"Lord, it's good to be here."
Matthew 17:4
Along with "Santa fe all the way!" this statement from Peter is another of Fr. Ed Hays' Lenten prayers. Peter was witnessing the Transfiguration and was so excited about what he was seeing he wanted to make it last. Fr. Ed Hays uses it as a good Lenten prayer, because we need to affirm it in our own lives. Lord, it's good to be here. Where, we may be tempted to ask. Here, now, wherever we are. But, we may protest, I'm not content here, now. Precisely, says God. But "here" is where I need you to be and I can work with you and help you--here. "Here" is where you are and it is good. We all may be waiting to do something special. I saw a Catholic nun on the news the other night, who was the only doctor in a tiny, impoverished town. She was doing something special. She could look at her life and say, "Lord, it's good to be here." But we need to remember that God works with us in our daily lives, wherever we are and whatever we are doing. So, anywhere we are, God is, and it's good. This weekend, let's say to ourselves, many times..."Lord, it's good to be here," and celebrate and we ARE doing something special! Love, heidi
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Rise above!
"God's love and mercy have not abandoned us. Clouds may shroud us in darkness, but above the sun shines bright. God's mercy never fails."
Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"
It always amazes me. You get on a plane on a gloomy, cloudy day, and before long, the plane rises above the clouds and the sun shines gloriously. That is what came to my mind as I read this from Brennan Manning today. Things may look so dreary down here on earth, but, above it all, the sun shines. We need to remember this when we are mired in doom and gloom! Short and sweet, today, Friends. Rise above the gloom and go where the Son shines! Love, heidi
Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"
It always amazes me. You get on a plane on a gloomy, cloudy day, and before long, the plane rises above the clouds and the sun shines gloriously. That is what came to my mind as I read this from Brennan Manning today. Things may look so dreary down here on earth, but, above it all, the sun shines. We need to remember this when we are mired in doom and gloom! Short and sweet, today, Friends. Rise above the gloom and go where the Son shines! Love, heidi
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Santa Fe, all the way!
"Santa Fe, All the Way!"
Fr. Ed Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
Fr. Ed Hays uses this mini prayer in a couple of his Lenten journey books...Santa fe means "Holy Faith" and it certainly is a quality to yearn for during Lent! It is so amazing when all this reading we do pays off and we can pull something out of our hearts that we read and use it. Just yesterday, I called upon Fr. Ed for inspiration, and I got "Santa Fe, all the way!" Oldest daughter, Jeni Rose texted to say she was making a HUGE job change. My first instinct is to panic and call to talk her out of it. It's not sensible, I'd say, in my motherly, concerned way. What if it doesn't work out, I'd question, starting to feel my heart pick up speed. But, instead, I thought of Fr. Ed's Lenten prayer, and I texted back, "Santa Fe, all the way!" That, of course, prompted a call, "What did your text mean?" It means, that holy faith is my response to your job change, Dear One. I trust in you, your abilities, your talent, and, above all, I trust that God holds you in the palm of his hand and you will be OK. It gave me the ability to celebrate with her, this new step in her life, and not throw a wet blanket on her joy. Santa Fe, all the way! Love, heidi
Fr. Ed Hays, "The Lenten Labyrinth"
Fr. Ed Hays uses this mini prayer in a couple of his Lenten journey books...Santa fe means "Holy Faith" and it certainly is a quality to yearn for during Lent! It is so amazing when all this reading we do pays off and we can pull something out of our hearts that we read and use it. Just yesterday, I called upon Fr. Ed for inspiration, and I got "Santa Fe, all the way!" Oldest daughter, Jeni Rose texted to say she was making a HUGE job change. My first instinct is to panic and call to talk her out of it. It's not sensible, I'd say, in my motherly, concerned way. What if it doesn't work out, I'd question, starting to feel my heart pick up speed. But, instead, I thought of Fr. Ed's Lenten prayer, and I texted back, "Santa Fe, all the way!" That, of course, prompted a call, "What did your text mean?" It means, that holy faith is my response to your job change, Dear One. I trust in you, your abilities, your talent, and, above all, I trust that God holds you in the palm of his hand and you will be OK. It gave me the ability to celebrate with her, this new step in her life, and not throw a wet blanket on her joy. Santa Fe, all the way! Love, heidi
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Most important words...
