Photo: Fall Arrives

 

Poem: An excerpt from the poem "Storage" by Mary Oliver

As I grew older the things I cared

about grew fewer, but were more
important. So one day I undid the lock
and called the trash man. He took everything.
I felt like the little donkey when
his burden is finally lifted. Things!
Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful
fire! More room in your heart for love,
for the trees! For the birds who own
nothing—the reason they can fly.

Prayer: Fisherman’s prayer

Big Sea, Little Boat, 

Dear God, be good to me; 

The sea is so wide, 

And my boat is so small.

Photo: The Oud

 

Prayer: Six Recognitions of the Lord (Mary Oliver)

I know a lot of fancy words. 

I tear them from my heart and my tongue. 

Then I pray.

Prayer: Celtic Prayer

Alone with none but thee, my God, 

I journey on my way. 

What need I fear, when thou art near 

O king of night and day? 

More safe am I within thy hand,

Than if a host did round me stand.

Photo: The Pasture

 

Prayer: Could it be?

God, could it be that I am called to bring the light of day into the shadowlands of life?

Could it be that I am called to comfort those who mourn and dry the tears of those who cry?

Could it be that I am called to mend a life that's torn with hopeful, helpful, healing hands?

Could it be that I am called to give rest to the worn and guide those who have lost their way? 

Could it be that I am called to forgive as you forgive and to be your generous love in the world?

O God, in your great compassion, lead me, that I might be your presence somewhere between heaven and earth.

Inspired by the Book of Esther 4:14; John A Dalles

Photo: Jesuit Jubilarians

 

Presidential Scholars Mass

                                                        Presidential Scholars Mass

We belong to each other

 

 

            Yesterday, the Church celebrated the pride we have in the reverencing the Cross of Jesus, and today we honor Mary, his mum, for the sorrow she had in his crucifixion and death. Glory and sorrow are connected. The Cross that we venerate was once a symbol of shame and defeat. Today, we see it as the moment in which God tells us that God knows and understands human suffering and that God will remain with us. 

            We are here today to honor the Presidential Scholars who promise continued excellence in academics, the development of curiosity, and attainment of Ignatian values. These students are called to reach for the Magis. What exactly is the Magis? It is a Latin word that means “more,” and it can be wrongly interpreted to mean doing more, fitting more into one’s schedule, accepting all invitations that come one’s way. Ignatius meant something else. The Magis means to deepen the relationship with Christ, and it appears in The Second Week of the Spiritual Exercises when one is tested in friendship before Jesus goes to his trial and death. Magis is more about “being with” Jesus and his companions than it is about doing something. So, what does that mean for us?

            Look at the Gospel. Near his death, Jesus entrusts his mother to John, the Beloved Disciple, and he entrusts his disciples to Mary. They belong to one another, and our discipleship means to “be with” one another. The Magis is about belonging. The reading from Corinthians also means that we all belong. We share our gifts as we are given them. That means, there is no FOMO – fear of Missing out. We are called to enhance and contribute our gifts uniquely. It means that we are to applaud someone else’s achievements and contributions. Magis becomes a way of life. We build up one another as we are all parts of the Body of Christ. It is almost like that definition of FAMILY that we see on our grandmother’s holy cards: FAMILY- Forget about me, I love you.

            It is certainly right that we honor your individual achievement. Congratulations. This time together is about the promise that is to come through your scholarship, leadership, and example. Learn how to be with one another, which means to share what one is feeling with another person. The Gospel tells us about the Beloved Disciples and the mother of Jesus. They are given to one another. Our invitation is to deepen our conversations with our parents and to let them know what we are thinking and feeling. Our parents have to do the same with us. When we share what is most important to us, we forge a deep bond, and we see each other in new and meaningful ways.

            Within the classroom, the common areas, and the fields, it means that we make sure to include someone who might feel on the outside or on the margins. Through our advisories, we might take a moment outside of the group to sit with someone who is in pain and to listen to his story. We all want to be understood. We express ourselves by talking, but deep, meaningful listening precedes it. We listen without interruption or correcting the other person. When we listen with compassion, we do not get caught in judgment. Deep listening has the power to help us create a moment of joy. You have to take the time to look and see the suffering in the other person.

The foundation of love is understanding, which means to understand suffering. If you really want to love someone and make the person happy, you have to understand the person’s suffering. With understanding, your love will deepen and become true love. When we do not have enough understanding and love, we suffer. Happiness is the capacity to understand and to love. We cannot venerate the Cross without understanding suffering.

This is the magis to which you are called. You have demonstrated your leadership in unique and certain ways, and now you are called to greater understanding, more profound compassion, and finding creative and innovative ways to “be with” one another. We are in this together. As the Body of Christ, let us dedicate our time at BC High to journey with one another and simply to “be with” one another.