We Need A Little Christmas

There is a “Peanuts” cartoon in which Lucy greets Charlie Brown by saying, “Merry Christmas!” Charlie Brown replies, “Why does it only have to be this time of year? Why can’t people be nice to one another all year around?” Lucy retorts, “What are you? Some kind of fanatic or something?”

Of course, like Charlie Brown we would want it to be this way the whole year round, but Lucy unfortunately has it right – such generosity and love and attention to need is not the rule.

It was way back in September when I first started seeing Christmas displays in stores and we were already hearing Christmas music. Not carols so much, not religious music, but Christmas songs. Songs involving jingle bells and drummer boys and chipmunks and barking dogs and grandma getting run over by a reindeer. There are a lot of happy, bouncy holiday classics, and one of those that have been stuck in my head is called “We Need A Little Christmas.”

It turns out that this song is from the 1966 musical “Mame,” with Angela Lansbury. The happiness and cheeriness may seem overdone, but when you know something about the musical, it makes more sense. “Mame” is set between the Great Depression and World War II – not exactly the sunniest of times. People really did need some cheering up. And when you listen to the words more carefully, tucked into the cheery, happy tune is this verse:

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

I think a lot of us can relate to these words. It’s not just that folks in that grim stretch of the 30’s needed cheering up, lots of folks in the grim stretch we are in today need some cheering up. Many of us have grown a little leaner, a little colder, a little sadder, certainly a little older. And we do need the angels – we do need the arrival of God with us.

There in much in my ministry that just feels heavy and needs some cheering up:

More war.
More hunger.
More terrorism.
More stories of children neglected and abused.
More factories closing.
More folks out of work.
More homes in foreclosure.
More people struggling to get by.
More people who are homeless.
More people without adequate medical care.
More loved ones facing serious illness.
More of us who have lost loved ones this year.
More students struggling with what to do with their lives.
More people looking for direction.

What we need most in the midst of hard times is to know that things will be OK, to know that we are not alone, to know that someone cares. We need to know that God is there. As Mame sings, we need that angel sitting on our shoulder. Maybe that is what we need most: to know that God is with us.

We seem to go from one obstacle or crisis or setback to another, and humanity seems to stumble along from one conflict and collapse to another. And we can so resonate, again, with this cheery song:

We need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
”Happy ever after,”
Need a little Christmas now.

Into a world that desperately needed it, Jesus was born. It didn’t seem like an earth-shattering event. In fact, it seemed like yet another example of the pain and harshness of the world. A not-yet-married couple are on a journey when the time to deliver comes, and there is no place to stay, no room at the inn, and a baby is born in a stable – in a shelter for animals. Not an auspicious beginning. Nothing about the story is expected, but every step of the story gives us hope. If God can turn the world upside down through a baby born in such humble surroundings to poor parents in an unimportant country, then maybe there is hope for us.

The birth of Jesus was like that – it changed things. It changed things and continues to change things for us. In the darkest night, we know that God has come to us. Yes, we need a little Christmas. Christ comes into our hearts bringing hope and peace and joy and love.

God lives with us as we hear the angels speak: “ Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim good news of great joy… For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need to know that God cares for us, that God has offered us a wonderful gift. We need a little Christmas, need it every day. And the Good News is that we have it. We have the gift of Christ, God with us, now and always.

Christmas Card from Prison

Long-time, good friends stopped by my office with an urgent need to discuss a personal matter. They were in shock and uncomfortable by a letter that came from prison. It had arrived from a former colleague and estranged friend. This person was a victim of poor legal representation that resulted in serving as a first-time offender for a non-violent crime. They simply wanted to understand what all this meant from God. They were confused and angry and looked for guidance on what they needed to do.

What my good friends did not know was that this inmate had made me promise to watch over his mother while serving their sentence. I had recently received a Christmas card from this young inmate that made me cry. The message from this inmate to his long-time friends was a gesture of hope and reconciltation. He understood that they had been seriously hurt by a decision he made in their work together. This couple had given this apprentice their support, experience and guidance. However, his decision had abruptly ended their friendship and professional relationship. Now after spending seven months in confinement, the desert experience had made our inmate soul realize that it was a serious mistake in judgment. This little one wanted to be loved and accepted back into their family.

The inmate’s letter tried to give this couple a glimpse of the lack of dignity inmates suffer in an unjust prison system. Any parent who has a family member incarcerated understands this injustice whenever they visit their loved ones. Many first time, non-violent offenders would better find rehabilitation outside prison. These families know that the system is in need of serious reform. Worse, this young person has shared how the routine that starts with lights on at 6am and a count, and the sheer repitition of each day strips the mind, body and spirit.

After learning that their former apprentice was suffering this injustice, this couple struggled in their hearts whether this was a ploy to get them to cooperate in the appeal process or simply a genuine gesture to surrender hurts and mistakes of the past. Listening to my friends concerns, I simply shared that this is what Christmas is all about. It is saying inside your heart and soul that we have already forgiven you for any misunderstanding and pain.

I shared that for seven months, I listened to his mother’s fears, frustrations and struggles with the legal system. I had taken the 5-hour trip to the prison and hugged this soul with the assurance that they will never be forgotten. The weekly letters from over 75 friends are the highlight of his day at 3:30 in the afternoon.

His Christmas card was a surprise and most humbling was the message on the front cover: HOPE. Is this not why God came to live among his people? Our Emmanuel, God with us, came to be at our side during despite times.

