Apple of Love

Like a relief pitcher in a baseball game, I am often called upon to help on weekends in various parishes. To my surprise and delight, I bump into “old friends” from Strong Hospital, the Mercy Motherhouse and Brockport. However, it only takes a few minutes to hear the stories about the struggles of the community. The exodus of parishioners, the cluster changes and the lost of identify describe a hurting faith. The remnant stays faithful and strong but look for a sign of hope. Despite the pain, here was an opportunity to bring the “good news” that God indeed loves and cares deeply for these good people.

So it is time for a story and by coincidence it was the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. At this Mass, the kids from the local Catholic School were going to read and bring up the gifts. But I had a better idea. So imagine yourself in the pew, there’s this visiting priest at your altar, kids in uniform whose heads are barely visible reading the Scripture at your lectern and you witness an invitation during the homily for “ALL” the kids in church to come up to the altar and hear this fairy tale about God’s love.

Once there lived a beautiful princess. Among the many young men who fell in love with her were three handsome brothers. Often she invited them to visit her and they sang her songs and told stories of magic. When it came time for her to marry, she knew she would choose none other but one of the handsome brothers. But which one? She loved them all. So she decided on a test. Whichever one brought her the most marvelous gift would have her hand in marriage.

The three brothers were best friends and agreed that before they presented their gifts to the princess they would meet back home to show each other their gifts they brought back from all parts of the world. One brother traveled to Asia where, after many searches, found a magic carpet. Another brother went to Egypt where a magician showed him a shiny mirror. You had only to think of a place you’d like to see and then look and there it was in the mirror. The youngest brother traveled to the lands of Arabia. There he met a farmer who took him to a corner of his farm where from a small and lovely tree hung a single apple. “This”, the farmer told him, “is an apple that once grew in the Garden of Eden. It will cure any illness and pain. But be careful when you use it, for its magic will work only a single time.” The youngest son gave his fortune for the apple.

The three brothers met back home and revealed their prizes. One of them suggested they use the magic mirror to find the princess. And when they looked they saw the princess had become very ill and she was dying. So quickly they mounted the magic carpet and arrived where the princess lay. The youngest brother took the magic apple from his bag and said, “Here, this will make you better.” She bit the apple and magically she was healed. The next day in the garden each brother told her how each had purchased his gift. Then they reminded her that without the mirror they would never have known the princess was dying. Without the carpet they would never have gotten to her bedside, without the apple she would have died. She agreed, Now whom would she choose as husband?

The princess loved them all but could only marry one. She then embraced the oldest brother and thanked him for saving her life with the magic mirror. Then she hugged the second brother and thanked him for the magic carpet that had also saved her life. Then she looked into the youngest brother’s eyes and said, “I have chosen you. For the magic mirror performs its magic as often as you need it for me or anyone, and the carpet also will help anyone fly. But the apple… the apple can be used only once.” You could have saved it for yourself, for the time when you would need it. But you didn’t. you gave it top me.”

Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing. Jesus on the cross was a decision of love. Despite the hurts in our faith community, we need to take our apple to those in need and show them the sweetness of our love.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who give their apple away every day. In thanks for the people who come to bring us a breath of fresh air by their smile, their laughter and their encouragement we give you thanks. For this is the true meaning of God’s love.

Surprises from God

Would you like to open a Macy’s account today? “No, thank you,” I replied. The clerk went on to say that an additional 30% discount would be applied to my purchase. “Another time, perhaps.” Then she asked “Don’t I know you? Did you ever serve at Holy Redeemer?” No, I politely replied and noted it had been closed many years ago. “Did you serve at St. Theresa’s?” A beautiful urban-center church served by the Franciscan fathers. But again, I had not served there. Then she said: “Don’t worry, let me open the account father, it’ll only take a minute and you’ll save lots of money.”

“Did you serve at St. Stanislaus?” As she opened the new account, I shared that I had served in my home pariah. “Did you know Father Andy?” That brought back many memories for Fr. Andy came from Poland to serve in an American parish. He was the perfect match for St. Stan’s who later became their pastor and sadly died prematurely of cancer during his ministry.

