Christmas: Resting With the Christ Child

One of my most favorite things to do over the Christmas Season is to sit in front of the Christmas Tree and Crèche. I keep the lights low and I simply gaze, reflect and ponder. I let my imagination sometimes transport me to a different time and place and at other times I simply write and say prayers.

Below is a reflection I wrote several years ago. I came across it just a few days ago and offer it as my Christmas reflection.

This Holy Season of Christmas is always so amazing. It can consume us, challenge us, engage us, enrage us, fill us with hope and joy, fill us with awe and leaving us wanting more. Over the past few days as I have sat in front of our Christmas Tree and Crèche plenty has crossed my mind. The days seem to slip away so quickly and I am left again to consider what was and what will be. How have I celebrated and how do I hold on to these precious moments of the past year?

The gift of the Christ Child is the answer to all our worries and wonderings. The Christ Child is what fills this season and all the days of the year and calls us to ponder and seek. The Christ Child will forever hold
memories, desires, worries, hurts and treasured moments that are recalled each year. The Christ Child calls to us and we can choose to be transformed into a place where his love and joy is born deep within. We in turn are called to share this goodness in a hope-filled way in our time and place.

The Christ Child calls to us saying “Trust.” He calls to us saying “Hope.” He calls to us saying “Give.” He calls to us saying “Joyfully.” The Christ Child calls to us saying “remember... God is with you. I am here... now.” He calls to us saying “I love you.” The Christ Child, the Babe in the Manger calls to us. We are truly blessed. We must draw near.



The message of this Holy Child will fill us each day of the year ahead. May we be open to his gifts pouring into our lives so we may radiate him through the gifts of who we are and our lives.

Have we spent any time resting with the Christ Child?

What precious moments of 2018 take hold of our hearts?

What are our ponderings and dreams for 2019? 
Is the Christ Child there with us?

In closing off for this year I share with you a brief moment from my day.
This morning (Christmas Eve) I received a note in the mail from a six year old friend of mine... and as I opened it I smiled... his one word statement made me say...“Yes, Amen!” This one word prayer simply stirred in me and I think serves as a reminder for all of us as to why we celebrate at Christmas, God’s gift to us and the promise we are given each day to live. May we never forget this promise, this prayer and the gift of love planted in each of our hearts. 

May your Season be blessed with the riches of the true love given to us; the Child in a manger. 

Christmas Blessings

Advent 4: Promises & Hope

“the child in my womb leaped for joy.”

- Luke 1:39-45

Two moms-to-be

embrace full of hope and promise

life itself stirs within them

their hearts are lifted in praise.

Great joy in their meeting

great joy surrounds the child of the wombs

great joy floods their souls

great joy overflows in their hearts.

We too are bearers of light and joy

called ‘beloved, redeemed and precious’

hope stirs within each of us

for we have been restored and saved.

Openness and trust led to their ‘yes’

openness and trust beckons our response

openness and trust to do God’s will

openness and trust to carry Christ.

We ask, “What is our part? Where is our heart at?

Can praise fill us even in the struggles?

Can we lift our hearts in hope and joy?”

The answer is in the encounters of promise and hope.

Two moms-to-be meet and rejoice

two friends meet and celebrate

two strangers meet and break new ground

two adversaries meet and the desire for peace blossoms.

The days grow short

the time draws near

we who are little have a role too

to do God’s will for it calls us to life.

Blessed are we because of hope.

Blessed are we because of the promise.

Blessed are we because God is our peace.

Blessed are we because God leaps for joy over us.

Advent days have slipped away. As we look back over the Advent  journey let us consider how light has penetrated our darkness, how the seed has broken open and has begun to grow, how we have carried Christ to this moment of birthing.

May peace – who is Christ - fill us as we magnify the Lord who has done great things for us, for indeed our God is with us – always.

Week 4 Advent Goals:

Listen to songs that cause your heart to rejoice and give praise God. Sing!

Greet those you will meet over the next holy days with the “joy-leaping’ presence of Christ that each person holds.

Advent Blessings!

Advent 3: Rejoice in Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 

– Philippians 4.4

That line has echoed through my mind today several times. Maybe because it is the Third Week of Advent and the sense of rejoicing for the coming Christmas season is growing. Maybe it is the fact that the “to do” list is becoming less. Maybe it is because over this past week I have been able to truly see, as the prophet Zephaniah says, “the Lord, your God, is in your midst, he will renew you in his love” (Zephaniah 3.14-18a). 

