ADVENT TIME OF WAITING

Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Advent in the Christian tradition. The word Advent comes from the Latin and means waiting.

Waiting is not something we are particularly good at. The people of old waited for centuries for the savior to come.

I am sure you as I have waited for God's answer to a prayer, a hope a dream. Years later we realized God came in God's time and in our readiness to receive God's answer for us.

During this time of Advent in preparation for Christ coming in to our life more fully as the answer to our prayer, hope and dreams, may we learn to slow down, to wait and to listen for Gods direction to each of us individually.

Life after death

It has been a very emotional week for me. some days very draining others rejoicing.

 I was saddened by the unexpected death of a Sister friend. She was out to lunch with friends and started not to feel good. she asked them to take her home, instead she said to the hospital. To the Ed she went and after 30 min or more was unresponsive with a massive bleed in her brain. As I mourn her passing I ask myself did she really do what she always wanted to do?

An Thursday's I help pack back packs for Blessing in Back Pack program which provides food for children for the weekend who are eligible for meal program during the week. this past week we packed 175 for 3 schools. Now I grew up during the WWII when we had food stamps and limited ability to get sugar etc but we were never hungry. What has happened in our world that we need now feed the children. I asked how old are the youngest that will receive these food back packs, kindergarten.

I had a husband of a friend of mine get the news he has stage 4 lymphoma and is now on aggressive chemotherapy. She is trying to grasp it all. He continues to want to work, rather then stay home and feel sorry for himself. What a blow. How did this happen, what was not noticed is the question.

Oh yes another friend had a little baby boy, somewhat early but healthy. He is so cute. they both went home this past week.

So it is with rhythm of life. Keep them all in your prayers.

Today in the scripture we hear of the Resurrection where all will be made whole again. Thank you Jesus for making this possible.

In the meantime may we live in relationship with Jesus in the other.

THANKFULNESS

Today's scripture stories are all about being grateful and giving thanks for what God has done for us. 

Naaman experienced healing in a strange way, just bathe in the river and you will be healed of your leprosy. Often God asks us to do things that seem strange to us to achieve wholeness. Thankfully we do not have the disease of leprosy but often we do hold on to ideas and resentments that make us sick. May we let go of the things that keep us from God's simple directions to us to achieve fuller healing in our lives. 

Being thankful for the simple things of life are a choice. Another story of today is the one of the 10 lepers only one came back to say thank you and he was one that was not accepted by those in his day. 

How so very hard it is for us to say thank you when we have to go back out of our way to do so. 

This week I pray we are aware of the little things God does for us and to say thank you.

FALL SEASON

Today as I changed the calendar the thought came to me Oh my it is beginning the fall season.
This time of the year brings many changes to mind. 

As the day went on I found myself thinking what season am I in? 

I remembered the reading in Ecclesiastes 3 "There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heavens." " A time for searching, a time for throwing away, a time for keeping"and other times are mentioned.

I believe I am in the season of Fall in my life. I am not sure what that all means but it certainly is a time for searching, throwing away and deciding what I need to keep of my life's journey. It is a time for many things. 

Then I thought maybe I am in the season of Winter and don't  know it. What difference would that make in how I live each day. Answer if none. No matter what season I am in I depend upon God for daily guidance, support, friendship and love.

In prayer today and reading the scripture for the day, Tobit says Give in proportion to what you own. I don't believe I won anything but all is gift from God. Am I willing to give it in proportion to what I have received. " A time for giving"

In first reading today, Sirach says "conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved greater than the giver of gifts" I often find myself asking what does it mean to be humble? Paul answered me in his reflection today by stating "God is the judge of all" Servant leadership keeps me grounded so I can be humble in my relationships with others.

Jesus today challenges me to look a who are my friends, do I have a personal relationship with anyone who is disadvantaged, broken, those who don't see thing as I might see them? 

A lot for me to think about  and continue to reflect on by just turning the calendar to a new month.

Have you thought about what season are you in? 

Re-creation (vacation)

Beautiful in the early morning, fog lifting off the water, coffee and just relaxation.

This past weeks vacation was just what body and soul needed. No TV, No radio, No other electronics working just peace and inner quiet. Time to get in touch with inner self, hello I know you!!

Don't get me wrong we did enjoy the scenery. Went to wolf center, why keep them in captivity just so we might see one of the 5 they have. They had the right idea. We saw two sleeping, one looked at all the people looking at him and headed for the wild out of sight for his nap. We on road that said road ends here in 500 feet. Up in the boundary waters. Went on echo train drive through the forest. Surprising to me we didn't see much wild life. I guess with all the magnitude of forest why come by the road. 

Came home and went to Oshkosh today for Jubilee of Sisters. 70, 60, 50 years of dedicated service to God and people of God. I am sure each could tell stories of joys, laughter, support of community, challenges but in all knowing God is with her all the way. Was also good to see so many Sisters from around the area. 

I wish you a good week after a meaningful weekend for you as well.

TEACH ME TO PRAY

The followers of Jesus asked him to teach them to pray. They watched him often in prayer, sometimes overnight. They saw the healing and compassion, maybe if I learn how to pray as he does I will also know healing and compassion.

Have you listened to your prayers lately? What do they tell you about yourself? Prayer is a relationship a conversation with God and the one who is praying. 

The followers were accustom to the multiple prayers, sacrifices and yet God told them I do not take pleasure in your sacrifices give me your heart.

Jesus listened and did tell them how to be in prayer, relationship with God.

Praise God as our Father, He is good and holy and wants us to share in the goodness of the world as He made it. He wants us to bring his love and caring to others so his way on earth may be as it is in heaven.

He will provide for us our daily needs, perhaps not our wants. 

We do ask God to forgive us as we forgive those who we feel have trespassed against us. How do we honor the no trespassing signs of others or do we just barge in and violate their boundaries. We  don't like those who do that to us but we are saying forgive me for when I do it as I forgive them. One way to forgive them is to pray for God's blessing on those who have trespassed against me. Sometimes not easy as it sounds, at least not if I wish to be sincere and honest with myself and God.

I ask God to not let me walk in the way of that temptations which will lead me further away in our relationship with each other. Deliver me from evil. Have you thought about what is evil for you. Perhaps it is gossip, ignoring others, telling stories that change how we think positively against the other, not doing the best I can in relationships at home and at work. Evil comes to us in the way that is attractive to each of us. 

We again acknowledge that God alone has the power to help us bring about goodness in the world. 

I pray I acknowledge the good that God does though me to bring his love to the world. 

As we all know relationships are enjoyable but also need nurturing. Take some time this week and listen to how you pray and decide is it relational or just a give me Santa type of thing. 

Doing and Being

Today's reading is about Martha, the cook and Mary the one listening. The balance of doing and being is a daily endeavor.

I am sure we all can identify with Martha, working hard to make a good meal while those who could help are chilling out or listening to someone talk. I am sure we can talk a break and chill out ourselves and join in the conversation. Sometimes I get so engrossed in the cooking I forget to just chill out and enjoy it. Jesus says just relax and learn to be there.

On the other hand learning to listen and just be there is a task as well. It takes discipline to be quiet and totally present to the other. Sometimes the cooking seems easier. 

the adventure is to balance both.