Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.--Luke1.
I have received so much from the kind hand of God. I am most grateful. This new liturgical year I am making a point of listing each day the gifts for which I am thankful. I felt I needed to start my day with this. I am also reflecting on the most significant part of each day, how I was surprised, where I may have regrets, my chief discomfort, and the lessons I have learned in each day, and how to implement at least one of them. I found these questions in Joyce Rupps book about her walk of the Camino Santiago de Campostella. I think they are apt for anyone who is trekking Catholic.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Faith
Let it be done for you
according to your faith.—Matt 9:29
My reading from the Maxims of Bro. Lawrence today began with
this quote: All things are possible to
him who believes, they are less difficult to him who hopes, they
are easier to him who loves, and still more easy to him who practices
and perseveres in these three virtues. And
from another source I read that faith is to have total trust in God. And from
still another source: Half-measures get me half-results. Am I satisfied with
that? Alas for me, sometimes my faith is pretty limited. My expectations of God
are at very human levels. Somehow I cannot let God be God. I want my faith to
be Big. I want my faith to be True. I want my faith to be Full. I want the
result of my faith to be Big and True and Full as well. That is my part. Today
, O Lord, let me have total trust in You. To live this way is trekking
Catholic.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Gates
Open up the gates--Is 26:2
When our kids were growing up we sang this song with our Advent Wreath prayers:
The King of Glory comes; the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before Him. Lift up your voices.
Reading this part of the first reading for today reminds me of our four kids and the lifted voices around the kitchen table. I miss them. The quiet of this Advent Time is different. I still hum that song in my head, though, when I say my Advent prayers.
I am delving into John of the Cross. The portion of the book I read today (The Practice of Contemplation According to John of the Cross by James W. Kinn) indicated that a dryness in prayer life was not a cause for distress, but the presentiment of change. John likened this to patiently and optimistically standing in front of a door waiting for God to open it before us.
Patiently waiting for God.
In another devotional I read of a person learning God always answers our prayers in the affirmative. Sometimes He says,"Yes, but not right now." And sometimes He says,"I have something much better in mind."
Patiently waiting in trust for God. Trekking Catholic.
When our kids were growing up we sang this song with our Advent Wreath prayers:
The King of Glory comes; the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before Him. Lift up your voices.
Reading this part of the first reading for today reminds me of our four kids and the lifted voices around the kitchen table. I miss them. The quiet of this Advent Time is different. I still hum that song in my head, though, when I say my Advent prayers.
I am delving into John of the Cross. The portion of the book I read today (The Practice of Contemplation According to John of the Cross by James W. Kinn) indicated that a dryness in prayer life was not a cause for distress, but the presentiment of change. John likened this to patiently and optimistically standing in front of a door waiting for God to open it before us.
Patiently waiting for God.
In another devotional I read of a person learning God always answers our prayers in the affirmative. Sometimes He says,"Yes, but not right now." And sometimes He says,"I have something much better in mind."
Patiently waiting in trust for God. Trekking Catholic.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Veils
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast...he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples..will wipe away the tears from all faces. --Is 25:6+
and in Matt 15:29-- At this time Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain...he cured them...moved with pity (he fed them all from seven loaves and the fish)
Life is such a struggle for people. Some are struggling to survive, to stay warm, to have a roof over their heads and a job. And some have other struggles: to be seen as individuals instead of checkbooks, to be acknowledged as hard workers, or responsible employers, or dedicated volunteers, employees or parents. We put so many veils over people by our prejudices and expectations. Some people hide behind veils of their own making because living in truth is too painful. We find them lacking or too different or 'ugly' in whatever definition that may be to us, and as a result people feel valueless. Today let us look behind the veil to find the treasure God sees in us and 'feed them' what they need. This is Trekking Catholic.
