Shirley Goodnest

A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it.

She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, So he probably wouldn't notice her. Her neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Tim as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?”

Timmy nonchalantly replied, Yeah, I know who she is. The little girl said, Well, who is she?

That's just Shirley Goodnest , Timmy replied, and her daughter Marcy. Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?

Well, Timmy explained, every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, Shirley Goodnest (surely goodness ) and Marcy (mercy) shall follow me all the days of my life, so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!

No doubt there are times when you fell trouble is stalking you every step of your way. It is nice to know that God walks before, beside and has our back and will even, if necessary, carry us the rest of the way whenever we feel over our heads.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always

Am I A Witness or Witless for God?

A tip for getting dramatic photos in the wide-open. Live in your viewfinder. Explore the landscape through your viewfinder by keeping the camera at your side, not stashed away in your backpack. If you “live in the viewfinder,” you will see the world through the unique perspective of your lens and it will help you discover compositions, possibilities that you would not have found otherwise with your own eyes.

Another way of gaining a unique perspective on life is to ask a question with a question. It is a teaching style that teachers use with their students to motivate them to think, wonder and grow.

Some religious leaders in Jesus’ day were scheming to trick him into a dangerous mistake, and wondered if it’s “…lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”

Jesus answered their question with a question. He requested a coin, a denarius with Caesar’s image on it. “Whose head is this, and whose title?” You know the drill. You know the Biblical story.

When Jesus seemed threatened, he was adept at turning the tables. Jesus also embraced positive opportunities to reveal God’s ways. Questions were met by questions in the form of parables (What! A Samaritan is my neighbor?) and by gestures of unexpected generosity (What! The last hired worker is given the same pay as those hired first). In other words, Jesus witnessed for God by inspiring others to think, wonder and grow. Instead of providing answers ending an encounter, he posed questions or told stories that caused others to be unsettled about old ways or unfair traditions while sensing a new relationship with neighbors and God.

However, instead of being God’s witness, we frequently are witless.

Too often, we try to impress people with what we know.

Too often, we tell people what they should think before they finish speaking.

Too often, when confused or fearful or angry or spiteful, we don’t seek clarity but raise our voice.

Wit is derived from the Old English witan and the Old High German wizzan. Those two were rooted in ancient Latin and Greek words. But all shared a common meaning: to see or to know. And thus we have witness, witless, witty, dim-witted and more. Someone who sees or knows is a witness. Those who refuse to see or know are witless.

Am I a witness or witless for God?

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” In the encounter with the two-faced Pharisees, Jesus is said to have discerned their malice. I believe he knew they only looked through selfish, self-satisfied eyes, and only schemed to ensnare him. And yet his response, then and in so many other situations, challenged people to “see” beyond the self-destructive, foolish and witless.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “But you, O God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. (Psalm 10:14).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that we see life through the viewfinder of God’s vision. Let our questions about the things that happen to us help us to grow in God’s way of thinking, courage and love.

More Than Expected

Once again, I have been invited to offer the blessing prayer at the local florist workshop. The master floral designers strut their talent by demonstrating stunning displays depicting the holiday season. I begin my prayer with a big thank you to these creative artists who designed miniature gardens at a funeral home for a dear friend. This beautiful soul loved her gardens and the floral pieces that surrounded her ashes complete with gardening gloves and trowel were a stunning reflection of her love for God’s flowers.

Many times the floral designers are called upon to help folks cope with intense feelings of sorrow, or in times of struggle or moments of joy. The work of their hands brings hope and encouragement on a birthday, or wedding, in a hospital or surrendering our loved ones to God. Sometimes the orders and messages people put on their cards get a little mixed up. Like the time a spouse who was surprised by a beautiful bouquet from her husband who was away at a business meeting in Florida when the message read: “With deepest sympathy.” She was not as surprised as the woman whose husband had died and her card read: “It’s a lot hotter down here than I expected. Wish you could join me.”

There was a special moment during the demonstration when several designers were honored for their contribution to the floral industry. The narrator shared that often orders come from customer service for special orders and a designer does not want to be interrupted while they are working. However, one master designer at a local floral shop always seems to find the time to respond to these irksome requests throughout the day. He has spent over 30 years in the floral industry and his work is always beautiful. This is the kind of person you would never hesitate to ask a favor for because he always comes to greet you with a smile and his creative skills goes beyond exceptional, his creative displays are simply stunning.

