Relationship

And, the Sun…

Amongst the many voices and other various noises as the events of a day unfold, reside the quieter, more subtle, sometimes missed happenings. Whether during celebratory or somber times, there are signs… gifts… blessings ever-present. It is as if they are there to acknowledge, “Yes, that…, but also this.” Perhaps they are there to help one remember, or to consider, all that is true in any given moment. It seems at every turn, there is opportunity to receive peace, strength, wisdom, joy… whatever grace may be needed or may be of benefit to those present, close by, and even far away.

Oftentimes, there is so much more than what may be immediately in front of us, or surrounding us. Yet, it can be easy to forget that. Even worse, it can be easy to become focused on a single piece or a fraction of the whole and to exclude the picture in its entirety from consideration.

We must remember, it is not only the sun that rises and sets, but also the moon. Together, they help to make the day complete.

SunsetRI2

An Island unto Itself…

Earlier today, the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship was making its way into Boston Harbor. It moved along its way slow and steady. As I watched and thought about the length, width and height of the ship and the many people who work to keep it running, those who visit and vacation on it, and those who serve them as well as all the available amenities, I found myself feeling amazed at this “city” on the water.

Sometimes the thought of being self-sufficient and an island unto oneself, can be enticing. Especially when one can have everything wanted, needed and/or preferred encapsulated in a setting that is perhaps picture perfect. However, while the ship and all who are on it may be seemingly content in the middle of the ocean, or a short way from the shore, there are just as many people off the boat as there are on it who help to keep it going. Activity by both land and sea is necessary for the successful operation of the cruise ship. This is true regardless of whether or not everyone involved is a fan, or cares for the idea of a cruise.

For example, the person who provides or delivers the produce to the ship may have no desire to take a cruise or go offshore, for whatever reason, yet their role remains vital. Often, especially in times of disagreement, we can lose sight of the facts, the value of each other, and the truth. Just as water in the ocean can become less clear from turbulence, the truth also can become muddled.

“The irony is that at the very moment he [Pilate] asked his question ‘What is truth?’ he was staring at the pure incarnation of Truth. The One who is the Truth had just said to him, ‘Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’

Pilate missed that voice. The words bounced off his ears. He was not ‘of the truth’.”
– R.C. Sproul

In Psalm 145 it is written, “The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth” (v18). Even in times of distress or uncertainty, the Truth is always closer than we may think. The Truth is often right in front of us, next to and inside us, waiting to be discovered… waiting for us to be open and ready not only to see it, but also to receive it. When we call out and seek the Truth earnestly and honestly, with both heart and mind, its Voice is unmistakable. Everything else is just noise.

QMII

Every Tree… Known by Its Fruit

Have you ever stopped to consider the wide array of fruits and vegetables around the world and the richness in color and nutrients that they offer, not to mention the satisfaction they can bring to one’s palate?

Earlier in the week I had a kumquat for the first time. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I found it to be interesting and surprising in both texture and taste. Its outward appearance (shape, feel and size) was similar to a grape tomato but of a yellow-orange color and more firm. Upon chewing, it was full of a very citrusy flavor like a tangerine only with greater tartness and fewer seeds. The experience was not at all what I thought it might be like—a mild tasting fruit. It was new and very different than anything I had tasted before.

While I have seen kumquats in grocery stores many times, I had never gravitated toward them or been curious enough to try them. In fact, had it not been for the story and the excitement with which an acquaintance offered me one as she explained how she came to buy them, just a day or two before, for the first time herself, they would still be foreign and unknown by me.

Thinking about the experience, it is intriguing how the kumquat, such a little thing originating half way across the world from where I live, could pack such a powerful experience… powerful enough to create a sense of “wow!” and a desire to share the news with others for both my acquaintance and myself.

Perhaps, even more compelling, the fact that the Cantonese name for “kumquat,” pronounced gām-gwāt, means “golden orange” or “golden tangerine.” The name definitely gives an indication of what to expect in terms of citrus flavor and if you see a kumquat tree it looks very much like a tangerine tree, however, in looking at the outside of this little fruit it looks nothing like what a tangerine is supposed to look like. The shape is different, it is smaller (or at least what I had was), and the skin is not peeled. Despite this, the kumquat certainly tastes like a tangerine, and, if what is on the inside truly counts, then that is all that matters.

