You are Not

The Great Attraction

 This is the great attraction today:

to reach the highest contemplation
while sharing in the life of every person,
being one among many.

I would say more:
to merge oneself with the crowd
so as to allow the divine
to penetrate it,
like wine
penetrates a piece of bread.

I would even say more:
as sharers in God’s plans for humanity,
to place points of light within the crowd,
sharing shame, hunger, troubles,
and brief joys with our neighbour.

The attraction today,
as in all times,
is Jesus and Mary.

The highest conceivable expression
of the human and the divine.
The Word of God, a carpenter’s son;
the Seat of Wisdom, a mother at home.​

Chiara Lubich, Meditations, New City, London, 2005, p. 14-15

Give Me a Few Friends

Dear Lord,

Give me a few friends
who will love me for what I am,
and keep ever burning
before my vagrant steps
the kindly light of hope.

And though I come not within sight
of the castle of my dreams,
teach me to be thankful for life,
and for time's olden memories
that are good and sweet.
And may the evening's twilight
find me gentle still.

Another Beatitude

Blessed are they who understand.

My faltering step and shaking hand,

Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to catch the things they say,

Blessed are they who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow,

Blessed are they who looked away,
I spilled my tea on the cloth that day!

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile,
Stopped to chat for a little while,

Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday,

Blessed are they who never say,
"You've told that story twice today!"

Blessed are they who make it known
That I'm loved, respected and not alone,

And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.


By Elizabeth Clark

12 Steps to Self Care

 

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The first chapter of Mark’s gospel is packed with action. Mark opens his gospel with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. In this one chapter he covers the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, the temptation of Jesus in the dessert, John’s arrest, Jesus calling his first disciples, Jesus announcing his mission and Jesus launching his mission. This Sunday and for the next two Sundays the gospel covers the first full day of Jesus in active ministry, Mark 1:21-45.

Given Jesus’ mission to bring “the good news” to people (Mark 1:1); it makes sense that he begins his work on the Sabbath in a synagogue, the primary place where local people gathered for community prayer and to hear and study scripture. And on the first day of his ministry, the first thing Jesus does is teach. He does not teach like the scribes who were experts on Mosaic Law found in the Torah. Jesus teaches with personal authority, authority given to him by God. Mark does not tell us exactly what Jesus taught in that synagogue in Capernaum. However, he does tell us that the impact of Jesus’ teaching was profound. Jesus, like Moses in the first reading from Deuteronomy 18:15-20, spoke the words God “put into his mouth.” These words were so powerful that the people around him were compelled to listen. Even an “unclean spirit” recognized the power and authority of his message. Then Jesus exorcised the unclean spirit.

This is the pattern we see over and over again in Jesus’ ministry. He preaches, he confronts evil and he heals people. He also takes time out to revive himself through prayer. Jesus taught the people of his day and he teaches us by his words, actions and example, guiding us all to the Kingdom his Father has prepared for us. It is our responsibility to listen, open our hearts, believe and acknowledge “our God, whose people we are, God's well-tended flock” (Psalm 95:7).

Father in heaven,

From the days of Abraham and Moses

Until this gathering of your Church in prayer,

You have formed a people in the image of your Son.

Bless this people with the gift of your kingdom.

May we serve you with our every desire

And show love for one another

Even as you have loved us.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Three Trees

There were three young trees growing together in the forest, each one healthy and ambitious. As they compared their dreams, one wanted to be built into a castle or a palace, and so play a part in the lives of the high and mighty of society. The second wanted to become the mast in one of the tall ships, sailing around the world with a great sense of adventure. The third hoped to end up as part of some public monument, where the public would stop, admire, and take photographs.

Years passed by, and all three were cut down. The first was chopped up, and parts of it were put together to form a manger for a stable in Bethlehem. The second was cut down, and the trunk was scooped out to form a boat, which was launched on the Sea of Galilee. The third was cut into sections, two of them nailed together to form a cross on Calvary. Each had a unique and special part to play in the one great story of redemption.

Seeking

We are told that St. Francis used to spend whole nights praying the same prayer: “Who are you, God? And who am I?” Evelyn Underhill claims it’s almost the perfect prayer. The abyss of your own soul and the abyss of the nature of God have opened up, and you are falling into both of them simultaneously. Now you are in a new realm of Mystery and grace, where everything good happens!

