Daily Reflection September 29th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 29th, 2008

by Susan Tinley

Journalism Department

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12abPsalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

John 1:47-51

Today is the feast of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael – the angel of judgment - is known as the champion in the fight against Satan and the other devils as well as the guardian of the faithful especially at the time of death. Gabriel, known as the angel of mercy, is the messenger from God in St Luke’s gospel who foretold the birth of John the Baptist, “Be not afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.” Six moths later it was Gabriel who appeared to Mary at the Annunciation saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Raphael – whose name means “God has healed – was sent by God to heal Tobias of his blindness and to deliver Sara from the devil in the book of Tobit

As I started to reflect on the archangels for this writing, I realized that I have not given much thought to the reality of angels for a long time. At Christmas, there are the angels on cards and ornaments and hanging on nativity scenes. We sing about the angels in several of the Christmas hymns. But I have not really given much credence to their actual existence. This is certainly a departure from my childhood when I prayed to my guardian angel at least daily. As a child I believed that there was truly one angel whose job was to look after me, who would always hover around me ready to protect me from all evil and to communicate my desires and needs to God.

When I became an adult, I put those silly notions about guardian angels aside and with the “maturity of adulthood” dismissed the notion of angels in general except as a kind of symbol of the Christmas season. But now I wonder if there wasn’t a wiser viewpoint in my childhood. Perhaps I was foolish to “outgrow” the notion of angels, especially that one angel who has been patiently guarding over me all of these years.

Angel of God, my Guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here,

Ever this day be at my side

To light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.

Daily Reflection September 26th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 26th, 2008

by Pat Borchers

Academic Affairs

Ecclesians 3:1-11

Psalms 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4

Luke 9:18-22

I doubt that anyone of my generation can listen to the reading from Ecclesiates without hearing the famous song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by Pete Seeger of the Byrds. On the off chance that you aren't familiar with it, this link will take you to the lyrics and a cut of the song:

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/byrds/turn+turn+turn_20026419.html

Seeger drew the lyrics from Ecclesiates, though he used the King James Bible so the phrasing is a little different from our reading today. But he seemed to get stuck on something that used to bother me about the reading. On a casual inspection, the reading seems to place some good things (peace, healing, love) in equipoise with some bad things (war, killing, hate). Seeger solved that problem by adding a non-Biblical coda where he concluded: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." With that, the song became a sort of peace anthem and I can recall regularly singing it at the Newman Center (St. Paul's) in Madison, Wisconsin in the late 1960's and early 1970's as I was growing up.

But does God really balance off war and peace, love and hate and killing and healing as if he were indifferent to which one has the upper hand? It doesn't seem to me to be a satisfactory response to the situation in Darfur to shrug one's shoulders and say: "Well, I guess that's what the Bible means about a time for war, hate and killing."

The key to solving the riddle lies in the last sentence of the reading where our human inability to fully know God's ways is referenced. We all do bad things, we all endure bad things, we all witness bad things. Why does God have this happen? The answer surely lies in the Fall and original sin, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't love us. We are all human with our myriad shortcoming and God knows this. But as humans, Catholics and Christians, our duty is to try to respond virtuously to sin whether it be our own or the sins of others. In that way we can live out the redeeming grace of Jesus. We won't ever be perfect but hopefully we can earn an "A" for effort.

Daily Reflection September 25th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 25th, 2008

by Rev. Rich Gabuzda

Institute for Priestly Formation

Ecclesians 1:2-11

Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17bc

Luke 9:7-9

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.”

Though sometimes viewed as overly pessimistic, the author of Ecclesiastes may instead be classified as a keen observer of “the way things are.” For example, any sincere student of human life can only agree with the observation made in today’s text: “One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays.”

Some consider looking at “the way things are” to be the opposite of dreaming and hoping, preferring instead to proclaim, “The sky’s the limit!” “Wisdom of heart,” however, the wisdom that comes from genuine faith and hope, comes, at least in part from the ability to “number our days aright” – to know and embrace certain limits, including the limits imposed by time.

To maintain the illusion of being naturally “limitless” provides little room in our lives for the amazing power of God. The tendency to think of ourselves as limitless goes hand-in-hand with the tendency to think of ourselves as self-sufficient. And self-sufficiency, by definition, marginalizes the place of God in our hearts and lives.

We are encouraged by Jesus himself, born in a particular place and time, and “burdened” with the limits his humanity imposed. Yet, from within that “limited” life lived in loving obedience to his Father, the whole world has been transformed! Perhaps in the light of that truth, we may begin to believe that our limits are not so “limiting” after all. We might even dare to acknowledge that God works in our limits!

Where are we experiencing our limits today? Perhaps limits of time (“I can’t get it all done!”). Perhaps limits imposed by sickness or aging (“I can’t do what I want to do!”). Perhaps limits experienced by what we perceive as lack of skill or gifts (“How can I possibly do this?”). Lord, give me wisdom of heart. Lord, give me the faith to trust that you will work with me, in my limits, today.

Daily Reflection September 23rd, 2008

Daily Reflection September 23rd, 2008

by Dennis Hamm, S.J.

Department of Theology

Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13

Psalms 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him

but were unable to join him because of the crowd.

He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside

and they wish to see you.”

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers

are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:19-21

You may recall that when Mark narrates this episode of Jesus’ life, he reports Jesus as saying, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” The wording is almost the same, except that where Mark refers to doing the will of God, Luke has Jesus speak about hearing the word of God and acting on it. That way of phrasing what constitutes being part of Jesus’ true family understands it as an ongoing process of hearing the word of God and actively responding. And Luke strengthens this emphasis on hearing the word of God by changing the location of this episode within the story of Jesus. Whereas in Mark the scene occurs right after the controversy about the source of Jesus power over evil spirits and just before the day of teaching with parables, Luke places the episode after the parable of the Sower and its explanation of the seed as both the word of God and also an image of the varieties of responses to that word—from the unproductive to the fruitful.

