Psalm 33

The Journey through the Psalms continues 

I am perpetually awed with the fullness of attention with which God creates!  

God just speaks - and it is!! 

From the beginning of all things, to the Word made Flesh, and Christ present in the eucharistic breaking of the bread - He spoke and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm (v.9)!  

And then to realize that we, created in His image, have been given voice and heart to praise Him with word and action, lyre and harp - astounding!  That the depths of the sea, which terrify me as I am called in faith to venture out to deep waters, are all within His hands, and that true strength and greatness is not found within myself, but within God alone who attends to those who fear and hope in Him - a much needed reminder for my soul.  

As is the call to wait on the Lord.  

This week - between the Feast of the Ascension (May 29) and Pentecost (June 8) is that liturgical waiting space, knowing that Jesus needed to return to the Father so that we might be able to be even more fully equipped through the coming, the power, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.  

This is the good news of God's greatness: He is our help and shield (v.20).  

Come, Holy Spirit! Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you (v.22)

There is a beautiful prayer for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, that is prayed especially in these nine days between celebrating Jesus' Ascension into Heaven and anticipating the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ 

Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. 

Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; 

the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth; 

the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven; 

the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; 

the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; 

the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; 

and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. 

Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Psalm 145

The journey through the Psalms continues 

I am awed with God's way and timing, and the interweaving of thoughts, situations, meditations and prayer.  

For the past few months I have been praying and meditating on what it means to live a life of holiness: dedicated and consecrated to God.  Reflecting on Psalm 145 has helped bring different strands together, and I have been reminded once again of God's amazing goodness - and the fact that we can never out-do God in generosity. 

"All your works shall praise you O God, and all your faithful shall bless you" (v10) is both a statement of reality and a promise that I want my life to resonate - to proclaim with resounding vibrations and song, joining in the chorus of praise all creation gives!  

Learning a lot from the saints, it actually dawned on me this morning that many came from devout and faith-filled families - witnessing to the psalmist exclamation that "One generation shall laud your works to another". Yet I look around the Church (both now and historically) and see a perceived separation of holiness between laity and those set apart as clergy or to the religious life.  The church - the world! - needs holy men and women.  We do!  And we desperately need men and women responding to the call of God through holy marriages.

Jesus' call is for all to be Holy.  Psalm 145 is reminding me of the good news we all need to hear - God is compassionate; He upholds those who are falling down; He is merciful and gracious; He fulfills the desires of our hearts.  

This is Great News! 

God gives us Himself as the grace needed to Be Holy.  

We are all called, and equipped by God's grace and strength that is sufficient (albeit different than what the world sees as strength) to be a light in dark places, and encouraging and raising each other and holy families, so that our lives can resound with all creation - from generation to generation, the goodness and greatness of God!


   
           Psalm 145 - The Greatness and Goodness of God

I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
 Every day I will bless you,
    and praise your name forever and ever.
 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    his greatness is unsearchable.

 One generation shall laud your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
    and I will declare your greatness.
 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all,
    and his compassion is over all that he has made.

 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your faithful shall bless you.
 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
    and tell of your power,
 to make known to all people your[a] mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your[b] kingdom.
 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
    and gracious in all his deeds.[c]
 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
    and raises up all who are bowed down.
 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
 You open your hand,
    satisfying the desire of every living thing.
 The Lord is just in all his ways,
    and kind in all his doings.
 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
    he also hears their cry, and saves them.
 The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Psalm 91

For the past three years, I have had the joy of being part of an international community of people memorizing and reflecting on the Psalms.  I am not the best at memorization, but meditating on the psalms within the context of this community (facilitated by a dear friend) gives me the structure I often need to delve and dive deeper into the Word and revelation of God.

This past month, this journey through the Psalms began again, with Psalm 91, which is known as the Assurance of God's Protection.

At the allotted time, each of us participants are asked to share our reflections.  Below is the reflection I offered, as well as the Psalm itself.  I invite you to read and let these words wash over you.

And I would love to hear how God is stirring your heart.

I love the imagery of being "hidden in the shelter of the Most High", abiding "in the shadow of the Almighty", for, to be in a shadow, means to be close to the source!  I have been reminded of Moses on the mountain, shielded by God's hand so that the Glory of God's Face could pass by, enabling Moses to "see" God and still live. I have also been reminded of Mary's "YES" to bear Jesus, and how she was "overshadowed by the Holy Spirit" … almost like God's hand reaching down into her at the Incarnation, so that in Jesus, God's face is revealed!  Psalm 91 has reminded me of the continual call to radical trust in God's strength and provision.  That to rest completely in God is to live in the heart of Jesus - and to allow His light and life to transform me from the inside out!

