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.”

Prayer Forest

A number of years ago a pastor found an old abandon one room schoolhouse in the mountains. He made it a great retreat house. He transformed the one room into a hotel looking like lobby. He put in a free standing fireplace, old stuffed furniture, and hung his landscape and flower photos. Every Thursday morning after his 9:00 a.m. staff meeting, he would go there to study.

When he first got the place he ordered 500 small pine saplings. The house, while in the mountains, was in a large field of maybe 8-10 acres. No trees. So, he planted two rows of 57 trees on the long driveway leading up to the house. And the rest he planted on the fence line and other various places. Then there was an area quite large across a gully. He planted the trees there real close together like 3 feet, some less, some more. It was going to be a Prayer Forest. After the trees grew he was planning on going in and make a meandering trail to a large opening.

The prayer forest never occurred. The beautiful 2 rows of closely planted trees on the drive way are not there today. They never made it to what he had planned for them because of the hot spring/summer and lack of water. The only 11 that remain to this day are the ones close to the house. They were the ones that got his special attention. (There was no way to water hundreds of little trees so far away from water.)

In going through a drought in living - you know those hot times when nothing seemingly is going right, we need "the water of life" What I do, when I feel I am getting drained of sap is to go to Jesus and ask for refreshment and take a walk in my mind in my Prayer Forest. No, I can't see or physically taste the water, but there is something in my soul that responds to the refreshment. I can then lift my limbs in praise and thanksgiving.

God prays for us as we reflect: Jesus declares himself to be that water. “Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:38).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are experiencing the drought of living and ask that they be like the 11 remaining trees which are strong, healthy and tall. Let us be the tree planted by the river that survives. May the spirit help you to drink deeply from the never-ending supply of life flowing water.

A Mother's Silence

I suppose every child remembers some special virtue their mother has, some piece of wisdom that saved them from disaster or a word that made the path infinitely easier. I love my mother for all the times she said absolutely nothing.

Our mother’s silence during the times I fell flat on my face, made a lousy judgment, and took a stand that I had to pay dearly for . . . I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, ‘I told you so.’

On this special day we are mindful that mothers are being remembered and celebrated and offer this prayer for the joys and sorrows this day brings.

For those who have a mother they dearly love, may we take time today to appreciate the gifts and graces that have come to them through their mother.

For those whose mother is dearly loved but no longer living, may we take time to remember the gifts and graces that have come to us through her.

For those who have recently lost or who are facing the imminent loss of their own dear mothers, may they find comfort in their grief, hope in their despair, courage in the love they have received.

We give thanks, God, for these good mothers who gave us birth. We give thanks for the mothers who support us in our living, who said absolutely nothing at the worse of times.

We pray, compassionate God, for those whose mother has been a source of hurt and pain, for all those for whom one or more members of their family has caused them to suffer. May they find refuge in your love. May their wounds be healed.

We give thanks to you, O God, for all those who, responding to the difficult lives of others, have stepped in to become surrogate mothers; for those who, in the absence of our own mothers, for whatever reason, have stepped into our lives to guide, to nurture and provide the stability and the love needed.

We remember single mothers and fathers who struggle to be both parents to their children--to provide all the emotional, physical and spiritual needs without the constant support of a spouse. May they find the strength, the courage and wisdom for their task.

Look now, loving God, upon all those who are mothers--biologically or by the role they play as teachers, mentors, professors, in the lives of others. We join all mothers everywhere in praying that their children may be a joy and a blessing.

We pray for those mothers who have been hurt, disillusioned, or disappointed in their role as mother. We pray for those who have been denied a longed-for chance at motherhood, and for those whose years of mothering have been cut short by the loss of a child. We turn to You, most compassionate God, knowing that you can bring consolation that seems impossible. May these mothers receive comfort for their soul and peace and hope for living that their gifts may not be denied to others.

Hear our prayers this day, O God, and give to us such assurance of your love that your love may spill forth from us into the lives of others.