It is not because God has come to me in some splendor moment of annunciation or revelation; it is because God has drawn near in my every day in the simplest of things. It is here that my heart rejoices, my soul is gladdened, my spirit is lifted and I have been reminded that the gift of Advent is the constant reminder that “in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12). In the midst of my life, my very simple and ordinary life the God of All: who is hope, who is peace, who is joy has filled and guarded my heart in Christ Jesus (cf. Philippians 4.7). Today when I pondered this I was filled with great joy, maybe truly for the first time I have understood the beauty of this third week of Advent as “Gaudete” or “Rejoicing Sunday.” It was how God was present in my life this past week that made me think, yes indeed there is cause for rejoicing and truly our God is present and real and active.

This week my life was full just like everyone else’s life, however it is in this fullness that the reality of God with us was made evident for me. It was connecting with someone who has become a dear friend and discussing the realities of life and how we are seeing God at work in so many moments of our days. It was having an honest conversation with another friend that lifted a burden for both of us. It was in taking the time to be present to creating a piece of art. It was the words of songs touching my soul. It was in stopping to appreciate the beauty of an amazing winter sunrise. It was in listening to a brother. It was in gathering around tabling and breaking bread with my community. It was in the gift of the Eucharist – something so simple yet so very powerful. It was recognizing the dignity and hurting of the poor who came to our door. It was taking the time to speak with a child, to read with a child, to remind a child they are loved. It was taking time to pray. It was in being present for family and friends so they have a place to share their story. It was in pondering the journey and realizing the discoveries that spell out and spill out God’s generosity, love and goodness. So when I stop and consider all of this, it is not extraordinary – it is every day – but it is God at work showing me that the good news is continually being birthed in each week of the year, not just in the preparations for Christmas. It was God saying “here I am, each day I come to you, continue to prepare me a room this week and in the year to come.” (This is the true challenge.)

It truly has been an ordinary week that makes my heart rejoice and it has nothing to do with fame or fortune. It is simply about good news penetrating my life and my heart being renewed because God continually is fulfilling the promise made in Jesus, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28.20). The beautiful challenge that is before me is to continue to make God’s love known and real (as noted above), to be able to give witness to God, like Mary and say, “here I am.”





How about you? 
What is the cause of your rejoicing this week? 
What brings you joy and reminds you of God in our midst?

As this Third Week of Advent will fill and always seems to disappear very quickly may we be more aware of the journey of those around us and offer our hands as the hands of God saying “here I am.”


Week 3 Advent Goals:
Find one way this week to bring joy to someone’s life – think outside the box. Think of those providing services so we can celebrate with our families and friends. Think of the outcasts, the lonely, the hurting children, the poor. Once you find a way to bring joy do it!

Create a litany of your joys and post it on your fridge or your bathroom mirror.

Advent Blessings!

Advent 2: The Good Works of Hope

For at least the past 5 years as I have brushed my teeth in the morning I have prayed a prayer attributed to Mother Teresa and have ended with this line from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1.3). This line from scripture appears in the readings for this Second Sunday of Advent and I was pleasantly surprised to read it and see where it falls into the cycle of liturgical readings. It is a perfect line for Advent as is the whole reading (Philippians 1.3-6, 8-11). Why? It gives us a moment to consider the people in our lives that have encouraged us and supported us. It gives us a moment to reflect on the works we are doing – are they good and life-giving or empty and life-draining? It gives us a moment to consider Emmanuel – God with us – at work in us today, tomorrow and until forever.

I pray it each day before I step into the world to remind myself that God is at work in me, and that I do have good things to build the kingdom and that God’s goodness is a part of my days even when the days seem long or heavy or dark. I pray it each day to remind myself that I don’t walk this journey alone that indeed God is present and drawing me deeper into the great love of God and that God places good people in my path to journey alongside. In these Advent days it challenges me to be more aware of my actions and words. In these Advent days it echoes the challenge of John the Baptist to “prepare the way of the Lord” so all may see God’s love. The God of love who comes to us on the journey, through people, in scripture, in words of others, in the actions we do and the actions of others and our own actions and words. 

The chaos around us may try and steal from us Advent hope and Advent joy. The world around us as in the days of old may try and make us believe, we are not worthy, we have not done good, and there is nothing  great at work but all we need to do is look to Psalm 126 and be reminded that “the Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”  The birth of God’s Son is indeed a launching point for discovering the great things God has done for us and fills us with a joy even in our struggles and hurts. It is the ultimate reminder of true hope. 

