Shone Like the Sun, Shining Like the Son

This past weekend marked the 2^nd Sunday of Lent. The Gospel for this Sunday is always the Transfiguration of Jesus. After the ‘ugliness’ of last week’s gospel with the temptations, this week’s gospel is again full of rich images but more positive ones that serve as a foreshadow of the glory and awesomeness of Christ’s Resurrection.

If you will, some thoughts on being part of the Transfiguration…

Lord God,

it is good to  be here.
It is always good to be here,
yet at times I let worry or fear take over
and I forget that you whisper in my ears,
“You too are my beloved, I am pleased with you, don’t be afraid!”

 

As I journey down the mountain on the path of life,

help me to see you by my side, radiant and yet real.

You desire to have a ‘heart-to-heart’ with me each day,

may I take the time to share in that conversation.

Your brightness over comes my darkness
and allows me to rise up in your love.

May my desire to make dwellings for you,
be transformed into taking action for my brothers and sisters in a humble way.

May I slow down, stop and simply be with you today and every day,

I know in doing so I am nourished and I too can shine like the sun.

The story of the Transfiguration calls us to enjoy the glory of God,
reminds us that Jesus shines his light in our lives
and calls us to live being aware of others and to shine His light into their lives.

 

As we go about the task of building the kingdom, here are words of encouragement

from Saint Patrick:

I bind to myself today

God’s Power to guide me,

God’s Might to uphold me,

God’s Wisdom to teach me,

God’s Eye to watch over me,

God’s Ear to hear me,

God’s Word to give me speech,

God’s Hand to guide me,

God’s Way to lie before me,

God’s Shield to shelter me,

God’s Host to secure me,

Against the snares of demons,

Against the seductions of vices,

Against the lusts of nature,

Against everyone who meditates injury to me,

Whether far or near,

Whether few or with many.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ within me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ at my right,

Christ at my left,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

 

Amen.

 

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Inspired to Learn and Continuing to Grow in Faith

Part of my formation is ongoing education. I have already taken an introductory course in Theology. I have taken part in some workshops on various topics from Pastoral Care to Infant Death Awareness and I also take part in a weekly Gospel reflection as often as I can. I am really enjoying the variety of learning and the different styles that each offers.

As I consider the learning that is yet to come I think of people who inspired me to learn. My elementary school teachers: Miss S. & Mrs. S – who helped to fall in love with reading; Mrs. B. – who taught me how to take notes and introduced me to the gift of drama; and Mr. VB – who encouraged me in a lot but also who fueled my passion for social awareness and the value of history. I am also grateful for the amazing instructors I had in my Youth Ministry, Lay Ministry and Liturgy studies. Last but not least I am thankful for Grandparents who love to read and tell stories and that my parents bought us books, had lots of scrap paper and pencils around and also enjoy to read and tell stories. A good foundation makes learning a gift.

Currently I am working on a course on Spirituality. It is called An Interfaith Journey: Exploring Prayer and Spirituality. It is part of a certificate program that I hope to achieve. The program has been covering different faiths, how prayer is part of the religion, what prayer is and how it is used. We are exploring Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. It is amazing to discover that prayer really does unite us and we have much in common when it comes to being connected to God. No matter how the golden rule of ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ is worded it is what grounds the faithful and even non-believers. I have been inspired through the learning so far and wish to share with you some quotes that have spoken to me. As I continue on in this deepening faith journey I know these wise words will help shape me and draw me closer to the heart of Jesus. Maybe one will inspire you too.

 

We have no other reason for being, except to be loved by God… and to love God in return.

-      Thomas Merton

 

In Christian spirituality, Christ is the central and central to Christ is his death and rising to new life so as to send us a new Spirit.

-          Ron Rolheiser

I am not one in crowd for God, I am not a serialized number nor a catalogued card; I am unrepeatably unique, for God “calls me by name.

-          H. Alphonso

There is hope, unwavering hope. I have hope not in something I’ve done, some purity I’ve maintained, or some sermon I’ve written. I hope in God – the God who reaches out for the enemy, saves a sinner, dies for the weak. That’s the gospel, and I can stake my life on it. I must. And so must you.

                                                                                                                - James Van Tholen

The relationship between a person and another human being is what creates and allows for a relationship with God. If you’re not capable of living with each other and getting along with each other, than you’re not capable of having a relationship with God.

-          B. Feiler

In the name of the God Israel: at my right hand Michael, at my left Gabriel, ahead of me Ariel, behind me Raphael, above my head the glory of God.

-          Traditional Jewish prayer

Who loves, loves God.

-          Elie Wiesel

I have to be a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Jain, a Parsee, a Sikh, a Muslim, and a Jew, as well as a Christian, if I am to know the Truth and to find a point of reconciliation in all religion.