River of Light

In his book The Art of Pilgrimage, Phil Cousineau writes that in every pilgrimage, there is a secret room, a place along the path that gives us insight into the deep mystery of our journey. In describing this hidden room, Cousineau draws on a story that poet Donald Hall tells of friends who purchased an old farmhouse. Cousineau writes,

“It was a ‘warren of small rooms,’ and once they settled in and began to furnish their new home they realized that the lay of the house made little sense. Peeling off some wallpaper, they found a door that they pried open to reveal a tiny room, sealed off and hidden, goodness knows why: They found no corpses nor stolen goods.” For Hall, the mystery of poetry to evoke powerful feelings finds its analogy here, in its ability to be sealed away from explanation, this is the place where ‘the unsayable gathers.’

And so it is on the pilgrim’s path. Everywhere you go, there is a secret room. You must find your own, in a small chapel, a tiny cafe, a quiet park, the home of a new friend, the pew where the morning light strikes the rose window just so. As a pilgrim you must find it or you will never understand the hidden reasons why you really left home.

Where is your secret room? Let me share my quiet room on Easter morning. I am perched high on a hill in Ellison Park. It is 6am. My fingers are freezing holding the camera on a monopod, waiting for first light. The predawn sky is showing signs of light with colors of red and purple. The clouds are quite strange and unusual.

The sunlight that peaks over the hill is harsh and bright. No cute orange ball here to show off to your friends. Rather, something more mysterious and profound is happening due to the cloud formation. The sun behind the clouds is creating a “river of light” that seems to flow from a waterfall cascading through the clouds. You see the stunning moment is not the sun coming over the horizon, but rather, how the light streams through the clouds in patterns and shapes that form a river of light.

Perhaps this is the true meaning of Easter, This is the place where ‘the unsayable gathers.’ Each second, the scene changes as the sun slowly rises piercing it sunlight through the clouds, each moment a living link with our maker, each an embodiment of his vision and love, each a threshold beckoning me deeper into my own creative path and reminding me why I set out on it in the first place.

And you? Did the pilgrimage through Lent offer you a secret room? Somewhere along the way, did you find a place that offered, not an explanation of your path, but a window onto it, a space within it that enabled you to see it anew, and the one who called you there? Where was it, and what did you find there? How does it illuminate the way before you?

God prays for us as we reflect: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Psalm 46:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they remember that Easter is not just a day but rather a season. May the gift and challenge of the resurrection go with you, and may the path ahead be graced with secret rooms and sunrises that flow like a river of light.

Whos's Gonna Move That Rock, Ladies?

These three ladies--Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome--are making their way to the tomb with the intention of anointing the dead, lifeless body of Jesus with spices. So early Sunday morning, the morning after the Sabbath, these ladies got up with the intention of anointing the dead body of Jesus. That was their plan. That’s what they intended to do--nothing more, nothing less.

They were not expecting a miracle. They were not expecting the Resurrection. They were certainly not expecting Jesus to be alive. They were not expecting anything of significance to happen. They were simply going to the tomb for the gruesome, heart wrenching task of anointing the dead, lifeless body of Jesus.

As they were walking down the road to get to the tomb, it dawns on one of them, that they have a problem--a rather significant problem. A big question arises. The women ask each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

It’s a very good question. They can’t roll the stone away themselves. How are three little women going to make that rock roll? How in the world are they going to move that thing?

A family bought some boulders for landscaping--really, big rocks to use as part of their landscape design for the front of the house. One of the boulders seemed really, really big, and because of the tendency to change her mind someone reminded mom: “you tell us exactly where you want this rock because once it’s on the ground, it’s not moving.” This huge boulder is not like the end tables, couch and everything else that’s not nailed down in our house that seems to be moved every other Saturday. Once this baby is in place--it’s there until Jesus returns.”

Who is going to move the rock from in front of the tomb? Now you understand it’s a perfectly good question . . . if Jesus were still in the tomb. If Jesus were as dead as dead could be then that would be a very good question to ask. Who is going to remove the stone? It is a question that I hear people asking even today.