Does not God come to us this way when we are rattled at times with life’s quirks? We need someone like this designer who makes time for us and stands at our side to be a sign of God’s love and generosity. In the same way, we are invited throughout our busy day to reflect the same patience and enthusiasm to help others in need. This is called exceptional customer service. Customer complaints are a gift where get a chance to shine with patience and humility. Some people we know do it seamlessly and with grace.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” (Proverbs 18:16).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who take the time to go out of their way to help those in trouble. Give us the gift of grace to gladly reach out to all who call upon for help and may we receive the fruits of our good works.

Looking Up

What do you worry about? The usual lists of problems like job, health, and your kids. Then there is this sin. Nothing you want to talk about. Usually hidden in your subconscious. But you worry a lot about it. It is like running the red light. We know it’s against the law, but we’re always in a hurry, but we take the risk and get lucky that we don’t crash into someone. This sin hurts our relationship with God. Not that God will condemn us into oblivion, but that it makes us feel unworthy, when all God wants us to feel is how very special we are to Him. So what can we do with this back hole in our soul, this compulsive habit that prevents us from enjoying the beauty that God sees.

It’s a prescription offered by St. Paul who had his troubles and worries and tells us: "Have no anxiety at all." To some people this might seem like Pollyanna or playing down our sinful nature. But St. Paul is no naive optimist. He had his share of troubles and failings. A partial list includes public whippings, shipwrecks, snakebites, imprisonment, illness and putting Christians to death. Yes, even the worse sin that you can imagine. We might carry that same sin inside when we took the life of the unborn, or slandered a someone, or abused a spouse or child. These sins drive us crazy because in an impulsive moment we no longer reflected the love that God placed inside our hearts.

But stay with me here. Listen to what St. Paul wrote while he was in prison: "Have no anxiety at all." How did St. Paul overcome anxiety? He tells us: "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." His prescription against anxiety. First, pray - put our troubles and our sins in God's hand - make your requests known to him. Doesn't God already know what we need? He does, but He wants us to entrust our lives and our problems to Him. There is a person who has a prayer corner in there home. It has a cross, a candle and small basket. The person writes their concerns on small slips of paper and places them in the basket, handing them over to God. When this sinner practices this prayer, they experience wonderful peace. The first part of overcoming anxiety our sins is prayer, trust in God.

The second part of the prescription is thanksgiving. God does not make mistakes. When a human being is alive, it is because God wants him or her to be alive. We are here because of God's will and, even the bad things, even the sins. God only allows them because of some greater purpose. Perhaps so that we can humbly get down on our kneels and experience this blessed moment of peace. So in every circumstance, we need to give thanks. A grateful heart is a peaceful heart.

The image that I have attached is a moment while walking a trail in the Adirondacks in which a friend told me to look up into the trees. He noticed the beauty of the leaves changing and this stunning shot reflects the beauty that occurs during Autumn.

So I say to you look up to heaven this morning and pray to God and unburden all your worries and sins. Let God come into your soul to refresh your drooping spirit and experience the wonderful bliss that comes when we trust in His words. "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose troubles have made them sick with worry and fear. Our world is full of greed, selfishness, betrayal and violence and we experience many disappointments yet help us to realize that – trust and gratitude is the secret to have no anxiety at all.

Internet of the Heart

My friend and his wife had to replace their refrigerator. They heard about the state rebate program-that would refund $250 if they bought a high efficiency refrigerator.

So they scouted the sales that’s saved a couple of hundred dollars off the machine if you bought refrigerator at the same time and then on Labor day weekend, would take another 15 percent off. The rebate would make the deal even sweeter.

They went to the website of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to complete the rebate application. NYSERDA was running a tab to show how much of the $3.5 million in rebates had been claimed as of that moment. Online, the application for the site would not open. The phone number set up to register applicants kicked immediately to voice mail. They left a message and got no response. The following day the application still would not open and the $3.5 million rebate had been used by other applicants.

My friends reached a live human being who had heard that people had trouble with the application online. He sent them a copy of the form and put them on a waiting list. In three days the money was all gone.

The couple was not happy about not getting the rebate, but the reality is that just about every business, every agency, every organization exists almost exclusively online. The intenet is an essential tool that we could not function without it. But it is also too convenient to distance ourselves from other human beings, to avoid contact and to blame failure on software glitches.

Some appliance buyers could open the oniine rebate application, but my friends could not. Breakdowns are routine. Websites can open the door to far more traffic then they can handle. And those who can’t get through are left to fume I the privacy of their homes or offices, pounding aimlessly on keyboards or touch screens that take them nowhere. Recently, both this blog and my website were down and I had no one to talk to about the problems.

