Viewing entries in
2016
DARE TO DIVE IN
“A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench… I have grasped you by the hand.” - Is. 42:3,6
"…He was not baptized because he needed to be purified, but so that he might bring sanctity to the waters themselves." ---St. Gregory Nazianus
In life and in death, Jesus went first to show us that greater life was possible and to encourage us to take the risk. What might it feel like to dive in and take the risk to be with Him?
WILLINGNESS TO MOVE?
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” - Mt 2:2
King Herod and the Magi represent two opposite attitudes in all of us towards light in today’s Gospel. The Magi were open to something new.
OPEN OUR EYES AND HEARTS
"There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding." – Jn 2:1
If we can shift our focus away from trying to measure up, we may just find God working in our lives, constantly loving us from a place of abundance, always providing more than enough for us.
LOVE WALKS CLOSELY
"It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, 'We have found the Messiah,' which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,' which is translated Peter.” – Jn. 1:39-42
The journey of figuring out and living out one's calling and purpose is a journey of a lifetime.
THE WIDE EMBRACE, THE NARROW GATE
“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” – 1 Jn. 2:30
Becoming a child of God is living the Beatitudes and so finding the narrow gate into the Kingdom...
RESTING IN LIFE
"Remain in him.” – 1 Jn 2:28
Resolutions are meant to help us enter a new year with hope. Yet, too often they are more life draining rather than life giving.
MARY, MOTHER TO ALL
“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” – Lk. 2:19
We hold Mother Mary in such high regard because she is a Mother, a guide and a guardian. At the Annunciation, she taught us to say, “Yes Lord, here I am. Do with me as you will.”
ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS
“Children, it is the last hour…” – 1 Jn 2:18a
"What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it." - Jn. 1:3-5
In Christ we have been given Life, to be the light of the human race. It is this light that shines through the darkness and shall not be overcome. It is also the small spark of hope knowing that, with God’s help, tomorrow can be a little brighter.
LISTENING, TO LOVE
“Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod... ” – Mt. 2:13-15, 19-23
Family life is hard. Yes, the love and the sacrifice in a marriage that mirrors Christ's self-giving love to the world is beautiful. But that beauty is sometimes hard to see in the midst of the endless cycles of laundry-folding and dish-washing.
THE SECRET SIGNATURE OF EACH SOUL
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…” – Lk. 2:29
There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else...
RESTORING OUR INNOCENTS
“Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.” – Ps. 124:7
The word “innocent” is particularly descriptive of babies because they are full of love as God created them and without the layers of doubt, fear, and weariness that beset us as we grow older.
EYES OF WONDER
“Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life … we proclaim now to you…” – 1 Jn 1:1, 3a
Why do you always speak to us about love?
STEPPING INTO PURPOSE
“When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Mt. 10:19-20
I’ve found that it is the who that is most important. They are the people accompanying me in this journey.
FAITH IS A CURRENT
"What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” - Jn 1:4-5, 9
Faith calls each of us to move towards the light even if the direction is difficult.