People say: “I have a huge obstacle to overcome. I was abandoned as a child, how can I ever feel accepted? Good question . . . if Jesus were still in the tomb. Or they say, “My life is in shambles after being laid off, when will I ever find work again?“ Or they say, “My alcoholic mother told me don't expect any help to care for my brat once my baby was born, how can I ever forgive her for her cruel and bitter attitude? My marriage is a mess, how could it ever be made right? Good question . . . if Jesus were still in the tomb. I hear students complain, “I’m failing the semester and in such a rut over a bad habit—alcohol and drugs or whatever--how can I ever break free?” Good question . . . if Jesus were still in the tomb!

But people, it’s a brand new day! Jesus is not in that old grave! He is not in the tomb. You won’t find a tombstone that reads: “Here lies Jesus Christ. May He rest in peace.” No! Jesus is alive. And just as He conquered death and defeated our ultimate foe He can defeat whatever burdens you are experiencing at this moment. This is a day for hope not despair. There is no obstacle in your life that He can not handle!

Who’s gonna move that rock, ladies? Jesus has already taken care of that problem! Who’s going to take care of obstacles in your life? Jesus Christ is more than able to handle anything that comes your way.

God prays for us as we reflect: “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!” (Psalm 18:46).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends on this Resurrection Day. With this prayer of faith. He was bruised and brought healing! He was dead and brought life! When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face death, He carries me home! God is by my side and all is well with my soul.

New Vision

So where are your palms this morning? Of course, you came to church yesterday because they were giving something away for free. But as you held those palms during the reading of the passion story, let me give you another insight on their purpose. You know these palms once dried will become next year’s ashes to mark the beginning of Lent. However, by holding these palms in your hands I like to take you back to the Stations of the Cross and have you stand at the Fifth Station: Simon is “forced” to carry Jesus' cross.

Let me give you a glimpse of what this station is really all about. These who stand a long time at this station are all the people who carry crosses they did not want or ask for or bargain for. No one wanted to lose his or her job, or home. No one wanted the bipolar spouse or dementia parent, the physically challenged child, the cancer, the addiction, the divorce, the depression unwanted crosses of all descriptions.

Too many of us have the name of Simon of Cyrene, and mildly put, we are steamed and angry with God and frustrated—not to say exhausted. But the longer we stand here, the more we absorb the tradition that says that if Simon started out with anger—he wanted no part of Jesus’ crosses; he was forced into it. Despite our major temper tantrums, when we scream, “not again Lord.” We find ourselves “forced” into dilemmas we never planned on and certainly don not need at this season of our life.

However, despite these crosses, something creeps into our vision. After a time of carrying the cross with Jesus, like Simon of Cyrene we are both moved to understanding, and from understanding we move on to love, and from love we move into our salvation, and became, as it were, a co-redeemer with Jesus. Could this be your calling?

God prays for us as we reflect: “Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. (Psalm 28:9).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during Holy Week that we receive the grace of compassion to help carry the crosses that will be placed into our hands like those palms. With your strength, may we receive the grace to lift the crosses of our friends and gently lead them in their journey to your healing hands and heart.

Every Parent

I’m the crossbearer for the Stations of the Cross. As we walk down the side aisle to the first station, Fr. Alex begins the prayer: “We adore You O Christ and we love You” and the congregation responds: “Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.” Little did I realize the meaning of what we were doing? This is an ancient Catholic tradition dating to medieval times. The images along the side of the church are stations or stationary standing places depicting the passion. The pilgrim of yesterday and today is to stand before the depiction of Jesus’ way to the cross for two reasons. One is to meditate on the scene, but the other, far more important, is to enter into it. That is, to be a participate, to take on the role of some character. So let me illustrate that by asking you in your heart to journey with me along these stations. Here you are, standing at:

The Fourth station: Mary's heart was broken not only because she saw her son publicly disgraced and humiliated, going to his death as a common criminal, but most of all, that she could not help him. How gladly she would change places with him, but she was restrained by the soldiers.

