Photo: Opening, opening, opening up

 

Poem: “Spring” by Christina Rossetti

 Frost-locked all the winter,

Seeds and roots, and stones of fruits,

What shall make their sap ascend

That they may put forth shoots?

Tips of tender green,

Leaf, or blade, or sheath;

Telling of the hidden life

That breaks forth underneath,

Life nursed in its grave by Death.

 

Blows the thaw-wind pleasantly,

Drips the soaking rain,

By fits looks down the waking sun;

Young grass springs on the plain;

Young leaves clothe early hedgerow trees;

Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits,

Swollen with sap put forth their shoots;

Curled-headed ferns sprout in the lane;

Birds sing and pair again.

There is no time like Spring,

When life’s alive in everything,

Before new nestlings sing,

Before cleft swallows speed their journey back – 

Along the trackless track, ---  

God guides their wing,

He spreads their table that they nothing lack, – 

Before that daisy grows a common flower

Before the sun has power

To scorch the world up in his noontide hour.

 

There is no time like Spring,

Like Spring that passes by;

There is no life like Spring-life born to die,

Piercing the sod,

Clothing the uncouth clod;

Hatched in the nest,

Fledged on the windy bough,

Strong on the wing:

There is no time like Spring that passes by,

Now newly born, and now

Hastening to die.

Photo: Promotheus

 

Prayer: Thomas Merton

To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true love. Love is my true character. Love is my name.

Photo: Two Views from the same place

 

Prayer: Daniel Lord, S.J.

Let me have too deep a sense of humor ever to be proud. Let me know my absurdity before I act absurdly. Let me realize that when I am humble, I am most human, most truthful, and most worthy of your serious consideration.

Spirituality: Oscar Romero, Christianity is Christ

How I would like to engrave this great idea on each one’s heart: Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of laws to be obeyed, of prohibitions. That makes it very distasteful. Christianity is a person, one who loved us so much, one who calls for our love. Christianity is Christ. 

NOVEMBER 6, 1977

Spirituality: Leah Rampy, in Earth & Soul: Reconnecting and Climate Chaos

Communion is a deeper, wordless connection in which we acknowledge the sacred woven within each individual life, holding all. Holy within, between, among, and beyond. From the beginning…we live and move and have our being in the flow of mystery. In reclaiming our soul, we reconnect to the soul of the world.

Learning to live in edge times in ways that allow us all to flourish in beauty and joy in the midst of deep sorrow and loss will require brave and committed souls….We must engage in the requisite work that will enable us to live in deep recognition of life in communion.

Photo: The Savior

 

Prayer: Karl Rahner, Encounters With Silence

Only in love can I find you, my God. In love the gates of my soul spring open, allowing me to breathe a new air of freedom and forget my own petty self. In love my whole being streams forth out of the rigid confines of narrowness and anxious self-assertion, which make me a prisoner of my own poverty emptiness. In love all the powers of my soul flow out toward you, wanting never more to return, but to lose themselves completely in you, since by your love you are the inmost center of my heart, closer to me than I am to myself.

But when I love you, 

when I manage to break out of the narrow circle of self

and leave behind the restless agony of unanswered questions,

when my blinded eyes no longer look merely from afar

and from the outside upon your unapproachable brightness,

and much more when you yourself, O Incomprehensible One,

have become through love the inmost center of my life,

then I can bury myself entirely in you, O mysterious God,

and with myself all my questions.

The Fifth Sunday of Easter 2024 April 28, 2024

 Living in Unity:

The Fifth Sunday of Easter 2024 

April 28, 2024

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Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

 

The Church now pivots to the accounts of Paul’s life, whose life has often been mischaracterized by preachers in the last century. Paul was the one who gave us Christian theology, the one who built the church into an enduring institution, and whose openness to the Spirit allowed the church to develop into a community rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus. Jesus opened us up to the kingdom of God; Paul made the church into an image of Jesus. In the passage we just heard, Paul struggled mightily for acceptance by the first Apostles, and each effort he took was thwarted by those who resisted change. 