Notice how the prayer of Francis is not stating anything but just asking open-ended questions. It is the humble, seeking, endless horizon prayer of the mystic that is offered out of complete trust. You know that such a prayer will be answered, because there has already been a previous answering, a previous epiphany, a previous moment where the ground opened up and you knew you were in touch with infinite mystery and you knew you were yourself infinite mystery. You only ask such grace-filled questions, or any question for that matter, when they have already begun to be answered!

Start Your Day Right

The legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant had a note he carried in his pocket. Every morning he had taken it out of his pocket, unfold it, read it and returned it to his pocket. When he died this note was found in the back pocket of pants. I plan to share it with as many people as possible in hopes that they, too will make it a ritual by reading this poem every day.

This is the beginning of a new day.

God has given me this day to use as I will.

I can waste it or use it for good.

What I do today is important as I am

exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.

Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.

I want it to be a gain, not a loss;

good, not evil;

success, not failure;

in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.

Paul William "Bear" Bryant (1913 - 1983) was the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships. Upon his retirement in 1982, he held the record for most wins as head coach in collegiate football history with 323 wins.

To Let Go

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring;

It means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off.
It's the realization that I can't control another.

To let go is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try and change or blame another,
I can only change myself.

To let go is not to care for, 

but to care about.

To let go is not to fix, 

but to be supportive.

Modern Proverbs

 

1. The best way to get even is to forget.
2. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
3. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
4. Some folks wear their halos much too tight.
5. Some marriages are made in Heaven; but they all have to be maintained on Earth.
6. Unless you can create the whole universe in five days, then perhaps giving advice to God isn't such a good idea.
7. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.
8. Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will be knocked down by the traffic from both ways.
9. Words are windows to the heart.
10. A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it's a forgery.
11. It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.
12. A successful marriage isn't finding the right person; it's being the right person.
13. The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held it's ground.
14. Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.
15. The tongue must be heavy indeed; because so few people can hold it.
16. To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.
17. You have to wonder about humans; they think God is dead and Elvis is alive.
18. It's alright to sit on your pity pot every now and again; just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck.
20. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.​

Prayer of Surrender to God

Prayer of Surrender to God

Lord, You know what is best; let this be done or that be done as You please. Give what You will, as much as You will, when You will. Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, and will be for Your greater honor. Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You - would that I could do this worthily and perfectly!

by Thomas à Kempis

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

If you read your Sunday Missal you will see that the themes for today’s readings are “call, reluctance and repentance.” All the readings from Jonah, St Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians and St Mark’s Gospel have elements of these themes. However, I think that there is an overarching theme and that is God’s overwhelming spirit of mercy and love that draws all people to repent and seek forgiveness.

Jonah is a model of God’s mercy because he experienced it himself. Jonah was called by God to go to Nineveh and preach. But he didn’t want to go and headed in the opposite direction. We all know the story about how Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale who spit him out on the shore. After this experience when God called Jonah again, he followed directions. He went to Nineveh and preached a hell, fire and brimstone message, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed." Much to Jonah’s shock and dismay, the people of Nineveh believed God’s message. They repented and God responded to their repentance with mercy. Jonah wanted hell, fire and brimstone but he didn’t get it. Which leads to another story about God giving Jonah a lesson about mercy.

St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthian has a similar theme. Exasperated with the Corinthian’s shocking behavior, St Paul sends them a letter warning them that “time is running out.” The difference between St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and Jonah’s message is that St Paul wrote his letter in a spirit of mercy and love. St Paul founded the Christian community of Corinth and his reproach was delivered as a caring founder. He ended the Letter with an exhortation, “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love” (1 COR 16:13-14).

Today’s gospel from Mark 1:14-20 recounts the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. His message was, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." For the people who lived in Galilee at that time the word gospel meant “good news.” Jesus came to proclaim the good news of God’s love. Our job is to turn our lives around and believe the good news that God loves each and every one of us. Believing in the gospel message is not just an intellectual exercise it is an exercise of the heart. Jesus’ call to repentance is a call for a radical change of heart (metanoia). Jesus invites us to repent so that we can experience a “time of fulfillment” and enter into the Kingdom of God. Simon, Andrew, James and John did not need to be coerced to follow Jesus. They heard his message and followed willingly. The message of mercy and love was compelling enough for them. It may have taken some time for them to understand what Jesus’ message meant but ultimately, they did. We are here today because they heard, followed and believed.

