MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

2017 is fading fast. Here in Maryland, the sun is setting on this last day of the year. When I went to Mass this morning, the temperature in the car was ten degrees, which was a far cry from the upper eighties I enjoyed during my Christmas trip to see my family in California. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to 2018, just hours away now. This past year, with all the political drama and scandalous revelations coming from the media, has been rather exhausting. That being said, there have been a great deal of good things which occurred this past year as well. After a grueling five years, I completed my doctorate. Hopefully, my recovery from that experience will be complete in 2018. I’m getting ready for whatever comes next, and that’s exciting!

I’m quite sure that you had some great things happen last year too. So often, we focus on the negative and lose sight of the positive events happening all around us each and every day. I hope we can change our outlook in the New Year and really work to see God’s infinite love and mercy all around us. To see the good in every situation and person. Let’s assume the best rather than the worst. It will be hard, but let’s give it a try, shall we?

In the Universal Church, a prayer is said/sung at the end of each year.  The Te Deum is an ancient prayer and hymn of praise to God.  It was sung this afternoon in St. Peter’s Basilica during a prayer service led by Pope Francis.  An English translation can be found below.  Let’s join our own voices and pray this together, with a hope-filled desire that 2018 will be a year of peace, joy and love.

 

O, God, we
praise You and acknowledge You

to be the supreme Lord.

Everlasting Father, all the earth worships You.

All the angels, the heavens and all angelic powers,

All the cherubim and seraphim, continually cry to you:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!

Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.

 

 

The glorious choir of the apostles,

The wonderful company of prophets,

The white-robed army of martyrs, praise You.

Holy Church throughout the world acknowledges You:

The Father of infinite majesty;

Your adorable, true and only Son;

Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.



O Christ, You
are the King of glory!

You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took it upon Yourself to deliver man,

You did not disdain the Virgin’s womb.

Having overcome the sting of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.


You sit at the
right hand of God in the glory of the Father

We believe that You will come to be our Judge.

We, therefore, beg You to help Your servants

whom You have redeemed with Your Precious Blood.

Let them be numbered with Your saints in everlasting glory.



Save Your
people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance!

Govern them, and raise them up forever.

Every day we thank You.

And we praise Your name forever; yes, forever and ever.

O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.



Have mercy on
us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Let your mercy, O lord be upon us, for we have hoped in You.

O Lord, in you I have put my trust; never let me be put to shame.

.

 

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It’s hard to believe Christmas will soon be upon us.  Like many, I am feeling good about the economy and did my part to spend a bit more than I have in the recent past.  I’m much more choosy in what I buy now, thinking about the person I’m shopping for and what might bring them a little joy.  The packages have been sent, either by me or Amazon, and I can’t wait to be there when they are opened.

In my large family, Christmas is much more peaceful now,  outside the exuberance of little ones ripping through the wrapping paper.  That peace… The waiting for our remembrance of the arrival of the Prince of Peace is coming to an end.  Take some time to pray about what the birth of our Savior means for you.  It’s what these days are all about.

 

Oh, Emmanuel, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, dearest Lord, open my heart
which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth
and I want to follow you in caring for others.
Grant me, dearest Lord,  the grace to see
how you shine your light on the poor, the needy,
and all who have such a special place in your heart.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

 

(image via pixabay)

 

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I’m always looking for good soup recipes, especially as we move into the colder seasons of the year.  Although we’ve had a mild fall here in Maryland, those cold, dark days of winter are sure to come.  I know this soup as an unusual name, but don’t let it stop you from giving it a try.  Mulligatawny Soup has been around a long time.  It became popular with the British stationed in India in the late 18th century, and not only is it delicious, the somewhat exotic curry spices might have lured people into trying it. I hope you’ll give it a try.  The recipe below, from Dr. Joel Furhman’s website is easy, quick, and the results are tasty.

Mulligatawny Soup

Serves Four

4 cups no-salt/low salt vegetable broth (I use Trader Joe’s)

2 15 oz. cans no salt/low salt navy beans, drained

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 green apple, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup carrot, finely chopped

1/4 cup celery, finely chopped

1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped

2 tb. fresh parsley chopped

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. curry powder

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

1/8 tsp. hot pepper flakes, or to taste

ground pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients into soup pot.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last post.  Like it is for most of you, time seems to be moving at breakneck speed, and I can’t believe Thanksgiving is here.  Last weekend, I led a Making All Things New retreat for a wonderful group of people, some traveling from as far away as Indiana.  What a gift it was for me to share some practices drawn from the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, along with a few diet and exercise tips which have the potential of affecting all areas of their lives.  Ignatius took a whole person (cura personalis) approach when working with people, and so do I.  Today, I’m grateful for these new friends and companions on The Way.  I look forward to the adventure which lies ahead.