 

Paul preaches what Jesus preached: unity in the Spirit. The Gospel passage means that we are to remain united to God through Jesus, and this union necessarily entails communion with one another. Loneliness is the great suffering of our day, and we are disconnected from meaningful relationships even if there are many people around us. Communion is a sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially at a mental or spiritual level. When we receive the Eucharist, we share these thoughts with Jesus Christ, who likewise wants to share his thoughts.

 

Communion in the church is never an individual act. It is done as part of a community, and communion is incomplete if we think of it as only receiving the consecrated host. Communion happens when we share our thoughts and feelings of gratitude, love, and openness with one another. We are called by Christ into a community where together we learn about his kingdom, and we actively choose to stay a part of those who are called. Communion is our conscious choice to stay on the vine that is nourished by Christ. Communion is our conscious choice to stay connected to those who are called to worship alongside us. Communion is side-by-side.

 

After we receive the consecrated hosts, we are invited to sit or kneel in silence. We value this time, if even just momentarily. When we do not know what we are feeling, when we are feeling disconnected, then sit down. Listen to your body. Listen to what is happening inside of you. Even listen to the suffering that has been trying to communicate with you. We slow down our breathing, which helps us connect the disparate pieces of our selves together into a whole. Our body, our soul, experiences communion when we spend time with ourselves and are put together again, re-membered, int our whole selves. 

 

When we sit in silence, we can learn what Christ wants for us. We discern our future together. We solve our challenges as a community united in Christ by the principles of our faith: by being slow to anger, rich in mercy, gracious in understanding, and open to the needs of the people. Our hearts must stay open to the emotions of Jesus, who is heartbroken for the suffering world. Our hearts must stay open to the needy among us, especially those who carry it silently, not wanting to bother others. We will be known for how deeply we care for those suffer most. Suffering disconnects us and causes us to withdraw when we most need to connect. Mercy is our virtue that binds us together, reconciles, and reconnects. 

 

We all want peace. We want peaceful relations with those around us, and for everyone to come together in happiness. We want to be meaningful to those in our family, among friends, and within church, and we want to hear that we are important to one another. We want trust rebuilt, friendships strengthened, and hurts reconciled. We need to know we are valued and cared for. The First Reading says that we are to love not in word or speech but in deeds, but let’s start with our words today and let our deeds prove our worth. Let us tell one another how important you are to them. Speak them often. Simply say to the person next to you: You are meaningful to me. I’m glad you are in my life. This is our way to build communion. This is our way of love. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

Monday: (Acts 14) As Gentiles and Jews in Iconium were about to attack Paul and Barnabas, they fled to Lystra where Paul healed a lame man.  

 

Tuesday: (Acts 14) The crowds began to put their faith in Paul and Barnabas as gods, but the men protested and told the story of the Christ event. Opposition to Paul increased shortly afterwards and he was stoned. They left for Derbe to strengthen the disciples in those cities and encouraged them during their times of hardship.

 

Wednesday: (Acts 15) Some of Paul’s Jewish opposition raised the question of circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic laws. Along the way to Jerusalem to seek the advice of the Apostles, they told everyone of the conversion of the Gentiles.

 

Thursday: (Acts 15) After much debate, Peter and James decided that no further restrictions were to be made on the Gentiles.

 

Friday (Acts 15) The Apostles and presbyters chose representatives and sent them to Paul and Barnabas with word that the Gentiles were indeed welcomed into the faith with no extra hardships placed upon them. The people were delighted with the good news.

 

Saturday (Acts 13) In Derbe and Lystra, Paul heard of a man named Timothy who was well regarded by the believers. Paul had him circumcised and they travelled to Macedonia to proclaim the good news.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 14) In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus reassures his disciples that he will remain with them if they keep his commandments to love one another. 

 

Tuesday: (John 14) To punctuate his message of consolation, he tells them he will send an advocate to teach and remind them of all he told them.

