Already here!

"Sometimes we seem to 'discern' ourselves right past the moment of opportunity and on past the moment of grace, rather than see and hear the all-too-obvious signs of the reign of God being offered us--a hurt that needs healing, an injustice that demands righting, an offense calling for forgiveness."

Sr. Pat Kozak, "Give Us This Day"

 

This really resonates with me today.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the "waiting" of Advent we miss what is happening right now.  While we are waiting for Christ to be born are we missing the Jesus who is sitting right beside us?  I remember one Advent I was so intent on the waiting I'd finally just had enough of that by the Fourth Sunday of Advent and practically shouted, "I'm tired of waiting! Come NOW!"  It was then I sensed the presence of Jesus beside me saying, "I'm right here and have been all along...no need to shout, Heidi-dear." I wonder if we don't make all this so much harder and more complex than it really is by "over-discerning" as Sr. Pat suggests.  It also reminds me of one of Fr. Richard Rohr's comments:  You can quit knocking, you are already inside! Let's not over-think, over-stress or over-anything today.  Let's just bask in the presence of Jesus, who is, in fact, already here! Love, heidi

Come to me...

"Jesus said to the crowds, 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.'"

Matthew 11:28

 

Jesus, I know you will give me rest, if I can just stop running around long enough to sit with you!  There's just so much to do this time of year getting ready for YOU!

Truth be told, Jesus would much rather have us sit quietly and spend time with him than all the hustle and bustle we think we need to do.  Festivities are hitting high gear from now on, but let's try to take some time to just be with Jesus.  He will give us rest. Love, heidi 

A change of heart

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

Isaiah 1:28

 

In thinking and praying with this reading today, I pondered what being "full of grace" would look like in Mary's life.  It struck me how often I pray for a change of heart or a change of mind about someone or something and then it hit me.  I wondered if, in Mary's case, that didn't have to happen. Mary's heart and mind were already exactly where they needed to be.  I pray constantly that Jesus will fill my heart with his loving heart. My heart beats with judgments and criticism about people and I can't possibly love well with that hindrance.  I imagine Mary's heart already filled with Jesus even before he began to grow in her womb. She doesn't need a change of heart or a change of mind. Her mind and heart are already good to go. That is why we call her "Immaculate." That is how she could say "Yes" so readily and without hesitation to God's plan. Jesus, once again I pray that you fill my heart and it grows more into your heart...love, heidi

Built on rock

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."

Matthew 7:24

 

As I sat and prayed with this reading today, I immediately thought of my dad.  He was as rock-solid a Catholic as you could ever hope to find, and yet, when he made his Cursillo at age 65, his faith changed markedly.  Previously, he was all about the ritual--Sunday mass, daily mass during Lent, mass on the Holy Days (he called them the "Wild Cards").  But, after Cursillo, he began volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul.  He began serving the poor, meeting with other fellows in a 4th day and his faith became more about loving and serving others. It was such a stunning change.  I can honestly say that Cursillo taught me how to flesh out my faith, too.  Thankfully, I didn't wait until age sixty-five!  Cursillo teaches us how to put legs on our faith.  Jesus says in this Gospel we must do the will of our Father in heaven and Jesus spells that out as loving each other and caring for the poor.  It couldn't be clearer. It couldn't be harder.  Lord, please help us to carry out the true work of our Father by loving those here on earth with us.  Help us to build our faith on the solid foundation of loving you and loving others. Love, heidi

Enjoy the darkness...

"Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side..."

Psalm 23:4

 

The days are so short now it seems like it's always dark.  It's barely light when I go to work and dark when I get home.  These days of darkness can be so hard!  I think we need to try and make friends with the darkness by deeply considering all the good that can happen while this darkness prevails.  What good, exactly?  Well, it gives us a chance to rest.  It's much easier to go to bed earlier now and get some much-needed extra shut-eye.  Forcing myself out into the darkness to walk the dog at night, I see how truly beautiful it can be outside on a winter night.  Last night there was a mysterious fog over the neighborhood and it was really lovely.  Winter darkness can hold a beauty we miss if we don't venture out.  Also, it may help to consider all the trees and perennials resting up for their future glory in the spring.  They may look bare and dead, but deep inside, they are just waiting to burst forth!  There is beauty in every season and each season holds special gifts for us.  For me, it is harder to perceive this beauty in the winter, but it is certainly there.  Lord, help me to see and appreciate this season of short, short days!  Love, heidi

Leave the judging to God...

"Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide,

But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted."

Isaiah 11:3-4

 

The question on Pray-As-You-Go this morning asks "How are you being called to help bring about a less violent world?" Our homily Sunday mentioned violence as one of the "sleeping pills" the world uses to keep us from being alert and watchful for Jesus.  What am I to do about the violence in the world? It's not like I'm in any position of power or have any influence, do I?  I abhor violence, but what can I do to stop it? We may not be the folks who go around shooting people, but the violence takes a more subtle form.  I was considering how gossip and judging others are forms of violence that we seem to be able to justify.  We can tear down a person's good name and reputation verbally, even if we wouldn't think of doing physical harm to them.  Isaiah tells us that the Savior will judge with justice.  That means WE shouldn't be judging at all. The judging will be done by the qualified; and that's not us.  Today, let's be aware of the areas that we feel free to inflict verbal violence.  And let's leave the judging to God.  Love, heidi