Sunday Gospel Reflection, July 22, 2018

Sea of Galilee

February, 2018

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.  He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.  People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.  They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  Mark 6:30-34

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Reflection

In today's Gospel Mark tells us of the return of the apostles and how they reported to Jesus about their journey.  I think Jesus was aware of their need to rest because he had experienced it himself.  So, at his suggestion he says, "Lets go somewhere quiet, rest and think about what you learned from your time with those you taught."  I think he was saying, "You need time to consider what they had experienced.  

How often do I fail to take time to really take time to think about what my day has been to me.  Maybe it's been a day full of joy.  Perhaps, it been one full of challenges.  Or maybe, there was anger and frustration as part of the day.  

I think we know we need time to rest in, reflect on, and accept the day.  But often we avoid this by being too busy.  What happens to us when we get busy?  We relegate today to the "finished pile", and prepare to start tomorrow without the least regret that we have not taken time to be grateful for the present.  Yes, grateful!  For without the experiences of "today" it's hard to live tomorrow.  We need to ask ourselves, "What happened today that was good and I hope I experience again?  What happened today that I regret happened and hope to rectify?  Ddi I thank God heartily for the day?"

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Action

I know it's been suggested before that you just take time, be quiet, and spend time with God.  I can only suggest it again.  You have to be committed to this time.  What part of the day was good?  What part was a disappointment?  And it's important to place Providence in the midst of the day,  the ever present rudder that steers this vessel called life.  For as the apostles took time for quiet in the boat with Jesus, we also must take time to be in the boat as well.   And so be quiet!

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Just like Saint Mother Theodore many saints "leaned on Providence."  They are lessons we can all learn if only we will try.  Don't you know it's so much easier to do it ourselves.  "Leaning" is not what we are raised to do.  Well, now it's time we did learn to "lean."  I know I'm trying/.

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In all your undertakings rely wholly on God's providence, through which alone they can succeed; but seek steadily on your part to cooperate with it, and then rest satisfied that if you are trusting all to God, whatever happens will be best for you, whether it seems to your own judgment good or bad.

St. Francis de Sales

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

The Way With Providence

Have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us.  The way is not yet clear.  Grope along slowly.  

Saint Mother Theodore Guren

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Sunrise Reflection

Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place?  It is no place for grain, or figs, or vines, or pomegranates; and there is no water to drink.

~~Numbers 20:5~~

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Isn' it odd how sometimes the place we absolutely knew was the place for us--where God wants us to be--ends up being a little more complicated?  We wonder, has God changed his mind, or does he want us to be miserable?

It's a difficult situation to be in, as the Israelites discovered in the desert.  With patience and an open heart--to the needs of others, not just our own--God's will can become clear again.

Until the next time, at least.

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Lord, when I begin to feel burned-out, help me seek your loving presence wherever I am.

A Catholic Woman's Book of Days

Amy Weborn

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And so this is where I find myself today.  It's been many months since I have visited Amy and her words in this treasure she has written.  Lead by Providence I am sure, I  returned here today found these words were speaking to me.  Though certainly not miserable, I am facing decisions that are most uncertain.  As I enter the stage of life when there are few who require my daily nurturing and instruction, I am faced with the reality that now I really do have to take care of myself.  

I don't even know where to begin.   So I will seek guidance from others so that decisions can be made with  good judgement.  I will trust that my wellbeing is in the hands of the Almighty.  And again that I will continue this journey with my constant companion, Providence.

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Generosity of Providence

I can say that when reflecting on these words of Saint Mother Theodore I find no flaw in them.  For I have found, in my Journey of Providence, what she has said is true..  On the days most gray and bleak I can look back and see the hand of Providence as my guide.

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Thanks be to God!

Vanity of Vanities

If you reflected at all on this reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes it had to have been and eyeopening event.  I have listened to this reading, as you have, for  many years, yet today is the day of wonder for me.  I was taught as a child that vanity is a sin.  In fact it is listed as one of the Seven Deadly Sins along with gluttony, covetousness, lust, anger, envy, and sloth.  A good explanation of vanity can be found at Catholic Culture. org.

Most of all I was struck by these words, "For what profit comes to man from all the toils and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?  All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest.  This also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2: 22-23)

Our world is full of vanity.  Why else would we be in a constant state of anxious labor?  Vanity tells us we can do it on our own.  So instead of trusting in Providence we lose sleep at night.  We over compensate, worry and find our only satisfaction in successes that are short lived, instead of relying on the source of all creation.  Yes, vanity!!!!  There this is the word for it and today I came to realize it.  Yes, and something else.  "[C]hrist is all and in all (Colossians 3: 11)! 

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Thanks be to God!

Provident Celebration

Cross made from Lindon tree Mother Theodore planted on arrival to this area.

"What does it matter what becomes of us, provided God's work be accomplished?"
~Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Today I privileged to attend the 50th Jubilee of Sister Mary Moloney. She has been a long time friend since our days in Oklahoma. The Sisters of Providence have been part of our family from that time. Because of these sisters I have been called to reflect on the on the effect of Providence in my/our life. It has been extraordinary! It has been quite a ride. Yes, and so it goes.

Also, as Providence would have it the Meditation for the Day in Magnificat calls us to a reflection on That very Providence again.

