Saturday, January 17, 2009

The love of family

In writing this morning I have a deep desire to focus on the emails that went to and fro the internet yesterday from my brothers and sisters and their spouses in support of our sister Bridget. I felt a deep comfort especially yesterday knowing that no matter how hard work or life's disappointments can be surrounding oneself with family and friends can heal. Bridget had shared in an email that she had spoken words in a meeting she deeply regretted and felt terrible about and in the response of each member, there was support in the form of humor, and in the another email from our Sr. sister she encouraged Bridget with a spiritual reflection and many others were simple responses of love and encouragement. Our sister in law Jonna told Bridget that her nephews adored her and that a new nephew to be, announced in her email would also come to love Bridget. The power of the internet to spread love and encouragement so quickly really has enabled our family to remain close even though some of us live far apart. I ponder and know that love conquers all and I saw that happen yesterday. When you feel loved nothing else matters. AMEN.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Walking the Labyrinth

This past Sunday several friends and I walked the Mercy Sisters Labyrinth. A Labyrinth is a winding pathway toward a central place of discovery. One of the beauties of the labyrinth is that it combines meditation with exercise and I find it to be a quick way to relieve stress. As I reflect back to that walk on Sunday, I note three observations: 1. the time with good friends in a silent walk created a bond deeper than that of our years of conversation, 2., recognizing during and particularly afterwards that we all had different needs that day and in our sharing it was clear that at times in our life when things are difficult being with friends is healing, and 3., the power of silence is a way to clarity. Clarity might not include the answer we want, however it generally creates acceptance to what it is. I must walk the labyrinth again soon.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Epiphany

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." It was the wise men who revealed the baby Jesus to be Christ the King. Today is a special day for all us to remember that Christmas is a time of great joy for we have Christ born on earth, becoming man and showing us the way to live a new life. A life of love, forgiveness, compassion and "new testament" living. New Testament living to me was letting go of the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" ways and moving towards our ability to "turn the other cheek", essentially to forgive. The ultimate Epiphany is recognizing Christ's coming was for our Salvation. In your Epiphany today, what must you forgive within yourself or another to bring God's salvation to your life and to make known the divinity of Emmanuel?