 

Wednesday (John 15) Jesus leaves them with his lasting peace that will help them endure many difficult times. This peace will allow us people to remain close to him – organically as he is the vine and we are the branches. 

 

Thursday (John 15) Remaining close to Jesus will allow us to share complete joy with one another. 

 

Friday (John 15) Jesus once again proves his love to his friends by saying that the true friend, the Good Shepherd, will lay down his life for his friends.  

 

Saturday (John 14) However, even with the love of Jesus, his followers will experience hatred in this world, but as his friends and as God’s elect, their harm can never really harm the souls of a believer.

 

Saints of the Week

 

April 28: Peter Chanel, priest, missionary, martyr (1803-1841), is the first martyr of the Pacific South Seas. Originally a parish priest in rural eastern France, he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) to become a missionary in 1831 after a five-year stint teaching in the seminary. At first the missionaries were well-received in the New Hebrides and other Pacific island nations as they recently outlawed cannibalism. The growth of white influence placed Chanel under suspicion, which led to an attack on the missionaries. When the king’s son wanted to be baptized, his anger erupted and Peter was clubbed to death in protest. 

 

April 28: Louis of Montfort, priest (1673-1716), dedicated his life to the care of the poor and the sick as a hospital chaplain in Poitiers, France. He angered the public and the administration when he tried to organize the hospital women's workers into a religious organization. He was let go. He went to Rome where the pope gave him the title "missionary apostolic" so he could preach missions that promoted a Marian and Rosary-based spirituality. He formed the "Priests of the Company of Mary" and the "Daughters of Wisdom."

 

April 29: Catherine of Siena, mystic and doctor of the Church (1347-1380), was the 24^th of 25^th children. At an early age, she had visions of guardian angels and the saints. She became a Third-Order Dominican and persuaded the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon in 1377. She died at age 33 after receiving the stigmata.

 

April 30: Pope Pius V, Pope (1504-1572), is noted for his work in the Counter-Reformation, the Council of Trent, and the standardization of the Roman Rite for mass. He was a fierce conservative who prosecuted eight French bishops for heterodoxy and Elizabeth I for schism. The Holy League he founded defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto whose success was attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

 

May 1: Joseph the Worker was honored by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in an effort to counteract May Day, a union, worker, and socialist holiday. Many Catholics believe him to be the patron of workers because he is known for his patience, persistence, and hard work as admirable qualities that believers should adopt.

 

May 2: Athanasius, bishop and doctor (295-373), was an Egyptian who attended the Nicene Council in 325. He wrote about Christ's divinity but this caused his exile by non-Christian emperors. He wrote a treatise on the Incarnation and brought monasticism to the West.

 

May 3: Philip and James, Apostles (first century), were present to Jesus throughout his entire ministry. Philip was named as being explicitly called. James is called the Lesser to distinguish him from James of Zebedee. Little is known of these founders of our faith.

 

May 4: Joseph Mary Rubio, S.J., priest (1864-1929), is a Jesuit known as the Apostle of Madrid. He worked with the poor bringing them the Spiritual Exercises and spiritual direction and he established local trade schools.  

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• April 28, 1542. St Ignatius sent Pedro Ribadeneira, aged fifteen, from Rome to Paris for his studies. Pedro had been admitted into the Society in l539 or l540. 
• April 29, 1933. Thomas Ewing Sherman died in New Orleans. An orator on the mission band, he was the son of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman. He suffered a breakdown, and wanted to leave the Society, but was refused because of his ill health. Before his death he renewed his vows in the Society. 
• April 30, 1585. The landing at Osaka of Fr. Gaspar Coelho. At first the Emperor was favorably disposed towards Christianity. This changed later because of Christianity's attitude toward polygamy. 
• May 1, 1572. At Rome, Pope St. Pius V dies. His decree imposing Choir on the Society was cancelled by his successor, Gregory XIII. 
• May 2, 1706. The death of Jesuit brother G J Kamel. The camellia flower is named after him. 
• May 3, 1945. American troops take over Innsbruck, Austria. Theology studies at the Canisianum resume a few months later. 
• May 4, 1902. The death of Charles Sommervogel, historian of the Society and editor of the bibliography of all publications of the Jesuits from the beginnings of the Society onward.

