A number of years ago I read this and have kept it tucked in my bible. I do not know who the author is. How wonderful of this author to think about God in this way, a father writing a letter to His son on the night of His birth.
I wonder what God's letter to me would say this Christmas. What would God's letter to you say? Something to ponder. Breathe in the breath of God and listen.
Namaste'
Maureen
My son Jesus,
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. I created you in my image and likeness. Out of nothing, I formed your body into a temple for the Holy Spirit, and I breathed life into you. I shaped your mind, your talents, your emotions, and I formed a plan for your life that fits you perfectly. You are my son whom I love; remain in my love.
Behold I stand at the door and knock. Will you let Me in? Out of love I created you, and out of love I seek to be with you. I have called you by name, and given you the choice to love Me or to reject Me. I ask that you open your heart to Me and follow Me. What will separate you from Me? I have seen your past, and I know your future. Though you may stray from Me, I am rich in mercy and grace. Come back to Me with a humble heart, ask for forgiveness, and you will be forgiven.
You have a deep fierce heart. I gave you this heart for the battles that you will fight. Like Me, you are a warrior. You will be attacked by temptation, loneliness, and your own desires. So put on my armor so that you will be able to stand firm against the evil one. I have clothed you with power from on High. Pick up the sword of prayer and the shield of faith. Call out to Me, and I will give you courage under trial, resistance under temptation, and patience to endure. With Me, you have what it takes.
You have been called to guard and protect the purity that I have placed within you and around you. Guard the purity found within you, and only then can you guard the purity and beauty of women. Give your heart to Me; surrender to Me; allow Me to form your desires and transform your fears. At the perfect time I will bring you a woman for whom you can give your whole life, or you will join with Me in total love for my Bride, the Church. Your bride will be a gift for you. Prepare now to fight for her and defend her, to love her and encourage her in holiness. Let all you do reflect the dignity that I have given to you, and honor those around you. You are called to lay down your life as I have laid down my life for you. There is no greater love than this that a man should lay down his life for another. It is in losing your life that you will gain it. Will you lay down your life for Me?
I love you. Trust in me. Trust that the plan I have for you will bring you the peace the world cannot give. Take delight in my plan for you, and I will grant you your heart’s desires, and you will become the man I created you to be. Walk with Me, as I walk with you. Endure to the end, and we shall dwell together in my Kingdom forever.
With all my love,
God, your Father
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Grieving Lisa
"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you will see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
The Prophet
Two years ago today, my friend Lisa died from stage 4 metastasized breast cancer.
I had no idea that today I would be revisiting grief as strongly as I am. It is as if my body physically remembers every emotion and physical response I had to Lisa's death in the days and nights leading up to her passing as we cared for her.
The last week of Lisa's life was such a gift from her to me. Lisa put me together with two other women, dear friends, to care for her in her final days. The bond that the three of us formed is such a blessing and a gift from Lisa.
I heard in a sermon once that grief is the privilege of having loved.
I loved my friend and I miss her.
The minutes leading up to Lisa's death are so fresh in my mind today. I can still feel that moment and the sacred presence in her room. I can still see her eyes open one last time and the clarity in those beautiful blue eyes meeting mine, knowing it was good-bye and to gather her children and husband.
Lisa's final journey to life eternal began right after Thanksgivng that year during Advent. The Advent Vigil was Lisa's Vigil that December. We all were waiting with her for the light, the light of Christ to bring her home. As I think of what each candle of the Advent wreath means and our prayers each week, I look back to two years ago and yes,for my friend, HOPE was always present. HOPE for healing and for guidance to let go. PEACE was always present. God was never absent from Lisa on her journey He was preparing her for something new, life eternal and that peace that passes all understanding. This was so beautiful to watch unfold during her final hours.It was as if she became peace of pure spirit. JOY was always present. Through sadness there was JOY. JOY that with Lisa's passing she is with God in heaven and all her questions are answered. LOVE was always present. The candle of LOVE signifies the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times. There is no greater power than love. We love because God loves us. It is because of this LOVE that Lisa was able to see the light of Christ coming into the world to take her home.
Our entire lives are a Vigil. We are always watching and waiting and when our hearts join with the heart of God we become joined together with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE for all eternity.
I will always miss Lisa, especially during this time of year. The many joys of the many years of our friendship will always make me laugh and smile, the greatest JOY though has been the privilege of waiting with her for the hand of God to reach for her and bring her into new light.
Namaste'
Maureen
The Prophet
Two years ago today, my friend Lisa died from stage 4 metastasized breast cancer.
I had no idea that today I would be revisiting grief as strongly as I am. It is as if my body physically remembers every emotion and physical response I had to Lisa's death in the days and nights leading up to her passing as we cared for her.
The last week of Lisa's life was such a gift from her to me. Lisa put me together with two other women, dear friends, to care for her in her final days. The bond that the three of us formed is such a blessing and a gift from Lisa.
I heard in a sermon once that grief is the privilege of having loved.
I loved my friend and I miss her.
The minutes leading up to Lisa's death are so fresh in my mind today. I can still feel that moment and the sacred presence in her room. I can still see her eyes open one last time and the clarity in those beautiful blue eyes meeting mine, knowing it was good-bye and to gather her children and husband.
Lisa's final journey to life eternal began right after Thanksgivng that year during Advent. The Advent Vigil was Lisa's Vigil that December. We all were waiting with her for the light, the light of Christ to bring her home. As I think of what each candle of the Advent wreath means and our prayers each week, I look back to two years ago and yes,for my friend, HOPE was always present. HOPE for healing and for guidance to let go. PEACE was always present. God was never absent from Lisa on her journey He was preparing her for something new, life eternal and that peace that passes all understanding. This was so beautiful to watch unfold during her final hours.It was as if she became peace of pure spirit. JOY was always present. Through sadness there was JOY. JOY that with Lisa's passing she is with God in heaven and all her questions are answered. LOVE was always present. The candle of LOVE signifies the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times. There is no greater power than love. We love because God loves us. It is because of this LOVE that Lisa was able to see the light of Christ coming into the world to take her home.
Our entire lives are a Vigil. We are always watching and waiting and when our hearts join with the heart of God we become joined together with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE for all eternity.
I will always miss Lisa, especially during this time of year. The many joys of the many years of our friendship will always make me laugh and smile, the greatest JOY though has been the privilege of waiting with her for the hand of God to reach for her and bring her into new light.
Namaste'
Maureen
Sunday, December 12, 2010
"Remember, Honor, Teach"
Freedom isn't free.
Each time I visit Arlington National Cemetery I am speechless.
Tomb stone, after tomb stone, after tomb stone.
Who were these people? Loyalty, devotion, dedication, love and fear are words that always come to mind. Did they volunteer? Were they drafted? Did they run away from something hoping for a better life? How did they die? Old age? Accidental? At war?
Tomb stone, after tomb stone, after tomb stone.
Today I see a sea of wreaths leaning on the gravesites of these men and woman who have served.
The Arlington Wreath project began nearly twenty years ago after a young boy of 12 came to Arlington National Cemetery on a school trip. The education he received that day spoke to his heart about freedom, sacrifice and always honoring our veterans of all service to America. So, this young boy headed back to Maine and began his mission. At the young age of 12, he really didn't know what was beginning. Life for him moved on and "he always recognized that his success as a businessman was in large part, due to the values of this Nation and the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country." The local wreath company had an excess of wreaths and helped this dream become a reality. At first the wreaths were laid in the older section of Arlington because at that time it was receiving less visitors. Now , people come from all over the United States to participate in this event and passing this onto local areas with Wreaths Across America.
What happens after today though? Do we remember, honor and teach, when the caroling stops and the good will becomes a memory? This awareness is so much more than just today and Christmastime. It needs to be ongoing.
Isn't this what God asks of us at Christmas... To Go Forth beyond Advent and Christmas with love and our good will to all, to honor the birth of Jesus ,teach that he will come again and remember that each Christmas we are beginning again; renewed with the light and ongoing transformation of our own Christmas story.
Maybe the wreaths are that light at Arlington Cemetary, a tangible reminder of serving and trusting in where you are led to serve, no matter the cost and going forth in faith.
Prepare now to fight for her and defend her, to love her and encourage her in holiness. Let all you do reflect the dignity that I have given to you, and honor those around you. You are called to lay down your life as I have laid down my life for you.24 There is no greater love than this that a man should lay down his life for another.25 It is in losing your life that you will gain it.26 Will you lay down your life for Me?I love you.27 Trust in me.28 Trust that the plan I have for you will bring you the peace the world cannot give.
With gratitude, I remember and honor the many soldiers and their families who have answered God's call to serve our country.
Namaste'
Maureen
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Labryinth
I am a wanderer
Set forth on a journey
On a path by the desires of my soul
Aimlessly seeking
Where am I going?
I feel lost along the way
Aimlessly seeking
I am taken
Taken, in the winding road of my journey
lifted to stillness
calm
centered
Come Holy Spirit
rest in Thee.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord: Advent Day 8
Advent Day 8
Daily Office Readings: Isaiah 11:1-0, Roamns 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-2
PEACE: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:3&11
Daily Office Readings: Isaiah 11:1-0, Roamns 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-2
PEACE: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:3&11
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Hope for the Future: Advent Day 7
Advent Day 7
HOPE. Hope for the future.
I am straying from reflecting on the daily office readings today. I have been up again in the dark and watched the rise over the horizon. The beauty in this, is I ask myself, as I see light beginning to peak, "OK, God what is your plan for me today? How will my internal Advent and the outside world join together today between Saturday morning chores, an all day wrestling match with my son, work that needs to get done for work, and spending time with my family". Life happens admist the calm of the Advent journey I am trying to engage in.
I think this is part of the journey. Being present to and aware of what is happening around me, yet listening for the quiet whispers and gentleness that is tugging on my heart this morning. All I can think about is Mary.
As I sit all comfy in the sunroom wrapped in a blanket, I think about the grace that flowed into her by the heart of God. This grace strengthened and supported her to bring Jesus into the world. If you think about it, Mary alwasy brings us to Jesus. First by carrying Him as we wait in Advent, then his birth, in the temple years later,then she brings us to Jesus at the foot of the cross.
There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.
For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-26
I feel a gentleness consume me when I read this. I also can't help but think about her on that long journey to Bethlehem. Was she cold as she walked with Joseph? Was her heart settled in that peace that passes all understanding, knowing God was with her, guiding Joseph to guide them? knowing she was carrying the Christ child? Do you think she ever thought, "Why did I say Yes and rock the boat, turning my life upsidedown? I could be home with all that is familiar." Even if she did think these things, God knew those words on her heart and He would provide comfort that one comes to know when we truely step out in faith.
I am in awe of her journey but I know I can not follow in her footsteps. They are hers. I feel God calling me to create my own, my unique path. I will continue to stumble to find the right road on my journey, that will not only bring me joy and peace but will glorify God.
Namaste'
Maureen
HOPE. Hope for the future.
I am straying from reflecting on the daily office readings today. I have been up again in the dark and watched the rise over the horizon. The beauty in this, is I ask myself, as I see light beginning to peak, "OK, God what is your plan for me today? How will my internal Advent and the outside world join together today between Saturday morning chores, an all day wrestling match with my son, work that needs to get done for work, and spending time with my family". Life happens admist the calm of the Advent journey I am trying to engage in.
I think this is part of the journey. Being present to and aware of what is happening around me, yet listening for the quiet whispers and gentleness that is tugging on my heart this morning. All I can think about is Mary.
As I sit all comfy in the sunroom wrapped in a blanket, I think about the grace that flowed into her by the heart of God. This grace strengthened and supported her to bring Jesus into the world. If you think about it, Mary alwasy brings us to Jesus. First by carrying Him as we wait in Advent, then his birth, in the temple years later,then she brings us to Jesus at the foot of the cross.
There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.
For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-26
I feel a gentleness consume me when I read this. I also can't help but think about her on that long journey to Bethlehem. Was she cold as she walked with Joseph? Was her heart settled in that peace that passes all understanding, knowing God was with her, guiding Joseph to guide them? knowing she was carrying the Christ child? Do you think she ever thought, "Why did I say Yes and rock the boat, turning my life upsidedown? I could be home with all that is familiar." Even if she did think these things, God knew those words on her heart and He would provide comfort that one comes to know when we truely step out in faith.
I am in awe of her journey but I know I can not follow in her footsteps. They are hers. I feel God calling me to create my own, my unique path. I will continue to stumble to find the right road on my journey, that will not only bring me joy and peace but will glorify God.
Namaste'
Maureen
Friday, December 3, 2010
Heavenly Hope: Advent Day 5 & 6
Advent Day 5 & 6
Daily Office readings: Isaiah 2:5-22, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, Luke 20:27-40
Isaiah 3:1-4;1,1 Thessalonians 4:1-12,Luke 20:41-21:4
Hope. Heavenly Hope that Christ will come again.
When I was thinking about Advent this year, I prayed and knew God was asking me to me more intentional about my Advent journey. So I began. I instinctively began waking earlier than usual, giving me time to just be. I come downstairs in the quiet of the night and I am still. I sit, I pray, I read the daily readings and I wait.
It seemed like the moment I began focusing on what the spiritual experience of Advent could be for me, Bethlehem became like a mirage shimmering across the desert, beckoning, tantalizing, then vanishing. Ok, then God, what's up?
I sit and I wait, the light of the sunrise peaks above the mountain a bit more. I know there is more to come from this morning light.
Advent is so much more that Bethlehem. "Christ will come again". This is the part of the Advent story that gets lost in the cookies and misletoe. Our life with Jesus begins in Bethlehem and is a journey with him to eternity. The central issue is what we believe about Jesus. Do you really believe that Jesus is who He said He is? or are you confused about His identity like the Sadducees and Pharaisees in these readings? Luke reminds us about the resurrection.
Take heart. I think we need to grow into the light, just like my Advent sunrises that begin with a feeble light peeking near the horizon. It is just enough to reassure my soul as the day dawns to watch and wait. At this point Bethlehem should be a mirage. Bethlehem will reveal itself to me as I continue my journey and walk the road to Bethlehem each day, enkindling in my spirit the light of heavenly hope
that "Christ will come again."