Hope calls each of us beyond the instant and to rise up with confidence that good work is happening within us and through us and leading us closer to the crib and cross and empty tomb of Christ. Hope calls to us this Advent to seek truth, to be open to new-life, to change, to growth and to the unexpected. In this season hope underlines the journey that with each step we too become bearers of Christ and birth God’s love into the world. Advent is a gift to us to remind us of the great things that God is doing in our lives each day and that we too can say “I have this hope, in the depth of my soul, in the flood or the fire, You're with me and You won't let go”  (lyrics from Tenth Avenue North) (so grateful this song was shared with me this week).



As we continue deeper into our Advent journey may we remember that a good work has already begun within us, that we too are preparing the way of the Lord, that God continues to do great things and fill us with a joy that is deeper than any smile we meet and that hope is deep within us for our God – Emmanuel – is with us and is not letting us go.


Week 2 Advent Goals:
Identify the people in your life who are encouraging and supporting you and your goodness. Send them a Christmas card.

Make a list of the good things in your life (even a list of the last week) and write a prayer of thanks.

 Advent Blessings 

Advent: Stand in the Light

Advent: this season is before all else about hope, before waiting or joy or preparing this season is about hope. Hope because we walk in the light that broke the darkness at that first Christmas. Hope because that light has continued to shine no matter what. Hope because it leads us to a future where hope will completely embrace us with faith and love forever.

In an Advent reflection Mary Marrocco (Canadian Theologian) says: “Advent asks us to look forward (to the end of time), back (to the Bethlehem journey) and within (to our hearts) and discover in all three one thing: God is with us. Emmanuel.”

This is our hope in this season of Advent that we journey with God with us. We journey forward rooted in the concrete hope that we will be embraced with God when we breathe our final breath because God is love.  We journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the hope that carried them forward in their ‘yes’. We journey to our core to discover our truth, the flame that is never extinguished, and the hope that lives within us. All three of these journeys (realistically this one journey) are because of hope. In times of darkness, in times of distress, in times of uncertainty, in times of suffering, in times of unparalleled greed and destruction we journey in hope. Why? Because Advent hope is centered in love, a love so great yet made known to us and offered to us, a love that encourages us when we doubt, a love that encircles us with lasting hope and says, “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21.28). Stand up and raise your heads because we are loved, we are valued, we are bearers of Christ, we are created good, we are people of hope.

A few years ago The Voice winner Jordan Smith released a song called 

“Stand in the Light.” 

The refrain states:

This is who I am inside

This is who I am, I'm not going to hide

'Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far

To stand in the light and be seen as we are

To stand in the light and be seen as we are.

Advent is a season of hope that calls us to be honest with who we are and to “stand in the light and be seen as we are.” In and among the agendas, programs, demands, expectations, false dreams, pressures, loneliness, hurts, shopping lists and cookies there is a constant and consistent anchor that declares: “Hope” and to be aware that who we are is precious and good and holy. To continually strive to be authentic and real and who we truly are as the Light breaks forth on us.

As this season unfolds and very quickly seems to be consumed by everything else besides hope – let us continually come back to the light of hope and be seen by God for who we are and who we are created to be – Beloved Children of God on a journey aware that God is with us this Advent and always. Let us stand in the light this season, in fact let us bask in the light of this season as we draw closer to the light of the stable. Let us stand in the light as we are (broken, redeemed and blessed) and be bearers of this light which is hope as we “increase and abound in love for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 3.12) (Now that is a true Advent challenge as we wait in lines, decorate homes and attend parties). Let us take the risk this Advent to walk more honestly and more openly into the Light who calls to us and says “I will fulfill the promises I made” (Jeremiah 33.14) for I am with you always – no matter what. For our God risked all to walk with us and did not and or has ever hid love from us.  This Advent let us look forward, back and within because we are people of hope and Children of the Light.

Week 1 Advent Goals:

Be aware of and enjoy and appreciate the stars and Christmas lights this week.

Identify three qualities about yourself/areas of your life which challenge you to risk standing in the light.

Advent Blessings!

How Are Your Relationships?

For any human being relationships are a significant part of who we are and how we come to discover a bit more of how we want to be.  

Relationships are fundamental to our development.

How often do we reflection on our relationships?

