Wednesday, August 30, 2023
To Let Go . . .
it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To let go is not to enable,
but 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 to change or blame another,
it’s to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for,
but to care about.
To let go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their destinies.
To let go is not to be protective,
it’s to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny,
but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody,
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more
and
To let go and to let God, is to find peace!
Remember: The time to love is short.
Good News-ing!
Marvelous Light!
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt --- marvelous error! ---
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt --- marvelous error! ---
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt --- marvelous error! ---
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.
Last night as I slept,
I dreamt --- marvelous error! ---
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.
By: Antonio Machado (Version by Robert Bly)
A Prayer for the Day
Lighting a candle
in a dark room
is a small gentle act of peace.
When the match touches the wick,
time slows down
and the race to the future ceases.
Worries are consumed
anxiety burns out
and I sigh deeply.
Watching the flickering light
is a graceful prayer
which eases my stress and lessens my strain.
Finally when the flame goes out
I turn quietly back,
to the events of the day
And find everything changed because of the time
I sat softening my soul
...by candlelight
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
And God waits . . .
There was once a very religious man. One day he heard the voice of God in his
prayer inviting him to come to a certain mountain where he would be able to see
the face of the Divine and experience God’s loving embrace.
The man came out of his prayer and could not contain
himself. He thought of this day when he would see God face-to-face, and he just
could not wait. But then he thought to himself, I have to offer God something in return for such a wonderful gift and
to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
He thought of gold, silver, precious stones – but nothing
in the material world seemed to suffice. Finally, he decided to fill a jar with
tiny pebbles. Each one of these pebbles would represent one of his prayers,
sacrifices, or good works. When the jar was finally full of his little pebbles,
he ran up the mountain. He got to the top and his heart was ready to explode in
anticipation. But to his surprise, he could not see or feel anything divine.
He began to think that he was deluded, a victim of a divine
prank. Holding his jar, he broke down and began to weep. Just then, he heard God’s
voice once again, saying, “I am waiting to show myself to you and wanting so
much to take you into my loving arms, but you have put an obstacle between us.
If you want to see my divine face and experience my love, break that jar!”
Author Unknown
Let's scream for ice cream . . .
Ice cream
(Author Unknown)
Last week I
took my children to a restaurant. My
six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good.
God is great. Thank you for the food,
and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And with Liberty and justice for all!
Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark,
“That's what's wrong with this country.
Kids today don't even know how to pray.
Asking God for ice-cream! Why I never!"
Hearing this, my son burst into tears
and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
As I held him
and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad
at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, “I happen to
know that God thought that was a great prayer."
"Really?" my son asked.
"Cross my heart," the man
replied.
Then in a theatrical whisper he added
(indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing) - "Too
bad she never asks God for ice cream. A
little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then
did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and
without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big
smile he told her,
"Here, this is for you. Ice cream
is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."
Magic Shoes . . .
According to a story reportedly written by Leo
Buscaglia, "On a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about
10 years old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway,
barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
"A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep
thought staring in that window!'
"'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.
"The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk
to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give
her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
"She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing
her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
"By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon
the boy's feet, she then purchased a pair of shoes for him.
"She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted
him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'
"As she turned to go, the astonished child caught her by the hand, and
looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked, 'Are you God's
wife?'"
A "touching" story . . .
A little girl was sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again.
Finally, she spoke up, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, sweetheart,” he answered, “God made me
a long time ago.”
“Oh,” she paused, “Grandpa, did God make me too?” “Yes, indeed honey,” he said, “God made you
just a little while ago.”
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed,
“Ya know Grandpa, I think God is getting better at it.”
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Prayer for persons suffering from natural disasters . . .
A Prayer for Persons Suffering as a
Result of a Natural Disaster
But I
shall sing of your strength,
Extol your mercy at dawn,
For you are my fortress,
My refuge in time of trouble.