There will not be any Christmas hymns playing inside those prison cells, but I pray that all prisoners know that God has never forgotten them and that memories of the Christ Child bring hope to all in need of a Christmas blessing.

The letter to my friends ended with an invitation to come visit him in prison. He wrote that in that moment there will be many tears to shed. His hope was that tears of healing and forgiveness could replace the anguish of rejection and abandonment.

How many of us feel uncomfortable with another family invitation during the Christmas holidays. Our memories turn to past hurts when we felt misunderstood and rejected by family. We might better wish that the angels in Bethlehem whisked us away to a safe haven. Despite these hurts, the angels are back again to invite us to a place where shepherds keep watch and proclaim that a Savoir has been born. Come away from your despair and loneliness and allow the tiny eyes in the manger to fill your soul with a peaceful calm that says you are divinely loved. That’s the true meaning of Christmas.

Our Savior prays for us as we reflect: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 18:10).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends who have family and friends in prison during the Christmas season, May their gifts to buy food or warm clothes, or their letters and visits help to lift the spirits of those souls that feel abandoned. Let them know that God cares and wants each lost soul to be free from their fears and rest in the manger of love and hope.

The Perfect Gift

The UPS box was soaking wet. It had been delivered unprotected from the snow, wind and rain that had pelted the region. The return address announced it came from good friends several states away that were trying to beat the Christmas rush. Carefully, plying away the drenched cardboard, the contents had been packed in those plastic peanuts to keep the presents safe. Despite my friend’s best intentions, each gift was unwrapped to check for damage and regretfully we found mug handles broken and clothing soaking wet.

I was more than disappointed that Big Brown had been so careless in their service. However, I prefer to reflect on the gift and the meaning behind each present. I felt blessed that there are people in my life who had taken the extra time and effort to send such special gifts. Many times we go out of way to show our appreciation for those special friendships. In our journey, we stumble and fail to say the perfect words or buy that perfect present. Despite those times when the end result did not come out as planned, it is our intent, our efforts that matter the most to Our Lord.

How many Christmases have you exhausted yourself in search of that one special gift for your child or friend, only to have it delivered, broken or lost in the process. Or your worse fear was realized when your child’s response was not as enthusiastic as you had hoped because you bought the wrong model number. Yikes! What a dummy you say to yourself.

Let me remind you that there will be a few broken packages and broken promises that make us sad. But there is hope on the horizon. The shining moment we are waiting for comes in a package wrapped in swaddling clothes to reach out to your heart and smile into your soul that you are one special gift in yourself. The Prince of Peace loves you always. That’s the true meaning of Christmas. It is not buying the perfect present or spending beyond your budget that matters to God. Our Savior appreciates your daily efforts that reflect the rays of His forgiveness, love and gratitude. No need for a gift, for you are God’s greatest gift to one another. Live in the Spirit of His undying love for you.

God prays for us as we reflect: “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers one into the presence of the great.” (Proverbs 18:16).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who worry that their gifts will not satisfy the receiver. Our gifts may arrive soggy and broken, however, it is our spirit of love that matters most to you.

Maybe This is Hell?

Imagine someone wrote your obituary and posted it on the internet as a joke. Despite the fact that you were really still alive. Your friends and foes started to post their comments and memories about what they thought about you. What would you be reading?

In the book, “The Christmas List’ the main character is angered and humiliated by the comments of his so-called friends and foes. Worse than anger or even betrayal, he felt something still stronger. He felt shame.

Heartless, Monster, Grinch, His memory had been betrayed by his friends as well as his enemies. Only one person seemed to care about him and it was the woman he betrayed. He was baffled. After all he had done to her, she had stood up for him. Why?

For the first time in his life he discovered what people really thought about him. Without going into details and giving away the story let me share that he decided to make amends to all the people he had hurt in his life.

Our character was pretty shaken up by what he read in the online comments. He decided he wanted to make amends. But his best friend asked him a most profound question: “Do you want to change yourself or change what others thought about you.”

He felt that he deserved every one of those comments on the web site and ten thousand more. “Those people know the real me.” But the worst thing is that NOW that I really do want to make things better, there’s nothing I can do. Maybe this is hell, seeing the truth. Knowing fully the pain and hurt you caused others and knowing there’s no way you can make it better. He stole their lives and dreams. How could he ever be forgiven?

Isn’t that the point of Christmas? You might have started your life’s journey for the wrong reason reaching for ambition, greed, selfishness, but you want desperately to be in the right place. I believe that our intent matters. I know that it’s never too late to do the right thing. There are people who still need you and care about you.

God prays for us as we reflect on this passage: “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

We all wish to be pure again. To be reborn to a second chance.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who ask the question: Can you ever forgive me? Imagine Jesus taking your face into His hands and looking into your eyes as he says: “I already have.”

This year, as you gaze upon the infant in the crib in wonder, whisper these words: “How could you forgive me? I don’t deserve it.” Remember: that’s what makes it love.

Wonderfully Suspicious

The church year begins with the First Sunday of Advent. However, you probably never noticed that we imitate the noise of New Year’s Eve when we blow those whistles, sound the horn, shout the countdown and wildly throw confetti. We symbolically explode the old, as it were, obligate the past, so we can make a new, fresh beginning.

The church year is no different. It too always ends and begins in chaos. Recall those terrible apocalyptic images: the sun, moon and stars will implode. There will be roaring of seas and waves. Yes, the very powers of heaven, like a nuclear blast, will be shaken and people will die of fright. Quite a scenario. But the function of these dire images, like the ones of New Year’s is meant to obliterate our selfish past and prepare us to make a new spiritual beginning.

