Good Stones

We stand at the edge of mystery

Contiuously
Throwing pebbles
Into the Lake of Life.

The ripples traveling
To unknown shores

Please
Choose good pebbles...

Weights are growing

The race is well engaged - completed the first turn - and the outside turn - a while back...

I can be so divided

many self creations and importances to manage
a growing family 

now adding the failing health of friends

the reality of timed mortality

anticipated, almost planned loss

all making me more thoughtful
of my mother's comment as she lived through her 80s

'You feel things will just go on - but they don't...'

The weight baring seems to be growing

....like the myth of St Christopher...

I'm running...

Still rounding the far turn...

But perhaps I'm into the final turn...

Or maybe down the stretch...

When will I make the next move?

Thomas Merton said:
In the end
the only thing that saves us
is our relationships...

Hiding Good News

"How are you doing?"
"Not 'bad'!"
I wonder if 'bad' has become a standard that we are not achieving.

"I use a 'cheat sheet' for the telephone numbers."
Is it now 'dishonest' to have a list of numbers we can't remember???
Or are trying to devalue the word 'cheat'.

A friend suggested that we always have at least one good news story in our pocket - ready to bring out when the conversation is tooo shadowed - to help bring about a positive 'mood change'.

Susan Boyle-ing at 'Theology on Tap'

A group of young adults periodically meet at a Pub in Toronto to consider matters of spiritual significance. The umbrella theme of the community is 'Theology on Tap'.

This last meeting a Judge came to offer some thoughts on the interdependence of Faith and the Law. There were about 90 young people who gathered to explore this topic. We were there with our daughter.

One of the central themes of the presentation is that our society and laws have been formed by a bottom up process - the people indicate how the elected leaders will legislate and govern.

Our daughter was tired from her day and left at the end.
Peggy and I hung around.
Things happen when you hang around...
This is an e'mail I sent our daughter
recounting what happened next...

************************

...As you left I was approached by the woman who was sitting at the table next to us.

I was surprised she wished to engage me...
When I initially saw her I was thinking she could be a street person
- wandering
- in rough fashion
- dropping in
- pleased for the availability of food
- perhaps a bit disconnected.
... See me prejudging
... See me Susan Boyle-ing...

She asked -
Was I OK with the Judge's response to my Q&A question?

I had asked him:
Why do many people feel we are governed 'Top Down'?
*** The Judge had responded - in part:
People with poor attitudes and who are generally oriented toward
resolution by confrontation and conflict and revenge
(estimated to be 15% of the population)
end up in the court system,
and are governed 'Top Down'.
*** Those who work it out between themselves are 'Bottom Up' people.

I was surprised by her question - and responded:
I wasn't satisfied with the Judge's response.

She asked - Why?

I wasn't sure why...
and I didn't know how to say

the 'why' of my feelings...

She began to speak evenly,
saying she was not pleased with the Judge's answer.
Felt it potentially placed poor people
who struggle within the government's 'Top Down' service system
as collectively being people

with bad attitudes.

I was amazed at her articulate

grasp of that possibility.

I tried to defend the Judge
- actually a family friend -
as a person who wouldn't feel that way.
But she remained comfortable in her observation.

I asked her background.
Her name is Marg.
She had been - is - a journalist -
having met with and written articles on Jean Vanier and John Howard Griffin.
And more...

I was now fully engaged in conversation
appreciating
enjoying her insights
and sharing more deeply.

Marg is no longer employed.
Her circumstances and health are profoundly difficult.
She is greatly fearful her subsidized apartment of many years might be in jeopardy.
The building is deteriorating - leaking badly.
No repairs
She is very concerned - no where to go.
No advocate.
No where to store her writings.

She is a Faith filled person.
Knew the readings of the day.
She requested my prayers...
I said she would be included in our morning prayers.
She was grateful.

Mom joined us.
As we talked further we discovered Marg knows Fr Tom.
Even knows his Birthday
...Also knows many others from that time.
Was a part of that precious time...
in the 80s.

