Creation Time Lapse

~~~ Saint Scholastica, Virgin ~~~

~~~ GN 1:20—2:4A ~~~ Psalm 8 ~~~ MK 7:1-13 ~~~

 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it he rested from all the work 

he had done in creation.

God was so delighted in all of his creation,

but he was especially with his creation of us...

God created man in his image;

in the divine image he created him;

male and female he created them.

God took so much delight in forming us 

that he gave to us his own image.

How can we ever doubt that God loves us?

He created us in his own image...his own image is one of goodness.

God used the seventh day to rest...

to stop the energy of creating...

to step back and gaze upon all that he had created.

God took time to appreciate how the world turned out.

God took time to make sure we were provided for through 

his skilled creation of plants that produced their own seeds.

God's creation would continue to bring forth life

 for all future generations.

God did not step back on the seventh day to admire

 his handiwork he had a plan...

a plan for our future...

a plan to sustain us.

He desired for his goodness to continue for all ages,

so that we would always know just how much he loved us.

In those seven short days God brought into action

 the master plan for life itself.

I have seen videos of artists creating a piece

 of art in time lapse;

I envision this is how God 

created all that we know today 

as our world.

The energy of God's creative goodness

 is still flowing to us right now.

So Blessed to experience 

all that is good

in creation.

~~~ Peace ~~~

Give Yourself Permission to Rest

~~~ 1 Kings 3:4-13 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Mark 6:30-34 ~~~

Solomon is presenting himself in humility before God.
God is wondering why the new king has not made any requests of him.
But Solomon is filled with gratitude for all that God has already given him.

I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” 

The twelve Apostles have just returned from their very first mission trip.
They are excited at how God was able to work through them.
They are physically and emotionally exhausted.
Jesus knows exactly what they need...
they needed time away...
time to recharge themselves.
We all need time away to rest...we need time away
from all of our social media.
We need time to disconnect...
Time away to listen for the voice of God.
When you go away to a deserted place there are no distractions.
You can relax and abandon your stress.
You can forget about keeping a strict schedule.

Jesus blessed the Apostles by taking them away for a rest.
Jesus wants you to find a deserted place to rest in his presence.
He wants to bless you just because you are you,
not because of how much you can get done in twenty-four hours.

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” 

You will be glad you took the time off.
Peace.