That’s what the gospel sound and fury are about. It’s about thrashing the old and preparing for the new. Only for us, it is not resolutions to lose weight or be nicer to our mother-in-law. It is the challenge to live the spiritual life better than we did last year.

I hesitate to use the term “spiritual life,” as accurate as it is. The reason is that the term “spiritual life” tends to conjure up floating in la la land, talking to animals, or pausing to have visions. Or, at least fleeing to the convent or monastery. But the spiritual life is quite realistic, robust and challenging, and while it is for everybody, it is not for sissies.

How do I know if I am a spiritual person or not? How can I tell? Well, it’s really not hard to figure out. In fact, there are five quite sensible and infallible signs that I will explore with you during this Advent Season.

On a Monday morning after turkey day, think for a moment that you are a spiritual person if you have the capacity for transcendence. Simply put, it means that you are aware that there’s something more than meets the eye. You are always “wonderfully suspicious” that something more is going on. This is a contradiction to the secularists whose opinions say quite loudly that there is no God, no afterlife, no meaning, no purpose to life. Life is fundamentally absurd, a cosmic joke. What you see is what you get.

But not so the spiritual person. He or she sniffs hidden presences. They sense something in ever try flower, in beauty, in art, in friendship, in kindness, something that hints at something more to life. In fact, such things hint of Some One more. This morning I was humbled by an "old, trusted friend" who reminded me how much inspiration he receives by the Sonshine notes. He felt something was missing if he did not find them in his email, it was the mystery and a Presence.

This morning's image did not win any national awards, but it inspires me to take a time out during my hectic day to imagine myself walking along a stream and suddenly feel a sensation of peace and calm. The spiritual person notices. The spiritual person has the capacity to perceive beyond and behind. It could be the moment while you were basking the turkey, or rolling out the cookie dough or witnessing your first grandchild being baptized. I believe there is Some One more.

God prays for us as we reflect: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence…” (Psalm 16:11).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they discover the spiritual life that leads to the Presence in Bethlehem.

Together in Kindness

Thanksgiving is a time when we traditionally reflect on our blessings, Blessings. It’s a word we trip off our tongues easily enough: “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts…” We bless ourselves with the sign of the cross, and say “God bless you” when someone sneezes. But this thanksgiving I want to turn your minds and hearts to see blessing differently. I want you to see blessing not as words that we say or something that one person gives another. Rather, I ask you to think of blessing as “being together in kindness.” Yes, I want you to see that blessing is not something you do, but as something you are to one another. I want you to see that blessing is a moment of meeting, a relationship that acknowledges one’s worth, it is being together in kindness.

For decades, a nationwide company had the tradition to handout to their employees $25 food vouchers to buy the family turkey for Thanksgiving. The company was looking for ways to cut benefits to improve their bottom line. They agreed to eliminate the Thanksgiving food voucher when one member’s of the leadership team shared: “You guys are not in touch.”

Our loyal people have been working for this company for decades, They work long hours in a cold warehouse for $7.50 and hour. Then they go home to take care of their children and pay their bills. When they get that food voucher, it’s like gold. This means they can go and buy a turkey and enjoy a warm meal with their family. You don’t see the smile on their faces when they get that letter. I know for a fact that one of the best things we do in this company for our people is show our appreciation to those who give us their best throughout the year. So despite our need to cut costs this year, I say we need to keep this benefit.

The other executives might have felt uncomfortable, but no one voted to discontinue the benefit. So the smiles will continue for one more year because this kind leader understood the meaning of gratitude and what it can do for the hearts of people who feel special and appreciated for their hard work.

Yes, people are treasures to us, are blessings to us. So this Thanksgiving is a good time to remember and cherish the people in our lives who, in need and in deed, in sickness and in health, were with us in kindness and let us know we count.

Thanksgiving is a time to remember those who have attached words to us, words like “May I help” “And I’m right here,” and “Blessed are you”; and labels like friend, beloved, special, lover, the best, treasure, one in a million, heart of my heart. We may have been, and maybe are “just old school friends,” but from those who have been together with us in kindness we learned that we each are a special indeed.

Today, then, while we will thank God for many things, let us remember people, especially those who have been with us in kindness and who, in that encounter, have blessed us.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends on this Thanksgiving Day that they realize how special they are in my daily life. Please share the following table blessing with your family and friends. Blessings to All, Fr, Matt

To our friends who have become family and our family who have become friends. God of joy and happiness, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Thank you for our family, our friends, our pets, and for every other living creature we meet along our journey.

Thank you for giving us hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love. And for the kindness of an unexpected dinner invitation, for a letter unforeseen, for the sunlight bursting through thick clouds, for a request to "come along,” for all the wonderful surprises of life we give you thanks, O God of joy. Amen.

We All Get Lost Sometimes

Turbo is the name of the inside lead horse in this championship Belgian six-horse hitch. You are witnessing his last performance since his owner plans to retire this trusted friend after the show. Turbo was abandoned and discovered in a pasture on a farm in Caledonia, New York. With lots of patience, plenty of food and excellent training this abandoned horse later became the number one lead horse of a six-horse hitch in the country.

