LAUGHS
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Reading spiritually revisited
In September I commented on the practice of spiritual reading and reading spiritually. Today, I had some relax time to read the paper. I did so wondering what is there in the paper that can nourish me spiritually today and for the week.
Here a some things that came to my attention as I read the paper today:
USA weekend: Embrace the opportunities: " I have found each decade, each age, has opportunities that weren't actually there in previous time. They've been a joy at each stage of my life" Last week I had many opportunities to experience the presence of God. I am looking forward to this week.
wausau daily herald Volunteer finds satisfaction helping others. She learned it at home from her mother helping those who stopped by that were hungry. she now volunteers at church food pantry. she said "there is satisfaction in helping someone, doing something good for someone besides yourself. And that's what it's all about if you a Christian" there are many volunteer opportunities available to help others and for me to get out of my comfort zone. Try it you'll like it.
Take it slow: family focuses on fewer outside activities
"Families who spend time together while their children are young tend to have stronger family bond for decades." " A national slow family movement has sprung up to counter the hectic modern hectic lifestyle.
Surprisingly that applies to those of us in religious life as well. It is important for the two of us to have our evening meal together and share how the day went, an opportunity to reflect on where was God in all of it.
Packers benefit from Well's brains brawn: "Scott Wells packers center his relative anonymity is a sign of excellence.""He doesn't get the recognition he deserves, but he is a great player and we all know that". Wells prefers to defer credit to his teammates. Here a person who we can say understands servant mentality not keeping the credit all for himself.
Reading the paper can just be something I do or it can be an opportunity to read spiritually and obtain some food for the soul for the week ahead.
Have a super week, full of surprises, enjoy the stage of life you are in and I pray you will find new opportunities to be of service to others.
Here a some things that came to my attention as I read the paper today:
USA weekend: Embrace the opportunities: " I have found each decade, each age, has opportunities that weren't actually there in previous time. They've been a joy at each stage of my life" Last week I had many opportunities to experience the presence of God. I am looking forward to this week.
wausau daily herald Volunteer finds satisfaction helping others. She learned it at home from her mother helping those who stopped by that were hungry. she now volunteers at church food pantry. she said "there is satisfaction in helping someone, doing something good for someone besides yourself. And that's what it's all about if you a Christian" there are many volunteer opportunities available to help others and for me to get out of my comfort zone. Try it you'll like it.
Take it slow: family focuses on fewer outside activities
"Families who spend time together while their children are young tend to have stronger family bond for decades." " A national slow family movement has sprung up to counter the hectic modern hectic lifestyle.
Surprisingly that applies to those of us in religious life as well. It is important for the two of us to have our evening meal together and share how the day went, an opportunity to reflect on where was God in all of it.
Packers benefit from Well's brains brawn: "Scott Wells packers center his relative anonymity is a sign of excellence.""He doesn't get the recognition he deserves, but he is a great player and we all know that". Wells prefers to defer credit to his teammates. Here a person who we can say understands servant mentality not keeping the credit all for himself.
Reading the paper can just be something I do or it can be an opportunity to read spiritually and obtain some food for the soul for the week ahead.
Have a super week, full of surprises, enjoy the stage of life you are in and I pray you will find new opportunities to be of service to others.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Who does your behavior say you are?
Today is the rememberance day of Saint Charles Borromero He once said" be sure you first preach by the way you live.If you do not people will notice that you say one thing,but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and dersive shake of he head"
It reminded me of the story of St.Francis asking several bothers to go out to preach but walk through town and saying nothing. They came back and then asked when are we going back to preach. He said you just did.
Behavior, roles and example are very interesting especially if you are not aware of the various roles you play.
