What profit?

"What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun?"

Ecclesiastes 1:3

 

It was cute, on Pray-as-you-Go this morning, they asked the question, "Does the writer sound a bit grumpy?"  I would say yes, and he probably wrote this scripture on a Monday morning!  But it does get me thinking...what am I toiling for?  I realize, first of all, that I do what I do for God.  My paycheck may come from the State of Idaho, but my real Boss goes a bit higher than that.  That is one thing I need to remember when I have days like the one the author of Ecclesiastes is having.  The other thing I need to remember is the element of service that Jesus modeled for us.  Serving each other and helping each other are definitely fruits of the labor of my job.  There are days where I can look back and see I was able to help someone and there are other days I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall...just like with all of us.  Years ago, my friend, Kathleen used to tell her very young son, who asked why she had to go to work,  "I go to work so we can buy food and toys."  Well, I work for those as well, but I hope I also work to serve the best Boss in the world and to serve the people put in my path.  Today, (OK, it's easier because tomorrow is Friday!) let's consider who we really serve as we go off to do what we do. And, since tomorrow is pay day, we can look forward to buying food and toys!   Hi Ho, Hi Ho...love, heidi

To love better...

"What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind."

1 Corinthians 15:36-37

 

This was the first reading on Saturday and it fit in so beautifully with the dying foliage and underbrush around me at the Hermitage.  I pondered what it means for us little human beings.  I was learning through my reading that our purpose, as human beings, is to love...to love God, one another and life.  I realized that, in order to do that most effectively, we learn to die to ourselves.  We learn to let go of our own agendas and compassionately love those around us.  We learn to put others first.  Jesus showed us this when he washed the feet of the apostles the night of the Last Supper and then told them to do the same.  We learn, through our lives with Jesus, to do just what he did...serve each other lovingly.  In what ways can we see ourselves dying to self and loving better?  I feel constantly called to love better; tenderly, with more compassion. How about you?  Love, heidi

Turn, turn, turn...

"There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to give birth, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 

I had a wonderful time at the Hermitage, but one thing really struck me that first afternoon as I ate my lunch on my porch.  All the foliage surrounding my little hermitage was dead!  The underbrush and shrubs were either losing or had already lost their leaves and the plants that were blooming the last time I was there are just a rustling memory now.  I knew there was a lesson in this for me, so I prayed about learning it!  What I realized is that the earth, in all its Divine wisdom, was just yielding to the circle of life.  The earth needs to rest after the busy summer of blooming and now needs to rejuvenate.  It's the same with people.  The shorter days and long nights will give us a chance to rest too.  The busy summer nights will be replaced by lazier winter evenings. Why, I already find myself going to bed earlier! From the beginning of Creation, rest was necessary, even for God!  So, now, begin your rest, Dear Earth.  Deep in the rustling dead leaves are the buds of new life that I will see next summer at the Hermitage.  I will take my cue from your wisdom and slow my life down too, a bit.  Thank you. for teaching us to rest.  Love, heidi

Three beautiful words

"Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:8

 

This struck be powerfully this morning because it is only three little words, but it is everything. It is something that, no matter what ever happens to us, we can hang our hats on this.  Love never fails.  Ever.  God is love and God never fails us. Things may sometimes look dreary or dismal but that is just our human perspective.  Only God is God and only God never fails.  I'm headed to Marymount Hermitage today, Friends, so I will have a lovely opportunity to ponder these three words.  I pray you, too, will get a chance to sit with Jesus and think about the only thing we have that is truly ours and truly lasts. Love, heidi

Be kind!

"Be kind! Be the loving expression of God's kindness: kindness in your eyes, kindness in your face, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greetings. I believe that the way in which an act of kindness is done is as important as the action itself."

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as quoted in "Living With Christ"

 

This is certainly what I need to hear today, Friends!  We may say the right things and perform acts of good will, but do we grit our teeth while doing them? Do we do a kind act with our hands while our heads are judging harshly?  Do we do nice things begrudgingly?  Today, let's be especially aware of how kind we are to every single person we meet!  Let's let our kindness show on our faces...in our actions, and in our greetings to others.  Love, heidi

Accept what we cannot change...

"We are invited by God, as Jesus was, to accept our crosses."

James Martin, SJ, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage"

 

Yesterday, I read a bit more about Jesus' suffering and acceptance of his cross, and today, we read about Mary's acceptance of Jesus' suffering and her own sorrows.  Fr. Martin talks about the acceptance of suffering as the acceptance that some things cannot be changed.  Certainly Jesus demonstrates that as he walks the arduous journey to Calvary.  He accepts that his mission is to walk this painful road and suffer.  Well, Mary has to accept that as well.  And all of us parents know how hard it is to watch our kids go through anything difficult!  Fr. Martin says that we don't have to go looking for our crosses...life has a way of doling them out to us.  But, as followers of Jesus, we can accept them with dignity and grace.  As Jesus did. And as Mary did.  Mary, please pray for us that we can accept the things we cannot change.  We look to you as an example of a woman who trusted implicitly in God, even when things may not have make sense at all. Jesus, thank you for giving us a loving Mother! (see John 19:26)  Love, heidi