The story of any rescue horse is very sad. In many cases, the horse is emaciated, covered in rain rot, and worst, their sensitive hooves are cracked straight through the top, making it almost impossible for them to walk. The horse wants nothing to do with humans who have caused their pain by neglect and they are quite content to stay where they are, cracked hooves and all. Their eyes show not only fear but also a strong dislike for the people inspecting them and their skin tensed under a human hand at each touch. The creature is an impossible mess but at that grace-filled moment, our farmer never imagined that Turbo would look as glorious as he appears in our photo leading his team to another championship.

We all get lost sometimes. The stories represent the messes of our lives. A single mom raising her children after being abandoned by her partner. The despair of a young teen whose best friend committed suicide. A man in his 60’s prefers to cry in the rain because her has no job. A young adult is told that his friend no longer needs him. Then, there’s the family provider who suddenly feels a shark pain and discovers that he has a mass that requires surgery. Finally, there are the million of unemployed workers who have been searching for months, even years for employment and after each rejection they sink deeper into depression.

Yes, we all get lost sometimes. The trick is to believe that we’re worth finding. Turbo was found with the hands of a loving farmer who saw the potential of this wonderful horse. When we are confronted by a situation beyond our control, it is time to pray to God who sees our desperate faces and looks into our hearts and promises to free us from our frustrations, from our fears and find strength in his grace and power.

God prays for us as we reflect: “May Your unfailing love be our comfort…” (Psalm 119:76).

Lord, I pray for all my Sunshine Friends who rescue horses in abandoned fields, or stray kitties and doggies. I pray when we notice our neighbor suffering the pain of feeling abandoned and we offer a healing touch, a comforting word and a gesture of hope. Bless the horse lover’s in the fields who bring comfort to rescue horses. May these magnificent creatures find a comfortable stall to lay their heads tonight with lots of hay and water.

Breaking Through Red Tape

Whenever I celebrate a wedding, I find myself seated at the parent’s table for the reception. This means eating with strangers who have come a long distance to celebrate in the festivities. While we engage in small talk, serenpidity brought me in contact with a highly educated, thoughtful young professional. This young person was most insightful as they shared the trials of their new job. Early in their career, they had experienced corporate life in a large company, but their creative juices led them to explore other opportunities to better use their talents.

Part of their job required campaigning for the local elected officials. While making house calls, this professional knocked on a door of a resident who asked the question why should they vote for their candidate. Our campaigner had their facts ready citing a significant reduction in crime and an increase in better education.

Despite these successes, this resident shared the nightmare of “red tape” encountered in getting services for his family. He’s called six times to get his food stamps and no reply. He was behind on his mortgage and the agency that offered help was to complicated to negotiate a reduce loan. He needed medical insurance for the family but all he got was a busy signal. Our young professional simply said: “Here, take my card and call me on Monday.” This act of kindness mirrors an attitude that Jesus practiced with such great finesse and flair.

A bit of wisdom that he practiced and preached: “Love God with everything you got” and secondly, “love your neighbor.” Simply put, when the opportunity presents itself, get rid of that “red tape” that hurts His “little ones” that refers to anyone who feels abandoned and neglected.

Let me further add my version of this profound wisdom to love neighbor: “Do ordinary things in extraordinary ways.” It’s the moment our young professional listened to the voice of this desperate resident. This man struggled with a inept system muddled in bureaucratic “red tape” and our young prophet promised to break the bonds that prevented this man from feeding, caring and sheltering his family.

God prays for us as we reflect: “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. (Psalm 145:9).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are willing to seek out the right when so many things go wrong—like the massive red tape in our government, willing to carry each other’s burdens, willing to do the ordinary things in extraordinary ways, you become the sacrament, an outward sign of the way God loves us. We are invited to be a living sacrament, living vessels that mirror compassion, understanding, patience and love despite, all the glitches in government policies. In that moment, we catch a glimpse of how much God must forgive, persevere and love us? As St. Paul said, it’s a great mystery, your ability to mirror and reveal God.

So, let your revelation begin…

Reflections

I was greatly humbled when a stranger came up to me in church to say that they appreciate all the beautiful images I have shared in the Sonshine reflections. Rarely, do I hear a comment about a story or photo, but my purpose is simply to open your hearts to the beauty that God surrounds us each day. One of those magical moments is the ordinary people who cross our path in our worse moments to give us strength and courage.

Once upon a time, there was this forty-six-year-old, divorced woman, with three grown children. After several months of chemotherapy following a mastectomy for breast cancer, she was starting to put her life back together when her doctor called with the results of her last checkup. They had found more cancer, and she was devastated. Her relatives had not been supportive. She was the first person in the family to have cancer and they didn’t know how to behave toward her. They tried to be kind, but she had the feeling they were afraid it was contagious. They called on the phone to see how she was doing, but they kept their distance. That really hurt.

On Saturday, she headed out for the laundromat. You see the same people there almost every week. They exchange greetings and made small talk. So when she pulled into the parking lot, she was determined not to look depressed but her spirits were really low. While taking her laundry out of the car, she look up and saw a man, one of the regulars, leaving with his bundle. He smiled and said, “Good morning. How are you today?” Suddenly she lost control of herself and blurted out. “This is the worst day of my life! I have more cancer.” Then she began to cry. He put his arms around her and just let her sob. Then he said, I understand. My wife has been through it, too. After a few minutes she felt better. stammered out her thanks, and proceeded on with her laundry.

About fifteen minutes; later, here he comes back with his wife. Without saying a word, she walked over and hugged her. I know what you’re going through. This woman can’t tell you how much that kindness meant to her. Here was this total stranger, taking her time to give this woman emotional support and courage to face the future at a time when she was ready to give up.