I am sure you have had this sensation of being stymied somewhere in cyberspace, knowing for certain that there is no one to talk to, no way to prove how hard you have tried to get through.

In prayer, we have a direct line to a compassionate God who listens to all our concerns. There is no waiting, no busy signal, no endless prompts that take you nowhere but the pit of frustration. In your heart, you can immediately go to Our Lord and let Him inside your soul and share what’s on your mind, how you are doing and where you need wisdom and strength. The prayer line to heaven is open 24/7 with call forward. Perhaps our prayer application receives a message that our requests will not been granted. We sometimes do not like the news, but we know that we have made contact, that someone who loves us noticed and keeps us always in their mind and heart.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayers.” (Psalm 17:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are praying at this moment for their family and friends. May the Internet in our hearts remain open to all calls and, like Jesus, respond with generosity and compassion for all who call upon us.

Take Our Breath Away

Imagine giving someone who works only one hour the same pay as someone who worked twelve hours! It doesn’t make sense. In the parable about the workers who had toiled all day in the oppressive heat, they felt cheated when they discovered that those who worked only an hour before quitting time received the same pay as they did.

But if you look closely there is an incredible message that slaps us in the face with delightful surprise.

There are four other parables that are precise variations on this gospel. First, there is the parable of the unforgiving servant, with its message of God’s extraordinary capacity to forgive someone with a huge debt he couldn’t possibly pay back. Then there are the familiar stories of the lost sheep, the woman with the lost coin and the prodigal son. In each of these stories, we see how a God acts toward us in a way that we would not naturally expect. They all reveal a God who comes to us in love and mercy, not as a harsh judge who justifiably wants to punish us for our sins.

Simply put, these five parables show God’s radical and surprising ways with us. No first century king, for example would forgive a huge debt any more than VISA or MasterCard would cancel thousands of dollars of our credit card debt. No sensible shepherd would leave ninety-nine sheep at huge risk to go looking for one measly lost animal. No sane woman would sweep her house for hours looking for a single coin worth ten cents. And certainly no first-century father would freely forgive his wayward son, running to meet him and then throwing a party to celebrate his return. A proper father would put the son on probation for a while to see if he was serious about repenting.

The workers who worked hard all day didn’t get it. They wanted more money than their co-workers who came at the end of the day. But you see, the same dynamic is at work here as in the other parables; the after hour workers are the indebted servant, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. They represent all of us who feel lost and broken. It might be our selfishness, our destructive lifestyle or thoughtless manners.

In all those stories Jesus is claiming that each of us is of infinite worth to Almighty God, no matter who we are or what we have done or not done, how long we have or haven’t worked. All fringe, indebted, lost latecomer folk are given underserved kindness and mercy. Do you see this profound truth? These are not stories about fairness or labor-management relations. They are stories about God, a God who leaves ninety-nine to search for one, who sweeps a house for ten cents, who embraces a son who had fled him—and who gives one-hour laborers too much money. It’s a story designed to take our breath away and ask, “What kind of a God is this who undermines all human expectations?

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel lost and without hope. May your gift of forgiveness lift our spirits and bring us peace of mind and heart.

Hiddenness of the Kingdom

One of the most remarkable truths that Jesus taught is the unexpected hiddenness of the kingdom of God. Jesus made clear that the kingdom of God was going to save and rescue this world precisely by virtue of its being so very different from the powerful, flashy, showy political kingdoms which otherwise capture our attention.

The kingdom of God, Jesus said, looks small, even tiny. It looks foolish. In fact, the kingdom can even disappear completely the way a seed gets buried in the soil. It takes 750 mustard seeds to equal one gram. Drop one of those little wisps into the dirt and you won't even be able to see it. The same is true of yeast in dough: once it's mixed into the water, flour, and oil, the yeast disappears—you could not separate it back out again (much less locate it) if you tried. Yet these tiny things have great effects.

The kingdom is not what you expect in terms of political clout. The kingdom of God is not about gleaming capital cities studded with marble colonnades and soaring executive mansions. It's not about some fierce army plowing under opposition by sheer dint of its power. Compared to all of that, God's kingdom looks as insignificant as a grain of mustard or a packet of dry yeast. But the kingdom can change hearts. It can change the world. It has changed the world. So how many life changing moments have you had recently?