Vivir en unidad: El Quinto Domingo de Pascua 2024

                                                                Vivir en unidad:

El Quinto Domingo de Pascua 2024

28 de abril de 2024

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Hechos 9:26-31; Salmo 22; 1 Juan 3:18-24; Juan 15:1-8

 

La Iglesia ahora se centra en los relatos de la vida de Pablo, cuya vida a menudo ha sido caracterizada erróneamente por los predicadores del último siglo. Pablo fue quien nos dio la teología cristiana, quien convirtió a la iglesia en una institución duradera y cuya apertura al Espíritu permitió que la iglesia se desarrollara hasta convertirse en una comunidad arraigada y cimentada en el amor de Jesús. Jesús nos abrió al reino de Dios; Pablo hizo de la iglesia una imagen de Jesús. En el pasaje que acabamos de escuchar, Pablo luchó poderosamente por ser aceptado por los primeros Apóstoles, y cada esfuerzo que hizo fue frustrado por aquellos que se resistieron al cambio.

 

Pablo predica lo que Jesús predicó: la unidad en el Espíritu. El pasaje del Evangelio significa que debemos permanecer unidos a Dios a través de Jesús, y esta unión implica necesariamente comunión unos con otros. La soledad es el gran sufrimiento de nuestros días y estamos desconectados de relaciones significativas incluso si hay muchas personas a nuestro alrededor. La comunión es compartir pensamientos y sentimientos íntimos, especialmente a nivel mental o espiritual. Cuando recibimos la Eucaristía, compartimos estos pensamientos con Jesucristo, quien de la misma manera quiere compartir sus pensamientos.

 

La comunión en la iglesia nunca es un acto individual. Se hace como parte de una comunidad, y la comunión es incompleta si pensamos en ella únicamente como recibir la hostia consagrada. La comunión ocurre cuando compartimos nuestros pensamientos y sentimientos de gratitud, amor y apertura unos con otros. Cristo nos llama a una comunidad donde juntos aprendemos acerca de su reino y elegimos activamente seguir siendo parte de aquellos que son llamados. La comunión es nuestra elección consciente de permanecer en la vid que es alimentada por Cristo. La comunión es nuestra elección consciente de permanecer conectados con aquellos que están llamados a adorar junto a nosotros. La comunión es lado a lado.

 

Después de recibir las hostias consagradas, se nos invita a sentarnos o arrodillarnos en silencio. Valoramos este tiempo, aunque sea momentáneamente. Cuando no sepamos lo que estamos sintiendo, cuando nos sintamos desconectados, entonces siéntate. Escuche a su cuerpo. Escuche lo que está sucediendo dentro de usted. Incluso escucha el sufrimiento que ha estado tratando de comunicarse contigo. Ralentizamos nuestra respiración, lo que nos ayuda a conectar las partes dispares de nosotros mismos en un todo. Nuestro cuerpo, nuestra alma, experimenta comunión cuando pasamos tiempo con nosotros mismos y somos recompuestos, recordados, en todo nuestro ser.

 

Cuando nos sentamos en silencio, podemos aprender lo que Cristo quiere para nosotros. Discernimos nuestro futuro juntos. Resolvemos nuestros desafíos como comunidad unida en Cristo por los principios de nuestra fe: siendo lentos para la ira, ricos en misericordia, misericordiosos en comprensión y abiertos a las necesidades de la gente. Nuestros corazones deben permanecer abiertos a las emociones de Jesús, quien está desconsolado por el mundo que sufre. Nuestro corazón debe permanecer abierto a los necesitados entre nosotros, especialmente a aquellos que lo llevan en silencio, sin querer molestar a los demás. Seremos conocidos por lo profundamente que nos preocupamos por aquellos que más sufren. El sufrimiento nos desconecta y hace que nos retiremos cuando más necesitamos conectarnos. La misericordia es nuestra virtud que nos une, reconcilia y reconecta.

