I walked to mass on Wednesday evening. It was Ash Wednesday. A light rain was falling, but I walked anyway. My neighbor, who has recently begun attending mass again, joined me. The church quickly filled and an unusual quiet reverence permeated the atmosphere. I looked around and was quite moved by those who, today, instead of quietly chatting before mass begins, were kneeling in prayer. Was it the current economic situation? A need for a stable force in our lives? Or were these people, like me, coming to experience lent to strengthen our love for God and to walk with Christ on his final journey? All good reasons.
It was very hard not to feel emotional by this experience of so many people, together in deep prayer. At the beginning of his homily, Father noted that he was moved by the attendance at all of the day's masses and the steady stream of people coming to self administer their ashes throughout the day. Even he seemed a bit choked up when he told the congregations that it was NOT a holy day of obligation. We were there, not because we had to be, but because we wanted to be. And you could tell by the looks on the faces around us, that we were.
How wonderful it would be if the churches of all denominations would fill up each week with people who want to be there. I am sure the unemployment rate is bringing many people back to this refuge of stability. And let's face it, in this job market, prayer helps.
We can look back at the first decade of this new millennium and see turmoil, unexpected tragedy and great uncertainty. But one common denominator is that these past few years gave us an opportunity to turn to God for comfort and guidance. "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me;" God is always there to comfort you in his arms. But you have to WANT to be there to feel them.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
God's Snowy Speedbump.
It's a beautiful snowy February Saturday morning in Michigan. A usual we have heard from the local meteorologists about the WINTER STORM WARNING and in their usual Chicken Little way, they have managed to take a seasonal painting of the landscape and turn it into a BREAKING NEWS EVENT. It's not, its just nature.
When I was a kid I remember being cooped up in the house during the coldest winter days. On snowy days you would get out to shovel or play in the snow. Neighbors caught up on each other's lives as they banded together to clear away the snow for the older couple down the street. Kids would be off with their shovels to make a few extra bucks. Snowballs would be thrown, snowmen made and knocked down, and Mom would make hot chocolate as we pealed off wet clothes. Being from a big family, our boots came from the hand-me-down box under the basement stairs. Coats, scarves and gloves were usually handed down to us younger kids. I remember wishing I was taller so I wouldn't have to wind that long scarf (that Mom crocheted) around my neck so many times so it wouldn't drag behind me. As I got older, the snow blower came along and I would be awakened on a snowy morning to the growing chorus of motors tossing the snow like fountains off of the sidewalk. Small cars that needed to be pushed out of snow drifts gave adolescent boys a chance to exhibit a feat of strength.
When I was a kid, this would probably seem like just a winter day. But looking back, I see these days are God's way of putting up a road block to get us to appreciate our surroundings. A momentary snapshot. An opportunity to enjoy and help others. In the spring we will be encouraged to stop and smell the roses. But today, since it's winter, let's enjoy the snow.
When I was a kid I remember being cooped up in the house during the coldest winter days. On snowy days you would get out to shovel or play in the snow. Neighbors caught up on each other's lives as they banded together to clear away the snow for the older couple down the street. Kids would be off with their shovels to make a few extra bucks. Snowballs would be thrown, snowmen made and knocked down, and Mom would make hot chocolate as we pealed off wet clothes. Being from a big family, our boots came from the hand-me-down box under the basement stairs. Coats, scarves and gloves were usually handed down to us younger kids. I remember wishing I was taller so I wouldn't have to wind that long scarf (that Mom crocheted) around my neck so many times so it wouldn't drag behind me. As I got older, the snow blower came along and I would be awakened on a snowy morning to the growing chorus of motors tossing the snow like fountains off of the sidewalk. Small cars that needed to be pushed out of snow drifts gave adolescent boys a chance to exhibit a feat of strength.
When I was a kid, this would probably seem like just a winter day. But looking back, I see these days are God's way of putting up a road block to get us to appreciate our surroundings. A momentary snapshot. An opportunity to enjoy and help others. In the spring we will be encouraged to stop and smell the roses. But today, since it's winter, let's enjoy the snow.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Staying on Mission
To truly walk the path that God has chosen for us we must take inventory of the blessings He has bestowed on us. A voice to communicate. Patience to listen. A mind to solve problems. Determination to weather through difficult situations. The blessings seem to be bountiful when you count them. God never leaves us unarmed or unprepared. So the saying goes 'God doesn't send us anything we can't handle'. As a student in life, we must be sure to pay attention to the lessons of our Teacher.
So many times we pass up opportunities to stock our arsenal. When we say "I just don't have time for that" or "I don't think I would like that" is the equivalent of skipping class. People come into our lives to share their strengths and weaknesses. When we turn our backs on them, we tell God 'no thanks'. 'Knowledge is power'.