Mary is “every parent” unable to save their children. Every parent who watches by the hospital bed after a car accident, every parent who has buried a child after a tragic DWI, every parent who stands helplessly watching their college son or daughter fail in school due to a lack of responsibility, too many parties, too much drugs and alcohol, every parent who knows how careless we were at their age, ignoring our “well-meaning lectures,” every parent whose unending prayers pleads with God to forgive their child whose has left the faith, every parent who listens through the tears of their son or daughter whose marriage is falling apart, every parent who hears the verdict that leads to jail time.

Mary is every parent with arms achingly outstretched because they so badly want to save their child and can’t, at least not right now. They silently offer prayers and their tears and we know in their heart that a last-minute thief is snatched to paradise because one mother or father, perhaps now long since dead, earned mercy for them.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Guard my ‘child’s’ life and rescue them; let them not be put to shame, for we take refuge in you.” (Psalm 25:20).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Parents who would gladly change places with their child when faced with danger and shame. Sweet Mary, give us courage to carry the sorrows of our children and the strength to stand at their side always with arms outstretched to offer Your mercy and love. We adore You O Christ and we love You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeem the world.

The Holy Shadow

There is a story about a man who is so good that the angels ask God to give this kind man the gift of miracles. God wisely tells them to ask this sweetheart if that is what he would wish. So the angels visit this good man and offer him first the gift of healing by hands, then the gift of conversion of souls, and lastly the gift of virtue. The gentle soul refuses them all. The angels insist that he choose a gift or they will choose one for him. He replies, ”I ask that I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it.” The story ends this way.

The angels were perplexed. They took counsel and resolved upon the following plan. Every time the saint’s shadow fell behind him it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain, and comfort sorrow. As he walked, behind him his shadow made arid paths green, caused withered plants to bloom, gave clear water to dried-up brooks, fresh color to pale children, and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without ever being aware of it. The people respecting his humility follower him silently, never speaking to him about his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name and called him “the Holy Shadow.”

It may be comforting to think of yourself as someone who may be of help in ways that we don’t even realize. Indeed, we are called upon to carry crosses that we do not want or ask for. The sick parents, the job loss, our child’s addiction, the divorce, the depression, unwanted crosses of all kinds. We get angry with God and frustrated. Often we feel forced into situations we never planned for. However, after a time of carrying this cross with Jesus, we move to understanding and from understanding to love, and from love to our salvation. Could this be our calling?

We are invited to pray for many people. Remember, praying for a person who you do not know is an example of being a holy shadow.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 63:7).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends who do many wonderful things for their neighbors to bring them healing, forgiveness and peace. Wherever we walk, may our shadows be the grace that brings hope to those whose hearts and souls are in need of God’s healing touch.

Garden of Forgiveness

The “Magic in You” is the story of a flower that has taken root by a roadway at the edge of a beautiful forest. She is small in comparison to the other flowers and is teased for her insignificant stature. A Billy goat comes along and eats one of her pretty golden petals. Then a car drives by and runs over one of her leaves, leaving the flower in quite a forlorn state.

Sometimes people come into our lives with every intention of “running us over” just like the rude car. They drain us emotionally as well as spiritually and some times even financially. When they are finished, they leave us broken and distraught. How can we ever heal from such a painfully disastrous experience, especially when the perpetrators are long gone and there is no one left to confront?

People also come into our lives that make selfish decisions, like Mr. Billy goat. They give no thought to the consequences that their actions may have on the people around them. As a result we feel used, as if a part of our dignity has been violated. If we are not anchored in our worth, a variety of thoughts and emotions can wreak havoc within us. We may even wonder if the incident was actually our own fault, leading us to deeper despair.

In the little flower’s despair she begins to cry, which gains the attention of a nearby woodland fairy. The little flower sobs, “I just don’t know why I am growing here, by the side of the road, I mean. All the other flowers make fun of me. I wasn’t feeling very pretty, and I wasn’t feeling very smart….Maybe, you could wave your magic wand and make me beautiful. Then I would surely be happy.” The fairy replied, “You do not need my magic to become beautiful, or happy. You can become a happy, beautiful little flower any time you want.”