Namaste'
Maureen
Daily Office readings: Isaiah 2:5-22, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, Luke 20:27-40
Isaiah 3:1-4;1,1 Thessalonians 4:1-12,Luke 20:41-21:4
Hope. Heavenly Hope that Christ will come again.
When I was thinking about Advent this year, I prayed and knew God was asking me to me more intentional about my Advent journey. So I began. I instinctively began waking earlier than usual, giving me time to just be. I come downstairs in the quiet of the night and I am still. I sit, I pray, I read the daily readings and I wait.
It seemed like the moment I began focusing on what the spiritual experience of Advent could be for me, Bethlehem became like a mirage shimmering across the desert, beckoning, tantalizing, then vanishing. Ok, then God, what's up?
I sit and I wait, the light of the sunrise peaks above the mountain a bit more. I know there is more to come from this morning light.
Advent is so much more that Bethlehem. "Christ will come again". This is the part of the Advent story that gets lost in the cookies and misletoe. Our life with Jesus begins in Bethlehem and is a journey with him to eternity. The central issue is what we believe about Jesus. Do you really believe that Jesus is who He said He is? or are you confused about His identity like the Sadducees and Pharaisees in these readings? Luke reminds us about the resurrection.
Take heart. I think we need to grow into the light, just like my Advent sunrises that begin with a feeble light peeking near the horizon. It is just enough to reassure my soul as the day dawns to watch and wait. At this point Bethlehem should be a mirage. Bethlehem will reveal itself to me as I continue my journey and walk the road to Bethlehem each day, enkindling in my spirit the light of heavenly hope
that "Christ will come again."
Namaste'
Maureen
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Persecution: Advent Day Four
Daily Office Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-4, 1 Thessalonians 2: 13-20, Luke 20:19-26
A voice of Hope.
When people are perscuted and/or ridiculed don't you think it is their hope that keeps them going? I think of the apostle Paul and all the time he was in prison for what he believed and he remained hopeful in is faith.
In today's reading from Thessalonians we are reminded of how discouraging persecution is especially when it comes from your own people.
"And then dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way you imitated the believer's in God's churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews." 1Thessalonians 2:14
Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever faced opposition , disapproval and ridicule from your neighbors, friends, and even your family because of your faith? Are you like some of the Thessalonians in todays' reading who began to question their own faith upon persecution? Really.....how could God let this happen? You love Him, try your best to live a good and godly life...then WHAM..things get uncomfortable and rocky. Of course they do. Trials are part of God's plan for us, they build character, perserverance, sensitivity towards other who face troubles. I always reflect back to Romans 5: 1-5 when I think of this or am faced with this in my own life.
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5
Difficulties are unavoidable for God's people. This is everywhere in the Bible. The Hope is in the rest of the story and how we overcome our difficulties with the life changing power of the Holy Spirit, remembering to notice the good things that come our way and share the Good News with someone else - a family member, a friend, a coworker, or even a stranger.
Can you be like the apostle Paul this Advent? Faithful, bold with a voice of hope? Are you willing to possibly face persecution and ridicule in delivering the Advent message to someone today who may be oppossed to the Good News? Perhaps a stranger? a friend? your children? your spouse? your boss?
I am ready. I think I will take one for the team.
Namaste'
Maureen
A voice of Hope.
When people are perscuted and/or ridiculed don't you think it is their hope that keeps them going? I think of the apostle Paul and all the time he was in prison for what he believed and he remained hopeful in is faith.
In today's reading from Thessalonians we are reminded of how discouraging persecution is especially when it comes from your own people.
"And then dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way you imitated the believer's in God's churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews." 1Thessalonians 2:14
Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever faced opposition , disapproval and ridicule from your neighbors, friends, and even your family because of your faith? Are you like some of the Thessalonians in todays' reading who began to question their own faith upon persecution? Really.....how could God let this happen? You love Him, try your best to live a good and godly life...then WHAM..things get uncomfortable and rocky. Of course they do. Trials are part of God's plan for us, they build character, perserverance, sensitivity towards other who face troubles. I always reflect back to Romans 5: 1-5 when I think of this or am faced with this in my own life.
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5
Difficulties are unavoidable for God's people. This is everywhere in the Bible. The Hope is in the rest of the story and how we overcome our difficulties with the life changing power of the Holy Spirit, remembering to notice the good things that come our way and share the Good News with someone else - a family member, a friend, a coworker, or even a stranger.
Can you be like the apostle Paul this Advent? Faithful, bold with a voice of hope? Are you willing to possibly face persecution and ridicule in delivering the Advent message to someone today who may be oppossed to the Good News? Perhaps a stranger? a friend? your children? your spouse? your boss?
I am ready. I think I will take one for the team.
Namaste'
Maureen
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Hallelujah! Advent Day 3
Advent Day 3.
Daily office readings: Isaiah 1: 21-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Luke 20:9-18
Hope.
People give me hope. Hope in the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In today's reading from Thessalonians this passage reminds us to spread the word of God to all who will hear it."but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel,to please God who tests our hearts."
1 Thessalonians 2:4
This can be done in so many ways by just being who God calls us to be. The apostle Paul reminds us not be be afraid of the challenge. I think where ever the challenge takes us, when we embrace it with a loving heart, we will experience our own Hallelujah Chorus, and that feeling, that imprint of joy, God's handprint on our hearts, will stay with us to face the next challenge.
Namaste,
Maureen
Daily office readings: Isaiah 1: 21-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Luke 20:9-18
Hope.
People give me hope. Hope in the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In today's reading from Thessalonians this passage reminds us to spread the word of God to all who will hear it."but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel,to please God who tests our hearts."
1 Thessalonians 2:4
This can be done in so many ways by just being who God calls us to be. The apostle Paul reminds us not be be afraid of the challenge. I think where ever the challenge takes us, when we embrace it with a loving heart, we will experience our own Hallelujah Chorus, and that feeling, that imprint of joy, God's handprint on our hearts, will stay with us to face the next challenge.
Namaste,
Maureen
Monday, November 29, 2010
Advent Credo: Advent Day 2
Advent Day 2
Daily Office Readings:Isaiah 1:10-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Luke 20:1-8
Hope. Hope in humanity.
A dear friend of mine sent this to me. It is really very beautiful. God wants us to truly love our neighbor as He loves us.
Advent Credo
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
Namaste'
Maureen
Daily Office Readings:Isaiah 1:10-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Luke 20:1-8
Hope. Hope in humanity.
A dear friend of mine sent this to me. It is really very beautiful. God wants us to truly love our neighbor as He loves us.
Advent Credo
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
Namaste'
Maureen
Happy Advent
Advent: Day 1
Daily Office Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Mathew 24:36-44
Hope. Today's readings are the hope that reminds us that Christ's return is equally part of Advent.
I love Advent.
I loved today, the first day in Advent in 2010 and how people of all ages turned up at my church bend over long tables making fresh green Advent wreaths to take home. I loved seeing young children, youth and our wise elders making prayer beads and experiencing "something" as one mother said to me. She and her daughter were making their beads while listening to contemplative harp music, her words to me were "Wow, if I listened to this music every day, was quiet,and slowed down to pray like this, I would always be peaceful." Amen!Amen!
Seeing the holy chaos of fresh greens spilled everywhere, beads rolling on the floor,singing, cocoa mustaches and Advent wreaths being made, not only for every one's home, but for our local shelters and Habitat homes, rejoices community. We celebrated and worshipped together to begin and nurture our personal Advent journey's.
Our Advent community is that place where we keep the hope alive among us and take it seriously, so that it grows and becomes stronger in us so we are ready. Happy Advent!
Namaste'
Maureen
Daily Office Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Mathew 24:36-44
Hope. Today's readings are the hope that reminds us that Christ's return is equally part of Advent.
I love Advent.
I loved today, the first day in Advent in 2010 and how people of all ages turned up at my church bend over long tables making fresh green Advent wreaths to take home. I loved seeing young children, youth and our wise elders making prayer beads and experiencing "something" as one mother said to me. She and her daughter were making their beads while listening to contemplative harp music, her words to me were "Wow, if I listened to this music every day, was quiet,and slowed down to pray like this, I would always be peaceful." Amen!Amen!
Seeing the holy chaos of fresh greens spilled everywhere, beads rolling on the floor,singing, cocoa mustaches and Advent wreaths being made, not only for every one's home, but for our local shelters and Habitat homes, rejoices community. We celebrated and worshipped together to begin and nurture our personal Advent journey's.
Our Advent community is that place where we keep the hope alive among us and take it seriously, so that it grows and becomes stronger in us so we are ready. Happy Advent!
Namaste'
Maureen
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Giving Thanks
Today is Thanksgiving.
Today I thank God for the abundance of blessings in my life. I will also thank God for the things in my life that don't seem or feel like a blessing. I am learning that "a grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks." Reading that recently, reminded me that I do need to thank God for the joys, dissapointments and heart aches; always trusting in and accepting in thanksgiving, God's plan. Thankgiving doesn't always have to be that kick your heels off, woo-hoo I am thankful. Thanksgiving in acceptance of a situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed is humble thanksgiving. If I truly believe He's working for my good (Rom 8:28-29), I can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then I can truely say thank you.
I have been having a particular hard time lately and I don't like it. I am deeply sad and hurt over a situation that I cannot change, nor can I talk with the person who has hurt me. I don't completely understand the depth of my sadnesss but what I do know is because of the situation I can't cross this boundary. I think this is what God is asking of me here.... a lesson in being humble. It is hard and I find myself saying, "This really sucks God but I think I know what you are doing and I must bow my head and let You work in me. Still sucks , just so you know ." I know I do not have the ability within myself to endure hardships with gratefulness. I need to rely on God so I can go through through this and futue adversities with an appreciative heart. That is where I want to be, but honestly I am so not 100% there, yet I remain thankful that God is working in me.
There is a prayer of General Thanksgiving in the Book of Common Prayer that I love. When I lead morning prayer it is the one that I always choose. I often open my prayer book to this prayer for no particular reason. I just like it. I will pray this with my family today as we share our Thanksgiving meal. I recently learned that the person who wrote this, wrote it after his 4 year old was tragically killed. I don't know this person but I think that he was packed with the power of the Holy Spirit that worked for him and through him guiding him with this prayer of humble, real thanskgiving.
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer pg 836
So, I think that the message for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is:
Yes ,I am thankful for all the blessings in my life and I accept any situation as coming from God. With a proper attitide, thaksgiving can overflow into my life no matter what happens because God loves me, guides me and wants the best for me. I need to pray, pray without ceasing through my circumstances and to have a listening heart to hear God's message to me. I need to have complete trust and faith to place myself under His loving wisdom and draw from the strength I need to endure the joys and difficulties in my life with gratitude.
Namaste'
Maureen
Today I thank God for the abundance of blessings in my life. I will also thank God for the things in my life that don't seem or feel like a blessing. I am learning that "a grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks." Reading that recently, reminded me that I do need to thank God for the joys, dissapointments and heart aches; always trusting in and accepting in thanksgiving, God's plan. Thankgiving doesn't always have to be that kick your heels off, woo-hoo I am thankful. Thanksgiving in acceptance of a situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed is humble thanksgiving. If I truly believe He's working for my good (Rom 8:28-29), I can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then I can truely say thank you.
I have been having a particular hard time lately and I don't like it. I am deeply sad and hurt over a situation that I cannot change, nor can I talk with the person who has hurt me. I don't completely understand the depth of my sadnesss but what I do know is because of the situation I can't cross this boundary. I think this is what God is asking of me here.... a lesson in being humble. It is hard and I find myself saying, "This really sucks God but I think I know what you are doing and I must bow my head and let You work in me. Still sucks , just so you know ." I know I do not have the ability within myself to endure hardships with gratefulness. I need to rely on God so I can go through through this and futue adversities with an appreciative heart. That is where I want to be, but honestly I am so not 100% there, yet I remain thankful that God is working in me.
There is a prayer of General Thanksgiving in the Book of Common Prayer that I love. When I lead morning prayer it is the one that I always choose. I often open my prayer book to this prayer for no particular reason. I just like it. I will pray this with my family today as we share our Thanksgiving meal. I recently learned that the person who wrote this, wrote it after his 4 year old was tragically killed. I don't know this person but I think that he was packed with the power of the Holy Spirit that worked for him and through him guiding him with this prayer of humble, real thanskgiving.
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer pg 836
So, I think that the message for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is:
Yes ,I am thankful for all the blessings in my life and I accept any situation as coming from God. With a proper attitide, thaksgiving can overflow into my life no matter what happens because God loves me, guides me and wants the best for me. I need to pray, pray without ceasing through my circumstances and to have a listening heart to hear God's message to me. I need to have complete trust and faith to place myself under His loving wisdom and draw from the strength I need to endure the joys and difficulties in my life with gratitude.
Namaste'
Maureen
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Spiritual Midwives
My best friend is a nurse-midwife.
I have had the honor of being present at a few births with her as an observer and as a birth Doula. The love, care, nurturing and support I have witnessed my friend provide to her patients is inspiring, loving and spiritual. Watching the miracle of life coming into the world is well,a miracle...a profound mystical joining of this precious being to all of creation. Watching my friend help bring life into this world in a gentle, nurturing, present,wise,compassionate way,is a not only a miracle but a blessing to those she cares for.
Midwives understand the process of giving birth. They understand that it takes time and that it’s going to hurt. There are certain things we can do to hang on through the pain, but that there’s no way around it. From that pain new life is born and joined to all of humanity. There is a sacred bond I have seen my friend have with her patients. They share a sacred portal as they journey through the pain to the joining of science and mystery that is linked to God. In that moment, when a baby takes its first breath, God breathes live into that little soul and all of heaven rejoices.I think at that moment there is a union of souls, here and not of this world. God and the heavens rejoice and in that rapture a bond is formed.
"They come through you but are not from you, and though they are with you, yet they do not belong to you.
You may give them you love, but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams."Kahlil Gibran
My friend is my midwife,not in the conventional way. she is my spiritual midwife. This metaphor is an important one. So many people experience huge spiritual shifts and new discoveries as they journey in their life. We all need guides who hold our hands and remind us to breathe and to be present in our joy and in our pain. We all need people who recognize and respect the birthing-something-new process who don’t try to rush it or numb it out. Being present in the moment, present with the pain. My friend has done this for me. We do this for each other.
We all need spiritual midwives.
