"'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Yes Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.'"
John 21:16
And Jesus is asking us the same question this last Friday in May. "Heidi, daughter of Mickey and Rosie, do you love me?" Yes, Lord, you know I love you! My resounding Yes couldn't be more emphatic, really! And then Jesus gives me the recipe for showing my love--loving others. It's so much easier just to sit in the treehouse and love the squirrels and birds! Our relationships with Jesus aren't just between Jesus-n-us, though. The way we love Jesus back is by loving all who Jesus loves, which is everyone. Jesus loves those we would walk across the street to avoid. Jesus loves those who don't look like us, or believe the same creed we do. Jesus loves those of all races and sexual orientations. It's hard to emphasize enough that the walls we put up to keep others out are not the Jesus way. The closing in on ourselves to protect what we think is rightfully ours, is not the Jesus way. (MY job. MY healthcare. MY country. MY toilet paper!) I really don't know how we Christians got so far off course, thinking Jesus is only on our side; only likes our rituals, only likes the smell of our incense, only wants us to be prosperous. Jesus said to follow him we must love and care for everyone. Matthew 25:31-40 makes it as clear as the sunshine through my tree. We just had beautiful Memorial Day remembrances for all those who died for this country, and rightfully so. But I can't help but wonder if we treat the dead with much more love and respect than we treat the living? As a society, are we failing this Jesus quiz on the beach? Do you love me? Let's give it some thought and prayer. Love, heidi
Friday, May 29, 2020
Friday, May 22, 2020
Dancing in the grass...
"Jesus said to his disciples, 'Amen, amen I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.'"
John 16:20
Today is the last day of school for the school year. It's actually more sad than it is joyful, simply because we haven't been in school since March 13. But, yesterday we had a staff meeting (online) and the atmosphere was very hopeful. Hope is a precious thing and the agenda with the opening preparation dates and schedule gave me just what I need to carry on. Jesus telling his friends that they will see him again and they will feel joy again must have given them hope, don't you think? He told them they would experience his absence but then he would be present again in their lives. Our lives can be a roller coaster of feeling Jesus present and then not; Jesus can feel so far away. Spending time in quiet or in nature can give us the sense of Jesus very present with us. In sensing Jesus' presence, we can tap into the joy that goes along with experiencing Jesus. Today and this weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day, let's take some time to think back on the times of difficulty in our lives and how they were followed by times of joy. We've all experienced times we thought our lives may never be good again, and then...they are. We find ourselves dancing in the grass (metaphor, but it also really happened!) I smile when I look ahead to the new school year, as this weird one ends today. If I look closely, I see kids dancing in the grass. Love, heidi
John 16:20
Today is the last day of school for the school year. It's actually more sad than it is joyful, simply because we haven't been in school since March 13. But, yesterday we had a staff meeting (online) and the atmosphere was very hopeful. Hope is a precious thing and the agenda with the opening preparation dates and schedule gave me just what I need to carry on. Jesus telling his friends that they will see him again and they will feel joy again must have given them hope, don't you think? He told them they would experience his absence but then he would be present again in their lives. Our lives can be a roller coaster of feeling Jesus present and then not; Jesus can feel so far away. Spending time in quiet or in nature can give us the sense of Jesus very present with us. In sensing Jesus' presence, we can tap into the joy that goes along with experiencing Jesus. Today and this weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day, let's take some time to think back on the times of difficulty in our lives and how they were followed by times of joy. We've all experienced times we thought our lives may never be good again, and then...they are. We find ourselves dancing in the grass (metaphor, but it also really happened!) I smile when I look ahead to the new school year, as this weird one ends today. If I look closely, I see kids dancing in the grass. Love, heidi
Friday, May 15, 2020
Love isn't love...til you give it away!
"Love one another."