 

Todos queremos la paz. Queremos relaciones pacíficas con quienes nos rodean y que todos se unan en felicidad. Queremos ser significativos para aquellos en nuestra familia, entre amigos y dentro de la iglesia, y queremos escuchar que somos importantes unos para otros. Queremos reconstruir la confianza, fortalecer las amistades y reconciliar los dolores. Necesitamos saber que somos valorados y cuidados. La Primera Lectura dice que debemos amar no con palabras o palabras sino con hechos, pero comencemos hoy con nuestras palabras y dejemos que nuestras obras demuestren nuestro valor. Digámonos unos a otros lo importante que eres para ellos. Hablarlos a menudo. Simplemente dígale a la persona que está a su lado: Eres significativo para mí. Me alegro que estés en mi vida. Esta es nuestra manera de construir la comunión. Esta es nuestra forma de amar.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Lunes: (Hechos 14) Cuando los gentiles y judíos en Iconio estaban a punto de atacar a Pablo y Bernabé, huyeron a Listra donde Pablo sanó a un hombre cojo.

 

Martes: (Hechos 14) Las multitudes comenzaron a poner su fe en Pablo y Bernabé como dioses, pero los hombres protestaron y contaron la historia del evento de Cristo. La oposición a Pablo aumentó poco después y fue apedreado. Partieron hacia Derbe para fortalecer a los discípulos en esas ciudades y animarlos durante sus tiempos de dificultad.

 

Miércoles: (Hechos 15) Algunos de los judíos de la oposición de Pablo plantearon la cuestión de la circuncisión y la adherencia a las leyes mosaicas. En el camino a Jerusalén para pedir consejo a los Apóstoles, estos les contaron a todos la conversión de los gentiles.

 

Jueves: (Hechos 15) Después de mucho debate, Pedro y Santiago decidieron que no se impondrían más restricciones a los gentiles.

 

Viernes (Hechos 15) Los apóstoles y presbíteros eligieron representantes y los enviaron a Pablo y Bernabé con la noticia de que los gentiles eran realmente bienvenidos en la fe sin que se les impusieran dificultades adicionales. La gente quedó encantada con la buena noticia.

 

Sábado (Hechos 13) En Derbe y Listra, Pablo escuchó de un hombre llamado Timoteo que era bien considerado por los creyentes. Pablo lo hizo circuncidar y viajaron a Macedonia para proclamar la buena nueva.

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Juan 14) En el Discurso de Despedida, Jesús asegura a sus discípulos que permanecerá con ellos si guardan sus mandamientos de amarse unos a otros.

Martes: (Juan 14) Para enfatizar su mensaje de consolación, les dice que enviará un abogado para enseñarles y recordarles todo lo que les dijo.

 

Miércoles (Juan 15) Jesús les deja su paz duradera que les ayudará a soportar muchos momentos difíciles. Esta paz nos permitirá permanecer cerca de él, orgánicamente, ya que él es la vid y nosotros somos los sarmientos.

 

Jueves (Juan 15) Permanecer cerca de Jesús nos permitirá compartir alegría completa unos con otros.

 

Viernes (Juan 15) Jesús demuestra una vez más su amor a sus amigos al decir que el verdadero amigo, el Buen Pastor, dará su vida por sus amigos.

 

Sábado (Juan 14) Sin embargo, incluso con el amor de Jesús, sus seguidores experimentarán odio en este mundo, pero como sus amigos y como elegidos de Dios, su daño nunca podrá dañar realmente las almas de un creyente.

 

Santos de la semana

 

28 de abril: Peter Chanel, sacerdote, misionero, mártir (1803-1841), es el primer mártir de los mares del Pacífico del Sur. Originalmente párroco en la zona rural del este de Francia, se unió a la Sociedad de María (Maristas) para convertirse en misionero en 1831 después de un período de cinco años enseñando en el seminario. Al principio, los misioneros fueron bien recibidos en las Nuevas Hébridas y otras naciones insulares del Pacífico, ya que recientemente prohibieron el canibalismo. El crecimiento de la influencia blanca puso a Chanel bajo sospecha, lo que llevó a un ataque a los misioneros. Cuando el hijo del rey quiso ser bautizado, su ira estalló y Pedro fue asesinado a garrotazos en protesta. 