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:12
When I was in seventh and eighth grade, I used to walk to my dad's office at the newspaper and catch a ride home with him. I often waited (and waited) for him to finish his busy day and one thing I often read over and over was a statement he had on his wall. It started at the bottom with the "Ten most important words" and then went up to the single most important word and finally the LEAST most important word. For the purpose of today's message, I will fill you in on the six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake." I remember thinking this whatever-it-was on my dad's wall was so right on! I really learned from it, even at an age when not much got through to me (remember I was in seventh/eighth grade!) I admit I made a mistake. It speaks to this gospel today. It is indeed humbling to admit we make mistakes, but we sure do make them, don't we? It is rather grown up to admit it when we make a mistake. Maybe that it is a sign we ARE grown up! So, let it be known here in this vast Internetland! I make mistakes! Many per day, in fact, despite my efforts not to make them. And also, in case you are wondering, the three most important words are "I am sorry," the two most important words are "thank you," the single most important word is "please" and the least important word is "I." See, isn't that good? Love, heidi
Matthew 23:12
When I was in seventh and eighth grade, I used to walk to my dad's office at the newspaper and catch a ride home with him. I often waited (and waited) for him to finish his busy day and one thing I often read over and over was a statement he had on his wall. It started at the bottom with the "Ten most important words" and then went up to the single most important word and finally the LEAST most important word. For the purpose of today's message, I will fill you in on the six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake." I remember thinking this whatever-it-was on my dad's wall was so right on! I really learned from it, even at an age when not much got through to me (remember I was in seventh/eighth grade!) I admit I made a mistake. It speaks to this gospel today. It is indeed humbling to admit we make mistakes, but we sure do make them, don't we? It is rather grown up to admit it when we make a mistake. Maybe that it is a sign we ARE grown up! So, let it be known here in this vast Internetland! I make mistakes! Many per day, in fact, despite my efforts not to make them. And also, in case you are wondering, the three most important words are "I am sorry," the two most important words are "thank you," the single most important word is "please" and the least important word is "I." See, isn't that good? Love, heidi
Monday, March 5, 2012
Set the stones down...
"Stop judging and you will not be judged."
Luke 6:37
Last night, during his homily, Father explained some of the items, in the front of the church, the liturgical committee has used to "decorate" for Lent. Among the items were several rocks of various sizes. He explained that those rocks are there to remind us not to cast stones; as in Jesus saying, whoever is without sin, may cast the first stone. We throw stones at each other when we judge each other. We may not be as obvious as picking up one of the rocks in front of the altar and hurling it at our neighbor, but we throw stones of gossip and rocks of ill-will. Lent is a great time to be aware of our tendencies to judge others. We learned in the homily that, once we identify these bad habits and sins, we can carry them to Jerusalem and lay them down at the foot of the cross. I have a wagon full of stones, dear Friends...and it's getting heavy! Let's keep trudging toward Jerusalem! Love, heidi
Luke 6:37
Last night, during his homily, Father explained some of the items, in the front of the church, the liturgical committee has used to "decorate" for Lent. Among the items were several rocks of various sizes. He explained that those rocks are there to remind us not to cast stones; as in Jesus saying, whoever is without sin, may cast the first stone. We throw stones at each other when we judge each other. We may not be as obvious as picking up one of the rocks in front of the altar and hurling it at our neighbor, but we throw stones of gossip and rocks of ill-will. Lent is a great time to be aware of our tendencies to judge others. We learned in the homily that, once we identify these bad habits and sins, we can carry them to Jerusalem and lay them down at the foot of the cross. I have a wagon full of stones, dear Friends...and it's getting heavy! Let's keep trudging toward Jerusalem! Love, heidi
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