in the beauty of Your time as you gently reveal the colors, so many colors, of Your way.
Beacon calling out to one and all alike, remember: life is but a spectrum, at its fullest and shining bright, when casting out the shadows, fears, and doubts. Your light so much stronger than the decay, rising up and out from far below.
It’s time to recognize again who we really are. So much alike, created to be different, but not with indifference or carrying any shades of hate. Loved into existence, the vision of Your eye. Side by side, each and every one of us are vessels of Your grace, and we all have a place.
Holy God, Most High Creator, hold us all together, unite us in Your heart… in our hearts.
Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. – Phil 2:15d, 16a
From one thing to another A shade, or some truth survives. Perhaps hidden from plain view, But nonetheless existing, If only to be seen, picked, From underneath the rubble, Intertwined and wrapped around, Trying to conceal or blur, The hard lines and soft edges, Leading one to discovery. Aiming, always aiming high, To the place where feelings go To wash away thoughts unkind. Resting in the heart of One, Meeting up, then stepping out, Similar but not the same. Grateful for Your peace and love, Amazing, so amazing, What can happen thru Your eyes. Though the winds may shift and change, The soul carries on its way, Steady in One who remains.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1
Questions upon questions. Sitting still, or idly sitting? With, or at, each other? Whether picking, picked, or chosen, The answer is the same. Apples of God’s eye. Desire of desires.
Fruit bearing fruit, Fruit bearing with fruit. A breath of fresh air, A dose of patience, Perseverance too. From the heart of One To another, then another.
All searching for some peace, While time is fast escaping. All in One, One in all, History that is shared, Spirits called together. Even when far apart, Destiny is waiting.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another. – John 15:16-17
As summer heads toward a close, schools reopen, and traffic picks up in the Northern Hemisphere, time can be more challenging to come by as busyness seeks to prevail. Like “a thief in the night” it can swiftly sneak away the quiet, still moments that seem to come more easily during the days of summer. Yet, despite a likely fuller schedule and a quicker pace all around, peace within remains, patiently waiting to connect… waiting to be heard.
In the Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Responsorial Psalm is “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:8). What does that really mean? While it can be difficult to think of oneself as having a heart that is hardened, maybe there’s another way to consider this.
St. Thomas of Villanova said, “I cannot see without light: yet if I shut my eyes in the midst of the noon-day light, the fault is in me, not in the sun.” Although today’s world tends toward pointing fingers, and finding fault may be tempting, perhaps the key here is in exploring what one sees.
What are the situations and places where one is more prone to looking past what’s in plain sight, readily drawing a conclusion, or closing one’s eyes, rather than opening them wider and acknowledging all there is to see or consider? These are the places that hold an invitation to prayer and discovery. These are the places where a heart might be less open to God (hardened) and God’s ways of love, mercy, compassion, peace, hope, integrity, and more. These are the places where one can grow closer to God, living more fully in a way that encompasses a desire for goodness for all and operates to extend love and the flow of God’s grace.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Mt 18:20
In the course of a day, One might experience Many kinds of ground, Here and there, Or maybe none at all. Yet, whatever it may be, Peace and inner strength await, While Guidance subtly leads the way, Where many paths abound. Willing accompanists through the hours, Perhaps hidden, under cover, But always working, nonetheless. Never kicking back, Or losing sight.
Whether to relax, Or continue striving, Never a question, Or even a passing thought. Constant presence, patient… Never rushing through On the way to something, Somewhere or someone else.
Always within reach, Or better yet, within. Whether running ahead Falling back, Or not too far behind, Keeping pace, Or simply being still. No matter how, What, where, or when, Everlasting Love, Constant Source, Holding all in deep affection.
Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11
To rest easy, As you go. Rest easy, As you work. Rest easy, As you play. Rest easy, Here and now. Rest easy, In each moment. Rest easy, Rest assured, Rest in Light and Love, Rest in Peace.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Out of place, But right at home, Very much at ease. More than content To simply be, Like flowers will And often do. Accepting grace, Blooming faith. Paying homage, Chosen, yes, chosen, And gently put in place.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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.
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
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