"Being a Christian isn't just following the commandments, but means being in Christ, thinking like him, acting like him, loving like him; it means letting him take possession of our lives and change them, transform them, free them from the darkness of evil and sin."
~Pope Francis, as quoted in "Living With Christ"
I think the main lesson for me in this second half of life is that of transformation--from the inside out. Everything I read and study is about transformation--losing the false, small self and allowing God to transform me into my True Self (Fr. Richard Rohr). Pope Francis gives the entire lesson in one sentence, one that we could spend a week just praying with and pondering. Becoming a full Christian isn't following rules, believing in dogmas, going to church on Sundays. Becoming a full, vibrant Christian is allowing Jesus to transform our lives to live as he lived...with love and compassion for others. It isn't just God and us or Others and us. It is a trinity of God, others and us. We can't be Christians in a vacuum, but we need each other to become fully alive in Christ. Jesus showed that so clearly in his relationships. Today, as we begin a May Thursday, let's think about how our interactions with others can reflect our life in Jesus. Are we loving like Jesus? Love, heidi
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Prayer is a place...
"For Jesus, prayer seems to be a matter of waiting in love, returning to love, trusting that love is the unceasing stream of Reality. Prayer isn't primarily words; it's a place, an attitude, a stance."
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 5/11/16
So often I think that I can harbor ill-will towards someone as long as I don't share that thought with others. I can rant and rave about them in my head, but just not share my ravings. Fr. Richard Rohr points out that, as Jesus shared in Matthew 5:22, I can't even do that. Rats! What if they are really driving me crazy? That is precisely when I need to turn to the quiet of my heart, just go there and touch base with God. God doesn't want to hear all my ill-will about those God loves as much as me. The very person I'm upset with is God's beloved child, just as I am. This changes everything, Friends. It's not enough not to "kill" others in body. I cannot disparage others in my own mind and heart. Prayer is a place...a place I go deep inside to find God and listen to God tell me, "love others." It is a change of attitude based on living from my heart--where God resides. Love, heidi
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 5/11/16
So often I think that I can harbor ill-will towards someone as long as I don't share that thought with others. I can rant and rave about them in my head, but just not share my ravings. Fr. Richard Rohr points out that, as Jesus shared in Matthew 5:22, I can't even do that. Rats! What if they are really driving me crazy? That is precisely when I need to turn to the quiet of my heart, just go there and touch base with God. God doesn't want to hear all my ill-will about those God loves as much as me. The very person I'm upset with is God's beloved child, just as I am. This changes everything, Friends. It's not enough not to "kill" others in body. I cannot disparage others in my own mind and heart. Prayer is a place...a place I go deep inside to find God and listen to God tell me, "love others." It is a change of attitude based on living from my heart--where God resides. Love, heidi
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Seeing for the first time...
"Hey Boo..."
Scout Finch to Boo Radley, "To Kill a Mockingbird"
This is my second favorite line from the classic novel, but last night it really impressed me. I'd reread the book (again) then re-watched the movie (again) and I must have needed to see it because it hit me like a ton of bricks. When Scout sees Boo Radley there, behind the door, for the first time, she SEES him. All of the myth and mystery of him was gone, along with her fear of him. To kids a mythical figure can be so much more mythical. They can build up the mystery to gigantic proportions and their fear with it. Scout, Jem and Dill had been trying to see Boo for two summers and scared the pants off themselves (literally!) to do so. But when she actually sees that Boo is a real, shy, gentle human being, she sees the real him. And, so tenderly and lovingly says, "Hey Boo..." Today, we all may encounter people we do not really see. We may be afraid, irritated, impatient or frustrated with them. We must not be really seeing them as God sees them. Let's pray for eyes like God today, to see those around us as they really are, so we can react to them tenderly and lovingly. Love, heidi
Scout Finch to Boo Radley, "To Kill a Mockingbird"
This is my second favorite line from the classic novel, but last night it really impressed me. I'd reread the book (again) then re-watched the movie (again) and I must have needed to see it because it hit me like a ton of bricks. When Scout sees Boo Radley there, behind the door, for the first time, she SEES him. All of the myth and mystery of him was gone, along with her fear of him. To kids a mythical figure can be so much more mythical. They can build up the mystery to gigantic proportions and their fear with it. Scout, Jem and Dill had been trying to see Boo for two summers and scared the pants off themselves (literally!) to do so. But when she actually sees that Boo is a real, shy, gentle human being, she sees the real him. And, so tenderly and lovingly says, "Hey Boo..." Today, we all may encounter people we do not really see. We may be afraid, irritated, impatient or frustrated with them. We must not be really seeing them as God sees them. Let's pray for eyes like God today, to see those around us as they really are, so we can react to them tenderly and lovingly. Love, heidi
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
An Unknown God?