And just before that parable Luke inserts his unique description of Jesus’ entourage of disciples, consisting of the Twelve “and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many other who provided for them out of their resources” (8:2-3). So the whole passage of 8:1-21 (entourage of disciples, Sower parable, explanation of Sower parable, and the episode about the true family of Jesus) adds up to a presentation of the church as a community formed by healing and response to the word of God as preached by Jesus. The passage is, then, a picture of us, healed and formed by that word. Oh, and I skipped something. Between the explanation of the Sower parable and the True Family episode, we hear some words about sharing the light: No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light (Luke 8:16). What a great picture of what it means to be church! We are healed, formed by responding to the word of God, and commissioned to “share the light.”

By the way, just in case Jesus’ remark at the end of the True Family episode seems to denigrate Jesus’ mother, Luke, three chapters later, presents Mary as the model for what it takes to be a proper disciple. A woman calls out from the crowd and says to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” To which Jesus replies, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Her greatness consists not in her biological relationship to Jesus but rather in her openness to God, something to which all of us are challenged.

Daily Reflection September 22nd, 2008

Daily Reflection September 22nd, 2008

by Joan Lanahan

SPAHP/ Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Proverbs 3:27-34

Psalms 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

Luke 8:16-18

THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

A friend of mine once said she would like her tombstone to read:

“She was a woman of integrity”

This, for me, captures these readings, as does

“take care, then, how you hear”- from Luke.

All of today’s readings speak of listening well to God’s voice, seeking truth, living just lives and being humble.

In our world today, in the U.S. with elections coming, we need to listen well and seek the truth.We can see all around us instances of injustice, of betrayal, of –isms that deny the human spirit: consumerism, racism, sexism, etc. All of our world’s problems seem daunting.

Jesus’ words:“take care, then, how you hear”Are a call to listen to Jesus, to God’s call to our hearts. We are not only to hear God’s call to be women and men of integrity and justice. We also need to live with truth and love. My, how awesome a task of life.

It is best seen in the little ways we live and encounter one another daily. A student recently said, as a reflection on her clinical experience, “my patients taught me so much about myself. I grew while serving them”. Another student told a story of how she had to advocate for a patient who needed some more extensive therapy.

We each are invited in our own way to serve the needs of others: to listen to, to hear, to serve! It is a blessing. It requires though that we listen to and own our God-given gifts and to use them. Our world is going to be changed for the better…and for the good of all, as each one of us owns our own truth and gifts and gives them to others.Be women and men of Integrity and Service.

Daily Reflection September 21st, 2008

Daily Reflection September 21st, 2008

by Larry Gillick, S.J.

Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isiah 55:6-9

Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

Matthew 20:1-16a

PRE-PRAYERING

In my Irish family the “Holy Land” was not in the Middle East, but the island of our ancestors. What most non-Irish people call the Holy Land is sacred to three major world religions. There are places there where events occurred which when visited bring back a sacred moment of the divine’s being present. For Christians there is the Hill of the Beatitudes, Bethlehem, the places of Jesus’ suffering and of course His death.

We prepare to visit a sacred place, where we celebrate all of Christ’s life, death and resurrection in the one event of the Eucharist. I have not yet visited Jerusalem, but I have visited various shrines, churches and areas where saints have lived and died. When there, at those places, we are somehow moved inside a little closer to the God Who desires that closeness. A place is holy, such as the churches where we celebrate the Eucharist, to place ourselves in positions to be contacted. We remember there that we are holy by God’s personal intentions, and not because we wish to gain a holiness by our visitings. In a sense, we visit to remember we have been visited.

This week, as we prepare to visit the liturgy, we might pray with and visit in our prayers, the holy places of our lives. We might recall our family-of-origin homes, the places we were married, took vows, were ordained, or where ever we allowed God to come close. We can pray with the saints who have surrounded us and whose lives were ways of God’s touching our lives. We can pray as well with the comfort that the Holy has “Pitched His tent among us.”

REFLECTION

This is “It ain’t fair” Sunday. We desire that God be exactly like us, have the same reactions to our actions, and relate quid-pro-quoly toward us. It is within this most human pattern that we listen to the First Reading from Isaiah.

These verses come near the end of the last chapter of the Book of Consolation, which comprises fifteen chapters of the larger book of Isaiah. The poems, songs and encouraging oracles of these chapters are meant to keep the hope alive in the Jewish captives in exile. We can hear this call to hope and trust in our reading.

The people have been experiencing their purification from their infidelities for which they were banished. They are encouraged by this section to keep trusting, seeking, and longing for the goodness of God Who is close. They are reminded to keep all the customs and traditions of the Lord and receive the ever-present mercy of the God of the covenants. Though exile seems not in keeping with the image they have of God, they are coming to see that exile was meant to get and keep their attention and attentiveness. To some of them and to us as well, this may seem “not fair.”

This little section ends with God’s response to our sense of justice and fair play. Thoughts are just thoughts and the ways we think and relate are normal and reasonable to ourselves. God, through the prophet says it like God likes it. Scripture has many reverses of the natural order. Israel itself is the smallest of peoples and yet they win wars, have the natural order of things changed. Seas flow revealing dry land, bread and quail arrive, just in the nick of time. God doesn’t do “fair”, love is not fair, but surprising.

And then there is this most unjust, unfair and anger-provoking parable! Read it, listen to it and check your reactions. What would you do if you worked from the first to last hours. Would it be strange if you were the last hired and the first repaid? This is a parable, not about money, but inclusive love. Jesus is sent first to the people who have been with Him and God’s ways since Abraham and the early covenants. They have been faithful, laboring to be a part of God’s kingdom. Next Sunday’s Gospel will continue this theme from Matthew. The inviting God is both generous and just. There are these late-comers whom Jesus has called into the vineyard to labor with and for Him. They will be rewarded, though their fidelity has been shorter. The older and younger, the newly-called and the ancients are all going to receive God’s love equally. Is this fair? The first and last will all be included. All will have to adjust their feelings based on God’s ways not being like theirs.