Recently I realized I had put away a gift I received from God and forgotten about it. Back in middle school, many years ago, I had a principal who was known as 'Smiling Chuck' by the students. We never called him that to his face, but I don't think he would have minded. I only recall one time he didn't smile. It was while he was reprimanding the student body for bad behavior during an assembly. As one of the kids who didn't misbehave, It was very comforting to see 'Smiling Chuck' smiling later that day. I always wanted to be a 'Smiling Joe'.
It took years. Keeping a smile on your face takes work. The muscles tighten into that bland, blank look over the years making the smile harder to achieve as we get older. It wasn't until about eight years ago, when I had a new customer service job. My supervisor told me "and don't forget to smile". I did. The first couple of days I would come home from work and my face would be sore. I though about 'Smiling Chuck' and pondered if he went home at the end of the day and put his on ice. As the days went by I found it got much easier. Often I was smiling and nobody was around to see it. And it spread. Whether I was at work, shopping or out walking, people would smile at me and say hello. It's a simple welcome sign to your soul. When people see it, they know they can approach you. I was often asked is I ever stopped smiling. A year and a half ago I was able to thank 'Smiling Chuck' for his inspiration.
Last week I was waiting in a busy hallway for a seminar. People kept passing me by looking very glum. No smiles. I missed the smiles of strangers. It has been a tough year for everyone. Then I realized that I had taken the smile on my face for granted. It was no longer there. It seemed to have just disappeared. I hadn't realized that I was not smiling. So I forced the facial muscles to do their job once again and I could feel their need to exercise. It only took a couple of moments until the smile was returned. That hallway became a much more pleasant place. When God gives you a gift and asks you to use it, He always thanks you. Passing out smiles doesn't take much effort. And the return is priceless.
This is just one of the gifts I know I must use on my mission. It may not be something that will change the world, but it will make parts of the world a bit more pleasant. God gave me a reminder of how valuable it is. He also reminded me how much it is needed today. Life often gets complicated. We lose focus on the big picture. But faith will allow us to see the reminder God sends us to get back on mission. Our Teacher never gives up on us!
So many times we pass up opportunities to stock our arsenal. When we say "I just don't have time for that" or "I don't think I would like that" is the equivalent of skipping class. People come into our lives to share their strengths and weaknesses. When we turn our backs on them, we tell God 'no thanks'. 'Knowledge is power'.
Recently I realized I had put away a gift I received from God and forgotten about it. Back in middle school, many years ago, I had a principal who was known as 'Smiling Chuck' by the students. We never called him that to his face, but I don't think he would have minded. I only recall one time he didn't smile. It was while he was reprimanding the student body for bad behavior during an assembly. As one of the kids who didn't misbehave, It was very comforting to see 'Smiling Chuck' smiling later that day. I always wanted to be a 'Smiling Joe'.
It took years. Keeping a smile on your face takes work. The muscles tighten into that bland, blank look over the years making the smile harder to achieve as we get older. It wasn't until about eight years ago, when I had a new customer service job. My supervisor told me "and don't forget to smile". I did. The first couple of days I would come home from work and my face would be sore. I though about 'Smiling Chuck' and pondered if he went home at the end of the day and put his on ice. As the days went by I found it got much easier. Often I was smiling and nobody was around to see it. And it spread. Whether I was at work, shopping or out walking, people would smile at me and say hello. It's a simple welcome sign to your soul. When people see it, they know they can approach you. I was often asked is I ever stopped smiling. A year and a half ago I was able to thank 'Smiling Chuck' for his inspiration.
Last week I was waiting in a busy hallway for a seminar. People kept passing me by looking very glum. No smiles. I missed the smiles of strangers. It has been a tough year for everyone. Then I realized that I had taken the smile on my face for granted. It was no longer there. It seemed to have just disappeared. I hadn't realized that I was not smiling. So I forced the facial muscles to do their job once again and I could feel their need to exercise. It only took a couple of moments until the smile was returned. That hallway became a much more pleasant place. When God gives you a gift and asks you to use it, He always thanks you. Passing out smiles doesn't take much effort. And the return is priceless.
This is just one of the gifts I know I must use on my mission. It may not be something that will change the world, but it will make parts of the world a bit more pleasant. God gave me a reminder of how valuable it is. He also reminded me how much it is needed today. Life often gets complicated. We lose focus on the big picture. But faith will allow us to see the reminder God sends us to get back on mission. Our Teacher never gives up on us!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My Shower of Roses
I have recently been charmed by the wisdom of a young lady. Her journey was short, but she traveled a long way. She has become my traveling companion, offering to clear away the brush to help me chart my course.