John 15:17
Love is always the bottom line, isn't it? I remember an old song we used to sing when we'd gather for prayer when I was just a young Jesus freak. It had a line that said, "Love isn't love til you give it away." Love not shared with others, one another, isn't really love. Love shared is true love. I was thinking about that in the midst of this difficult time and I realize that loving each other now may mean understanding that we are all experiencing this time differently. It's a world-wide thing, of course, but it can affect us very differently, depending on our circumstances. Those of us who are retired may not have our income as affected as someone who is unemployed right now. Some of us actually enjoy hanging out quietly at home, while others are juggling teaching their children, managing their own job from home and trying to keep sane in the midst of all that. Then, there are the health care workers, who are battling this virus from the front line! Their courage is so awesome, but aren't they getting weary of it all? I was so moved the other day, as I walked past the nursing home in my neighborhood. A family was gathered outside a resident's window in order to connect with him or her. Those on the inside must feel so isolated and confused. We all may be sharing this boat, but some of us are in nice cabins with a view while many others are struggling in steerage. Loving one another means understanding that there are those differences. We can love one another by stepping out of our own little bubbles and imagining what others may be experiencing. Let's ask God to show us how we can help. Love, heidi
John 15:17
Love is always the bottom line, isn't it? I remember an old song we used to sing when we'd gather for prayer when I was just a young Jesus freak. It had a line that said, "Love isn't love til you give it away." Love not shared with others, one another, isn't really love. Love shared is true love. I was thinking about that in the midst of this difficult time and I realize that loving each other now may mean understanding that we are all experiencing this time differently. It's a world-wide thing, of course, but it can affect us very differently, depending on our circumstances. Those of us who are retired may not have our income as affected as someone who is unemployed right now. Some of us actually enjoy hanging out quietly at home, while others are juggling teaching their children, managing their own job from home and trying to keep sane in the midst of all that. Then, there are the health care workers, who are battling this virus from the front line! Their courage is so awesome, but aren't they getting weary of it all? I was so moved the other day, as I walked past the nursing home in my neighborhood. A family was gathered outside a resident's window in order to connect with him or her. Those on the inside must feel so isolated and confused. We all may be sharing this boat, but some of us are in nice cabins with a view while many others are struggling in steerage. Loving one another means understanding that there are those differences. We can love one another by stepping out of our own little bubbles and imagining what others may be experiencing. Let's ask God to show us how we can help. Love, heidi
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Where's the peace?
"Jesus said to his disciples, 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.'"
John 14:21-26
This is so perfectly timed for us right now, isn't it? The peace that Jesus gives to us is a peace of the heart; our hearts are not troubled or afraid because we have what Jesus gives. But, what does this look like as we go through this unprecedented time of pandemic? How can we rest in the peace of Jesus when all around us seems to be suffering and crumbling? What about when we feel alone and unsupported? What does the peace of Jesus look like then? How can it reassure us? I think it looks like this:
We remember and are reassured that we are loved, deeply, by God. Nothing happening around us can change that. God sustains and maintains everything and God never doesn't love what God creates and sustains.
All things will right themselves eventually. But we may not want to settle for "normal"--or the way things were before. God is giving us a chance to experience better-than-just-normal when this is all over. Because...
We are growing up. We are learning and embracing what is really important and essential...our fellow human beings. Whether we know them already or are watching their stories unfold on the nightly news, we are sharing this difficult time with our brothers and sisters and, please God, may we emerge from this time recognizing we are all family, together. This terrible virus can unify us as we draw together to battle it.
And finally, a bit of advice from wisdom teacher Cynthia Bourgeault: for every hour we spend online, connected or zooming, may we spend another hour unplugged and quietly listening to the silence of our hearts. The hearts that are filled with God's love. Sit outside, take a walk through the neighborhood, light a candle and sit with just the flame for light. Unplug from the news and the world and look deep inside for the peace of Christ. It's there, right where God put it.
Love, heidi
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.'"
John 14:21-26
This is so perfectly timed for us right now, isn't it? The peace that Jesus gives to us is a peace of the heart; our hearts are not troubled or afraid because we have what Jesus gives. But, what does this look like as we go through this unprecedented time of pandemic? How can we rest in the peace of Jesus when all around us seems to be suffering and crumbling? What about when we feel alone and unsupported? What does the peace of Jesus look like then? How can it reassure us? I think it looks like this:
We remember and are reassured that we are loved, deeply, by God. Nothing happening around us can change that. God sustains and maintains everything and God never doesn't love what God creates and sustains.
All things will right themselves eventually. But we may not want to settle for "normal"--or the way things were before. God is giving us a chance to experience better-than-just-normal when this is all over. Because...
We are growing up. We are learning and embracing what is really important and essential...our fellow human beings. Whether we know them already or are watching their stories unfold on the nightly news, we are sharing this difficult time with our brothers and sisters and, please God, may we emerge from this time recognizing we are all family, together. This terrible virus can unify us as we draw together to battle it.
And finally, a bit of advice from wisdom teacher Cynthia Bourgeault: for every hour we spend online, connected or zooming, may we spend another hour unplugged and quietly listening to the silence of our hearts. The hearts that are filled with God's love. Sit outside, take a walk through the neighborhood, light a candle and sit with just the flame for light. Unplug from the news and the world and look deep inside for the peace of Christ. It's there, right where God put it.
Love, heidi
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
The gift of music
"Hear O Lord, the sound of my call
Hear O Lord and have mercy
My soul is longing for the glory of You
Hear O Lord
And answer me..."