A grieving widow had received an invitation to drive to Vermont to visit her kids and grandkids but she never made this trip alone. Some friends from Boston were visiting and offered to drive home part of the way. However, their plans changed so our dear friend was faced with the decision to make the drive alone. She found the courage only to discover that her kids had to get back to work on Tuesday. It appeared she make the trip for nothing. But it seemed her older brother who lived in a nearby town caught wind that his sister was stranded. Instead, he took himself out of work and invited his older sister to go hiking in the Vermont mountain trails. This spontaneous act of kindness brought much joy and healing to his grieving sister. She enjoyed great comfort from her brother who took note of his sister’s grief. She described her adventure as a great relief and enjoyed taking their daypacks and hiking 4-6 miles a day. On the trail they just talked about everything and she never felt lonely or sad.

The kingdom simply means we find ourselves in a moment in which we might be asked to do the impossible-like take the extra days to spend with a family member, or go walk the dog or help a neighbor shop for groceries. The kingdom is here but it's modest. It's hidden. It's quiet.

The kingdom of God turns out to be utterly surprising in nature. How many times do I walk into the woods and get a glimpse of nature that I never noticed before. But you have to go slow and not be in a hurry. But once you embrace this quiet moment of bliss, you have accepted the invitation to live in a kingdom lifestyle. To do so becomes very contagious to those around us, which is why I can’t wait to start taking folks with me on journeys into the woods.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: And a highway will be there, it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.” (Isaish 35:8).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who extend themselves to be quiet acts of your loving faithfulness. Help us to let the Kingdom grow and leaven in its own quiet, humble way so that people’s hearts will be changed by our gestures of acceptance and openness. Special thanks to all our Sonshine nurses who care for the sick and bring a special blessing and healing to all their patients and family members. You are the best!

You Need To Go Home

I was visiting a beautiful family who are preparing today to entertain 60 family and friends for a Fourth of July picnic at their home. On Friday, we were cleaning up the yard and helping to strain the seaweed floating up the side of their dock. Unbeknown to any of us, a worker from their truck farm came with a weedwacher that sent grass-clippings flying all over the sidewalk and into the water after we had just cleaned. The lady of the house kindly asked this eager beaver to be more watchful and keep the clippings out of the water. No sooner did she have this discussion then he pulled his ear protectors back on and proceeded to rip up the grass as the wacher sent clippings back into the water, on the dock and into the patio. My friend firmly went up to him, looked him straight in the eye and said: “You need to go home.”

The yard was a complete mess and we looked at one another wondering where did he come from? All we could do was head for the garden shed, get out the brooms and pans and sweep the mess away off the patio, the walks, and the dock and strain the shore again. I wonder if Jesus had moments when he went up to an apostle who was botching up the message and said: “You need to go home.”

Sometimes we are so exhausted that we are not thinking straight and it results in making lots of mistakes. Our intentions are good, but we are not listening very well because we have so many burdens on our mind.

A good friend was having another miserable day at his construction site, where everybody seemed to working at a snail pace despite the deadlines he had in his mind. To get away from this mess, we convinced him to take us for a boat ride on the lake to see the sunset. As we were heading for the lighthouse and the sun was setting, a coast guard boat came along side for an inspection. He has never been inspected in his life in 50 years. Instead of panic, he just slowed the boat and welcomed the guardsmen aboard to perform their drill. He had all the required flares and whistles, took his required boat courses in the 60's before any crew members were born and passed the inspection with flying colors. He wondered to himself what else could go wrong?

We could only laugh with him as the Coast Guard boat sailed off into the sunset. Instead of a yoke that was too heavy, he is loved by family and friends who were there to remind him that in times of trouble we need to “come to the Lord.”

Don’t you know that Christ is fully aware of what is going on in our lives at all times? We often do not acknowledge his presence. What we need to do is to tell Him our troubles, not so much for His information, but for our own benefit, to bring to our consciousness the fact that Christ must be present in our lives.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. “ (Psalm 71:12).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel exhausted and burnt-out from the burdens of life. In that moment, help us to know that we are never alone and that you are our side to give strength and courage. May we remember to come home to the Lord whenever we feel washed-out to find rest from all our burdens.

My Foster Dads

Some time ago, I had this problem of trying to dismantle mattress springs that were welded together with iron pipe. The frame weighed a ton and I wanted to take the frame to the recycling center, however, it would not come apart to fit in my truck. A sledgehammer would not budge the frame. God rest his soul, but Tony my 90 plus next-door neighbor came over to assess the problem. He returned from his basement with this special tool. He administered a few whacks in the right spots and the frame seemed to magically fall apart like a deck of cards.

