Category: Inspiration

The Spirit of ’76

There seems to be a lot of discussion in certain circles that the majority of Americans are pretty clueless about our country’s founders, who they were, what they stood for, and what they were opposed to. We couldn’t explain the difference between Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Who knows what’s in the Bill of Rights?

I think that it wasn’t that long ago that people would have had a much better understanding about our form of government than we do today. Maybe we have just gotten too busy, or a bit too comfortable with a feeling that our country’s problems are so huge it’s impossible to come together and try to resolve them.

One of the things that our Founders wanted to see happen was that our country’s citizens be educated, especially in the workings of the government. Thomas Jefferson wrote “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” (The Writings of Thomas Jefferson. Edited by Paul Ford, vol. 10, pg. 4)

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve totally lost touch with the foundations of our country. I think it’s safe to say that many in our government today might also benefit from a better understanding of just what we were supposed to be about when this country was founded.

I’m going to spend some time this weekend learning a bit more about the events that led up to our nation’s founding. I want to know why these courageous folks did what they did, said what they said, and thought what they thought. Somehow, I think they would have that expectation of all of us.

Fireworks and St. Francis

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 06/30/2010
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One year, I was leading a tour of Italy and we happened to be in Assisi for the 4th of July. I had a bunch of teenagers with me, and they reminded me that they had never been away from the US on our Independence Day. I knew I wasn’t going to find any fireworks, and I also realized that it wasn’t necessarily the place to whip out our American flags.

So, we did the next best thing. We sat around in the piazza outside the doors of the Basilica of St. Francis, and prayed. One person had speakers attached to his ipod, so we listened to some praise and worship music, praying and singing, as the sun went down. It was a really beautiful and powerful prayer experience for me and my fellow travelers.

But what causes us to remember that evening is the fact that, as soon as the sun went down, somewhere on the opposite side of the valley below the Basilica, fireworks began shooting into the sky. The display didn’t last long, but, as I recall, it was a good-sized display. It had been like a miracle and we all stood there awestruck. Then we laughed like crazy.

God wanted to give us a little gift that night, and He surely did. I don’t think anyone on that trip mentioned being homesick again. Our God is a God of miracles, some big and some small. No matter how bad things might seem, we can never lose sight of His love and care for us.

Inspiration

Lighten Up

I was thinking the other day that a lot of my blog postings deal with some pretty serious stuff. We’ve all got issues that we’re grappling with, but sometimes, don’t you think it’s good just to lighten up and have a laugh? I’ve heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. With that in mind, here’s a joke for you.

The distinction between “professional” and “amateur” is often very slight, often amounting to little more than the former being paid while the latter is not. This is in no small measure because professional arrogance has been known to become intolerable if left unchecked.

So it happened that a patient was making his first visit to the doctor. “And whom,” began the physician with utmost dignity, “Did you consult about your illness before you came to me?”

“Only the druggist down at the corner,” replied the patient.

The doctor could not conceal his contempt for the medical advice of those he deemed unqualified to practice medicine.

“And what sort of ridiculous advice did that fool give you?”

“He told me,” replied the patient innocently, “to come and see you.”

Enjoy your Sunday 🙂

Gardening Inspiration Prayer

Grow Where You Are Planted

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 06/26/2010
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About three weeks ago, my first bulb catalogue came in. For a gardener, it’s like seeing the first Christmas merchandise roll into the stores after Labor Day. I’m not quite ready to think about it yet. I took this photo of these single late tulips this past spring. Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten the name, and wouldn’t you know it, they’re not included in this year’s catalogue. I know I’m not thinking about it, but what’s wrong with a quick look?

I’m reading a book right now called Close To The Heart: A Guide To Personal Prayer. The part I read today caused me to remember these beautiful flowers in my back yard. Here’s what Margaret Silf wrote,

“If only I could have my life again, choose a different job, a different lifestyle, begin again, knowing what I know now…”

Almost everyone indulges in this daydream from time to time. When I feel these thoughts coming on, a short respite in my innermost garden helps me see things rather differently. For instance, sometimes “spring bulbs” tell me their story – of being buried beneath a suffocating weight of the clay. There in the clay that is cold, wet, dark and lonely. But at the same time deadening clay is the provider of the bulbs’ nutrition all through the unobserved growing months. From them I see that the circumstance we so often long to escape is the very place, and the only place, that can provide the means of our growth and bring us to the moment of rebirth in due season.

For so many of us, we’re always looking for ways to quickly escape our present circumstances. Our lives are filled with the thought “if only…” In this excellent book, the author reminds us that, if at all possible, we should be content with our present circumstances, trying to see the positive, instead of dwelling only on the negative.

If I decided to plant my bulbs in pots, and then keep those pots inside through the winter, fearing that the weather would be too hard on them, I would have no flowers the following spring. The bulbs need the winter freeze to bloom their best when the weather warms.