The Power of Faith

We must, then, have faith and not be dispirited. We must not be stopped by any kind of human calculation. To overcome the obstacles we have to throw ourselves into the task so that the very effort we make will open up new paths. Personal holiness, giving oneself to God, is the one cure which overcomes any difficulty.

Being holy means living exactly as our Father in heaven wants us to live. You will say that it is difficult. It is. The ideal is a very high one. And yet it is also easy. It is withing our reach. When a person becomes ill there may be not appropriate medicine. But in supernatural affairs, it is not like that. The medicine is always at hand. It is Jesus Christ, present, in the Holy Eucharist, and he also gives us his grace in the other sacraments which he established.

Let us say again in word and in action: "Lord I trust in you; your ordinary providence, your help each day, is all I need." We do no have to ask God to perform great miracles. Rater, we have to beg him to increase our faith, to enlighten our intellect, and strengthen our will. Jesus always stays by our side and is always himself. ~Saint Josemaria Excriva

To have experienced this joyous day is just another one of those memories that will remind me that this is where I supposed to be today!

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Thanks be to God!

God's Providence...

St. Ignatius of Loyola
by Peter Paul Rubens

Today I offer this reflection from Lent and Easter Wisdom from St. Ignatius of Loyola compiled by James L. Connor, SJ

God's Providence in Life Experiences

The Power of Vanity

When the bones knit, one below the knee remained astride another, which caused a shortening of the leg. The bones so raised cause a protuberance that was not pleasant to the sight. The sick man was not able to put up with this, because he had made up his mind to seek his fortune in the world. He...asked the surgeon whether it could not be cut away. They told him that it could be cut away, but that the pain would be greater than all he had already suffered...He determined, nevertheless, to undergo this martyrdom to gratify his own inclination. ~St. Ignatius' Own Story, 8

The Power of Service

"A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the low and well spoken of by all the Jew living there, came to me; and standing beside me, he said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heart'" ~Acts 22: 12-15

Prayer

Dear Lord, as I embark on the Lenten and Easter journey, free me from the vanity that imprisoned the your Ignatius Loyola. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that empowered Paul of Tarsus to travel the known world in service of others and call of the Gospel. This I ask in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Lenten Action

Look for the opportunity through the day to congratulate at least two people for something they have done well. Nothing builds trust and confidence more that affirmation like that.

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Thanks be to God!

Quote to Keep

When I was reading Matthew Kelly's book Call To Joy this quote struck me as most relevant for me right now. I want to save it so it will be easily found again.

When we look forward in our lives we see uncertainty. When we look back, the events of our lives fall together like the colored pieces in a kaleidoscope, forming a pattern with meaning. We are then able to see how certain circumstances and events of the past have been part of an unfolding plan. By recognizing that a plan or pattern of providence has been at work in our past, we are able to move forward with trust despite the uncertainty that lies ahead. (pg 11-12)

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Thanks be to God!

Road to Providence

For the last year I have journeyed with Sister Dorothy, as my companion, on this Road to Providence. It has been a journey of self-awareness, reflection, and spiritual direction. I have found purpose in the time and talent I have been granted on this journey. And so, as I contemplate my commitment to the Sisters of Providence as an Associate and on this feast of their foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, I am drawn to their Litany of Non-Violence. Pray it with me if you will.

Litany of Non-Violence

Provident God, aware of my own brokenness,
I ask the gift of courage to identify how and where
I am in need of conversion in order to live in
solidarity with all Earth's people.

Deliver me from the violence of superiority and disdain.
Grand me the desire, and the humility, to listen
with special care to those whose experiences
and attitudes are different from my own.

Deliver me from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant me the desire, and the will, to live simply
so others may have their just share of Earth's resources.

Deliver me from the silence that give consent
to abuse, wars and evil.
Grant me the desire, and the courage, to risk speaking
and acting for the common good.

Deliver me from the violence of irreverence,
exploitation and control.
Grant me the desire, and the strength, to act
responsibly within the cycle of creation.

God of love, mercy and justice,
acknowledging my complicity in those attitudes,
actions and words which perpetuate violence,
I beg the grace of a non-violent heart. Amen

Sisters of Providence
of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

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Thanks be to God!

Practice What You Preach

I have long since come to believe that people never
mean half of what they say, and that it is best
to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.

Servant of God Dorothy Day

As I reflected on this quote by Dorothy Day, I found myself evaluating my own action. Do I practice what I preach? When I say I will do something do I complete it or do I make excuses for not completing what I started.

How often do I say I will do something, asking someone to rely on me, and then change my mind when a better opportunity comes along?

Happily I find that there have been few times when I have backed out of a commitment. That is not to say that I did not wish I could have called and said I changed my mind. I credit my parents for this. They taught me that reliability is a quality that one should be grateful for and one that I should treasure and strive to maintain.

I can be trusted to do as I say. I think that there are times in my Road to Providence that I would have gladly let someone else take my place. But as I look back I can see that the God of Providence put me on this road. I think the detours were lessons in perseverance and maturity. Along this road I still wander, taking side trips, often not a trip I was meant to take. But when I return to the correct path The Guide is there to lead me on.

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Thanks be to God!