Some men have all the rights tools. Advertisers know that men are more into their gadgets than flowers or chocolate. So Home Depot, Sears and Lowes are flooding their store shelves with every tool a man would want on their workbench. On Father’s Day, I like to offer my prayers for all the dads who have helped this “father” with their tools.

For Michael who patiently taught me the art of floral design, and Tom, who will bring a garden design to help me plant my first flower and herb garden. Then there are memories of Father Alex, who use to squeeze our thumbs and handout quarters during lunch break to all the children at St. Stanislaus. This was the same pastor who beamed with pride and stood by my side when I celebrated my First Mass at the altar.

I have been blessed with many “foster dads” in my lifetime, hard working farmers like Dick and Jim who taught me how to cultivate the land and Tom who taught me how to float and Jim for his help in surveying, and Ken for help in cutting the vines. Then there are the master craftsmen who know their trades: Rudy, Brad, and Mark who are masters in their trades and especially, Vince, the forester, who now is walking in the forests of heaven.

The blessings continue as other men have shared their spiritual gifts. I am humbled by my spiritual advisor, the professor whose faith and profound insights have fostered many reflections that show God is indeed by our side through the fears and pain of life.

My gratitude goes to Chet for his bread baking passion as I practice once a week kneading my pumpernickel recipe. There is Owen who took me under his arm decades ago and introduced me to the art of photography. It’s all about the light and not the technology, although I am grateful to Brandon, Louis, John and Glen who show me which buttons to push.

Then there is my dad who taught me that God loves all people without exceptions. A veteran with a passion to help his senior comrades and a faith that continues to inspire my ministry to bring comfort to the sick and hope to the dying.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” (Jeremiah 17:7).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine “foster dads” who have blessed me with their with amazing tools and talents. May these men know in their hearts that I am forever grateful for their unselfishness and care for their family and friends. One thing I ask of all my Sonshine Friends on Father's Day and that is to pray for all our fathers whenever we think of them.

Darkness Always Yield to the Light

A young man and a priest are playing golf together. At a short par 3 the priest asks, 'What are you going to use on this hole, my son?' The young man says, 'An iron, father. How about you?' The priest says, 'I'm going to hit a soft seven and pray.' The young man hits his iron and puts the ball on the green. The priest tops his iron and dribbles the ball out a few yards. The young man says, 'I don't know about you, father, but in my church when we pray we keep our heads down.'

Obviously, father should have kept his head down to make a better shot. When Jesus ascended to heaven, it appears the disciples were looking up. However, I prefer that we take this familiar story and take a moment to look within.

There are moments when we are in shock and disbelief. Imagine, Jesus is pulling away in a U-haul and our memories flood with the times we hung out together, sharing meals, shopping trips and life changing events. It’s more likely the disciples are crying their eyes out because their hearts are broken. Jesus can’t be gone. You can’t leave us again. It’s not fair. I don’t understand. How will I survive without you? You mean so much to us. And once again you are going to disappear out of our life. How dare you leave us! Anger, despair, frustration, what’s with this God.

Don’t you understand Jesus that we need you to “stay with us.” We miss your humor, your compassion, your encouragement, your wisdom and your profound insights about life. The disciples memories about Jesus would be unique and express their humble appreciation for everything that he brought into their life. But this leaving again is painful. “Stay with us.” I can more imagine the disciples screaming at Jesus as he lifts off the ground heading for the pearly gates. “No, no, no, you can’t leave us again,” as their sobbing becomes uncontrollable.

It’s more rational for me to think that the disciples would get upset, even angry that Jesus made this decision to leave. What’s so good about losing your best friend? The message is humbling and gut wrenching. We must surrender our need and trust that we will grow in the spirit of love. This surrender makes us more compassionate, more flexible, more understanding, more forgiving. We never like to let go of anything. We definitely want to be in control. The key message of this ascension is that it can increase our trust.

The Hebrew word “Ehyeh” means “I will be with you.” That is God’s name. That is what God is all about. God is the one who is with us. When we are faced with something that we don’t think we are capable of doing “living without our best friend, our spouse, our child.” God is the light shining in the darkness, and make no mistake there is darkness in the world. But God comes to reassure us that we do not have to be afraid of the darkness because darkness will always yield to the light!

Where do you think the impulse comes from to strike down your grief, to intervene on the side of the powerless? And who gives you the strength to do these things? It was because Lord was with you.