The two great commandments have their challenges: “You shall love your God with everything you got” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

What is a saint? When we ‘re ready to give up when you hear the news: “Your cancer has come back, you haven’t found a job since January, your soldier has been killed in action, your child died in an auto accident due to drugs, your child was sentenced to eight years in jail, your best friend left you for whatever.”

Just how does any saintly soul manage these miserable moments, these insane happenings that have no purpose, no sense of love and more profoundly how are we suppose to love God and our dumb, stupid relatives who don’t know how to talk to us.

A saint learns with lots of practice that while on this earth, we are put to the trial, we must give triple thanks to the Almighty: first for giving us the strength to endure the trial, second for bringing the trial to an end, and third for the trial itself. For suffering contains the secret of creation and its dimension of eternity; it can be pierced only from the inside. Suffering betters some people and transfigures others. At the end of suffering, of mystery, God awaits us...

God’s prays for us as we reflect upon our suffering: “God does notice our miserable moments and listens to our cries for help.” (Psalm 22:24).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel under the weather to remember an old Persian proverb: I sought my God, My God I could not see. I sought my soul, My soul eluded me. I sought my neighbor and I found all three.

What Do You See?

A beggar asked his neighbor for charity but the neighbor told him: "I'll give you something even better.” The neighbor brought the beggar to a merchant, and asked him to find a job for the beggar. As the neighbor was well trusted, the merchant didn't hesitate to give some merchandise to the beggar and asked him to travel and sell them in another city.

A few days later, the neighbor found the beggar still in a miserable condition; surprised, he asked him about the matter. The beggar informed him: "While traveling, I found a blind eagle in the desert, and I was very curious how it got food though it was blind; I observed it for some time, and, to my surprise, another eagle came and fed it. I said to myself, this bird took care of that blind eagle in this desert and who will take care of me! So, I returned to the city and gave the merchant back his goods."

But the neighbor after reflection, asked him: "But tell me, why did you choose to be the blind eagle, not the other one, who could fly, chase, and take care of others?"

Maybe the Spirit of God might be nudging you to task care of someone who you least expect. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar who took a different approach to life than our beggar in the story. He shouted to Jesus, but was scolded by the crowd and ordered to be quiet. Then Jesus does something rather odd, he is perfectly capable of calling Bartimaeus to himself, and yet he tells others in the crowd to do it. “Call him here.”

What do you think is see happening here? If the people had refused Jesus request would Bartimaeus have remained blind? If we fail to act when nudged by the Holy Spirit, does it mean some poor soul will go unnoticed by God?

Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” No desire for power here, just a confident but humble request “Rabbi, I want to see.” And as quickly as the request is spoken Bartimaeus is told, “Go, your faith has healed you.” We are told that Bartimaeus immediately began to follow Jesus along the road.

What do we see as you gaze upon this Sonshine photo of a morning sunrise in the Adirondacks? A beautiful Autumn morning, a reflection of the spirit inside of you nudging you to take notice of someone in need of God’s grace. Maybe like that eagle you will soar and bring God’s love to those who are different, to those who make us look at ourselves and ask: Where are our blind spots?”

God prays for us as we reflect: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that God gives us the grace to fill our eyes that we may see others as You see them. Help us to make our community of faith a haven for the hurt, the lost, the angry, and for all who feel they have been rejected by the world. We have felt your love and forgiveness and it is our desire to share what we have experienced with them. As we go about our routines this week help us to really see and hear what goes on around us. Open our senses to the opportunities you present for us to share your love with others. Help us to be builders of community in your name.

Swirling

In the past 24 hours, I made a 12-hour house call to the Adirondack Correctional Facility. There a young man sits determined to return home to be vindicated for a crime he did not commit. The daily routine, boredom and degrading atmosphere take its toll over his spirit. He simply survives, washes his clothes in a five-gallon bucket, works out in zero degree temperatures and attends Mass. The senior counselors reviewed his case and recommended that he be eligible for a work release program that would return him home. However, he needs the approval of the prison superintendent and the Albany director of parole.

The system is the disease and in the trenches I have tried to teach him how to manage his stress without losing his integrity and slumping into depression. He asked for books about the Holocaust survivors to learn how they managed in their internments. I believe that it was their faith that helped them to persevere.

Thanks to the hospitality of Fr. Vic, the prison chaplain, a young man struggles in a system that preaches “rehabilitation” but the truth is that this system’s motto is power and money.

This young man’s thoughts are swirling with emotions of anger and resentment, frustration and depression. He has spent less than 100 days surviving the system, transferred nine different times, stationed at six different prisons and learned that boredom and stripping your humanity are the focus of this inhumane system.

How many times in your life have you felt stripped of your humanity, raped by fears of misunderstanding or the cruelty of the medical or social service system that fails to give you hope and relief? Overworked counselors, nurses and aides struggle to provide homecare, a place to live, a job, medical care, or simply food stamps. In reality, you feel like a number waiting for your turn. You are not thriving but only surviving. The system is more about power and money.

Make no mistake, this is not the leadership style of Christ who comes as the servant leader. As St. Paul says, He became one like us, able to “sympathize with our weaknesses,” even becoming subject to earthly death.

When you are swirling in turmoil, drowning in bureaucracy or the empty promises of government programs and insurance, think of God getting down into the trenches with you, coming down among his people, to do everything he could for your benefit. Christ is the servant leader.