I myself thought of this today on my way to visit my brother. What are my roles? I am a sister to my brother, a religous Sister, representative of the Catholic church, nurse, friend, companion, advocate, counselor, member of a relgious community that shares in common, acquaintance, employee in ministry, board member, individual person, one who likes to have enjoyment and sometimes stirs up life, one who practices centering prayer, reflection of God and there are more roles I am sure. I also represent all the perceptions and notions you have of these various roles. Now the question is how does my behavior match up with how I believe I should be in each of these roles? Most of the time we are in more than one role at a time.
Take some time to contemplate the various roles you are in one day.
If you are a parent be aware your behavior is teaching your children how to be a parent. That is true of each of the roles, we teach others how we feel the role should be. They then measure us against what they feel the role be. Hopefully there is a match.
It reminded me of the story of St.Francis asking several bothers to go out to preach but walk through town and saying nothing. They came back and then asked when are we going back to preach. He said you just did.
Behavior, roles and example are very interesting especially if you are not aware of the various roles you play.
I myself thought of this today on my way to visit my brother. What are my roles? I am a sister to my brother, a religous Sister, representative of the Catholic church, nurse, friend, companion, advocate, counselor, member of a relgious community that shares in common, acquaintance, employee in ministry, board member, individual person, one who likes to have enjoyment and sometimes stirs up life, one who practices centering prayer, reflection of God and there are more roles I am sure. I also represent all the perceptions and notions you have of these various roles. Now the question is how does my behavior match up with how I believe I should be in each of these roles? Most of the time we are in more than one role at a time.
Take some time to contemplate the various roles you are in one day.
If you are a parent be aware your behavior is teaching your children how to be a parent. That is true of each of the roles, we teach others how we feel the role should be. They then measure us against what they feel the role be. Hopefully there is a match.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
miracles happen every day--angels appear
Today was very moving day for me. I met with a man deep in grief as he shared his wife's news of strange type of cancer of the bone. Sobbing he shared his story of estrangement, anger, loss of hope, going to chapel to challenge and aggravate God.
God extended love and compassion to him, leading him to come to realization his wife is 1/2 of him. I never really realized that. I am loosing 1/2 of myself.
He related after he stopped aggravating God, He said God told him "You are to be her rock. Go and hold her hand, be there for her." There was no messages from God about the life journey of this man. He was received as the father received his prodigal son.
He spoke of the experience of positive energy which he is relating to his wife as he holds her hand. He spoke of the miracle he received. Spoke of being told hold you wife's hand be there for her. He said"I feel I experienced a miracle and I did not believe in miracles much less the God I was raised to know."
He now is a man of hope, full of strength for his wife. He now is ready to give back.
He asked to speak with me as he said I was told to share the story with you, so now you hold it.
I feel I experienced a miracle today as my angel guided me to that hospital room, to invite this man to speake with me and to listen to this man. I only invited him as I felt I was needing to speak with him.
After we spoke I went and talked with his wife and she indeed did look better, smiling and even had some pink in her cheeks.
If you have a moment say a prayer for him and his wife. This journey has just begun. I am confident of God's guidance along the way.
God extended love and compassion to him, leading him to come to realization his wife is 1/2 of him. I never really realized that. I am loosing 1/2 of myself.
He related after he stopped aggravating God, He said God told him "You are to be her rock. Go and hold her hand, be there for her." There was no messages from God about the life journey of this man. He was received as the father received his prodigal son.
He spoke of the experience of positive energy which he is relating to his wife as he holds her hand. He spoke of the miracle he received. Spoke of being told hold you wife's hand be there for her. He said"I feel I experienced a miracle and I did not believe in miracles much less the God I was raised to know."
He now is a man of hope, full of strength for his wife. He now is ready to give back.
He asked to speak with me as he said I was told to share the story with you, so now you hold it.
I feel I experienced a miracle today as my angel guided me to that hospital room, to invite this man to speake with me and to listen to this man. I only invited him as I felt I was needing to speak with him.
After we spoke I went and talked with his wife and she indeed did look better, smiling and even had some pink in her cheeks.
If you have a moment say a prayer for him and his wife. This journey has just begun. I am confident of God's guidance along the way.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
How is your week going and its only Wed!!
