Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving

Gratitude comes in a variety of guises.

A setting harvest sun or early snow are invitations.

A needed hug or a surprise visit fill the quota.

A meal shared or a meal given unfold this grace.

If we leave gratitude and thankful for one weekend in a year 

we can miss the very heart of what our world needs.

If we leave gratitude and thankfulness only for nice cards

we can miss the lasting impact of words shared in a variety of ways.

If we only express gratitude and thankfulness to those we know

we can miss the opportunity to bring healing to the world.

While gratitude is fresh in our mind and heart, we must ask ourselves:

“How can I extend this to our world today, tomorrow and beyond?”

Can a weekend spent enjoying good food, and good people motivate us

to make gratitude a norm which is not only once a year or preprinted words?”

Gratitude puts us in tune with God for,

as Kimberly M. King reminds us, 

“It is all praise, all thanksgiving,

for the gift, the blessing,

the knowing,

of being alive,

with you and through you

and to you and for you

and this great wild world.

Amen.”

Being alive is indeed an act of gratitude. 

Which means we will encounter God 

in living, in learning, in letting go, 

in seeing with new eyes, in forgiveness 

and in hope, 

for we “live and move and have our being” in God (Acts17.28). 

Is this not a call to gratitude and thankfulness in all seasons?

Threshold of Autumn

The orange hues

of an early morning

in mid-September

filter their way

to my body, 

my heart 

and my soul.

The gentleness of this light

bidding the day to begin

invites me to begin again

as I stand at the threshold 

of this day.

The gentle light

which will quickly shift

to the dawning 

and fullness of the day

settles 

within me, 

calms me,

speaking of promise,

allowing space 

to breathe and 

to be.

Ordinary Encounters of Awe

The toilet paper was not stocked,

I stare at an empty shelf.

The way the morning sun caught my pens,

they sparkled.

Sitting in a pew in a not overly full church,

a peace settles in.

Three young saints gaze back at me,

I shift my weight and wonder.

Watering the flowers they devour the relief,

it seems refreshment comes in being remembered.

The sweetness of fresh fruit,

my taste buds are awakened.

Little feet in light-flashing shoes brighten up a space,

they catch my eyes and I smile.

A couple strolls down the street hand in hand,

love is strong.

Stopped at a red light,

forced reality check.

An unexpected country road,

winding its way through August beauty.

Bright dark brown eyes,

gazing at me with curiosity.

A leaping deer,

raises my eyes and my heart.

The giggles which come from deep inside,

the ones which can not be controlled.

The words of a prayer spoken to the heart,

finding words I can not find on my own.

Gentle cool morning air,

whispering in refreshment.

Friendship as a constant,

stability in the storms of life.

Someone paused in prayer,

an awareness of sacred silence.

A cup of instant coffee,

remembering someone dear.

Words of a song fill my ear,

carrying me with the melody.

Ordinary encounters in the day,

awe-filled moments of God.

Photo Credit: Suzanne Rushton

Good Father Frédéric - Be Brave

Today the Canadian Church celebrates a Franicscan, Blessed Frédéric Janssoone. While Frederic was born in Belgium, he is a recognized as a Canadian Saint because of his missionary heart which led him here. I have had the chance to pray at his tomb in Trois-Riviéres and see the Marian Pilgrimage site he helped develop. Both experiences remind me of the call to service, and the gift of creativity in how each of us preach the gospel. Blessed Frédéric was bold and brave. He was encouraged by the life of St. Francis as a model for sharing the good news. He was rooted in Christ, the foundation of his life, and the reason why he went forth on mission. We must ask ourselves how are we being bold and brave in preaching the gospel with our lives and claiming Christ as our foundation?

Like the mother in the gospel (Matthew 15), is our faith great? Are we brave enough to ask Christ to strengthen us so we can do small things and great things? As followers of the One who is the manifestation of the love of God which we hear the prophet Jeremiah remind us is an “everlasting love” with a continuing “faithfulness” are we willing to be missionaries in our community and parish?

Blessed Frédéric trusted the gospel was tangible and real. He wanted others to know this in their lives and if possible to experience it in real ways. He has sometimes been called “God’s Salesman” for his missionary work was really as a fundraiser for the Holy Sites in the Holy Land. Sites the Franciscans have been responsible for centuries. Regardless, if we walk the streets of Jerusalem or the streets of our towns, we are called to have great faith. May we be encouraged by Blessed Frédéric. May we trust the love of God accompanies us, our faith can be bold and brave and the Eucharist is the strength and food we need for our pilgrimage.

Good Father Frédéric

Man of great distances, tireless traveler in the steps of Jesus,

Man of great distances, messenger of the Gospel whom no obstacle stopped, 

Man of endless compassion for the sick and all the wounded by life,

Disciple of Francis of Assisi, lover of our mother earth and the Passion of Jesus,

Loving pilgrim of the Virgin Mary, full of the look that marked his life,

Believer of joyful hope, fascinated by heaven at the end of our routes,

Good Father Frédéric, pray for us!

Scripture:  Jeremiah 31.1-7, Matthew 15.21-28

Photo Credit: Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-Du-Cap

Summer Praise II

Not every summer day is a “perfect” day and all is not “right” with the world. However, pausing to notice what is filling my heart with praise reminds me God is at work in the simple and ordinary. 

Rains fall,

Flowers bloom,

Grass grows,

Sun shines,

Praised be God!

Summer unfolds,

Gardens produce,

Days linger,

Stars sparkle,

Praised be God!

Teams play,

Fans cheer,

Barbecues sizzle,

Communities gather,

Praise God!

Quiet pauses,

Prayers prayed,

Reflections stir,

Pondering heart,

Praise God!

                                                    Photo Credit: Nicholas Sorrenti

Summer Praise

 

The morning sun flittering through the leaves,

the song of birds awakening the morning,

the vibrancy of grass, buds and blooms,

the warmth of the air filling this day,

lifts up my heart in praise to God.

With St. Francis of Assisi, I give praise to God

for all creation which reminds me of God’s presence.

I sing with praise and gratitude for creation

pondering where it invites me to notice 

beauty, truth and life at work in the daily demands.

With St. Francis, I cry out “Be praised my Lord”

for my sisters and brothers in creation

in this season and in each season,

for through them I am drawn closer to You,

reminded of the depth of the goodness in life.

Be praised my Lord for You are ever creating

inviting us to join You and to appreciate creation.

Be praised my Lord for You are ever generous

in the unfolding of beauty, truth and life

and for this I give thanks today and always.

Photo Credit: Jennifer R.

Pentecost: In the Ordinary Renewing of the Earth

It’s a Thursday afternoon,

a gentle breeze whispers through the day,

it carries with it the sounds of

hammers building a house,

cheers of a rugby game,

a school bell ringing,

calling birds guiding in the sky,

wind chimes tolling,

Lord, you send forth Your Spirit

renewing the face of the earth.

It’s a Thursday afternoon

around me life is bursting

it carries with it sights of

a grandmother walking her grandchild,

flowers bursting with color,

coworkers stopping for a coffee,

an elderly man walking with his canes,

pausing in a nearby church,

Lord, you send forth Your Spirit

renewing the face of the earth.

It’s a Thursday afternoon,

the daily movements of life continue

it carries with it the beauty of

a friend calling to say hi,

documents coming together,

prayer being whispered,

enjoying fresh fruit,

a walk in the unfolding greens of spring,

Lord, you send forth Your Spirit

renewing the face of the earth.

It’s a Thursday afternoon,

a Monday morning, a Saturday evening,

it carries with it the unknown of Pentecost

God breathing on us,

God breathing through us,

the fire of the Spirit propelling us forward,

the fire of the Spirit enkindling in us life,

gifts given for each day,

Lord, you send forth Your Spirit

renewing the face of the earth.

Come Holy Spirit, today, tomorrow, 

again and again in the ordinary, 

again and again in the extraordinary,

in the known and unknown,

for the unknown and known,

for the world, for the earth, for all humanity,

for every tribe, every people, every place

Come Holy Spirit.

Lord, you send forth Your Spirit

renewing the face of the earth.