Kellie is Fourteen

Kellie, May 17, 1994

Today Kellie is 14. She was our first grandchild and God only knows where the last 14 years have gone. Today she is a beautiful young lady who is graceful and filled with the love of music and dance. She volunteers helping with Children's Sunday School at St Joseph Church and sings in the choir. It has been a blessing for us to watch her grow and mature into the person she has become. Her birthday also happens to coincide with an appropriate reflection by Amy Welborn in A Catholic Woman's Book of Days.

Then he appeared to more than five hundred
brothers and sisters at one time, most of
whom are still alive, tough some have died.
~1 Corinthians 15:6~

When I was about thirteen years old, my previously clean-shaven father grew a handlebar mustache and took to wearing striped, bell-bottom pants (it was 1973).

I was distressed and actually a little angry. I remember thinking--although I don't know if I ever said it out loud--that he just didn't look like a Dad anymore.

The Gospels and Paul tell us that after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to many. All who saw him had some difficulty recognizing or accepting him. Their faith had to take them a step or two beyond their previous experience and expectations in order to really see Jesus.

When I look, is there something preventing me from seeing Jesus for who he is?

Lord Jesus, bring me close to you in faith.

I would also offer for reflection this verse.

Jesus said to her," Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was a gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" [And she recognized Jesus.]
John 20:15-16

You see there are times when I look back at the pictures of Kellie and my other grandchildren and remember with delight how they were. And because I don't get to see most of them as often as I would like, the next time I do see them they have changed in stature and maturity. I don't recognize the child as they were before and a part of me doesn't want them to change. I want them to stay a wee child and...I guess it makes me sad. Yes, indeed they must grow, change and mature. And when I see their success, I cheer and thank God (with a tear in my eye!) heartily! That's when I know I must rely the Spirit and his good judgment and once again understand who is in control.

I think the illustration above is much like that. Jesus enters our live in many ways. But am I open to his presence? I hope so, too! For he does not always appear to be the same. Well, (sigh) to be honest...I know I miss the presence more than I care to admit. The reality is, it is up to me to GROW and MATURE (though I am still mostly young) so that I can be in His presence and know it. Yep, that's it!!! And in reflecting on Kellie's birthday today and her beautiful life I too have grown-up just a little more, I hope.

SOOOO...

Happy Birthday, Kellie!
and
Thanks be to God!!

Hope in My Garden

Hope In My Garden

"And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down in rushing, rising rivlets..." and I had such "Highee hopes...highee hopes, high apple piie in the skyeee hopes..." but it looks like we won't be working in the muddy garden today!!! It is in such need of "repair." It needs some serious grooming and a definite face lift. But unless we wear hip waders it's just possible that it won't get done this weekend. DRAT!

So as we all do, I thought if it clears up enough (sour grapes), then Ron can take the telescope out and look at God's "garden in the sky" tonight. Saturn last weekend was really beautiful...He still waiting for Jupiter to make "his" appearance.

Well, it occurred to me this morning when at Mass that the garden I should be worrying about is not the one with the weeds in the soil outside, but the weeds to be pulled and the seeds to be planted in the garden of my soul, The Real Garden. Goodness! What a revelation. For how my soul looks with its weeds and flowers is also how I appear to others who witness my works. So it is that I will try to work harder on the soul within, as well, as the soil without. The one may need hip waders, the the other certainly does not!

"'Blessed be God who has raised you up!
may he be blessed for all ages!'
For in you they shall praise his holy
name forever!"
Tobit 13:18

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

A Week of Christian Action...

"The practical result of this, for us, is that now on earth the whole of Christ's life is always being lived, things that happened to Him on earth are happening to Him now in His members; the things that He did on earth, He is doing now through us. In us are all His needs as man. His need of food and drink and sleep, of sympathy, friendship, comfort, and love; His need of solitude, His need to adore." By Caryll Houselander

The quote above is part of a much more extensive and lovely piece of literature. Please visit Prayer, Poetry and Praise for the rest of this wonderful excerpt.

