Who lights your lamp?

"An authentic discipleship will get the Gospel message across without self-promotion."

Abbot Jerome Kodell, "Give Us This Day"

 

Jesus says in today's Gospel, "...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).  There is such a fine line between doing good things, others seeing them, glorifying God and others admiring YOU. Just a few days ago, Jesus, in Mark 12:38, chastised the scribes for going around in their long robes, flaunting their righteousness before others.  The difference is clear to me after reflecting a bit on it.  The scribes were just soaking in the admiration of others because of their high position, long robes and tassels. The glory was theirs. What Abbot Jerome gives us is exactly the formula:  Be authentic. Live the Gospel. Give the glory to God.  What does that look like on a beautiful Tuesday morning?  To me, it means; Step out of the way and let God work.  Any good we do is God working through us, so make sure God gets the kudos, Kiddos. Blessings on your shining Tuesday!  Love, heidi

God is enough...

"Let nothing disturb you,

nothing distress you.

While all things fade away,

God is unchanging.

Be patient; for with God in your heart,

nothing is lacking.

God is enough."

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

 

This was the hymn on Pray-As-You-Go this morning and it struck me as fitting perfectly with our first reading today, "For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us..." (2 Corinthians 1:1-7). Stuff is gonna happen.  Bad times are inevitable.  It is not going to be smooth sailing from here on in.  Why would we think it would be when our Jesus suffered immeasurably?  But the bottom line is that God is with us. God loves us. God is enough.  If we can just keep that in our hearts and minds, we can relish the comfort God intends for us.  It's a June Monday; time to relax and let God be God.  Love, heidi

Empowered, by God!

"There is a world full of suffering waiting for the healing and hope you carry in your hands."

Mary Stommes, "Give Us This Day"

I wonder if we really believe that we have what it takes to actually help. We have a tendency to doubt ourselves, don't we? We feel more bumbling and inadequate in our own abilities and, surely, there is someone else who could do it better. isn't there?  What we forget, though, is that we are empowered by God (or empowered, by God!) to do whatever God needs us to do in this world. What we bring, our seemingly meager loaves and fish, can be multiplied and magnified to meet God's need.  That is reassuring, isn't it? We need to show up, willing and ready, and let God do the rest with and in us.  Blessings on your nearly-summer weekend!  Love, heidi

The mystery of heaven...

"When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven."

Mark 12:25

 

I've been asked, many times, what I think heaven will be like.  As I get older, I realize I am more and more comfortable with the mystery of heaven and have no need to figure it out or know what's going to happen there.  As much as I usually like to have things planned and figured out ahead of time, heaven is one topic I can allow to just be a mystery. I am happy just believing that I will be with God.  And that is plenty for me to get excited about!  I also remember that Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God right here on earth and that intrigues me.  I don't have to die to experience the Kingdom.  God is here among us; I just need to keep my mind, heart and eyes open.  Heaven is a mystery I can live with, very happily.  But, I don't want to miss the Jesus present here and now, waiting for another opportunity to be with God later.  So, what will heaven be like?  Heaven will be like a beautiful, early June Wednesday, hanging out with Jesus.  Blessings on your heaven today!  Love, heidi

Your will, not mine

"(Jesus) said, 'Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet not what I want, but what you want.'"

Mark 14:36

 

The other day I was fervently praying for an intention.  I was making it REALLY clear to God what I want.  I was emphatic. But, at one point, quite surprisingly, I thought of Jesus praying, "Not my will, but yours be done." I wasn't convinced, really and it was too hard to say. I found it particularly hard to pray for God's will if it differs from my own.  But surely, God will want what I want...won't God? How often are we sure we have it all figured out and we pray for what we know is the right thing to bring God glory and then, no, that's not what happens.  It is very difficult to pray for God's will if it differs from our own, but that is what Jesus did and he modeled that for us.  Fr. James Martin notes in "Jesus: A Pilgrimage," that Jesus prayed three times before coming to "Yet your will, not mine." Even Jesus expressed his desire honestly to his Father, before getting to the place where he could say, "Not my will."  As I was praying that day, though I got very choked up and it was very hard, I finally came to, "Your will, O Lord, not mine." It felt rather grown up, really.  It felt like I'd crossed a threshold.  My trust is in the Lord.  Your will be done.  Love, heidi

Love in action

 "I give you a new commandment: love one another."

John 13:34

 

I spend a lot of time trying to apply scripture to modern day life.  What does this scripture look like in 21st century Idaho? Or anywhere? Sometimes, frequently if I am paying attention, I see it played out exactly as written. Like last night.  My car was making a weird, dragging-type noise and, when turning up the radio didn't cover it up, I investigated when I got to the parking lot of the store.  Sure enough, it looked like I had picked up some big thing and was dragging it along.  I tried to dislodge The Thing and, while it was loose on one side, the other side was hopelessly stuck...or was that attached?  Yikes!  A kind lady came over and asked me what the deal was and when I explained, she beckoned Husband, who was in the idling pick up truck with the kids.  He left the truck idling in the middle of the lane and, before I knew it, was laying on his back in the parking lot, under the front of my car.  He scooted around on his back in the grime and grit and discovered the issue was a plastic protective piece that had broken off on one side and was dragging along, presumably for a while.  He had just the perfect tool in his pocket, loosening the two bolts that held on the other side of it and freeing it.  I was in awe of his generosity, taking the time, getting himself filthy, and helping me on my way.  I thanked him, wished their family God's blessing and felt completely different about everyone I saw in the store afterwards.  Surely, all there were as generous and kind.  My fellow humans.  I love them.  May we all be as generous and kind to each other today.  Love, heidi