If you are lucky, you may have more than one. I think this is a natural thing during different seasons of our lives. As we meet people throughout our lives, we share, we connect, we love, we are in relationship. Authentic relationships link us to something bigger within us and that links us to that other person.
I am very lucky and very blessed to have spiritual midwives in my life.
My priest is just that person too. As I began that shift in my life and in my faith to listen to and accept my call, she has been that steady, loving presence. I long to give birth to this new me that is forming with this call. I do not know exactly what will emerge,yet once I said yes, it continues to push me to step out in faith. Somewhat of a birthing of my call, a beginning. At times the journey is painful on many levels, yet joyous. My priest helps me sift through and embrace the unknown, through prayer, chats and by the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a tender openness to my questions and fears, that are gently guided. She reminds me to breathe and trust in the process. With her, I am freely able to ask questions, experience the joys and difficulties of a call and to be present in my pain and struggles instead of numb it. She will listen to my joys, my fears, my venting,my angst,she enables me to understand that raw honesty is helpful instead of pretending or numbing out and losing touch with what’s really going on inside....listening to and trusting in the movement of God in my life. With her I can share the sacredness of my relationship with God.
I am blessed to have such a mentor in my life. My journey has been difficult and it is so much better that she is there along the way. She helps guide, nurture and remind me that the struggles won't be like this forever and something wonderful and beautiful will indeed emerge and be brought to life, in God's timing, in God's way. "All will be well"
We all need midwives who tell us we can’t hurry the process.
I have lost some friends on my journey and that has been very sad to me. I do grieve this loss. I do have some amazing friends in my life who really have stuck with me through all of this. They won’t let go of me. They return my phone calls, hold me when I cry. Share in my joy and they gently point me toward what is beautiful, what is hopeful but without telling me what I should do and how I should do it. They respect my autonomy are with me in the moment and remind me to focus on what is emerging.
When it comes to the spiritual things being born & re-born in us, we need midwives who help celebrate the beauty of the moment, of what’s emerging, of what God is doing with us in the midst regardless of what it might look like at the moment. My friends help me see the beauty in the process even when I am not looking or sounding so beautiful. I have a dear freind who reminds me of this daily. We are both mothers, following a call. We remind each other that God called us to be a wife and mother first and from that He has called us to serve Him now in an added way. This reminder helps me be the wife, mother and woman God has called me to be. My friend has listened, prayed with and helped me with practical matters of everyday life and of my call. Her support has given me courage to press on and her words breath grace into my life. She will be ordained a Deacon. Her faithfulness, her gentleness, her frankness are a blessing to me. We journey together, yet our journey's are different. Oh...and we can laugh,cry and share..."Isn't God amazing?"..."Can you believe God did....", or "What is God doing?", "Why is he shaking things up?"When I feel that I can't push myself any further or out fo my comfort zone, she reminds me that the push/the movement out of my comfort zone eases the next push on the journey. When I am ready to take two steps forward, she reminds me to take one step back and slow down. As similar as we are, we are so very different.
We all need spiritual midwives who we can celebrate our uniqueness with.
My sister sees things differently, she has the gentle eyes and soul of a Christian mystic. She has been given the gift and a blessing of conscious awareness of God. She too is a spiritual midwife to me. Through her guiding eyes,I am able to trust in the possibiliites and let go, trusting in the movement of my body and its union with the Spirit. She is amazing. What makes her amazing is her faithfulness. She would be the first to say she is not special and that we all have the hand of God on us and that we have to listen to the whispers. She reminds me we are all theologians and we all can go deeper into the mystery of God's love in prayer and dwell in the mansions of our soul. As sisters, we share that special bond that sisters share. She has known me all my life and has seen both the light and darkness in my life and my journey. She guides me as we process and discern together, navigating through questions, struggles and sharing the joy and peace that passes all undertanding. There was a time that our relationship sturggled and it too went through a birthing process and what has emerged is a sacred sharing of two souls joined to the belovedness of God. Her husband calls us "The Sacred Sisters."
I know if we hang on long enough and see the process through, a “baby” will be born that will need nurturing, love and care. Some of the pushing is over, it doesn’t hurt so much anymore. New hope is somehow born, but like a newborn baby, it needs to be fed, nutured,loved and guided. The new things surfacing in us spiritually need tending to so that they can be healthy and strong over time.
We all need spiritual midwives.
As part of my discernment process it was suggested that I speak with a Spiritual Director. My spiritual director is also a spiritual midwife for me. I meet with her monthly and we pray and talk about my growing relationship with the Divine. Our conversations open a tending to the holiness of God touching my life both directly and indirectly. We discern the scared stories I may share on how God is working in my life and what I may perceive as not....during times when I feel spiritually lost. One of the many gifts she has blessed me with is a question she asked once,"How do you think, you experiencing that, made God feel about you?" Tweleve simple words that I have linked to my quiet time with God and I ask Him. I never thought of that before.....that God may possibly feel the same joy that He shares with me. I wonder if God has this over the moon joy,with me?
I use to cringe when people would say they were "born again" or they would tell me I needed to be "born again". I was often approached by very loud, over bearing Evangelical Christians. This intimated me and quite frankly turned me off. So, I avoided being "born again" at all costs. As I have matured in my faith, I do believe I am ...yes...born again. We are all born again, over and over in our journey, in our prayer life, in our relationship with one another and in our relationship with God. We are always evolving and clay in the potter's hand. This is what I feel Jesus is telling Nicodemus in John 3.
“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
There is so much more than just eternal salvation. I believe we are "born again" over and over in our spiritual journey.
Though exciting, beautiful and from God, birthing spirituality is scary, painful, joyful,life altering and complicated. This is why we need spiritual companions along the way to help us navigate and experience the miracle from deep within our soul. They help us hope, trust, believe in the process of the light of life emerging.
Thank you to my spiritual midwives.
Namaste'
Maureen
I have had the honor of being present at a few births with her as an observer and as a birth Doula. The love, care, nurturing and support I have witnessed my friend provide to her patients is inspiring, loving and spiritual. Watching the miracle of life coming into the world is well,a miracle...a profound mystical joining of this precious being to all of creation. Watching my friend help bring life into this world in a gentle, nurturing, present,wise,compassionate way,is a not only a miracle but a blessing to those she cares for.
Midwives understand the process of giving birth. They understand that it takes time and that it’s going to hurt. There are certain things we can do to hang on through the pain, but that there’s no way around it. From that pain new life is born and joined to all of humanity. There is a sacred bond I have seen my friend have with her patients. They share a sacred portal as they journey through the pain to the joining of science and mystery that is linked to God. In that moment, when a baby takes its first breath, God breathes live into that little soul and all of heaven rejoices.I think at that moment there is a union of souls, here and not of this world. God and the heavens rejoice and in that rapture a bond is formed.
"They come through you but are not from you, and though they are with you, yet they do not belong to you.
You may give them you love, but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams."Kahlil Gibran
My friend is my midwife,not in the conventional way. she is my spiritual midwife. This metaphor is an important one. So many people experience huge spiritual shifts and new discoveries as they journey in their life. We all need guides who hold our hands and remind us to breathe and to be present in our joy and in our pain. We all need people who recognize and respect the birthing-something-new process who don’t try to rush it or numb it out. Being present in the moment, present with the pain. My friend has done this for me. We do this for each other.
We all need spiritual midwives.
If you are lucky, you may have more than one. I think this is a natural thing during different seasons of our lives. As we meet people throughout our lives, we share, we connect, we love, we are in relationship. Authentic relationships link us to something bigger within us and that links us to that other person.
I am very lucky and very blessed to have spiritual midwives in my life.
My priest is just that person too. As I began that shift in my life and in my faith to listen to and accept my call, she has been that steady, loving presence. I long to give birth to this new me that is forming with this call. I do not know exactly what will emerge,yet once I said yes, it continues to push me to step out in faith. Somewhat of a birthing of my call, a beginning. At times the journey is painful on many levels, yet joyous. My priest helps me sift through and embrace the unknown, through prayer, chats and by the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a tender openness to my questions and fears, that are gently guided. She reminds me to breathe and trust in the process. With her, I am freely able to ask questions, experience the joys and difficulties of a call and to be present in my pain and struggles instead of numb it. She will listen to my joys, my fears, my venting,my angst,she enables me to understand that raw honesty is helpful instead of pretending or numbing out and losing touch with what’s really going on inside....listening to and trusting in the movement of God in my life. With her I can share the sacredness of my relationship with God.
I am blessed to have such a mentor in my life. My journey has been difficult and it is so much better that she is there along the way. She helps guide, nurture and remind me that the struggles won't be like this forever and something wonderful and beautiful will indeed emerge and be brought to life, in God's timing, in God's way. "All will be well"
We all need midwives who tell us we can’t hurry the process.
I have lost some friends on my journey and that has been very sad to me. I do grieve this loss. I do have some amazing friends in my life who really have stuck with me through all of this. They won’t let go of me. They return my phone calls, hold me when I cry. Share in my joy and they gently point me toward what is beautiful, what is hopeful but without telling me what I should do and how I should do it. They respect my autonomy are with me in the moment and remind me to focus on what is emerging.
When it comes to the spiritual things being born & re-born in us, we need midwives who help celebrate the beauty of the moment, of what’s emerging, of what God is doing with us in the midst regardless of what it might look like at the moment. My friends help me see the beauty in the process even when I am not looking or sounding so beautiful. I have a dear freind who reminds me of this daily. We are both mothers, following a call. We remind each other that God called us to be a wife and mother first and from that He has called us to serve Him now in an added way. This reminder helps me be the wife, mother and woman God has called me to be. My friend has listened, prayed with and helped me with practical matters of everyday life and of my call. Her support has given me courage to press on and her words breath grace into my life. She will be ordained a Deacon. Her faithfulness, her gentleness, her frankness are a blessing to me. We journey together, yet our journey's are different. Oh...and we can laugh,cry and share..."Isn't God amazing?"..."Can you believe God did....", or "What is God doing?", "Why is he shaking things up?"When I feel that I can't push myself any further or out fo my comfort zone, she reminds me that the push/the movement out of my comfort zone eases the next push on the journey. When I am ready to take two steps forward, she reminds me to take one step back and slow down. As similar as we are, we are so very different.
We all need spiritual midwives who we can celebrate our uniqueness with.
My sister sees things differently, she has the gentle eyes and soul of a Christian mystic. She has been given the gift and a blessing of conscious awareness of God. She too is a spiritual midwife to me. Through her guiding eyes,I am able to trust in the possibiliites and let go, trusting in the movement of my body and its union with the Spirit. She is amazing. What makes her amazing is her faithfulness. She would be the first to say she is not special and that we all have the hand of God on us and that we have to listen to the whispers. She reminds me we are all theologians and we all can go deeper into the mystery of God's love in prayer and dwell in the mansions of our soul. As sisters, we share that special bond that sisters share. She has known me all my life and has seen both the light and darkness in my life and my journey. She guides me as we process and discern together, navigating through questions, struggles and sharing the joy and peace that passes all undertanding. There was a time that our relationship sturggled and it too went through a birthing process and what has emerged is a sacred sharing of two souls joined to the belovedness of God. Her husband calls us "The Sacred Sisters."
I know if we hang on long enough and see the process through, a “baby” will be born that will need nurturing, love and care. Some of the pushing is over, it doesn’t hurt so much anymore. New hope is somehow born, but like a newborn baby, it needs to be fed, nutured,loved and guided. The new things surfacing in us spiritually need tending to so that they can be healthy and strong over time.
We all need spiritual midwives.
As part of my discernment process it was suggested that I speak with a Spiritual Director. My spiritual director is also a spiritual midwife for me. I meet with her monthly and we pray and talk about my growing relationship with the Divine. Our conversations open a tending to the holiness of God touching my life both directly and indirectly. We discern the scared stories I may share on how God is working in my life and what I may perceive as not....during times when I feel spiritually lost. One of the many gifts she has blessed me with is a question she asked once,"How do you think, you experiencing that, made God feel about you?" Tweleve simple words that I have linked to my quiet time with God and I ask Him. I never thought of that before.....that God may possibly feel the same joy that He shares with me. I wonder if God has this over the moon joy,with me?
I use to cringe when people would say they were "born again" or they would tell me I needed to be "born again". I was often approached by very loud, over bearing Evangelical Christians. This intimated me and quite frankly turned me off. So, I avoided being "born again" at all costs. As I have matured in my faith, I do believe I am ...yes...born again. We are all born again, over and over in our journey, in our prayer life, in our relationship with one another and in our relationship with God. We are always evolving and clay in the potter's hand. This is what I feel Jesus is telling Nicodemus in John 3.
“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
There is so much more than just eternal salvation. I believe we are "born again" over and over in our spiritual journey.
Though exciting, beautiful and from God, birthing spirituality is scary, painful, joyful,life altering and complicated. This is why we need spiritual companions along the way to help us navigate and experience the miracle from deep within our soul. They help us hope, trust, believe in the process of the light of life emerging.
Thank you to my spiritual midwives.
Namaste'
Maureen
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Great Light of the World
One of my favorite times to "be" is in that moment before I am fully awake. It is in that moment that I feel I am re-entering my body, sometimes from a peaceful sleep, sometimes from a place that gives me that peace that passes all understanding.
This morning I was in such a place and this is what I heard:
Let me share a few things. I have heard this song a number of times, we occasionally sing it at church. I do not know the lyrics by heart. What I do know is the symphony in my head this morning filled my heart. As I let myself "be" I again heard music, this time it was:
I knew I needed to sit and just "be". I sat in silence for quite some time. Then, quiet prayer that moved me so inward that a sacred portal was once again shared with me. I reconized this feeling. It was as if I was within a transparent cocoon, I could feel the pulse of a heartbeat and of sadness. oh...I could see so much, yet I couldn't see. There was so much love,inward and outward. I could feel it resonate within me. I was suspended within this all consuming embrace, an awareness of faith and of God....the warmth, the gentleness, the love. A sweet rapture consumed me and I was blessed with clarity not of this world.
What does this mean? Many things and more. What I do know for sure , is that, The Great Light of the World gives me hope to carry on.