-          Bede Griffiths

Self-realization does not come by itself without doing spiritual practices.

-          Ravi D. Dogra

Prayer at the deepest level is built on the triple foundation of love, faith and aspiration. Prayer opens the door of the heart to let in God and let out ego.  Prayer an inward quest yearning for God’s grace. Prayer fills us with an intense desire to be worthy members of the kingdom of God.

-          Ravi D. Dogra

 

The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be to just keep moving.

-          P. Chodron

 

We must learn to steer away from pursuing a life of luxury, as it is an obstacle.

-          Dalai Lama

And finally to remind us of the golden rule the Dalai Lama says:

If we look down at the world from space, we would not see any demarcations of national boundaries. We would simply see one small planet, just one.

The Psalms

Each day during Morning and Evening Prayer as well as at Mass the psalms are key parts of the life of prayer for a Friar. Psalms speak to our journey, they speak of God's love and power, they can be cries for help, they are words of praise and joy, they are as relevant today as they were when they were written.

Over the course of my life journey a few psalms have served as anchors for me, especially Psalm 139 and Psalm 63. They have provided hope, they have reminded me of God's love and they speak to me about what is my core, what is at the heart of me.

Over the past week two other psalms have spoken to me and have aided me in the journey.

The first is Psalm 55, a line of it read:

Throw your cares on the Lord and the Lord will support you.

Well when I read that, I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I smiled and said, 'okay, okay God I get it you are always with me and do care very much.' Like as if I didn't know that but God knew I needed to hear those words that day.

Those words shaped the day and helped me to hear and respond to other words I needed to hear and situations I found myself in. It helped give words to where I am in this journey and again filled me with a deeper peace. I realized that I have been throwing my cares on the Lord and he has been listening and supporting me. Like I said I just needed a little reminder.

Thank you God for this reminder and for inviting and allowing me to throw my cares on you.
Thank you God for supporting me, giving me strength, courage and a rooted peace.

Psalm 90 is the second psalm, a verse of it reads:

O Lord,

You have been our refuge

from one generation to the next.

Before the mountains were born

or the earth or the world brought forth,

You are God, without beginning or end.

These words started my day and what a beautiful way to start the day, a reminder of how awesome and powerful and loving our God is. God's love is so grand and magnificent and yet so personal and intimate.

How awesome that our God is our hope and shelter, how awesome that our God created the world around us and how awesome that our God has always been.

These words from the psalms are blessings that fill me with awe and bring me peace. I am always with my awesome God and I am (and we all are) God's beloved and God is mine (ours).

 

As Lent draws near may these psalms be guides for the journey

Movements in the Journey

Reflecting on the past week of life, there is a lot that runs though my mind.

I journeyed to the Novitiate House last week for a workshop and to check out the place that will be home for Part 2 of the journey (which begins in August 2014).

I went with an open heart and mind.
I went excited and a bit anxious.
I went with questions and searching.

While I was there, I encounter a wide range of emotions and thoughts. Through them all I know that God is working in my life and opening me up to joys, challenges and hopes that will strengthen me.

There was great excitement in seeing the place and meeting the novices.
There was a sense of peace in understanding the routine and flow of the Friary.
There was joy in discovering others on the journey.   
It was awesome to meet 2 other Postulants my age and share stories and laughter. It was amazing to hear the amazing range of walks of life we come from: Broadway Dresser, Nuclear Scientist, Police Officer, Parish Minister, Environmental Engineer and Students. It was also amazing from where we come from: Vietnam, Iraq, Australia, Haiti, Singapore, USA and Canada and we range in age from 19 - 55.
There was energy around a group in formation and discernment.

Front Row: Novices, Middle and Back Row: Postulants from across North America

At one point in the week, when I had some time for myself, I just stopped and pondered, "what is going through you at this moment?" As I pondered that a few things crossed through my thoughts...
"can you do this?", "there will be some more changes in the journey", "there is hope and a desire", "I know I am called to this" "okay there is a little bit of fear!"

As I stop and look back at all these thoughts, I have processed them a bit more and as I have shared them in conversation with my guides, I continue to discover the journey will offer many twists and turns. In these twists and turns I remember Jesus said, "I am with you always until the end of time" and that allows me to journey on and open myself up to ongoing formation, discernment and endless hope.

I came back with my heart and mind still open.
I came back still excited and much less anxious.
I came back with more answers and less searching about the Novitiate House,
but a deeper searching of myself and how I must continually trust God's awesome
love and plan for me.

Life is about the movement of the Holy Spirit, falling deeper in love with Jesus Christ and having a life-long conversation with God. Religious life amplifies this and calls us to remind the Church what it is about: what it can be, longs to be and must be. Now that speaks to my heart and my desire to enter more deeply into the journey.

Please continue to pray for me and all the Postulants.

