This morning two books strewn with rose petals were lying on my front doorstep. I knew immediately they'd been left by a beautiful young friend who reminds me to honor the light cast by our ordinary lives. John Kirvan writes about how we've been blinded by the bright light of heroes and saints. It's true. Then we use those stories to excuse ourselves from the demand of our own incarnation..
It is up to each of us to live with depth and care. The books are rose petals say that the simplest action conveys great tenderness and power for the journey if done by a loving heart. There are no "insignificant" lives, no celebrities. There is life. And we each decide whether or not we're willing to bring to life the power that lies within.
Another friend was pruning pansies, picking off their vivid petals of purple, yellow, orange. He flung them into the water that runs in front of his home. "i like to think", he said, "that they still have one more chance, floating on the water, to surprise and amaze someone paddling by on a kayak".
Life rests in OUR hands. Beauty is OURS to bestow. in such ordinary ways WE are light for the world.
--Paula D'Arcy--
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
A Letter from the Son of God
Written by: Unknown author
Submitted By: Melanie Keischer
Edited by: yours truly
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children
of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish…
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. I’d like to hear from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Even if people who work at a business aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do
what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with
all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Submitted By: Melanie Keischer
Edited by: yours truly
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children
of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish…
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. I’d like to hear from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Even if people who work at a business aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do
what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with
all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Hannukah
Being Catholic, I guess I don't really understand Hannukah, which doesn't make a lot of sense, because the miracle and victory that Haunnukah celebrates are part of my faith as well. So, being the insatiably curious person that I am, I searched out one of my friends who celebrates Hanukkah and had him explain it to me. The following explanation is a joint effort in explaining the holiday to youse (although all credit for outlandish references to 300 and pokemon goes to him):
Hanukkah or Chanukah, I haven’t met many people who actually care which way you spell it, is the Jewish holiday celebrating the miraculous extension of one days worth of oil over 8 days. It is also a celebration of the Maccabees’s 300-like victory over the army of the Seleucid Empire.
The most compelling similarity between the Maccabees and the army faced by the Spartans is the elephants, which the Seleucids housed in the temple. However, there are two very big differences, first and foremost the Maccabees won, and secondly The Maccabees’ military victory over the Greek-Syrians was a result of a plethora of raids rather than one large epic battle.
Recently for my family, and I think for many families, the celebration of the holiday has changed vastly. When I was little, our celebration would be a family gathering to light a small menorah accompanied by a few hours of story-telling and playing dreidel for portions of each other’s dessert.
Now we go over to my uncle’s house where he has started putting out a 15ft tall menorah and lighting a propane-powered candle every night at sunset which he keeps lit day and night until the end of Hanukkah.
Personally I feel this is a result of holiday envy and a tad unnecessary. However I seem to change my mind whenever I see those flames roar into the air, then I just wonder why people haven’t realized that a fire type always beats a water type. In the end, I suppose the actual way of celebration isn’t all that important as long as its with family and you keep the reasoning in mind.
Hope that helps :)
Happy Hannukah (day 6)
Hanukkah or Chanukah, I haven’t met many people who actually care which way you spell it, is the Jewish holiday celebrating the miraculous extension of one days worth of oil over 8 days. It is also a celebration of the Maccabees’s 300-like victory over the army of the Seleucid Empire.
The most compelling similarity between the Maccabees and the army faced by the Spartans is the elephants, which the Seleucids housed in the temple. However, there are two very big differences, first and foremost the Maccabees won, and secondly The Maccabees’ military victory over the Greek-Syrians was a result of a plethora of raids rather than one large epic battle.
Recently for my family, and I think for many families, the celebration of the holiday has changed vastly. When I was little, our celebration would be a family gathering to light a small menorah accompanied by a few hours of story-telling and playing dreidel for portions of each other’s dessert.
Now we go over to my uncle’s house where he has started putting out a 15ft tall menorah and lighting a propane-powered candle every night at sunset which he keeps lit day and night until the end of Hanukkah.
Personally I feel this is a result of holiday envy and a tad unnecessary. However I seem to change my mind whenever I see those flames roar into the air, then I just wonder why people haven’t realized that a fire type always beats a water type. In the end, I suppose the actual way of celebration isn’t all that important as long as its with family and you keep the reasoning in mind.
Hope that helps :)
Happy Hannukah (day 6)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Gospel Reflection
In this week’s gospel, John the Baptist gets us excited for the coming of the Christ. He not only tells us to prepare ourselves for His coming, but gives us specific examples on how to do so. He emphasizes the fact that God will never ask more from us than we have the capability to give.
The first example of how we can live our lives better is by giving of what we have and sharing with those less fortunate than us. As I look around the chapel today and see the plethora of gifts we as Marist students have bought and wrapped my heart is filled with joy. It is not always easy to find the time and money to shop for others—especially those we do no know personally, but God calls to us to give from the heart not only this holiday season, but at all times.
John the Baptist tells the tax collectors to “collect no more than is appointed to you.” At first glance, this advice may seem irrelevant to us, but if we look to the deeper Meaning, there is a lesson there for all of us. John is simply telling us to not accept more than we are owed — this could be in terms of money for a service, gratitude for an action, or credit for a project. It is about being honest with both yourself and everyone around you. Don’t ask for more than you deserve, and don’t take from others what they cannot afford to give.