God sees the potential for good in each one of us despite the crushing blows we have suffered on the side of the road. Like the careful gardener, God comes to nourish and heal our broken spirits with the wind of hope and the peace that will bind up all our wounds. That little flower quickly learns that though her circumstances may be less than ideal, she has the power to affect the lives of other living creatures by what she can give—kindness, love, and most of all, forgiveness.

I like to encourage everyone to plant a Forgiveness Garden this spring. The healing power of nature is a perfect compliment to the healing power of forgiveness. As you plant your Garden of Forgiveness, you will help to heal your own heart and soul and body. April 2nd, 2009 is Reconciliation Day in which florists are promoting forgiveness and reconciliation by sending a “Garden Atonement” bouquet intended to reconnect and repair strained relationships. Who needs a forgiveness bouquet sent from your heart?

God prays for us as we reflect: “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the chirping of robin is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends who have experienced the crushing blows and pains of selfishness and felt insignificant. May we turn our hearts and gardens into images of forgiveness that reflect our God’s desire to reconcile all his creatures great and small.

Looking Through Your Heart

A young woman was falling back into her old patterns of oversleeping and depression. She was going through a difficult time since her layoff in January. She was dealing with her nasty depression, financial worries, struggle with a relationship, and a sense that her life was falling apart. I suppose you could call it a wilderness experience. In the midst of it she had a kind of spiritual awakening in which she actually began to pray to God not knowing who or what God was but she was convinced to follow through on the experience with the help of others.

In her wilderness search, she asked her spiritual director for an answer to her dilemma. "I want to have a lasting experience of God," She told him. "Sometimes I feel like I understand the divinity of this world, but then I lose it because I get distracted by my petty desires and fears. I want to be with God all the time. But I don't want to be a monk, or totally give up worldly pleasures. I guess what I want to learn is how to live in this world and enjoy its delights, but also devote myself to God."

Her spiritual director said he could answer her question with a picture. He showed her a sketch he had drawn once during meditation. It was an androgynous human figure, standing up, hands clasped in prayer. But this figure had four legs, and no head. Where the head should have been, there was only wild foliage of ferns and flowers. There was a small, smiling face drawn over the heart. "To find the balance you want," he shared this image. “This is what you must become. You must keep your feet grounded so firmly on the earth that it's like you have four legs, instead of two. That way, you can stay in the world. But you must stop looking at the world through your head. You must look through your heart, instead. That way, you will know God."

I believe this is the way that Jesus lived. He had his feet firmly in the world but also looked at the world through his heart. For Jesus' purpose was God's purpose and that was to care for people, to invest his life for people, to serve people, to show the world the power of love. It should be a stronger word than "purpose." It was a "passion." This was acting on the "heart" rather than considering what was the safest and more practical way of acting according to the head. Every day of his life he chose service over self-interest.

If we are to follow the way of Jesus we have to act with the same passion. There are many roadblocks along that road. There are times that you just have to act, trusting that what you have learned of Jesus' way will be in every breath and fiber of your actions - moving beyond thought to action in faith, courage and determination. That is, keeping our feet firmly on the ground and looking at the world through the heart. That is the way that we will know God.

God prays for us as we reflect: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.” (Psalm 28:7).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they keep their feet firmly on the ground and not stumble on the roadblocks of life. Let the Spirit come into their hearts so that they will act with passion and trust that God is their strength and light.

We Are On The Move

I noticed my no name wristwatch was beginning to run slow that indicates time for a new battery. It was running 10 minutes slow and heaven forbid that I start late for Mass or fail to get all my work done by the end of day. We are bound by time due to deadlines, or some internal clock that says, “get your work done.” Sadly, many people are running out of time after being laid off and their severance is scheduled to run out. A few people ran out of energy before they began their job search because of chronic depression and fear. It’s moments like these that we need to recharge our battery and look to God for wisdom. The forecast for this morning is that a major snowstorm is heading up the east coast. Despite this dire prediction, we are gaining six minutes of light each day and realize that spring is truly on the way.