PSALM 59:17
GRACIOUS
GOD, WE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE RAVAGES OF NATURAL DISASTERS.
Grant them encouragement, strength, fortitude, patience and insight as they
struggle with their many losses — material, physical, emotional, and personal —
and begin to pick up the pieces and create a new future for themselves, their
families, and their community. Be for them a beacon of unwavering hope and
confidence that there can and will be a better day. Surround them with your
love and the love and compassion of others that they might be sustained in this
time of trouble. We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes
and in the name of your Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.
(CHA - Catholic Health Assoc.)
Remembering . . .
Lift Up Those Who Have Fallen . . .
Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.
By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through You, our rock and redeemer.
Author Unknown
Hawaii in our hearts . . .
Image from above the altar at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina, now gone. It and the prayer, slightly modified, are from the Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, bishop of Hawaii.
In Our Hearts
Compassionate God, we pray for those who have been devastated by recent natural disasters. We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayer for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the long road of rebuilding ahead.
We ask your blessing on all those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their security and their hope. Bless the work of relief agencies and those proving emergency assistance. May their work be guided by the grace and strength that comes from You alone.
Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, in aid to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of those affected, even after the crisis is over. We ask this in Jesus' name.
Jesuitsource.org
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Edith Stein . . .Martyr . . .
From sunrise to sunset . . .
God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need.
Feast of St. Clare . . .
Gaze upon Him,
Consider Him,
Contemplate Him,
Imitate Him . . .
Words of Clare to Agnes of Prague
Feast of St. Clare, August 11
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi#:~:text=
Following%20her%20death%2C%20the%20order,day%20is%20on%2011%20August.
Image from site of Franciscans Conventual
Artist Unknown . . .
Monday, August 7, 2023
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Holy Wonder!
We awaken in our time to a Universe which is holy,
to creation which is not an event in the past, but a living event of the present.
We enter a new mode of human presence where we are not merely observers,
but where each of us is a participant in this moment of evolution.
Like all other creatures, we carry with us Wisdom and Values,
the dynamics of the Universe. But unlike other creatures, we must choose whether and how we will live in harmony within this sacred web of creation. May we be open to the Source of All Being, Our God within and among us!
We have the capacity to wonder,
and to celebrate this great mystery of existence within such a magnificent Universe!
In us the Universe enters into a great celebration of itself.
We are part of the Dance, the Great Work, the Great liturgy which is the Universe unfolding.
Glory to You, O God, Source of All Being!
This great Liturgy finds expression at this moment in us,
gathered here in a posture of prayerful openness, with listening hearts, loving spirits and a holy wonder.
May the sacred web that unites us with each other, our God and all creation,
ignite communities of light and hope throughout the Earth.
May we be open to the Source of All Being, Our God within and among us!
O Gracious, gentle Spirit of Love,
Your energy permeates the Universe,
Igniting Earth with
Your Goodness, Truth and Beauty.
Open our minds and hearts
To a deeper awareness
Of our interconnectedness with You,
Each other and all creation.
May we experience
Your unique presence
Within the sacred web of creation.
-Author Unknown
Coming and going . . .
Dazzling
A Blessing for Transfiguration Sunday
Believe me, I know
how tempting it is
to remain inside this blessing,
to linger where everything
is dazzling
and clear.
We could build walls
around this blessing,
put a roof over it.
We could bring in
a table, chairs,
have the most amazing meals.
We could make a home.
We could stay.
But this blessing
is built for leaving.
This blessing
is made for coming down
the mountain.
This blessing
wants to be in motion,
to travel with you
as you return
to level ground.
It will seem strange
how quiet this blessing becomes
when it returns to earth.
It is not shy.
It is not afraid.
It simply knows
how to bide its time,
to watch and wait,
to discern and pray
until the moment comes
when it will reveal
everything it knows,
when it will shine forth
with all that it has seen,
when it will dazzle
with the unforgettable light
you have carried
all this way.
—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons