I've been reflecting on this all day... "so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
What I've discovered through this reflection is that it is a great tool to use every day. I have found it a relief that when I don't agree with my neighbor, it's okay because WE are of the same Body; the Body of Christ. I can no longer get away with saying, "It's not my job!" because if it affects someone else, it does affect me and the way I live my (hopefully) Christ-centered life. This new "attitude" is a loving experience that is teaching me a deeper, more enriching meaning of "cooperation".
But no, this is NOT just a tool that I will use every day, but a BELIEF that this IS part of my very DNA and I must live it to the fullest. Christ is the HEAD of a Great Body and we are ALL members of it. I mean members in a physical sense, not just as a collective group of believers. If I remember that I cannot do certain things with my own body without the other parts of it working at what they do best, then I can take this "belonging to the Body of Christ" to a new level. This means that if I don't "live" up to "my part" of the Body, then I am taking away energy (or spiritual encouragement) from the other parts. What happens to my neighbor is important and I honor that. YOU belong to that Body and I belong to that Body. We perform different functions, but we have a function to perform. WE are important together as members of the Body of Christ.
Being a "member" of the Body of Christ is more than being present in a community. It is a life-living promise that I will keep. If I don't, then I shall surely die.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Maundy Thursday
I've never been up to have my feet washed. I know it's important, but I'm just not that brave. Tonight was no different.
Then, all of the blessed Sacraments were consumed. Then the altar was stripped bare. Then I was alone as I was when others were having their feet washed. I realized suddenly, that I didn't fully understand at all. I had denied the gift that Christ wanted me to have and it wasn't until the Sacraments were gone and the altar bared that I saw Christ leaving without having given me that tender gift. It was as if I'd watched Christ walk away and I didn't bother to say goodbye. It was a sad moment and it was a moment I lost. I hope that I will be given the chance next year to receive that gift of tenderness.
For the next three days, THE most Holy Days, I will be with my Sisters at CSJB. To anyone who may read these words, I pray you have an enriching Triduum and a very blessed Easter Victory!
Then, all of the blessed Sacraments were consumed. Then the altar was stripped bare. Then I was alone as I was when others were having their feet washed. I realized suddenly, that I didn't fully understand at all. I had denied the gift that Christ wanted me to have and it wasn't until the Sacraments were gone and the altar bared that I saw Christ leaving without having given me that tender gift. It was as if I'd watched Christ walk away and I didn't bother to say goodbye. It was a sad moment and it was a moment I lost. I hope that I will be given the chance next year to receive that gift of tenderness.
For the next three days, THE most Holy Days, I will be with my Sisters at CSJB. To anyone who may read these words, I pray you have an enriching Triduum and a very blessed Easter Victory!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
There are many wonderful names for Christ: Comforter, Beloved, Healer, Teacher, Companion, Victor and so on. I even found a website that offered a free download for a names of Christ screensaver. Whatever I choose to call the Son of God, I will be forever humbled by the fact that I have the power to call upon Christ the Lord at all. I am a sinner of my own making, but God has not taken away my ability to call out the name of my Savior. In any situation, I have been given a gift to use for my very own benefit. God the Loving, God the Merciful, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is just a name away from my need.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
There are many wonderful names for Christ: Comforter, Beloved, Healer, Teacher, Companion, Victor and so on. I even found a website that offered a free download for a names of Christ screensaver. Whatever I choose to call the Son of God, I will be forever humbled by the fact that I have the power to call upon Christ the Lord at all. I am a sinner of my own making, but God has not taken away my ability to call out the name of my Savior. In any situation, I have been given a gift to use for my very own benefit. God the Loving, God the Merciful, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is just a name away from my need.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
I get so frustrated when people don't listen to what I'm saying. When doctor's don't listen; when mechanics don't listen; when family don't listen; when people I work with don't listen. I want to be heard! I want to be understood! Do I need a mediator when I speak? And then, a still voice deep within gently reminds me, "I'm listening. I understand."
Oh Lord, why do I make this so hard? It is YOU that I turn to for every need and I can trust that. So, I am practicing letting go of the need to have my voice heard by those around me and trusting more that YOU are my mediator. This thing I can do because I know YOU hear me. YOU always have. Thank YOU.
I get so frustrated when people don't listen to what I'm saying. When doctor's don't listen; when mechanics don't listen; when family don't listen; when people I work with don't listen. I want to be heard! I want to be understood! Do I need a mediator when I speak? And then, a still voice deep within gently reminds me, "I'm listening. I understand."
Oh Lord, why do I make this so hard? It is YOU that I turn to for every need and I can trust that. So, I am practicing letting go of the need to have my voice heard by those around me and trusting more that YOU are my mediator. This thing I can do because I know YOU hear me. YOU always have. Thank YOU.
Monday, March 29, 2010
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world
Grant us thy peace.
I've been praying all day for grace. I've felt out of sorts most of the day, for one reason or another and none of them good enough to feel out of sorts about. I should have been praying for peace, calmness, serenity. I was almost calm after saying the noonday office and thankful for the company today. Unfortunately it didn't stick. I just didn't have the energy to fight for that peace today. Ah, therein lies the problem. I'm not really at war with anything, just with myself. I have earnestly left all the problems that usually plague me during such a busy time in God's capable hands...and it has been good. That is, until today. Today, I just seemed to "want" to be at war with something/someone. It didn't matter what or who, it just was the way I was feeling today. That awful feeling was accompanied by one of remorse. So, after feeling like fighting some unknown foe and losing the battle, I felt worse having betrayed my promise to my Lord. My saving grace is that I recognize what happened; I can name it and I can release it again. That does bring peace. Thanks be to God!
I've been praying all day for grace. I've felt out of sorts most of the day, for one reason or another and none of them good enough to feel out of sorts about. I should have been praying for peace, calmness, serenity. I was almost calm after saying the noonday office and thankful for the company today. Unfortunately it didn't stick. I just didn't have the energy to fight for that peace today. Ah, therein lies the problem. I'm not really at war with anything, just with myself. I have earnestly left all the problems that usually plague me during such a busy time in God's capable hands...and it has been good. That is, until today. Today, I just seemed to "want" to be at war with something/someone. It didn't matter what or who, it just was the way I was feeling today. That awful feeling was accompanied by one of remorse. So, after feeling like fighting some unknown foe and losing the battle, I felt worse having betrayed my promise to my Lord. My saving grace is that I recognize what happened; I can name it and I can release it again. That does bring peace. Thanks be to God!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world
Have mercy upon us.
One of the definitions according to Webster's New World Dictionary for the word "mercy" is: a disposition to forgive or to be kind. For the word "disposition", a selling or giving away. So then, I have the power to forgive or give away kindness to anyone I choose. Yet, God chooses to give away kindness and forgiveness to all--without judgment; without partiality. Certainly it is my responsibility, then to share that kindness with those around me. Mercy is not an option.
One of the definitions according to Webster's New World Dictionary for the word "mercy" is: a disposition to forgive or to be kind. For the word "disposition", a selling or giving away. So then, I have the power to forgive or give away kindness to anyone I choose. Yet, God chooses to give away kindness and forgiveness to all--without judgment; without partiality. Certainly it is my responsibility, then to share that kindness with those around me. Mercy is not an option.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world
Have mercy upon us.
The whole world, not just my sins, but all the sins of all the peoples. When I look at this perspective, it seems that my sins are small in comparison to when the sins of the whole world are lumped together into one huge sin-filled ball. Yet, when I sin, and I am aware of my sin, I feel as though I am the only one in the world who has sinned. This recognition of my sin and my sorrow for it is what brings me closer to God. This is God's mercy teaching me how to look at my sin and how to overcome it so that I will be stronger and will be able to push that sin aside the next time. That is truly God's mercy at work.
The whole world, not just my sins, but all the sins of all the peoples. When I look at this perspective, it seems that my sins are small in comparison to when the sins of the whole world are lumped together into one huge sin-filled ball. Yet, when I sin, and I am aware of my sin, I feel as though I am the only one in the world who has sinned. This recognition of my sin and my sorrow for it is what brings me closer to God. This is God's mercy teaching me how to look at my sin and how to overcome it so that I will be stronger and will be able to push that sin aside the next time. That is truly God's mercy at work.
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