I trust in the fact that there are times when just being open to change and new growth is all that is asked of us. Eventually, that fresh start, a transformation, or that new life we long for will come to us, but it will happen in due season. As Matthew 6:28 reminds us, “look at the lilies of the field…”

Ignatian Spirituality Inspiration Prayer

God’s Well Tended Flock

“For this is our God,

whose people we are,

God’s well-tended flock.” Psalm 95:7

I know they might be a bit hard to make out, but there eight little ducklings in the photo above. They were really small, about half the size of my fist. I want to share with you the story behind the photo. I think it’s a good one.

On the last day of my retreat last week, I drove over to Patapsco State Park, about a ten minute drive from the retreat center. I’ve been to the park and was impressed with its size and the fact that, during the week, there’s hardly anyone there.

As I walked the trails, trying to get my thoughts together about my retreat, I saw a trail sign pointing to McKeldin Rapids. It looked like the trail wasn’t especially arduous, so I decided to take it. It was a good call.

The trail led to the rapids, which fed into a large pool of water. The rapids weren’t especially large, but there was a lot of water flowing through them. As I started climbing the rocks leading to the top of the rapids, an adult female duck took flight and flew just above the water, landing in the pool some distance down river. The duck seemed out of sorts to me, and I was thinking maybe it was injured. As I turned to look back up-stream, I saw the coolest thing.

In front of me was a little group of ducklings trying to go up the rapids, and, due to their size, they were having a very hard time of it. As they struggled, the force of the water kept tossing them back down. One by one, however, they made it up, much to my amazement.

As I settled down on a rock, I began thinking/praying, and writing in my journal. After about five minutes, I heard all this quacking coming upstream. I stood up just in time to see the eight little ducklings who had struggled so greatly to get away from me, begin to race down the swift water.

It was really pretty awesome to see them try to make it down. I’ve been whitewater rafting several times, and it can be pretty scary at times. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be a little duckling tumbling down, some getting caught up in the turbulent, swirling water. In the end, they all made it to the peaceful pool at the end of the rapids, and I watched them wade out one by one on the opposite bank.

As soon as this experience was over, I began to ask God what He wanted to teach me in this. I just happened upon this scene, and I knew there was something God wanted to say to me in it. Here’s what I figured out:

We’re living in some pretty turbulent times right now. Personally, the transfer of my pastor at the church where I work will force us to go through some major changes soon. Change is never easy. This will be major for me and my parish community. Other people reading this might be going through health problems, unemployment concerns, relationship or financial problems.

I think God allowed me to watch this scene unfold because He wanted to remind me that there was no need to be afraid. I’m part of a well-tended flock, and although we might be very apprehensive about what the future might hold, He’s in control and has a plan.

The future might include some turbulent times,and I might have a sense of being tossed about like one of those little ducklings. But we, like them, will make it through. The trip might not be easy, but we’ll reach the prize, just as St. Paul reminds us.

If you’re worried about something today, say a quick prayer, asking God to give you some wisdom and peace. Ask God to show you the way. Remember that you are special in His eyes, and you are part of His well-tended flock.

Catholic Church Inspiration Travel

Making All Things New

Using laser beams, archeologists working in Rome recently uncovered what are believed to be the oldest surviving frescoes of the Apostles Peter, Andrew, John, and Paul. Dating from the 4th century these works of art are located in the catacombs of St. Tecla. They’ve known that there were frescoes there, but they were covered with a thick layer of centuries old calcium build-up. It took specialized lasers to remove the deposits, and what was underneath was truly amazing. Making All Things New.

I know they call it the Eternal City, but isn’t it amazing that archeologists and scientists are still discovering such things? These catacombs are located below an insurance building near the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. In an article I read about the find, they said that these images might have influenced all the other early depictions of these saints.

Once, when I was on tour in Rome, our guide said something that stuck with me. As we were standing in the Roman Forum, Gino made the comment that, when you visit such places, you come to realize that “what was once old suddenly becomes new.” Everything is constantly evolving, sometimes being used for the same purpose, other times for something completely different.

As I was praying this morning, I got to thinking about these images and what they might mean to me. I thought about the tedious process of removing all that calcium. I began thinking about what might be waiting to be re-discovered in my own life.

For many people today, certainly in these tough economic times, some of their most important and precious dreams have been covered up and buried. Maybe something immediately comes to your mind? If this is the case for you, maybe it’s time to uncover them and start the very important work of making all things new.

Throughout the summer, I want to keep refining our understanding of the theme of this blog, Making All Things New. I think there’s a lot to be uncovered in each of us, and what better way to spend our summer down time than reflecting upon how it might get played out in our lives. Have a great day:)

Ignatian Spirituality Inspiration Spirit

Post Retreat I

There’s a lot of thoughts floating through my head today, having just made an eight day silent retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. I’m planning one writing about several key insights over the next couple of weeks, and I thought I just as well might start today.

