Are We an 'Evil Generation' Too?

~~~ Jonah 3: 1-10 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Luke 11: 29-32 ~~~

When you begin to enter a google search the computer tries to guess what you might be looking for by offering suggestions for you. It finishes your thought or at least attempts to get into your head. When you type the words from today's gospel, 'this generation is...' here is how google completed my search. '...this generation is...'doomed, stupid, lazy, called, horrible, boring, soft, dumbest, messed up.

Are any of those words how you would choose to complete that phrase? How would you describe our generation? Some of their suggestions have crossed my mind, plus a few others. But in today's reading from Luke the missing word is 'evil'.

Evil, is a much stronger word than most of those offered in my incomplete search. Jesus declared the evil condition of Nineveh before a crowd of people. He goes on to say, '...it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.'

If Jesus came to speak before us today he might be able to give the same sermon. Of course he would tweak it a bit to fit our current society, change a name perhaps, but the message could be the same.

During Lent we can take the time to examine where we have strayed into the realm of sin...evil. We are always tempted by something we already want. Just think about that for a minute. For example if you desire more money you may be tempted to gamble in excess, losing self control, because of your view of money. Whatever your temptations are look closely at their roots therein lies your hope of removing them from your life.

We are blessed today because we not only have the sign of Jonah, but we have Jesus himself. Especially during Lent we have an accentuated sign with the crucifix. The crucifix, while constantly present in our churches, is often draped with purple cloth. This draping draws our attention to the cross. When something changes it gets our attention. It is just the way the human brain is designed to work.

My mother tells the story of how one night dad got up for his usual trip to the bathroom. The room was dark. All of sudden she was awakened by the sound of a crash. Dad had walked into a piece of furniture that mother had moved that day. When things are different they get your attention. Well dad was not too happy with mother's furniture rearranging to say the least.

During this Lent pay attention to this life size sign we have of our salvation, the Crucifix. Take time this Lent to pray the Stations of the Cross. If you pray them alone walking to each station you can really focus on how each one speaks to you.

If you spend time praying with the Crucifix and the Stations of the Cross, your appreciation of Good Friday will come to a deeper realization.

I, for one, do not relish the thought of being referred to as an 'evil generation'.

I want to have a 'steadfast spirit', a 'contrite and humbled heart'.

I want to live the gospel message of mercy and forgiveness.

I want the grace to resist temptation.

Let us pray together for God's compassion to wipe out our offenses,

creating a 'clean heart.'

Summed Up in Five Words

~~~ Isaiah 55: 10-11 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Matt. 6: 7-15 ~~~

Praise...Submit...Trust...Forgive...Salvation

The temptation to day would be to hear the gospel of Matthew, but not to really listen. Since it is Jesus teaching us how to pray through the Lord's Prayer i.e. the Our Father, we might just find it easier to go on auto pilot. We do that so often we when we hear something very familiar; the words become rote rambling. We arrive at the Amen and only then do we regain consciousness. I think when it comes to the Our Father in particular that is a real danger.

We recite this prayer at every Mass we attend. We recite this prayer several times with each Rosary we pray. We may even recite it when gathered with others for meetings. But reciting it and praying the Our Father are not one in the same. Praying the Our Father requires attention to the words used in each phrase. Some of what is included in the Our Father we might not even feel like believing much less praying.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, they kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I encounter anxiety and conflict as soon as I get to...'thy will be done'. Truth be told sometimes I resist his will. Sometimes I get frustrated because I cannot see his will. Sometimes his will does not seem congruent with what I want. So this is where I need to stop and spend some time reflecting on God's will in my life. We are not always ready or willing to accept his will for us. It takes a life long commitment to living God's will. Sometimes I just want to act like a spoiled brat and say, 'No, that is most definitely not what I want to do. '...thy will be done...'

The next road block, and I mean road block complete with barricades and law enforcement, is the whole forgiving trespasses section. I heard a preacher on the radio recently that said, '...if you are having trouble in your marriage, Forgiveness...if you are having issues in the work place, Forgiveness...if you are experiencing problems in your church community, Forgiveness...' I think the hit the nail on the head.

In the Our Father Jesus is saying, 'Do you want me to forgive you the manner in which you forgive others?' I think we would all respond with a resounding 'NO'. We want to be forgiven more passionately than we want to forgive. For some reason we like to hold on to the bad feelings against those who have wronged us. But clearly that is not God's way. His way is always mercy and forgiveness. Next time you 'pray' this prayer ask for the grace to forgive as  God forgives. And the next time you want to go for someones jugular vein remember this prayer.

Those are the two most challenging parts of this beautiful prayer for me. I would like to offer you this prayer summed up in five words.

 Praise...Submit...Trust...Forgive...Salvation

In you prayer time this Lent I invite you to focus on Praising God, Submitting to his will when it is most difficult, Trusting that he will take care of your needs, Forgiving in all situations no matter what, and thanking Jesus for his precious gift of Salvation.

This original picture is the head only of Jesus hanging on the cross.

Spend time today really 'praying' the Our Father as it was meant to be prayed...

in praise, submission, trust, forgiveness, and through the grace of salvation.