In everyday life, as we go about our business, we all bear fruit. There are many different ways in which we do so and just as many kinds of fruit. Sometimes we can jump to conclusions, assess people and/or situations, or make assumptions, based on what appears to be rather than looking at what truly is. We must be aware. We must remember substance.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
– Luke 6:43-45

Kumquats

The Flock…

As I gazed out across the quiet, mostly still water, there were a number of Canadian geese slowly making their way to the other side of the pond. They appeared to be in a sort of formation. It was one that could be labeled more interesting or captivating than their typical landside behavior and the annoyance caused by the parting “gifts” they often leave behind.

Although the geese were not in a straight line, they were all pretty much in a row. They were moving together, eventually all in the same direction and with a similar, if not the same, purpose. They were united, even if only by the species to which they belong; not all that different than any other species.

Oftentimes amidst disagreement or unrest, it may seem that all we have is the knowledge that we are the same, but also simultaneously not the same.

When at an impasse, it can be tempting to throw up one’s hands and not only walk away, but also to stay away. While sometimes, this is necessary and perhaps truly for the best, Jesus cautions his disciples not to do so too easily or too quickly. For even in weighing the pros and cons and allowing them to inform and guide decisions, the heart—in all its depth, and holding knowledge of a different kind—can be left behind or squeezed out.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that ‘every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If he refuses to listen even to the church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:15-20

We are to help each other to stay true… to stay in formation—connected—so that we do not get lost and so that the equation does not leave cunning intellect and surface emotions to dominate and direct rather than Wisdom.

In the final analysis, I believe in man, in spite of men – Elie Wiesel

TheFlock

The Great Wide Open…

In passing by and at times being surrounded by farmland over the past few months, the beauty and vastness of the countryside has been striking. Against the occasional backdrop of mountains and the many fields of crops and shades of green, there has been much to take in and a great sense of freedom and openness to be felt. There have also been the more confining structures one would expect to see, such as barns, fences and silos. These structures serve to protect what is within and in doing so they create boundaries and barriers. Of them, perhaps the silo, into which one cannot readily see, is the most compelling.

FarmSilos

A farm silo functions as a holding place for storing grains. It is a strong, tall, rounded container with generally no openings for the elements, including light, to penetrate. Its purpose is to prevent the grain inside from becoming compromised or spoiled. A silo does a great job of protecting grain and is both necessary and good. However, personally or in an organization… figuratively, a silo is bad news. It seeks to control the environment in ways that both compromise and spoil forward progress. It also holds back the spirit of integrity and ingenuity necessary to flourish and genuinely thrive.

As we go through life, we all come across situations, organizations and/or people through whom we experience a silo effect—having helpful information withheld, being undermined, being shut out, pushed away or alienated. Often we can easily point to or name such cases. However, it can be more difficult to see or name the instances where we may be helping to foster that experience or effect… allowing it to continue… perhaps even creating or contributing to the creation of even more silos.

The way of the world puts emphasis on acquiring and storing up things, status, reputation, chips on one’s shoulders, etc. Ultimately, they can, and often do, bring us down or cause us to be less than what we truly are. It can be difficult to recognize, yet alone to resist being swept up or carried away by this mentality, or even fighting against it. It can keep us from doing and from being… from living out our deepest, purest desires in a way that is encouraging and uplifting to others as well as ourselves. We can be led astray, fooled, or lulled over time by that which masquerades around providing a false sense of reality as well as security. We can be lured and led away from being a place of growth and harvest to a place of storage.

“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.” – Andrew Murphy

From time to time, it is important to pause, to let the Light not only in but also to fully penetrate one’s soul, and to ask, am I a vessel or have I become a silo?

StoreHouses

Sprinklers and Fountains…

I recall summer days during childhood when my father would attach sprinklers to a few hoses spread around the yard to water the grass. Then, every so often, he would move each sprinkler to a new location to ensure each section of grass was watered. I remember looking forward to “sprinkler days” back then especially on long, hot, humid days.

My siblings and I used to run through the lines of water at times to cool off, or around them at other times to avoid getting wet. Still other times, we would pick the sprinkler up when least expected, aiming it at the others, whether wanted or not, for a surprise cooling off. And then, every so often, one of us might slip away to remove the sprinkler head, replace it with the “super spray” nozzle and proceed to provide a more powerful cooling off experience for the others. Overall, we had a lot of fun, and admittedly some “disagreements” too.