Almighty and ever-present Father,

Your watchful care reaches from end to end

And orders all things in such power

That even the tensions and tragedies of sin

Cannot frustrate your loving plans.

Help us to embrace your will,

Give us the strength to follow your call,

So that your truth may live in our hearts

And reflect peace to those who believe in your love.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Amen

Three Important Things in Life

You've heard it said, “Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home.” Well, there may be other and more important reasons for being careful how we treat one another.

I think that U.S. industrialist Charles M. Schwab may have gotten it right. At age 72, Schwab was sued for a large sum of money. Many high-profile persons would have settled out of court, but Schwab went through with it and eventually won the suit.

Before he left the witness stand, he asked permission of the court to make a statement of a personal nature.

This is what he said: "I am an old man, and I want to say that ninety percent of my troubles have been due to my being good to other people. If you younger folk want to avoid trouble, be hard-boiled and say no to everybody. You will then walk through life unmolested, but…” and here a broad smile lit up his face, “you will have to do without friends, and you won't have much fun.”

Maybe that's why Henry James said, “Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” It's a vital part of a whole and happy life.

Receiving a Gift of Grace

When we willingly accept compliments, we are reminded that others see us through different eyes.

Many of us find it difficult to accept compliments but easy to believe the slightest criticism. Today, right now, let's make a choice to fully accept compliments as we would a gift. Sincere compliments are gifts of praise. They are kudos given for wise choices or accomplishments or perhaps for just letting your light shine. There is no reason not to accept the gift of a kind word, but some of us argue against them, even giving reasons why they aren't true.

If we visualize the energy of a compliment, we would see beautiful, shining, positive energy being sent from the giver. That energy, if accepted graciously, would brighten our personal energy field. Our gratitude then returns to the giver as warm, fuzzy, glowing energy, completing an even circuit of good feelings. But if we reject a compliment, what could have been a beautiful exchange becomes awkward and uncomfortable, making it a negative experience instead. Misplaced modesty can ruin the joy of sharing this connection with another person. But we can accept a compliment and still be modest by simply saying thank you.

However, if compliments are rejected due to a lack of self-esteem, then the first step would be to start believing good things about yourself. Try giving yourself compliments in the mirror. Beyond the initial feelings of silliness, you will notice how good it feels and can watch the smile it puts on your face. The next step would be to see how it feels to give compliments to others. Notice how great you feel when you've made another person's face brighten and how differently you feel when the gift you've offered is rejected. Having experienced all sides, you will be ready to play along fully and willingly.

We are our harshest critics. When we accept compliments, we are reminded that others see us through different eyes. All living beings crave positive attention, and we all deserve to have positive energy shared with us. Perhaps if we happily and gratefully accept compliments, we will give others permission to do so as well.

By Madisyn Taylor

“Have you ever done something simply on principle, because it was the right thing to do, knowing that you couldn’t explain it to anyone, without there even being a good feeling attached to your act?”

Karl Rahner wrote that and then added: “If you have done this, you have experienced God, perhaps without knowing it.”​

Surprise

Each day is different and has a surprise in it, like a Cracker Jack box. ~ Alpha English

It's interesting to ponder the notion of surprise. Not every one of them, in old age, is all that welcome. Hearing bad news about a friend or having a special trip we'd been counting on canceled can leave us dismayed and worried, right along with surprised. Seeking solace from others while cultivating a willingness to accept that all things happen for a reason gives us the armor we need to make the best of every situation and disappointment.

It's an interesting image to think of each day as a box of Cracker Jacks. The moments of our lives have been very tasty. Some were sweet, some were a bit salty, and there were always wholly unexpected moments, the surprises that we were ready for even though we may not have imagined as much. We can look forward to the same daily agenda throughout the remaining years.

Does it help to know that there is a divine plan unfolding in our lives? Many of us find comfort in that. All of us can cultivate that belief.