Your Personal Mosaic of Holy

~~~ Leviticus 19: 1-2, 11-18 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Matt. 25: 31-46 ~~~

I am sure you have all seen one of those photo mosaics. A photo mosaic is a one large image made out of hundreds and thousands of tiny images collected from several sources. They have software programs now that will take your images and arrange them for you into a specific picture. The beauty of a photo mosaic is that are only able to appreciate the image when you step back away. If you are too close it is harder to see the larger image because the eyes want to pick out the individual pictures.

This is how I see today's gospel as one large photo mosaic of Jesus. Every time we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit an imprisoned, or do anything for a person in need we are adding a tiny snap shot to the photo file. This file collects pictures as we go through life. We do not select the pictures for this folder. The criteria is predetermined for our advantage. We may not even be aware when a photo gets dropped into this special folder.

'...whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine you did for me.'

At the end of our life, when we stand before God our photo mosaic will be revealed to us. The compilation of the tiny photos of good that we did for another will be arranged into our own personal picture of God. The tiniest pictures when carefully placed together with the others will depict how each of us proclaimed the word of God with our actions.

'...whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine you did for me.'

This will be your unique picture of God, no two will look alike. No two will look alike because while you may engage in the same good deeds as another; God alone can look into your heart and see your real intention.

I can just envision some of the magnificent stained glass windows I have seen of Jesus, Mary, God, the Holy Spirit, and much more. I would hope to be creating a photo mosaic of similar color, beauty, and design.

In the Leviticus reading today Moses is sharing with the people a message from God. This message to 'Be Holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy' fits nicely with my analogy of collecting life images of good. If we have the desire to be holy then it follows that we will be more conscious of our actions. If you are living a life striving to be holy your perspective on situations will change. As this perspective changes you begin to see things in a more Godly way. When you see things in a more Godly way your actions will follow. When your actions follow more tiny pictures will be tucked away into your special photo folder. Tucked away to later reveal your glorious photo mosaic of the Divine.

'...whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine you did for me.'

As we strive during Lent to be a better person, keep in mind God sees all. He will use, for your benefit, even the smallest thing you do to bring glory to him. You are creating your personal mosaic of your personal God through what you do for others.

What do you want your mosaic to look like? How many 'pictures' will it take to create the picture you want God to see?

The whole picture will not come into focus until the end of your life.

There is no limit to how many pictures can be included into your photo mosaic file.

In the end God will arrange them into something beautiful and holy.

He is the most creative designer,

Painted Promise Across the Sky

~~~ Genesis 9: 8-15 ~~~ Psalm 25 ~~~ 1Peter 3:18-22 ~~~ Mark 1: 12-15 ~~~

Covenant...Rainbows...

No matter how old I get I like most people enjoy seeing rainbows. There is something almost magical about the way the colors arch so perfectly across the sky. It is as if God has gotten out his giant water color set to paint in the air. It reminds me that we have the most phonomenal God. It makes me giddy with excitement. The best is when you see the rare double rainbow or twin rainbows side by side. Two for the price of one rain shower. 

I wonder how far a rainbow can be seen?

As we see in today's Genesis reading God had a definite plan in mind when he revealed the first rainbow across the sky for Noah. He told Noah, "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you..." God promised to never send another devastating flood. This covenant God entered into with Noah was with all people the whole of mankind.

One might ask why would God use a rainbow? Today we understand that a rainbow is created by light from the sun refracting through water, but in Noah's time it was more mysterious. The theme of water runs throughout the Bible. This is just one of the early references that alluded to our cleansing of sin and evil. In a way God was baptizing the whole earth.

We have this reading during Lent because it is a preview of our salvation. It certainly has nothing to do with any weather phenomenon. We need to be remind each year of our salvation story and Lent is the prefect time to get our attention. We need to be reminded because in spite of our Baptism and faithfully following Jesus we still fall into sin.

It seems the power of sin is stronger than our knowledge of God's saving power. No matter who you are or what position you hold in society or the church; we must all be vigilant about sinfulness in our lives. Lent is a time to return to God's way. Lent is a time to remember the message of the rainbow. The message of God's immense love for all of his living creatures.

The Grace of God is always available for us to draw strength,
all we need do is ask for it.

The next time you see a rainbow remember that it is a sign of God's covenant. a promise of our salvation. It is a sign to give us hope in our eternal reward with
God in heaven.

This image reflects God's covenant of life to me.

The light reflected throughout is the gift of eternal life.

The Gift of Baptism.

Living in God's Abundance

~~~ Isaiah 58: 9b-14 ~~~ Psalm 86 ~~~ Luke 5: 27:32 ~~~

The Lord is continuing to speak to us through the prophet Isaiah. The Lord says, okay now that you have taken off the sunglasses...put them away...leave them off, because I have more in store for you.

God says if you follow my ways I will bless you with such abundance you will be astounded. Your life will be drastically changed,

if you keep your eyes focused on my way.

If we keep our eyes focused on doing what God wants in our life we can share in this same abundance. In his presence the light of God will guide us and this same light coming forth from the sun will bring abundance to the land. The Lord is our light and our salvation, we know that now, but those listening to the prophet did not have the full spectrum of the divine light.

God in his wisdom appealed to what they were familiar with...the things they would want to see changed. He speaks about a plentiful supply of water with beautiful gardens. They were in the desert; water was a scarce commodity. Today it is hard for us to believe it, but water is in short supply in many areas of the world.

God will provide for those who follow him. When you do not have access to water it would be much more challenging to believe the message of a caring God. Globally, 1.2 million people live in areas today wiht inadequate water supply.

Just this past summer we got a little taste of what it would mean to have a serious shortage of water. The promise of water got everyone's attention. It meant not only beautiful gardens but more food and less disease. They could bathe, a luxury when you are on a desert hike for years and years.

God wants us to thirst for him. If you do not know what you are missing you will not long for it? If you do not know there is an alternative how can you reach for it? God is saying, I am the alternative, this is what you have been missing. God is the missing link. The psalmist says 'teach me your ways Lord.' We need to be taught about the better way. The way God wants us live.

Jesus calls the tax collector, Matthew, and says come with me; there is a better way. I will teach you how to live abundantly. I will show the meaning of true wealth without collecting people's wages.

This image reflects God's promise of the abundance of water.

This photo is of the POP Sanctuary during Lent 2010.

Following the way of God leads us to the path of abundance.

An abundance that can only come from God.

With each glass of water you drink,

let that be a reminder of God's generous presence in your life.

Take Off Your Sunglasses

 ~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9a ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9: 14-15 ~~~

Have you ever noticed that whenever a person does not want to be recognized the first thing they put on is sunglasses. Celebrities are often seen being hurriedly whisked away into their waiting limo wearing sunglasses. The darkness of the tinted lens, while providing protection from harmful UV light, also hides your eyes. Eyes hidden behind these lens cannot be seen by others.

I believe your eyes are the windows into your soul, as some writers have previously stated. If your eyes are shielded from the sight of others what could that imply?

I would offer a connection between sunglasses and the words from the Isaiah reading today.

Those fasting with heads downcast covered in ashes wearing their penitential sackcloth are in fact wearing sunglasses. Their view of their world is dark, introverted and self centered. They are only looking down seeing nothing but the dirt and mud in their path. They do not look out. They do not see others. They do not make any attempt at eye contact. Eye contact at this point might be uncomfortable.

I personally dislike talking with someone wearing sunglasses precisely because I cannot see their eyes. Our eyes are so very expressive. You can tell if a person is joyful or sad by looking into their eyes. Some time ago I created a YouTube video titled Eye Gazing. It is simply suggesting that you spend time gazing into the eyes of Jesus. Meditating on his loving gaze can bring deep peace to your soul.

Today Isaiah is saying hey guys take off those dark glasses. Open your eyes. Look up and you will see what really matters to God. "What is the purpose having your eyes fixed on the ground?" asks, Jesus. Therefore, if what you are doing is ineffective I am not even going to acknowledge your actions.  

Jesus enters the scene saying, 'take off the sunglasses' and you will be able to see what I see. If you take off those dark glasses you will see those who are in most need of your attention. You know the ones you try to ignore by bowing down looking at the dirt and shading your eyes.

Look around and you will see those whom God cares most about...the oppressed, the hungry, the poor, naked, and the homeless to name a few. When you look up at these faces and into these eyes, my friends, find compassion in your heart. Take action on their behalf. Get up from your introverted ash covered penitential pieties and do something for those in need. Do something to help your brothers and sisters who are  suffering. There are opportunities all around if you but open your eyes and look.

When you reach out to those less fortunate you come to realize how blessed you are. You come to understand that hiding behind your sunglasses is not all that pleasing to God.

The Lord says, if you help those in need; when you call on me to come to your aid I will say, "Here I am!

You may find it surprising, but helping the less fortunate in our community does have a gold lining.

In the act of reaching out to help another your own burdens are lifted.

God will say to you, "Here I am1"

 So during this Lent I invite you to take off your sunglasses...

see where you can help another person in need.

 Join the psalmist...Let your sacrifice be a contrite and humble heart.

Let's Make a Deal