The apostles are being prepared to enter the vineyard here at the last hour. The scribes and Pharisees represent the long line of holy and devout Israelites who bore the burden of faithfulness through the centuries. They well know that God’s ways are different as they remember their religious history. These apostles, in the eyes of the elders, are not only new-comers, but they do not keep the customs, traditions and authority structures of God’s ways. The key words in this parable are those about how the owner kept going out at all hours to invite and employ. This owner is constant, his message is the same and his promises for payment are standard. God is faithful and inclusive, especially when our ways are judicial and selective.

Ever since grade school began, most of us experienced the tensions of being on the “in” or being “out” of it, whatever the “it” was. The main object of the Pharisees was their cultic preoccupation with the same thing. They belonged and all who practiced the ancient customs of purity and table manners were “in”. Jesus was on the “outs” and yet in God’s kingdom, which He lived and preached, sinners, with whom He often shared the table, were “in”. This “ain’t-fair Sunday” highlights both the call into the vineyard and the fidelity of the Caller, as well as the importance of belonging though we come sinful like we did when we came late to school. We belong!

“Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend with thee; but sir, so, what I plead is just. Why sinners’ ways prosper? And why must disappointment all I endeavour end? Wert thou my enemy, o thou my friend,How wouldst thou worse, I wonder, than thou dostDefeat, thwart me?”

Daily Reflection September 15th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 15th, 2008

by Bert Thelen, S.J.

St. John's Church

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33

Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Just as the readings for the 24th Sunday were replaced yesterday by those for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, so today's gospel is replaced by the one for the feast of OUR LADY OF SORROWS. The first reading, however, is the one for ordinary time, recounting Paul's version of the institution of the Eucharist. That is fortuitous indeed! For it links with Mary the central mysteries of our faith: the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, which we proclaim now in every Eucharist, as we do again today in the Responsorial Antiphon: "Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again."

Our newly renovated Church, St. John's at Creighton, features this Gospel scene of Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the foot of the cross, very large, hanging over the altar. What a perfect image to reflect upon today! "Have that mind in you which Christ had," urges Paul in his letter to the Philippians, "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave...he humbled himself becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." Who more fully understood this, embraced it more perfectly, and continues to help us enter into it, than his mother, Mary, who "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart"? Perhaps our best prayer today will be to simply stand there with her, be the beloved disciple, and ponder this unbelievable mystery! And, in our hearts, at least, "proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again." Some time during this contemplation, we might be moved to say with deep devotion the "Stabat Mater," which is to be recited at today's Masses.

I would also like to draw out an obvious lesson for all of us from this Gospel scene and from the witness and intercession of Mary, who was told by Simeon, "And you yourself a sword (of sorrow) will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." It is only through suffering or love that any of us can really enter into the mystery of Christ, of forgiveness, of salvation. Otherwise we remain locked, even hardened, in our dualistic thinking, which keeps us focused on who's right and who's wrong, on judging others, on deciding who's in and who's out, etc. -- the curse of Christianity (and all religions) -- which is exactly what Christ died to end and which can only come to us when we remember that we are children one and all. We too are called to love, to put up with, even to suffer for, every person on the face of this earth, for each of whom Christ laid down His life and invites us now and always, as exalted Lord, to do the same for each other. That's the only WWJD we are certain of, and, as the prayer after communion reminds us: "As we honor the compassionate love of the Virgin Mary, may we make up in our own lives whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the good of the Church." Yes, that's heroic sanctity, but it is to that we are all called.

Daily Reflection September 14th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 14th, 2008

by Larry Gillick, S.J.

Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Numbers 21:4b-9

Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

Philippians 2:6-11John 3:13-17

PRE-PRAYERING

We, in our house, have a little statement about unawareness. “There is more going on than is going on.” In the simplest things, there is always more than meets the eye or ear or touch. Molecules are racing around; germs are marching hand in hand with the microbes on our hands. Our senses and minds are so limited.

In our every-day lives as at the Eucharist, there is always more going on than we can capture in concepts or quickie phrases. The little annoying dog across the alley is ratcheting up for an evening of a barkalogue. I don’t know why it is doing that. Maybe, if I did, I would not mind and be less aggravated at this present moment. What I think is going on, just might not be what is.

We live humbly with the experiences of not knowing and yet we can grow in awakeness or openness to just what is actually going on. As we live the Eucharist, we desire to be as available to what’s going on within and around us. There is a peacefulness which comes from accepting that we just don’t know and yet we trust, we accept, we live with many unknowings. There is a way of praying in front of these little mysterious whats-its. I could go across the alley and find out what’s bugging that little barker, or just admit that I don’t have to know to be peaceful. We can pray well with what is going on and the more that is going on than we can grasp. Grasping the Eucharist is a wonderful pledge in grace to allow other mysteries into our microbey palms.

REFLECTION

This feast is celebrated always on September fourteenth. This year it replaces the twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This makes the feast extraordinary in the history and in the mind of the Church. It is believed that St. Helen, the mother of Constantine while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 326, found a piece of the “True Cross” on September fourteenth. The feast became important when it was believed that the “True Cross” was returned from Persia to Jerusalem in the seventh century after its having been stolen.

Now there is a little history then about how the Church exulted over the cross’ return and then the truer meaning of what the Cross of Jesus meant as an instrument of true triumph.

Our First Reading for this feast is a quite human picture. The verses before and after our section relate the long journey the people of Israel were experiencing. Right here in the middle of it all, when the food and water were annoying the taste-buds of the people, they begin complaining about the accommodations. God has a biting response.

The people of Israel are itching for relief and pray to Moses to talk to God. Moses, as custodian of the people, brings their petition to God Who gives Moses a sacred remedy. A “saraph” which means roughly, a winged creature and which is the root also for the title of a group of angels, the Seraphim, forms a bronze image which is raised. Those who would look upon that image would be relieved and saved from their pains. So they continued their journey less grumbling and more trusting.