Namaste'
Maureen
This morning I was in such a place and this is what I heard:
Let me share a few things. I have heard this song a number of times, we occasionally sing it at church. I do not know the lyrics by heart. What I do know is the symphony in my head this morning filled my heart. As I let myself "be" I again heard music, this time it was:
I knew I needed to sit and just "be". I sat in silence for quite some time. Then, quiet prayer that moved me so inward that a sacred portal was once again shared with me. I reconized this feeling. It was as if I was within a transparent cocoon, I could feel the pulse of a heartbeat and of sadness. oh...I could see so much, yet I couldn't see. There was so much love,inward and outward. I could feel it resonate within me. I was suspended within this all consuming embrace, an awareness of faith and of God....the warmth, the gentleness, the love. A sweet rapture consumed me and I was blessed with clarity not of this world.
What does this mean? Many things and more. What I do know for sure , is that, The Great Light of the World gives me hope to carry on.
Namaste'
Maureen
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Romans 5: 1-5
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5
This passage kept coming into my mind as I was in bed praying. I couldn't sleep.
This is one of my favorite passages in the bible. This passage was given to me to read when I was struggling with bulima in high school. Many years later, I was asked to pray this passage with a woman I knew who was going to prision after making some bad choices. Her love of God, her repentence and this passage was going to get her through her year in jail, away from her children. Years later, I read this passage to my friend eveytime she began her chemotherapy. If I wasn't with her, I read it to her over the phone. Recently, I shared this passage with a teenager. All of us in different seasons in our lives, with sturggles that seem too big to bear but with faith, trust and pure stubbornness we all can forge on, lead by faith to overcome. I hope that this passage continues to resonate with those who read it and pray on it. It is the climb up the mountain that enables us to overcome so we can become what awaits us on the other side.
Romans 5:1-5 is my mantra.
I think this passage speaks to our suffering in a very personal way. We all suffer through life at different times and in different ways. We personally suffer through difficulties, health crisis,life's hard times, grief and the list can go on. As a parent, I suffer as I sometimes watch my children suffer. It is through our struggles and suffering that God gives us hope in the possibilities of tomorrow.
I often feel that I live in two worlds, the world of this century and a spiritual world that is beyond my comprehension. A place of undeserved privilege. It is a separation of and a union of something bigger than me, a two sided reality of my life. Oh...and when I am there, breathing in the breath of God....I do have the faith to overcome and that feeling is what I lean on when I forget, which is only human, isn't it? The gift of knowing God is always, always with me, gives me my strength and hope in tomorrow.
On the one hand I am growing in Christ, feeling both His presence and the struggles of life. Then there is this peace that passes all understanding and lives in my soul. Having experienced that peace,I know the climb to the other side of my struggles, to that peace, is what I must overcome to become. It is in this journey that God carries me when the climb seems too much to bear, when I can't do it alone but I know I am not alone, as God lives in me.
I think this is what the apostle Paul is saying to us: We will experience difficulties that help us grow, we rejoice in suffering (yes, rejoice in suffering....I know this is a hard one and it totally sucks at times, but we learn to depend on the strength that God gives us, who is alive in us by the power of the Holy Spirit). We rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or deny the feelings that this pain brings. We rejoice because by faith, we know that God is using the difficulties we face to build our character to be more like Him. The problems we run into will develop our perseverance, which will also strengthen our character. This will deepen our trust in God and we are never, never alone.
Namaste',
Maureen
My 16 year old son told me this evening that I have written about Roamns 5:1-5 twice on my blog. My 16 year old takes the time to read my blog! Now that is totally cool.
This passage kept coming into my mind as I was in bed praying. I couldn't sleep.
This is one of my favorite passages in the bible. This passage was given to me to read when I was struggling with bulima in high school. Many years later, I was asked to pray this passage with a woman I knew who was going to prision after making some bad choices. Her love of God, her repentence and this passage was going to get her through her year in jail, away from her children. Years later, I read this passage to my friend eveytime she began her chemotherapy. If I wasn't with her, I read it to her over the phone. Recently, I shared this passage with a teenager. All of us in different seasons in our lives, with sturggles that seem too big to bear but with faith, trust and pure stubbornness we all can forge on, lead by faith to overcome. I hope that this passage continues to resonate with those who read it and pray on it. It is the climb up the mountain that enables us to overcome so we can become what awaits us on the other side.
Romans 5:1-5 is my mantra.
I think this passage speaks to our suffering in a very personal way. We all suffer through life at different times and in different ways. We personally suffer through difficulties, health crisis,life's hard times, grief and the list can go on. As a parent, I suffer as I sometimes watch my children suffer. It is through our struggles and suffering that God gives us hope in the possibilities of tomorrow.
I often feel that I live in two worlds, the world of this century and a spiritual world that is beyond my comprehension. A place of undeserved privilege. It is a separation of and a union of something bigger than me, a two sided reality of my life. Oh...and when I am there, breathing in the breath of God....I do have the faith to overcome and that feeling is what I lean on when I forget, which is only human, isn't it? The gift of knowing God is always, always with me, gives me my strength and hope in tomorrow.
On the one hand I am growing in Christ, feeling both His presence and the struggles of life. Then there is this peace that passes all understanding and lives in my soul. Having experienced that peace,I know the climb to the other side of my struggles, to that peace, is what I must overcome to become. It is in this journey that God carries me when the climb seems too much to bear, when I can't do it alone but I know I am not alone, as God lives in me.
I think this is what the apostle Paul is saying to us: We will experience difficulties that help us grow, we rejoice in suffering (yes, rejoice in suffering....I know this is a hard one and it totally sucks at times, but we learn to depend on the strength that God gives us, who is alive in us by the power of the Holy Spirit). We rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or deny the feelings that this pain brings. We rejoice because by faith, we know that God is using the difficulties we face to build our character to be more like Him. The problems we run into will develop our perseverance, which will also strengthen our character. This will deepen our trust in God and we are never, never alone.
Namaste',
Maureen
My 16 year old son told me this evening that I have written about Roamns 5:1-5 twice on my blog. My 16 year old takes the time to read my blog! Now that is totally cool.
Friday, October 22, 2010
My Rosary
"Loving Jesus with the heart of Mary."
Mother Teresa
October is the month of the Rosary, which resonates with Roman Catholics everywhere. October 7th is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Developed in the West, it is a typically meditative prayer, corresponding in some way to the “prayer of the heart” or “Jesus prayer” which took root in the soil of the Christian East.
The rosary is a prayer tradition that I have had in my life since I was in elementary school. I learned the rosary in second grade during the time I made my First Holy Communion, as it is called in the Roman Catholic Church. I do prefer how one participates in the Eucharist in the Episcopal Church. (This is clearly a post for another time because I have alot to say about the Eucharist) Anyway...
My rosary beads are purple plastic. A treasure. Now, I have some others that also have special meaning. I have some from my mom and grandmother, which have crystal beads, a few that have been blessed by the Pope John Paul II and a rosary chaplet from my sister. I keep a pair in my glove box in my car, one is in a special box in my family room, one next to my "prayer chair" in my sun room and my purple plastic ones are always in my pocket. If I do not have a pocket they are in my purse. These purple plastic rosary beads are my most treasured possession.
Initially, the purple plastic rosary beads were given to me when I made my First Communion in second grade. I lost them for some time last year and they found their way back to me, in a very special, very divine way. A God moment or God-incidence as my friend says.
I learned how to pray the rosary at this time and have prayed it since.... my sacred lullaby, an end to the gift of each day. There are times I meditate on the mysteries, times I pray the Hail Mary's and The Lord's Prayer and meditate on the intercessions I am praying at that time. I often drift into a contemplative state and sometimes I feel transported to the foot of the Cross, standing beside Mary, witnessing my Savior bearing the weight of my sin. Sometimes I get insight into the meaning of Scripture as it applies to my life. Other times I get a warm glow through my entire body. I would like to think this is the Holy Spirit.
I love what I call my rosary walks, walks with my dogs when I prayer-walk the rosary. I love being on my bike and praying the rosary. There is something about the meditation and the physical rhythm that is both soothing and opens my listening heart to the Spirit, just being in, resting in, breathing in presence, and at times, being deeply joined to what I feel is Mary's side. A moment of grace being molded to the mansions of my soul, until Christ is "fully formed" in me. (Galatians 4:19)
This rhythm transcends my soul deeper to a union with Mary and our Beloved Lord. The rosary invites us to do, as Mary did at the Annunciation: to ask humbly the questions which open us to the light, in order to end with the obedience of faith: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)."-
I think of praying the rosary as meditative gift I give myself.
This prayer does not conflict with the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church that I love. It sustains it. It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man is seen in its true light. The Rosary helps to open up the way to this light, an intentional commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery. Mary's obedience to God and closeness to Jesus made her holy. Our nearness to Jesus makes us Holy.
I know I am devoted to the Blessed Mother. Her story has brought me closer to Jesus. It is her heart that I long for in this very Martha world.
Namaste'
Maureen
Mother Teresa
October is the month of the Rosary, which resonates with Roman Catholics everywhere. October 7th is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Developed in the West, it is a typically meditative prayer, corresponding in some way to the “prayer of the heart” or “Jesus prayer” which took root in the soil of the Christian East.
The rosary is a prayer tradition that I have had in my life since I was in elementary school. I learned the rosary in second grade during the time I made my First Holy Communion, as it is called in the Roman Catholic Church. I do prefer how one participates in the Eucharist in the Episcopal Church. (This is clearly a post for another time because I have alot to say about the Eucharist) Anyway...
My rosary beads are purple plastic. A treasure. Now, I have some others that also have special meaning. I have some from my mom and grandmother, which have crystal beads, a few that have been blessed by the Pope John Paul II and a rosary chaplet from my sister. I keep a pair in my glove box in my car, one is in a special box in my family room, one next to my "prayer chair" in my sun room and my purple plastic ones are always in my pocket. If I do not have a pocket they are in my purse. These purple plastic rosary beads are my most treasured possession.
Initially, the purple plastic rosary beads were given to me when I made my First Communion in second grade. I lost them for some time last year and they found their way back to me, in a very special, very divine way. A God moment or God-incidence as my friend says.
I learned how to pray the rosary at this time and have prayed it since.... my sacred lullaby, an end to the gift of each day. There are times I meditate on the mysteries, times I pray the Hail Mary's and The Lord's Prayer and meditate on the intercessions I am praying at that time. I often drift into a contemplative state and sometimes I feel transported to the foot of the Cross, standing beside Mary, witnessing my Savior bearing the weight of my sin. Sometimes I get insight into the meaning of Scripture as it applies to my life. Other times I get a warm glow through my entire body. I would like to think this is the Holy Spirit.
I love what I call my rosary walks, walks with my dogs when I prayer-walk the rosary. I love being on my bike and praying the rosary. There is something about the meditation and the physical rhythm that is both soothing and opens my listening heart to the Spirit, just being in, resting in, breathing in presence, and at times, being deeply joined to what I feel is Mary's side. A moment of grace being molded to the mansions of my soul, until Christ is "fully formed" in me. (Galatians 4:19)
This rhythm transcends my soul deeper to a union with Mary and our Beloved Lord. The rosary invites us to do, as Mary did at the Annunciation: to ask humbly the questions which open us to the light, in order to end with the obedience of faith: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)."-
I think of praying the rosary as meditative gift I give myself.
This prayer does not conflict with the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church that I love. It sustains it. It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man is seen in its true light. The Rosary helps to open up the way to this light, an intentional commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery. Mary's obedience to God and closeness to Jesus made her holy. Our nearness to Jesus makes us Holy.
I know I am devoted to the Blessed Mother. Her story has brought me closer to Jesus. It is her heart that I long for in this very Martha world.
Namaste'
Maureen
Thursday, October 7, 2010
26 years
"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; "it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13: 4-6 (NRSV)
Today my husband, John and I , celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. 26 years! As I think back to that day, there are so many details that I still recall. We began our life together as husband and wife. We began building a life together that continues today.
I met John through our dear friend Dave. Dave and I were lab partners. John and Dave were best friends. To make a long story short, I was dating Dave and well , you can guess how the rest of the story goes....
We were hard working college students. John graduated a year ahead, I was on the 5 year plan and Dave was working on his Masters. We all planned a double date in NYC to meet one another. We saw the show "Nine" and met for drinks at "Windows of the World" at the top the World Trade Center. It was a fun magical evening. I recall John walking into the Window of the World and this voice inside of me saying, "You are going to marry him". Well, my logical, liberated side, said, " Please....Maureen , you don't even REALLY know this guy, he HAS a girl friend, etc. etc. " Well...that night I pondered for along time. That guy, seemed so cool, so sensitive, so articulate, so respectful, so gentle,so smart, so amazing and yes...so handsome. My heart skipped a beat. So....this voice in my head, I tried to block out. I told myself to breathe and trust in the possibilities.
We married at age 24. We were young, naive and filled with hopes and dreams for our life together.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Kahlil Gibran
Our life together has not been hard but it has not always been easy.
We were married for 5 years before we had children. We worked, played and grew together yet separately. Three children in 5 years. We continued to play and grow together yet separately. John worked I was able to stay home with our children. A blessing indeed. I loved being a stay at home mom. I smile as I write that. You see I insisted that I was going to be a career woman,juggling daycare, marriage and career. Well, I melted when I held our first born and was hooked. John supported my decision, with what I now feel was a WHEW and an OH BOY! We both were raised with moms at home when we were young ,so it sounded like the natural thing to do but it didn't seem natural to me. That is not until I experienced bringing life into this world. A gift from God indeed. John wanted me to be happy and if working would make me happy, he was all for it. Deciding to stay at home meant living on one income. Very difficult, at times. John traveled alot both in the US and abroad. We didn't have alot of money and we were not the best stewards of our resources at the time. Our young love made everything seem possible. We moved together well. We created a rhythm to our life that was easy and loving; valuing our independence,respecting one another's independence, our uniqueness, our oneness and our differences.
"Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music."
Kahlil Gibran
As I write this my heart smiles. You know that, the "garage door lifting sound signaling.....he's home sound". Joy in my heart! I often think of this and the qualities about John that I cherish in the joyous moments and when challenges and transitions of our life bring us into uncharted territory.