God prays for us as we reflect: “ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who suffer from a system that fails to get down into the trenches with us. For the counselors, teachers, mentors who daily come intro the home of the elderly, physically challenged and incarnated, may the spirit of Christ bring hope and comfort into the hearts of anyone who feels abandoned and useless. In the eyes of God, look into today’s image and see beyond the swirling waters of your troubles and notice in the distance a bridge where God is waiting to walk you into his glory.

An Autumn Bouquet

A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous cathedral. he had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the cathedral there was another, smaller church where there lived a very old retired pastor.

One day, when the priest was expecting some special guests, he took extra care in tending to the garden. He pulled the weeds, trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and spent a long time meticulously raking up and carefully arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the retired pator watched him with interest from across the wall that separated the churches.

When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his work. "isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old priest. "yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing. Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you."

The priest lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the pastor walked to the tree near the front of the church, grabbed it by the trunk and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden.

Autumn tells a beautiful story. The nights are longer, the air is colder. The breeze has a distinct bite to it. Nature follows its own internal directive: "Slow down, it seems to call. Ponder the inward, rather than the outward. Return. Be quiet. Take rest."

Autumn is telling us something important. Autumn fires something in our imagination that can sustain us as spiritual people. With its blustery days, its dropping temperatures, its slowly freezing ponds and rivers, its long, dark nights, and its beautiful, falling leaves, Autumn tells us the story of Nature's way, in which all individual lives wind down, and return, each in its own time, each in its own way, to the earth.

This is a difficult story, and though it is the leaves that tell it-and they are truly eloquent-it is a story for all souls. It reminds us that our lives our not whole if the story we tell is only about holding on. If our story does not allow us to let go gracefully, then we do ourselves a spiritual disservice. For, in the end, we are just like leaves, swirling in autumn wind, gently bound for spinning earth.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the leaves of the woods will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord.” (Psalm 96:12-13)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends who struggle with letting go the neighborhood church, the grief of departed friends, the worry of finding a job, the disease that weakens immune systems, the resentments of long ago, the rudeness of trampling others down. Give us a wisdom that comes with prayer that allows us to gently let it go

Faith Muscles

Wilson is a wonderful barn horse who through the years has developed a remarkable patience with “novice” riders. I consider myself a “novice” rider who many times forgets the basics of horsemanship like staying in balance. When Wilson started to canter, I was flopping up and down in the sandal and pulling on the bit that makes it very uncomfortable for the horse. Poor Wilson, he must have thought that Fr. Matt had a bad week and wanted the lesson to stop at that moment.

Instead my instructor said stop, take your feet out of the stirrups and stretch your legs. I was not balanced over the horse. The reason was simple. I had not been doing my stretching exercises. Once the legs were loose and stretched, we started to canter again, grabbed mane and horse and rider felt more comfortable going over the cross rails.

One exercise excellent for the horse to practice in the ring is to ”gently’ pull the rein to one side. Wilson would tuck his head to that side which helps to stretch his neck. At the same time, I push with my calf so that Wilson continues walking in a straight line. Horses need to stretch their necks and backs so that their muscles stay healthy and strong.

Many times, we feel out of shape because we procrastinate and fail to exercise. In life, we feel overwhelmed by many difficulties because we have not been stretching our “faith” muscles.

It is possible to conclude that difficulties help our faith to grow strong? My response is yes, yes, and yes again. If life were all smooth sailing we would not develop the faith muscles. An individual confined to a hospital bed for a long time will find it difficult to walk properly. In fact, it has been proven that the lack of use tends toward deterioration.

So when "hills" appear in your life, when even "mountains" loom in your pathway, consider an opportunity to get into balance. This is how we develop our muscles. We believe that the testing of faith produces patience. So let patience help us when we are out of spiritual balance.

God prays for us as we reflect: "Consider it all joy when you fall into various trials. Because you know that the testing of faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are a tad out of shape physically and spiritually. Help us to develop the spiritual strength to manage the trails of life with our faith muscles in perfect balance.

Many churches celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a pet blessing. Here is my “Pet Prayer for the Lost and Forgotten”

To all the fur-balls who are lost, Or homeless, Or living as strays, may they find a good meal to eat. May they have shelter to keep them warm. May they have comfort. May they be shown kindness by strangers. And may they return home, or find good homes. May they rest in a place in which they can thrive. Filled with love, with warmth, with tender caring, with good food, with true companions for all of their days.

Comfort Me With Apples

I took a day to retreat into an apple orchard. Laurie, a Sonshine friend, invited me to travel the country roads in Wayne County where the apples are at their peak. It was brisk, cool morning, sunlight dancing through the orchard groves and the cloud formations were spectacular in the deep, blue sky above as you can see in our photo.

There was a young person who came to the local monastery in search of enlightenment. There, he asked to hear one of the abbot’s lectures - and was granted permission.

That afternoon, the abbot’s discourse was about the importance of work in the field. After the lecture, the young man said to one of the monks: "That was amazing. I thought I would hear a fine sermon about virtues and sins, and the abbot spoke only of apples, peaches, pears, and irrigation. Where I come from, all believe that God is merciful: all one must do is pray."

The monk smiled and replied: "Here we believe that God has already done His part; now it is up to us to continue the process." The abbot shared another story about a farmer who grew award-winning apples. Each year he entered his apples in the state fair where it won many blue ribbons.