We listen in to the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in today’s Gospel. Nicodemus has come by night to try to figure out Jesus and Jesus in turn tries to lead him into the ways of the spirit, not the flesh. Nicodemus wants facts, logic, and clarity. Jesus scrambles the picture by moving him towards belief. Jesus, knowing that this Jewish leader is familiar with his Scriptures, recalls Moses’ lifting up the bronze serpent in the desert. Using this historical event, Jesus reveals that he also will be lifted up so that those who look, in faith, upon him will receive eternal life. This being “lifted up” on the pole of the cross will be the gesture by which God changes the human question from “why haven’t you done this for us,” to “Why did you have to do this for us?”

The Exaltation of the Cross is that by his death, Jesus has put a final punctuation mark at the end of the long-life sentence of his being the loving servant of God and humanity. The?-mark is reformed into an!-Mark. No longer is it, “What do you think of us?” The exaltation Mark establishes God’s final judgment and definition of us with the sign of the cross. The serpent reigns no more; death is not our destiny. The triumph of Jesus’ death is not that of God over us, but God for us. While the serpent ruled we were not safe from ourselves. We were ambiguous about whether we were of the earth only, or just where we belonged and whose we were.

Jesus’ dying and rising for us destroys our shame and our confusion about our identity. The further we stand from the cross the more we float back into destructive names and images we have for ourselves individually and collectively. The closer we move to the shade of the cross the more we can hear our name and our vocations. At the foot of the cross, there are certain things we can no longer say about ourselves and our sisters and brothers. The cross becomes the throne of victory whereby all will be drawn together and human grumbling will be silenced. The Servant has become the royal conqueror while still remaining Servant. He washes the earth with his blood and love and all who come to see him in faith are saved from the darkness and ignorance of who God is and who they are to God. God so loves us that God continues presenting us to ourselves at the foot of the throne of the cross. The triumph of the cross is that we are saved from eternal ignorance, but more saved from the eternal hell and temporal hell of our not knowing what real life is.

“We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free.” Gal 6, 14

Daily Reflection September 13th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 13th, 2008

by Tom Shanahan, S.J.

University Relations and the Theology Department

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18

Luke 6:43-49

The first reading in today’s liturgy, from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, addresses the important issue of the Eucharist. Indeed, on several occasions in Paul’s correspondence with the church at Corinth the question of Eucharist is addressed. It seems there were serious problems with the way the people in Corinth “broke bread together” as a community. Paul deals with those problems head on.

Here in today’s passage for our hearing he focuses on a central factor in the understanding in receiving the Body of Christ: its unifying aspect. When we receive Holy Communion we are actually doubly unified – first, with our sisters and brothers in faith who share the Communion with us and, second, with Christ.

Thus there is a horizontal dimension of unity that strengthens our union with one another in faith as well as a vertical dimension that acknowledges and sustains our relationship to Christ. St. Paul captures well this dual aspect of Holy Communion with the word participation which, in one form of the word or another, he uses six times in these eight verses.

I recall reading an article by the popular scripture scholar, Fr. Eugene LaVerdiere, S.S.S., that highlighted for me this unifying and participating aspect of Holy Communion. He proposes that when the Eucharistic Minister offers Communion and says, “Body of Christ,” she/he is referring primarily to the person who is receiving as being a part of the Body of Christ and not to the consecrated Body of Christ in the sacramental form of bread. In other words the action of giving and receiving the Body of Christ is an acknowledgment of Christ-in-His-Body, the church.

The emphasis then is on us who receive the (sacramental) Body of Christ in Holy Communion. It is a challenging emphasis as well because it acknowledges a fact: we ARE the Body of Christ. Additionally that acknowledgment of who we are -- the Body of Christ -- issues into the challenge to us: that we are invited TO BE the Body of Christ in our lives and actions. We are dared to live the life of Christ in our world. The Communion we receive is a principal aid to effectively accomplishing that bold reality. We will BE the Body of Christ when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and the imprisoned; in a word wherever we touch others with the Christ-life that is at the core of our being.

I believe that’s what St. Paul means by “participating” (“is it not participation in the Blood of Christ . . . [and] in the Body of Christ”). He points to the profound reality that because of our baptism and living in faith we are ONE with Christ as His Body. This reality and its inherent spiritual challenge is underscored each time I am privileged to receive the sacramental Body of Christ

Jesus, help me to acknowledge and realize in my daily life the reality that is sacramentally presented to me in receiving your Body and Blood. Be with me as I join my sisters and brothers in faith in taking you into our world in our actions of service to others in imitation of you. Help us all to accept the challenge TO BE the Body of Christ in our world.

Daily Reflection September 12th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 12th, 2008

by Pat Callone

University Relations

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12

Luke 6:39-42

Luke Chapter 6: 39-40: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

I’ve never liked this reading from Luke. Perhaps because it hits too close to “home.”

By that I mean, one of the hardest things for me is to be disciplined enough to concentrate on improving my own ways of acting….when it is so much easier to tell others what they should do.

I am beginning the journey into my “wisdom” years. That means that I am getting to the age when one’s brain begins developing new connections that can lead to seeing life a little differently…seeing life with some “wisdom.” (At least that is what I have gained from reading the book, “The Mature Mind” by Dr. Gene Cohen).

Hopefully these “wisdom” years will help me develop the self-discipline to “stop and look at the total situation” before making hasty statements or judgments. This discipline of stopping to review the situation is exactly what Barbara Vasiloff and her team teach in their Discipline With Purpose educational materials. They teach that “self-discipline” helps persons acquire the skill to “stop” and choose the appropriate action before acting.

Lord, give us wisdom.

Help us be better disciples. Help us learn self-discipline in our own lives before judging the actions of others. Help us become “wise” as we grow older and look forward to those “wisdom” years so we can share appropriately with others.

Bless us in our daily journeys and help us live your prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Amen.

Daily Reflection September 11th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 11th, 2008

by Sue Crawford

Departhment of Political Science & International Studies

1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13

Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24

Luke 6:27-38

The readings for today stress themes of knowing and loving. God knows us intimately beyond our comprehension. This knowing shows God’s love for us and calls us to respond in kind. Paul warns the Corinthians that knowledge can lead to arrogance and callous indifference to people who are weaker in their faith. Knowledge that frees me from considering the need to build up others hardly deserves the name “knowledge.” In this case, knowledge was working against love, instead of with it. Knowledge of the past experiences of others in Corinth with idol worship could instead have been used to help the Christians consider their actions more carefully. Similarly, learning about other cultures today can help us to understand better how to be more loving in our classrooms, workplaces, congregations, community, and world – if the focus remains on building up others.