St. Therese was guided through her short life by her supreme faith. Even as she lay dying she expressed her wish to spend her days in heaven doing good on earth. Upon learning this, I wanted to hear more about the continued works of this young carmelite nun. The Internet offers so many opportunities to give voice to those who wish to share their stories of faith. I came across stories of her intercession in remarkable ways, and some that could be dismissed as coincidental. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn about St. Therese and her little ways. Her simplicity charmed me. She came into my life as I faced a cross road. I decided to ask her for guidance and began to pray her novena. Now, I am someone who tends to be skeptical when it comes to people having religious experiences. And I have to admit, I wanted to experience one of my own. Don't we all? Many of the stories of her intercession end with her fulfilling her promise to send down "a shower of roses." So I prepared to pray her novena by printing out a very nice picture of her to place on that growing shrine that used to be the top of my dresser. Her picture would remind me of my commitment to pray to her and of her admirable faith. I knew I had an old fashioned looking picture frame that needed to be filled. I had just come across it a few days before. When I went to retrieve it I was quite surprised that I had never noticed that the detailing on it was little roses. Hardly a shower of them, but it did make me think she was listening. The last day of the novena was the strangest. Plumbing problems in my building caused the water to be shut off. I really didn't want to go to 4 o'clock mass without showering first. My neighbor asked me if I was going and I explained the situation and said no. Then I realized I could just tame my hair and freshen up as best I could. So I called my neighbor back and we went to mass. I sat in my usual spot on the right side of the church. I never even go to the left side. As mass concluded, father reminded us that there were house blessing kits available by the Blessed Mother on the left side of the church. I humorously told my neighbor I was going to bless the house to get the water flowing. So after mass I went over to the basked at the feet of the Blessed Mother. I had to kneel down to reach the kit so I kneeled on the padded kneeler and took a kit. I then looked up and saw a beautiful spray of white roses.(My favorite roses). There were no other roses in church. I never go to that side. I almost didn't go to mass that day. And the Blessed Mother seemed to be beaming down at me. I got the message. A shiver went up my spine and my eyes teared up. My prayer would be answered.
A few days later I went to a meeting regarding my crossroads. I had prayed for direction and was second guessing my ability to make the change I was planning. As I entered the city limits where my meeting was to take place I notice the welcoming sign. A rose. It was in Roseville. St. Therese gave me my answer. Suddenly something that seemed very frightening, had become the door that God opens when he closes another. And Theresa held my hand and helped me through it.
Wait, it gets better. I wanted to thank my traveling companion for all she had done. I promised her I would spend my birthday by being her messenger. So I bought a dozen white roses and spent my day giving her calling card to those who just seemed to need to feel her presence. I went with a good friend on his daily pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Little Flower. I brought a rose to give to St.Therese. As we waited to pray at her alter, I noticed an elderly woman praying so intently. My friend was looking at the display dedicated to Therese's parents as I watched the woman rise from her prayers. She had a troubled look on her face so I walked up to her and gave her the rose. I told her I brought it to St. Therese and that she should have it. She smile and said "Thank-you, she is my patron saint." St. Therese can't shock me anymore. I don't think the elderly woman was surprised either. That's just the way St. Therese works.
Faith is a wonderful thing. But we have to ask ourselves from time to time if we can recharge it. Of course we can. By walking with the saints and carrying their load, we can feel the spirit of God in our hearts and hear his message so much more clearly. The blinders of skepticism often cause a numbness to our faith. We have to shake it off and give the heart a spiritual workout. Bring the saints into our daily lives as reminders of what we can do to follow God's map. My new friend St. Therese gave me a wonderful gift. She showed me the way.
St. Therese was guided through her short life by her supreme faith. Even as she lay dying she expressed her wish to spend her days in heaven doing good on earth. Upon learning this, I wanted to hear more about the continued works of this young carmelite nun. The Internet offers so many opportunities to give voice to those who wish to share their stories of faith. I came across stories of her intercession in remarkable ways, and some that could be dismissed as coincidental. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn about St. Therese and her little ways. Her simplicity charmed me. She came into my life as I faced a cross road. I decided to ask her for guidance and began to pray her novena. Now, I am someone who tends to be skeptical when it comes to people having religious experiences. And I have to admit, I wanted to experience one of my own. Don't we all? Many of the stories of her intercession end with her fulfilling her promise to send down "a shower of roses." So I prepared to pray her novena by printing out a very nice picture of her to place on that growing shrine that used to be the top of my dresser. Her picture would remind me of my commitment to pray to her and of her admirable faith. I knew I had an old fashioned looking picture frame that needed to be filled. I had just come across it a few days before. When I went to retrieve it I was quite surprised that I had never noticed that the detailing on it was little roses. Hardly a shower of them, but it did make me think she was listening. The last day of the novena was the strangest. Plumbing problems in my building caused the water to be shut off. I really didn't want to go to 4 o'clock mass without showering first. My neighbor asked me if I was going and I explained the situation and said no. Then I realized I could just tame my hair and freshen up as best I could. So I called my neighbor back and we went to mass. I sat in my usual spot on the right side of the church. I never even go to the left side. As mass concluded, father reminded us that there were house blessing kits available by the Blessed Mother on the left side of the church. I humorously told my neighbor I was going to bless the house to get the water flowing. So after mass I went over to the basked at the feet of the Blessed Mother. I had to kneel down to reach the kit so I kneeled on the padded kneeler and took a kit. I then looked up and saw a beautiful spray of white roses.(My favorite roses). There were no other roses in church. I never go to that side. I almost didn't go to mass that day. And the Blessed Mother seemed to be beaming down at me. I got the message. A shiver went up my spine and my eyes teared up. My prayer would be answered.