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It has been our privilege to attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet for a number of years. Each year about 1,500 people of all Christian denominations come together to give support to this Pro-Life movement. If only this banquet were a celebration of life alone. Tomorrow evening the speaker will be Cal Thomas. It is wonderful to experience the coming together of God's people in this way. In this way we are able to proclaim the value of every human life, born and unborn. We all have worth! And we are witnesses as the Body of Christ.

Then Thursday night, as Christians from all denominations, we are called to gather at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville to silently voice our concerns at the Social Justice Action Meeting. Not by the clanging of bells or the tooting of horns but by the silence of numbers we are to bring before the mayor and city council, who will be in attendance, our concerns regarding the need for affordable housing for the working poor. It is the hoped that by addressing this real problem "hope and dignity" will be given to those most in need.

You see, as the Body of Christ, we are called to action. We are not to sit passively by and watch...we must contribute. Christianity is NOT a spectator sport!!!

I would ask all of you for your prayers as we endeavor to bring about Christ's teaching by living the Beatitudes not just reflecting on them.

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Thanks be to God!

The Woman Healed

This reflection touched me because is gives hope to all who suffer in any kind of pain or anxiety. It can touch those who feel they have no worth or value.

A Woman Healed From Hemorrhages

Mark 5:25-34

A woman suffering...

You were captive to the bleeding, your life drained away, leaving you weak and ashamed and helpless, your money drained away by liars who left you for dead and considered you worthless. Twice victim.

Dear suffering sister, were you afraid to meet him face to face? Is that shy you crept up behind, shy, yet sure he had more power in the hem of his robe than all the charlatans you'd seen?

And you, Jesus, when you terned to her, calling her daughter, you turned to us as well. You assure us that it's O.K..., wanting to be whole. It's not O.K. to be a victim.

You draw us out and encourage us to tell the whole story, from beginning to end--just how it is--just how it feels--just what we want and need. Suffering in silence earns few points with you.

It takes Spirit-driven courage to lay hold of your promises to forgive and heal and empower. What must we risk as we step out, reach out, even with one trembling finger in faith? Perhaps to show we really care? Perhaps to reconcile? Perhaps to say the truth? Perhaps.

Donna Steufert

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Again, I find in this reflection that we are not called to be passive individuals. If we want help we must ask for it, seek it, listen, be guided to it. Who will know if we do not ask? And then after we are aided in this quest by the Son of Man, we must accept it actively and aggressively with a thankful heart and soul.

~~~+~~~

Thanks be to God!

Resurrection Cookies

Monte Cassino, St. Meinrad, IN

This was a gift to us in this Sunday's bulletin. I really want to share it because it is such a beautiful journey for a child through our Lord's Passion and Resurrection.

RESURRECTION COOKIES

1/2 cup pecan halves
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Ziplock bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in Ziplock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19: 28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66

Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and then turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27: 56-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tome was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

On Resurrection Sunday morning, open the oven and five everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are HOLLOW! on the first Resurrection day Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tome open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

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Thanks be to God!1

Urgent prayer request...

I remember last year at this time I was praying for my dear friend, Margaret. She was taken to be with our Savior on Good Friday. Today I am here to request prayers again for one who is suffering and will surely be suffering because of the treatments she must undergo. Melissa needs our prayers and I have been asked by Kathleen Miller at The Daily Grotto to link you to her blog so that you might have more information about Melissa and her status. Please pray for this young lady and her family as they endure these trial. God bless you all...

***
and Thanks be to God!

Letter from Shannon

By e-mail I got an update from China Little Flower and the work Shannon Walsh is doing for those unfortunate children she works with. And so this I share with you...

***
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I could not get the letter to link so this is the best I could do...just click for larger view. And here is the link to Shannon's web page, China Little Flower

The work she does with these children and the love she gives them. Oh, my! And all this with the love and sincere trust of Our Lord! My best to you all and have a Grand Day!!!

~~~~~
Thank be to God!!!

The Way of the Cross

While I was on retreat last weekend, we were able to attend an organ recital in the Abbey Church. Marilyn Mason was the artist who gave the recital and was the first to perform on the organ after it had been newly install in 1963. She had numerous 1st's, but the one that stands out most vividly for me was the fact that she had been Professor of Organ at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor since 1947. She is the longest tenured professor in the university's 190 year history. This gifted, demure lady was still educating others in the art of music!