Ray Repp, "Hear O Lord"
I saw a post yesterday announcing that liturgical composer, Ray Repp, had passed away the day before. The post remembered that Ray Repp was one of the early pioneers of the folk mass after Vatican II. Listening to his music again (link below), took me back to the Wednesday night masses in the library of Billings Central High School. They had to have them in the library because the chapel wasn't big enough to hold all the students who wanted to attend. You see, those masses gave the mass to us--our generation--closer to our music, friendly homilies and the Sign of Peace went on for a half hour while we hugged everyone there. It became our liturgy, different from the Sunday mass of our fathers and forefathers. The music was a huge part of that and Ray Repp was a huge part of the music. It was funny, that in listening to the song Hear O Lord yesterday, I immediately sang along...the words and music were still right there in my head (But don't ask me what I did yesterday, besides sing this song!) It was such a vivid and vibrant part of my spiritual formation back in the early '70's! So, thank you to Ray Repp and peace and consolation to his family...the music that got me to church is still in my heart and head. And I'm so grateful! Love, heidi
Hear O Lord
Hear O Lord and have mercy
My soul is longing for the glory of You
Hear O Lord
And answer me..."
Ray Repp, "Hear O Lord"
I saw a post yesterday announcing that liturgical composer, Ray Repp, had passed away the day before. The post remembered that Ray Repp was one of the early pioneers of the folk mass after Vatican II. Listening to his music again (link below), took me back to the Wednesday night masses in the library of Billings Central High School. They had to have them in the library because the chapel wasn't big enough to hold all the students who wanted to attend. You see, those masses gave the mass to us--our generation--closer to our music, friendly homilies and the Sign of Peace went on for a half hour while we hugged everyone there. It became our liturgy, different from the Sunday mass of our fathers and forefathers. The music was a huge part of that and Ray Repp was a huge part of the music. It was funny, that in listening to the song Hear O Lord yesterday, I immediately sang along...the words and music were still right there in my head (But don't ask me what I did yesterday, besides sing this song!) It was such a vivid and vibrant part of my spiritual formation back in the early '70's! So, thank you to Ray Repp and peace and consolation to his family...the music that got me to church is still in my heart and head. And I'm so grateful! Love, heidi
Hear O Lord
Monday, April 20, 2020
Are we there yet?
"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
John 3:5
No wonder this left Nicodemus scratching his head. It is weird, isn't it? Pray-As-You-Go asked a ponderous question...what does being born of the Spirit look like in our lives? I gave it a minute then realized we are born of the Spirit when we choose to recognize God in our lives. When we decide we are people of God and we want to live reflecting that. It may happen all at once, like we may have a life-changing event that awakens us to God. Or it may happen in stages. Or maybe the birth of the Spirit happens at once and the growth happens in stages, over time? That seems more likely. When I look back, I see a huge spiritual awakening event--my high school Search. From there, I see a slow growth process; one step forward, two back, at times. But the entire process takes a lifetime, doesn't it? I'm still on the spiritual growth path and, please God, will be for a while yet. I think being born of the Spirit means choosing to live our lives with God, for God. And if we live our lives for God, we are living for others, putting others first, caring for all. It's a tall order--one that may start with a bang and then we may struggle to keep it up. But once the Spirit of God resides in us, we are never alone in the endeavor! Today, as we're embarking on a gorgeous spring Monday, let's think about what being born of the Spirit means to us. How do we manifest it in our lives? Or as the kids used to say on long road trips, "Are we there yet?" Are we born of the Spirit--yet? Love, heidi
John 3:5
No wonder this left Nicodemus scratching his head. It is weird, isn't it? Pray-As-You-Go asked a ponderous question...what does being born of the Spirit look like in our lives? I gave it a minute then realized we are born of the Spirit when we choose to recognize God in our lives. When we decide we are people of God and we want to live reflecting that. It may happen all at once, like we may have a life-changing event that awakens us to God. Or it may happen in stages. Or maybe the birth of the Spirit happens at once and the growth happens in stages, over time? That seems more likely. When I look back, I see a huge spiritual awakening event--my high school Search. From there, I see a slow growth process; one step forward, two back, at times. But the entire process takes a lifetime, doesn't it? I'm still on the spiritual growth path and, please God, will be for a while yet. I think being born of the Spirit means choosing to live our lives with God, for God. And if we live our lives for God, we are living for others, putting others first, caring for all. It's a tall order--one that may start with a bang and then we may struggle to keep it up. But once the Spirit of God resides in us, we are never alone in the endeavor! Today, as we're embarking on a gorgeous spring Monday, let's think about what being born of the Spirit means to us. How do we manifest it in our lives? Or as the kids used to say on long road trips, "Are we there yet?" Are we born of the Spirit--yet? Love, heidi
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