It is only natural that in marriage , there will be uncharted territory as one grows and matures. Life happens...raising children, work travel, miscarriages, extended family drama, a cancer diagnosis,trauma, graduations,college tuition payments, aging parents...life happens. Oh.... and then throw in a deepening spirituality, and BTW honey, I have this calling. A calling from God to be a priest...talk about uncharted territory.....something neither one of us could have imagined or dreamed of 26 years ago. We continue to grow and mature together and separately. I have faith, I have hope, I have trust and I work on not letting this separate growth hurt this sacred union.I know God has re-entered my life in a most amazing way and that can only bless my marriage. I love my husband. He is a good man, a loving father and husband. At 24 I know I didn't use the words sacred union or feel the depth of that meaning. Over the years I have come to treasure the sacrament of my marriage.
"A sacrament is an outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace" BCP pg.857
This grace in our lives has grown out of a mutual respect that continues to evolve into a continuing transformation of two different people, who love one another and will honor the differences, challenges, and joys that life gives us.
So, on this special day I honor my husband for the 26 years that he has blessed me with.
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
And, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Kahlil Gibran
Namaste,
Maureen
1 Corinthians 13: 4-6 (NRSV)
Today my husband, John and I , celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. 26 years! As I think back to that day, there are so many details that I still recall. We began our life together as husband and wife. We began building a life together that continues today.
I met John through our dear friend Dave. Dave and I were lab partners. John and Dave were best friends. To make a long story short, I was dating Dave and well , you can guess how the rest of the story goes....
We were hard working college students. John graduated a year ahead, I was on the 5 year plan and Dave was working on his Masters. We all planned a double date in NYC to meet one another. We saw the show "Nine" and met for drinks at "Windows of the World" at the top the World Trade Center. It was a fun magical evening. I recall John walking into the Window of the World and this voice inside of me saying, "You are going to marry him". Well, my logical, liberated side, said, " Please....Maureen , you don't even REALLY know this guy, he HAS a girl friend, etc. etc. " Well...that night I pondered for along time. That guy, seemed so cool, so sensitive, so articulate, so respectful, so gentle,so smart, so amazing and yes...so handsome. My heart skipped a beat. So....this voice in my head, I tried to block out. I told myself to breathe and trust in the possibilities.
We married at age 24. We were young, naive and filled with hopes and dreams for our life together.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Kahlil Gibran
Our life together has not been hard but it has not always been easy.
We were married for 5 years before we had children. We worked, played and grew together yet separately. Three children in 5 years. We continued to play and grow together yet separately. John worked I was able to stay home with our children. A blessing indeed. I loved being a stay at home mom. I smile as I write that. You see I insisted that I was going to be a career woman,juggling daycare, marriage and career. Well, I melted when I held our first born and was hooked. John supported my decision, with what I now feel was a WHEW and an OH BOY! We both were raised with moms at home when we were young ,so it sounded like the natural thing to do but it didn't seem natural to me. That is not until I experienced bringing life into this world. A gift from God indeed. John wanted me to be happy and if working would make me happy, he was all for it. Deciding to stay at home meant living on one income. Very difficult, at times. John traveled alot both in the US and abroad. We didn't have alot of money and we were not the best stewards of our resources at the time. Our young love made everything seem possible. We moved together well. We created a rhythm to our life that was easy and loving; valuing our independence,respecting one another's independence, our uniqueness, our oneness and our differences.
"Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music."
Kahlil Gibran
As I write this my heart smiles. You know that, the "garage door lifting sound signaling.....he's home sound". Joy in my heart! I often think of this and the qualities about John that I cherish in the joyous moments and when challenges and transitions of our life bring us into uncharted territory.
It is only natural that in marriage , there will be uncharted territory as one grows and matures. Life happens...raising children, work travel, miscarriages, extended family drama, a cancer diagnosis,trauma, graduations,college tuition payments, aging parents...life happens. Oh.... and then throw in a deepening spirituality, and BTW honey, I have this calling. A calling from God to be a priest...talk about uncharted territory.....something neither one of us could have imagined or dreamed of 26 years ago. We continue to grow and mature together and separately. I have faith, I have hope, I have trust and I work on not letting this separate growth hurt this sacred union.I know God has re-entered my life in a most amazing way and that can only bless my marriage. I love my husband. He is a good man, a loving father and husband. At 24 I know I didn't use the words sacred union or feel the depth of that meaning. Over the years I have come to treasure the sacrament of my marriage.
"A sacrament is an outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace" BCP pg.857
This grace in our lives has grown out of a mutual respect that continues to evolve into a continuing transformation of two different people, who love one another and will honor the differences, challenges, and joys that life gives us.
So, on this special day I honor my husband for the 26 years that he has blessed me with.
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
And, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Kahlil Gibran
Namaste,
Maureen
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Take Up the Cross
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34
The cross that God calls me to carry has many different shapes. I may have to be content with my work in a limited area of service, even when I feel God is calling me for greater work. I may be asked by God to nurture kind and loving thoughts about the person who has wronged me, frustrated me, hurt me.... speaking kindly, take his/her side when others oppose him/her, giving comfort. Not easy...this grace and humility thing. I may have to openly share God's word to those who really don't care or believe. I may be called to embrace each day with a smiling face while my heart is breaking.
Each cross is heavy and painful. None I choose. They have been given to me. Jesus is with me when I lay my cross on my shoulder. I must be patient with an uncomplaining spirit or NO WHINING as my friend's son would say. I don't carry my cross well. I must be truly submissive. I must live into my cross, trusting that Jesus is near carrying my burdens with me. I can't do it alone. Carrying my cross with Jesus makes any burden bearable,deepens my commitment, matures my faith and brings me closer to my resurrection.
My climb up Calvary is difficult and painful. Through this though, the sweet fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control will be poured into my soul through the cross of Jesus . "With every cross there is a resurrection" and I trust the growth that is occurring will enable me to be of greater use to others.
Namaste,
Maureen
The cross that God calls me to carry has many different shapes. I may have to be content with my work in a limited area of service, even when I feel God is calling me for greater work. I may be asked by God to nurture kind and loving thoughts about the person who has wronged me, frustrated me, hurt me.... speaking kindly, take his/her side when others oppose him/her, giving comfort. Not easy...this grace and humility thing. I may have to openly share God's word to those who really don't care or believe. I may be called to embrace each day with a smiling face while my heart is breaking.
Each cross is heavy and painful. None I choose. They have been given to me. Jesus is with me when I lay my cross on my shoulder. I must be patient with an uncomplaining spirit or NO WHINING as my friend's son would say. I don't carry my cross well. I must be truly submissive. I must live into my cross, trusting that Jesus is near carrying my burdens with me. I can't do it alone. Carrying my cross with Jesus makes any burden bearable,deepens my commitment, matures my faith and brings me closer to my resurrection.
My climb up Calvary is difficult and painful. Through this though, the sweet fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control will be poured into my soul through the cross of Jesus . "With every cross there is a resurrection" and I trust the growth that is occurring will enable me to be of greater use to others.
Namaste,
Maureen
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Good-bye Lorraine
"At sorrows end our eyes will be opened; we shall see clearly that the light shines with fullness; for this light is our God." Julian of Norwich
Ever since I was a child I loved seeing the sky this way. My grandmother once told me."It is God, Maureen". I always loved to think about that. To me it is heaven opening up to us here on earth. A small, small glimpse to the beauty of what lies ahead for all of us.
On Wednesday, September 22nd everywhere I turned and looked up this is what I saw. Driving into work, mid-afternoon, after work. Heaven did open up and extend it's arms on Wednesday. God's presence was within and all around. My sweet friend Lorraine was called home.
I will miss her but I am so thankful she is out of pain. I rejoice that she is with God and all her questions are answered. Still, I will miss her. I will miss her humor, her stories, her spirit, sharing the Eucharist, her prayers and her support of my journey.
You see, I asked Lorraine to be part of my discernment committee. After much prayer and discussion she declined due to her health. She spend quite sometime discussing this with her spiritual director. How cool is that?....a spiritual director at 82! That is just a glimpse into this amazing woman. She was not an "official" discernment committee member but we discerned together. Discussions, that I will always treasure.
Lorraine not only became a friend but a spiritual partner. We talked about God and His calling us all to do His work, we talked about family, we talked about our children, we shared books, we shared our journeling and we shared talks about her death...an honor indeed.
Lorraine did not fear death. She became ready and welcomed God's embrace to carry her to life eternal. Her pain was great. Her faith that God was with her was even greater.
As I sat with Lorraine in the days leading up to her death, when alert,she would talk about "the suite that God was preparing for her". At one point she asked me if I would go with her. I shared with her that God was not ready for me yet but when He was, would she come for me and help me on my journey? She said,"yes".
There was one afternoon that she said, "You know I will not be here to see you be ordained a priest". I told her I knew that. We squeezed hands and at that moment she asked me if I would bless her. My Catholic-ness creeped up saying to me, "You can't do this, Breathe, Maureen. Breathe." I recall saying to myself.
In this sacred moment, in this sacred place, with the grace of God, I blessed my friend. I can't recall what I said but God me gave me the words. Our eyes met after I blessed her. I told her I would miss her and that I was so, so blessed to have known her. I kissed her hand and forehead.
She asked me to stay , pray and read to her. I stayed for sometime after that reading to her some of our favorite psalms, prayers from Julian of Norwich and Hildagard both her favorites. This were the last words we shared.
During this time I could profoundly feel the sacredness and holiness of our time together and the space around her. I believe providing presence to her--as the Mitzvah describes, we become the Incarnational Presence at the bedside.
I knew that was our good-bye.
Over the next two days Lorraine let go of her self and grew into pure spirit.
You did it well, my friend. Your journey was faithful, peaceful and holy.
Grief.
Barbara Brown Taylor writes, " One sure way to avoid grief is to not care. But
we do care. Our nature is geared for relationship. So we celebrate all our
relationships and risk grief when any kind of relationship ends. But we are
richer because of that relationship."
Amen. Amen.
Good-bye my friend and thank you for trusting me to share in your life and in your death. You have blessed me.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Jessica
This is our song.
My daughter, Jessica, (aka Jessie to me, she now prefers "Jess"), gave me a CD on Mother's Day last year that had song's she downloaded. These are songs that remind her of me, strike a memory, and songs she thinks I will like. Best Days became our song. She would never admit to us using our cell phones as microphones as we sing together driving along in the car. This was a carry over from when she and her brothers were little. We would pass the phone from "singer to "singer" in the car. They all loved it. We had so much fun. Of course they would deny it now!
I miss singing this with Jessie. When I listen to this song, a flood of memories play across my mind and I smile. I recall the night she was born, December 31, 1991 -New Year's Eve. She came into this world with a mind of her own, doing things her way, in her time. Jessie was two weeks late. Her spirit and energy were evident as she entered this world. Labor was three hours from start to finish. As a toddler she showed such care toward her brothers. Admiring and looking up to Jeff from the beginning and embracing Al with "Big Sister" love that they still share today. In preschool, she felt bad for the children who got time out and she wanted to sit with them. Over the years she has cared for her family and friends with a maturity beyond her years. She embraced my grief as I sat with my dying friend and embraced her friend as he watched his mother die, opening a sacred dialogue. So ,it really is no surprise that she is exploring a caring profession and to her artsy side...your life is your canvas. Go create!
She is in her freshman year at college. In the few short weeks she has been gone and who I hear on the phone when we speak, is a new young woman emerging. She is more articulate, more independent, more compassionate, more focused, more spirited, more grounded. These qualities have always been there. It is who she is. I think I sometimes was too busy parenting, navigating through life and high school drama, that I missed some opportunities. I regret that. I am so excited about the new relationship that I feel is developing between us.
I am so thankful we can respect where we each are on our faith journey. I love that I can talk to her about God, practice a sermon with her and her friends in her room and share those mystical moments we both experience from time to time.God has touched her life. My prayer for her is that she will keep her heart open to the movement of the Spirit in her life, where ever that leads her... and she will embrace that never giving up her authenticity.
I know we will continue to have those mother daughter moments that bring us both tears and joys that only and mother and daughter can share.
I thank God for the gift of my daughter and for what her life is teaching me.
The Best Days with you Jess, are always.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Struggling
Romans 5: 1-5
I woke this morning to praying these words.
"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God, because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to hearing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, we we run into problems and trails, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lend to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Paul's words are some of my favorite in scripture. This particular scripture resonates with me and has become my mantra.
Paul's tells us that the future will come but until then, we have to overcome...meaning we will experience difficulties that help us grow. God uses life's difficulties to build our character, develop our perseverance, strengthen our character, all while this deepens our trust in Him.
I read this scripture over and over. I feel God with me as I breathe in every word. God is quiet. Yet, His omnipotent hand and immeasurable love consume me, filling me up, like a dam releasing water, so the struggling areas can be restored.
"This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life". Psalm 119:50
I am peaceful in my struggles. That sounds like a contradiction , doesn't it? This peace is not calmness and tranquility. It is contentment. My peace is with God. Knowing He is living in me. He is with me. Even though I can not hear Him right now, by faith I know he is with me. It is that peace that passes all understanding.
My struggle is what it is. I must be in this moment and trust, surrendering to what God wants and accepting what he allows in this moment, in my life. I trust and know by faith that coming out of my wilderness will develop continued strength of my character to serve God, being who He needs me to be for Him, my family and the future work He has planned for me.
And I know it is OK to ask, "God , what are you doing?" and to pray, " Loving God, Help me and guide me."
The apostle Paul submitted his life to God and trusted Him. Paul faced insults, rejection and many difficult trials but he was still was content. He was committed to his calling.
God has blessed me with the gift of faith.
God has blessed me with His love .
God has blessed me with guidance of the Holy Spirit.
God has blessed me with a calling.
Have I like Paul really-really surrendered control to God? Complete control, knowing He has my best interest at heart?
I think God is waiting for me to humble myself before Him in absolute dependence. The pieces of His plan will fit together for His glory. God is in charge.
Who is in charge of your life?
Namaste',
Maureen
I woke this morning to praying these words.
"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God, because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to hearing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, we we run into problems and trails, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lend to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Paul's words are some of my favorite in scripture. This particular scripture resonates with me and has become my mantra.
Paul's tells us that the future will come but until then, we have to overcome...meaning we will experience difficulties that help us grow. God uses life's difficulties to build our character, develop our perseverance, strengthen our character, all while this deepens our trust in Him.
