God with us--still!

"This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey."
Henri Nouwen, "The Lord is Near"

What a beautiful message as we wind up week three of Advent! The Incarnation gives us God, in our world, in the body of one of us, experiencing much of what we experience, and showing us how to do it. Then underneath that magnificent reality is the fact that God came to us and STAYED. No more are we wandering alone, not knowing which way to go. No longer are we suffering alone in the bad times. No longer are we dancing alone in the good. God with us. Immanuel. Amazing! Love, heidi

Today is It!

"I wonder, if in looking for God in my life, I don't make the same mistake: Expecting the will of God, or the work of God to be something apart from the ordinary, something clearly stamped with the divine seal."
The Little Blue Book

This really hit home for me today because it is such a recurring theme of my journey. I always wonder if God doesn't have some exciting, elaborate plans for me, all the while I go about my daily life. I wonder if I'm missing the message of what I should be doing and I'm just here idling, waiting for the Big Thing I am to do. And, while I am doing that, people come into my life; strangers, friends, family, and our lives intersect and finally it dawns on me. I'm already doing it. I think it was a Beatles song that said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..." Today, let's be aware of our seemingly ordinary lives and realize that God is working in us and through us right now. Today. The will or the work of God is being carried out in each and every minute we live this day. Today is special. Today is the day marked with God's Divine Seal. Today is The Day. Love, heidi

On silence...

''We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature -- trees, flowers, grass -- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. ... We need silence to be able to touch souls.''
Blessed Mother Teresa

This quote was actually in our newspaper the other day. I almost missed it. It sure fits in with the message I am hearing on my journey right now. Silence. When I read it I thought about how my silent retreat last summer changed me. I'd done just what Mother Teresa suggests--spent time in nature, observing. The silence was so powerfully affirming the presence of God to me. I watched God work silently and the silence spoke to me. And since that time, I find myself craving silence and spending more and more time in silence. During these darkening last days of Advent, let's try to spend a little time with God in silence. Let's realize how God can work quietly and peacefully within us if we can just sit still! Love, heidi

Bring on the Light!

"John came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify to the light."
John 1:7-8

Today is kind of a "light" day! It is the feast of St. Lucy, whose name means "light." I spent my silent prayer time in the beautiful light of the Christmas tree and its warm glow. Our days are getting shorter, minute by minute, resulting in less light in our days. Light is precious. I was thinking of John the Baptist and his humility in stepping aside for the True Light, Jesus. But, John, himself, was illuminating in his own way and means. He certainly got people to think about their lives and repent in preparation for the One who is to come! He was a wonderful warm up herald for Jesus. Today, let us be aware of light in our lives. Let's be aware of the darkness, too, as a contrast to light. Let's prepare ourselves for the coming of the Light in our midst! Love, heidi

Somes it takes a woman

"Sometimes God's face must be feminine. Maybe it is
only 'the Woman' who will be able to heal the wars,
mistrust and status symbols that divide the children
of God."
Fr. Richard Rohr, "Our Lady of Guadalupe"

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in which
we commemorate that day in 1531 when Our Lady appeared
as a young brown-skinned woman to Juan Diego in
Mexico. Prior to that time the Christian missionaries
had little success converting the native Indians to
Christianity. But, this beautiful Lady spoke to Juan
Diego in his own language and miracles began to
happen. Roses appeared in December. Her picture
appeared on his cloak. Within just a few years,
thousands of people believed in the miracles, the
Lady, and most importantly, Her Son, Jesus. It took a
Lady, the Mother of God to help the people realize
that Jesus is their Savior. And she continues to lead
people to her Son today. Today may we appreciate the
beauty that is within all cultures. May we celebrate
the rich, amazing culture of the Hispanic people and
celebrate with them, Our Lady of Guadalupe! Viva!
Love, heidi