“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”—Maya Angelou
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It was a long and emotionally exhausting day
As we walk with Dad through the process of rehab
As I consider pastoral leadership in the midst of the COVID resurgence
As I see the increasing divisiveness in our country
Yes, Lord, it is overwhelming
Yet in the midst of it all, a delightful meeting/reunion with two very dear friends
Stories shared and support offered
Lots of laughter and love
For all that they offer along with many others from a distance
We are truly thankful
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
As Denise and I continue our visit with Dad as he enters rehab, I found these words from John O’Donohue to be especially poignant for me and for Dad.
Life and aging offer both challenges and blessings. For me, as my aches and pains remind me that I am not the young fellow that I remember. However, the wisdom and grace that I have received and continue to receive are a reminder that the journey I continue to walk offers opportunities for wholeness and healing.
If our church is not marked by caring for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, we are guilty of heresy. — Ignatius of Loyola
On this feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) I have been pondering much in this journey called life.
As we walk through pandemic times where wearing a mask and getting the vaccine have become political issues rather than an issue of loving your neighbor, I wonder.
As we walk with my Dad through the difficulties of recovering from a fall and entering rehab, we hold him closely in our hearts.
These words of Ignatius seem to ring true even more so today.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
In this community, nation, and world, I pray that we might come together and allow God’s love and grace to permeate our hearts, our spirits, and our lives as we walk this journey called life together.
And now our Evening Prayer
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been a long day, Lord
It has been an emotionally draining day, Lord
Yet in the midst of it all, we do find grace and beauty
In the love and support of dear friends who are family
In the beauty of a sunset through the trees
In the whimsical frog planter at The Old Mill Restaurant
In the laughter and stories shared with Zack our waiter
In the calm and serenity of dinner on the side of the river with my beloved
For these gifts I am truly thankful
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“St. Francis, Explain to the people that the tree is not only a tree, that the bird is not only a bird, that the dew on the grass is not only dew, but that the whole universe is spinning with God beyond itself. Do not let human beings linger behind.”—Sergius Riabinin
Life is fragile. Life can be challenging. Life provides opportunities for reflection. Life can, at times, be challenging. In ministry and in life itself such reflections can overwhelm. In cemeteries, in war zones, in hospitals, and in daily ministry, I am often challenged to keep on going when I am overwhelmed or exhausted. Those reflective moments have been challenging lately. Lately there has been so much going on with my Dad’s health concerns, with the pandemic, and in ministry.
Thomas Merton said the following in his book, New Seeds of Contemplation. Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. The challenge is to process and accept those moments, while allowing the Spirit to work in the midst of it all.
We spread the truth about God’s love by loving.
Getting to the Truth
Verse of the day
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
– Matthew 11:28
Voice of the day
When you are scared, reach out your hand / Talk to the Lord, talk to the Lord / If you are sad, He’ll dry your tears / Talk to the Lord, talk to the Lord
– Natalie Bergman, “Talk to the Lord”
Prayer of the day
Mother God, we call on you to hold us and nurse us back to health.
“You must give birth to your images.
They are the future waiting to be born.
Fear not the strangeness you feel.
The future must enter you
long before it happens.
Just wait for the birth,
for the hour of new clarity.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke
