Take your turn!

"Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying..."

Mark 2:4

I never can read this Gospel without thinking of Fr. Mike's homily on it a million years ago. He spoke of the fact that sometimes in our lives, we are lowering our friends to be near Jesus, and other times, we are on the mat being lowered ourselves. We take turns both on the mat and on the corners. It was stunning to me then and I still marvel at it now. Probably because I can see vividly how it has happened in my life. Sometimes on the mat, needing others to help me to Jesus, sometimes on the corner, helping other people get closer to Jesus. And then what Jesus says to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." (v. 5) Such a gift, that! No matter what is going on in the life of the one on the mat, Jesus recognizes that true peace and spiritual well-being comes with the forgiveness of sins...and that is the first magnanimous gift Jesus gives! Isn't that beautiful! Enjoy your day, weekend and Martin Luther King Day! Love, heidi

Your last day...

"Encourage yourselves daily while it is still 'today'"...

Hebrews 3:13

It is still "today..." What if we only had today? How would we live our life if today was all we had? It  sounds kind of morbid, doesn't it? But, in reality, who knows how long we have? Would we live differently if we knew that this was to be our last day? I can tell you one thing, I probably wouldn't tear up the road to get to the office exactly on time! I probably wouldn't eat as healthy a lunch as I usually try to do. The "Brownie Delight Sundae" at Baskin Robbins would be my lunch...with hot fudge. I would want to spend some time calling the people I love to tell them that. That I love them. I would maybe even take extra care with the people I see daily, just because I will feel sad not to be seeing them again. I would tidy up my place; take out the garbage, so it wouldn't smell. I would vacuum myself out the door. But, what REALLY would I do differently? In reality, not much. I would try to be aware, really aware of those around me. I would feel a bit melancholy about missing those I love. But I would go about my day, much the same as I did yesterday, only more aware. I love my life...I love those in my life...my everyday days are beautiful and special to me and I wouldn't change much...except maybe what I have for lunch! Love, heidi

A story from Fr. Ed Hays

"Before becoming the mayor of New York, Fiorello LaGuardia, nicknamed the 'Little Flower,' was a judge at the police court. One bitter cold day in 1933 a trembling old man in a tattered coat was brought before his bench, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. He said he had stolen the bread because his family was starving. LaGuardia declared: 'I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions, so I'm sentencing you to a fine of ten dollars.' Then LaGuardia reached into his pocket: 'Here's the ten dollars for pay your fine,' and he tossed the ten dollar bill into his famous large hat. Looking out at the crowded courtroom he declared, 'Furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a man has to steal bread to feed his family! Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and then give them to the defendant!' LaGuardia's hat was passes from person to person in the crowded courtroom. Finally it was handed to the incredulous old man whose eyes glistened with emotion. The hat held $47.50."

Fr. Ed Hays, "A Book of Wonders"

God is in our day!

"However long we live, we could never wish for a better friend than God, who even in this life grants us a far greater peace than we are able to desire."

St. Teresa of Avila, "Let Nothing Disturb You"

By the end of yesterday, I'd had reassuring, wonderful conversations with all three kids, I'd completed a small project and had even a large project well in hand! I went to bed with a peacefulness that I just can't explain. Yes, I felt as though I'd accomplished something, but more than that. I had a very conscious awareness that God was vividly active in my day. Through the conversations with the kids, I saw God tracks in their lives. And I certainly saw God working through my little projects, too. Was it God who rearranged the TV schedule so there was nothing appealing on last night? Being able to turn the TV off gave me such a rich, worthwhile time to get something done! (TV off during Lent? Hummmm) Anyway, I caught a peek of what St. Teresa is talking about here...a peacefulness that is but a glimpse of the peacefulness God has in store for us. We can get a little preview of that peace if we can realize how real our God is in our lives. And I know that, even if the conversations with the kids had been troubling, God would still be there, giving me words to reassure and comfort them. God is in our day! God is the best friend we could ever hope to have! Let us be glad and rejoice...love, heidi

Let's try!

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Luke 3:22

Yesterday was the final day of the Christmas Season (Christmas, remember Christmas?) It was the feast of the Baptism of Jesus and we read this beautiful Gospel from St. Luke. As I heard it, I thought of something interesting. At this point, Jesus was at the very beginning of his ministry. Things were just starting up...Jesus hadn't done a whole lot at this time, but his baptism was the beginning. And yet, God speaks from the heavens and says, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." God was well pleased, not because of what Jesus had done to date, but God was pleased by Jesus' willingness and eagerness to try. Throughout Jesus' ministry, God was his very active partner. Jesus looked to the heavens before he fed the multitude. Jesus prayed before he called Lazarus out from the tomb. Jesus often went off alone to pray to his partner. God rejoiced at Jesus' baptism and expressed pleasure because Jesus was eager and willing to roll up his sleeves and begin. And, God is always so pleased with us whenever we show willingness to try, too. So, let's get out there, today, and try, Friends! Yes, it may be below zero. Yes, it is a Monday. Yes, we have thirty whole days before pitchers and catchers report, thus winter seems endless. But! Let's know that we have an able and eager partner to help us whatever our task! Love, heidi