I am ready for my surprise today! It is meant for me at this time.​

The Little Fish

"Excuse me," said a little fish. "You are older than I, so can you tell me where to find this thing called the ocean?"

"The ocean," said the older fish, "is the thing you are in now."

"Oh, this? But this is the water. What I’m seeking is the ocean," said the disappointed fish, as he swam away to search elsewhere.

~ Anthony de Mello

What becomes clear to us on our own spiritual journey is that we don't have to look for God or for spirituality. We only have to look.

Everybody

This is a story about four people named: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it.

Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it!

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week as I was reflecting on the readings for Sunday’s masses, I was struck by a phrase from our first reading, 1 Samuel 3:19, “Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.” The New American Standard Bible translates the phrase as: “Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail.” Another translation says: “As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful.”

Few of us can claim that every word we utter is wise and helpful or that none of our words fail. The question we should ask ourselves is what effect do my words have? A Chinese proverb says, “Words are the keys to the heart.” As I read this proverb, it has two meanings: words can open a heart or they can lock or harden a heart. The effects of our words are usually determined by our intentions. We use words to encourage and uplift people. We use words to comfort people who are suffering. We use words to express our love. We use words to pray and to praise God. We can also use words to offend and wound people. Through gossip, we can use words to defame people and harm their reputations. Occasionally we use words to curse God. Samuel’s words were sometimes harsh, like most of the prophets, but he always spoke the truth. And the source of his truth was God.

Through baptism, we all share in the priesthood of Christ and we become the adopted daughters and sons of God. As God’s children and people who share in the priesthood of Christ, we are expected to proclaim the good news of God’s love and show his compassion to everyone we encounter: the people in our families, the people we work with, the people we go to school with and the people we meet in our day-to-day activities. Every word we speak should reflect the special relationship we have with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus tells the Pharisees and us that we will be held accountable for our words, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” And so, we should pray every day with the Psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth meet with your favor, keep the thoughts of my heart before you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:15).

O God, 

send forth your Holy Spirit

 into my heart that I may perceive,

Into my mind that I may remember, 

and into my soul that I may meditate.

Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy.

Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end.

May your grace ever help and correct me,

And may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high,

For the sake of your infinite mercy.

Amen.

Saint Anthony of Padua

Who are You?

A woman was in a coma and dying. She suddenly had a feeling that she was taken up to heaven and stood before the Judgment Seat.

“Who are you?" a Voice said to her.

“I'm the wife of the mayor," she replied.

“I did not ask whose wife you are but who you are."

“I'm the mother of four children."

“I did not ask whose mother you are, but who you are."

“I'm a school teacher."

“I did not ask what your profession is but who you are.”

And so it went. No matter what she replied, she did not seem to give a satisfactory answer to the question, “Who are you?”

“I'm a Christian.”

“I did not ask what your religion is but who you are.”

“I'm the one who went to church everyday and always helped the poor and needy.”

“I did not ask what you did but who you are.”

She evidently failed the examination, for she was sent back to earth. When she recovered form her illness, she was determined to find out who she was. And that made all the difference.

Your duty is to be. Not to be somebody, not to be nobody - for therein lies greed and ambition - not to be this or that - and thus conditioned - just to be.

From Anthony de Mello, SJ

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Serenity

Lord, make me an instrument of your Serenity

Where there is addiction, let me bring Recovery

Where there is shame, let me bring Healing

Where there is hatred, let me bring Love

Where there is hurt, let me bring Forgiveness

Where there is prejudice, let me bring acceptance

Where there is denial, let me bring Honesty

Where there is fear, let me bring Courage

Where there is doubt, let me bring Faith

Where there is despair, let me bring Hope

Where there is darkness, let me bring Light

Where there is sadness, let me bring Joy

Lord, grant that I may seek

Not so much to be comforted, but to Comfort others

Not so much to be understood, as to Understand others

Not so much to be loved, as to Love others

For it is in Giving that we receive

For it is by Forgiving, that we are Released from resentments

For it is by Living in God’s love, that we are granted a Daily Reprieve

And it is by Dying to our old life, that we Awaken to a New Life of Spirituality. 

