“How can we expect to find Jesus if we do not
seek him in the states of this earthly life, in
loneliness and silence, in poverty and suffering,
in persecution and contempt, in annihilation
and the cross.”
_Francois Fenelon
Tag Archives: Reflection
PSALM 32: 1-7
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”-and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
“Today”
“Find a Way”
_Conor
Psalm 111:1-2,7-10_Reflection
Psalm 111:1-2,7-10
Praise the LORD. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!
“The Narrow Door”
“Strive to enter through the narrow door.”
_Luke 13:24
Striving forward requires contending with whatever comes your way. Making good out of bad, and becoming a better person for your efforts. Choosing encouragement instead of criticism; choosing love rather than disrespect or hatred. We are all challenged with choices, hardships and disappointments, along with pain and suffering and the weight of our cross. How do we choose to manage this, and what decisions are we making to control all of this in our lives? But also, how do we manage this so we can put the beauty of life in front of our challenges, to treasure and share the love around us?
It is hard to find those answers when you in the valley rather than on top of the mountain. However, being in the valley allows us to get to the top of the mountain, as we learn and grow by the lessons and experiences of the valley. It is in the valley where we learn the important lessons of life.
Prayer should be part of our daily life, but even more so during those difficult times. Prayer, along with our quiet time talking to God from your heart, is the best way to attain the waiting love, strength, and the understanding and forgiveness of Our Lord.
I have included the following posts, St. Francis’ famous Canticle of the Sun, followed by Psalm 1. Reflect on these writings as you conquer the challenges of the narrow door.
“Find a Way.”
_Conor
Psalm 1
“Happy indeed is the man
Who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
Nor lingers in the way of sinners
Nor sits in the company of scorners,
But whose delight is the law of the Lord
And who ponders his law day and night.”
Reflection: love in how we treat others_and music from The Monks of Formousa
Emily the Elephant
Emily was a couple of years older than Edward. She knew so much more than Edward and told Edward that every day. I mean everyday! That did not bother Edward though, as he really liked his sister. He loved her and liked following her all around the fields looking for food, and he liked meeting all of her friends too. They were so nice to him. Sometimes better than Emily. She could be a mean sister!
One day as Emily was supposed to be watching Edward, she got involved with her elephant friends and lost sight of Edward. He must have wandered away, she thought. She looked around and did not see him. All of a sudden she got scared! Edward was too young to be out here in the fields all by himself. She thought, “What am I going to do? Where do I start looking for Edward? Oh NO! What have I done?
Emily was having so much fun with her friends, she had no idea how long Edward was gone. As often as she told Edward how much more she knew than him, she felt real bad about losing Edward. She became real sad! She was worried! She knows the danger with other animals here in jungle.
Edward was off running around, and guess what! He found a bunch of puddles and could not wait to get in them. He was having so much fun just rolling around and getting muddy. Boy, did he love being muddy!
Edward did not realize that Emily was not around, because all he was thinking about was rolling in the water and dirt. He just loved doing that and liked filling up his trunk, again and again, with water! But then Edward looked around and realized what he did—He walked away from Emily and got so involved with the puddles, that now, he doesn’t know where Emily is. He cannot see her anywhere. Oh no! Where am I?
As Edward got up from the mud, he heard noises from other animals that he did not know. From the noises, it sounded like quite a few animals. He heard elephants yelling too! They were yelling at each other and at the other animals too! What was going on? That is Emily and her friends!! I hear Emily screaming. I got to find her!
Edward started walking slowly towards all the noise he heard in the distance. He then started to run, because he was worried about his sister. What am I’m going to do? I’m scared! Then he remembered what his mother told him after he got in trouble last time with the puddles. She said, “It is ok to be scared. We all get scared sometimes, but we must be brave and always do the right thing. We must always help family and friends, and other animals too that need help. And yes, you always need to listen to what Mom and Dad tell you.”
Edward then started to run even faster now. The noises were louder and he could not stop thinking about Emily. She’s my sister! My sometimes mean sister! He got behind the trees and he could see 3 young lions running around the elephants trying to get one of them alone. They were much faster than the elephants, but the elephants were bigger. It looked like they were trying to get Arnold, my friend, one of the smaller elephants like me.
Edward just watch them trying to figure out what they were going to do next. Edward slipped around the side where there were more trees so he could get even closer. He knew he had to surprise the lions, so the other elephants could help him chase the lions away.
Edward knew what he was going to do. He was so glad he did what he always loved doing in the puddles. He had filled his trunk up to the top with water. Now, he was ready!
Edward waited for the right moment and then charged the lions. Emily saw Edward, so she charged from the other side towards Edward. The lions were caught in the middle! The lions saw elephants coming at them from all sides. They knew they had to run and get away or they would be hurt.
It worked! The lions left. Emily could not wait to get to Edward and say how sorry she was for not looking after him. She promised that it would never happen again. And she told Edward she was sorry for always telling him she knew more than him. She was wrong. Emily also told Edward, that because of what he did, he saved everyone from getting hurt. Yes Edward, you knew more than me today. I am so proud of you Edward! Thank you for helping and I want you to know, I love my little brother. She put her trunk around his head and gave him a hug!