~~~ Dt. 30: 15-20 ~~~ Psalm 1 ~~~ Luke 9: 22-25 ~~~

Have you ever seen the popular television game show Let's Make a Deal? Monty Hall would come out on the stage and the audience would go wild with excitement. Everyone wanted to be chosen to come up on the stage to make the deal of their life.

How the game works: contestants are asked to choose one of three doors. Behind one is a fabulous prize! Behind the others are gag gifts. When you choose a door, the game show host shows you a gag gift behind one of the two doors not chosen. You are given the option of switching to the one remaining door or staying with your original choice. Which is the better strategy: switch or stay?

Moses clutches the Commandment Tablets close to his chest.

"Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom."

He comes down the mountain with a profound message written in stone. How does he get the people to listen? He uses the game show appreoach. He appeals to their desire to live. He says look guys if you follow these 10 rules and walk in his ways you will live...grow numerous...and God will bless you. Moses wanted his people to be on the good side of God,
but he knows they must make the choice.

Which do you choose he asks?

Then Moses reveals what's behind the less desirable door...

If you do not listen to me and 'turn away your hearts' you will not live.

If you 'adore and serve other gods' you will perish.

Moses knew he needed to stop the people from getting impatient and making the wrong choices.
He also knew they were growing weary in the desert.

They were more than ready to choose life or death. They were already anxious from their long journey. Moses himself realized his life would soon come to an end. He felt the urgency to convince the people to choose wisely. His desire for them is the same as God's...he wants them to choose life.

 Moses is saying come on guys take responsibility for your future. I have laid it before you. Do you want to prosper? Do you want to have a full life filled with blessings. Or do you want to go down the path of unfaithfullness cursing all the way?

It is up to you. He pleads for them to make the right decision by choosing life. Choosing life does not mean your days will be easy; but it does mean God will keep his promises. You will be delivered to 'the land that the Lord swore he would give your fathers Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.'

If you choose life, psalm 1 says, you will be like a tree planted near running water. God will provide for your needs. Beside running water life is abundant, plentiful, and fruitful there.

Jesus comes on the scene and adds a new dimension to the meaning of choosing life. He says if you want to save this life you have chosen you must do one more thing. Daily deny yourself; give up your self-centered ways. Take up your cross and follow me. If you do these things you will understand that to live you must die to your old selfish ways.

Go forward from this day choosing life through self denial. Choose to accept all things as blessings in your life. Embrace the cross for it is the only way to have life...that is Life Everlasting.

The way of the cross is the way to Everlasting Life.
During this Lenten season review your choices. Do they reflect you desire to have life in the Lord?

During Lent each photo used will be taken at Prince of Peace of either a crucifix or a cross.

I chose this kaleidoscope image: I see the brown of the cross, the blue of the water, the center flower of life, and the grey edges of the tablets held by Moses.

Choose the 'door' with life and you will have life abundantly.

The 40 Day Marketing Campaign

~~~Joel 2: 12-18 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ 2Cor. 5: 20-6:2 ~~~ Matt. 6: 1-6, 16-18 ~~~

"Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep..."

Today begins Christianity's intense marketing campaign held every year at this time. This campaign will only last for 40 days...it is called Lent. In order to let the world know you are participating in and supportive of this annual event we ask that you come forward to be marked with ashes. This marking of the cross with ashes high upon your forehead is visible for all to view. In fact this is a temporary branding signifying that you willingly agree to share.

 Just for today as we begin this time together we ask you to tell the whole world by this action of being marked with the cross...the time is now.
The permanent branding for a Christian is both the crucifix and the crown of thorns. They are, each one, quickly identified with our salvation.

In order to believe in this salvation the prophet Joel offers us a few guidelines.
"...return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God."

The anointed ministers are urged to offer additional prayers an our behalf even to the point of weeping. Intervening before God for us, each of us, not only those in most need due to grave sin, but me and you.

The prophet taps into our human emotions of compassion for our sisters and brothers. Weeping implies a deeper emotional content; it is not only reciting prayers.

The salvation marketing campaign continues with Psalm 51.
"...wipe out my offense...wash me from guilt...cleanse me...
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me."
And finally, "...a willing spirit sustain in me."

A marketing campaign is only successful if people respond. We, the people, have to take some action. That is what a good campaign does, it moves people to take action. Effective marketing campaigns make the listener or observer believe he or she cannot live without the intended product.

With that in mind we are given Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." Take action. Do not wait. "...now is a very acceptable time...now is the day of salvation."
Here we are poked with some high pressure sales tactics. You know the drill...this offer is only good until...act before midnight...the price is increasing tomorrow...this offer will never again be made.

The church chose one more person to present the salvation message today and that is with the gospel of Mark. Mark says, 'oh and by the way if you choose to accept this message for your salvation' there is more you need to know. We know that if you accept and agree to take action on your own behalf, it will require time spent in prayer and fasting.

This wonder of salvation comes with a few strings attached...and those would be sacrifices. No one can really make sacrifices in your place. You are the one who must your cross.

Prayer is the most important way to draw strength. Through the power of prayer you are able to make  the necessary sacrifices. Through the power of prayer you can carry your cross.

"But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your father in secret."

While the priests and ministers are on the porch praying and weeping for us we in turn must go to our inner room, behind closed doors to pray. During these next 40 days sequester yourself away for personal prayer and fasting. Do this in secret without boasting about how you have bought in to this life saving marketing campaign. Let your prayers rise like incense to the father in heaven.

This is your life.
This is your salvation.
The time really is now.
The crucifix logo is for you.

Pray to your father in heaven like you have never prayed before; start today. Do not wait!

Let the burned ashes of today create your clean heart of tomorow.

Original photo taken of incense rising at the foot of the cross.

This kaleidoscope image to me reflects leaving the colorful busy outside world;

entering into the inner prayer room.

May this season of Lent bring you ever closer to Our Lord.

May your truly rise like incense upward to the Father.

Standing at the Threshold