I read this scripture over and over. I feel God with me as I breathe in every word. God is quiet. Yet, His omnipotent hand and immeasurable love consume me, filling me up, like a dam releasing water, so the struggling areas can be restored.
"This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life". Psalm 119:50
I am peaceful in my struggles. That sounds like a contradiction , doesn't it? This peace is not calmness and tranquility. It is contentment. My peace is with God. Knowing He is living in me. He is with me. Even though I can not hear Him right now, by faith I know he is with me. It is that peace that passes all understanding.
My struggle is what it is. I must be in this moment and trust, surrendering to what God wants and accepting what he allows in this moment, in my life. I trust and know by faith that coming out of my wilderness will develop continued strength of my character to serve God, being who He needs me to be for Him, my family and the future work He has planned for me.
And I know it is OK to ask, "God , what are you doing?" and to pray, " Loving God, Help me and guide me."
The apostle Paul submitted his life to God and trusted Him. Paul faced insults, rejection and many difficult trials but he was still was content. He was committed to his calling.
God has blessed me with the gift of faith.
God has blessed me with His love .
God has blessed me with guidance of the Holy Spirit.
God has blessed me with a calling.
Have I like Paul really-really surrendered control to God? Complete control, knowing He has my best interest at heart?
I think God is waiting for me to humble myself before Him in absolute dependence. The pieces of His plan will fit together for His glory. God is in charge.
Who is in charge of your life?
Namaste',
Maureen
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Humble Hospitality
Jeremiah 2: 4-13
Hebrews: 13: 1-8, 15-16
Luke 14: 1-14
I had the honor and privilege of preaching today.
I was sitting with my friend Kelly, who along with Lisa invited me to attend
St. David's 6 years ago. Kelly too was speaking today during announcements for our "ministy minute". I turned to Kelly and said, "This is where it all began for you and I...at the 10:45 service." I smiled to myself thinking here we both were in row #2! We use to sit in the last row, 6 years ago and here we both were today at the lecturn. God works.
I didn't think about posting my sermon until a faithful, loving parishioner, who I respect so much said. "You are going to post that,aren't you? I check your blog once a week." Well, this is for him, for his encouragement and in honor of the loving way both he and his wife serve God.
So, here goes.
Good Morning.
I’d like to tell you a story. A true story. I love Thanksgiving. I love everything about it: the planning, the shopping, the preparation, the feast , the clean up and the left overs. A few years ago I was out shopping . I was having, what I refer to as “ My Martha Moment”. I was busy, busy busy. I was busy with preparations, looking for that perfect napkin holder, table cloth and candles.
I was SO BUSY that I didn’t notice the women watching me, until she said “ You seem to be getting ready for quite a holiday”. I answered her and we both got to talking about Thanksgiving, family,friends, traditions and who we invite. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she
wasn’t sure. You see she shared that she was new to the area and was just getting settled and she was alone. Well, I told her she couldn’t be alone for Thanksgiving, no one should be alone and she had to come to my home . She hesitated looked at me strangely. She asked me if I was serious. I said yes. She hesitated. I insisted. We exchanged phone numbers. I paid for my purchases and off I went.
When I arrived home I couldn’t wait to tell my family about our newest guest. What is one more when you have 40 coming for dinner, right? When I shared what had happened on my shopping trip my family responded with:
You did what? You don’t even know her!
You really invited a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner?
You gave her our phone number? Our address?
What if she robs us?
My favorite is: Mom, what if she is a murderer?....true story
They weren’t happy , they questioned my judgement. I was in a bit of trouble with my family but true to form, I forged on knowing this was the right thing to do.. I continued as planned. Thanksgiving came and I set a place for our guest, our other guests arrived and I waited. I waited. After a certain amount of time we began dinner but I couldn’t remove the place setting just in case
she came. I didn’t want her to feel awkward if she arrived late. I put this place setting among my family and friends, knowing to the right was someone who would take care of her, making her feel welcome and to the left of her was someone who would engage her in conversation.My guest never arrived . Every year this story comes up, the kids tease me and then the conversation always gets serious , they always ask, who do you think she was? Mom, why did you do that? Every year I say
the same thing, I did that because the loving thing is always the right thing to do. I don’t know who she was, maybe she was someone who needed to talk that day, maybe she was someone who needed an invitation to feel included…..or maybe she was an angel.
In today’s readings Jesus teaches us not to be exclusive about whom we invite to our home. God opens His Kingdom to everyone, teaching us to be hospitable despite any rule or social convention, even if it gets you into trouble.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gets himself into a bit of trouble. First, he heals on the Sabbath, then he rejects protocol. You see, ancient meals were social ceremonies. People noticed and knew where one ate, with whom one ate ,where one sat. All of these determined one’s social position.
Historically, the Pharisees were not the bad guys. They were devoutly committed to keeping God’s law. The man with dropsy was not in immediate danger ,if his life was at stake healing on the Sabbath would have been acceptable. For Jesus to heal him was disrespectful to the standards of the time.
What was Jesus doing? Jesus was shaking things up, as he always does. He was redefining social order, protesting discriminatory meal practices and placing priority on the needs of a fellow human being no matter what. For Jesus, meals were for celebration and fellowship. He was redefining the standards by which one gains honor in God’s eyes. The Glory that only God can give.
Jesus was teaching our obligation to one another when we are in need and always.
Jesus flips the social order to the ways of God. The first shall be last and the last, first. He also tells “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
We also see this reversal way back in Luke’s gospel, in the Magnificat, Mary says:
" he scatters the proud imagination of their hearts, brings the powerful down from their thrones, and lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things, and send the rich away empty.”
Jesus urges us to practice generous, loving hospitality to everyone regardless of social status, Hospitality that does not worry about getting invited in return…or getting anything in return Remember His words in today’s reading from Hebrew’s:, “Do not neglect to do good, and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
We share a sacred trust with God. We make a commitment to Him when we renew our
Baptismal Covenant. We promise to continue in the Apostle’s teaching AND fellowship, AND in the breaking of bread…..
We promise. In doing so, we have made a personal Covenant with God.
So maybe this hospitality that Jesus talks about is for our neighbors ,just because. . Maybe it is for your friend. Maybe it is hosting an exchange student, Maybe it is helping a local family in need, or the elderly among us, or the family you helped at REACH, or a young girl at the Bromley School, or a young
boy in El Hogar. Jesus tells us in today's Hebrew lesson “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels with our knowing it’.
Are there people here among us today, in our covenant community who we could share a
meal with? Someone who possibly can’t put one on their own table tonight? Someone who is lonely? Someone who is imprisoned in the wrong job, a bad or abusive marriage, depression or chronic illness. When we cultivate heartfelt loving, humble hospitality we are living God’s dream, in God’s way.
Oh, the blessings will come – not from other people, even though that does happen from time to time.
The blessings always come from God.
So, as we listen each week to our Ministry Minute during announcements in preparation for our Celebration of Ministries Service and Fair,let us really live the Gospel and invite those we don’t know or those who make us uncomfortable into our circle, our ministries,
and our church home, to share in the most sacred meal of the Eucharist? Everyone
is welcome at His table.
When Jesus says, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, most of the time that sounds an awful lot like us, doesn't it? Poor in knowledge and faith, crippled by our own poverty, wealth, or addictions or blindly struggling…
We have resources and we have one another. These are our blessings. The blessing and good news for everyone is that God is real, God is love, God lives in us. He is with us now. He is in every corner of the world , in every bit of creation and God’s will for everyone is life ….. abundant life.
We can share our abundance. It is not diminished by even the most extravagant
wastefulness…so give it out freely, without any expectation of anything in return. Risk it on the ungrateful, waste it on lost causes, spend it on everyone you come across. God’s love is a fountain that turns deserts into streams of living water.
It doesn’t belong to us so that we can hoard it, we’re just stewards of it, until we take our own place at the great banquet table, alongside all the other poor , crippled, blind and lame ,who like us, could never repay our host for this invitation.
So, until that time,"together,let us not forget to do good and to share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Nameste,
Maureen
Hebrews: 13: 1-8, 15-16
Luke 14: 1-14
I had the honor and privilege of preaching today.
I was sitting with my friend Kelly, who along with Lisa invited me to attend
St. David's 6 years ago. Kelly too was speaking today during announcements for our "ministy minute". I turned to Kelly and said, "This is where it all began for you and I...at the 10:45 service." I smiled to myself thinking here we both were in row #2! We use to sit in the last row, 6 years ago and here we both were today at the lecturn. God works.
I didn't think about posting my sermon until a faithful, loving parishioner, who I respect so much said. "You are going to post that,aren't you? I check your blog once a week." Well, this is for him, for his encouragement and in honor of the loving way both he and his wife serve God.
So, here goes.
Good Morning.
I’d like to tell you a story. A true story. I love Thanksgiving. I love everything about it: the planning, the shopping, the preparation, the feast , the clean up and the left overs. A few years ago I was out shopping . I was having, what I refer to as “ My Martha Moment”. I was busy, busy busy. I was busy with preparations, looking for that perfect napkin holder, table cloth and candles.
I was SO BUSY that I didn’t notice the women watching me, until she said “ You seem to be getting ready for quite a holiday”. I answered her and we both got to talking about Thanksgiving, family,friends, traditions and who we invite. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she
wasn’t sure. You see she shared that she was new to the area and was just getting settled and she was alone. Well, I told her she couldn’t be alone for Thanksgiving, no one should be alone and she had to come to my home . She hesitated looked at me strangely. She asked me if I was serious. I said yes. She hesitated. I insisted. We exchanged phone numbers. I paid for my purchases and off I went.
When I arrived home I couldn’t wait to tell my family about our newest guest. What is one more when you have 40 coming for dinner, right? When I shared what had happened on my shopping trip my family responded with:
You did what? You don’t even know her!
You really invited a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner?
You gave her our phone number? Our address?
What if she robs us?
My favorite is: Mom, what if she is a murderer?....true story
They weren’t happy , they questioned my judgement. I was in a bit of trouble with my family but true to form, I forged on knowing this was the right thing to do.. I continued as planned. Thanksgiving came and I set a place for our guest, our other guests arrived and I waited. I waited. After a certain amount of time we began dinner but I couldn’t remove the place setting just in case
she came. I didn’t want her to feel awkward if she arrived late. I put this place setting among my family and friends, knowing to the right was someone who would take care of her, making her feel welcome and to the left of her was someone who would engage her in conversation.My guest never arrived . Every year this story comes up, the kids tease me and then the conversation always gets serious , they always ask, who do you think she was? Mom, why did you do that? Every year I say
the same thing, I did that because the loving thing is always the right thing to do. I don’t know who she was, maybe she was someone who needed to talk that day, maybe she was someone who needed an invitation to feel included…..or maybe she was an angel.
In today’s readings Jesus teaches us not to be exclusive about whom we invite to our home. God opens His Kingdom to everyone, teaching us to be hospitable despite any rule or social convention, even if it gets you into trouble.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gets himself into a bit of trouble. First, he heals on the Sabbath, then he rejects protocol. You see, ancient meals were social ceremonies. People noticed and knew where one ate, with whom one ate ,where one sat. All of these determined one’s social position.
Historically, the Pharisees were not the bad guys. They were devoutly committed to keeping God’s law. The man with dropsy was not in immediate danger ,if his life was at stake healing on the Sabbath would have been acceptable. For Jesus to heal him was disrespectful to the standards of the time.
What was Jesus doing? Jesus was shaking things up, as he always does. He was redefining social order, protesting discriminatory meal practices and placing priority on the needs of a fellow human being no matter what. For Jesus, meals were for celebration and fellowship. He was redefining the standards by which one gains honor in God’s eyes. The Glory that only God can give.
Jesus was teaching our obligation to one another when we are in need and always.
Jesus flips the social order to the ways of God. The first shall be last and the last, first. He also tells “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
We also see this reversal way back in Luke’s gospel, in the Magnificat, Mary says:
" he scatters the proud imagination of their hearts, brings the powerful down from their thrones, and lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things, and send the rich away empty.”
Jesus urges us to practice generous, loving hospitality to everyone regardless of social status, Hospitality that does not worry about getting invited in return…or getting anything in return Remember His words in today’s reading from Hebrew’s:, “Do not neglect to do good, and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
We share a sacred trust with God. We make a commitment to Him when we renew our
Baptismal Covenant. We promise to continue in the Apostle’s teaching AND fellowship, AND in the breaking of bread…..
We promise. In doing so, we have made a personal Covenant with God.
So maybe this hospitality that Jesus talks about is for our neighbors ,just because. . Maybe it is for your friend. Maybe it is hosting an exchange student, Maybe it is helping a local family in need, or the elderly among us, or the family you helped at REACH, or a young girl at the Bromley School, or a young
boy in El Hogar. Jesus tells us in today's Hebrew lesson “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels with our knowing it’.
Are there people here among us today, in our covenant community who we could share a
meal with? Someone who possibly can’t put one on their own table tonight? Someone who is lonely? Someone who is imprisoned in the wrong job, a bad or abusive marriage, depression or chronic illness. When we cultivate heartfelt loving, humble hospitality we are living God’s dream, in God’s way.
Oh, the blessings will come – not from other people, even though that does happen from time to time.
The blessings always come from God.
So, as we listen each week to our Ministry Minute during announcements in preparation for our Celebration of Ministries Service and Fair,let us really live the Gospel and invite those we don’t know or those who make us uncomfortable into our circle, our ministries,
and our church home, to share in the most sacred meal of the Eucharist? Everyone
is welcome at His table.
When Jesus says, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, most of the time that sounds an awful lot like us, doesn't it? Poor in knowledge and faith, crippled by our own poverty, wealth, or addictions or blindly struggling…
We have resources and we have one another. These are our blessings. The blessing and good news for everyone is that God is real, God is love, God lives in us. He is with us now. He is in every corner of the world , in every bit of creation and God’s will for everyone is life ….. abundant life.
We can share our abundance. It is not diminished by even the most extravagant
wastefulness…so give it out freely, without any expectation of anything in return. Risk it on the ungrateful, waste it on lost causes, spend it on everyone you come across. God’s love is a fountain that turns deserts into streams of living water.
It doesn’t belong to us so that we can hoard it, we’re just stewards of it, until we take our own place at the great banquet table, alongside all the other poor , crippled, blind and lame ,who like us, could never repay our host for this invitation.