During Lent, Jesus is on the move, bringing with him God’s kingdom that is electrifying. Instantly crowd’s start coming to him, looking for and finding the healing that they assume will signal the arrival of the Messiah. But Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom and the good news is about far more than just individual healing from disease, and that is something that many of those who crowd around him never seem to grasp. Physical healing – however welcome - simply allows them to go back to the life they had before. What Jesus is really announcing is a whole new life, a whole new way of thinking and seeing, something he calls the kingdom of God.

At the heart of that kingdom isn’t a set of policies, some rules and regulations. At the heart of that kingdom, at the center of his message is a relationship, a relationship with God. That’s what really matters, he says. Understand that relationship right, catch a hold of it and treasure it and all the rest will follow.

Notice how the Sonshine list of prayers for our special friends has grown from a few to a few hundred. You are moved to pray for your loved ones because you know their suffering and pain. Your desire is a moment of grace to remember the beautiful story of your relationship that you have with them. So now is a good time to include them in your daily prayers.

They are your starlight friends whom you know or have known when you walked with them during their struggle and hardship. You deal with the fact that their struggles were not going to be cured like you hoped and prayed for. Despite the emotional or physical pain in the relationship, you discovered that your friend’s disabilities didn’t alter the love you have for them at all. Whatever they are going through, whatever they were capable of, or not capable of, this was your friend, and you loved them. Your prayers are like a healing salve.

It is this kind of relationship, this kind of love, a love that transcends the frailties of humanity – physical, mental, or moral – that Jesus comes to declare. Christian faith is about this relationship with God. It is about learning to trust its strength and indestructibility as we come to God to ask for healing and forgiveness. It’s about learning to live in its light as we let it shape our lives and our attitudes to those around us, who are as much beloved of God as we are.

God prays for us as we reflect: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.” (Isaiah 35:8).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends and all their living and deceased special friends that as we share in Jesus’ forty days of reflection and struggle, we hear those words that Jesus heard, “You are my beloved daughter, my beloved son; with you I am well-pleased.” Let’s ask ourselves what it might mean really, deeply to believe those words and to live by them.

Soften My Heart

Which friend do you call when you are going through a crisis moment? Someone you trust who knows your pain by experience and shares their wisdom and peace.

Once a daughter struggled with a terrible conflict with her mother. Her mother had been dead for several years. This daughter prayed for her heart to soften. She prayed that she be able to forgive her mom and love her for what she did give her: life, values, a lot of piano lessons, and the best she could do. Unfortunately, the best she could do was terrible…and her heart remained hardened toward her mom for many years.

For the first two years after her death, her mother’s ashes sat in her closet. This young woman moved them one day at last to a corner of the living room--a small thing? No, A huge thing. Jesus understands that things like forgiving your mother take a long time. If not your parent, then perhaps your former spouse, your boss, your child, or even God after your best friends have died in a plane crash.

I don’t think Jesus was rolling his eyes impatiently at this daughter while she had her mother’s ashes in the closet. I don’t think much surprises Jesus. This is how we make important changes—barely, poorly, and slowly. And still, he raises his hands in triumph. We need such lived wisdom from those wounded by life’s experience. And from those who have known pain.

There was once an ancient temple bell famous for its beautiful tone. It had been commissioned by the king as a way of showing his people’s devotion to Buddha; for the king’s advisors believed that making a temple bell would keep the nation safe from foreign invasion. So the king approached the greatest bell maker in the realm. This craftsman worked hard and produced many bells, but none that was extraordinary, none that had a special tone.

Finally, he went to the king and told him that the only way to get the kind of bell he wanted was to sacrifice a young child. So the soldiers fetch a young girl. When the child was taken away, her mother cried out piteously, Emille.

At last the bell maker succeeded, the bell, called the Emille Bell, made a sound more beautiful than any other. When it rang. Most people praised the art that had produced such a beautiful sound. But whenever the mother whose child had been sacrificed heard it, her heart broke anew. She could only hear the beautiful tone with pain.

You see, only those who understand the sacrifice can feel the pain. Others just enjoy the sound.