~~~ James 4: 1-10 ~~~~ Psalm 55 ~~~~ Mark 9: 30-37 ~~~

Today we stand at the threshold of Lent.

We encounter thresholds every time we enter through a doorway.  We take them for granted...but should we? Thresholds serve a purpose because they contain weather striping creating a more energy efficient entrance into the structure.

Webster defines threshold: A piece of wood or stone placed beneath a door; a door sill. An entrance or a doorway...A point of entry or beginning of something new...

Limen is Latin for threshold. noun: A threshold of response: point at which a stimulus is of sufficient intensity to generate a response.
I would invite you to use every threshold you cross during Lent this year as a stimulus to generate a response. Each time you cross a threshold make the conscious decision...to

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

If we stay at the threshold we cannot draw near to God. We must cross the threshold. We must go inside. It takes courage and conviction to cross this threshold. We are uncertain of what really lies on the other side of this threshold. If we do not cross the threshold we will not know God.

This Lent we are called to '..submit yourselves to God'. Cross the threshold into Lent and there God will  '...cleanse your hands... and purify your hearts'. Our invitation is to come away  a little while with the Lord during this Lenten time. Come inside where he is waiting for you. Waiting for you to submit your heart and soul into his hands. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Cross the threshold...come inside and he will make you new again...creating in you a clean heart.
If you make the effort these next forty days to draw nearer to God your heart will be changed. No one can draw near to God without being changed.

Drawing near to God is 'energy efficient' because the closer you are to him the easier it is to communicate with him. When God draws near to us his presence in our life is better than any 'weather striping' we could purchase. When he is near to us we are under his protective care. No harm can come to those who love him.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Let this Lent be the true beginning of something new in your heart.

I took this photo of the threshold into the Mary garden.

If we do not cross the threshold we will never know what wonders lie inside.

I chose this kaleidoscope image because there are tiny subtle pieces of brilliance just waiting to be explored. Come inside a see for yourself what wonders God has in store for you this Lent.

I will join you there.

Do You Believe?

~~~ James 3: 13-18 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Mark 9:14-29 ~~~

"Everything is possible to one who has faith."

Jesus was returning from the mountain with Peter, James, and John. The Transfiguration had just taken place. They were still all a little dazed including Jesus. He had just given these three a view of what was in store for all of us...the glory of heaven.

Those disciples left behind were being approached by the people; urging them to perform miracles. After all they were close to Jesus, they had witnessed is many miraculous cures. Hadn't they learned how it was done yet? Did they themselves not believe they were capable of healing?

When Jesus comes on the scene he tells the father of the possessed child 'Bring him to me.' The child has been tormented his whole childhood, nothing alleviates his pain. The father then says three little words in his plea for Jesus to help his child. '...if you can'.

Jesus replies, "If you can!" The man wants to believe his son will be cured, but he is not completely convinced. He is still holding on to his doubts...those 'ifs' and 'buts' we all carry within ourselves. We often torment ourselves with doubts. We sometimes are hesitant to believe something good will happen because we do not want to be disappointed. We hold our faith back. We do not 'yes' I believe 'everything is possible to one who has faith'. It is human nature to have doubts, because of past prayers that were not answered. Prayers that were not answered the way we wanted.

The father in this story is so honest and transparent. He cries out in frustration,

"I do believe, help my unbelief!"

This is where most of us are in our faith, I think. We have reservations about what we believe is possible...even with God. We want to believe we just can't dive in. We are constantly testing the water with our big toe first. Is your faith a big toe faith or a whole body dive into the water faith?

Later, in private, the disciples inquire from Jesus why they were not able to heal the child. His reply is not just to the disciples but to us as well. He said to them, "This kind (of healing) can only come out through prayer."

Prayer holds all that we seek in our life. We can always take more time to pray. Through a life of prayer our faith will be strengthened along with the wisdom of humility.

St. James tells us today, "..the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity." (3:18)

These words are describing Jesus...full of mercy and good fruits.

The original image is of a goldfish taking a leap of faith. He is jumping from a glass of water into a nearby fish bowl. The fish bowl is much larger and contains more water. Through prayer we too can get to the larger bowl of water.

The kaleidoscope image reflects our faith increasing out from the center as the white areas become more defined and thicker. The blurred area of blue represents our unbelief. Yes, I do believe our unbelief is many times greater than our belief.

"I do believe, help my unbelief!"

Paralysis is Not Just Physical

~~~ Isaiah 43: 18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 ~~~ Psalm 41~~~ 2Cor. 1: 18-22 ~~~ Mark 2: 1-12 ~~~

I know what it feels like to be paralyzed. It is frightening for your brain to be sending the message to move your legs, but the legs do not respond. When I four years old I contracted polio. The medical professionals had not determined how the disease was caught. Everyone was afraid. People did not want to mingle with others. People tried to isolate themselves in hopes of staying healthy.