How often do we look at the relationships we have beyond our comfort zone? How often do we consider the dignity of our relationships?

“To recognize the Other is to recognize a hunger. To recognize the Other is to give. ...I can recognize the gaze of the stranger, the widow, and the orphan only in giving or in refusing.” 

– Emmanuel Levinas

Where in our lives do we allow this hunger to feed our heart and soul?

Where are the strangers, widows, and orphans in our lives?

How are we giving of ourselves? Where are we refusing?

Where are you with these thoughts? Need a tune up for Advent?

I recommend seeing the film Green Book in theatres now.

It offers much for reflection on relationship, human dignity, family dynamics and friendship as we head into the Advent Season.

Can we see Jesus our Emmanuel – God with us - in our every day? In our relationships?

“Every person, from the first moment of life in the womb, has an inviolable dignity, because from all eternity God willed, loved, created, and redeemed that person and destined that person for eternal happiness. “ 

- CCC 1699-1715

Craving Christ the King

Christ the King! Have you ever tried searching for an image of Christ the King? It is interesting what comes up when you do. Often the first images are of a somber white man with a distant look in his eyes, an awkward crown on his head and who is not approachable. The other option is the super hero version; the tough looking dude with no ordinary crown but a crown of thorns who swoops in to save the day or make you pay but still not approachable. Neither really speaks to me as both seem to miss the point of who Christ the King is truly. Maybe it is because as a child (and maybe even still a bit now) I was fascinated with kingdoms and kings and queens and princes and princesses. And although the kings and queens in my fantasies did where crowns they were not awkward and it did not stop them from being present with the people and knowing their people and creating a kingdom where all were indeed welcome. This seems more like the image of Christ the King we are called to celebrate and one I crave to know more and more.

The whole mission of Christ is to usher in, establish and build God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God which Christ is king of is built upon justice, mercy and a love greater than our understanding. It is built upon relationship, dignity and beauty. It is built upon hope, truth and life, so one can see why an awkward crown or a super hero doesn’t seem to fit this mission.

When I picture Christ the King, I see a man with passion and love in his eyes, with a depth about him that is warm and inviting. I see a man who desires to know you and is willing to walk with you through the struggles and in the joy. I see a man who is willing to wash feet, carry the burden and not count the cost.

When I picture Christ the King I see the man who called forth ordinary people to roles of service.  I see the man who was not afraid to draw near to a leper or respect those who were different.  I see a man who loved dearly and gathered those he loved and really anyone to share with them a story so they could come to understand God’s kingdom. I see the man who loved the widow, the child, the poor. I see the man who was heartbroken at his friend’s death, who listened to the pleas of a heartbroken mother and hurting father. I see the man who saw the bigger picture and expressed it in beatitudes and a golden rule. I see the man who taught about and lived prayer. I see the man who washed his disciple’s feet, forgave his betrayer and opened up the kingdom doors of freedom for all people. I see the man who knows the great gift of faith, hope and love. I see the man who is Christ the King and how he makes me part of God’s kingdom. I see Christ the King and crave nothing more than to walk with him.

I crave you

when in times of need,

when in times of joy,

when in times of trial,

when in times of reflection.

You are all I crave:

You are fulfillment,

You are peace,

You are strength,

You are in my deepest self.

I crave you. I crave you. I crave you.

I crave you

when there are distractions all-around,

when  illusions are taunting,

when seeking truth,

when in the present moment.

You are all I crave:

You are steady,

You are vision,

You are the Truth,

You are authentically love.

I crave you. I crave you. I crave you.

I crave you

when I create chaos,

when the false ways call,

when cover ups are offered,

when the lies entice.

You are all I crave:

You are present,

You are the Way,

You are goodness,

You are honesty.

I crave you. I crave you. I crave you.

I crave you

in Your Word,

In Your Sacrament,

In Your Presence among us,

In Your Promise of life.

You are all I crave:

Light of the World

Bread of Life

Emmanuel

The Resurrection and the Life.

I crave you. I crave you. I crave you.

I crave you Christ my King. 

Peace

Peace

cries out the blood stained rocks.

Peace

cries out the blood drenched earth.

Peace

cries out the blood soaked fields.

Peace

whispers the veteran of old.

Peace

whispers the veteran of today.

Peace

whispers the veteran of war.

Peace

the goal of peacekeepers.

Peace

the goal of aide workers.

Peace

the goal of each of us.

Peace

in the tears of a fleeing mother.