The elephants all gathered together and started a line to go back home. Edward was feeling pretty good for helping, but it meant so much more to him to hear his sister tell him she loves him. Emily means so much to me too I love her too!
Edward now couldn’t wait to get home and tell Mom and Dad.
“Find a way.”
_Conor
“As I have loved you, so you should also love one another.”
_John 13:34
Love
As one reads the bible and reflects on its passages, some more than others have huge impacts on our lives. Some speak to our heart and reflect the needed changes we need to make in our thinking and behavior. Others offer peace and direction, and the needed insight for our lives and beliefs. The above passage from John, speaks to what God has said about love, its importance in our lives, and the call to sharing it.
I have just finished reading “Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander, M.D. He acquired bacterial meningitis in his brain, a bacteria known as E. coli, which has a 99+% fatality rate. Within 3 days, his brain shut down and he slipped into a coma, which lasted for 7 days. After a miraculous recovery, he faced a difficult road to full recovery and rehabilitation. During this time, he had the overwhelming drive to speak and write of the many things he had experienced. This is what he referred too as “Unpacking.”
Eben, highly educated and a neurosurgeon surgeon himself, found he could not explain what he saw and experienced. Words from this world could not begin to adequately explain the world of Heaven. One experience, more than all the others, was experiencing the Love from God and being in His presence. This is the most common and similar experience of all NDE experiences (Near Death Experience). For everyone who has returned, they talk of their encounters in heaven, their journey and what they saw, and the miraculous aspects of their tragedies; but the Love of God is indescribable. (Not only beyond words, but too wonderful for words.)
When we think of love today in our life, what comes to your mind? The love of God, family and children? Seeing the joy of good happening to others? Finding a lost friend or receiving a letter from one so important to you, or experiencing God’s overwhelming presence and love? Has it brought tears of joy and the feeling of love over you?
Today’s bible quote is all encompassing. It sums up all we have been asked to do, and what should guide our actions. It speaks loudly of God’s unconditional love for us, and the action we need to take. God is all understanding and all forgiving. We need to keep listening to God and remaning close Him.
“What lies before us and what lies behind us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Think of the gifts of love you have in your life and pass it on. A gift is not a gift until it is given to others.
“Find a way.”
_Conor
Love
Don’t Quit
“When things go wrong as
sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging
seems all up hill,
When the funds are low
and the debts are high
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won
had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace
seems slow-
You may succeed with
another blow.
Success is failure turned
inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds
of doubt,
And you can never tell
how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when
you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst
that you must not quit.”
_Unknown
St. Faustina
“Dear St. Faustina, I have come to know you as a friend. I ask you to plead to the Lord for me the prayer I ask of you. In times of doubt, dear friend, implore the Lord’s Mercy as you did so often here on earth, that I may remember who I am, and to what His mercy has called me.
In times of fear, implore His Mercy that I may ever remember to trust, and trust again, in joy, and in the knowledge that God is preparing me for a beautiful mission.
Please pray dear St. Faustina, that I may never forget that the abyss between my Lord and I has been bridged by His tender mercy. He will continue to be faithful and heal me of anything which stands in the way of His Will. My life is in His Hands.
Thank you dear friend. Pray with me the prayer Our Lord taught you to spread throughout the world; Jesus, I trust in You! Remind all pilgrims of life that if our trust is great, there is no limit to Jesus’ generosity.”
“When your enemy falls into your hands, do not consider how you can pay him back and let him feel the sharp edge of your tongue before sending him packing; consider rather how you can heal him and restore him to a better frame of mind. Continue to make every effort, both by word and deed, until your gentleness has overcome his aggression. Nothing has more power than gentleness. As someone has said: ‘A soft word will break bones. And what is harder than bone?’ Well then, even if someone is as hard and inflexible as that, he will be conquered if you treat him gently. There is another saying: ‘A soft answer turns away the wrath.’ It is obvious; therefore, that whether your enemy continues to rage or whether he is reconciled depends much more on you than on him. For it rests with us, not with those who are angry, either to destroy their anger or enflame it.”
_ St. John Chrysostom
The Measure to Measure With
“Father, thank you that I can know you and enjoy your presence today. Help me to trust your promise, ‘I will,’ in every circumstance that I face today.”
Prayer of Thanks
All You Need Is Love
All You Need Is Love
Great Beatles song. It gets running in your head and it doesn’t stop. No way to turn it off. Little did I know a song I loved many years ago, is what guides me today in many ways of my faith. It’s a cornerstone part of my faith. It guides me, and when I may be confused or indecisive, it is what I use to choose my thoughts and actions.
What are some ways we can use love everyday as we go about what we do?