There were three sprinklers altogether. Two of them were straight and about a foot long with several holes along the length. The sprayer would move from one side to the other, from 0 to 180 degrees, shooting lines of water along the way. Then there was the “wacky” sprinkler. It had three prongs that came out from the center which would rotate around, 360 degrees, as it sprayed a line of water sideways from each prong. The circular motion caused the lines of water to be wilder, and perhaps crazier, than the lines of water that the other sprinklers emitted. Despite its flair and pizzazz, the “wacky” sprinkler was the least desirable for cooling off. However, at the end of the day, both types of sprinklers accomplished their job, watering the grass sufficiently. And, while the “super spray” nozzle was great for sibling sneak attacks, it was less effective and not considered as an option for watering the lawn.

With events that have transpired across the world this past week, and what seems a continuous growing trend of intolerance and inability to dialogue in dignified and respectful ways, somehow I found myself thinking of the “wacky” sprinkler spraying water in every which way. Yes, it was wild and crazy, but it still had a purpose and value so we tolerated it and used it as it could be used. Then there was the “super spray” nozzle with its harsh and often cold rush of water, but even that, if used properly could be used to water the lawn.

There are many happenings throughout the world that can be upsetting and downright improper. Sometimes, it can be easy to become enflamed by what we cannot comprehend and by what seems “way out there” to us. It can be tempting to join the frenzy or to turn away and refrain from any kind of engagement. Somewhere in between, there are answers and there is common ground. Somewhere there is the fountain, the spring… the Source that provides life rather than strife. It is up to each of us to seek it and to work toward it, so that we may come together rather than be torn apart.

Fountain2

 

Getting Out of the Boat…

As a young child I recall being afraid to swim after seeing the movie about a great white shark that was striking terror along the shores of the fictional town of Amity Island. As I think back on it now, I find it rather funny because at that time the bulk of my swimming was in an in-ground pool. Still though, there was a drain at the bottom of the pool and my young mind could envision the possibility of some creature getting in through it and pulling me down into the great abyss that was the deep end of the pool. As impossible as it might have been for what I imagined to occur, as a child I was genuinely afraid of this; it was very real to me.

In the Gospel passage where Jesus walks on water, the disciples are described as being “terrified” and we are told, “they cried out in fear,” at the sight of what they initially perceived to be a ghost. They had already been startled by their boat being rocked around by powerful winds in the pre-dawn hours of the day. Then, with an already heightened sense of apprehension, they see something walking toward them… on the water!

Whether young, old, or in between, we all have things that frighten us. Like the disciples, we are all prone to becoming even more unsettled once already unnerved. This is why it is so important to strive to be centered, and to recognize when we are not.

The disciples learn that it is Jesus who is walking toward them and they hear his words, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Perhaps they are at least temporarily reassured. However, Peter checks the situation out a little further. “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter believes if Jesus commands something of him, no matter what it is it will be possible for him to do it… and it is, but only so long as Peter stays focused on the Lord. Once he becomes distracted, just like us, he falters. Still though, he does not sink all the way, and neither do we. When we call out, the Lord is there to catch us, to set us on our feet again, to show us the way, and to save us from all that would seek to do us in.

Sometimes it can be challenging to know in what direction to proceed and how to receive and respond to the world around us. Rest assured though, when our inner compass is set on the Lord, we can and will find our way.

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.

Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:22-33

FrLindsayTheBoat1
Painting by the late Fr. Bob Lindsay, SJ

Wonderland…

In the 1800s, Charles Lutwidge Dodson was born, lived, and died in England. He was a writer, photographer, mathematician, logician and more. He was also an Anglican deacon. However, he became best known as the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. His pen name was Lewis Carroll.

Through the years, there have been a number of misconceptions and myths about Lewis Carroll. Through it all though, and while he has been deceased over a century, his words and works have remained as popular as ever. His writing is captivating and thought provoking. In both his well-known fictional works and in letters to friends there is depth… there is truth… there are roots.

Lewis Carroll wrote, “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” In other words, there is something greater than “myself.” While it is important to be the best I can be, it is even more important to know, and to be rooted in, why, and for whom, I am striving to be the best I can be. Is it for myself or is it for the greater good? What is it that is truly in my heart as I go along?