I shared with the group that, right after our retreat, I had to race home and prepare for an early Thanksgiving Dinner for some students at McDaniel College.  Each year, I prepare a childhood favorite of mine, made by my mom.  Every good cook as a few signature dishes, and Corn Casserole was one of her best.  I loved it as a kid, and now as an adult, I often take to potluck dinners.  It’s an easy recipe to put together, and the results are always good.  It’s a fine complement to all the foods of Thanksgiving, so I offer it to you today, just in case you needed to go to the store to pick up a few last things.  I hope you enjoy it as much as me and my family do. It’s not the healthiest of dishes, but I look at it as a treat to savor once in a while.  Just so you know, I’ve tried to make a healthier version, and it just doesn’t work, so you have my permission to indulge a bit today.

Have a very blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving Day.  Safe travels to all who are on the road.

Mom’s Corn Casserole

serves six

2 cups corn kernels

1/2 cup (one stick) butter

two eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 cup diced Monterrey Jack cheese with jalapeno

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 4-ounce can diced green chilies

salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray 2 qt. rectangular casserole with Pam. Puree 1 cup corn with melted butter and egg in blender or food processor.

Mix remaining ingredients in medium bowl. Add pureed mixture and blend well. Pour into prepared pan and bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes. Can be made one day in advance and reheated. Also freezes well.

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I have always been drawn to the sea.  Growing up in Southern California, I was close to the Pacific Ocean, and my family went often during the summer.  On a couple of occasions, we rented a beach house and it was a wonderful gift to walk out the front door and be on the beach in minutes.  Camping adventures on Catalina Island provided new revelations about the vastness and power of the ocean, even though we were only twenty-six miles from the port of Los Angeles.  I  live in Maryland now, but just about every visit home to California includes a trip, even if it’s just for lunch, to the beach.

Recently, my trips to the Atlantic Ocean have come more frequently.  A post doctoral retreat to Eastern Point Retreat Center in Gloucester, MA kicked off the summer and provided a much needed rest, even if it was for just a few days.  Two weeks ago, I was in Avalon, NJ for a multi-day event for work, and I had the chance to return to an ocean front hotel where I have visited annually for the last five years .  Because our Fall has been warm, the days and ocean water were especially enjoyable.  To me, there’s not many things better than a walk on the beach, coffee in hand, and experience the joy of the sunrise.  What a gift.

Next week, I’ll be back to the sea, this time leading a retreat, and then, a few weeks later, another retreat at the same oceanfront hotel in Ocean City, MD.  Two more gifts.  St. Ignatius would ask us to find God in all things, which of course would involve trips to the beach.  Water is needed for life, but as the recent hurricanes have shown us, the power of water can also be destructive.

I’m grateful for every trip to the Sea. Those visits become an opportunity for prayer for me, deep prayer helped by the rhythm of the waves or the rising of the sun.  With me or without me, the waves will be crashing, and the sun will be rising and setting.  These things remind me of the gifts of life, and the ability to see and hear.  Things I usually take for granted, until I take a moment to pause.  Oh, the power of pause.  Give it a try.

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This Wednesday (October 4th) is Walk Maryland Day, and whether you live in Maryland or not, try and get out for a walk and enjoy being outside.  According to the American Diabetes Association, walking is probably the safest and least expensive form of physical activity.  It can fit into just about everyone’s schedule, and only 30 minutes of walking per day, five days a week, can benefit your heart and lungs.  If you are trying to lose weight, you’ll need 60 minutes of walking per day, along with diet changes.

I love to walk, and I got back into a daily routine as soon as it warmed up this past spring.  I have a couple of routes I take right here in my neighborhood, which has some nice hills and beautiful scenery.  Like anything, those routes got a little boring after awhile, and I began looking for something else.  I was also thinking it would be fun to walk with others.  A quick internet search led me to a local organization called the Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County.  As it turned out, they sponsor several walking groups here in my county but none was close by.  With some phone calls and a meeting or two, we established a Westminster walking group, and we began walking together in August.  Not all 70 people on the email list show up, but a lot do and it’s been fun getting to know new people and becoming healthier as a group.