A few days later I went to a meeting regarding my crossroads. I had prayed for direction and was second guessing my ability to make the change I was planning. As I entered the city limits where my meeting was to take place I notice the welcoming sign. A rose. It was in Roseville. St. Therese gave me my answer. Suddenly something that seemed very frightening, had become the door that God opens when he closes another. And Theresa held my hand and helped me through it.
Wait, it gets better. I wanted to thank my traveling companion for all she had done. I promised her I would spend my birthday by being her messenger. So I bought a dozen white roses and spent my day giving her calling card to those who just seemed to need to feel her presence. I went with a good friend on his daily pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Little Flower. I brought a rose to give to St.Therese. As we waited to pray at her alter, I noticed an elderly woman praying so intently. My friend was looking at the display dedicated to Therese's parents as I watched the woman rise from her prayers. She had a troubled look on her face so I walked up to her and gave her the rose. I told her I brought it to St. Therese and that she should have it. She smile and said "Thank-you, she is my patron saint." St. Therese can't shock me anymore. I don't think the elderly woman was surprised either. That's just the way St. Therese works.
Faith is a wonderful thing. But we have to ask ourselves from time to time if we can recharge it. Of course we can. By walking with the saints and carrying their load, we can feel the spirit of God in our hearts and hear his message so much more clearly. The blinders of skepticism often cause a numbness to our faith. We have to shake it off and give the heart a spiritual workout. Bring the saints into our daily lives as reminders of what we can do to follow God's map. My new friend St. Therese gave me a wonderful gift. She showed me the way.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Walk With Me
Life is a journey. God sends us into this world to cross path's with each other. To touch and be touched. To see the beauty that is a gift to us. And to leave the world a little better than we found it.
Walk with me as I share stories of my journey and encourage you to also. Join me in celebrating the joy along the way, and take my hand as we feel our way through the moments of darkness. None of us must take the journey alone unless we choose to. And why would we choose to?
Pope John Paul II had a favorite biblical quote from Mark 14:42, "Rise, let us be on our way" recalling the words of Jesus to Peter, James and John in the garden of Gethsemane. It was John Paul's call to spiritual arms. To stop sitting on the sidelines of life as merely an observer and becoming player. God calls us all to do many things. Just watching isn't one of them. While we aren't necessarily called to take up a life of poverty and self sacrifice, helping the poorest of the poor like Mother Theresa, we are called to do little works, like St. Therese, the little Flower. St. Therese reminds us not to be overwhelmed by the great acts of the saints, but to find joy in the "little ways" of kindness we can offer eachother.
Walk with me and share the little ways we can make the steps of our journey more meaningful and leave footprints that others may follow. Rise, let us be on our way as we chart our new path through the wilderness that is life.
Walk with me as I share stories of my journey and encourage you to also. Join me in celebrating the joy along the way, and take my hand as we feel our way through the moments of darkness. None of us must take the journey alone unless we choose to. And why would we choose to?
Pope John Paul II had a favorite biblical quote from Mark 14:42, "Rise, let us be on our way" recalling the words of Jesus to Peter, James and John in the garden of Gethsemane. It was John Paul's call to spiritual arms. To stop sitting on the sidelines of life as merely an observer and becoming player. God calls us all to do many things. Just watching isn't one of them. While we aren't necessarily called to take up a life of poverty and self sacrifice, helping the poorest of the poor like Mother Theresa, we are called to do little works, like St. Therese, the little Flower. St. Therese reminds us not to be overwhelmed by the great acts of the saints, but to find joy in the "little ways" of kindness we can offer eachother.
Walk with me and share the little ways we can make the steps of our journey more meaningful and leave footprints that others may follow. Rise, let us be on our way as we chart our new path through the wilderness that is life.
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