"Jesus is not questioning the existence of God. He is struggling with the apparent silence of God."
The Little Black Book
When Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) he is struggling on the cross. Bystanders are no help, they are jeering and mocking him. His friends have fled, except for his mom, a couple other women and John. And he honestly prays in his anguish. Jesus shows us that it is OK for us to pray honestly, from the very depths of our being, whatever we may be going through. We don't have to put on a false front of being good sports for God. In the Psalms we see laments to God as well as praise to God and Jesus' cry from the cross was a Psalm he heard throughout his Jewish life. The questions for us, this final weekend of Lent, are these: Do we ever struggle with the apparent silence of God? Do we pray honestly, even in our hurt, anger, disappointment at how God seems to not be showing up? Do we feel our prayers have to mask how we really feel about things? Why would we think we should (or could!) hide our true feelings from God? Love, heidi
Friday, March 23, 2018
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Be yourself!
"'Yet God says, 'I made you, and I like the you I've made, so just do your best and be yourself, and I'll be there to help you.'"
Mary Beth Ingham, SSJ, as quoted in Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, 3/22/2018
It was pointed out in this Meditation that we often try so hard to be someone else, but in realty, God specifically made us to be us and that's who we should be. After a big event, such as the one this week, I find myself so critical of how I did this or that, when the reality is, I was put there to do this or that because that is who I am. Not that I can't try to do better and be my best self, but just not to get too wound around the axle about myself. That is rather self-indulgent naval-gazing and surely doesn't do anyone any good. Today, as we shake off the dust of winter and think spring, let's thank God for making us unique and truly ourselves. We aren't someone else because God already has all the Someone Elses God needs. God needs us to be us. Love, heidi
Mary Beth Ingham, SSJ, as quoted in Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, 3/22/2018
It was pointed out in this Meditation that we often try so hard to be someone else, but in realty, God specifically made us to be us and that's who we should be. After a big event, such as the one this week, I find myself so critical of how I did this or that, when the reality is, I was put there to do this or that because that is who I am. Not that I can't try to do better and be my best self, but just not to get too wound around the axle about myself. That is rather self-indulgent naval-gazing and surely doesn't do anyone any good. Today, as we shake off the dust of winter and think spring, let's thank God for making us unique and truly ourselves. We aren't someone else because God already has all the Someone Elses God needs. God needs us to be us. Love, heidi
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
R-O-B
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever!"
Daniel 3:52
Indeed! And I'm singing this song today, my Friends! Have you ever tried something a bit new and innovative and that first time, had no idea what to expect? We are trying a new program at work, bringing in clients and community support people to a two-day training. This is the first time we've tried this sort of deal and, I don't mind telling you, I was nervous going in. I admit I spent way too much time fretting about it, too, shame on me. I spent a bit more productive time over the weekend praying about it and came up with a little strategy that may be helpful in other situations, maybe for you. Remember this little acronym:
R-O-B
R for respect--treat everyone with respect, even reverence.
O for obedience--do your best to do what is expected of you.
B for blessing--bless everyone you encounter by being encouraging, supportive and grateful.
I was so busy with Day One that I didn't even have to think back to R-O-B yesterday, but I had prayed with it ahead of time, so it was just there, at the ready. I praise God for how well it turned out and for giving me what I needed to do my stuff. The most important thing to remember is we don't do these things alone, if we call Jesus in on the caper. Today, I head into Day Two with more confidence and gratitude! Love, heidi
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever!"
Daniel 3:52
Indeed! And I'm singing this song today, my Friends! Have you ever tried something a bit new and innovative and that first time, had no idea what to expect? We are trying a new program at work, bringing in clients and community support people to a two-day training. This is the first time we've tried this sort of deal and, I don't mind telling you, I was nervous going in. I admit I spent way too much time fretting about it, too, shame on me. I spent a bit more productive time over the weekend praying about it and came up with a little strategy that may be helpful in other situations, maybe for you. Remember this little acronym:
R-O-B
R for respect--treat everyone with respect, even reverence.
O for obedience--do your best to do what is expected of you.
B for blessing--bless everyone you encounter by being encouraging, supportive and grateful.
I was so busy with Day One that I didn't even have to think back to R-O-B yesterday, but I had prayed with it ahead of time, so it was just there, at the ready. I praise God for how well it turned out and for giving me what I needed to do my stuff. The most important thing to remember is we don't do these things alone, if we call Jesus in on the caper. Today, I head into Day Two with more confidence and gratitude! Love, heidi
Monday, March 19, 2018
The grace of creation...
"The Sacraments,"
By St. Francis of Assisi
"I once spoke to my friend, an old squirrel, about the Sacraments--
he got so excited
and ran into a hollow in his tree and came
holding some acorns, an owl feather,
and a ribbon he had found.
And I just smiled and said, 'Yes, dear, you understand:
everything imparts His grace.'"
As quoted in The Franciscan Way course, Center for Action and Contemplation,
Fall, 2017
Fall, 2017
There isn't much to add to this incredible teaching by St. Francis. What can we glean from it, these last hours of winter? Everything in creation is sacred, imparted with the grace of God, the Creator. Let us live today, knowing this truth. Love, heidi
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