"...I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God'. What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you."
Acts 17:23
The question that popped into my head when I read this was Do I know this Unknown God? Is God unknown to me? How do we know God anyway? Can we really know God? Pondering questions, Friends, for sure. I think we can learn about God, study God's word, practice God's rituals, and that may lead us into thinking God is known to us. But, even with all of that, what we really need is to experience God ourselves...in our lives. And, I think that occurs in those moments that literally take our breath away. We can read and study for years and still not know God until we experience the Presence of God who takes our breath away. If you can spare a few moments in quiet, think about those times. Realize that our God is close enough to experience; as close as our next breath. Our God is not a monument somewhere to be worshipped, but our God is with us in each moment we can recognize the Presence. Love, heidi
Acts 17:23
The question that popped into my head when I read this was Do I know this Unknown God? Is God unknown to me? How do we know God anyway? Can we really know God? Pondering questions, Friends, for sure. I think we can learn about God, study God's word, practice God's rituals, and that may lead us into thinking God is known to us. But, even with all of that, what we really need is to experience God ourselves...in our lives. And, I think that occurs in those moments that literally take our breath away. We can read and study for years and still not know God until we experience the Presence of God who takes our breath away. If you can spare a few moments in quiet, think about those times. Realize that our God is close enough to experience; as close as our next breath. Our God is not a monument somewhere to be worshipped, but our God is with us in each moment we can recognize the Presence. Love, heidi
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
What am I to do?
"If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
John 14:14
I would say, in the last five or so years, my most fervent prayer has been to do what I'm supposed to do. When the last of the chicks left the nest I had sense that a whole new world was opening up for me and my vocation was changing. People would ask me, "What are you going to do now?" As if I had some great destiny to fulfill. The pressure was on! So I asked. And asked..."What am I to do?" Gradually, like a flower blossom slowly opening, I have been discovering what I am to do, how I am to serve. The blossom is still opening, but, by following the innermost desires of my heart, I am gradually learning what I am to do. And that's how God works...slowly, through our own minds and hearts. God will do what we ask. We may just need to be quiet and still, and look deep inside, to recognize it! Love, heidi
John 14:14
I would say, in the last five or so years, my most fervent prayer has been to do what I'm supposed to do. When the last of the chicks left the nest I had sense that a whole new world was opening up for me and my vocation was changing. People would ask me, "What are you going to do now?" As if I had some great destiny to fulfill. The pressure was on! So I asked. And asked..."What am I to do?" Gradually, like a flower blossom slowly opening, I have been discovering what I am to do, how I am to serve. The blossom is still opening, but, by following the innermost desires of my heart, I am gradually learning what I am to do. And that's how God works...slowly, through our own minds and hearts. God will do what we ask. We may just need to be quiet and still, and look deep inside, to recognize it! Love, heidi
Friday, April 29, 2016
Our words through a Love Filter
"This is my commandment: love one another."
John 15:17
Jesus didn't just suggest to us that we love one another...it's a commandment! Each of us has thousands of opportunities to choose to treat others with love each day. They come around so fast that we may not have the time to sit and weigh out what is the more loving option for response. People say or do things and we snap to judgment or response and then the palm-to-the-forehead moment occurs later--"Why did I say that?" Today, let's be aware of all the chances we have to choose to respond in a kind and loving way--the way Jesus commands us to respond (not merely suggests!) Before we speak to someone let's try to send our words through a Love Filter in our brains before they actually escape our mouths. Do these words sound loving? Will they bring life? Would Jesus say this? Would I say this to Jesus? Yikes! there ya go! Love, heidi
John 15:17
Jesus didn't just suggest to us that we love one another...it's a commandment! Each of us has thousands of opportunities to choose to treat others with love each day. They come around so fast that we may not have the time to sit and weigh out what is the more loving option for response. People say or do things and we snap to judgment or response and then the palm-to-the-forehead moment occurs later--"Why did I say that?" Today, let's be aware of all the chances we have to choose to respond in a kind and loving way--the way Jesus commands us to respond (not merely suggests!) Before we speak to someone let's try to send our words through a Love Filter in our brains before they actually escape our mouths. Do these words sound loving? Will they bring life? Would Jesus say this? Would I say this to Jesus? Yikes! there ya go! Love, heidi
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