 

28 de abril: Luis de Montfort, sacerdote (1673-1716) , dedicó su vida al cuidado de los pobres y enfermos como capellán de un hospital en Poitiers, Francia. Enfureció al público y a la administración cuando intentó organizar a las trabajadoras del hospital en una organización religiosa. Lo dejaron ir. Fue a Roma donde el Papa le dio el título de "misionero apostólico" para que pudiera predicar misiones que promovieran una espiritualidad mariana y basada en el Rosario. Formó los "Sacerdotes de la Compañía de María" y las "Hijas de la Sabiduría".

 

29 de abril : Catalina de Siena , mística y doctora de la Iglesia (1347-1380), es la 24 ^° de 25 ^° hermanos. Desde temprana edad tuvo visiones de ángeles guardianes y santos. Se convirtió en dominica de la Tercera Orden y persuadió al Papa para que regresara a Roma desde Aviñón en 1377. Murió a los 33 años después de recibir los estigmas.

 

30 de abril: El Papa Pío V, Papa (1504-1572) , se destaca por su trabajo en la Contrarreforma, el Concilio de Trento y la estandarización del Rito Romano para la misa. Era un conservador feroz que procesó a ocho obispos franceses por heterodoxia y a Isabel I por cisma. La Liga Santa que fundó derrotó al Imperio Otomano en la Batalla de Lepanto, cuyo éxito se atribuyó a la intercesión de la Santísima Virgen María.

 

1 de mayo: José el Trabajador fue honrado por el Papa Pío XII en 1955 en un esfuerzo por contrarrestar el Primero de Mayo, un feriado sindical, obrero y socialista. Muchos católicos lo consideran el patrón de los trabajadores porque es conocido por su paciencia, perseverancia y trabajo duro como cualidades admirables que los creyentes deben adoptar.

 

2 de mayo: Atanasio, obispo y médico (295-373), fue un egipcio que asistió al Concilio de Nicea en el año 325. Escribió sobre la divinidad de Cristo pero esto provocó su exilio por parte de emperadores no cristianos. Escribió un tratado sobre la Encarnación y llevó el monaquismo a Occidente.

 

3 de mayo: Felipe y Santiago, Apóstoles (siglo I), estuvieron presentes ante Jesús durante todo su ministerio. Felipe fue nombrado como si hubiera sido llamado explícitamente. A Santiago se le llama el Menor para distinguirlo de Santiago de Zebedeo. Poco se sabe de estos fundadores de nuestra fe.

 

4 de mayo: José María Rubio, SJ, sacerdote (1864-1929), es un jesuita conocido como el Apóstol de Madrid. Trabajó con los pobres llevándoles los Ejercicios Espirituales y la dirección espiritual y estableció escuelas de oficios locales.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• de abril de 1542. San Ignacio envía a Pedro Ribadeneira , de quince años, de Roma a París para realizar sus estudios. Pedro había sido admitido en la Sociedad en 1539 o 1540.
• 29 de abril de 1933. Thomas Ewing Sherman muere en Nueva Orleans. Orador de la banda misionera, era hijo del general de la Guerra Civil William Tecumseh Sherman. Sufrió una crisis nerviosa y quiso dejar la Sociedad, pero se le negó debido a su mala salud. Antes de morir renovó sus votos en la Sociedad.
• 30 de abril de 1585. El desembarco en Osaka del P. Gaspar Coelho. Al principio, el emperador se mostró favorable al cristianismo. Esto cambió más tarde debido a la actitud del cristianismo hacia la poligamia.
• 1 de mayo de 1572. Muere en Roma el Papa San Pío V. Su decreto por el que se imponía el coro a la Sociedad fue anulado por su sucesor, Gregorio XIII.
• 2 de mayo de 1706. Muerte del hermano jesuita GJ Kamel. La flor de camelia lleva su nombre.
• 3 de mayo de 1945. Las tropas estadounidenses toman Innsbruck, Austria. Los estudios de teología en el Canisianum se reanudan unos meses más tarde.
• 4 de mayo de 1902. Muere Charles Sommervogel , historiador de la Compañía y editor de la bibliografía de todas las publicaciones de los jesuitas desde los inicios de la Compañía en adelante.

