From death into life

I am looking out my fifth floor window at the trees below - still brown and lacking any sign of life. Yet in a matter of weeks, buds will burst forth, proving that things aren't always as they appear. This reality of the earth bearing life from that which appears dead is an apt canvas upon which God paints the beautiful image of Crucifixion and Resurrection, a reality which brilliantly illustrates the virtue of hope.
This virtue - hope - is particularly handy when responding to those in need of God in a special way, those among our families and friends who have left the Church, are in the throes of sin, or who have never heard the Gospel message of Christ. It is with them in mind I return to the image of the winter trees, devoid of any sign of life. I invite you to participate in the springtime of their faith, bringing them Christ Himself to reawaken their souls, just as the passage of time, water, and sunlight brings forth the tree's new blossoms of spring.
Pray that God's season will be upon them. Pray that He will hasten their growth, and that His time for changing their hearts is now. Have a conversation with them; just as the water nourishes the roots of the tree, so too can your conversation lead people to drink of the that water that will quench every thirst. Finally, invite them. Invite them to spend time with you, to come to Mass, to join your family for dinner. Point them to the Son so they can stretch toward the warmth and vitality He provides.

Taking it off the top

To fast from the clutter of everyday life- This is my Lenten sacrifice. The first-fruits of my time, my heart, my attention... these shall be offered to God. Oh! To live simply and to become more simple in my ways; it is only in simplicity that I can see the face of Christ and hear His voice. Only there can I begin to see who I really am. He gives the charge take up the cross and follow me. Surely He knows how foolish and stumbling I am... on my own I cling more tightly to the clutter and complexity of my life, not the cross.

His response to my need is different. He comforts me without the stuff, without the clutter and pretense. His ways are not my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts. And yet, the charge is given ...be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect...What could this mean?? How can I, a cluttery maze-like mess of a person, be perfect? be simple? be Heavenly-Father-perfect?


It is by God's hand alone. Nothing I can do will straiten this crooked path. It is my adoption as a daughter- only that- which removes the debris from this heart of mine... makes strait this crooked path and empties out these junk-filled cabinets. He invites me to participate, to give a wholehearted try, to offer those first-fruits. Lent is truly a gift, for it is my fruit that He will transform into His fruit- that is the God I serve. This Lent my prayer is that God will simplify my life and my heart. I am a Daughter and I long to be perfect like my Father.

*These pictures are from Saverinthecity.com and Cleveland.com respectively

fonts are hot

http://www.veer.com/ideas/galleries/staffpicks2009/gallery.aspx

Your faith has made you well

"Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years and though she spent all she had on physicians no one could cure her..." -Luke 8:43-48

I see that woman. Desolate. Without reason to hope. Constantly trying to keep her own blood from leaving her body. In a culture where blood deems you unclean hers built a fortress around her.


Her loneliness must have been immense. Her desire to be accepted in the sight of her neighbors, even her own husband almost tangible. She spent everything she had. What did she give up in order to find healing? Each hour of labor, each wage, every ounce of hope, and prayer offered- all to be cured. Peering over the wall into the life that she could not have- community, acceptance, joy, health... She could not attain it on her own.

This Man, Jesus, came into town. How had she first heard of Him? What story was told? Did she hear about the others healing? Or notice the crowd? Was it only a day that passed before she had the courage to draw close to Him? An hour? A month? A year even? And when she arrive did the thought of making Him unclean stir fear in her? Or was His presence a charge into action? Perhaps His words were so full of love that she knew what He could do. He; He could make up for what she lacked.

That which The Savior chose to heal humanity made the Jew's food and people useless and untouchable. He too would experience His own blood leaving him. How Jesus would have looked upon this woman after He realized it was her who had faith in Him and called upon His saving power.

She touched His cloak with great faith and was made clean. His blood for hers. His family for hers. His comfort for hers. He took her hemorrhages upon Himself as he does for all who approach Him.

Sowing and Reaping

This was intended to post over a month ago. Sorry, brother:

In the whirlwind of phone calls, spreadsheets, and office birthday parties I found myself on a tiny retreat at work this week. A miniature reflection was being led by my friend and spiritual brother. His words have resounded in my heart and in just a few day's time have already born great meditation.
this image is from www.accessgambia.com

What do we do when our Lord has placed us in a field with a particular crop and it is bearing no fruit? Did we read the map wrong - up-side-down perhaps? This might not be the plot? Perhaps we grabbed the wrong satchel of seeds. These seeds seem too tiny, too dry, too green, even fragile and easily bruised- sure signs they couldn't possibly bear the vital and hearty crop we've been promised. Now what? Abandon ship, so to speak? Venture to the next lot and help someone else with his seedlings?

With all that in mind I came across this scripture from John chapter 4 (verses 30-37):

They went out of the town and came to him.

Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat."

But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know."

So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?"

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.

The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.'

It is important to look at the context in which Jesus is telling His friends, "one sows and another reaps"...He is revealing His great communion with God, His Father and the very source of his sustenance. With God Christ needs nothing else- not even a bite to eat. And it is within that framework that Christ tells his disciples "The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together." The sower matters not without the reaper.

Here's to you, men!!!

a quick thought for today

blessings come in all shapes and sizes. a cliche saying, i know. but it's true. we never know how God is going to bless us. from an unexpected encounter with roommates to the opportunity to brighten the Emily Griffith high school student's day. sometimes the blessing we receive is getting the opportunity to brighten someone's day...

when sarah and i went to the EGOS (Emily Griffith Opportunity School) cafeteria tonight we encountered "GG" for the second or third week in a row. a shy and perhaps scrappy high school senior who didn't fit the normal public school mold and opted for "alternative" high school. She made us a rockin' omelet last time and we were excited to follow it up with a burrito. Unfortunately she bowed out because Jasmine is way better at making burritos. Despite my disappointment I had the opportunity to talk to Jasmine (you may remember her from such encounters as "hey! hey! you wanna give me some money for my college fund?* *insert sass and brashness here -or- the "incident" when someone took my orange right out of my hand... yes, it was the very same Jasmine). Anyway, it turns out that she is just a high school senior as well and just finished getting her GED. She's finishing classes and off to the "real world." the moral of the story is that everyone needs love and for someone to remember her name. Jasmine is no exception and i'm fairly certain I had the blessing of reminding a wayward 17 year old that she's worth remembering. here's to you