Fr. Gavin was the narrator for the recital and we all sat in anticipation of the music as well as the narration and pictures that would accompany it. Though Fr. Gavin's voice fairly "sang" as he spoke the words of the stations, the pictures were heartrending. The music itself was the most dissonant and discordant I had ever experienced. Yes, experienced. For in the hour and one-half that I listened to the music, I found I was in pain. There was nothing beautiful about this music. It hurt the ears and the organ fairly cried in pain itself. With each station, though I hoped the next offering would be less harsh, but I knew better. And at the end, I was exhausted!

The stations are never easy, but on reflection, and I did reflect for some time on this, I found it was not about the music. No, this was the screaming of pain our Lord must have experienced each time he was mocked, scourged, spit upon, crowned, and marched under the weight of the cross to his death. And for what? Yes, indeed for what? It was all for the salvation of my soul. All so that one day I might see Him face to face. He did this out of love for me, in Love of me.

Finally, I realized again that this is why the Resurrection is such a joyful reality. We must endure the pain of this life in order to experience the joy of our Resurrection. Hallelujah!!
Amen!

~~~~~~~
For the Love of Jesus I say,
"Thanks be to God."
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Addendum: For those who are interested I found a information about the composer of the Stations of the Cross. It is very good. The essay is at Music at the Chapel of the Cross.

Return From "Narnia"

One never knows what really awaits when you venture out on retreat. Again, this week we had an ice storm. It was not nearly as bad as the one last week, but it was an ice storm none-the-less. As we entered the grounds of the monastery at St. Meinrad I was reminded of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It was all so surreal. Ice glistened on the branches of all the trees. Everything was white and pure. It was Holy!

And so it was for all of us as we began our "journey" at St. Meinrad Archabbey.

The icicles hung from the Celtic cross. The lawn was glazed as if with powdered sugar icing.

And then you enter the "kingdom."

All guests who arrive should be received as Christ,
for he himself will say,

I was a stranger and you took me in.

(The Gift of Saint Benedict by Verna a Holy Head SGS and Lynne Muir)

It was a time of peace and community. Women, gathering in the Abbey Church for vespers and morning prayer, sharing their love of God. The chanting of the monks and the beauty of the Word of God proclaimed in the midst of these men of God, and the Mass seeming to bring us to the Gates of Heaven. The retreat is not silent, but it is reflective. It was joyful, yet had its time for introspection. We laughed, cried, hugged and were affirmed. We were in the presence of God!

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Thanks be to God!

A Bit of Catholic Trivia

I thought this was interesting wanted to pass it along. It was written in the The Black Book.

The "Anchor Cross"

The anchor is a symbol of safety. Early Christians began to use it as a symbol of hope, especially at the time of death. Placing it on the funeral monument was an expression of trust that the departed had arrive safely at the port of eternal peace.

In the catacombs in Rome, this symbol appears as early as the second century. Since the shape of the anchor resembles a cross it was often depicted in the way that combined the anchor as a sign of safety and the cross as a sign of salvation.

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This symbol aslo has its roots in Hebrews 6:19: "This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil..."

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Thanks be to God!

"Joanna, a Generous Follower"

This woman strikes me as most courageous. Living in Herod's house and following Jesus! What courage! All of the women who helped support Jesus and his ministry were bold, loyal, and brave.

Joanna, a Generous Follower
Luke 8: 1-3; 24:10

Oh look, there's Joanna, Cuzar's wife! Cuzar, you know, the one who got that great job managing King Herod's household. Oh, I know they say the queen really runs the palace and the king can be a dreadful bear sometimes. But imagine living in a palace! I've heard some strange stories about Joanna lately, though. They say she doesn't even live at the palace, that she follows that strange rabbi around wherever he preaches. Not only that, but I guess she even gives money and food to support him and his followers. She sleeps out on the ground sometimes when she could be sleeping in a palace! Do you think she's lost her mind?

And then there's Sydney. Someone said she just life a $100,000 a year job as a trial attorney to join the deaconess program. Fran Taylor serves meals at the homeless shelter every Wednesday night after work. and Greta Guzmann agreed to raise her daughters' three kids. (They say her daughter's on drugs.) Have they all lost their minds?