I asked if I could make a photo of her.
She said she was uncomfortable about doing that.
She indicated she frequently comes to the gatherings.
I promised her a copy of Tom's latest book.

Our lives move through eddies and streams and rivers
sometimes smooth
sometimes turbulent.
Some lives more challenging than others.

Marg was in our prayers this morning.
She remains in our thoughts.

The next meeting is on Spiritual Writing...
Happy you are planing to be with us.
Love, Dad

He is Dead - Get Over It!

On the Vigil of Easter our Faith community gathered to celebrate the central event in Christianity - our belief in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. To proclaim Jesus is still alive and evidenced through the goodness of the life of His followers.

At 9:30PM-when the sun was fully set - we gathered in darkness in front of the church - around a pile of kindling.

When lit, it would serve as our Easter fire - the fire used to light the Pascal candle - the candle we use to show the light of Christ in a world that is dark - longing for light.

As the match was struck a car drove by - an amplified voice shouted an invective:

'He is dead! Get over it!'

Our community responded in a number of ways...
- some nervously laughed
- some were outraged at the intrusion into the sacred
- others noted that Jesus had been mocked as he died on the cross
and this was a continuation.
For us...

I was thinking of the youth in the car
- what caused him to yell
"Get over it"?

Is our belief in the Resurrection from the dead too absurd?
That Jesus remains present for us.

Certainly on the surface
this belief appears to be
absurd...

Is the young person locked into knowledge of the senses
or maybe overwhelmed by the implications
of what it might mean
if it were true...?

His timing was impeccable!
His invective certain.
His target perfect.

My inner response to him is:
We can get over it
- that Jesus died.
What we can't get over is
- our belief.
He remains alive
- ever present to us.
Embodied in the mystery of our lives.

He is found
in our personal Resurrections
rooted in moments of
Faith - Hope - Love
Truth from within...

Jesus Falls

I prepared a series of reflections on the Stations of the Cross for the youth to use in presenting our parish's Good Friday evening prayer.

Here is the text for the Third Station - Jesus Falls the First Time:

Oh Jesus - it is painful to watch you.
Last week - when you entered the city - you were strong and beautiful.

I cheered with the crowds - threw palms at your feet.

You were our new celebrity - our hope for change - for freedom.

Now you are condemned - appearing less than special.

Just ordinary.

A failure.

Struggling to move forward under the weight of your cross.

Suddenly it is too much - you fall to your knees.

Reflection:

Was there something in your path that caused you to stumble?

Did someone place something in your way?
Who would have done that?

Oh...

Maybe I did it.

Maybe I put - or left an obstacle in your path.

Maybe I wasn’t even aware - or noticing.

I was just watching the spectacle

- like a news event.
Not even thinking I might have had opportunities to make things a little easier.

More Precious Than Gold

Peggy has a few treasures which she feels give evidence of her story. Three years a go a gold cross on a chain joined these items. It has been cared for - always placed in a safe and familiar location.

Then - the 1st of January - it could not be found. Her heart sank. She asked me to be aware of the hunt.

Over the next several days Peggy searched the bedroom - top to bottom - all the drawers - all the pockets...

Then she extended the search to everywhere in the house - under and over all - in the corners - again returning to the bedroom - looking under the bed - searching among the (few) dust bunnies - and even in her shoes.

The search was initially very active and diligent - and then became a continued vigilance - for weeks. At one point - Peggy closely sifted the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag - with continued Hope - but to no avail.

Today we were hanging photos of family history. I brought the hammer. Peggy said there were hanging hooks in her covered 'catch all' dish on the dresser. She began to go through the effluvia of buttons and pins to gather the hooks - suddenly - the cross was there!

Great Joy - finding that which was lost. Reminiscent of the Biblical woman who found the lost coin.