The reading from Corinthians and the reading from Luke remind us of the depth of the commandment to love one another. Love requires restricting our freedom in order to avoid actions that may hamper others’ development (Corinthians). Knowing how to do this requires learning about those who see your actions. Again, knowing and loving go hand in hand. Jesus, in the passage from Luke, tells us how much farther love must go. Jesus knows us well and knows that we may get inflated with pride when we consider how well we love our families and those who treat us well. He challenges us to see that living the love commandment means so much more. It’s a hard teaching, to love your enemies. But wait, it goes even further! We’re to love our enemies and do good to them. I’d rather stay away from my enemies and “love” them from afar! Doing good to them will require that we get to know them. On this September 11th anniversary we may challenge ourselves to consider how this teaching applies to terrorists and our response to terrorism.

The words of Jesus at the beginning of the dialogue in Luke stand out as a call to us today. Jesus directs the entire dialogue on love to “you who hear.” Jesus knows how easy it is for us to simply not hear. I want to be one who hears and who loves. The Psalm for today offers wonderful words for asking the Spirit to show us the ways in which we still do not hear and to guide us back into the way of love more completely.

Probe me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my thoughts;

See if my way is crooked,

And lead me in the way of old. (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Daily Reflection September 10th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 10th, 2008

by Howie Kalb, S.J.

Jesuit Community

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Luke 6:20-26

College students oftentimes join Fraternities and Sororities as a chance to make close friends, have a great social life and make contacts helpful financially and otherwise in the years ahead. Most of us have tried that in college and we know it works. Since it worked so well there, some people are motivated to join organizations, movements and work places that promise achievement of these goals. Have you ever noticed how often the quest of these three goals made a life after college a disaster for a classmate or friend? There is nothing wrong in having money, fun and a good reputation, but Jesus noted the potential weakness in this regard for the people of his day. That’s why Jesus adds the antithesis to each of his beatitudes concerning what is required for happiness. There is always the danger for the collateral damage.

To “Jesus’ woes”, we might add another example. If the motive a person has for changing churches or parishes is the opportunity for new friends, relaxed observance, entertaining services and more of whatever, he/she could be badly disappointed. Perhaps the antithesis may not be felt immediately or even in this life. But for the person who is motivated by these priorities, the opposite reactions might well happen here or hereafter. This could be the reason for Paul’s message to the Corinthians in today’s first reading. Paul might have seen this same ambition in some of the converts at Corinth. Notice, his message focuses on “God’s call” (7:24)…on conversion. He encourages people converting to keep their present lifestyle. He says it’s only his opinion but he thinks that it’s best not to try to find a different way of life other than pursuing the ultimate goal of reaching eternal life.

Paul’s admonition makes good sense only if a person’s choice to change the way one lives is made in pursuit and expectation of gaining heaven. This interpretation of today’s epistle is aptly expressed in the footnote of the New American Bible.

“The above principle of retention of one’s state applies also to both theunmarried and the married because, in the light of the second coming of Christ, it is not the state that is important but rather the use of it in a spirit of sacrifice… In this way all things are made subservient to the supreme end of preparedness for Christ’s coming in judgment.”

Daily Reflection September 9th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 9th, 2008

by Andy Alexander,

S.J.University Ministry and the Collaborative Ministry Office

Memorial of St. Peter Claver, S.J.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

Luke 6:12-19

Peter Claver, S.J. is one of the great Jesuit saints. When he was in college studies as a Jesuit, he was deeply influenced by another future Jesuit saint, the brother Alphonsus Rodriguez. Alphonsus had the lowly job of being the receptionist at the college. Peter was inspired by Alphonsus. Their conversations about service and humility, ultimately about imitating our Lord, led Peter to offer himself for the missions that were being established in South America. The Jesuits saw that the development of new colonies in the new world required clergy and perhaps schools. When Peter arrived at the coast of Colombia, in 1610, he was overwhelmed, not by the needs of the new colonists, but by the enormous human injustice and tragedy of the slave trade. Since the native peoples had so quickly died off from the diseases brought from the old world, the colonists needed workers for their new plantations and for the gold mines. Thousands of slaves from the west coast of Africa were captured like animals and shipped to the new world in the cargo holds of huge ships. Many died along the way while others arrived very sick. Peter devoted 40 years of his life to caring for these slaves. Because there were so many languages and dialects among the new arrivals, Peter trained lay helpers to learn the languages and to join him in comforting these slaves and to be catechists for them. Peter was, of course, severely criticized by the colonists for his zeal. He was even condemned for offering the sacraments to these people. His care for these least and lowest must have pricked the consciences of the slave owners. Through it all, Peter relied on his relationship with the Lord for strength. When Peter was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, Alphonsus Rodriguez, his beloved spiritual advisor, was canonized at the same time.

Today's gospel is the call of the twelve apostles. I'm sure Alphonsus and Peter read this story many times. Peter's story and the gospel today are an invitation for us all to hear our Lord's call to us. Ultimately, he calls each of us to follow him. Some of us will follow our Lord by doing the simple every day work that Alphonsus did. In our daily family relationships and in our everyday jobs, we can be faithful, loving and inspiring to others. Some of us are doing heroic service in real sacrifices that involve dying to ourselves - perhaps not in missionary lands - but, in caring for our children or our parents, in loving our spouse or others entrusted to our care. For some of us, we have the opportunity, by our position and our influence, to make a difference in this world. We can follow our Lord in caring for the least and the lowest by being their advocates, their companions and helpers. We can all ask for the grace today to be placed with Jesus' own care for those with and for whom we are called to serve today.