This Wednesday, groups from all over my county will come together in Westminster and take a walk down Main Street.  I can’t wait to see how many people will show up!  I hope it’s a huge crowd and a visible sign to others that we all need to do our part to become more healthy.

That being said, if you are feeling motivated to start your own exercise program, but it’s been some time since you were active, the American Medical Association has some advice for you in their book, the Complete Guide to Prevention and Wellness.

• Check with your doctor first.
• Start slowly.
• Set goals- Set short and long term goals, such as building up to 60-75 minutes and 10,000 steps.
• Track your progress.  The link above for Walk Maryland has activity logs for you to download.  Get a pedometer or Fitbit.
• Think variety.  It’s good to mix things up to avoid boredom and keep you challenged.
• Be comfortable.  Good shoes go a long way (pardon the pun).
• Listen to your body.  If you experience pain, stop and get it checked out right away.  If you are sick, take a couple of days off.
• Eat a healthy diet.  Have your doctor help you develop a diet and exercise program which is right for you.
• Get support.  Friends and family are great, but I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my fellow walkers through Walk Carroll.  Things are always better together.

 

No matter where you live, I hope you’ll consider getting out for a walk this Wednesday.  We all need to do our part to keep healthy, and walking is a great way to do it.  If you live nearby, I’ll be looking for you!

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One of my childhood friends was in Washington DC recently, and we had the chance to get together one evening and catch up.  At some point, we got to talking about food, and she made a comment which went something along the lines of “who doesn’t like a lentil soup?”  We had a great time talking about both the past and the future, but for some reason her comment about lentil soup has stuck in my head.  It may be a bit too warm where you are to try this rich soup now, but don’t worry, the days are getting shorter and the air will be cold before we know it.  The recipe comes from Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s website.

Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

Serves 8

Ingredients

8 cups water

2 cups carrot juice, fresh or bottled (I used bottled)

2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes (no salt added)

2 tb. Mrs. Dash no salt seasoning

2 medium red onions, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 tb. dried oregano

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 lb. dried green lentils, rinsed

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

2 small zucchini, chopped

1 sweet potato, diced

1 5 oz. bag spinach

3 tb. basalmic vinegar

3/4 cup raw cashews (Trader Joe’s)

Preparation

Place all ingredients except sweet potato, spinach, vinegar and cashews in a large soup pot.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.  Add sweet potato and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until sweet potato is tender.  Remove from heat and add spinach.  Stir occasionally until spinach has wilted.  Add vinegar, stir.  Place 2 cups or more of soup and raw cashews in a high power blender (I use Vitamix) and blend until very smooth.  Add back into soup, stir, and serve.

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Here in Maryland, it’s starting to feel, at least a little bit, like fall.  I love it.  To me, the change of seasons reminds me that there are many things, including weather, that are outside of my control.  The recent hurricanes are sadly a clear indication of this.  May God bless and strengthen those who have been effected by these incredible disasters.  Some things, however, are clearly within our control, and from time to time, changes need to be made.  Over this past summer, I’ve created a little time of advisors to help me discern this blog and all the various components which make up Making All Things New.

One of the topics was this website, and the need for some more consistent posting, on point topic selection, and additional abilities to interact with those who visit here.  As the summer season gives way to fall, now is a good time to make these changes.  In the next few weeks, you’ll be able to see them for yourself, and I believe you’ll like what you see.  Remember, I’ve been posting here since 2009, so it will take some time to review and reorganize the hundreds of posts you can find here.  Thanks in advance for your patience.

If there are specific topics you would like to see, please email me at paul@makingallthingsnew.com.

Finally, I want to remind you of the Scripture passage from which the title of this blog comes.  Not only a title, but also a mission, which is to help people realize God’s ongoing creative activity in the world all around us, including you and me.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. (Isaiah 43:19)

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A few weeks ago, I was talking with some friends who are getting ready to move across the country.  They are retired, and are moving to California to be closer to family.  This past summer, their children came to visit, wanting to spend some time in the house of their childhood before it’s sold.  In many ways, they were on  pilgrimage to a place of deep meaning for them.  They stayed in the house, walked the neighborhood, visited old friends and hung out in their old haunts.  What a blessing it must have been for them, and I’m sure they left Maryland with some new memories which will no doubt blend with the old.

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