During the past three retreats, my director has been a man named Stephen. On the surface, one might assume that he and I would approach things differently. The main reason is that Stephen is a retired Episcopal priest. As I filled out the questionnaire for my first retreat, I had four options to choose from for director. The first was a Jesuit priest, the second was a laywoman from Georgetown University, the third was Stephen, and the fourth was whoever was available.

Those who know me well would never have guessed that I would have checked off the box marked “whoever was available.” I like to be in more control than that, but on that particular day, I had the sense that I needed to be more Spirit-led, so, that’s what I checked. I ended up with Stephen, and it turned out that God knew what He was doing. It was also a great validation of my instinct to trust more. Now when we get together, it’s as if I’m greeting an old friend. All the groundwork has been laid in the previous years. Each session now leads me deeper into my friendship with not only Stephen, but more importantly, God.

Sometimes, we have to think outside the box, be a bit more trusting, a little more prayerful. It would not have been the end of the world had I gotten one of the other folks leading that first silent retreat. But I’m glad I ended up with Stephen, who although he is from a different denomination, loves the Spiritual Exercises in a very deep and rich way, and he wants to share his wisdom with others. He’s helped me learn a wonderful new way to pray, and the ability to embrace a spirituality that reminds each of us to “find God in all things.” How can those not be great things? Where have you found God today? Have you looked?

Inspiration Mind Spirit

Holes in the Fence

Well, I’m back from my retreat. It was a good one, and I’ll be sharing some of the experiences with you over the next couple of weeks. I came across this little story while I was away, and I thought I’d share it with you. I hope it has as much meaning for you as it did me.

There was once a boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

On the first day the boy drove 39 nails into the fence. Over the next several weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails he hammered daily gradually diminished.

He discovered that it was easier to hold his temper than to drive nails into the fence. Finally, a day came when he didn’t need the hammer and nails at all. Proudly, he went to tell his father. This time the father suggested that each day he kept his temper, the boy should pull out a nail from the fence.

The days passed, until eventually the boy was able to tell his father that the last nails were gone. The father took the boy by the hand and led him to the fence. “You have done well- but look at all the holes in the fence! It will never be the same again. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, but it won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”

Inspiration Mind Spirit

Not quite time

I was craving some real food today, so I went to the grocery store after Mass. The produce department was just beyond the front doors, and I immediately came upon a big display of one of my favorite fruits, the white peach. I had never even heard of this type of tasty fruit until I saw one of the funniest Seinfeld episodes of all time, where Kramer was going crazy for “mackinaw” peaches from Oregon.

According to Kramer, these were simply the world’s best peaches, and were only available for two weeks a year. Like most people who like peaches, it got me thinking about heading out to get some myself. Except, in usual Seinfeld fashion, there’s no such thing as a “mackinaw” peach. They made it up. But white peaches are fantastic, and I’ve loved them ever since tasting my first several years back.

Where is this all going, you ask? Well, the peaches I got today were pretty lousy. I bought a whole pound of them, thinking that I’d have one or two for dessert each day while I’m on retreat. The thing is, it’s still too early around here for peaches, and I knew it. We’re several weeks away from great local peaches, and I should have waited.

In our world today, we can get just about anything, any time we want. But some things are worth waiting for, so that you can savor them all the more when the proper time finally comes. I used to think it was just little kids that wanted everything NOW. Today, I guess it’s safe to say that we’re partly in the mess we’re in because most everyone took on a kind of NOW mentality. It’s going to take us years to undo the damage.

Lately, I’ve been trying to take a slower approach to things, finally realizing that there’s a time for everything. I messed up today with the peaches, so I haven’t quite learned my lesson. Old habits die hard.

When the right time for white peaches finally comes, you can bet I’ll be buying another pound or two . They are worth waiting for.

Ignatian Spirituality Inspiration Prayer Spirit

Three Minute Retreat

I’m an early riser, and have been since I was a kid. Praying first thing in the morning comes easily to me, and it’s part of my daily rhythm. But some days, it’s hard to focus, even with my cup of coffee, so I began visiting Loyola Press’ website and using their three minute retreat. Is that all it takes? Yes, and I’ve actually found that on some crazy days, I have to slow myself down or I would have it done in two. Of course, you could also stretch it out to, say, five minutes if you wanted to.

Following Ignatian Spirituality, these short refections begin with a beautiful image. With some instrumental music if you like, you’ll scroll through a Scripture passage, a brief reflection, and them some challenging questions. The retreat ends with a short prayer that generally asks the Lord’s help in integrating the day’s theme into our daily lives.

You can do your retreat in the morning, like I do, or at any other time that suits you. So many of us don’t find time for God in the business of our daily living. If that sounds like you, why don’t you try doing these little retreats for the next week. See what a difference it can make.