Immanuel watches over 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 all my Sonshine friends who have confronted the darkness feeling alone. Let your promise whisper within our hearts a voice to remind us that despite the hurt and pain God is always by our side to hold us up and give us the courage to know that all “darkness always yields to the light.”

Newman at its Best!

Just before an exam, literally some shared 15 minutes before their next exam at night, our Brockport College students walk from their dorms to the Newman House to take part in a wonderful tradition. Our generous and talented parishioners have cooked a variety of tasty meals from veggie soups to chili to mac and cheese, topped with a multitude of desserts to tank up before their studies. The students pass the word that free eats are available from 5 to 7 during exam week. As you see from this photo, this team was satisfied and posed for Fr. Matt to say "thank you" for your wonderful generosity and delicous food. They told me to say "keep it comin" they will be back tonight!.

On behalf of the Newman staff and myself, I want to thank each and every parishioner at Newman for your wonderful spirit of love that shows Chirst's love for all students. They promised to be back tonight and tomorrow!!! Fr. Matt

Is This Your Best?

A mother shared the story about her teenage son who had received his driving permit. When she returned from taking a walk, she noticed that the family van was not parked in its usual position. The radio was tuned to a rock station and the driver’s seat had been moved to a different position. When she asked her son if he had driven the family van for a spin without permission, her son wanted to know how she knew he had driven it to his friends to show off that he had received his driving permit.

This mom gave her son the riot act telling him that he could have caused an accident or worse hurt someone for life due to lack of experience. In addition, if the police caught him it would have cost the family thousands of dollars for legal fees and fines.

Mom knew her son was not perfect but she believed in him despite his foolish pranks that later took another turn for the worse. One day her son was caught with his buddy targeting their air guns at an official post office truck. The furious postman rang the front door that his truck was being vandalized by their prank and he was ready to call 911. Once again, this mom had to muster all her restraint for not killing these boys. Rather, she pointed out the harm they could have caused by injuring the postman in the truck. She kept their foolishness a secret, for their dad would never had let it go. Mom put her son on some serious restrictions to let him know that his behavior was not acceptable to say the least-this was not his best.

How many times did your mom catch you--not at your best? You pretended that it was only a joke-no harm done-but you were really not thinking about the consequences at the time. You tested your mother’s patience. However, instead of degrading you, she would follow the example of Jesus and let you know that you were capable of being a much more thoughtful, kind and responsible young person.

On our journey of life as we were growing up, there were many ups and downs, in which we tested our mother’s patience. Yet, she believed and saw the good inside of us even though our emotions stretched her to her limits.

Our moms had many expectations for our own lives. However, as we progressed or regressed, many of those expectations that she originally had for us remain unfulfilled. Our lives have moved in directions that we would never have guessed, almost as if they were being guided by something that is beyond us. We can respond to this unexpected direction in either of two ways: the way that the disciples did, with disillusionment because our expectations have not been met, or with contentment, because we know that there is a greater force at work, the spirit of a mother who knows the best version that we can be if we only trust in her.

So how do we achieve this contentment, this feeling of safety in the midst of all the adversity which life throws at us? We can achieve this contentment by realizing that Christ has stayed with us, just as our mother stayed by our side when we did our foolish pranks.

When we feel overwhelmed by life, when we feel that we just can't go on, when we feel all alone, we need to realize that we are not alone, that Christ and our moms are still with us.

But there is more. In the depths of our despair, we need to reach back into our faith that came to us from our mothers and see that she has provided us with a wonderful gift of faith that continues to help us get through some pretty tough times.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. “ (Matthew 25:40).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends mothers who believed in us through thick and thin. Bless these faithful women who gave us new life and a faith to help us in our daily journey. With a bouquet of flowers to place by their side or near their grave, may our prayer of gratitude rise to heaven for their many sacrifices, tender love and forgiving hearts. Blessed Mothers’ Day to all our Sonshine mommies

Thumbs Up

A Sonshine Friend had come to see me before Easter to share her sorrow over the recent death of her dad. Her father had suffered from mental illness all his life. After the death of her mother, his depression grew worse. He had often talked about suicide, but one morning she received a phone call from the police and her worse fears were realized. He had shot himself and left a note that police reported they had never seen such a well-organized suicide in their life.

She had prayed to God to help her dad during these years and now she feared about his soul. She knew the rules and wondered if God would ever forgive her father for taking his life.