and in Matt 15:29-- At this time Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain...he cured them...moved with pity (he fed them all from seven loaves and the fish)
Life is such a struggle for people. Some are struggling to survive, to stay warm, to have a roof over their heads and a job. And some have other struggles: to be seen as individuals instead of checkbooks, to be acknowledged as hard workers, or responsible employers, or dedicated volunteers, employees or parents. We put so many veils over people by our prejudices and expectations. Some people hide behind veils of their own making because living in truth is too painful. We find them lacking or too different or 'ugly' in whatever definition that may be to us, and as a result people feel valueless. Today let us look behind the veil to find the treasure God sees in us and 'feed them' what they need. This is Trekking Catholic.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Promises and Responsibilities
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.--Is 11:1
I really love the first of today's readings for Holy Mass. I love the Promise of God in Isaiah: how Christ can bring opposites together. Wonderful. Of course the stump of Jesse part got me to smiling as I am working with the Jesse Tree this Advent. Today's reading and ornament were about Adam and Eve, about their creation, their weakness and temptation. Oh that free will we were given in our creation! Adam and his Eve were called on their choices right away. The oh-so-familiar decline to admit responsibility started way back then. Why should I think people (myself included) would have that negative part of humanity licked lo these many generations later? Not so.Yet look at what good God made out of those bad decisions, He bailed us out with His Son. In today's reading we can read the promise of all the good He can do: wolves and lambs, calves and lions, children and snakes at peace and at rest, at play and in companionship. Christ reconciles opposites. As a Catholic I am called to act as the hand of God, revealing Him on earth here today in reconciling opposites and healing animosities. This is my responsibility. This is Trekking Catholic.
I really love the first of today's readings for Holy Mass. I love the Promise of God in Isaiah: how Christ can bring opposites together. Wonderful. Of course the stump of Jesse part got me to smiling as I am working with the Jesse Tree this Advent. Today's reading and ornament were about Adam and Eve, about their creation, their weakness and temptation. Oh that free will we were given in our creation! Adam and his Eve were called on their choices right away. The oh-so-familiar decline to admit responsibility started way back then. Why should I think people (myself included) would have that negative part of humanity licked lo these many generations later? Not so.Yet look at what good God made out of those bad decisions, He bailed us out with His Son. In today's reading we can read the promise of all the good He can do: wolves and lambs, calves and lions, children and snakes at peace and at rest, at play and in companionship. Christ reconciles opposites. As a Catholic I am called to act as the hand of God, revealing Him on earth here today in reconciling opposites and healing animosities. This is my responsibility. This is Trekking Catholic.
Monday, December 3, 2012
The House of the Lord
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.--Gen 1:1
This is the first verse of the readings for the Jesse Tree today. The story of God's creation is beautiful and poetic and awe-inspiring. As I was reading it I was thinking of those nature programs I have seen about bugs, and flowers blooming , and weather, and birds migrating, and animals in far off places and near to home. And to think God thought of all of it, and how things will evolve. I am amazed!
This first verse of Genesis is the inspiration for the stained glass windows in our church, St. Vincent's. The artist has captured the waiting and the breath of God and the tipping point of change. They are lovely and a great grace to us here in Fort Wayne.
In perusing the readings for today, the verse that sang to me was;
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
This is the Responsorial to Psalm 122. I went to the Life Teen Mass yesterday. The air was full of incense and chant and the visual of the spectacular Advent Wreath and violet decorations we have in our church. Fr. Andrew had a funny and engaging sermon. He instructed the congregation (esp. the teens) on lectio divina and invited them to read the Gospel of Luke this year and tweet about it at #lectioluke. I have been reading about the Catholic Church and social media evangelization in the last two issues of Today's Catholic. I was so delighted to witness this in action at yesterday's Mass. How I hope (and pray) this effort will be a success. (My prayers for this success are today's way I can 'give to priests')
God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy.
This verse was near the end of the readings of Genesis for the Jesse Tree. I know my reluctance to drop everything I'm doing on my day of rest, dress appropriately and go to church. But this day's Mass truly was a Holy event. The lessons of the prayers and the homily are guidance to make my life a holy one. The community and the interaction with acquaintances and the Giving Tree and the Pastor's call to start the new Liturgical Year on the right foot are actions of blessed people. In the beginning of the Bible I read the first reference to keeping the Sabbath holy. It is important to do so. Look at all the grace we have received! Attending Holy Mass, listening to the voice of God in all the ways He speaks, this is Trekking Catholic.