You might wonder - how did it get to this unlikely location? Peggy feels it could have happened at Christmas - when all is moved about.

...I can't recall putting the cross and chain in the 'catch all' dish - although, somehow I feel, it may finally be traced to me...
<{:o))=

By the way - there is a wondrous story in the origins of Peggy's treasured 'catch-all' dish ...for another time...

Jesus is Gone...

We were in sub-tundra Ottawa in January.

Peggy and I choose

walking to dinner

- aware of stinging cold

- but almost there.

As we reached the last corner

we came upon a beggar.

He softly spoke

familiar words

- 'Did I have a few coins?'

He was in need

but inconvenient.

I was wearing heavy gloves.

My coat closely buttoned.

It would be difficult to reach inside.

The restaurant was on the other side of the street.

The crossing light was green.

I responded,

'No'.

As we proceeded past

he softly addressed Peggy.

...I only heard a muffled sound.

When we were a few steps on the other side

Peggy asked:

'Did you hear what he said to me?'

...'Have a nice evening mam.'

We instantly agreed,

I must go back.

I was at the corner

in a few seconds.

The light was now red.

I looked

...and in all directions.

No one was in sight.

I returned and told Peggy,

'Jesus is gone...'

His voice is now shared

more deeply

in our hearts...

encouraging us
to become

better...

The Skinny to Life

I find three interdependent Spiritual themes
central to living a Joy filled and meaningful life:

Love - of all - no exceptions...

Forgiveness - both seeking and giving - especially when it is hard
- even when feeling it is impossible to do so...
- for others and for myself...

Service - to the vulnerable - which at times is all of us - sometimes when it is inconvenient...

....All three - any time - all the time....
*****************************
If you agree with the above
Whether in part or in whole
You can try to live the three themes on your own...
Which can be especially difficult during hard or inconvenient times'
Which we all encounter.

I believe an easier way to be strengthened for the journey
is to follow the life and teaching of Jesus.
He taught and lived the ideals of
Love, Forgiveness, Service
- thereby revealing the face of God
- being one with God.
In Faith, we believe
Jesus is the sacred evidence of God
...of abiding Love.
So...
Jesus is God -
and so is always
with us.

Some try following Jesus alone - preferring to be outside of organized religion - trying to avoid the discomfort and messiness and frustration and disappointment and tragedy of human organizational systems and personal actions and characteristics - which also burden religions.

Although I frequently find the human stuff uncomfortable
- sometimes intolerable
- I choose being part of a Catholic Church community.

I believe in the Sacramental process of celebrating the fullness and commitments of life - in service and relationships. All seven Sacraments celebrate the presence of God in our lives. Many Catholics love the Sacrament of Eucharist because it is a way to celebrate the Sacrament of Jesus presence - every day - without the cost of a big party...

My Faith friendships are important to my life.
...It is the way I am created.
There is strength and increased capability with others.
...Communities acting as one can often do more than an individual.
I also believe in taking the easier way...
...Being joined with others...
********************
I also believe living with Joy is a satisfying goal.

I think a Joy filled life is lived in
gratitude and abundant hope -
in the midst of the good and the bad -
even suffering and sacrifice.

I think it is exceedingly hard
difficult -
perhaps impossible
to be Joyful all by myself -
except those times
when I am alone
thinking or experiencing
or anticipating or hoping for
something which fills me with
wonder and awe...

..and then I want to tell someone...
or everyone...

Participation with others -
who share a piece of my vision of life
and I a piece of theirs -
and living in its mystery -
can be a source of mutual support and motivation.

I think this is especially important
when you are young
and especially necessary
when you are older.
**********************
Some people pursue happiness.
-in a variety of ways.
I find happiness
- when it does arrive -
is a temporary feeling
and after its gone
- not especially fulfilling
- like an inexpensive candy bar...

***************************
So I find
there is a profound difference
between happiness and Joy
************************

For me - that's the 'skinny' of it.
And the outline words of
My Creed.