Paralysis is a loss of muscle function in one part of your body; for me it was mostly the legs.

Probably the most famous person we know that became paralyzed was Christopher Reeves; better known as Superman. His paralysis was the result of a spinal cord injury. Some people become paralyzed following a stroke; as a result of compromised blood flow.

Bells Palsy is a paralysis of the face, which while not life threatening, greatly distraughts the patient. Our  physical appearance is important to us, so if part of your face is frozen with paralysis it is devastating.Today the women that use a popular facial injection are basically inducing paralysis of the facial muscles through a drug. Creating the effect that their wrinkles have diminished or even disappeared.

I had a physical paralysis, but that is not the only type.

There can be paralysis of the emotions and of the will.

The paralytic in today's gospel cannot walk otherwise his friends would not be carrrying him on his mat. He may have also suffered from paralysis of the heart until that day. Maybe he never expected to see the one he had heard about...The one who could heal. Maybe his paralysis had managed to overcome his heart, mind , and soul. But his freinds refused to let his paralysis be an excuse. I think those who suffer with depression have a kind of paralysis. It is not unusual when a person is depressed to not even get out of bed or care about eating.

You can suffer with paralysis of the spirit. If you are trapped in an addiction of alcohol, drugs, gambling, or pornography you are paralyzed to help yourself. People can be paralyzed by fear. They cannot escape from the danger because they cannot move. An extreme paralysis is seen if a person is catatonic.

Some people are paralyzed by indecision. They simply cannot decide which path to take or what decision is best for them. We might say they are stuck, but they are in fact paralyzed.

Jesus heals people with various afflictions including physical paralysis as well as spiritual paralysis. Maybe you do not realize you are spiritually paralyzed. You may go through the motions of parcticing your religion, but your heart is numb. You have no belief that God is near you. You do not believe that God loves you...you personally.

Paralysis is not always permanent. Mine was temporary, thank God. The hospitals today are doing wonderful things to restore and rehabilitate patients suffering with paralysis. Today people who once had no hope of walking again are learning to take their first steps.

As we begin Lent in a few days I invite you to look into your heart and see if there is any paralysis. If you discover there is ask God to restore the feeling in your heart. Paralysis robs you of feeling alive.

God is Life!
Look into the mirror and say I Choose Life. I want to feel alive.
The healing of the paralytic in today's gospel is a sign of hope for all who suffer from any paralysis.

This is a picture I took of a pink Crepe Myrtle in bloom. The bare branches support the delicate blossoms. When you are paralyzed you need some type of support...mat...device...or friends.

This kaleidoscope image represents hope in the clusters of pink surrounded by the blue sky. The black chain like parts are the paralysis in our life. Sometimes this paralysis is heavy and dark; other times it almost goes unnoticed but it still exists.

My prayer for you today is that you can 'pick up your mat and Glorify God'

...glorify him for all that he has done for you.

Curse or Blessing: Which Do You Speak?

 ~~~~ James 3: 1-10 ~~~~ Psalm 12 ~~~~ Mark 9: 2-13 ~~~~

Did you know the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body and the most flexible. The tongue is crucial to speaking, eating and swallowing. The tongue heals the fastest...that is an interesting fact. Like your fingerprint everyone has a tongue print.

Today I could write about the glorious Transfiguration; when Jesus took his three closest friends with him to the mountain top. I think in his frustration that they were really not catching on as to who he actually was he wanted to give them a glimpse. Or he took his three closest friends and wanted to share with them a tiny taste of the glory that was to come. Perhaps he was trying to give them hope since he knew they were going to be witnessing the events of his crucifixion.

I have decided instead to reflect on the writing of St. James today. He has written before about keeping the tongue in control, but today he gets very graphic. I have often thought it is curious that we cannot close our ears from hearing, we have eyelids to keep our eyes from seeing, but our mouth has both teeth and lips to keep us from speaking.

It is so difficult at times to control the tongue. From the time that we are about two years old the tongue begins to get us in trouble. If you are a parent or even been around a small child you know what I am talking about. It is the little word 'No'. As a toddler we begin to test out who we are as an individual by exercising our tongue to speak the word no.

Today James is saying you have gone way beyond just saying no...you tongue is out of control. In fact he suggests that if you cannot speak well your tongue should be bridled. A bit should be placed in your mouth just as we do with a horse. That is a pretty strong image and statement.

The bridle is made of metal and covers a good part of the face in order to keep it from slipping out of the mouth. James is saying look this is what we use to make a horse obey, in fact the bridle helps the rider guide the whole horse. It does not just effect the mouth of the horse. James says,'In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.'

The truth is we have difficulty controlling what we say. It is at times like our tongue has a mind of it's own. But in reality we know we are in control of what comes out of our mouth. There is a saying I heard as a child. 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, words will never hurt me.' I really do not know where that originated, but I think we would all agree it just is not true. The words we say to another person can be very cruel and devastating. Consider the recent news stories about bullying, which often begins with cruel words directed to the intended victim.

James is saying 'no man can tame the tongue...it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.'

Full of deadly poison...just picture for a moment what your tongue would look like when you spoke words which hurt another. What if when you spoke hateful words your tongue would turn a dark shade of gray, brown, or black depending on their severity. Even after the words had been released and heard by another you would still carry on your own tongue the tell tale remnants. I think if that were to happen we might think twice before we let ugliness pass our lips.

On the other hand we have the power to speak words of kindness, love, praise, encouragement, compassion etc. These words come from the same mouth, the same tongue can form words of beauty. James says, 'From the same mouth come blessing and cursing...this need not be so.'

Back to my analogy for if when we spoke uplifting words our tongue dawned something beautiful for all to see. I think if people could see that you spoke kind loving words most of the time the whole world would be different. God, however, in his infinite wisdom did not chose to leave a visible mark on us for what comes out of our mouths.

Jesus spoke words of kindness and healing. He gave us the words of the Our Father. He taught us how to pray. We decide what words come out of our mouths.
Next time you go to Communion and place upon your tongue the Body of Christ, I invite you to pause for a minute and consider the words you speak with that same tongue.

Are they words worthy of laying Our Lord upon?
If that thought is our bridle will it change how we speak?
How will you choose to speak?

I took this picture a couple years ago of the monstrance with stained glass window in the background.
I chose this kaleidoscope image because the colors brown and green.
Do you speak words of brown that you cannot take back?
Do you speak words of green and gold that are blessings and praise?

You can chose to control your tongue without the horse's bridle...
Will you?

Beauty in Carrying the Cross

~~~~ James 2: 14-24, 26 ~~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~~ Mark 8: 34- 9:1 ~~~~

When I was in the convent, before taking my vows, we made our own crown of thorns. We clipped long branches from the thorny Mesquite bush. The thorns are quite sharp and the branches strong and hardy. In order to make them pliable and able to wind around into a circle we had to soak them overnight in water. The next day we were able to form them into the crown of thorns just the size for our head.