                       Psalm 91

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence;
 he will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    or the arrow that flies by day,
 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
    the Most High your dwelling place,
 no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.

 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
 On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

 Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
 When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble,
    I will rescue them and honor them.
 With long life I will satisfy them,
    and show them my salvation.

Making Footprints as Stewards of Creation

The Earth is the full of the goodness of the Lord.  (Psalm 33)

Today is Earth Day. A day typically not regarded by Christians as connected to our faith … but it is! A number of years ago now, I was given the opportunity to talk specifically about this connection.  What follows is an adaptation of my presentation.

In the light of Climate Change and global environmental unrest and disasters, caring for the earth is increasingly becoming a priority throughout the world, and men, women and communities of faith are re-remembering that it is actually in the faith mandate of Christians to care for the environment: To be stewards of creation.  Yet, instead of creation care being an important part of the Christian mission and identity, it is something that has been dismissed, neglected, and even sometimes abused.  

What does it mean to be a Steward of Creation?  

If we are stewards, we are care-takers, placed in a position of responsibility by the Creator.  The call to be stewards of creation is there from the Biblical get-go.  Genesis chapter 1 is an ode to God’s wonder, power and delightful creativity as everything in the universe begins to take form: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth … And it was good.” (Gen 1)  There is diversity of creatures, habitats, species both on the land and in the water, there is day and there is night.  This whole ecosystem was complete, with the blessing over all the different animals and plants: be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth – the land and sea.  To the human beings – man and woman – “God blessed them and said: Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Gen 1:28).  Genesis chapter 2 records it this way: “Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.  Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Gen 2:5-7).  “The Lord God took the man (he had formed) and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15).  

Fill the earth; subdue it; rule over it; take care of it.  Taken in isolation, these first three commands have the potential to be used in quite self-serving ways, and indeed, many people (Christians included) use these same words and passages to permit or condone acts that degrade creation. But the fourth command to take care of it, qualifies all the others. In the light of caring for something, “filling” does not mean crowding or replacing, but rather enabling the abundance of diversity; “subduing” means tending to the boundaries, much like tending the boarders within a garden; and “ruling” becomes the guidelines of accountability, much like a living and functional community which is essentially what an ecosystem (“home system”) is. 

God created the earth and all that is in it, with careful provision for its sustenance and fruitfulness.  God even provided rest for ALL creation, and in the early laws for the people of Israel, an actual year of “Sabbath rest” was instituted, wherein the land would be let to lie fallow so that it could rejuvenate itself:  “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.  Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the foreigner among you as well, may be refreshed” (Exodus 23:10-12).  God cares and made provisions for the care of land, plants, animals and all peoples, and has enabled us to accomplish the task.

We have been given body and substance so that we can and will impact the environment.  

Living in Newfoundland, I came to know and really appreciate the strength, beauty, vulnerability and abundance of life within its rivers.  In St. John’s, the rivers have not always fared so well.  Development in the 60’s led to the culverting and channeling of many city’s streams which negatively impacted the entire river system.  By the 80’s, Rennie’s River in particular was a mess and neither enjoyable nor deemed livable by human or nature’s standards.  A group of concerned citizens and scientists gathered together and began the work to remove some of the culverts and restore the meanders (the natural twists and turns) of the river and what happened was amazing.  Talking with some of the scientists involved, it was hoped and projected that the macro-invertebrates (the aquatic bugs the fish feed on) would return eventually.  What they discovered and witnessed was their immediate return:  literally overnight!   

We are meant to make a difference.  It may take some work, but we can steward God's creation well!

The Biblical call to stewardship continues.  

Psalm 104 essentially declares; the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it is created to give glory to God.  In his letter to the Colossians (1:15-20), Paul speaks about God’s personal footprint on the earth – Jesus Christ.  “The son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

As the hymn writer Maltbie Babcock wrote: This is my Father’s world.  God has not abandoned creation, nor has God given humans “free-reign” to do what we wish.  

We have a role in this ecosystem of life on earth.  

We not only have the minds, hearts and ability to analyze, invent and participate in caring for the environment – the home we share with the rest of creation – but we have the mandate, as Christians especially, to participate and care with both our Creator and the rest of his creation.  

From a talk given at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, St. John’s Newfoundland Canada, presenting a Christian perspective for the need for environmental stewardship.  A speaker from Oxfam Canada spoke from a secular point of view and then we discussed comments, questions, concerns in an open-mic fashion with ourselves and the audience. – Kristen M

Easter and the Rainbow Connection

I love rainbows!

