"Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love..."
Colossians 3:12-14
St. Paul gives us a great recipe for living in a family in today's second reading...a good way to celebrate today's Feast of the Holy Family! Pray-as-you-go offered an invitation to consider our own families, too...how holy do they feel? Just as the Holy Family we celebrate today had its difficulties, so do our families, certainly. As I pondered our family, I didn't have to think too far back to remember the loud screams and great peels of laughter coming from the Mario Kart game, just a week ago. I remembered the enjoyment of hearing each other's adventures and the relief when weary travelers arrived after a harrowing trip to get there. We are a family...not perfect, but very, very holy--because of the love that we share. Our love makes us holy. And with that, I pray that you have a Happy New Year and I'll see you in 2017! Love, heidi
Friday, December 30, 2016
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Let it start in me...
"We're singing Glory, Glory, let there be peace, let there be peace.
We're singing Glory, Glory, let there be peace, let it start in me."
Matt Maher, "Glory (Let There Be Peace)"
I've been enjoying this Matt Maher song all season, and I hope they continue to play it on the radio, even after the holidays. As our calendar changes to a new year, peace seems such a long way off, unattainable, really. But the fact is, we, ourselves need to be the change agents we seek in our world. Each one of us can pray for peace within our own hearts and then we can spread that peace throughout our circles of influence. Each one of us will find ourselves in an environment today that needs us to bring peace to it. Could it be stopping gossip in the office? Could it be visiting a person who is stuck at home? Could it be smiling at a stranger? Could it be reaching out to a friend we haven't seen in a while? Let's pray with this song (link below) and invite God's peace into our own hearts. God is always so happy to answer that prayer! Then let's really be aware of every place we visit today where God's peace, through us, may be extended out to others. "Let it start in me. Let it start in me!" Love, heidi
Glory (Let There Be Peace)
We're singing Glory, Glory, let there be peace, let it start in me."
Matt Maher, "Glory (Let There Be Peace)"
I've been enjoying this Matt Maher song all season, and I hope they continue to play it on the radio, even after the holidays. As our calendar changes to a new year, peace seems such a long way off, unattainable, really. But the fact is, we, ourselves need to be the change agents we seek in our world. Each one of us can pray for peace within our own hearts and then we can spread that peace throughout our circles of influence. Each one of us will find ourselves in an environment today that needs us to bring peace to it. Could it be stopping gossip in the office? Could it be visiting a person who is stuck at home? Could it be smiling at a stranger? Could it be reaching out to a friend we haven't seen in a while? Let's pray with this song (link below) and invite God's peace into our own hearts. God is always so happy to answer that prayer! Then let's really be aware of every place we visit today where God's peace, through us, may be extended out to others. "Let it start in me. Let it start in me!" Love, heidi
Glory (Let There Be Peace)
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
In the midst of joy...
"But if we walk in the light, then we have fellowship with one another..."
1 John 1:7
Merry Christmas! (It's still Christmas--hooray!) So, I had a long bus ride yesterday and I found it to be very contemplative. Last week's ride was much less so--I visited with other passengers and made new friends. But yesterday was much more quiet and led to lovely contemplation; just like today's Gospel of the Holy Innocents. Right in the middle of the festive Christmas readings, we hear a very dark and tragic story. As I was riding yesterday, basking in the fresh, wonderful memories of a fabulous time, I overheard a conversation of another passenger describing the holiday as "painful" to whomever was on the other end. It's not all poinsettias and mistletoe, Friends. And the Gospel reminds us of that. In the midst of our holiday joy and glow, others are suffering. And what are we to do with that? Be aware, for one thing. Watch for folks that may need a call or a shoulder. Let's go out of our way to reach out to those who may not feel so merry and bright. We are to be Jesus' hands and feet, comforting, consoling, welcoming, and including those around us. Can we open our eyes today? Love, heidi
1 John 1:7
Merry Christmas! (It's still Christmas--hooray!) So, I had a long bus ride yesterday and I found it to be very contemplative. Last week's ride was much less so--I visited with other passengers and made new friends. But yesterday was much more quiet and led to lovely contemplation; just like today's Gospel of the Holy Innocents. Right in the middle of the festive Christmas readings, we hear a very dark and tragic story. As I was riding yesterday, basking in the fresh, wonderful memories of a fabulous time, I overheard a conversation of another passenger describing the holiday as "painful" to whomever was on the other end. It's not all poinsettias and mistletoe, Friends. And the Gospel reminds us of that. In the midst of our holiday joy and glow, others are suffering. And what are we to do with that? Be aware, for one thing. Watch for folks that may need a call or a shoulder. Let's go out of our way to reach out to those who may not feel so merry and bright. We are to be Jesus' hands and feet, comforting, consoling, welcoming, and including those around us. Can we open our eyes today? Love, heidi
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