This is the first verse of the readings for the Jesse Tree today. The story of God's creation is beautiful and poetic and awe-inspiring. As I was reading it I was thinking of those nature programs I have seen about bugs, and flowers blooming , and weather, and birds migrating, and animals in far off places and near to home. And to think God thought of all of it, and how things will evolve. I am amazed!
This first verse of Genesis is the inspiration for the stained glass windows in our church, St. Vincent's. The artist has captured the waiting and the breath of God and the tipping point of change. They are lovely and a great grace to us here in Fort Wayne.
In perusing the readings for today, the verse that sang to me was;
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
This is the Responsorial to Psalm 122. I went to the Life Teen Mass yesterday. The air was full of incense and chant and the visual of the spectacular Advent Wreath and violet decorations we have in our church. Fr. Andrew had a funny and engaging sermon. He instructed the congregation (esp. the teens) on lectio divina and invited them to read the Gospel of Luke this year and tweet about it at #lectioluke. I have been reading about the Catholic Church and social media evangelization in the last two issues of Today's Catholic. I was so delighted to witness this in action at yesterday's Mass. How I hope (and pray) this effort will be a success. (My prayers for this success are today's way I can 'give to priests')
God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy.
This verse was near the end of the readings of Genesis for the Jesse Tree. I know my reluctance to drop everything I'm doing on my day of rest, dress appropriately and go to church. But this day's Mass truly was a Holy event. The lessons of the prayers and the homily are guidance to make my life a holy one. The community and the interaction with acquaintances and the Giving Tree and the Pastor's call to start the new Liturgical Year on the right foot are actions of blessed people. In the beginning of the Bible I read the first reference to keeping the Sabbath holy. It is important to do so. Look at all the grace we have received! Attending Holy Mass, listening to the voice of God in all the ways He speaks, this is Trekking Catholic.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Word of the Year and Saint of the Year
Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all...--Thess 3:12
Quite awhile ago I read in Guideposts Magazine about a woman who chose, with the help of God, a word as a theme for her year. I thought it was a grand idea and have done that for myself. I decided the best way for me as a Catholic was to incorporate the verb of my Bible Verse of the Year. This is the verse I was guided to for Liturgical year C:
Give the priests...whatever is needed...for the offerings presented to God in heaven.--Ezra 6:9
Of course in light of my being drawn again to 29 Gifts it was easy for me to recognize God's push for an attitude of charity in my life. it will be interesting to find out how I am going to asked to give to priests!
The name of my saint of the year is John of the Cross. My first thought was to throw him back! I had heard he is very difficult to digest. However, I girded my loins and did a search on the net for further information and found some more easily digestible information. Charity seemed to be a word closely connected with him. Giving. Charity. I can work with that!
Of course St. John is also the patron of contemplatives. Finding silence to listen to the voice of God is a very important part of his message as well. I have been praying for the grace and willingness to do this more in my life. I guess God heard and has answered me! I will have John of the Cross to walk with me. Trekking Catholic.
Quite awhile ago I read in Guideposts Magazine about a woman who chose, with the help of God, a word as a theme for her year. I thought it was a grand idea and have done that for myself. I decided the best way for me as a Catholic was to incorporate the verb of my Bible Verse of the Year. This is the verse I was guided to for Liturgical year C:
Give the priests...whatever is needed...for the offerings presented to God in heaven.--Ezra 6:9
Of course in light of my being drawn again to 29 Gifts it was easy for me to recognize God's push for an attitude of charity in my life. it will be interesting to find out how I am going to asked to give to priests!
The name of my saint of the year is John of the Cross. My first thought was to throw him back! I had heard he is very difficult to digest. However, I girded my loins and did a search on the net for further information and found some more easily digestible information. Charity seemed to be a word closely connected with him. Giving. Charity. I can work with that!
Of course St. John is also the patron of contemplatives. Finding silence to listen to the voice of God is a very important part of his message as well. I have been praying for the grace and willingness to do this more in my life. I guess God heard and has answered me! I will have John of the Cross to walk with me. Trekking Catholic.
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