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!

Time for R & R...

Yes, Retreat and Reflection. Tomorrow is the day I begin retreat at St. Meinrad Archabbey. It's been a year and time again!!! But before I go, I want to leave you with a couple of my "treasures." First, as I was going through one of my books, I found this card. Wondered what had happened to it because it gives me such a boost at the end of the day. (Perhaps mislaying it is so I don't lose my appreciation for it.)

The prayer on the back goes like this:

Thank you, God, for love's unfolding this day through the people and events that touched my life. I entrust my night's sleep to your renewing care. Copyright, Abbey Press, 1994

The other thing I would like to leave with you is the name of a book. It's called Love in the Little Things: Tales of Family Life by Mike Aquilina. It is wonderfully tender book about Christ in the midst of family from Mike's own reflections.

And so it is that I venture off.

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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!!!

The Gift of Community

This morning I found this picture to be a most delightful reminder of who we are and how we are to behave as a loving family of God. Kids have a way of letting us know how to love and share the love. I "love" the child in the pew in front of me, who dares me to smile at her and then when I do I am rewarded with that gorgeous grin! A distraction, maybe, but God's love is personified non-the-less. The picture accompanies a very good reflection and so it is that I share it with you.

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Consider Yourself At Home

A big part of Sunday is going to a building without a second floor. There may be a balcony or a choir loft, but basically the ground floor of the church is the only floor. The altar and pulpit are elevated so people can see, but other than that it is a prairie.

This has ramifications for community. The shopping-bag lady and the real estate man and the cop in uniform and the blind guy who everybody helps to Communion and you...all stand and kneel and sit next to each other--as if we had something in common. On Sunday you know you belong. You might not be happy with those to whom you belong, but you are not in the Lost and Found department. An entire group of motley people has arrived with a claim check.

The first Easter brought back the disbanded. They of the fast footed fear were overtaken by the Hurrying One. And everyone was welcomed, a boundless hospitality with bread and wine for all. Sunday is solidarity even after we have been lost or have run away or just have been gone too long for reasons we can no longer remember. Sunday is the day we know there is nothing between us but the walls we build.

John Shae

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Sunday, that Holy Event!!!
Thanks be to God!!!!!

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Aside: Word of the Day (sent to me by a friend): "Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck." -- George Carlin (1937- )