So, until that time,"together,let us not forget to do good and to share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Nameste,
Maureen
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Little Church on the Hill
What a wonderful evening.
I drove out to Winchester with a dear friend to a small church for their 5pm service. It was lovely. It felt like going home for Thanksgiving dinner. Welcoming, comfortable , like I was never away. I have never worshipped here. There was an intimacy that was so inviting. God is everywhere.
I think for me one of the gifts of this evening was I was able to worship 100% and not think about anything else. Now, please don't misunderstand, I love, love , love my home parish. I do though think about all the stuff each Sunday to make sure that things are ok for everyone there. That is probably why when I am not the verger I like to stay for the additional service to worship. That is why I get to church early for the 9am service as the praise band rehearses and I review the slides. It is a prayerful time for me. I experience the church differently as the morning builds....God and me...God, me and the band....God , me, the band and the Rector...God, me, the band, the Rector, the congregation...the energy builds, the Holy Spirit is with us and it is awesome.
Tonight though, I was able to just worship. I could sit quietly before service and breathe in the breath of God. There is an amazing cross suspended above the altar. Powerful. The simplicity of the piano music alone created a prayerful exchange of hymns embracing the small congregation. Singing is not my gift, yet tonight I found myself singing joyfully to the Lord. Oh, and they may be starting a Celtic service....
Thank you, to the little church on the hill.
Namaste,
Maureen
I drove out to Winchester with a dear friend to a small church for their 5pm service. It was lovely. It felt like going home for Thanksgiving dinner. Welcoming, comfortable , like I was never away. I have never worshipped here. There was an intimacy that was so inviting. God is everywhere.
I think for me one of the gifts of this evening was I was able to worship 100% and not think about anything else. Now, please don't misunderstand, I love, love , love my home parish. I do though think about all the stuff each Sunday to make sure that things are ok for everyone there. That is probably why when I am not the verger I like to stay for the additional service to worship. That is why I get to church early for the 9am service as the praise band rehearses and I review the slides. It is a prayerful time for me. I experience the church differently as the morning builds....God and me...God, me and the band....God , me, the band and the Rector...God, me, the band, the Rector, the congregation...the energy builds, the Holy Spirit is with us and it is awesome.
Tonight though, I was able to just worship. I could sit quietly before service and breathe in the breath of God. There is an amazing cross suspended above the altar. Powerful. The simplicity of the piano music alone created a prayerful exchange of hymns embracing the small congregation. Singing is not my gift, yet tonight I found myself singing joyfully to the Lord. Oh, and they may be starting a Celtic service....
Thank you, to the little church on the hill.
Namaste,
Maureen
Youth Ministry
Okay. I can't believe I am writing about Youth Ministry. I am not a Youth Leader and my children do not attend Youth Group at my church. There are times I can not even relate to my children, so how could I possibly relate to any other youth? Crazy. I know God is stirring something within me and I am letting this percolate.
I continually have thoughts about Youth Ministry, programing ideas and God has given me this vision, a sort of a music video that plays out in my mind, of youth worship in a space they created in this tiny room at my church, with an altar that was built together, with a very talented woodworking gifted parishioner I know. Oh, and the kids have painted this room with a mural of their design. The music and liturgy they create is God inspired and inviting. As God's music video plays out, I see an intergenerational exchange: adults, seniors, younger children, and people from their ministry work sharing this prayer time and Eucharist with them. There are no boundaries, they have built relationships within our community and beyond, in the shelters, seniors centers and with the lonely and struggling peers they see each day at school and in their neighborhoods. They are there with their best friend and with the person who removed them from friend status on face book. In addition, the youth fully engage in what they refer to as the "too traditional, not welcoming 10:45 traditional service". In this vision, there is a sense of real belonging in a faith community, young and old alike, embracing liturgy, one another's differences and uniqueness. I believe this can happen.
I woke this morning about 4:30am thinking about youth. I thought about an awesome young lady at my church who will begin and lead a HS Bible study this fall, (totally her idea BTW). I thought of the college freshman who is leaving this week, remembering to check my facebook messages to see if she has responded to getting together before she leaves. I thought about my daughter who has been so moved by her experience in Young Life in HS and a mission trip she took to Jamaica. I thought about my youngest son who patiently sits and listens to me practice my sermon, when I have the privilege to preach.He asks me questions. Good hard questions. I thought of his service project for his HS this year; clothing and food drives for the needy in our county,(I don't think they know they all are living, breathing disciples). I am thankful that my children expect me to pray before we eat whether we are dining at a crowded mall, a local restaurant, or our table at home with one another and friends. I woke to thinking about youth in general, my kids, the kids in my neighborhood and everywhere. Have I done enough? Am I doing enough?
How can kids develop faith that impacts their lives when our world in general seems to have the opinion where church and God are less and less revelant. Locally, here in Loudoun County, the debate continues about the appropriateness of the Nativity displayed at the courthouse, something that has been done for many, many years. This year the Baccalaureate at a local HS had only 22 students participate out of a class of over 550! The message they get is God isn't valued outside of their church.
I think ministry with youth requires ministry with parents too. Parents are the most important spiritual mentors in a youth/teenagers life, but I bet few parents realize it or feel prepared for this role. I think addressing youth/teenagers faith
without addressing parents' faith doesn't make any sense. Maybe parents need to be surveyed on what faith means to them or what they hope their youth/teen will get out of youth group , socially and spiritually. Better yet, what a great group session/sessions to have, an open safe forum for parents and youth separately then possibly together to talk about God and faith. I think our kids need to see their parents as grown ups with faith, willing to embrace the views and questions of our youth/teens where ever they are on their spiritual journey.
Let's face it, faith formation has to be intentional. I read something once about kids and religion that made so much sense to me. It went something like this: Often parents say they want to "expose" their kids to religion. They are going to let them choose for themselves. That's naive. Teaching isn't indoctrination or coercion. It is intentionally passing on something that matters. We need to talk about it, model it and construct opportunities to practice it. We don't just expose our kids to things that matter. Can you imagine the disaster we'd have if we simply "exposed" teenagers to driving? We teach them to drive because driving well matters. Why are we more concerned about teaching teenagers to drive than teaching them about Jesus?
How do we get our youth to unplug from their life of facebook, twitter and TV land of The Real Life of .....(you fill in the blanks) to hear God's voice?
It takes a village or at least a congregation to engage and support youth and teens. The adults in a congregation need to understand the value of what they, as adults , have to offer . It can be a skill, a listening ear, a mentoring role, and/or taking an interest in the spiritual growth of the youth and respecting their level of faith that is appropriate for their age and maturity. The youth/teens need to feel valued and part of, not apart from the congregation.
Rob Bell, writes in his book,Velvet Elvis, "The writers of the Bible are communicating in language their world will understand". That is what we need to do for our youth...communicate the language of the Bible in a way that they will understand. They will get the "message" and will then be able to see God is alive and working in their lives. They need to know that the Bible tells a story and the story isn't over. The story is ongoing and they have a part in it.
The Youth are the leaders of tomorrow both in the churches and in the world. I pray that they are encouraged, inspired and empowered by their growing love of God.
Namaste,
Maureen
I continually have thoughts about Youth Ministry, programing ideas and God has given me this vision, a sort of a music video that plays out in my mind, of youth worship in a space they created in this tiny room at my church, with an altar that was built together, with a very talented woodworking gifted parishioner I know. Oh, and the kids have painted this room with a mural of their design. The music and liturgy they create is God inspired and inviting. As God's music video plays out, I see an intergenerational exchange: adults, seniors, younger children, and people from their ministry work sharing this prayer time and Eucharist with them. There are no boundaries, they have built relationships within our community and beyond, in the shelters, seniors centers and with the lonely and struggling peers they see each day at school and in their neighborhoods. They are there with their best friend and with the person who removed them from friend status on face book. In addition, the youth fully engage in what they refer to as the "too traditional, not welcoming 10:45 traditional service". In this vision, there is a sense of real belonging in a faith community, young and old alike, embracing liturgy, one another's differences and uniqueness. I believe this can happen.
I woke this morning about 4:30am thinking about youth. I thought about an awesome young lady at my church who will begin and lead a HS Bible study this fall, (totally her idea BTW). I thought of the college freshman who is leaving this week, remembering to check my facebook messages to see if she has responded to getting together before she leaves. I thought about my daughter who has been so moved by her experience in Young Life in HS and a mission trip she took to Jamaica. I thought about my youngest son who patiently sits and listens to me practice my sermon, when I have the privilege to preach.He asks me questions. Good hard questions. I thought of his service project for his HS this year; clothing and food drives for the needy in our county,(I don't think they know they all are living, breathing disciples). I am thankful that my children expect me to pray before we eat whether we are dining at a crowded mall, a local restaurant, or our table at home with one another and friends. I woke to thinking about youth in general, my kids, the kids in my neighborhood and everywhere. Have I done enough? Am I doing enough?
How can kids develop faith that impacts their lives when our world in general seems to have the opinion where church and God are less and less revelant. Locally, here in Loudoun County, the debate continues about the appropriateness of the Nativity displayed at the courthouse, something that has been done for many, many years. This year the Baccalaureate at a local HS had only 22 students participate out of a class of over 550! The message they get is God isn't valued outside of their church.
I think ministry with youth requires ministry with parents too. Parents are the most important spiritual mentors in a youth/teenagers life, but I bet few parents realize it or feel prepared for this role. I think addressing youth/teenagers faith
without addressing parents' faith doesn't make any sense. Maybe parents need to be surveyed on what faith means to them or what they hope their youth/teen will get out of youth group , socially and spiritually. Better yet, what a great group session/sessions to have, an open safe forum for parents and youth separately then possibly together to talk about God and faith. I think our kids need to see their parents as grown ups with faith, willing to embrace the views and questions of our youth/teens where ever they are on their spiritual journey.
Let's face it, faith formation has to be intentional. I read something once about kids and religion that made so much sense to me. It went something like this: Often parents say they want to "expose" their kids to religion. They are going to let them choose for themselves. That's naive. Teaching isn't indoctrination or coercion. It is intentionally passing on something that matters. We need to talk about it, model it and construct opportunities to practice it. We don't just expose our kids to things that matter. Can you imagine the disaster we'd have if we simply "exposed" teenagers to driving? We teach them to drive because driving well matters. Why are we more concerned about teaching teenagers to drive than teaching them about Jesus?
How do we get our youth to unplug from their life of facebook, twitter and TV land of The Real Life of .....(you fill in the blanks) to hear God's voice?
It takes a village or at least a congregation to engage and support youth and teens. The adults in a congregation need to understand the value of what they, as adults , have to offer . It can be a skill, a listening ear, a mentoring role, and/or taking an interest in the spiritual growth of the youth and respecting their level of faith that is appropriate for their age and maturity. The youth/teens need to feel valued and part of, not apart from the congregation.
Rob Bell, writes in his book,Velvet Elvis, "The writers of the Bible are communicating in language their world will understand". That is what we need to do for our youth...communicate the language of the Bible in a way that they will understand. They will get the "message" and will then be able to see God is alive and working in their lives. They need to know that the Bible tells a story and the story isn't over. The story is ongoing and they have a part in it.
The Youth are the leaders of tomorrow both in the churches and in the world. I pray that they are encouraged, inspired and empowered by their growing love of God.
Namaste,
Maureen
Friday, August 13, 2010
Letting Go
Letting go.
My oldest son, left for school for another year. He and his dad are driving to Arizona. I am so thankful that they have this time together. 36 hours of driving can lend itself to wonderful conversations and just being together. It is a long drive. Together as a family we have driven cross country. The changing landscapes are breathtaking. There is beauty everywhere , even all the way across Texas!
My feelings are conflicted. This is a bittersweet time. Of course, I am so happy that he has found a school that he loves and is thriving at. It was time for him to go, yet I wanted to have more time . A summer redo would be nice. Not realistic, but nice. This was a hard summer for us. He will be 22 this month. A young man.
My job is done in a way. He is his own person with his own thoughts, hopes , dreams, joys and difficulties. God created him and knew him before I did, entrusting his dad and I with his life. Have we measured up and served God well?
The letting go is hard because there are things/parenting moments I wish I did better. I wish I did different. Each joy, each moment, each struggle has been done with a love that only a mother knows. It hasn't always been a soft nurturing easy love. There have been tough love moments too. Tougher than I ever could have imagined. We are working on coming full circle. "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Corinthians 13:7
In the book The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran writes:
"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but are not from you, and though they are with you, yet they do not belong to you.
You may give them you love, but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."
I love my son. It is time to let go, continue to be that steady loving parent and let him become the man God has intended him to be.
Namaste,
Maureen
My oldest son, left for school for another year. He and his dad are driving to Arizona. I am so thankful that they have this time together. 36 hours of driving can lend itself to wonderful conversations and just being together. It is a long drive. Together as a family we have driven cross country. The changing landscapes are breathtaking. There is beauty everywhere , even all the way across Texas!
My feelings are conflicted. This is a bittersweet time. Of course, I am so happy that he has found a school that he loves and is thriving at. It was time for him to go, yet I wanted to have more time . A summer redo would be nice. Not realistic, but nice. This was a hard summer for us. He will be 22 this month. A young man.
My job is done in a way. He is his own person with his own thoughts, hopes , dreams, joys and difficulties. God created him and knew him before I did, entrusting his dad and I with his life. Have we measured up and served God well?
The letting go is hard because there are things/parenting moments I wish I did better. I wish I did different. Each joy, each moment, each struggle has been done with a love that only a mother knows. It hasn't always been a soft nurturing easy love. There have been tough love moments too. Tougher than I ever could have imagined. We are working on coming full circle. "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Corinthians 13:7
In the book The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran writes:
"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but are not from you, and though they are with you, yet they do not belong to you.
You may give them you love, but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."
I love my son. It is time to let go, continue to be that steady loving parent and let him become the man God has intended him to be.
Namaste,
Maureen
Monday, August 2, 2010
God Has Rocked My World
When we hear God's call we respond not because we are ready but simply because He has called.
True.
God's call. I ran from it, tried to ignore it, tried to negotiate with God: "You are asking what?","I'm not ready. My family isn't ready, please let's talk about this another time", oh... and the conversation, "You must mean a different Maureen", "I am inadequate to do this". Well, God is persistent. Underlying my denial was this knowing that yes Lord,I have heard you calling in the night. I have heard you each week as the Eucharist is celebrated. I have heard you as I watch and welcome the newly baptized into our community. I have heard you as I walked the journey with my dying friend.I heard you so long ago when I was in grade school, "Follow me".