Love is in the Air?

How does a Postulant celebrate Valentine's Day?

Well I'm sure every Postulant celebrates it differently, as does every couple, single person, Friar, community and home.

Let me tell you how I celebrated the day.

My day began with prayer, where I held family and friends in prayer and gave thanks for the gift of their love. Then I went to Mass, where we celebrate the greatest love of all - the love of our God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

After Mass I helped to host a Valentine's Coffee Party for our regular Mass crowd. Fresh muffins, strawberries and chocolates. Thanks to my awesome nephews and nieces for the window clings that decorated the room nicely.

When the clean up was done I packed up and headed out with my Director. We headed out on a four hour hike around a lake and through a wooded area. Talk about God's awesome creation, talk about how God's love shines through in creation. It was a beautiful day, some rain, some cloud, some sun, and a great workout! It was awesome. We hiked, talked, listened, gave thanks and laughed. It was a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day in this year of formation.

 

 

The day ended with prayer, supper, enjoying some greetings from some very special kids and me very tired. What a blessed day.

I ask for your prayers this week in a very special way, as I will spend the week at the Novitiate House, in a workshop and checking out the next part of the journey. I'm looking forward to it.

Know of my prayers for you.

Love is...
In order to love simply, it is necessary to know how to show love. - F. Dostoyevsky

Kindness in words creates confidence; kindness in thinking creates profoundness;  kindness in feeling creates love. - L. Tzu

Love lights more fires than hate can extinguish. - E. Wheeler-Wilcox

Gold Silver & Bronze

The Winter Olympics have been something I have enjoyed since I have been 11 years old. The Calgary Winter Olympics took place in 1988 and as an 11 year old I was captivated by everything Olympics. I remember getting up early in the dark of winter to watch highlights and then watching them again when I returned home from school. There is something special about the Olympics that draws one in.  Over the years I have watched the Olympics and have been amazed and wowed over and over again. I have enjoyed Olympic parties, great conversations around the sports, I have been part of Olympic events (2010) and in fact I have even led a retreat with an Olympic theme. The good of the Olympics needs to be celebrated.

I know there are many people out there who are anti-Olympics and do not support them. Yes there is corruption within the IOC and yes there is way too much money spent on frivolous things, when that money could go to supporting the poor. We need to remember that the IOC and Olympic planners are human beings and that doesn’t make them perfect, it makes them like you and I: seekers, sinners, neighbors, Children of God; seeking to build the kingdom and let go of what leaves us in the dark.

I look to the good of the Olympics. The power of nations both large and small marching in and sitting together reminds us our cultural family. The beauty of art, cultural, history, creativity, and sport brought together showing forth God-given talents. The striving to be ones very best. The respect that is given and shown for each other, the pride in doing ones very best. The great stories of family support, of athletes reaching out to each other in times of crisis and celebrating the good in others. All these goods of the Olympics remind me of the Kingdom of God we are a part of are called to help shape and build.

May the golden moments remind us of the crown we will receive when we climb the podium to our heavenly home. May the silver moments remind us that we are on the right path. May the bronze moments remind us that we must continue to work at building the Kingdom. May all the excitement and joys, the challenges and hard-work, the disappoints and special moments truly remind us that God walks with us, trains with us, journeys with us and is with us always through this life time.

I may never wear a gold medal, but my name and all our names are golden in the heart of God. Now that is worth celebrating!

In honor of the Olympics some of my Top Lists: (none of these are in a particular order)

My Top 7 Favorite Feast Days:

1.       Epiphany  – have loved it since a child, one last hurrah and reminder of the gift of the Christ Child.

2.       St. Michael Day – pretty self-explanatory a great Saint, but I also celebrate my Grandpa’s B-day that day.

3.       Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – maybe it’s the candles, maybe it’s Simeon and Anna, maybe it’s because it’s about Tradition but I love it.

4.       St. Kateri, St. Brother Andre & Canadian Martyrs (technically these are 3 separate days but all equal to me) – some true Canadian Heroes with fascinating stories.

5.       St. Nicholas – the reminder to give and serve and share and the bonus little treats too!

6.       St. Anne & Joachim – Jesus had Grandparents – I love that! Let’s celebrate the goodness of Grandparents.

7.       St. Francis – when you are walking in this man’s footsteps he better make the top list, and I have been fascinated by him for a long time.

