Called by name...

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!'"

John 20:16

Mary Magdalene was weeping at the tomb when a stranger asked her why she is crying.  She begins an explanation, not realizing that the stranger was actually Jesus...until he calls her name.  Think about your name.  You have had it all your life, and have heard it from many different voices.  I remember, as a little girl, playing in our neighborhood.  When the sound of "Hei DI!" rang out through the air waves, I went home, runnin'! The unmistakable sound of my name, hollered by my mom, got immediate results! When I was in trouble, she went for the whole thing--"Heidi Ann Gai-NAN!" My feet had wings then! I still can hear my Irish teachers saying my name, "Heidi-dear"...all one word. Think of the sound of your name from the lips of your spouse; tender and loving.  Think of hearing your name in a doctor's waiting room, as you nervously prepare to hear difficult news.  Your name is unique as said by humans in many situations.  Now, imagine your name on Jesus' lips.  Your name spoken by the One who loves more than we can ever imagine.  Close your eyes and listen to that greeting...it's the most magnificent thing you'll ever hear.  Love, heidi

I want to know you more...

"Lord, make me want to know you more."

~The Word Among Us

This was exactly my prayer when I went on retreat one month ago.  And, in the still and silence, the prayer was answered.  That wasn't the only time I have prayed this or a similar prayer and had it answered either!  I remember one Sunday night mass when the young woman doing the music had us sing the song, "In the Secret" slowly and prayerfully and the words caressed my soul..."I want to know you, I want to hear your voice, I want to know you more...I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more..." (Andy Park)  I sang the song and wept.  I do so want to know God more!  But I can get so tangled up in the business of life that I'm afraid God gets second billing to everything else.  Let's all try and take some quiet time this weekend and pray this prayer with our whole hearts.  "The Word Among Us" says, "God loves to answer this prayer!"  Love, heidi 

God loves us all...

"The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the Lord hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers..."

Exodus 14:27

This is yesterday's reading, but I'm still sort of stuck on it.  I found myself, yesterday, feeling sorry for the Egyptians! I realize this is the history of the people of Israel and history is usually written by the victors, but I found myself wondering, didn't God love the Egyptians?  My first introduction to this history was the movie, "The Ten Commandments" and, in Hollywood style, the bad guys were very bad and the good guys very good.  We cheered the Egyptians drowning in the sea!  But now, much later, as I explore the loving God, who is my reality, I wonder about those poor, drowning Egyptians.  Today, let's think about how much we don't know about God and how we cannot have it all figured out in this life.  And that has to be OK.  And, in my heart of hearts, I know that God loves everyone....even the Egyptians in Exodus!  Love, heidi