Jesus said, “… Some (seed) fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots” (Matthew 13:5-6).

We all need roots in order to be faithful and true as we stand, and withstand, whatever comes our way. However, roots cannot grow and take hold where there is not fertile soil.

We are not the seed. We are the soil. The seed is the image of God in which we are created. It can only grow and flourish when we use our free will to nurture it. It is our calling to provide an environment that allows the seed to catch root and grow. This happens through the grace of God.

Most often, when we truly turn our will over to God, we find ourselves growing in our capacity to experience life with a joy and love that reaches out and touches others. Maybe that is God’s way of saying, “Nurture the soil, and leave the rest up to me.”

Roots_Wonderland

On a Whim…

We had not intended to head to the top of the mountain, but there we were, venturing toward the summit on an almost sunny day. At first, I wondered what impact the pockets of hazy fog would have. How far would we be able to see? Was it worth the trip? Then I thought, if not now, when? According to all accounts, tomorrow would be raining and the day after we would be leaving.

Despite the unknown degree of visibility, we decided to make a go of it. The ride to the top held both anticipation and peace. We started out very chatty, but quieted down some as we approached the tree line and rose above it. The fresh air and sense of freedom that often accompany the feeling of “being on top of the world” in wide-open space, whether on the ground below or high above, were abundant. Both permeated the mountaintop and seemed to be with us as well as all who chose to rise to the top that day.

Once there it was stunning. Looking out across the mountain’s peak, through the hazy spots it seemed almost like a dream as I took in all that was around and far away. There were people here and there traversing along the bedrock, taking heed of the signs seeking to preserve and protect all that might be fragile in this shared ecosystem. Toward the far reaches of the bedrock, there were a series of cliffs and beyond the edge, the ocean and a number of islands.

After soaking in all that was offered, or so I thought, we took the pathway back. It was then, when least expected, from one side of the path to the other and back again, we saw a yellow and black butterfly fluttering along, joyfully…hope filled my heart went along with it. As it landed, I watched and smiled. It was icing on the cake. All that we had seen, so wonderfully made.

It was quite a mountaintop experience. While it was both exhilarating and joy-filled it was also peaceful and upon further reflection it was once again all these things as well as sobering. With the uncertainty with which the journey was embarked upon now a distant memory, it became clear that the place in which we were standing held many gifts, even on a hazy day.

Life, whether at the top of a mountain, at the bottom, or somewhere in between (and regardless of the weather) has so much to give, when we are open to receive.

SwallowTailButterFly3

 

Turn Back…

There is something special about being beachside early evening before the sun takes leave of the day. Oftentimes, as the day time masses thin out and before the night time crowd heads into full swing, there is a lull… a window through which one can see and hear more clearly the ocean. At this time, one can also see his/her full shadow or spread belongings freely where just a short while earlier space was rather sparse.

Sitting there looking and listening to the waves breaking and feeling a gentle breeze can be very relaxing, almost entrancing. While this may be an experience one could label as being good, it can also be limiting. It can turn from being a respite into being an escape. And while we all need a break from time to time, it is also important to consider one’s trends and tendencies, and to where they lead.

A few weeks ago, there was a re-run of a Simon & Garfunkel concert that was held in New York’s Central Park in 1981. It was hard to believe that this event had taken place 36 years ago and featured songs that were even older than that. One of the things that I found particularly striking, as I listened, was the phrase, “Silence like a cancer grows.”

Silence can often be the great pretender. It may seem safe and masquerade as the voice of reason or the way of peace, when it may actually be a dangerous route to travel. While silence and the path of least resistance may be appealing, in the long haul, they can quietly and subtly cause destruction and promote decay and indifference. More often than not, when all is quiet, all is not well.

Sometimes we can be drawn into a false sense of well-being and enticed toward the easy way out. We can be lured toward that which, on the surface, might be perceived as “good.” We can also be tempted to gloss over or to look the other way… cajoled into making no waves or steering clear of anything that might possibly lead to confrontation or dissent.

The Bible, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, contains a plethora of verses with the exact words, or something very similar to, “do not be afraid.” Many times, whether we recognize it or not, fear is at the root of silence. Many times we can be lulled into sitting quietly, peacefully looking and listening to the breaking waves, not even realizing that our backs are turned to the Light.

Jesus said:

“Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.” –  Matthew 10:26-28

NantasketClouds4