My Top 7 Canadian Winter Olympic Athletes I Would like to meet:

1.       Kurt Browning

2.       Alexandre Bilodeau

3.       Catriona Le May Doan

4.       Clara Hughes

5.       Scott Moir & Tessa Virtue

6.       Sandra Schmiler

7.       Scott Perras – oh wait I have – so cool to have a cousin who is an Olympic Athelete!

My Top 7 Winter Olympic Sports:

1.       Figure Skating

2.       Ski Jumping

3.       Curling

4.       Bobsled & Luge

5.       Aerial Freestyle Skiing

6.       Biathlon

7.       Short Track – Relay Speed Skating

My Top 7 Canadian Places I like to Visit or would Visit again:

1.       Home

2.       Newfoundland & Labrador

3.       Northern Canada – all 3 Territories

4.       Maritimes – all 3 provinces again

5.       St. Joseph’s Oratory

6.       Northern Saskatchewan

7.       Any place with a good deck to relax on in the summer or great fireplace and view in the winter

The Color Pages my nephews & nieces sent to me to color to celebrate! Go Canada Go!

Consecrated, Throats & Prayer: An Interesting Trio

Consecrated Life is another name for Religious Life and refers to nuns, monks, brothers, friars, sisters and priests who take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and live in community with others (like Friars do). As I mentioned last week, February 2 is the annual date set aside to celebrate those who make these vows. We celebrated in a very simple but life giving way. Besides a large group of Sisters of Saint Anne joining us for Mass, we hosted prayer and supper for a group of sisters, and an Oblate priest. We gathered together for prayer, celebrating Jesus being presented in the temple (one of my top 5 favorite feasts) and then enjoyed a fantastic lasagna meal together. It was a privileged place to be to encounter great stories, and sharing and memories and hopes as this unique but connected group sat down at table together. It helped me to appreciate again the journey I am on and gave me hope the future.

Please continue to pray for sisters, brothers, monks, and religious priests and for vocations.

Throats are often blessed on February 3 – the Feast of Saint Blasé. The prayer that is used is: ‘through the intercession of Saint Blasé may you be freed from any ailment of the throat’. I have had my throat blessed before, it is a simple blessing, where 2 unlit candles that are crossed are held across your throat as the above prayer is said. It’s an intimate blessing and today to receive this blessing from my director, who is a great man of prayer was very powerful. He didn’t rush through the blessing with anyone, in fact he entered into prayer with each person who came forward. The presence of Christ was very evident. Another powerful moment was at the end of the blessing, he went to our Friar who is 98 and blessed his throat and then he knelt before him and had him bless his throat. Wow! Another moment that Christ was so very present. It truly showed what it means to be a humble servant.

Prayer is such a gift. I have begun a new course on ‘An Interfaith Journey: Exploring Prayer and Spirituality. It has been a very interesting start and the reading is quite fascinating. It is calling me to a deeper awareness of my prayer journey and how and where I encounter Christ. I love how our minds and hearts have heightened awareness of a topic that we are surrounded by it or study. A young friar whose blog I follow had this to say this week about prayer:

‘One friar in our house often says, "Prayer must always remain a priority. Like meals, school work, exercise, and fraternity time, it needs to be set in the schedule for thirty minutes each day so as to not be neglected." This is quite obvious and makes perfect sense: if time is set out during the day, no matter what, for something like exercise, shouldn't prayer be as well. But that's not the end of it: "And in times when you're busy, those times when you're overwhelmed and can't imagine how you're going to get through it all, make it an hour." How contradictory to the way most of us normally act! And yet, how true! What is it that's going to keep us going? What is it that nourishes us? What is it that gives us meaning and reminds us why? It is relationship with God. It is prayer.

There is always time for prayer. Always. I may be too busy to do everything I could ever dream of doing, but I know for sure that I am not too busy to pray.’

I value his insight on such a gift that frames my day and calls me to be more aware. Then I found the following by the priest Austin Fleming.

‘And that started me thinking about all the things
that all of us “show up” for every week, even every day.
We all show up:
to eat and drink
to sleep
to shower
to go to work or school
to go grocery shopping
to check our email
to read
to watch television
to exercise
to pay the bills
to text, FaceBook, Google, Tweet, Instagram and Snapchat
to call family and friends
for sports and games and dance class
for meetings of all kinds
to shop and run errands
and who knows how many other things we all “show up” for
every week and every day.

When will we begin to make more time to show up for God
every week and every day:
“Showing up” so that one day we might say with Simeon,
“Lord I’ve done my living: I’m ready to go…”
“Showing up” so that one day we, like Anna,
we might give praise and thanks to God and not be slow
to share our faith with family and friends as the greatest gift of all,
the love of God.

Whether we “show up” for the Lord or not,

he never fails to show up for us.
He showed up for us when it counted the most – and cost the most:
on the Cross, in his suffering, in the sacrifice he offered there.
And whether we show up on the Lord’s Day or not,
he never fails to show up for us,
to save us a seat and set a place for us at his table,
where he shows up, again and again for us,
in the Bread and Cup of Communion.’

 

That’s a lot to think about and I know I will be more aware that I need to ‘show up’, not just coast.

May the same be true for you.