• Challenges we meet
• People we see and meet
• “Situations”
• Success
• Failures
• Help received
• Help given
• Bonds formed
• Disappointments
• Wrongs inflicted on others
• Forgiveness
• Gifts you receive
• Vulnerability
• Weakness in ourselves and others
• Viewed as an obstacle
• Listening
• Encouragements
• Them not Me
• It is the right thing to do-Carry it with us everywhere. The list goes on…………….
And when we speak and act from the heart, people from all backgrounds, all ages and all cultures, see through to the beauty of innocence, sincerity and love.
All you need is Love.
“Find a way.”
_Conor
Pain and Suffering
We are all called to pain and suffering. It is part of life that comes in all forms, that no one can escape. Some noticeable, and others, we are made to deal with alone, in the quiet of our own company. This is the cross, or in many cases, the crosses we are meant to carry. As Blessed Fulton Sheen notes in his book, “Treasure in Clay,” “if we don’t pick up our cross you can be sure, at some time, it will be dropped on your shoulder.” Accepting one’s cross was so important to Blessed Fulton Sheen, he would pray for, and received, “extra splinters” so he could accept them for the souls of the world in need.
“As if we could give anything to God which is not already his, or (which is equally unthinkable,) He could take pleasure in our human anguish.” The blood, wounds, and the death on Calvary, speaks loudly of God’s love and forgiveness for us then, and now. Today!
As we are dealing with our cross(es) in life, let us remember on this day, the 11th of September, the horror of that day in 2001. And today, the death and torture we see in the world now, from Boston to Syria. And let us not forget, as we look back even further, the unimaginable; to think of the atrocities of the Concentration Camps of World War II. Millions were killed, while the few survivors today, still carry the pain and suffering .
Remember as God continues to loves us as He always has, that God also suffers with and for us with our pain and suffering. And also be aware, we see man’s “free will” in evidence today, both good and bad, all around us. Let us acknowledge the good given to us, and the good that we see every day as we go about, from those embracing and spreading love. And yes, let us pray for those who inflict the bad and evil as they go about, for whatever reason, that they find the love and understanding, and recognize the need for their remorse.
“As I have loved you, so you should also love one another.” _ John 13:34
So, the “Whatever,” is something we can, and should do, everyday.
“Find a way.”
_Conor
“Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light, at all times and under all circumstances.”
_St. Vincent de Paul
“Make it a prac…
Short prayer of thanks
” Lord, I thank you and praise you for all you have done in my life.
Help me do all I can do to deepen my relationship with you
so that I may remain faithful all the days of my life.”
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
― John Lennon
Happiness is a wonderful state of life. What more could you want or ask for? But, there are some questions that need to be addressed along with happiness. Some happiness is for a moment, or an event in our life, while others are for some period of time. But how do we sustain happiness for ourselves?
Happiness is needed in all dimensions of our existence; that is physical, mental and spiritual. However, it begs the question, are they mutually exclusive of one another, or are they parallel or are they sequential?
There is another way of saying what John Lennon said so simply. That is striving for the quiet or “peace of the heart.” God has promised that to all that pursue Him in prayer. And if one does not have prayer in their life, or is just beginning a prayerful life, one doesn’t have to fear it. One can also speak from the heart; everyday to God, in your own words. Just the two of you. Many times that is the only way we should speak to God. “God is merciful and will hear your prayer…..it is the key to God’s heart.” And when we have a peaceful heart, all else finds it home.
Reflect to the answer, but we all need to “Find a Way.”
_Conor
“Happy”
Diana Nyad”s Mantra
“Find a way.”
_Diana Nyad
Most of us have probably heard of Diana Nyad’s 103 mile swim this past week from Cuba to Key West. This was finally a dream come true for her after 30 years and 4 previous attempts, all which failed for various reasons. Now at 64 years old, she has realized a lifelong dream that took tremendous commitment, determination and courage.
She was asked how she overcame all these obstacles, and she stated that her mantra this swim was simply, “Find a way.” Find a way to get through the physical pain, despair, the jellyfish bites, the hallucinations in the water, burning of her mouth from salt water…………”Find a way.”
What about us? Can we find a way to rid of ourselves of our addictions, our impatience with others? Can we find a way to help others along the way, if just in some small way? Can we lend a hand or take the time to listen, just listen to someone who needs to talk? Can we give a word of encouragement to a child or someone struggling? Can we give a smile that says hey, you’re a special person? Can we find time to love those around us as we go through our day? And maybe, those around us have problems much bigger than we are carrying around. And yes, can we find the way today to say a prayer of thanks and love to God, and if not a prayer, can we just talk to Him and share our thoughts, our thanks and love to Him sometime throughout the day? Can we “Find a Way?”
_Conor
Holocaust interview
Some have send emails wondering about the interview with a Holocaust survivor. I have decided to publish it on November 9th and 10th, which is the 75th anniversary of Kristallnachat. “Night of Broken Glass.”
Please keep all those from the Holocaust in your prayers. The remaining survivors, who are fewer and fewer because of age, still need your prayers, for what they still carry in their hearts.
Taste of Love 