Dedication
Thought for the Day
Works in Progress
Dedication: This page is dedicated to all my honorary nieces and nephews.
Note: Chapters 11 and 12 of The Dead Years are posted. To get to them, click on "Novel" and then go to Chapter 10 and use the links.
Reflection for the day
Thursday, February 19, 2009
When Peter "rebuked" you, Lord, you did not mince words with him; you said, "Get behind me, Satan." He was standing in your way, rebelling against your will. How often we think "not as God does, but as human beings do." Well, we are, after all, human beings, but you call us to our highest nature, to imitate you even in our limited minds.
None of us wants to consider death, and how could your disciples possibly comprehend it of you, whom they had just acknowledged as the Messiah. You had affirmed their faith but asked them not to speak of it to others. Israel's concept of Messiah was more that of a political savior than a religious one. Your closest followers were beginning to grasp that your kingdom was not an earthly one; so the idea of your suffering and death seemed contrary to all they had learned.
No matter how clearly we think we understand you, Lord, we can do no more than scratch the surface of divine truth. Just when we think we've figured out what you want from us, we run into something that changes our path. Even you, when your mother said to you, "They have no wine," answered, "My time has not yet come." You are immutable and yet in our eyes you seem to change. Your mother did not even ask you to do anything; she simply pointed out a need. And afterwards, despite words that would have sounded to us like a refusal, she said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Thus began your public life, which would culminate in your passion, death and resurrection.
How different were Peter's protests from Mary's trusting statement. She had been told that a sword would pierce her heart, that you would be the rise and downfall of many, and yet she did not hesitate to encourage you in your ministry. She knew to let God be God. Only your obedience to the Father was greater than hers. No human had more faith in your will no matter how bleak the day would seem.
I know we are more like Peter than Mary. Yet you allowed Peter to participate in your plan, your martyrdom, and your resurrection. You gave him responsibility for your flock. He whom you had called Satan became the founder of your church on earth. You knew, of course, that the words were not Peter's but Satan's. Your rebuke was directed to the denial itself, not the person of your cherished apostle.
Let us realize, Lord, when we are corrected, that it is our attachments and faulty beliefs that are being chastised, not our souls. It is whatever stands between our souls and our following you. We cannot understand the crucifixion, and yet we believe it just as we believe the resurrection. We cannot understand the Holocaust and we still see no redemption from it. We cannot understand why innocent people are victims of war, violence, terrorism, prejudice and hatred. We think as humans think; we beg for poetic justice, we still want "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
The disciples thought they were justified in drawing their swords when you were betrayed in the garden, and by law, they were; they were acting in your defense, trying to prevent the torture of you, our Messiah, our Lord, our God. You told them to put away their swords.
When we wage holy wars, are we thinking as humans do or as you do? When we demand the death penalty, is that your will? How can we know your plan?
We are always eager to protect and please our friends. We even lie to flatter them. If someone says to me, "You are not fat," that is a boldfaced lie and it implies that "fat" is evil. Perhaps it is, but it pays me no compliment and does me no service to deny what is so obviously true. If sick or old people talk about death, they are shushed, pooh-poohed, or told that death is far off. That implies that death is evil. That is thinking as humans think. Humans do not want to consider unpleasant situations, even if they are imminent and unavoidable. Yet if we thought as you do, if I can even presume to guess what that is, I believe that we would remember that there is no life without death, no resurrection without death, no eternity without death. Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, thin or fat, admired or despised, there is one truth for all of us, and that truth is life.
Today, Lord, please help me to tell the truth, especially to myself. Let me not deny or belittle the hard truths that we all face. I want to comfort people, of course, but not by lying to them or brushing away their concerns. If people confide their pain and fears, let me ask simply, "How can I help?" To tell them the pain will pass or their fears are unfounded is not only to be quite possibly untruthful but to minimize them and their suffering. Let me hear my brothers and sisters without bias. Let me love them by acknowledging them. Thy will be done. Be it done unto me. Fiat! So be it. Amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2008
In spite of your instructions, Lord, the healed man announced to all he saw that you had cured him, and they came to seek you, even in deserted places. You did not discourage anyone. We, too, can find you, both in the towns and outside them. We come, thanking you for the healing we have already experienced and begging you to stay with us, teach us, and make us whole.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Greek woman in today's gospel countered your comment about not throwing the children's food to the dogs by saying that even the dogs ate the children's scraps. Her faith enabled her to speak so boldly; even though she was not a Jew, not a member of the people to whom you had been sent, she trusted you and believed in you. She was a forerunner of all those gentiles who followed you even when many of your own rejected you. You made us your children, your friends, your brothers and sisters, even members of your mystical Body.
Help me to trust you as totally and simply as did that woman, Lord.
Monday, February 9.2009
Today, Lord, let me remember the many who are sick in every prayer that I offer, every little sacrifice, every frustration, every twinge of pain. I read so many stories every day of people who suffer grievously. Give me the courage to hear, the empathy to respond, the love to comfort and the faith to support them. Thy will be done. Be it done unto me. Fiat! So be it. Amen
Saturday, February 7, 2009
When the apostles returned from their first mission, thrilled with their success, Jesus invited them to retreat to a secluded place and rest; so they took the boat, but the crowds somehow determined where they were going and preceded them on foot. When Jesus saw them, his heart was moved with pity" because "they were like sheep without a shepherd"
Still today, you shepherd us, Lord. Even though we know your Gospel, we lose sight of you. We seek teachers, leaders, and pastors who are tireless in their care and in their prayer, and you do not fail to provide them. Help us to pray for and care for others who are wandering. Whatever we are given, let us pass it on, so that all are served. As you taught many things, let us keep your message going.
Today, Lord, if someone asks for my attention, let me not delay because I am tired. You will give me enough time to rest. Even when people do not ask, let me see their needs and minister to them in whatever manner you enable me. You often work through our intuition. If I sense that someone is needy, let me not hold back because of fear or shyness. Let me invite the confidence of my brothers and sisters, and let me never betray it. Shepherd me, oh Lord, and show me how to shepherd if I am needed. Thy will be done. Be it done unto me. Fiat! So be it. Amen
Thursday, February 5, 2009
St. Agatha
Just before commissioning the apostles to go out and drive out demons, Jesus preached in Nazareth, but because the people there had known him from childhood, they couldn't believe that he was anything but an ordinary neighbor. Because of this, we are told that he could do no great deeds but only heal a few of the sick. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
After that, he sent the apostles to foreign lands, where they succeeded in healing many. They were unencumbered, taking nothing with them but depending on your providence through the people who sheltered and fed them.
Lord, teach me that I can find you in what I think are the most ordinary events and the most familiar people. Let me recognize the prophets you send me. Let me welcome those who come to share your good news. Let me rid myself of the burdens that hinder me in this journey of faith. Take away my attachments to worldly possessions. Let me not be afraid to move from one kind of prayer to another, to meet new companions and share with them. Let me be open to healing through your servants, and willing to serve and heal those who are needy.
Today, Lord, when I am so weary and stubborn, let me not give in to distractions and sleep. Grant me rest when I need it, but grant me, as well, the determination to exercise and build endurance. Help me to know which tasks are most important and immediate. Be with me. Thy will be done. Be it done unto me. Fiat! So be it. Amen.