One year a reporter came to his farm to interview him and learn how this farmer grew these winning apples. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his apple seeds with his neighbors. "How can you afford to share your best apple plants with your neighbors when they are entering apples in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.

"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The bees carry the pollen from one ripening apple tree to another. If my neighbors grow inferior apples, the cross-pollination would steadily degrade the quality of my apples. If I am to grow good apples, I must help my neighbors grow good apples too."

He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His apples cannot improve unless his neighbor's apple orchards also improve.

So it is in other dimensions. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good apple orchards we must help our neighbors grow good apples.

God prays for us as we reflect: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who generously spread the seed of goodness to their neighbors by their daily sacrifices and prayers. Bless all our farmers who are working hard to harvest their crops that fill our tables. In gratitude, let us be mindful to reach out to those families who are still unemployed and need a helping hand.

Flat Spots

You might never noticed but the for the most part, the Bible dispenses with the kinds of adverbs you might find in novels in which, when a character speaks a line, we may well be told that he spoke those particular words “sternly” or “laughingly” or “gravely.” But the Bible doesn’t usually include such narrative details, leaving the reader—free to imagine the acoustics of the text.

I like you to use your imagination and think about the sound of Jesus’ voice. If you google “voices” for God, you come up with hundreds of hits. Some refer to the sound of thunder and others a whisper? Do you think his voice to be mighty stern or disappointed? Does it come across as tender? Maybe, it reflects a heartbroken, trembling tone whose words have some difficult things to say.

Jesus wants to be alone with you and what he has to say is difficult. It is going to be something pretty tough to verbalize. He says he will suffer and be abused and die on a cross. Yes, a day of resurrection would come, thanks be to God, but the thing about a resurrection is that you always have to pass through death first to get there.

“I love you” is best whispered into the ear while the beloved is close enough to embrace. “I’m going to suffer and die soon” is “I love you” in God-speak and reflects what’s in his heart for each of us.

I wonder how hurtful it must have been for Jesus to take his disciples aside to tell them about his suffering only to then look up and see blank expressions on their faces. They didn’t appear to comprehend—or believe—what he was saying. I like to call this moment our “flat spot.”

“Flat spots” appear in many forms—forget our keys is an inconvenience, being late for your appointment is rude. Young tykes “flat spots” appear as carelessness for neglecting one’s chores, or punching their siblings. Young adults “flat spots” might more be about excessive drinking, driving restlessly, or failing to study. As we get older “flat spots” accumulate. We are thoughtless to open a door for someone in a wheelchair, or excuse our irritability, or fail to meet our healthy lifestyle goals, or worse emotionally abuse our loved ones because of past anger and resentments.

What are your flat spots?

We must admit that we all suffer from those “flat spots” when we failed to listen and take responsibility for decisions that result in our suffering and the suffering of others.

God prays for us as we reflect: “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will; go for us?’ And I said. ‘Here am I. Send me’” (Isaiah 6:8).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose voices bring tenderness and understanding to the suffering of others. Help us to focus our efforts to welcome your children “the little and the brittle” with great patience and surrender our “flat spots.”

Corrupted and Beautiful

What is happiness? Perhaps the most profound response, I ever read said: “Happiness is freedom from frustration, freedom from fear and freedom from guilt.”

Last week, I went online to create the annual calendar for my Sonshine friends. I reviewed hundreds of images and picked 13 that you can view now by clicking: http://www.drmatt.org/gallery/main.php

In addition to the national holidays, I added our holy days of obligation since they sometimes change, for example All Saints Day in 2010 while a holy day of obligation is abrogated because it falls on a Monday. But I believe if you go to church on Monday and pray to your saint I’m sure they will appreciate your effort. Nobody goes to hell on that day for missing Mass.

My frustration began when I uploaded all the holidays and holydays and discovered the following morning that the calendar “defaulted.” What that meant was that a holiday like Martin Luther King would be repeated three times in the box for January 18^th. Needless to say, this computer novice called the “Help” line and talked to twelve different customer service reps that had “no clue” why this was happening but simply helped me reload the entire calendar.

Imagine teaching a customer service rep in Jamaica, India and Canada what All Saints Day or the Assumption is all about. Online CCD. Despite their courtesy to reload and learn something about our Catholic tradition, the calendar would “default “again and again twelve times. Each time, I explain the problem, the young voice would hear the shrills of frustration and of despair and try their best to resolve the problem. Then comes the voice of a little angel by the name of Amry from Jamaica. This heavenly soul understood that the problem was a “corrupted file” and her best solution was to create a new calendar with a new template. She patiently loaded all 13 images and even complemented the work asking me if I would be kind enough to reload all the holydays and holidays for a twelfth time.

Sometimes, we feel like we are going out of our minds with the frustrations of daily life. We feel “corrupted” by all the defaults that come our way in the form of another layoff, or another illness or another lost. Life makes us panic with fear and worse we begin to think that we are “corrupt” with all the negative messages that fill our brain. Let me gently remind you, as we begin another season of Sonshine, that the God we pray to wants you to be happy both now on earth as it will be in heaven. Let us meditate for a moment as you gaze at the water or the clouds or look at the red reflection of the tree in the water and know that your angel knows who are not “corrupted” but a “beauty” made in his image. Happiness is this freedom from fear, freedom from frustration and freedom from guilt.

God prays for us as we reflect: “The spirit of the lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted…(Isaiah 61:1)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends daily as we begin another season of sharing a heavenly love that desperately wants us all to be happy and free of the “defaults” of life. Bless us with your spirit of patience and perseverance.