I can remember it being a solemn occasion as we sat securing our coil of thorns with pieces of wire and then attaching tiny delicate white silk flowers. We were going to be wed to Jesus. We were preparing for our wedding day. I even made a special box to keep this precious keepsake tucked away. It was gray and pink construction paper between sheets of clear plastic. There were six or eight sides I am not sure now. The handmade box was later relinquished for something stronger;
a metal cookie tin.

Some years later when I left the convent that crown of thorns was one of the few things I took home with me.  It was and still is something I treasure.When I married my husband and we went off for his military service we decided it best not to bring my 'cookie tin' along. We left it with my in-laws. They placed it safely hidden in the bottom of an empty brick planter in the living room.

Eventually we returned home and I was able to claim my crown of thorns. Recently I have used it for Lenten days of prayer. It still looks the same as the day I wore it on my head.
In over forty years these thorns are still intact.

Jesus told the crowd, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." While in the convent I had plenty ways to deny myself...times of prolonged silence, censored mail, begging for a bar of soap, forbidden to have contact with those not in my class. Community bathroom and showers down the hall, dormitory sleeping quarters, very little free time. Today those do not seem very significant, but when I was young they were huge.

"...take up your cross, and follow me."

It is not enough just to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee of a burden free life. In some cases I think if you follow Christ you may even have more trials and crosses to bear. It is probably not so, but at times it seems if you believe you can take more.

When I look at my crown of thorns I do not think so much about the convent any more, I think about how the thorns were driven into Our Lord's precious head and then a huge wooden splintered cross was thrust upon his shoulders. I think of people I know who have had to carry heavy burdens in their lives...dread diseases...sexual abuse...loss of a child...alcoholism...etc.

The crosses we bear in life cannot be softened as my mesquite branches in an overnight soaking bath. They cannot be made more pliable, but we can allow others to help us carry our crosses. One thing I cherish in community is that while we each carry our own crosses we still reach out with a helping hand to lighten another's load. Together we follow Jesus. There is certainly strength in numbers.

When we help another with their cross, we are denying ourselves of self pity.

You cannot escape the cross and follow him at the same time.
If you try to ignore the cross; following Jesus is out of balance with the true Christian life.

When we embrace our cross with outstretched arms we are in alignment with the
Passion of Our Lord.

I invite you to look at the cross and the crown of thorns believing that Jesus understands. He will bring others into your life to help ease the burden. He will turn your sorrows into joy.

A couple years ago I took this picture in the narthex of our main church. The sun was shining through the stained glass window creating a soft blue glow across the thorn branches.

This kaleidoscope image reminds me that when we help each other carry their cross we can tend the thorn piercings. We sometimes miss the beauty in our crosses as we resist their reality. The thorns here are placed on the delicate blue from the stained glass.

This color was only possible because of the sun shining through the window.

Beauty can shine through our crosses too.

Look for the traces of color as you carry your cross and follow him.

