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