I shared a story about my experience as a hospital chaplain when I was asked to find out the progress of a patient. Due to privacy laws, the medical staff has to maintain the privacy of information for each patient under their care. I understand and uphold this same integrity in the seal of confession, but at the time I was simply trying to learn if the patient was making progress. The nurse on call simple response was a “thumbs up.” I was grateful for her kindness that the patient was getting better and on their way home.

Our young daughter was suffering the death of her father and worse feared that he might be lost forever. Once again, I needed to remind her that the Resurrection is not about why there is suffering but that Jesus comes to redeem us from our fears, the worse fear is about death. So when I was asked what did I think happened to her dad. I simply gave her the “thumbs up” and she started to cry. She realized that the God she has always prayed to would be compassionate and take her father home to heaven.

Heaven knows we need more “thumbs up” gestures in a church that often times get blamed for damning too many people as not acceptable in the community. The end result is that there are many souls waiting to be admitted into the community of saints, but never felt welcomed by their churches. God save us from our arrogance and need for power.

Jesus invites us into the empty tomb to experience his light of life. That’s the Easter message, a “thumbs up” loving gesture that Jesus came to save us from our fears of sins, unworthiness or that we are not acceptable. In my community, all are welcomed and in God’s eyes he looks forward to the day when we will humbly walk with Our Lord into His wonderful garden of Paradise.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: "Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 22:43).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends during the Easter Season who need the reassurance that they are making progress in their spiritual journey. However despair or rejection take root, be reassured that the divine gardener comes along to offer you a “thumbs up” that all will be saved by the grace and power of His love. Alleluia!

Jelly Bean Prayer

Once upon a time, on Good Friday morning, I found a small zip-lock bag with eight jellybeans of assorted colors in my mailbox. The “Jelly Bean Prayer” was locked inside a plastic bag. There being no postage attached to the bag, a neighbor had left this Easter gift with the hope that each mouthful would be accompanied by a reflection of God’s goodness. I confess some disappointment that could my neighbor not reflect on God’s goodness with a solid chocolate Easter bunny from Andy’s Candies?

That jellybean bag was left unopened on my office desk. As I prepared to celebrate the Good Friday service, my eyes kept going back to that locked bag of colorful reminders of God’s goodness. The bag remained zipped tight; it was a strict day of fast.

On Holy Saturday, the beanbag was still sitting on my desk. Eight colorful reminders of God’s goodness zipped tight in plastic. While the morning sun poured through the window, outside sparrows were chirping anticipating the joy of the Resurrection feast, their songs as colorful as these jellybeans.

Throughout the day I was preparing for the Holy Saturday service and my Easter Sunday homily. I needed words to inspire and uplift, words to bring people out of the dark and into the light. Mostly, I thought about the many people I have counseled throughout the years and their pain and suffering. My mind was blank and my heart empty and my eyes kept focusing on that bag of jellybeans.

Then God struck with a revelation; I was no longer in darkness and needed inspiration and uplifting! That bag of candy was transformed, no longer jellybeans but it represented all the good things God has given me and my Sonshine Friends and yet to come. And here God’s gift sits on my desk, sealed, zipped tight, locked away from my experience. I could hear Him ask me, “What the matter with you Matt, do you not see?”

I looked out the open window, drawn by bird songs and sight of turkey and deer. Why would I choose to stay inside when the signs of Resurrection are outside? Why do I keep the reminders of God’s goodness so tightly shut away inside my life? I’ve been so often content with knowing that birds are singing in the glorious outside while I shut myself inside. I’ve been content with knowing that God’s good things are within my grasp –yet I leave them just beyond my reach—never actually experiencing them. It’s sometimes easier to remain in the cold, dark tomb then to come out into the sun, sensing this new life!

The very first thing I’m going to do on Easter Sunday is to pop one of those jellybeans into my mouth maybe yellow (for His sun is so bright) or pink (for a new tomorrow). And after I savor the first one, I’m going to meditate on the others as they follow the route of the first one. Then I’m going to pray for more jellybeans. To be open to the signs of God’s goodness everyday in my life.

Immanuel watches over 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 all my Sonshine friends on Easter Day that they rejoice in your goodness. As we munch on our jellybeans, white for His grace, pink for a new tomorrow. may we know it WILL happen because it already DID happen. Alleluia!

The Joy of Spring

On Saturday, I took my first walk into the woods in search of Spring. It was muddy and the leaves from last Fall make the trek slick. I wandered into an area with a stream, but the harsh light of the morning sun washed out any interesting detail. I was looking for a bouquet of colors, but my journey would take me to something much more sublime.