Dear Lord, as you inspire us today by the example of your Apostles and of Alphonsus and Peter, we ask you for courage to respond to your call this day. Where ever you send us today, open our hearts to love as you have loved us. Let us know the joy of comforting someone in need today.

And, Lord, on the memorial of St. Peter Claver, S.J., we hold up to you all those who have suffered the terrible injustice of slavery, down through history. As we ask you to forgive this scandalous scar on our cultures, we ask you to heal its results. Heal the remaining inequities and the deep racism that abides in us. Dedicate your people to a special care for those on the margins of our societies today, especially forced migrants and refugees.

We ask all this in your name, trusting the power of your love and your call for each of us today.

Daily Reflection September 8th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 8th, 2008

by Edward Morse

School of Law

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30

Psalm 13:6ab, 6c

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Today’s scriptures tell part of the story of the coming of Jesus. Each of the writers gives a different perspective, not only in time, but also in emphasis.

Micah, looking toward the future, could only see dimly how his prophetic words might be fulfilled. First, he utters prophetic words about Bethlehem, a marker that would later provide one of the many signs of authenticity for the coming Messiah. He then tells us that the Messiah would be a ruler, yet he invokes the model of a shepherd. His origins would be from ancient times – an oblique reference to mysteries of the distant past. His greatness will reach the ends of the earth. And audaciously, He would not merely bring peace, He would be peace.

Peace is misunderstood in our time. Some confuse it with an absence of violence, but such a condition may also exist in an oppressive regime. Real peace reflects the reign of God, in which justice prevails and those with enmity toward God’s Kingdom no longer need to be kept at bay. In one sense, the strength of the Lord and His majestic name, which Micah describes, do indeed reach to the ends of the earth. It is already a reality for people of faith. But in another sense we fail to see this kind of peace fully realized in our world, and this continues to sting. When we pass the peace at church, it brings me great joy to think of the reign of God, which is both present and yet to come.

Matthew continues this story from a different point in history. He begins with the context of a genealogy extending back to Abraham, whose pedigree is undoubtedly known to Matthew’s readers. Unlike we moderns, who like to define ourselves anew (daily, if possible), the list portends a deep connection with an ancient people, connecting across generations. This list of men and women extends down from Abraham through King David, finally reaching “Joseph, the husband of Mary.” This lineage helps us to understand how Bethlehem becomes Jesus’ birthplace, as it is the city of David where Mary and Joseph must return. (See Luke 2:1-5).

Matthew’s gospel continues by filling in details of the “time when she who is to give birth has borne” that Micah’s prophecy could only foreshadow. We learn that Joseph’s encounter with the angel changed his plans. We do not know what Joseph knew about what Micah had written years before, but perhaps such knowledge helped to confirm his faith in what the angel told him. Ultimately, he demonstrated this faith by his action: serving as “the husband of Mary” and an earthly father to Jesus. This must have been difficult. Joseph was in the midst of this story, and we all know how difficult it can be to understand a challenging situation while we are in the thick of experiencing it.

With the perspective of history, not to mention personal knowledge of Jesus and his ministry, Matthew could see how the story fit with the prophetic words of the past. We are allowed to share Matthew’s vista, and this story is now familiar to us. Nevertheless, the fragile interconnectedness of these events still provides a basis for amazement.

We must also remember that this story is still ongoing, and we are in the midst of it. We are still moving toward the full realization of God’s peace. Like Micah, we do not understand fully how this part of the story will play out, or what the details will look like. Like Joseph, we may find ourselves perplexed and struggle to reach the right choices with imperfect information. But we have great comfort in knowing that God is indeed with us (Emmanuel), and He is writing the story.

Daily Reflection September 7th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 7th, 2008

by Larry Gillick, S.J.

Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality

23nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 33:7-9

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Romans 13:8-10

Matthew 18:15-20

PRE-PRAYERING

A young priest here on campus shared with me recently the love of God that surrounded him while attending an organ recital in our local cathedral. He described the vibrations, the power, the sweetness and variety of the music. While I listened he seemed to be back there experiencing God’s love for him through the art, majesty and the music of this large church building.

I told him that I could hardly imagine it. He agreed that it was almost beyond imagining. In his reverie, he missed that I meant my comment differently. Organ music seems confusing and not something one can dance to.

There is an old Latin saying, De gustibus, non disputandum. “About taste there is no arguing.” I was not arguing with the fellow; he has his tastes and maybe I don’t have any at all.

Jesus prayed that His joy may be complete in us. This week as we move toward the celebration of the Eucharist, we might pray with those human experiences which delight us, grace us, and bring us to our senses concerning all the ways God can get into our hearts and souls. God knows that we have our ways of receiving, delighting and tasting. They differ and God comes to us according to how we need to be come-to. So if it is organ music, God bless you there, if not, God will bless you through your ways.

REFLECTION

The First Reading has to do with the role of the prophet. The verses before the ones we hear in today’s liturgy speak of how sentries are posted on the outskirts of an area when invaders are coming. They are to blow the warning-horn when the enemy approaches. If they do, but some refuse to respond, their deaths are their responsibility. If the sentry does not alert the citizens, then their deaths are the watchman’s responsibility. Ezekiel is warned about his own response to the calls of God to call Israel back to God.

What we hear is an instruction of just how Ezekiel is to speak to the wicked of the nation. As with the “watchman” who does not speak, Ezekiel, if he does not speak, will die and the death of the wicked will be also his responsibility. Ezekiel understands and is encouraged more than a little bit. In the verses immediately following our Reading, Ezekiel hears the hard words from God which he then speaks to Israel, calling them back to the Lord’s Ways.

Today’s Gospel has two themes: prayerful confrontation and confronting-prayer to God. Matthew relies on his readers’ awareness of the Law concerning the fault-telling process to the neighbor. Jesus lays out in greater detail how His followers are to “help” one whose sin, (usually in the area of Justice) is to be dealt with. Little comment or reflection need take place, hmmm.