Blessing Prayer for Father's Day 2009

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives. Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine fathers that they realize we appreciate their love and sacrifices they make each day for their children. Bless them and keep them safe in your hands.

Time Out

I am driving along route 19 when I notice a farm to my left with a meadow of beautiful wildflowers and horses grazing in the field. Since 5am I have had five appointments and I am racing to get back home to do some household chores. Then the thought strikes me. Take a “time out.” I still driving home and asked myself, what’s more important cutting the lawn or turning back and taking a photo of those horses. A few nano seconds go by and I still driving home, when a “heavenly hand” takes the wheel of my car and turns me around back to that meadow.

It is a divine sign and I am encouraging you to take a TIME OUT. "Who...me?" you ask. Yes! There is no one in the whole world reading these lines (I have had e-mails from nearly 110 countries) who can not benefit from a "time out"

In sports such a time allows the players to take a break, to get rest, to plan their strategy, even to get strength for the rest of the game.

We have got to make it a habit to read the time out signal from the Lord daily. When we participate in that you will receive strength. That strength will be not just physical but spiritual strength. Strength for your soul. The soul is our mind, will and emotions. Getting the needed strength allows us to go on more confidently.

The time out also gives us a breather to ask God's direction in a particular matter. How important it is not to get so involved in the living activities that we forget the "life in the Spirit.”

Still, in our heads we hear this mantra: “I’m so busy!” How many times a day do you hear (or say) that? Our lives are hectic, in part because of the 24/7 culture we live in. But some of the stress comes from our own choices. We say, “yes” too often. We overload our schedules. We long for a simpler life, but we’re not sure how to get there. I once told a successful business person that it appeared that they were so busy making a living that they were failing to make a life.

So I have two questions to help us “catch our breath” from the busyness of our culture are: Am I joyful? And the second: How do I bring that joy to others?

Saturday morning was the Spirit encouraging me to take a time-out to play. A “divine signal” to turn around and take a time out. So the image I want to share conveys this joyful focus is these young foals kicking up their hoofs in the meadow celebrating life.

Take lots of moments to relax this summer, Bookmark and forward to your friends my Photo Gallery that mark the “divine signal” pointing us to play and relax to revive our spirits.
www.drmatt.org/gallery/main.php


God prays for us as we reflect: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they understand that taking a time out is so important. May each of you be encouraged to do even more than you are. May they find the peace that is so crucial to a fast paced world. Encourage them to take a time out when they are confused, when they are troubled, when they are agitated and ...when they are feeling alone. I am taking a time out from writing “Today’s Sonshine, ” Bookmark and visit the “Photo Gallery” often to see where the “divine signal” leads me this summer: http://www.drmatt.org/gallery/main.php

Silence That Breathes

I am deeply troubled about two young people who have suffered a severe injustice. One poor lad died suddenly due to a drug overdose, that was given to him by his “best friend.” A co-worker said that this young man literally died in her arms after her efforts at CPR failed to relive him. She felt a failure and in shock from the incident. Later she discovered that his death was not the result of alcohol poisoning but his poor judgment as he continued to party with his friend using cocaine.

The other incident concerns a good and compassionate soul whose vocation has been to care for families when loved ones have died. His services are outstanding and his compassionate and professional model the best in his profession. Now he is in danger of losing his license and freedom.

I am on my knees praying for these two young men, one in heaven and the other waiting judgment. It is mercy I pray for. At times like this, I come before God shaking my head wondering where is Your compassion and healing to be found.

Despite our anger, confusion and doubt, we need to find the anchor to help us through these unspeakable times that make no sense. We need to get away from the distractions like those Ipods, cell phones and DVD’s that drive us away from the voice that brings peace when we feel most upset and afraid.

The great truth that the monks teach is that we need a center; we need to get in touch with that God who anchors our lives and gives them meaning. Lacking this holy anchor—and we see it frequently enough---so many anchorless young people, unknowingly clutching their cell phones, iPods, texting and blaring CDs to drown out their spiritual loneliness and emptiness.

The monks remind us of whom that Beacon is, without which our souls shrivel and life becomes unmoored. This truth was brought home when a renowned theologian went to visit the monks. He asked the master of novices, “What is the novices’ biggest complaint?” The master says, “they complain they have to be up at 2:30AM to attend the divine office and sing matins and lauds. They aren’t too happy about it. They tell me it’s so much better when they’re out in the fields and they feel ecstasy and love for God. So I ask them: “all right, I forbid you to come to any services, except for Mass.” Well, after a short while they come back and said, “We didn’t come here to be farmhands.” What happened to your ecstasies? The master said. They dried up, said the novices
So, the master wisely told them, Of course, you now realize that what you are doing at 2: 30 AM is what gives you the ecstasy in the fields.

Going into the Great Silence, connecting to the Beacon, the Anchor, the Center gives you the ecstasy in the fields of your life. You won’t need alcohol or dugs or your iPods and cell phones.
When you know something scary is coming, you must find and hold onto your own source of reassurance and wisdom. You must have a steady beacon to guide you through perilous waters.

God prays for us as we reflect: “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalm 56:13).

Lord, I pray for these two special Sonshine Friends that they turn to you the Beacon of life for comfort and peace. Help all who face scary moments to find you in the silence where you come to stand by our side and take us by the hand and say: “I am here and there are no monsters under your bed.”