Mindful of this stroll through memory lane, our sales lady is clicking my personal information into her computer to enroll me into “such-a-deal” Star Reward Program. I had only come to pick up my dress shoes that I buy on sale in January and wait till the beginning of a new school year to wear. I carry very little plastic and discount cards are not in my wallet, however, this persistent sales lady wants to surprise me with her amazing savings.

She continues to multi-task her way through her store’s discount program, then she says she knew my parents and my heart sank. Rarely, do I bump into a person who remembers mom and dad. It has been a long time since they went home to God. She knew about the old churches, the special priests, the old neighborhood and now my dear loved ones. It appeared I was getting more than a discount card, but a heart to remember in gratitude the people that God had placed in my path.

What was this lady thinking? It reflects the attitude of Jesus when his mom told him that the wedding party in Cana had run out of wine. Here, we get this homely little story about a wedding party gone bad where Jesus swoops in to save the day by providing a wine cellar’s worth of intoxicating beverages to wedding guests who already had a few under their belts.

The wedding guests enjoyed the new wine, and, in the end, they did not turn to thank the giver of this particular gift that was something Jesus as Creator had been long accustomed. From the dawn of time people had been eating the pears and sipping the cognac and swimming in the oceans and enjoying the vistas of mountain grandeur that Jesus’ creative work in the beginning made possible, but most never thanked God for those gifts. So if the people in Cana lapped up Jesus’ fine wine with nary a backward glance toward him who made the wine, Jesus probably did not notice and maybe did not care. He was used to it. But like any good host, Jesus’ joy came from knowing that others had enjoyed it.

To my surprise, the sales slip for the new shoes reflected a 50% discount! Suddenly, I realized this transaction was never about saving money, but rather, giving thanks to God for all the memories, all the people, all the choice wine and surprises that God provides and we take for granted. Needless to say, I thanked this kind lady for all her trouble despite my objections.

God prays for us as we reflect; ““From his fullness we have received one blessing after another”

(John 1:16)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have been a blessing to me throughout my years of ministry. For the priests and sisters, the parishioners and neighbors, horse trainers and farmers, old friends and new “sales” people. Help us to see Your glory that shines through their generosity and make us mindful of Your surprise gifts.

Are You In Good Standing?

She was fearful about her brother coming to visit. He had asked her to be the godmother of his newborn child. You would think that would be a moment for a great party and celebration, Instead, there was a caveat to this invitation to stand up as the child’s godmother. The priest at her brother’s church asked if his sister was “in good standing.”

What was that all about? This comment made her nervous, uncomfortable and sad to say a tad ashamed. This was the same sister who took care of her elderly father in her home for over thirty years. This was the mom who opened her door to her adult daughters to come back and live in the old homestead after their broken relationships. This is the same lady who visits her 90 something-year-old aunt in hospice everyday. She would never think to leave her aunt’s side at this stage in her life. Yet, she was bewildered and perplexed with the question: “Are you in good standing?”

What makes a person "in good standing?" Did she attend Mass every Sunday or only on Christmas and Easter? Did she make her Easter duty? Did she have envelopes and contribute to the fuel fund? Most likely, she felt that she would have failed this litmus test. However, when it came to being an extravagant hostess, providing hospitality to family and friends, providing extraordinary customers service to strangers, practicing patience with friends, and offering her expertise in selecting flora and fauna she would have passed any test with flying colors.

Still, she struggled with the question and worse felt that she was somehow unworthy to serve as godparent for her brother’s child. She did not want to be a hypocrite. Yet, her ordinary life was filled with hands and heart offering life and comfort, forgiveness and tenderness to others in need. When I asked her what did she think about being “in good standing.” She went silent. So I reassured this meek and humble heart that her ordinary efforts at bringing comfort to the sick, acceptance to the abandoned, and love to the lonely count as extra points in this exam. Under the watchful eye of our Creator who sees all the good things we do for others, our extravagant God marks on a curve. This sister has nothing to fear for she is more than worthy to serve as a godparent. She lives in the spirit that graces others by her generosity and extravagance to care for others.