God has rocked my world.
In the past six years I have gone from stay at home mom with my own practice, working when I wanted with a quiet prayer life to a full time working mom who has listened to God's voice, closed my practice, taken a full time job at the church that pays much less than what I was making, attended a discernment retreat, went through the process of a formal discernment committee that reached consensus for me to move forward. I have had opportunities to preach, Paten,set the table,write call and response liturgy,serve my community, meet monthly with my spiritual director and develop a deeper prayer life.
God has rocked my world.
I thank him everyday for doing so. I thank Him for loving me and trusting me to answer His call. I thank Him for our close relationship so when He asks something out of the ordinary, it is His voice, the voice of a friend who I know and trust, who walks with me.
Yes, God has rocked my world and I have totally rocked the world of my family.
I don't know who this has been hardest on. My children? My husband? Me? This has affected us all in very different ways. My journey has become their journey. No one wanted to believe that at first, not even me. The conversations haven't occurred over coffee at Starbucks or Sunday family dinners. The conversations have occurred over years. Some have been very, very hard. There have been tears and wonderful revelations for all of us. My husband said for a long time that I had changed. I would say,I haven't changed, I am the same me". You know, during one of our conversations I apologized and said, "You are right.I have changed.Having a relationship with God changes you. I am called to be a child of God. I am called to be a wife and mother. I am called to a vocation in ministry".
Following my call has proven to be life-altering. I sometimes try to make sense of the life that has been "given" to me after saying "yes". It has been disrupting to my marriage, confusing to my children and some friends. BUT there are no words to describe the joy of stepping forward in faith and walking with God.
My faith has grown in strength and depth as I nourish my relationship with God. It is my faith that allows me to survive the dark times of my inner and outer turmoil.
I have felt inadequate for the job God is asking me to do. I think it is natural for me to feel this way. I am inadequate all by myself, but God is not asking me to do this alone. I have to look beyond myself to the faithful followers before me. Those in my community, my mentors and in scripture.
Sunday's reading Hebrew's 11: 1-16 is all about faith. The great leaders of faith Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Abel and Enoch. They lived lives of faith. They trusted God.
I want to live a life of faith with my love for God and reverence for His Word. I hope God will use me as an instrument in His hands to help others and as He continues to rock my world (and He will!) I will always have the trust and faith to say "yes".
Namaste,
Maureen
True.
God's call. I ran from it, tried to ignore it, tried to negotiate with God: "You are asking what?","I'm not ready. My family isn't ready, please let's talk about this another time", oh... and the conversation, "You must mean a different Maureen", "I am inadequate to do this". Well, God is persistent. Underlying my denial was this knowing that yes Lord,I have heard you calling in the night. I have heard you each week as the Eucharist is celebrated. I have heard you as I watch and welcome the newly baptized into our community. I have heard you as I walked the journey with my dying friend.I heard you so long ago when I was in grade school, "Follow me".
God has rocked my world.
In the past six years I have gone from stay at home mom with my own practice, working when I wanted with a quiet prayer life to a full time working mom who has listened to God's voice, closed my practice, taken a full time job at the church that pays much less than what I was making, attended a discernment retreat, went through the process of a formal discernment committee that reached consensus for me to move forward. I have had opportunities to preach, Paten,set the table,write call and response liturgy,serve my community, meet monthly with my spiritual director and develop a deeper prayer life.
God has rocked my world.
I thank him everyday for doing so. I thank Him for loving me and trusting me to answer His call. I thank Him for our close relationship so when He asks something out of the ordinary, it is His voice, the voice of a friend who I know and trust, who walks with me.
Yes, God has rocked my world and I have totally rocked the world of my family.
I don't know who this has been hardest on. My children? My husband? Me? This has affected us all in very different ways. My journey has become their journey. No one wanted to believe that at first, not even me. The conversations haven't occurred over coffee at Starbucks or Sunday family dinners. The conversations have occurred over years. Some have been very, very hard. There have been tears and wonderful revelations for all of us. My husband said for a long time that I had changed. I would say,I haven't changed, I am the same me". You know, during one of our conversations I apologized and said, "You are right.I have changed.Having a relationship with God changes you. I am called to be a child of God. I am called to be a wife and mother. I am called to a vocation in ministry".
Following my call has proven to be life-altering. I sometimes try to make sense of the life that has been "given" to me after saying "yes". It has been disrupting to my marriage, confusing to my children and some friends. BUT there are no words to describe the joy of stepping forward in faith and walking with God.
My faith has grown in strength and depth as I nourish my relationship with God. It is my faith that allows me to survive the dark times of my inner and outer turmoil.
I have felt inadequate for the job God is asking me to do. I think it is natural for me to feel this way. I am inadequate all by myself, but God is not asking me to do this alone. I have to look beyond myself to the faithful followers before me. Those in my community, my mentors and in scripture.
Sunday's reading Hebrew's 11: 1-16 is all about faith. The great leaders of faith Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Abel and Enoch. They lived lives of faith. They trusted God.
I want to live a life of faith with my love for God and reverence for His Word. I hope God will use me as an instrument in His hands to help others and as He continues to rock my world (and He will!) I will always have the trust and faith to say "yes".
Namaste,
Maureen
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prayer
"Always be joyful, pray continually; give thanks, whatever happens".
New Zealand Book of Prayer
The Gospel on Sunday was Luke 11: 1-13. This is the story of when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus our beloved, teaches them to pray The Lord's Prayer.
How do you pray? When do you pray?
I know for me my favorite time to pray is that moment between asleep and fully awake. I am in between here and there and that place is so peaceful. God meets me there. It is our little moment where time stands still and I enter into an intimacy of my inner self and God offers me the opportunity to enter into his intimacy. It is in this dwelling place that the omnipotent hand of God embraces me as I begin my day. A holy interchange. A blessing. A gift.
I love to pray while I walk my dogs, there is something about being outside and feeling close to God. I love the Book of Common Prayer, the New Zealand Prayer Book and Celtic Prayers from Iona. I pray the rosary everyday. There are times I pray and meditate on the rosary and the psalms, or a particular scripture will speak to me and I carry it with me throughout the day. The repetition of the prayers prepares my mind for clarity and quiet. To just be with God.
Henri Nouwen, who is one of my favorite theologians, writes about prayer being the bridge between our conscious and unconscious lives. Prayer connects these two sides where God dwells. "Prayer is "soul work" because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one and where God is with us in the most intimate way. (Bread for the Journey)"
I grew up knowing prayer was about talking to God and that was always comforting to me . As I have grown in my prayer life I have learned that it is in the silence of prayer that God speaks. Probably for me, the silence gives God a chance to get a word in!
Silence and being still does take practice. For me, it has become a discipline. Life is busy and my to do list can take away from this sacred time. I attended a women's retreat in the spring and that was a starting point for me to be intentional about contemplative prayer.
"Be still and aware of God's presence within and around." (Celtic Prayers from Iona) The first time I read these words I slowed down. I re-read it, but as I read those words a second time, I was breathing them in and exhaling calm. For me these 10 words help me be very intentional about silencing my senses,calming every part of me to be very present for dwelling with God.
Intentional silence can awaken an awareness that there is an interwoven presence of God dwelling and dwelling in God. These moments slow my breathing and place my heart within the embrace of the peace that passes all understanding. You know, I use to hear that , week after week: ...the peace that passes all understanding...and I would think. "That's nice". It wasn't until I experienced that peace that passes all understanding, during prayer one day that it had such different meaning. Now when I hear those words, I close my eyes and my breathing changes, my entire body is once again embraced by this amazing, life giving peace. Prayer, this peace, my breath is breathing in the breath of God.
In Sunday's homily, Rev. Mary Kay ended with The Lord's Prayer, a version that she shared she learned during her time at the National Cathedral. It seemed especially beautiful.
Our Father, Loving mother in heaven,
May we hold your name in awe.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, in us, among us, and throughout the earth, as in heaven.
Give us today all the bread we need.
Forgive the wrong we do, and the wrong that is in our hearts.
Help us to forgive all those who have wronged us.
Save us in times of trial, And deliver us from every evil.
For the kingdom is yours, the power is yours, and the glory is yours-now and for all time. Amen.
Namaste,
Maureen
New Zealand Book of Prayer
The Gospel on Sunday was Luke 11: 1-13. This is the story of when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus our beloved, teaches them to pray The Lord's Prayer.
How do you pray? When do you pray?
I know for me my favorite time to pray is that moment between asleep and fully awake. I am in between here and there and that place is so peaceful. God meets me there. It is our little moment where time stands still and I enter into an intimacy of my inner self and God offers me the opportunity to enter into his intimacy. It is in this dwelling place that the omnipotent hand of God embraces me as I begin my day. A holy interchange. A blessing. A gift.
I love to pray while I walk my dogs, there is something about being outside and feeling close to God. I love the Book of Common Prayer, the New Zealand Prayer Book and Celtic Prayers from Iona. I pray the rosary everyday. There are times I pray and meditate on the rosary and the psalms, or a particular scripture will speak to me and I carry it with me throughout the day. The repetition of the prayers prepares my mind for clarity and quiet. To just be with God.
Henri Nouwen, who is one of my favorite theologians, writes about prayer being the bridge between our conscious and unconscious lives. Prayer connects these two sides where God dwells. "Prayer is "soul work" because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one and where God is with us in the most intimate way. (Bread for the Journey)"
I grew up knowing prayer was about talking to God and that was always comforting to me . As I have grown in my prayer life I have learned that it is in the silence of prayer that God speaks. Probably for me, the silence gives God a chance to get a word in!
Silence and being still does take practice. For me, it has become a discipline. Life is busy and my to do list can take away from this sacred time. I attended a women's retreat in the spring and that was a starting point for me to be intentional about contemplative prayer.
"Be still and aware of God's presence within and around." (Celtic Prayers from Iona) The first time I read these words I slowed down. I re-read it, but as I read those words a second time, I was breathing them in and exhaling calm. For me these 10 words help me be very intentional about silencing my senses,calming every part of me to be very present for dwelling with God.
Intentional silence can awaken an awareness that there is an interwoven presence of God dwelling and dwelling in God. These moments slow my breathing and place my heart within the embrace of the peace that passes all understanding. You know, I use to hear that , week after week: ...the peace that passes all understanding...and I would think. "That's nice". It wasn't until I experienced that peace that passes all understanding, during prayer one day that it had such different meaning. Now when I hear those words, I close my eyes and my breathing changes, my entire body is once again embraced by this amazing, life giving peace. Prayer, this peace, my breath is breathing in the breath of God.
In Sunday's homily, Rev. Mary Kay ended with The Lord's Prayer, a version that she shared she learned during her time at the National Cathedral. It seemed especially beautiful.
Our Father, Loving mother in heaven,
May we hold your name in awe.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, in us, among us, and throughout the earth, as in heaven.
Give us today all the bread we need.
Forgive the wrong we do, and the wrong that is in our hearts.
Help us to forgive all those who have wronged us.
Save us in times of trial, And deliver us from every evil.
For the kingdom is yours, the power is yours, and the glory is yours-now and for all time. Amen.
Namaste,
Maureen
Monday, July 19, 2010
I was out walking along the quiet dirt road behind my house with my two labs, Rocky and Max. The road winds through a few farms. The beauty always takes my breath away. Each time I walk I get lost in my thoughts. Sometimes I am just quiet taking the beauty of creation in, other times I engage in the dance my dogs do with the cows.
Each time I walk this path I discover something different. I have seen rainbows, new birds coming alive in their nests, mama cows taking care of their babies, flowers blooming,horses grazing,bugs dancing on the creek water, even the ants in the dirt seem to have a particular mission.
On this particular day, I was contemplating what my life is about, what my life has become and what will my life be like as my journey continues. The conversation I had with myself went something like this:"Okay God, I am feeling a bit frustrated with you. I know it is okay to tell you that, right? What are you doing? What are you up to? What are you asking of me? Are you testing me? Struggles at home. Struggles with my kids. I know you are here. My faith tells me yes but there are times, especially now in this moment,I cry out, help me. I need you. Show me what to do." Well, as I said these words 10-15 butterflies were circling me. They were yellow and two were quite large and purple. They stayed with me for sometime, circling me as I continued my walk.
God certainly got my attention. It was that pick yourself up by your boot straps, kick in the pants, tug on my heart, embrace by my Beloved. I smiled and knew God was walking with me.
Hmmmm. Movement of the Spirit indeed.
Butterflies.
These delicate creatures made me think. They are so beautiful yet their journey to this point has been no easy task.That feels very familiar. Their reward of living through the darkness of their cocoon enables them to float in the breeze of God's spirit. Quite a transformation and that feels inviting to me.
I smiled to myself thinking there was a lesson in this for me. The lesson is challenging and difficult at times. God's call is challenging and difficult at times. Quite possibly, for the kingdom of God to happen within my life, my community, my family, my church, I must give something up, let something die. Is there an attitude or way of thinking that keeps me from experiencing the fullness of the grace that Jesus intends for me? Is there some something I must confront to lift some darkness, mine or for someone else? Maybe I have to let go of some of the things that take up my time and give that time to God. Completely. I think this is the cost of discipleship.
In that moment on my walk I realized that yes, these butterflies are a symbol for me, of the transformation that is taking place in my life through the power of Jesus, creating a complete metamorphosis of my soul. This journey that God is calling me to, requires me to leave behind what I know and embrace a new way of being and submit to the mystery and trust of God's plan for me. There are quiet times, dark times, lonely times,prayerful times, times of joy, times of grace and times of peace that passes all understanding. God is present and working in all of this.
My faith enables me to trust and believe God and His Word when circumstances, emotions, people and reason point the other way. Like the apostle Paul, "for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."
Jesus says to his beloved,"do not fear". During my walk Jesus answered my questions and He spoke a tender yet powerful whisper to me. "Let go, let the mystery unfold and I will be there with you. I am here in the darkness and you will emerge as something more beautiful that you can imagine."
So I leave you today with the following scripture. Read it, meditate on it, pray and welcome your own transformation..
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Corinthians 5:17
Namaste,
Maureen
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