Amen

Hope

 

Carry the Message

There's a story about a troubled mother who had a daughter who was addicted to sweets. One day she approached Gandhi, explained the problem to him and asked whether he might talk to the young girl. Gandhi replied: "Bring your daughter to me in three weeks time and I will speak to her." After three weeks, the mother brought her daughter to him. He took the young girl aside and spoke to her about the harmful effects of eating sweets excessively and urged her to abandon her bad habit. The mother thanked Gandhi for this advice and then asked him: "But why didn't you speak to her three weeks ago?" Gandhi replied: "Because three weeks ago, I was still addicted to sweets."

And there's the lesson: We must do more than just point out the right road to others, we must be on that road ourselves. For this reason, the integrity of our private lives and private morals, down to the smallest detail, is the real power behind our words.

Epiphany of the Lord

Many years ago, I decided that I wanted to become a serious stargazer. I mentioned my interest to a friend who presented me with a telescope. This was not a simple point at a star and look telescope. It was a real telescope that required some knowledge about astronomy or at least a sense of where to look to see what the night sky has to offer. I must admit I was a bit disappointed. All I wanted to do was take a close look at some stars and planets. I didn’t realize how complicated the sky is with thousands and thousands of stars, clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Serious stargazing takes work and I was not sure that I wanted to put much energy or effort into this project. So, my telescope sat in a corner, rarely used until I finally gave it to someone who was truly interested in learning about astronomy.

The Magi who followed the Star of Bethlehem were scholars. They were serious stargazers who, when they saw the “star at its rising,” dropped everything they were doing to follow it. They did not have telescopes. They had to rely on the low-tech science of the day. They studied the night sky watching for changes and movement. They knew this new star represented something extraordinary, the “newborn king of the Jews” and they were willing to make great sacrifices to find him. We don’t know exactly where they came from but St. Matthew implies that they traveled a great distance to get to Bethlehem. What is interesting to consider is that this star clearly was not invisible. Others must have seen it. The Scribes and Pharisees, the chief priests and scientists of Israel must have seen the star. But they did nothing to investigate. Pagan foreigners recognized the significance of the star and set out to find it.

All our readings today emphasize that Jesus was born for the people of all nations. The Magi were non-believers, pagans, gentiles, not worth any consideration in the eyes of the people of Israel, but they were the people who had the faith and humility to seek and welcome Jesus into our world. They did not know where the star would lead them. However, they pursued their journey of faith knowing that the end of their journey would reveal something spectacular, “the glory of the Lord.” On this Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we should ask ourselves, what star do I follow? Will I recognize a God sent star? What will I sacrifice to follow that star?

Father,

you revealed your Son to the nations

by the guidance of a star.

Lead us to your glory in heaven

by the light of faith.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God forever and ever.

Amen

Clock and Calendar

 

Broken Resolutions

Most of us, I suspect, have our own long history of broken New Year's resolutions.

How many times have we begun a new year with the sincere intention of ending some bad habit and of finally setting ourselves to living life as we should have been living it all along and, after a very short time, have found ourselves again solidly embedded in our old habits and ruts?

Hence, most of us live lives not so much of quiet desperation as of quiet resignation: "This is the way I am! This is the way my life has always been! This is the way I will always be!"

The belief that things can be different, and for the better, is a crucial part of our Christian faith. To believe that there can be "a new heaven and a new earth" (and that we can be paragons of virtue and delight within it) is not something that takes its ground in natural optimism (for example, "I always see the positive in things.") but is something that is rooted in the belief that "nothing is impossible with God."

How to change? As Psalm 96 puts it, "sing a new song to the Lord."

Happy New Year 2024!

 Happy New Year to All of You! May You have a Blessed 2024!

May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastroenterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber, and the I.R.S.

May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs, and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count, and your mortgage interest not rise.

May next New Year's Eve find you seated around the table, together with your beloved family and cherished friends.

May you find the food better, the environment quieter, the cost much cheaper, and the pleasure much more fulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily do that night.

May what you see in the mirror delight you and what others see in you delight them.

May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.

May the telemarketers lose your phone number, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance - and include generous amounts for charity.

May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your children, your parents, your siblings and your friends.

May The Promises in the Bible all be true for you.

And may we live in a world at peace and with the awareness of God's love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, every baby's smile, every lover's kiss, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our heart.