God prays for us as we reflect: “When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose ordinary lives perform some extraordinary feats of love. Let us be mindful and grateful to those folks who bring meal on wheels, donate clothing, visit the hospitals, nursing homes and prisons and send your Spirit of love to renew the face of the earth.

VOILA

A mother was driving her four-year son home after a funeral service for her younger sister. Her little one noticed that his mommy was sad when out of the blue he said.

“Mommy, families are like a puzzle.” What are you talking about replied his anxious mom. “Well, when someone dies, a piece of the puzzle is missing. But when that person falls asleep “VOILA” that person opens their eyes and all the parts of the puzzle come back together again.” This young mother was astounded by the profound message of hope that came from the lips of her son.

This woman shared that after the death of her sister, years later her mother died, then her father and another older sister all within the same year. This time her son was a teenager and again he shared the story of their family being like a puzzle. Each time she would step back from her grief and receive the grace of her little four year who explained the wonder of God and the birth of Christ that comes during this Christmas Season.

This mother worked in a group home as a residential caregiver for developmentally disabled adults. Joann, a resident, had died after battling many serious medical problems while living in the group home. The staff remarked that Joann had nine lives. She was the light of this community expressed by her simple kindness and gratitude. At times, Joann could be quite hard to handle and boisterous seeking to be the center of attention. Once a staff member taught her to fold her hands and say, “I’m sorry” when she hurt someone’s feelings. That memory of her folding her hands and humbly bowing her head to express her apology brought tears since each staff member knew that Joann trusted and loved them in her own special way.

During the Christmas Season, memories of family members and friends have become like missing puzzle parts make us tearful. We remember the light they brought to our hearts and miss their spirit and life force that filled our lives with wonder and grace. At that moment, let us remember the faith of a little four year old “WA LA” who inspired his grieving mother to surrender her grief and find joy again in the memory of those people God has blessed us on earth and have come back together in heaven.

God prays for us as we reflect: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:50).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose thoughts go back to loved ones who are now a part of the communion of saints. From their kindness, wisdom and love may we always be grateful and look forward to the day when we can take our piece of the puzzle and be joined again with them in heavenly peace.

Gospel by Starlight

The storyline to The Shack involves an extended conversation between the Holy Trinity and a man named Mack. Mack has many questions for God and, by the end of the book; he’s grown at ease with speaking his mind. But there’s one part that makes some people uncomfortable. It has to do with people who aren’t like us.

The opening words are from Jesus:

“Christian? Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian.”

Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sister, into my Beloved. Does that mean, asked Mack, that all roads lead to you? Jesus replies: ‘Not at all…What it means is that I will travel any road to find you.’”

Epiphany is more than feast about magicians or astrologers; rather it is the feastday for welcoming folks who were made to feel unacceptable and unworthy. Not all roads lead to heaven. But there’s not a means that God won’t pursue us to help you get there.

That’s as true for anyone who did not celebrate Christmas because they were bitter about the death of their child like Mack, or not finding work in 2009, or divorced, or scraping with their medical insurance carrier about a pre-existing condition or in jail.

God will pursue you. God’s love is relentless. And it’s God’s will that none should be lost, but all are to be saved. How? We don’t know how. When? We don’t know when.

Yet this we do know: Sometimes, we ourselves get in the way. We don’t mean to, but we do. This too we know: Sometimes institutions like the Church or our faith community get in the way. It doesn’t mean to, but sometimes it does.

On this Feast of the Epiphany, we pray that we get out of the way and let God accomplish the salvation for which the world so longs.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright…guide us to they perfect light.” (We Three Kings of Orient Are).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends in this New Year that we pray for insight. We pray for wisdom. We pray for love to transforms the way we see things and hear things and do things. Most of all, we pray that all people might seek the face of God …as surely as God seeks us.

We Need A Little Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christmas Card from Prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Perfect Gift

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe This is Hell?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wonderfully Suspicious

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Together in Kindness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We All Get Lost Sometimes

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breaking Through Red Tape

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, let your revelation begin…

Reflections

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Do You See?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swirling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Autumn Bouquet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faith Muscles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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