The Visitation

I am reminded that God is not only here for all people, but especially the poor. This furhter reminds me that when I serve the poor in body and spirit, in material possessions and in heart, that I am truly serving God, i.e., "of God." It is easy for me to get caught up in the sin of competition, that is, that I must be the "best" at something in order to feel "good." The truth is, I must serve all people with a humble and compassionate heart, and not rest until everyone is enjoying a just and equitable life.

This is challenging work. Who decides what constitutes justice or "enoughness" for all peopl throughout the world? Is it "give us this day our daily bread?" Is it shelter? Education? What forms does it take? Is it simply responding to someone when they ask for help? Is it "giving without counting the cost?" To whom? These are lifelong/ageless questions that people grapple with every day all over the world.

I know that if I am directed to the poor in body and spirit (who classify or define themselves as such and ask for help) and use Mary's magnificat as a reminder that God is found most in the service of the poor, that I am closest to God and living the life that God intended me to live.

The Annunciation Lk 1: 26-38

The faith of Mary is astounding to me as sh receives the most profound news anyone could expect. Not only s she unmarried, but she is a virgin, yet she is told she is going to give birth to a divine child. I can't imagine the level of faith she demonstrates when she says, "Let it happen to em as you have said" (38).

May I have this level of faith. May I trust and withhold judgment when I am presented with new ideas. May I trust, really trust, that all will be well, even when it is painful, and even when it doesn't go the way I envisioned it. I have to lose my superiority complex by surrendering, as Mary did, to the will of God. May I be guided in this surrender.

forgiveness and hope

Upon rereading the parable of the prodigal son, I am struck by the father's ability to forgive his younger son. He holds absolutely no grudge about the fact that that the son squandered half his inheritance. He does not begrudge him this, he only loves him. Further, he celebrates him. May I choose the path of celebration instead of judgment! Too often I spend time concerned about the smallest of details in my two sons, and fretting about whether or not they are living up to my expectations (whatever those may be.)

The father in the story simply loves. He sees his son for who he is - a human being with all his gifts and flaws. The father understands the inherent dichotomy present in all of us: we are good and evil. We are beautiful and ugly. We are strong and weak. The father chooses to celebrate these qualities and value what matters most: his son's spiritual resurrection. His son lives! He would forgive him 1,000 times if that's what it would take to preserve the quality of their relationship. The father clearly has great vision and has his priorities well ordered. He chooses the path of love. May I do the same with my sons and all my other "sons."

Prodigal Son

The prodigal son speaks to me about equity. I understand the importance of celebrating that which ought to be celebrated. At the same time I am reminded of the importance of celebrating what I already have, of counting my blessings and enjoying them. I value all the people in my life and pray for their happiness.

There is enough for everyone. Something that I am realizing more and more every day is the awareness that there is enough. Abundance thinking, I call it. When I think from a point of abundance, then anything is possible. I know that I have enough stuff. Enough money. Enough food. Enough love. Enough recognition/attention (love.) Enough time to get everything done that needs to get done. Since there is enough, then the universe is simply and magically open to me. Anything is possible, and I am now able to fully enjoy my life as God intended, without fear. Pain is part of the process, but it's kept in its proper perspective. I can move through my day with peace. Knowing there is fundamentally, enough love in my life, means I am at peace. I am fully alive.

John 8: 1-11

Dear Jesus,

Help me to defer judgment to God and to love. Help em turn my own insecurities into faith and my own comparisons into acts of solidarity and empathy. Enable me to love people as you loved them - unconditionally and without reservation or fear.

Amen

Luke 12:22-34

"There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom."

"Sell your possessions and give to those in need."

Again, there is a reassurance that fear is useless, what we need is faith. This sense is coupled with a call to live frugally, to give our material riches away for the betterment of others, to uplift others.

I already have so much. I am trying to live as lean a life as possible and prioritize what truly matters most - actively loving the people in my life.

God's Grace

"My only desire and my one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God's deepening life for me." (Principle and Foundation)

God's grace (unearned gifts) is always present and available for me to take. I just need to take it through love. When I love others, I access God's grace and I allow it to fill me and guide me. The love of God is real and powerful and guides my daily life, it guides the tone and content of my every conversation. I am blessed when I am mindful of what I say and how I say it, of what I do and how I do it. If everything I say and do is guided by real love and an awareness of glorifying God, then I know I am truly living and I am truly alive in the fullest sense.