Finding of the Christ Child in the Temple
I imagine Mary and Joseph looking for Jesus in the temple. Can you imagine not having Amber Alert? Traveling a whole day back on a donkey to find out where your child is? Looking for 2 more days to find him without knowing if he was alive, dead or in trouble?
Mary knew what Christ's role would be. I can't imagine her terror. Her later relief.
She kept this all in her heart. It wasn't time for others to know. What a huge secret to keep.
I admire Mary and Joseph so much. They accepted a task none of us could handle.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Day 12: Glorious
As I ponder how surprised the guards were when they rolled back the stone of the grave of Jesus to find him gone, as I ponder the bewilderment of the holy women who come to annoint him to find an empty grave....
what we plan isn't always The Plan! Is it??
We may think we know what we need in and from our lives. With whom we live our lives. How we live our lives.
Ever had a wrench thrown in the plans?
Even our best laid plans for ourself crumble in the face of the Divine and Cosmic Plan.
There is a plan for each of us for which we have no comprehension.
It's not up to us; it is up to the One.
what we plan isn't always The Plan! Is it??
We may think we know what we need in and from our lives. With whom we live our lives. How we live our lives.
Ever had a wrench thrown in the plans?
Even our best laid plans for ourself crumble in the face of the Divine and Cosmic Plan.
There is a plan for each of us for which we have no comprehension.
It's not up to us; it is up to the One.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Day 11: A Real Rosary
Last night, I was finishing up the work day when Marnee walked in to the rehab department. She walked up beside me and handed me a small white envelope.
It was stuffed.
On the outside back of the envelope she had hand written a beautiful saying by Kahlil Gibran, one of my favorite poets.
"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much what life brings to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."
Inside this beautiful woman has written a card to me.
Inside was a beautiful olivewood rosary made in Jerusalem.
I used the rosary this morning for the Sorrowful Mysteries.
It was stuffed.
On the outside back of the envelope she had hand written a beautiful saying by Kahlil Gibran, one of my favorite poets.
"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much what life brings to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."
Inside this beautiful woman has written a card to me.
Dear Tre,
You are a beautiful young lady.
A gift from God
to so many of us
who need you.
Your smile
warms everyone's heart
and your expressions of confidence
and words of encouragement
are a blessing to this world - -
Thank you, thank you -
May God bless you
with peace of heart
and mind
and love of all -
Your grateful patient,
Inside was a beautiful olivewood rosary made in Jerusalem.
I used the rosary this morning for the Sorrowful Mysteries.
It is the perfect weight under my fingers. It is the perfect shape.
I may be the therapist and Marnee the patient, but she is the teacher, and I the lucky recipient of her spiritual wisdom and faith.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Day 10, Pondering Forgiveness
It's time to let go of any negative feelings about the Church. The Church was founded upon the Rock, the Salvation, Jesus Christ. Peter and the apostles laid the foundation for the Church. They were humans trying to spread the Word.
I am all for spreading the word of God; I am not for all the humans who interjected their individual needs for power and control who have over centuries corrupted the Church.
The Church is perfect in its original form; however, it, like us, is in need of God's mercy and forgiveness for all the moments in which its leaders have turned from God's will for It.
So, today, I release any pains I have held toward the perfect Church, and I forgive the hierarchy who, in their flawed humanity, made decisions that tainted the hearts of all us recovering Catholics, now just catholic.
Why "catholics" in lower case? Because we are all catholic.
Many Christians sometimes use the term "catholic" (often with a lower-case letter "c") to refer not to the Roman Catholic Church alone but more broadly, to the Christian Church and all believers in Jesus Christ across the world and across the ages, regardless of denominational affiliation.
I am all for spreading the word of God; I am not for all the humans who interjected their individual needs for power and control who have over centuries corrupted the Church.
The Church is perfect in its original form; however, it, like us, is in need of God's mercy and forgiveness for all the moments in which its leaders have turned from God's will for It.
So, today, I release any pains I have held toward the perfect Church, and I forgive the hierarchy who, in their flawed humanity, made decisions that tainted the hearts of all us recovering Catholics, now just catholic.
Why "catholics" in lower case? Because we are all catholic.
Many Christians sometimes use the term "catholic" (often with a lower-case letter "c") to refer not to the Roman Catholic Church alone but more broadly, to the Christian Church and all believers in Jesus Christ across the world and across the ages, regardless of denominational affiliation.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Day 9: Keeping With the Schedule
Day 9: Glorious Mysteries.
Didn't I say them just yesterday? It feels as if I experienced these events the last time I said the rosary. The unfolding of Christ's Ascension and Mary's Assumption are fresh in my mind and heart.
I envision the cheers and fellowship of both Jesus' and Mary's returns to heaven, and I hope, when I think of this, that we are greeted with similar celebration when we "graduate" from this life.
I don't have much time today. I have a visitor here from out of town, and as she showers, I kneel down and listen to the serene Irish voice who leads the rosary.
I had intended to write about the Fruits of the Glorious Mysteries today; however, the schedule is tight, and to be honest,
Didn't I say them just yesterday? It feels as if I experienced these events the last time I said the rosary. The unfolding of Christ's Ascension and Mary's Assumption are fresh in my mind and heart.
I envision the cheers and fellowship of both Jesus' and Mary's returns to heaven, and I hope, when I think of this, that we are greeted with similar celebration when we "graduate" from this life.
I don't have much time today. I have a visitor here from out of town, and as she showers, I kneel down and listen to the serene Irish voice who leads the rosary.
I had intended to write about the Fruits of the Glorious Mysteries today; however, the schedule is tight, and to be honest,
I'm just relieved that I kept up with the schedule!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Faith, Hope and Charity
The three little beads after the Our Father closest to the crucifix...my father used to introduce these prior to reciting them, "to increase faith, hope and charity."
I am adding these prayers as I say the novena, courtesy of Saint Benedict Center:
It helps me concentrate on the meaning of each gift.
I pause here. I honestly cannot say that I believe all truths which the Catholic Church teaches, for that is why I left the church. So, I will ponder the meaning of the prayer and continue to delve inside to figure out where I belong in relation to the Church. Meanwhile, I believe the more comprehensive statement that there exists a Trinity, that Jesus died for our sins and that the living and the dead are judged.
If we can all move into each day acting with faith, hope and charity, we are armed to move mountains, to transmute the negative in the world to Pure Love, which is the epitome of the Holy Spirit.
I am adding these prayers as I say the novena, courtesy of Saint Benedict Center:
It helps me concentrate on the meaning of each gift.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.I pause here. I honestly cannot say that I believe all truths which the Catholic Church teaches, for that is why I left the church. So, I will ponder the meaning of the prayer and continue to delve inside to figure out where I belong in relation to the Church. Meanwhile, I believe the more comprehensive statement that there exists a Trinity, that Jesus died for our sins and that the living and the dead are judged.
Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and Life Everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.Act of Charity
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.If we can all move into each day acting with faith, hope and charity, we are armed to move mountains, to transmute the negative in the world to Pure Love, which is the epitome of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Day 7:
Back to my blog home page: http://travelingotr.blogspot.com
This is how the Joyful Mysteries felt to me this morning:
This is how the Joyful Mysteries felt to me this morning:
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