Photo: Phlox

 

Poem: “Morning” by Sara Teasdale (American, 1884-1933)

 I went out on an April morning

All alone, for my heart was high.

I was a child of the shining meadow,

I was a sister of the sky.

 

There in the windy flood of morning

Longing lifted its weight from me,

Lost as sob in the midst of cheering,

Swept as a sea-bird out to sea.

Photo: Dots of Happiness

 

Poem: “Putting in the Seed” by Robert Frost (American, 1874-1963)

 You come to fetch me from my work tonight

When supper’s on the table, and we’ll see

If I can leave off burying the white

Soft petals fallen from the apple tree

(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,

Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea;)

And go along with you ere you lose sight

Of what you came for and become like me,

Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.

How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed

On through the watching for that early birth

When, just as the soil tarnished with weed,

 

The sturdy seedling with arched body comes

Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.

Photo: Spring Brilliance

 

Poem: “When I Am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver (American, 1935-2019)

 When I am among the trees, 

especially the willows and the honey locust, 

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines 

they give off such hints of gladness. 

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

 

I am so distant from the hope of myself, 

in which I have goodness, and discernment, 

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

 

Around me the trees stir in their leaves 

and call out. “Say awhile.” 

The light flows from their branches.

 

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, 

“and you too have come 

into this world to do this, to go easy, to be filled 

with light, and to shine.”

Spirituality: Mary Evelyn Tucker, “Learning to Navigate Amid Loss”, preface to Great Tide Rising, by Kathleen Dean Moore

We are beings of Earth who feel the mysterious rhythms of life unfolding. We sense this in the arc from sunrise to sunset, in the migrating patterns of birds and wild animals, in the call of whales in the depths of the oceans…in the smell of spring soil appearing through winter’s snow. All of it sings to us in the movement of seasons as the planet finds its way around the sun and back again. These rhythms will ground us anew in the Earth that has brought forth and sustained life for billions of years. The rhythms have changed, yes, with climate change and extinction. We are being uprooted from predictable seasonal time, yet we dare to uncover ways forward. Deep time grounds us…Rediscovering who we are. Finding our purpose as humans to enhance life, not diminish it. This is our endless prayer…

Photo: Hold the Calls, please

 

Spirituality: Oscar Romero, God's Living Word

We cannot segregate God’s word from the historical reality in which it is proclaimed. It would not then be God’s word. It would be history, it would be a pious book, a Bible that is just a book in our library. It becomes God’s word because it vivifies, enlightens, contrasts, repudiates, praises what is going on today in this society. 

NOVEMBER 27, 1977

Photo: Blossom Time in Boston

 

Poem: “Flowers Preach to Us If We Will Hear” by Christian Rossetti (Italian-born British, 1830-1894)

Flowers preach to us if we will hear; – 

The rose saith in the dewy morn,

I am most fair;

Yet all my loveliness is born

Upon a thorn.

The poppy saith amid the corn;

Let but my scarlet hear appear

And I am held in scorn;

Yet juice of subtle virtue lies

Within my cup of curious dyes.

The lilies say: Behold how we

Preach without words of purity.

The violets whisper from the shade

Which their own leaves have made:

Men scent our fragrance on the air,

Yet take no heed

Of humble lessons we would read.

 

But not alone the fairest flowers:

The merest grass

Along the roadside where we pass,

Lichen and moss and sturdy weed,

Tell of His love who sends the dew,

The rain and sunshine too,

To nourish one small seed.