God prays for us as we reflect: “May he remember all your sacrifices…” (Psalm 20:3).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that in times of trouble they find friends who have lived the pain and hold the wisdom to help them find patience and perseverance in their suffering.
May we pray for guidance from the spirit who “softens our hearts” and finds peace during this Lenten Season.

By Our Side

As the president of a local company informed his co-workers that four of their colleagues had died in an airline crash in Buffalo, I could feel my stomach churn inside. My legs were quivering for once again I was standing by the side of a group of people stunned with profound grief. As there leader expressed, no words seemed adequate to convey their sorrow. Memories returned to holding the hands of patients at Strong or offering prayers in the JFK terminal after 9/11. I was being escorted by a spirit-filled co-worker from one cubicle to another to listen and offer healing and hope.

Many beautiful stories were being filtered by co-workers that revealed something special about their lost comrades. Stories about their brilliance in the field, their mentoring skills, their families and grandchildren left behind. As I toured the offices, I observed the deceased office desks piled high with work yet sprinkled with images of babies, pets, art work from the kids and images of special moments that celebrated a wedding day or special vacation.

Let me remind you that Jesus walks with us in our our brokenness, in those situations in life when we simply fall down on our knees and weep. We are not alone, for we have one willing to kneel by our side, and be by our side.

Remember the gospel story about a leper who came to Jesus, and said "If you will, you can make me clean " Notice the words of this man, "If you will." He was taking a risk and putting his whole life into the hands of Jesus. He had heard that he was a man of compassion and a man of power. In times of intense sorrow we need to take on this man’s heart when he says to himself. “I wonder if he can make me well? No, I don't wonder, I believe, I know deep within me that he can. I will go and ask that whatever he wills for my life, then so be it. I will approach Jesus and ask that his will be done in my life."

And we know the rest of the story, Jesus moved with piety stretched out his hand and touched him and said: " I will; be clean." Jesus acted because he knew how lonely, how miserable, how forsaken this person was. Jesus acted because no one else would. Jesus acted because the rest of society ignored this individual, Jesus acted because sadly this man's own religion couldn't be bothered.

In moments of intense sorrow that defy any explanation that leave us speechless, the leper choose to simply let go and let God take on his pain and sorrow. I wonder how many of us could say to Jesus, take my life and whatever you will for it, so be it? Isn't that what Christianity is all about? Surrendering ourselves to God, then letting his will of love be done in our lives.

I chose this image of the bleeding hearts reaching into the darkness to reflect the love of a compassionate God. I was privileged to witness that love as co-workers hugged and shared their stories about their friends. I believe that each of us are little Christ's, we are his hands of compassion, his hands of healing; his hands of love in a world crying for someone to care. Any time we see people hurting, we see people living with burdens, we see people afflicted with disease, we are compelled as Jesus was to reach out a hand to try with all of our strength to bring some measure of peace and comfort into that person's live.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. (Psalm 31:5).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are on their knees due to sadness or rejection from those who fail to understand. Help us to walk with these “little ones” with your hands of acceptance and understanding. May our spirit of healing and compassion reach out to all in need, especially our neighbors in Buffalo at this time.

Healing Spaces

Many of the Mercy sisters attend the Motherhouse Eucharist accompanied by their walker or wheelchair. One exception was Sister Faith who radiated a sense of youth with her gracious smile and vibrant walk without the use of any aid. However, all that changed in an instant when she tripped on a carpet and fell head first into a wall. Eleven stitches later and a twisted knee, Sister Faith was sitting in her room; lamenting that she did not want to be a bother to her sisters and asked for prayers that she would not need any surgery on her right knee.

She was humbled by all the phone calls and get-well cards from her fans throughout the country who heard about her “trip.” But her real journey was not her experience in the emergency room, but rather, a journey into her soul which she had never experience in her life.

Like most patients she prayed for a cure, relief from the pain and the desire to get back to where she was before the freak accident. Instead, she sat in her chair with her elevated leg in a soft cast and her companions were the medicine bottles, blankets, bed, water glass and the holy cards with prayers in times of illness.