What a week so far, was it really more busy than usual or does it just seem that way?
Monday Halloween I am grateful we had the trick or treat kids on Sunday in the day light. I am saddened that parents have to check the candy to be sure nothing was put in to harm their child. Gone are the good ole days when we just went out and were free and happy.
Tuesday All Saints. I was thinking I couldn't think of a saint that had life completely without suffering in their day. Many were ignore, shunned, labeled crazy and considered marginalized.
In the history of our community at the end of our foundress life, the women entering the community did not know she was the foundress. She was living in community with them and they did not know who she was. She was forbidden to let anyone know she was the foundress. Joan of Arc burned at the stake, Edith Stein, carmelite Sister killed in gas chambers during WWII, Oscar Romero shot while saying Mass, and there are more. As a young nun I prayed to become a saint so far I haven't reconsidered.
Today we prayed for those who have died. We pray that they will enjoy the face of God. We don't know how or when this happens but we do know we are in communion as we pray for them.
In my experience praying for others whether living or gone before me helps me. It is really hard to pray for someone and not feel some connection to them. A good lesson for those we sometimes are upset with, or those feel at a distance from, or maybe those we even distance ourselves from.
Who knows what tomorrow brings but I know God gives me the graces I need for each day and tomorrow isn't here yet!
Monday Halloween I am grateful we had the trick or treat kids on Sunday in the day light. I am saddened that parents have to check the candy to be sure nothing was put in to harm their child. Gone are the good ole days when we just went out and were free and happy.
Tuesday All Saints. I was thinking I couldn't think of a saint that had life completely without suffering in their day. Many were ignore, shunned, labeled crazy and considered marginalized.
In the history of our community at the end of our foundress life, the women entering the community did not know she was the foundress. She was living in community with them and they did not know who she was. She was forbidden to let anyone know she was the foundress. Joan of Arc burned at the stake, Edith Stein, carmelite Sister killed in gas chambers during WWII, Oscar Romero shot while saying Mass, and there are more. As a young nun I prayed to become a saint so far I haven't reconsidered.
Today we prayed for those who have died. We pray that they will enjoy the face of God. We don't know how or when this happens but we do know we are in communion as we pray for them.
In my experience praying for others whether living or gone before me helps me. It is really hard to pray for someone and not feel some connection to them. A good lesson for those we sometimes are upset with, or those feel at a distance from, or maybe those we even distance ourselves from.
Who knows what tomorrow brings but I know God gives me the graces I need for each day and tomorrow isn't here yet!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Halloween-All Hallows Eve
There is little know today as to the orgin of Halloween.
I am mentioning it today because in different cities they are starting the trick or treat routine tomorrow.
In the Catholic faith Halloween, which comes from the word All Hallows Eve is tied directly to All Saints Day celebrated on November 1 of each year to commemorate the old saints who have past on.
It is believed that the “saints" are people who were heroes,martyrs, persons of example for us in living our Christian Faith. People like St. Francis, St. Clare, Maximilian Kobe and others.
Halloween was never meant to be a frightful time. A time of ghosts, people raising from the dead to scare us or unearthly things to harm us.
We can only change this culture of fear with our friends and families. We can encourage the children to sell their candy to the dentist who will use it to give to soldiers or needy children who do not get candy.
It also is a time for us to be aware of how much social media affect the children by their choice of who they want to represent at Halloween.
Some people use the costumes to act out in ways they would never want to be seen acting out.
we can end the day by remembering in prayer all those people of example who have gone before us and say a prayer of thanksgiving for their example.
I pray you enjoy the children who may come by your home by greeting them in a way that is counter cultural.
I am mentioning it today because in different cities they are starting the trick or treat routine tomorrow.
In the Catholic faith Halloween, which comes from the word All Hallows Eve is tied directly to All Saints Day celebrated on November 1 of each year to commemorate the old saints who have past on.