Peace

in the tears of a refuge child.

Peace

in the tears of a border crossing father.

Peace

a needed desire for nations.

Peace

a needed desire for tribes.

Peace

a needed desire for peoples.

Peace

utters the heartbroken parent.

Peace

utters the heartbroken spouse.

Peace

utters the heartbroken child.

Peace

the hope for broken homes.

Peace

the hope for hurting families.

Peace

the hope for shattered relationships.

Peace

in the heart seeking justice.

Peace

in the heart seeking forgiveness.

Peace

in the heart seeking good for all.

Peace

lingering in the future for our children.

Peace

lingering in the future for our communities.

Peace

lingering in the future for our planet.

Peace

guide for our daily living.

Peace

guide for our healing.

Peace

guide for our hearts.

Peace

the gift of love for neighbour.

Peace

the gift of each of our hearts.

Peace

the gift of the resurrection.

"Peace leave you: my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

Peace...

Let there be peace.

Peace.

Here and Now

“Don’t wish it away; don’t wish it ahead,” my friend said to me in our conversation over a year ago. That statement has been running in my life narrative ever since. At times it is very evident at other times it hits me like a lightning bolt which strikes the earth. In other words be present, be here - be now. How often I forget this as I look ahead; plan ahead or dream ahead. How often I forget this when I look back with regret; look back with longing for those moments or look back wondering why. 

Over the course of the last few days I have been reminded of the gift of the now; the present and how this moment builds towards an unknown future (which is okay) and my willingness to trust in God’s will.

I was reminded of the gift of now in a photo captured of two of my nephews together – caught up in a silly moment their faces lit up with great joy, very present to each other. They were not wishing it away; they were together as brothers – a gift in a moment that no one could take away from them.

I was reminded of this gift as I held a cup of tea and sipped it and that was simply all I was doing. Present in a moment - simply there - not planning, worrying or multi-tasking.

I was reminded of the gift of now in a walk and conversation with a Franciscan Brother of mine. A walk always makes us present to the moment, doesn’t it? No place to go in particular – simply walking in tune with where we are. The conversation involved us looking back on the journey and also discussing the future which cemented for me the need to present here and now in my current place and time. To give of myself for my current situation is being open to God’s will and creating steps for what is to come and not simply wishing it ahead.

I was reminded of the gift of now by being in a different location from regular day to day life. This caused me to heighten my senses of what is around me, who is around me and how I can be in this moment. In helping someone, in listening to someone, in sitting in quiet, in reading, in being nourished by song, sacrament and scripture I was caught up in a moment to simply be.

Life is continually throwing curve balls. We are constantly pulled out of the here and now to deal with past events or plan for something coming up. I don’t believe these curve balls are there to knock us off our grounding. I now can see them as ways to draw me into the present moment. What do I/we need in this moment to be able to walk well into the next moment? What do I/we need to being doing and to be aware of not to wish it away or ahead? What do I/we need to be caught up in God’s love and be aware of God’s will in this moment?

It is here that I am drawn to the gospel of Mark (12.28-34) and maybe for the first time I see the wisdom of the true commandments to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to “love your neighbour as yourself” as the gift of being present. To love God ad love my neighbour means I am present. To love God and love my neighbour awakens me to the moment not what is to come or what was. To realize that God is here and now in this moment as I type of this, or the moment of the walk or in the moment my two nephews shared is the awareness of the gift and commandment to love. Loving God and loving neighbour demands me to be present not wishing it away or wishing it ahead. It is God here and now – God with us – God our Emmanuel. Loving God with all my heart is a beautiful gift which opens me up to deeper trust and openness to live God’s will. Loving my neighbour is a beautiful gift which empowers me to be a vessel for God; which I pray to be each day. The greatest gift of this love (and commandment to love) is that they are here and now, as they were in the paths already trod and in the journey to come. There is no hesitation in this love there is only presence and being present. How will I choose to be present today? How will I choose to fill the commandment to love?

For the gift of the now,

O Lord, I am every grateful.

Grateful that you are present

with me and calling me to love

and that you show me your love.

Grateful for the gift of life

and to see you here and now.

God – me – love – present – now.  

God – us – love – present – now.  

Amen.

One Small Step

As you are aware one small step was made last week for the Franciscans in Canada as we became a united OFM Franciscan Province in Canada. This small step means changes to our leadership and how we will go forth as Franciscans in Canada. I’ve been pondering this event over the past week and come back to the word ‘hopeful’ which is what I signed off with before the Chapter.

