Today's Scripture can be read at www.uscb.org/nab
Summertime... and people are on the road or in the air as they travel to selected destinations. Whether the trip will be long or short, all but the most unexpected trips involve some degree of planning, choices and decision-making. People can get advice and suggestions from varied sources. Traveling can bring about changes in attitude and awareness, broadening one's horizons. And most people, I think, want to know their destination when they begin their journey.
God's Word today reminds me of the journey of each person's life.
From the travel story of the prophet Elisha (Kings) to the ideas for one's life-journey mentioned by Paul (Galatians) and Jesus (Luke), God's Word challenges us to consider our own life journey and the way that we have been travelling this road of life.
To Think About: Have I thought about my own life journey and where I seem to be going?
Am I satisfied with the direction of my life or do I need to make some adjustments?
How do I treat others on the path of life?
Do I need to reduce some of the "baggage" I carry?
Do I remember that Jesus is with me on my journey?
To Do: Think about your goals and the way that you are living. Summertime is a great time to make one change that can help you "travel" better....
Find some source of joy everyday on your journey this week.
Assist someone who has been experiencing difficulties on their journey; opportunities abound.
To Pray: Pray the "Footprints Prayer" remembering that no one travels alone through life.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"Getting Unstuck": Reflection for June 13, 2010, 11th Sunday in "Ordinary Time"
Today's Scripture: 2Samuel 12: 7-13; Galatians 2:16-21; Luke 7:36-50 can be read at www.usccb.org/nab.
It is just so easy to get into a routine that can become a "rut", an emotional, behavioral or relational "place" that just seems to define us. This "rut" can involve something small or something very significant that is really affecting our lives. We know what happens with the way that things are now, and we do not know wha tmight happen if somethng changes.
Yet God's Word today tells us that change is possible. Yes, we can change... Like David (2 Samuel) who was hardly a model of upright behavior, and like the woman who anointed Jesus' feet (Luke) we too can change.
And like these two characters, we need to acknowledge our "rut", our "shadow side", our behavior or attitude that is causing us to be stuck. And then we need to accept that we cannot change on our own as we reach out to God.
Then we need to "just do it": make one change that helps us move out of the place where we may be stuck so that we can experience fuller life.
To think about: What is one area in my life where I'd like to see a change - an area where I feel "stuck" or "in a rut"?
Do I try to change others without trying to change myself?
Do I depend on myself to bring about change? Or do I accept my need for God?
Do I get easily discouraged when a desired change does not happen as I wish?
To Do: Make no excuse as you change one behavior or thought pattern about a person or a situation, remembering that God is with you!
To Pray: Pray "The Serenity Prayer" with an awareness of a particular situtation or relationship in mind, realizing that the only one we can change is ourself.
Next week: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1; Galatians 3:26-29;Luke 9 :18-24
It is just so easy to get into a routine that can become a "rut", an emotional, behavioral or relational "place" that just seems to define us. This "rut" can involve something small or something very significant that is really affecting our lives. We know what happens with the way that things are now, and we do not know wha tmight happen if somethng changes.
Yet God's Word today tells us that change is possible. Yes, we can change... Like David (2 Samuel) who was hardly a model of upright behavior, and like the woman who anointed Jesus' feet (Luke) we too can change.
And like these two characters, we need to acknowledge our "rut", our "shadow side", our behavior or attitude that is causing us to be stuck. And then we need to accept that we cannot change on our own as we reach out to God.
Then we need to "just do it": make one change that helps us move out of the place where we may be stuck so that we can experience fuller life.
To think about: What is one area in my life where I'd like to see a change - an area where I feel "stuck" or "in a rut"?
Do I try to change others without trying to change myself?
Do I depend on myself to bring about change? Or do I accept my need for God?
Do I get easily discouraged when a desired change does not happen as I wish?
To Do: Make no excuse as you change one behavior or thought pattern about a person or a situation, remembering that God is with you!
To Pray: Pray "The Serenity Prayer" with an awareness of a particular situtation or relationship in mind, realizing that the only one we can change is ourself.
Next week: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1; Galatians 3:26-29;Luke 9 :18-24
Friday, June 4, 2010
"What Nourishes You?": Reflection for the Celebration of the Body of Christ, June 6, 2010
Scripture for today, the Celebration of the Body of Christ: Genesis 14: 18-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26; Luke 9: 11-17 can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
Whether one thinks of food in terms of survival, nourishment, or pleasure, food retains a very significant focus in life.
Some meals are especially memorable and satisfying, not only because of the food itself, but also because of those who shared the meal. Other meals are especially significant because they recall special people or events.
Today’s celebration of the Body of Christ gives renewed meaning to this awareness of food’s importance as we celebrate the presence of Jesus as food, sustenance and nourishment for our lives.
While telling us meal stories where people are fed (Corinthians, Luke), God’s Word today also challenges us not only to be aware of the significance of nourishment for one’s body, mind, and spirit; this Word also calls us to consider the various ways that we provide nourishment for others.
As this Bread nourishes us, it also helps transform us so that we grow in becoming what we share: the Body of Christ.
To think about: Do I “look beyond the Bread” I eat, realizing that Jesus is not confined to church?
When the Eucharistic Minister says, “Body of Christ”, do I say “Amen” to myself as the Body of Christ as well as saying “Amen” to all who share this meal as the Body of Christ?
Have I thought of myself as bread that Jesus transforms?
How do I help provide nourishment for others?
To do: Be more aware of how you nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
Find some healthy alternatives to some of the nourishment for mind, body or spirit that you or your family consume.
When you contribute to organizations that care for others, reflect on how you are nourishing the body of Christ.
Notice some of the ways you serve and nourish the Body of Christ in others. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta commented, “ To me, Jesus is the Word to be spoken, the Bread of Life to be eaten, the Hungry to be fed, and the Thirsty to be satiated.”
To pray: “We are the Body of Christ”
Next week: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2 Samuel 12: 7-13; Galatians 2: 16-21; Luke 7: 36-50
Whether one thinks of food in terms of survival, nourishment, or pleasure, food retains a very significant focus in life.
Some meals are especially memorable and satisfying, not only because of the food itself, but also because of those who shared the meal. Other meals are especially significant because they recall special people or events.
Today’s celebration of the Body of Christ gives renewed meaning to this awareness of food’s importance as we celebrate the presence of Jesus as food, sustenance and nourishment for our lives.
While telling us meal stories where people are fed (Corinthians, Luke), God’s Word today also challenges us not only to be aware of the significance of nourishment for one’s body, mind, and spirit; this Word also calls us to consider the various ways that we provide nourishment for others.
As this Bread nourishes us, it also helps transform us so that we grow in becoming what we share: the Body of Christ.
To think about: Do I “look beyond the Bread” I eat, realizing that Jesus is not confined to church?
When the Eucharistic Minister says, “Body of Christ”, do I say “Amen” to myself as the Body of Christ as well as saying “Amen” to all who share this meal as the Body of Christ?
Have I thought of myself as bread that Jesus transforms?
How do I help provide nourishment for others?
To do: Be more aware of how you nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
Find some healthy alternatives to some of the nourishment for mind, body or spirit that you or your family consume.
When you contribute to organizations that care for others, reflect on how you are nourishing the body of Christ.
Notice some of the ways you serve and nourish the Body of Christ in others. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta commented, “ To me, Jesus is the Word to be spoken, the Bread of Life to be eaten, the Hungry to be fed, and the Thirsty to be satiated.”
To pray: “We are the Body of Christ”
Next week: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2 Samuel 12: 7-13; Galatians 2: 16-21; Luke 7: 36-50
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