Here in the Pacific Northwest we get a lot of rain and storms, but not always enough sun for rainbows.  I must admit that in the midst of the storm, rainbows are the last thing on my mind.  But when the storm starts to break - when the sun starts to shine even though it is still raining torrents - I go looking!!

This weekend was one such weekend.  High winds Thursday (I heard the gusts were up to 70 miles per hour! - enough to knock the wind outta ya and topple large trees!).  Friday wasn't so bad, but Saturday was an on-and-off again whirlwind of rain and sun without a glimmer of a rainbow … till just about sundown.  

Yesterday was glorious!  And today? The sun is shining bright, flowers are blooming, trees and grass are vibrantly green and there is just a whisper of a breeze.  

Might just be another typical spring weekend in the PNW … but it's not.  

Today is Easter Monday.

The Lord is Risen indeed - ALLELUIA!!

Just as the weather storms make the delight of the sun that much more vibrant … enough to cause rainbows! So too are the Holy days of Triduum … the one service over three days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil, remembering the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

The celebration of the Triduum is one that is dear to me.  One that I look forward to every year.  One that I expect and anticipate.  I know the story.  No surprises, right?   

Not quite.  I am forever being surprised - and this year I was floored!

Holy Thursday

In my tradition, after the celebration of the Eucharist, the tabernacle is left open, and the remaining consecrated hosts are processed out of the church to the "alter of repose".  Now, at the point of consecration within the Catholic Church, by Mystery, we believe and hold true that the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.  Jesus is present.  He is always present as such in the church - and to indicate this, the sanctuary candle is lit.  So, on Holy Thursday, his leaving is profound.  And as the priest and deacon lead the way carrying the consecrated elements, I am compelled to follow, and do so in silence, with the rest of the congregation. Right away, to the alter of repose - in the building across the street.  To be with Jesus in his agony in the garden.  Connected with him through eternity which holds our finite time-line.  To watch and to pray. 

Good Friday

Every Friday in Lent at my church, we have had the Stations of the Cross.  Good Friday, we meet once again in the afternoon for the Stations, and then again later in the evening, to read the Passion of Christ and to venerate the cross.  It is a continuation of the Holy Thursday service, so the typical "opening" is not present.  It is a solemn day of remembrance.  This is the ONLY day of the year when mass is not said throughout the entire Catholic Church.  Instead, the hosts consecrated Holy Thursday are brought back into the church for communion.  Again - I love this time of year, and I thought I knew what to expect. But the full gift and sacrifice of Jesus did not HIT me, until the deacon processed out of the church, returning with the consecrated hosts.  THEN it struck me.  Jesus had just died. We had remembered his Passion.  I had kissed the cross with gratitude and sorrow for this necessary sacrifice.  Jesus had given his all.  Suffered so much for me and my sins and those of the whole world.  And as if that wasn't enough, here he was still and again - giving his very presence and being for me to take into myself so that I may have life - and have it abundantly!

And after communion, what remained was gathered and brought back to the alter of repose.  My heart was crushed. And so Alive! I felt akin to the company of Adam and Eve, Moses and Abraham, David, Ruth and all those who had lived and died before the coming of Christ … when Christ descended to the dead to bring them to life eternal.  The reality of the penalty of sin being death was so real.  And then in and through that, the reality of fullness of the resurrection - breaking the bonds of sin and death.  Death indeed has lost its sting!  Jesus has broken through!!

And then Easter Vigil

The night above all nights.  A night of remembrance and celebration.  The tabernacle still open and empty … but reminding me now of the empty tomb.  Celebration of the mass.  And then - at the Agnus Dei, declaring "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us", the sanctuary candle being lit.  After communion, the remaining elements being returned to the tabernacle.  And the overwhelming - I mean OVERWHELMING relief, joy and celebration that Jesus is IN THE HOUSE!!  AMEN!  ALLELUIA!!

Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus - where Jesus was made present to them in the breaking of the bread.  The fact of Jesus being present to us again, is akin to God's promise of the rainbow to never again flood the earth, only this time, it is a promise made evident through God's very presence - the body and blood, soul and divinity of God's dearly beloved son, Jesus Christ.  Emmanuel.  God with us.

What a gift. That through the eucharist, God is able to reach out and touch us … and we can touch him.  And not just touch, but truly taste and see that the Lord is good.  That by his grace and mercy, we can receive him into our beings over and over again - week after week, day after day even - to be nourished, strengthened and transformed into Christ's image and likeness.  Which is what we are all created to be.

I do love rainbows.  But I LOVE Easter!  And the rainbow heralding in the Easter Vigil this year was a FULL ARC! - a complete bow covering and encompassing the Earth!

What a glorious gift.  What a glorious day!

ALLELUIA!