I was sitting in the pew of a church today before a funeral was to begin. Behind me, four persons were entertaining themselves by talking of a certain fault of a relationship belonging to a non-present person. Now perhaps they were discussing this in preparation for one of them to execute the first step of Jesus’ plan. Maybe they had already sent one of their group to this person without profit and they were preparing the next step. It was all taking place while the Church was gathering and maybe they were going to present their collective findings and opinions to the whole group after mass. You see, I was trying to put a good interpretation on their bothering my holy pre-liturgy prayer.

The real problem with presenting my real problem to someone else about their real problem is that I am not sure whether what I consider their problem is just that it bothers me. I need to confront myself honestly first, second and third, then confront God in prayer to see if I am going to be a grace for this other person or just getting rid of my negative energy. I have not found an easy answer or plan.

I would hope that I do wish healthy and graceful living for the other and by my not being honest, this person might be living less. Each Jesuit superior has an appointed “Admonitor”. One was appointed when I was called to be Rector at our high school here in Omaha. This wise man came to me the first day and said he didn’t want to do this at all. I told him I would never say anything upon his admonition except “Thank you”. Every time he came to perform his duty, he would close the door, clear his throat a bit theatrically and let me have it. Then he would walk out, close the door behind him, and then knock for readmittance to have a friendly chat about one thing and another. Confrontation! It does take prayer more than perception.

I suspect we all need to hear about binding and loosing. One way to hear it is that if I bind somebody up in my anger, hurt, or my vengeful feelings, then God does too. Wrong! I know I have to pray alone and in the communal celebrations for a freedom from my tremendous ability to bind. As a young Jesuit, I actually worked in our bindery and I had many first and second hand experiences of the stickiness of the glue pot. It took a special cleaner to de-glue my fingers from each other.

It does all come down to this then, where two or more are gathered, there is going to be the tug-of-war between and among egos which will call for prayer to loose and be unstuck from the glue of our judgments.

I did not confront those people behind me this morning. I think they got bored with their negativity and moved on to other topics. I just smiled and continued praying to not be so judgmental and negative about those who are likewise inclined. Ah, self-confrontation, so sticky.

“Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul long for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for the living God.”Ps. 43, 2-3

Daily Reflection September 6th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 6th, 2008

by Janine ter Kuile

Financial Aid Office

1 Corinthians 4:6b-15

Psalm 145:17-18, 19-20, 21

Luke 6:1-5

Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath." Luke 6: 5

This gospel brings up a great discussion about legality and morality. It has something to do with legalists being law-minded for the wrong reasons. Christ, when accused by the Pharisees, defends his disciples’ eating from the fields, as satisfying their human needs. Neither were acts of mercy or healing allowed on the Sabbath. It makes us wonder then, about the purpose of this ridiculously extreme legalism that caused thousands of Jews to be butchered in the streets of Jerusalem on a Sabbath rather than take up arms to defend themselves.

We know the reasons why Jesus was rejected; he brought blessings to the Gentiles, he claimed to be God, he associated with sinners, and he didn’t keep the Sabbath. So is it really about the law? Or is it about who Jesus was? He had the right to set aside the law, which was to be done away with. He came after all, to give us new and better commandments!

When legalists refuse to interpret the law in the light of the spirit in which it was given, it is used to entice us to sin. In keeping the law, like the Pharisees, let’s not become experts at avoiding its commands. God’s law requires mercy and compassion.

In Men and Women for Others, Pedro Arrupe says, “To be drugged by the comforts of privilege is to become contributors to injustice as silent beneficiaries of the fruits of injustice…(we must be of) a decision to work with others toward the dismantling of unjust social structures so that the weak, the oppressed, the marginalized of this world may be set free.”

We must pray continually for people of law and authority in the world who, given the burden of responsibility to make just decisions affecting the lives of others, will be surrounded by the Spirit.

Daily Reflection September 5th, 2008

Daily Reflection September 5th, 2008

by Chas Kestermeier, S.J.English Department

The first line of today's reading from Paul, speaking of us being seen as servants of Christ and administrators of the mysteries of God, is a real challenge to us Christians and is almost a whole spirituality in itself.

The first step in my responding to Paul's injunction is (and must be) turning to the Lord and finding out who He is and what He wants of me personally: there is a world of books and television shows and voices out there, all telling me what other people think about it, but I need to meet Christ personally in prayer to find my way through all of this. I also need to change who I am by fasting, by making hard choices, and by finding my way to silence, to poverty of self, and to humility so that I can let His Spirit mold me as Jesus wishes, let Jesus do His work in me.

That will make me a servant of Christ, but there is also the other side, one that goes beyond this mere drive for spiritual growth. If I am truly "conformed" to Christ (Romans 8:29), then I can and indeed must speak of Him to others, must share His wealth of love and be as generous and joyful as He is. I must be about my Father's business, being and acting in a committed yet joyful and loving manner, just like Jesus. I must live the mystery that is my salvation, not just possess it. I must be, to use Paul's word, an "administrator" of God's life within me, a love that seeks to be shared at any and all costs.

But the two steps, the prayer and the constant presence to God on the one hand and my active and generous love on the other, are only one single thing, what Jesuits refer to as "contemplation in action." Who we are and what we do in this world often seem to be two very distinct and opposed realities, but God calls us to His own simplicity, where we will see God in all things and all things in God at every moment (and that will define who we are) and our godly action will flow from us as naturally as an apple tree's producing apples....

To Whom Do You Belong?

Daily Reflection September 4th, 2008

by Jim Egan, S.J.Jesuit Community

To Whom Do You Belong?

“All belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” 1 Cor 3:23
“To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.” Ps 24
“They left everything and followed Jesus.” Lk 5:11

Peter is called in three challenges. First, to share his boat with Jesus, then to cast his nets into the deep, and finally to accept the abundance of his catch in spite of his sinfulness.

Getting into the boat with Peter, Jesus asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Jesus’ words announced the kingdom in the words he had used at the Nazareth synagogue, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, liberty for the captives, freedom to the oppressed ... ” Then Jesus dares Peter to cast his net into the deep. Peter obeys as did Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah when the word of God came to them.