"Who Do YOU Say that I Am?"

~~~ James 2: 1-9 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Mark 8: 27-33 ~~~

Every year in my classroom I would have the student who was so eager to answer a question that he could not stay in his chair. Waving his hand in the air frenetically, bouncing up as if his seat was somehow scorching his bottom. It was a sight to behold and usually not how I wanted the student to respond. Even if they did know the correct answer that was certainly not the acceptable way to get the teachers' attention.

This is what I see happening today in the gospel. Jesus is walking along with his disciples, as he did every day,  having a casual conversation when he poses a question to them. "Who do people say that I am?" Jesus knew that the disciples often mingled with the local people and would have overheard their conversations. He was gathering information. He was curious about what people were saying.

Just like a bunch of kids wanting to be heard; they begin to call out answers...John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. But then he stops, turns to them, gets more personal and asks, "But who do you say that I am?" It is here where I see the enthusiastic student...Peter could hardly wait to give the answer. "You are the Christ." Like duh, of course I know who you are.

If you recall just a few verses earlier Jesus was frustrated with the disciples because they did not seem to be catching on. They seemed to be confused as to who Jesus really was and why his actions were important. On this occassion he was just checking to see if anything had improved. Was any progress being made?

Peter confidently gave the answer that alarmed Jesus, "You are the Christ." Jesus knew if the disciples freely announced that he was indeed the Christ more trouble and unrest would be stirred among the Pharisees and others. Peter loved Jesus and did not want to see him suffer. Jesus began to teach them about his fate that was on the horizon. This further disturbed Peter, who tried to convince Jesus to stop revealing these events.

Frustrated with them once again, Jesus scolds them for not thinking on a higher level. He wants them to believe that he has come to save us all. He wants them to start thinking as God does.

The question asked by Jesus that day is also the question we must answer for ourselves. Jesus used the pronoun you, he was directing his question to each individual. It is important for you to answer this same question because God wants to have a personal relationship with you. He wants you to be honest with yourself. You must speak for yourself no one else can determine what your personal relationship is with God.

Your answer to this question must come from within; it must be stated with conviction. It must be stated without doubt or hesitation. It must be stated in humility.

In some situations we give answers we think we should give or answers we think are expected of us. The question today can only be answered by you to God, for he already knows what is in your heart. You cannot fool him. You cannot let another respond for you.

I invite you to take some time today to answer Jesus. He is talking to you.

Who do You say that he is?

If you are not sure of your answer today...pray.

If you are hesitant or fearful to commit to an answer...pray.

If you feel your answer is not good enough...pray.

Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with you.

Jesus wants you to know who he is.

Jesus wants you to believe that he is here for you.

I chose this picture of hot air balloons because once you lift off into the air you are on your own. You are in your own little basket.

This kaleidoscope image reminds me that no matter what is happening around me I must be mindful of my personal relationship with God. Jesus would have taken the form of a human just to save me. How can I deny him an intimate relationship?

 

Who do You See in the Mirror?

James 1: 19-27 ~~~ Mark 8: 22-26

The message from James is direct and to the point. He is not beating around the bush. I think perhaps I should print these verses and post them where I can see them often. Maybe they should even be on the mirror. Here is what he writes:

"...everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God."

"...humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save souls."

"Be doers of the word and not hears only, deluding yourselves...if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in the mirror."

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain."

With Ash Wednesday only a week a way we have more than enough here to get us on the right track for Lent. Let's begin with the topic of anger. I am guilty, right now I am struggling with anger at the CEO of my husband's company. I am angry that one person can make a decision that turns so many lives upside down. I admit I have been pretty verbal about my feelings of disagreement.

I am trying to dilute this ugly emotion, because I know it will serve no purpose and certainly not accomplish anything good in my heart. What you harbor inside eventually comes out. I do not want anger to seep through my pours and taint other relationships. I do not want to look into the mirror and see the horns of anger growing out the top of my head.

James goes on to remind us of the word planted in the heart. I think he is saying if you truly have the word inside then you will not want to entertain anger because it will not serve you well.
If you hear the word and do not act then what difference does it make that you heard it all? This message is for all those people leaving the church parking lot and cutting people off. This message is for those who hear the words and go out and ignore their neighbor.

When you are looking at yourself in the mirror you see all the tiny scar, blemish, eyes, teeth etc. but when you move from the mirror you forget what you saw. Literally 'out of sight out of mind'. when we are listening to the word we have a tendency to be more reflective and honest about our short comings, but when we leave the church and the word is not before it is easier to ignore what you heard.

If you let the word precipitate your actions, James says, 'one shall be blessed in what he does'. In other words Live like you Believe.

In the gospel Jesus is healing another blind person. We have the beautiful image of Jesus taking 'the blind man by the hand' and leading him outside the village. If we ever wonder how we should treat others we only need notice the care and compassion with which Jesus interacted with others.

When you are blind you do not have the ability to look into a mirror and criticize your appearance. I have witnessed that when you are deprived of one of your senses the others become more acute. If you are blind it could be your sense of hearing or touch that is strengthened. I think this blind man was most sensitive to touch.

Jesus took him by the hand, giving him a sense of security, as he led him away from the other people. The man felt the moisture upon his eyes from the spittle of the divine physician. The man then felt hands laid upon his eyes...the hands of Jesus. Because of this blindness he had no anticipation of what Jesus was about to do. He could only answer the question, "Do you see anything?"

One more brief point...Jesus teaches us through his very actions to persevere. This blind mas was not cured immediately by the touch of Jesus' hands. The man did not say, Oh well I guess I will not be healed today. No, he remained still and waited on the Lord to heal.

I want to be able to look into the mirror and see the face of a woman who hears the word bringing it to life through my 'doing'.

A few years ago I took this picture of the mosaic framed mirror in what once was the Mary courtyard.

I captured this kaleidoscope image because of the defining edge of black...darkness. When I have anger in my heart it creates darkness. This blindness prevents me from seeing the surrounding brilliance of the presence of God in my life.

When you look into the mirror today promise yourself to be faithful doers of the word.

The greatest of these is love. 

Do You Have a Heart of Stone?

~~~ James 1: 12-18 ~~~~  Mark 8: 14- 21 ~~~

"Do you not yet understand or comprehend?" I can hear the frustration in the voice of Jesus. The disciples are still missing the point of his words. "Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?" We are in chapter eight and Jesus has been performing miracles. Everywhere he went people were crowding around him so he is loosing patience with his disciples lack of understanding.

James sums it up in the very first chapter "...all good giving and perfect gift is from above..."

In other words everything good comes first through the goodness of our hearts. If we persevere in temptation we will receive the"crown of life"

It seems the disciples were also forgetful. They had forgotten to bring the bread. I guess they were so excited to be on the go with Jesus they were not thinking clearly. Actually they just have a misunderstanding with Jesus. He tells them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod; the rules and the rulers. The disciples are thinking only on the literal level thus being out in left field, which causes Jesus to start his litany of questions. He does not even give them a chance to answer, which does happen when you are trying to communicate with someone who just does not get it. At this point Jesus is about to throw up his hands and walk away, but instead he reminds them of his earlier miracle of the seven loaves. It is as if Jesus is trying to communicate with a group of young children, but they are not children they have been with him days if not weeks now.

The disciples are only able to answer simple questions like how many baskets of fragments they collected after the second multiplication miracle feeding the four thousand. Here we begin to really notice that even the disciples were not quite sure Jesus was the messiah. They too were sort of anticipating an earthly king to make all things better. They were expecting more than a soup kitchen for the hungry. Perhaps they had something a little grander in mind for serving their king than collecting leftover scraps. You probably have seen the mess left behind after a large crowd has been 'picnicing' together in the same space. There is a pile of trash and garbage...not what they signed up for... So basically everyone was confused except Jesus. He knew he was sent to serve those in need.

Jesus cuts with the harshest  question of all, "Are your hearts hardened?" Which is a very good uestion for us to end with as Lent quickly approaches. Jesus is asking us the same question today, "Are your hearts hardened?" What does it mean for you today? What is keeping you from having the heart God needs? What causes the heart to harden? Is it like clay once exposed to the air?

Psalm 94

When I say, "My foot is slipping," your mercy, O Lord, sustains me.

When cares abound within me, your comfort gladdens my soul.

This original picture is of a red glass heart cradled in the hands of a person.
During life our hearts can become hard before we even realize what has happened.
God is always holding our heart even if it grows cold and turns to stone.
This kaliedoscope image I captured reminds me of the light that available to soften my heart. This light can dispel the root of hardness within my heart.

Happy Valentine's Day!
May your heart be filled with unending love.

  

Are You Able to See Joy in All Things?

~~~~ James 1: 1-11 ~~~~   Mark 8: 11-13 ~~~~

"Consider it all joy..."

Today's reading from St. James is probably one of the most beautiful passages to hold in your heart. If we just look at those four words and not even read further into the following ten verses we have much to think about.

The word 'consider' has a kindness and gentleness about it to me. It is not a commanding word. It does not conjure up visions of a parent shaking a pointed finger at you. It is more of a suggestion... Have you ever tried to look at your life from this point of view? Certainly in our daily lives we can find many reasons to focus on the disappointments and frustrations that present themselves. We can focus much time on how we would like things to be different. But James is simply asking us to consider an alternative view.

Yesterday scripture told us to do everything for the glory of God. Today we hear, oh and by the way, while you are doing all for the glory of God you might as well see it as "all joy". James goes on with his inspiring and encouraging words..."...when you encounter various trials...". He is acknowledging that life can bring some situations that seem far removed from Joy. I am sure you could name several things happening today in your life which do not make you feel joyful.

So we are offered this challenge...Can we persevere when our faith is being tested? Can we look for the 'joy' in spite of what it seems? The verses go on speaking of being 'perfect and complete' in our perseverance 'lacking in nothing' and seeking wisdom from God if necessary.

He makes a strong statement about faith...comparing those who doubt as one being tossed about like a wave on the high seas. 'Driven and tossed about by the wind' without perseverance in faith. As we go through life it is good to have little reminders that God has a plan. We can embrace it or we can resist and make ourselves miserable. The more we resist, I find in my own life, the less likely we are able to 'consider it all joy'.

In the gospel of Mark we have another account of the Pharisees creating their own irritating exchange with Jesus. Jesus is frustrated with these unhappy men who wanted proof for everything. When you want proof you are not acting in faith, because part of you is still doubting. I am certainly one who has asked God for a sign as an answer to a personal decision. Heck, I have gone so far as saying to God, 'If you want me to do this, then I need a huge billboard.' And you know one time he did give me a sign.

A tiny penny was lying on the ground right by the car door. Months before I had used the penny to symbolize trusting in God. After all it does have the words, 'In God we trust' inscribed upon it. The penny; the smallest denomination of currency we have carrying the message we most need to be reminded of.

We certainly cannot expect to receive signs of affirmation from God. And sometimes we just flat miss the signs he does send, because we cannot see as He sees. James knew in his wisdom that seeing joy in all things would require great faith. A challenge that would require a lifetime of perseverance.

I would suggest taking a small penny and placing it where you can see it everyday as a reminder that even if God does not give us a 'sign', through faith we can "Consider it all Joy".

I took this picture of the statue of the Blessed Mother, Mary in the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston, Texas. I believe Mary is a beautiful example to us. In her life she persevered through her deep faith. She endured much sorrow in her life and yet was able to 'consider it all joy' through her immense love.

I chose this kaleidoscope image because the blue and the gold seem to be supporting one another. Through faith we can see all things in our life as Joy.

May we continue to persevere so in the end we can say we have run the good race filled with Joy.

The Glory Within

1 Cor. 10: 31- 11:1

"Brothers and sisters:

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do everything for the glory of God."

Today's reflection is taken from a prayer service I wrote a few weeks ago for this scripture verse from 1 Corinthians. St. Paul's writings are rich with meaning for us years after they were written. This is proof to me that scripture is the 'Living Word' of God. Living because it is ever changing in it's ability to speak to whom ever is reading...in whatever language...in whatever era.

(Written January 2012)

Paul asks, in his letter to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?” 1Cor. 3:16

The Glory of God lives inside of you. At the time of your conception God looked upon you and gave you the precious gift of life. From that day forward the world would be changed. There could be no other life like yours. You would be the one God would use to touch another’s life. If it were not for you then things would not be the same.

At your baptism you were given the light of Christ. You were called then to live in that light. You were brought into the company of Jesus. You were given the light of Christ in preparation for the day when you would be the bearer of this light for all to see.

Along with this gift of light came glory, the Glory of God himself. Even as a baby we reflect God’s glory. I am sure you would agree that a baby gives glory to God, whether he or she is laughing, crying, eating or sleeping. A baby’s smile is truly a reflection of God’s glory. The bright sparkle in their eyes reminds us of God’s glory.

The glory of God was never meant to stay contained within your heart. It was always his plan for you to make visible his glory in all that you do. It was always his plan for you to show this glory to others. He may not call us to be a great leader of the nation. He may not ask us to become the next Mother Teresa. He does ask us to reflect his Glory.

As we grow older this internal glory gets shrouded and covered by life until eventually it is just a tiny glimmer. A glimmer that we cannot believe has ever been brighter. Look deep inside for this glory and start to let it shine forth. Allow it to warm you and fill you...extend it out to others.

God asks us to find his glory within and reflect it back to him. Reflect his glory back in all ways great and small. In fact he invites us in 'whatever we do to do it all for his glory even eating and drinking'. Thus, reflecting back to him; in all the ways that he too reflected the glory of the Father while he walked this earth.

We are so fortunate because Jesus came to show us the way. We do not have to wonder how to give God glory.  If we but pick up the Bible; look closely at any of the stories through the eyes of glory, we will see what it means to do all for the glory of God. Every time Jesus reached out to another person he was reflecting the glory of God the Father. Often just his presence or the sound of his voice was sufficient to glorify God.

I invite you to take a moment and recall your favorite story about Jesus...

Now think about how in this situation Jesus reflected the Father’s glory.

He is always there beside us...literally inside of us. His light given to us at Baptism is all the confirmation we need to believe that we can do all for the glory of God.

Consider how all of creation gives glory to God through sheer existence, they cannot make the choice. But we are blessed because we have the power to make the conscious decision to give God glory throughout our life.

So I invite you to spend some time identifying how you reflect God’s Glory to those around you. This is not a boastful exercise instead it is an exercise in honesty, for only you know when you are truly reflecting the Glory of God.

It is already inside of you, this Glory of God, let it out...let it stream forth like a beacon from your being. You will not only be a better person you will be a more joyful person if you strive to live your life for the glory of God.

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." 1 Cor 11:1

The original picture is of a woman's hands splashing water. No matter what you are doing allow the glory of God to permeate your world.

This captured kaleidoscope image to me shows the glory of God pouring forth

from the center reaching to the edge.

Your smile alone can reflect God's glory to another person you meet today.