I continue to be hopeful because
-our new Provincial and his council have embraced their task of leadership and have begun to work towards new realities.

-our Chapter was full of life, fraternal sharing, vision and the challenge to begin again; not simply carry on.

-each of us Friars were encouraged to truly live out our vocation and preach the gospel with our lives.

-our times of prayer and our social times fostered a great joy.

-our discussions were spirit filled and passionate.

-we had the chance to listen to each other and get to know each other a bit more.

-the support we have received from friends, family, neighbours, benefactors and other religious communities continues to be a gift.

-our brotherhood became evident and the joy in which we share.

-we were encouraged to not be afraid and to make choices to strengthen our witness of gospel living an dour witness in our great country.

-we were challenged to not forget the poor and outcasts; to look at and challenge our living and ministry.

-we were called to reflect on our reality as a small Franciscan Province in a large country and to remember that we are still called to do great things.

-we were awakened time and again to the working of the Holy Spirit and reminded to continually bring our needs and concerns to the Holy Spirit and ask for guidance and inspiration.

-of the generosity and kindness of so many.

-of openness, willingness and the opportunities that await for us as we continue to, “Go Rebuild the Church.”

-this Chapter was indeed a time of grace.

Thank you for your prayers and support, 
we continue to rely on these for our mission to be strengthened. 

Come Holy Spirit,

awaken us,

move in us,

light the way to new paths,

inspire us in all we do,

strengthen our fraternity,

guide our new Franciscan Province.

Amen.

Change

We the Franciscans are on the edge of a new beginning! As Franciscans we are about to become one OFM Franciscan Province in Canada. There will be new leadership and new challenges as we become one bilingual province. It is an an exciting time and also a time for reflection, great change, new opportunities, new dreams and a chance for us to reflect on our chasrism and founder and live it for this time and place. 

This edge we stand on provides us with a choice. 

One option is not to allow the Holy Spirit in and then slide down the edge and fumble our way into our future.

The other option is to be open and to work with the patron of our new province; the Holy Spirit. This will mean soaring to new heights, a renewed vigor, a newness, a breath of fresh air and as Francis would say a chance to, "begin again for up until now we have done very little."

The difference is one option means we focus on our own desires. The other option is to focus on Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit united in the love of God. The choice should be obvious. Francis reminds us that we are spouses, brothers and mothers of Christ. This means we are constantly open to life - especially new life in Christ. This is a birthing moment, a life-giving moment, a new-life moment.

I am hopeful.

Come Holy Spirit and fill our Franciscan Province 

with your wisdom, your vision and your life 

in these days of Chapter 

and as we walk with the changes that will come. 

Be at our side as we stand on this edge.

Please pray for the Franciscans of Canada over these days ahead. Chapter is an important time of prayer, meetings and fraternity. We humbly ask your prayers.





I will be using this song by Jesse Manibusan in my personal prayer time over the next week. I invite you to do the same as you hold the Franciscans, your needs and loved ones in prayer.

Always With Me

Always with me

yes you are

when days are long

when tasks are great.

Always with me

yes you are

in quiet moments

in restful pauses.

Always with me

yes you are

when sorrow lingers

when hurts hold.

Always with me

yes you are

in joys shared

in celebrations enjoyed.

Always with me

yes you are

when standing up for truth

when serving another.

Always with me

yes you are

in the journey

in the pondering.

Always with me

yes you are

Creator God

Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit.

Always with me

yes you are

and so 'yes' I respond

when you beckon:

'come and follow me.'

Gratitude

 

Gratitude

 

A heart full of praise for:

Blessings upon blessings,

Light in the darkness,

Endless hope to build upon,

Skills, abilities, gifts and talents,

The call to holiness and sainthood,

Good people – great and small,

Hugs shared,

Forgiveness and understanding,

Tasks accomplished,

Lessons learned,

Deepening peace,

The challenge of gospel living,

Joy which words fail to describe,

Dreams, ideas and creativity,

A source greater than myself,

Creation that reminds me of beauty,

Surprises instilling awe in me,

Listening ears and gentle prodding,

Quiet prayer,

The Eucharist – a gift of love,

The senses calling me to life,

Measureless love,

Discipleship and companionship,

Whispers of the heart,

My heart beat striving to be in tune with God

and propelling me into this gift of life,

For all these and so much more I give you thanks O God.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!