The abundance of the catch unveils the mission and mystery of the church, the New people, Jesus is calling forth. Jesus has come to catch people in the net of God’s merciful love that they may be born together into a new life of joy and freedom. Peter and his partners are struck dumb with amazement and fear of the power that is the burning bush in the person of Jesus. He is transforming them. Peter’s converted heart is awakened to the joy of self abandonment. In freedom he and his partners leave all to follow him.

To whom do you belong?

Father, I abandon myself into your hands.

Whatever is your will I accept it.

I am ready for all. I thank you for all.

I ask only that your will be done

In me and in all your creatures.

I love you, Lord and

I so need to give myself to you.

With all the love of my heart

I abandon myself into your hands

Without reserve and with boundless confidence

For you are my Father ... my Father ... my Father.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld (adapted)

6 Easy Steps to Getting What You Want

Step 1 - Read these instructions.
(See? I told you this was gonna be easy!)

Step 2 - Think about what you want.
Think of the resolution to a challenge you’re facing. Or some kind of expansion you’re intending in your life. Or some area of your life that could use a little energy, light, abundance, peace, or healing.

Step 3 - Write your intention as powerfully as you can.
Examples:
“I am intending a healthy body and full healing from back pain.” = more powerful.
“I am sick and miserable. Please help me not be sick and miserable” = less powerful.
For some, it might feel impossible to write a powerful intention, especially if you’re scared or hurting. That’s okay. But just try to remember this: the more of your own affirming mindset that you can conjure up, the better it is for you. If you can’t conjure that up - then read on. We’ll do it for you!

Step 4 - Comment below. Or send an Email.
Put your intention or request in the comment box below or send an email entitled, “Prayer List” to christine@christinekane.com. State your intention or your request.

Step 5 - Let go.
Waste no time wondering if you did it right or if this stuff even works or if you look stupid or if you asked for the perfect thing when you need so many things or if your boss will know that’s you in the comments asking for a different job. Let go means let go. Take a breath and let go.

Step 6 - Be grateful.
At some point today, write down or say out loud ten things for which you are grateful in your life. Be grateful that you are learning the lesson that this challenge is offering. Be grateful that you have friends, a roof over your head, a job. Just be grateful for as much as you can.

Chords from the heart. by blue bird

Life in a prism

Life in a prism of windows, me looking out in wonder.Wondering which way to go, which window of light to jump through. Sometimes I delight in my comfortable place, all warm and familiar,with windows to peek out of. Where I can just sit and watch from a distance, life going by, going past at it's awesomely fast rate. But to venture out, out to all the beautiful things in the world that wait for my discovery, can be a huge ask.

Can I leave this cosy place of mine? Can I walk free of these lovely walls, and turn a way to face something new and different? Can I be brave, be bold, be adventurous, somewhat wreckless In walking a long distance from everything that makes life so nice and supportive?

Am I brave I wonder? Am I?

Suddenly the window opens, a hand becons from above. "Come out" says a voice, kindly,gently encouragingly.

I rise to my feet, raise my leg to the window, put my foot out, climb on the window sill. I hesitate.The air is mild, smells fresh and sweet, all looks well, looks safe and completely free from danger.

I scan everything. Look for pitfalls, pot holes, and barriers. Make sure I can get back to my window if need be.

"Come' SAYS THE SOFT UNDERSTANDING VOICE."Come with me" I take the invisible hand of my God and he leads me out of the prism, out of the window. The grass is soft and green under my bare feet. It is cool and fragrant.

Gardenias fill the air with a heady perfume, while pretty fusias seem to dance in an unannouced ballet, each dancer wearing a beautiful frilly dress to do her part to impress the audience.

I am wondering far from my safe zone, my place of comfort and safety. I glance around worredly, but I feel the strong arm of my God about my shoulders. I relax, he is with me, guiding me like a guide dog that leads the blind woman on her way. I turn another corner,then another and another and so on until I am in unfamiliar territorry. All is strange to me. The smells, the sounds, the faces of those milling around. Scuffles break out, I hear shouts, people look at me as one they do not know. I feel a little fear, but God is near. He pulls me in tight, not allowing me to enter into a fight, this night.

Then I see her, a little pale face in the shadows, crouching under a miriad of plants and trees. Hiding from something scary, something she doesn't want to see. Something she doesn't want to experience....something painful she doesn't to to feel....

I stay in the light,where she can see my face . I speak softly, speak words of comfort.''It's okay, I won't hurt you..It's okay, I know someone who can help you."

We exchange names. She lets her defence down.

Soon I am able to coax her out of her dark prism, she stretches forth her foot, her legs and her frame until she is free to walk right next to me, holding my hand tightly,as I hold onto my God tightly too!

In the light of the street lamp, I tell her of heaven and how God has the power to help, to answer prayers. I tell her he is powerful, and full of might and can work miracles to make bad things in our lives go away or even disapear.

She closes her eyes to pray to tell God what is wrong, to tell him what she is afraid of and why she needs help........ God listens,and is about to answer more wonderfully than she can imagine.

Right then her mother startles me.She has been listening quietly from behind a tree. She smiles meekly, a new sparkle in her eyes. The little girl apon seeing her mummy, runs to her waiting arms.........


This story is ficticious today..................but it does illustrate how God can use any of us to reach out and help someone in need of a knowlege of him!

The Trip of a Life Time

The trip of a life time, is living for life, which is a lot like a never ending road trip. It's not always a smooth ride, bumpy at most. The turns might be sudden, making you think you might die with all the jerks, and people in the back honking at you to speed up. When finding yourself at a dead end, you take out the handy road map. The road map is more commonly know as The Holy Bible, but looking at it now, all you see is that it is covered in dust. There are some who take out the map and makes their way on the dirt road. The dirt road is great, until that first rain storm, where you find yourself suddenly stuck. The map might show you short cuts, but if you do not fallow that paved road, your going to find yourself lost again. To use the map correctly is to know Jesus Christ, and live through him. He will always take the wheel, when it becomes too hard to steer. At night when becomes to dark to see where your going, turn on the head lights, the wisdom of past will always light the way for you.