Cures aim at returning our bodies to what they were in the past, healing uses what is present to move us more deeply to "soul awareness." Although Sister Faith prayers for a cure and complete recovery, she admits that she has undergone a profound healing of mind and heart. This healing that refers to the soul can happen without cure. In fact, it is often the uncured sickness that the healing begins.

When we come face to face with our disease--cancer, broken heart, layoff panic, chronic addiction, debilitating grief, our focus is redirected to the inner healing process that is triggered by our illness. At that moment, we become profoundly aware to the meaning of life, what we need to let go of and what we need to keep.

Sitting meditatively in her chair beside her bed, Sister Faith senses the witness of her bed, the family photos on her dresser, the blankets, even the snow covered trees outside his window, finally observing the truth, that some secrets are hidden from health.

Sister Faith is right. Some patients report a greater sense of being alive and in communion with others when they were sick. When they were cured, they returned to normal life, a life often characterized by routine. Cure of the body actually threatens healing of the soul. After a period of distress we realize that something amazing happens. We simply stop doing everything that wasn’t essential, that didn’t matter. Our illness of whatever nature becomes our greatest source of peace.

Jesus cured some, not all. He was more interested in healing; healing the soul, Sometimes, gospel wisdom tells us that an uncured body brings about a healed soul.

God prays for us as we reflect: “O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.” (Psalm 30:2).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need the assistance of their walkers, canes and wheelchairs. As they look around their room and pray for a cure, help them to focus on healing the soul that comes with weakness that helps us to feel the need for God. Sometimes we think that we get nothing we asked for but despite ourselves, our unspoken prayers are answered for we are truly blessed by a God who cares.

Melting Snow

At an engagement party, the guests were comparing which city in Upstate New York had the most snow for the winter. Buffalo has a slight lead with 85.9 compared to Rochester’s 85.3 inches. However, Syracuse has been hammered with 123 inches. Despite our whining, and after the Superbowl frenzy, I thought I share this wonderful story about melting snow.

Ice clung to the branches of the trees as Kay and Michael sat together in the park in the center of town. They would have been considered oddities, sitting on a frozen park bench in the dead of winter, had the town not simply become used to the seeing them each evening around six, quietly holding hands in the town square.

No one questioned their behavior, or snickered, or sneered sarcastically at the sight of the oddity. Eccentricities were simply accepted in the small town in Northern Michigan. People lived in each others' pockets, as they say.

Kay and Michael, bundled up with winter coats, sitting in front of an icy statue of the town's founder, were dreaming. Michael knowingly gave Kay's hand a squeeze. He loved her. She squeezed back. The snow slowly fell before them.

Kay was remembering. So was Michael. Now in their early-sixties, they recalled their life together. With a knowing squeeze of the other's hand, both of them traveled back to another time, when love was on the ocean breeze. It was in the ocean air that they breathed every morning while they were on their honeymoon.

Michael took a deep breath through his nose, smelling the ocean air. He closed his eyes and smiled, thinking back to forty years prior. The sound of the water and the scent of the beach filled their tiny bungalow in Hawaii. He could feel her breathe.

He closed his arm around her down jacket. Michael looked at Kay. And she knew.

Hawaii was with them. The cliffs and palm trees. The beaches. The breath-taking beauty. Deep jungle, green vegetation and clear waterfalls. The warm morning rain that sometimes came in the afternoon. Walking in the deep night on the beach.

His glove touched her face.

She smiled.

With a gentle squeeze and another thought of hot sands and warm ocean water, they felt the wet snow melting on their faces.

God prays for us as we reflect: “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. (Psalm 49:3)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who suffer depression from the cold and lack of sunlight. Let them imagine being lifted out of the cold and taken away from the ice to a time when they could feel a gentle breeze and breath in the beauty of green vegetation and clear waterfalls. It has indeed been a harsh winter. We had been humbled by mother nature, unable to rush about in our usual way, confined to our homes, literally speechless from the power of the weather. In the silence we learn the valuable lessons of humility, patience and the overwhelming presence of God. It is God’s way of telling us to be quiet and listen. God loves you and wants you to listen because God wants the best for your lives.