Jesus, were you out of your mind when you agreed to suffer and die for the sins of the entire world? When we come face to face with you, we must be prepared to follow where you lead us--even to the cross. Give us that strength and dedication.

Lois Sheer
Face to Face, Daily Lenten Devotions for Women

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With all these wonderful examples of courage, how is it that I feel so inadequate and timid in my own life? I'm afraid to step outside my comfort zone...perhaps because I fear failure, or disappointment. If I use these women as examples perhaps there's hope for me...

Thanks be to God!!!

"Awaiting the Presence of Our Maker"

This reflections was written by Venerable John Henry Newman. He established the Oratory in Birmingham, England and was an eloquent preacher. It was published the this month's Magnificat.

There is another reason why God alone is happiness of our souls, to which I wish to direct attention. The contemplation of him, and nothing but it, is able fully to open and relieve the mind, to unlock, occupy, and fix our affections. We may indeed love things created with great intenseness, but such affection, when disjoined from the love of the Creator, is like a stream running in a narrow channel, impetuous, vehement, turbid. The heart runs out, as it were, only at one door; it is not an expanding of the whole man. Created natures cannot open us, or elicit the ten thousand senses which belong to us, and through which we really live. None but the presence of our Maker can enter us; for to none besides can the whole heart in all its thought and feelings be unlocked and subjected. "Behold," he says, "I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,and him with me." "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and your hearts." "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." It is this feeling of simple and absolute confidence and communion which soothes and satisfies those to whom it is vouchsafed.

*****

I have to remind myself all the time...endlessly, that I have to be quiet so I can "hear the knock" at the door. I fear that I might miss it. But with instruction from those like Venerable John Henry Newman, I just might be awake and alert when it counts.

*****
Thanks be to God

SURPRISE!!!

Copthorne Hotel, December, 2005

My reflection this morning was so relevant to me and the Church's "beginning" of this Holy Season that I just had to share it. Again from A Catholic Woman's Book of Days by Amy Welborn.

"Now when these things begin to take place,
stand up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near."
-Luke 21:28-

***

When I lived in Florida, Advent and Christmas always caught me by surprise. I did, indeed, own a calendar, but there's just something about palm trees, balmy skies, and wearing shorts that conspires against that particular holiday spirit.

I don't want to be caught by surprise this year, because even though the weather here is cold, plenty of other attractions conspire to distract me. so what will I do? I'll consider the gift that the Advent season can bring me: Four weeks to contemplate what the coming of Jesus means in my life. I'll try not to sleep through it. I'll try, as Jesus tells me, to stay awake to the possibilities that the present holds.

***

Loving God, help me find the space to prepare
myself for this holy season of Advent.

~*~*~*~
And so to this I say,
"Amen and Thanks be to God!"

All Souls Day

Today is the day we remember, as a people of God, those "who have gone before us with the sign of Peace". My reflection today came from A Catholic Woman's Book of Days by Amy Welborn.

But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here."
~Mark 16:6~

Today we remember, mourn and pray for the faithful departed. We're not the first to do this. A couple of thousand years ago, some women watched their friend and teacher die. They saw his lifeless body carried to a tomb and see the tomb sealed with a stone, separating them from their loved one forever.

Or so they thought until three days later when they found the tomb empty and heard these words: "do not be alarmed." The words came first from the angel, and then from the teacher himself--Jesus, no longer dead but alive. No longer gone but present. The call was clear: Be not afraid for death had been conquered and is no longer the end.

So today we remember, we mourn--because we are human-- and we pray. But we do so in hope no longer afraid.

~*~*~*~
Loving God, my the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.

***

And for this family of God I say,
Thanks be to God!

The Hope Flowers Bring

Well, I have finally gotten used to the new internet and have just successfully uploaded my first picture, Summer and the lovely flowers. I have always admired the gardener that has a garden that blooms from Spring through Fall. The anticipation of the Spring flowers makes the winter winds seem much less threatening. And so it is that HOPE springs eternal.

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Thanks be to God!!!