In God's Care

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are." ~ George Bernard Shaw

It's easy to let circumstances determine how we think and behave. While it's true that some events seem devastating, our relationship with a Higher Power can help us accept and even grow from experiences that seem impossible to cope with.

We all have known men and women who've handled grave upsets far more easily than we have. How did they do it? They have no magic. Rather, they may be more comfortable letting their Higher Power help them accept and understand unfortunate circumstances. Once we accept our anger or disappointment, we're free to move on to better feelings. We begin to realize we have choices in how we look at problems.

We are never given more than we can handle. We can develop acceptance of any circumstances, but our success in doing so comes mainly through our reliance on God to show us the way.

God will help me handle the uncontrollable events of today. Through acceptance, I can change my feelings at any moment even right now​.

It is Not Easy

 

Paying Attention to Others

When we hold a piece of crystal to the light, it paints rainbows on the wall. When we tap it lightly with a spoon, it sings like a bell. But when we drop it, it shatters in colorless, silent pieces on the floor.

Human beings, sometimes to our amazement, can be as fragile as glass. It's especially easy to forget what makes people we live with or have known for a long time shine or sing. We take for granted the very qualities that made us love them in the first place.

When we forget how to see and hear the people we love, how to appreciate them, we grow careless. Too often, from sheer neglect, the relationship between us grows dull and silent, then slips, falls, and shatters. Paying attention to other people's needs and feelings can prevent this.

Whose presence can I appreciate today?

Parable of the Black Belt

A parable tells about a martial artist who kneels before a master sensei in a ceremony to receive the hard-earned Black Belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline.

"Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test," the sensei solemnly tells the young man.

"I'm ready," responds the student, expecting perhaps one more round of sparring.

"You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

"Why, the end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved reward for my hard work."

The master waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. The sensei finally speaks: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

As the student kneels before his master a year later, he is again asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

"It is a symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art." the young man responds.

Again the master waits for more. Still unsatisfied, he says once more: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."

A year later the student kneels before his sensei and hears the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?"

This time he answers, "The Black Belt represents not the end, but the beginning, the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, work and the pursuit of an ever higher standard."

"Yes," says the master. "You are now ready to receive the Black Belt and begin your work."

You may not be hoping for a Black Belt, but you might be at a crucial point. Maybe you're facing a life change, perhaps even a painful one. Or maybe you are awaiting something you have worked hard to attain - graduation, a new job, a promotion, or even retirement.

All wise people see that changes can be new beginnings. Change need not be feared. And neither should we be looking for a permanent resting place, for a full and happy life is never stagnant.

Does the change you face represent, not just an ending, but a new beginning in your life's journey? If so, you may be ready to move forward.

Am I a Polar Bear?

A young polar bear cub approached his mother one day and asked, "Mom, am I a polar bear?"

"Of course you are," she replied with a smile.

"OK," said the cub, and padded off.

Later, he found his dad out by the iceberg. "Dad, am I a polar bear?" "Sure you are, son!" said his dad, wondering a bit at why his son would ask such a silly thing.

The next day, the cub asked the question again and again. "Are you and mom polar bears? You are? Well, then, does that make me a polar bear? Pure, 100% polar bear?"

Finally, his parents couldn't stand it any longer. "Son, you're driving us crazy with this question! You are a polar bear! Why do you keep asking? The cub looked up and confessed, "Cause I'm FREEZING!"

And then there's me. Sometimes I go to my Father, and I say, "Am I really your child? Are you really my Father? Because sometimes I doubt, and other times, I don't act much like you. And I'm not sure if I'm the kind of person you would want to call your child. And sometimes things don't go well for me, and I have pain and anger and is that ok for one of your children?" And then, though I can't see it, I can feel it -- the warm hug, the reassuring smile, the affirmation of son-ship. I don't have to be perfect, I'm not expected to never feel pain or worry or care. But I'm expected to know whose I am, and that I belong. And that for whatever extravagant, outrageous reason, I've been loved and adopted by the One True God.

Even polar bears get cold. And even Christians, the adopted children of God, fail and fear and falter. But we are still His.

Praise God!

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today's readings focus our attention on the importance of hospitality.  The first reading from Genesis 18:1-10, is one of the great stories of welcome and hospitality in all of scripture.  At a time when most people were nomadic, a person's life could depend on the hospitality of others.  Generous hospitality towards strangers was a duty.  Abraham fulfilled his duty by welcoming three strangers, offering them water to bathe their feet and providing them with a great feast.  For their gracious hospitality, Abraham and Sara received the gift of a son.  Jesus lived a nomadic existence during the years of his active ministry.  Just a few weeks ago, we heard him tell a potential follower, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  Jesus relied on the generosity of others to meet most of his basic needs.   Today's gospel, Luke 10:38-42, is about Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus into their home for a meal. 

 There is a tendency to regard the Martha and Mary story as promoting consecrated religious life over secular life.  So, most people roll right over the story, moving on to something more palatable.  However, as I reflected on these few verses in St. Luke's gospel, it occurred to me that they present a very important message for all of us today.  This story is about personal hospitality.  It is about slowing down and listening.  It is about getting off the treadmill of life to spend quality time with God and with each other.  Our lives are a frenzy of activity.  Like Martha, most of us are "are anxious and worried about many things" (Luke 10:41).  We dash from home to work, to school, to extracurricular activities and to church.  We can't fit all the demands on us into a twenty-four-hour day.  We eat fast food because we don't have time to sit down and enjoy a family meal except on special occasions and holidays.  Our lives are so full of activity that most of us have no time to stop until something catastrophic happens. 

When he dropped in on Martha and Mary, Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  He knew that his death was imminent.  Had Martha realized what was going on, she probably would have joined Mary at the feet of Jesus to savor every word he spoke.  Mary offered Jesus quiet attentiveness.  She sat and she listened.   Jesus invites all of us to sit quietly and listen.  Slow down, take some time out, sit and listen to what Jesus has to say to you. 

Loving God and Father,
you draw near to us in Christ
and make yourself our guest.
Amid the cares of our daily lives,
make us attentive to your voice
and alert to your presence,
that we may treasure your word above all else.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

AMEN.

Saying a Prayer

There is a story about a sea captain who in his retirement skippered a boat taking day-trippers to Shetland Islands.

One day, the boat was full of young people. They laughed at the old captain when they saw him say a prayer before sailing out to sea, because the day was fine and the sea calm.

However, they weren’t long at sea when a storm suddenly blew up and the boat began to pitch violently. The terrified passengers came to the captain and asked him to join them in prayer.

But he replied, “I say my prayers when it’s calm. When it’s rough, I attend to my ship.”​