you contribution to God's plan

As the new year lurks closer, I am reminded of the importance of creating some time and space to reflect on the past and plan for the future. I read yesterday that Ignatius of Loyola one day was walking along a river bank and found himself immersed in God. As he reflected on his experience he grasped that "God's plan is really a project that each person on earth contributes to; what God HOPES in us rises in our consciousness and, by God's grace, to free enactment."

This resonates with my own experience for I believe we ARE CALLED to be Women of HOPE and in our hopes the plan of God is revealed and made manifest. I look forward to a day off from work tomorrow to savor some time and space to reflect on this past year and welcome God's plan and hopes for me for the new year.

Make time for the quiet moments, for God whispers and the world is loud.

I am struck by the invitation during this octave of Christmas to continue to savor the precious quiet moments where God dwells. I am drawn at age fifty three to kneel at the manger scene and get caught up in the miracle that is displayed. The mystery of the Infant Child that drew me, and so many to come and worship. The whisper of God is heard clearly. "Behold, my beloved child, who comes to save you".

Be consoled...

Today's gospel is Matthew 2:13-18

Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

What are you saying to me, Lord? When I hear those words, "She refused to be consoled, because they are no more", I am very aware that many mothers and fathers can relate to this Scripture. I would think especially those who have had their child's life ended prematurely. I pray for those who weep this day-- for those whose hearts are broken and nothing can comfort. I pray for mothers and fathers who watch helplessly as their infant fades in their arms because they have no food. Their hunger pains are mute and life fades quickly. I weep for so many children without a future. I lament the children who are living in the midst of war.

God you hear our wailing and lamenting. You hear our crys. I know You weep and lament with us. Grant us the gift of peace that only you can give. Show us how to trust in your protection and give us a clarity of vision to attempt comforting those who cannot be consoled.

Christmas...shimmering with divinity

This quote from the great theologian, Avery Dulles, express why Christmas, the feast of the Incarnate Word, continues to draw me to celebrate, rejoice, and continually seek the gift of light and peace within me. Christmas always leads to an amazing awareness and discovery of the Incarnate Christ in those around me.

"The incarnation does not mean that God saves us from the pains of this life. It means that God-is-with-us. For the Christian there will be cold, lonely seasons, seasons of sickness, seasons of frustration, and a season within which we will die. Christmas does not give us a ladder to climb out of the human condition. It gives us a drill that lets us burrow into the heart of everything that is and, there, find it shimmering with divinity."

May the Light of Christ within you glow with divinity. Merry Christmas!

Quiet me within

The Scripture of this Advent season is so rich. Isaiah prayed...
"Let the earth open wide her mouth; as justice descends, O heavens,like the dew from above, like gentle showers, let salvation fall from the skies; let justice spring up and salvation bud forth."

These beautiful words of Isaiah, ring true as the feast of the Incarnation draws near. As I gather and celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers I am reminded that all the joyfulness is truly about God's love for each of us. The God Incarnate is a sign of God's incredible desire to give us the gift of salvation. God gave us, the Word made flesh, Christ Jesus, infant child, to come down among us, and be one with us that we might be one with each other in peace and gentleness.

Quiet me within, clothe me in peacefulness, that Your Word once again may take flesh, this time, within me---as once it did in Mary, so let me be done unto me. Amen

When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel. -Isaiah 29:23

Today I am aware of the work of God's hands in the beauty of creation. There is a beauiful rose bud bush outside my office window that is in full bloom in the dead of winter. Praise God!

I recognize the beauty of God's hand in the people who come into my life today.

I ponder the mystery of God becoming one with us. I am in awe of this loving God, this God of simplicity, awesomeness and mystery!

I pray, God come to me and change me. Free me from the self-centeredness that binds me so that I can live in gratitude, wonder and praise of you!

Rock or sand

Two houses were built, one on rock and one on sand. When it comes to building a relationship, it is important to have a strong foundation. What starts out as a strong attraction matures into a deeper reality. You discover in a relationship one who accept you as you are, one who nurtures you when you are lacking, one who believes in you on days you cannot, one who loves you beyond what you deserve. A solid relationship is build on honesty, understanding, respect, reverence and love.

As I continue through this first week of Advent, I ask myself how solid and grounded am I in my relationship with Christ?

Today's readng from Isaiah reminds me."Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an eternal ROCK. He humbles those in high places and the lofty city he brings down. He tumbles it to the gournd, levels it with dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor."

I hope to deepen and renew in my own life my relationship with Christ, my rock, this Advent. Winter storms are coming, and the rain and snow are thrashing around me. I cling to the Rock who sustains me, rather than the sands that pull me away from being grounded in FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY. Only 24 rebuilding days remain until the feast of Christmas, the Incarnation. Build your hope on Jesus!

I came upon a reminder that today is World AIDS Day, a time to re-dedicate ourselves to prayer and action to alleviate the great suffering caused by AIDS. I invite you to join in prayer today for the men, women and children who have AIDS.

I also invite you to remember by name the people in your own life who have died of AIDS and now rest with the communion of saints. It would also be appropriate to remember and pray for all the children and families of Hope House in Memphis where Sr. Margie Z. ministers. We pray for a loving response to people with AIDS and a end to the illness.

Prayer for World AIDS Day
Excerpt from Catholic Relief Services, Candlelight Vigil of Hope

We indeed find hope in the light of Christ. Yet, we cannot remain complacent in this hope. We must not forget that 33 million people in the world are living with HIV and AIDS and 5,700 are dying from AIDS each day. Many of those infected are ostracized by the stigma. They live in silence and suffer alone, afraid to seek the help they need, afraid to go against their culture’s norms. HIV and AIDS affect men, women, and children of every race and economic level.

As one human family, we are all touched by HIV. And as one family, together, we can touch the lives of others, raising awareness of the pandemic and reducing the crippling stigma often associated with HIV. As Christians, we are compelled to act. Through our prayers, learning, advocacy, and giving, we can make a difference in another person’s life.