The third way in which today’s reading asks us to prepare ourselves, is one that should be obvious to all of us, and yet one that is probably one of the hardest to adhere to — stay away from violence and create peace. While we may not be violent creatures by nature, it is so easy to lash out and hurt others not only physically, but emotionally through our words and actions.
If only we could all remember that everyone is our brother or sister and that everyone is created in the likeness of God.
The first example of how we can live our lives better is by giving of what we have and sharing with those less fortunate than us. As I look around the chapel today and see the plethora of gifts we as Marist students have bought and wrapped my heart is filled with joy. It is not always easy to find the time and money to shop for others—especially those we do no know personally, but God calls to us to give from the heart not only this holiday season, but at all times.
John the Baptist tells the tax collectors to “collect no more than is appointed to you.” At first glance, this advice may seem irrelevant to us, but if we look to the deeper Meaning, there is a lesson there for all of us. John is simply telling us to not accept more than we are owed — this could be in terms of money for a service, gratitude for an action, or credit for a project. It is about being honest with both yourself and everyone around you. Don’t ask for more than you deserve, and don’t take from others what they cannot afford to give.
The third way in which today’s reading asks us to prepare ourselves, is one that should be obvious to all of us, and yet one that is probably one of the hardest to adhere to — stay away from violence and create peace. While we may not be violent creatures by nature, it is so easy to lash out and hurt others not only physically, but emotionally through our words and actions.
If only we could all remember that everyone is our brother or sister and that everyone is created in the likeness of God.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Questions Without Answer
As you know, every now and again my posts are written by other people. This is one of those occasions.
Courtesy of Megan Francis:
Death is not an easy subject to write about, so please pardon the clichés, and pardon how irresolute this piece ends...Irresolution and death just go hand-in-hand..
Death triggers so many more questions than there are answers on the subject. The imbalance is unfair. And the questions are endless, sometimes even senseless, yet they constantly resurface when tragedy comes, uninvited of course. Questions vary from person to person. And they usually change as the mourner progresses through the different stages of grief.
Some people are haunted with the notion of why did ___ die when it was clear how good of a person he/she was? Did God have bigger things planned for __? Is __ in heaven right now amused over our confusion? Some questions leave you feeling angry. Irate even. Others leave you feeling guilty. I urge you not to dwell on the guilt-provoking questions. The burden of such ambiguity is unfair for any person to carry -- so clear those thoughts from your conscious.
Focus on the more inspirational questions instead. Ask yourself: What lesson am I supposed to take away from this tragedy? There is always a lesson, sometimes there are multiple lessons. You have to discover this for yourself. It may be something as cliché as accepting the tragic notion that sometimes life just isn’t fair. Or the tragedy may have served to remind you of how incredibly fragile and uncertain life is.
There is no time restraint with discovering the lesson for yourself. It could take days, weeks, years even. There’s no rush. But once you have discovered the intended lesson, next ask yourself: “how will I be remembered when my time comes?” Accept the fact that the choices you make today shape how you will be remembered; they form the legacy you will leave. It may be chilling, but it’s true.
Allow the question of your legacy to resurface as a means to both remind and inspire.
Finally, stop with the questions all together. And just remember. Remember every last detail about the person. Remember their aspirations. Remember their dreams. Remember their favorite candy, favorite band, favorite place. Honor all of these things about them.
In doing this, the deceased is never really gone, just somewhere else, somewhere we cannot easily see. They’re probably laughing over how stressed we get over the most trivial of things. Or maybe they’re waiting for us. Or maybe they’re helping us. Maybe they’re doing it all.
Courtesy of Megan Francis:
Death is not an easy subject to write about, so please pardon the clichés, and pardon how irresolute this piece ends...Irresolution and death just go hand-in-hand..
Death triggers so many more questions than there are answers on the subject. The imbalance is unfair. And the questions are endless, sometimes even senseless, yet they constantly resurface when tragedy comes, uninvited of course. Questions vary from person to person. And they usually change as the mourner progresses through the different stages of grief.
Some people are haunted with the notion of why did ___ die when it was clear how good of a person he/she was? Did God have bigger things planned for __? Is __ in heaven right now amused over our confusion? Some questions leave you feeling angry. Irate even. Others leave you feeling guilty. I urge you not to dwell on the guilt-provoking questions. The burden of such ambiguity is unfair for any person to carry -- so clear those thoughts from your conscious.
Focus on the more inspirational questions instead. Ask yourself: What lesson am I supposed to take away from this tragedy? There is always a lesson, sometimes there are multiple lessons. You have to discover this for yourself. It may be something as cliché as accepting the tragic notion that sometimes life just isn’t fair. Or the tragedy may have served to remind you of how incredibly fragile and uncertain life is.
There is no time restraint with discovering the lesson for yourself. It could take days, weeks, years even. There’s no rush. But once you have discovered the intended lesson, next ask yourself: “how will I be remembered when my time comes?” Accept the fact that the choices you make today shape how you will be remembered; they form the legacy you will leave. It may be chilling, but it’s true.
Allow the question of your legacy to resurface as a means to both remind and inspire.
Finally, stop with the questions all together. And just remember. Remember every last detail about the person. Remember their aspirations. Remember their dreams. Remember their favorite candy, favorite band, favorite place. Honor all of these things about them.
In doing this, the deceased is never really gone, just somewhere else, somewhere we cannot easily see. They’re probably laughing over how stressed we get over the most trivial of things. Or maybe they’re waiting for us. Or maybe they’re helping us. Maybe they’re doing it all.
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