It is believed that the “saints" are people who were heroes,martyrs, persons of example for us in living our Christian Faith. People like St. Francis, St. Clare, Maximilian Kobe and others.
Halloween was never meant to be a frightful time. A time of ghosts, people raising from the dead to scare us or unearthly things to harm us.
We can only change this culture of fear with our friends and families. We can encourage the children to sell their candy to the dentist who will use it to give to soldiers or needy children who do not get candy.
It also is a time for us to be aware of how much social media affect the children by their choice of who they want to represent at Halloween.
Some people use the costumes to act out in ways they would never want to be seen acting out.
we can end the day by remembering in prayer all those people of example who have gone before us and say a prayer of thanksgiving for their example.
I pray you enjoy the children who may come by your home by greeting them in a way that is counter cultural.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
United in purpose and mission
October 24 we celebrated the official day of the United Nations. When I was in high school many many years ago I belonged to a United Nations club as part of civics class to study its structure and purpose. The purpose of the UN is the facilitation of cooperation in international law, security, economic development, social progress, human rights and achievement of world peace. (how did I do?)
Reflection of this day and the purpose I think they copied the purpose from the guidelines of my of religous community. The Guidelines by which we live our lines our purpose is to further the kingdom of God through gospel living and service to others especially the poor.
I was refecting on the countries from which the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother come from. Being in a international community provided me with a rich heritage of variety of ways of experiencing God, of worship, prayer, service and variety of way we live in community.
In my religious life I have had the privilege of living with Sisters from many different counties which provided a challenge to my own understanding of what it means to be an American. I had not ever been called that until I lived in St. Lucia West Indies. One person asked me what nationality are you? I said German and they said or you a from Germany. I said no I am from the United States and they said oh then you are a American. I asked myself what is that and do I ascribe those characteristics to myself? Have you ever thougth of yourself as an American and what does that mean to you?
I am ever grateful to have the opportunity to live with so many Sisters from other countries. They have enriched my life.
I may have forgotten someone but here are some of the nations from which my Sisters come:
Austria Bahamas Brazil Belise Colombia Germany Grenada Goyna Guyna Ireland
Italy Korea NativeAmerican Phillippines
Poland Switzerland St Lucia Tanzania Africa and United States.
Provide for your self a great opportunity for growth. Really know someone from another nation/country and you will also learn something surprising about yourself.
If we as a religious mosaic of variety of persons with different customs, beliefs and formation are striving to work together to bring to peoples experience the love of God surely we can be a witness this is possible.
Reflection of this day and the purpose I think they copied the purpose from the guidelines of my of religous community. The Guidelines by which we live our lines our purpose is to further the kingdom of God through gospel living and service to others especially the poor.
I was refecting on the countries from which the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother come from. Being in a international community provided me with a rich heritage of variety of ways of experiencing God, of worship, prayer, service and variety of way we live in community.
In my religious life I have had the privilege of living with Sisters from many different counties which provided a challenge to my own understanding of what it means to be an American. I had not ever been called that until I lived in St. Lucia West Indies. One person asked me what nationality are you? I said German and they said or you a from Germany. I said no I am from the United States and they said oh then you are a American. I asked myself what is that and do I ascribe those characteristics to myself? Have you ever thougth of yourself as an American and what does that mean to you?
I am ever grateful to have the opportunity to live with so many Sisters from other countries. They have enriched my life.
I may have forgotten someone but here are some of the nations from which my Sisters come:
Austria Bahamas Brazil Belise Colombia Germany Grenada Goyna Guyna Ireland
Italy Korea NativeAmerican Phillippines
Poland Switzerland St Lucia Tanzania Africa and United States.
Provide for your self a great opportunity for growth. Really know someone from another nation/country and you will also learn something surprising about yourself.
If we as a religious mosaic of variety of persons with different customs, beliefs and formation are striving to work together to bring to peoples experience the love of God surely we can be a witness this is possible.
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