The professional photographer is looking for some punch and color that sets his image apart. However, the landscape was still drab and dreary from a long, harsh winter until you looked in another direction. Indeed, if you looked down through the woods, you could see pockets of green breaking up through the ground.

The leaves of unknown flowers were just beginning to peek out of the earth. I’m not versed in native plants, yet another book to read, but I fell to my knees and started to notice that the earth was brimming with new life. The mosses and fungi were clinging to the logs and though not spectacular, they made interesting patterns and designs that I will upload during the week for your meditation.

No crocus or hyacinths in a forest, but there were plenty of signs of trout lily, jack in the pulpit and native grasses. Plants have their own identities and souls, along with divine purpose and goals; however, their goals are much simpler than ours?

I believe their goal in this new incarnation is to feel the Joy of Spring! To you this may seem frivolous, but to the native plants, it is everything. It is all they know, all they yearn for, and all that they live for. The life of any plant is nothing if not for Spring.

It all began with a seed, and this seed was watered and nurtured by the sun and the earth, so that the plants may come and experience the Joy of Spring. This is all they want, this is all they will be, and this is simply perfect and divine, at least for each plant. But with Spring comes the power for new growth to sprout through the earth and soar into the heavens. Is this not our essence, to rise from the earth and join our Creator in the Garden of Paradise.

The Joy of Spring means drinking up the morning dew, quenching our thirst and feeling the breath of life move through our being. Then as the seasons progress, we spread our essence of selfless love, making it possible for our descendants to experience the Joy of Spring.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: "Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the peepers (frogs) can be heard in the fields.” (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have broken through the crushed barriers of selfishness and rise above the need for power. May we share our essence that brings much joy and new life.

Whose Fault Is It?

I am learning how to use new software to tweak my images. More truthfully, I failed to shoot correctly and I now have the tools to correct my mistakes. Case in point, I have a close-up of a ladybug crawling up a lilac flower. It was an instantaneous moment when from the corner of my eye I saw this red speckled creature moving on the leaf. Was the wind blowing, did my camera shake—most likely all of the above. With a few clicks of the mouse my new software can correct the blur but not perfectly.

A couple sits down in the doctor’s office, waiting for the report. They have been trying for two years to get pregnant, with no success; now, they want to know why. Last week they came in for the battery of tests that will begin to give them some answers, but as the doctor sees the tension in their faces, how they are unable to look at one another or hold hands, the doctor knows how the couple is framing their questions:

• Is she the one—is it her inability to conceive?
• Is he the one—is his sperm count too low?
• Is it her organs that are malfunctioning?
• Is it his stress that is interfering?

The doctor opens the folder and takes a deep breath. The question hangs heavy in the air: Whose fault is it, that we cannot have a baby?

Maybe it’s human instinct, to find fault. My poor camera technique, the wind was blowing, the ladybug moved. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism. If we know whose fault it is, at least we have a way to understand what has happened. At least we have a way to explain our part in it. Even better, we may find a way to excuse our part in it—which is to say, to put the responsibility squarely on another’s shoulders. If our only job is to find out whose fault it is, we can be assured of some retributive satisfaction: someone will pay for what goes wrong.

Do you see this, where you are? When the basement floods, when you had a car accident, when the Sonshine reflection falls flat, why are we so quick to ask, "How could this have happened?" And when we determine whose fault it was, why does the fault-finding so quickly turn to blame?

Remember the gospel story about the man poor blind? The disciples asked Jesus whose to blame. They’re just curious. They really want to know: Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? It’s a fair question for disciples to ask of their teacher, given the theological equations of the day (blindness = sickness = sin = human fault).

It’s a fair question for Jesus’ disciples to ask, given the fact that Jesus keeps turning the theological tables. I think the disciples really are open to the possibility that there might be a new and different answer, here. They really want Jesus to teach them. So who sinned, Jesus?—this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus’ answer stumps everyone, and it stumps me. No one sinned. He was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. No blame. No fault. Just an opportunity for God to be seen and known.

Immanuel watches over us as we reflect: "Who is like the wise? Who know the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.” (Ecclesiastes 8:1).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are looking for answers to put the blame on someone for our misfortunes when we might better ask ourselves what is God doing? Jesus changes the subject and wants us to ask ourselves-how can I help? It’s no one’s fault. Let God be God. Let we who are blind be healed.