Spring and Eastertide go together

During my twenty wonderful years in Chile, I had to celebrate Easter when we were getting ready for cold weather and Christmas came as summer began. In my mind I connect Easter with spring and with new life.
And new buds on the trees, spring flowers, and flowering peach trees as we had three of those in our backyard and they were so beautiful. They were Japanese peach trees and a gorgeous pink!

I read something of St. Catharine of Siena"s yesterday and will share a bit with you. I have studied her but must have missed this particular meditation that was chosen on her feast to be the meditation of the day in the Magnificat. I like what she says (remember that she is a fourteenth century mystic) and will copy a few of her sentences here.

"Abandon yourself for him, learning from this Jesus who in order to give you the life of grace gave up his bodily life. And as a sign of his generosity he opened up his whole self by creating a bath within his open side after he had died, to show us his love. Do you want to live in security? Then hide yourself withing this side and see that you are never found outside this 0pened heart--though once you enter, you will discover such joy and sweetness that you will never want to leave...."

Who is most important in your life and why?

Who is the most important person in your life and why? I guess at different times in our life we all might have varied answers...I guess the "why" is the important part of the question. Is it because of the love of the other person for me? I suspect it usually will be and so I am asking you to reflect on the love Jesus has for each of us. No one loves us with infinite love. He gave us the others in our lives who love or have loved us. He is always with us and loving us and so I know Jesus is the most important person in my life. Unfortunately, I do not always seem to remember this and act on it. I think it is not easy to let Jesus love us. It should be, but I know I have found it difficult to accept such deep and constant unconditional love!
Now, loving Jesus means first letting Him love us; then it means that we are to love as He loves us! How am I doing this in the concrete?
That is enough to reflect on for today.But it is also the feast of St. Catharine of Siena.

Fifth Sunday of Easter: He shall dwell with them...

This is another flower sent to me that makes me think of Spring.
I do not know how we have arrived at the fifth Sunday after Easter so quickly, but I love the readings for the Liturgy. In the first, Paul and Barnabas make converts among the Gentiles and this is God's work - God is using them and they know it!
The second reading is from Revelations and very consoling; here is a quote from it:

." He shall dwell with them and they shall be his people, and he shall be their god who is always with them. He shall wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the former world has passed away.”

That is worth reflecting on and then in the Gospel, Jesus gives us a new commandment to love others as He has loved us!!

Time is too slow for those who wait.
Time is too fast for those who fear.
Time is too long for those who mourn.
Time is too short for those who rejoice.
But for those who love,
Time is eternity.

Jesus and Pope Francis

I continue to read all I can find on Pope Francis as he seems to be saying and doing what Jesus might be saying today. I have just finished another biography of him and found his complete homily given at the Easter vigil. Here is a brief excerpt that I liked but will also give you the reference where you can find the entire homily.

"Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as he would have you do."

You will find this at http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/03/30/full-text-of-pope-franciss-homily-at-the-easter-vigil/

I am reflecting on the last sentence, especially the fact that jJesus gives us the strength to live as he would have us live.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled..."

Today's Gospel begins with Jesus telling us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." He goes on to tell us today as he told his disciples: "You have faith in God; have faith also in me.... What does it mean in my own daily life to have faith in Jesus? I think he wants me to turn to him no matter what happens and to trust him. I think I often hear him tell me not to let my heart be troubled.
Before the end of the Gospel, after Jesus tells the disciples that he is going away but will come back again and take them to himself so that they may be with him and adds, "Where I am going you know the way."
Thomas immediately asks how can they know the way as they do not know where he is going. Then Jesus tells him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is still calling us to follow him and he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thomas A Kempishas Jesus say that without the Way there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living. "I am the Way you must follow, the Truth which you must believe, the Life for which you must hope.

Have you been outside today?

I think I need to ask myself this question every morning? Have I been outside today? This is the time of year when we should be outside thanking God for the beauty that surrounds us. New life is springing up all over; the trees are so green, the flowers are blooming, and it is not too hot to enjoy the fresh air. I guess some will be saying, "It is not too cold now to enjoy being outside." This is another picture sent to me and it just makes me want to go out and sit in our patio. Instead, I must rush to get ready for the University but do always eat lunch outside after the noon Mass.with Patrick. We have a favorite spot shaded by an awning. Usually there are a few students also eating lunch and working on their laptops as the tables are wired so they can plug in and work outside. This is possible all year long with a canopy overhead to keep out the sun. What a blessing to live in Miami!!
I received a life of our new Pope and have read it last night and this morning to finish it. I really admire Pope Francis and think he personifies Jesus for us.

Spring Is Really Here

Easter-tide is such a joyful time! The beauty of nature adds to our joy. Most of all, I think that this season is supposed to be a happy one as Jesus is appearing to us and revealing His Love in so many ways. We need to be on the lookout for the sudden and surprising ways Jesus comes to us during these days.

I left the gym today and found that a huge truck had parked next to me and I did not see how I was going to have room to back out of my parking place without scraping the mirror on the passenger side of the car. I also could not see if anything was coming as the truck was so huge and extended out too far. As I was trying to back out without much success, two men suddenly appeared and one even reached in through the driver's window and helped steer while the other gave motions to help us and kept the cars from both directions waiting so I could finally get out. These were certainly good Samaritans, but maybe it was Jesus getting me out of a situation that seemed impossible to me.

Early memories

When I was little, there was a woods within walking distance of my home. My great-uncle Jim retired to come back to St. Louis and be near me. That is what I was always told, but he also was near his sister, a brother, and my mother was his favorite niece. He lived in a hotel and came to our house every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; he would arrive mid-afternoon and take over the care of me and afterwards my sister and brothers until dinner and then stay and visit with my Dad. They would listen to the radio and then Uncle Jim would go home around 10:30. This was his life for years. What started this memory of one of the most loving persons I have known, is that Uncle Jim would take me for walks in the woods. I was forbidden to go there by myself and I loved the paths under the trees. Sometimes we would take our red wagon, especially when my baby sister would be with us as she could not walk very far. Uncle Jim would pull us and tell us fairy tales. He was a wonderful man and I am sure he has a special place in heaven.

Joy is breaking out all over!

I just received this lovely picture of Spring flowers in New Jersey. The fact that it comes from one of the Sacred Heart alums that I am praying for everyday makes it more precious and so I am sharing it with you.
I think that I do not go out to enjoy nature enough in Miami. I do go out by the pool, but it is so hot that we really do not have flowers. I guess the heat keeps me inside too much!
I went back today to thinking about finding Jesus going around and consoling people during this Easter season. I find that I am called to do the same and just as I find joy in receiving an e-mail from a friend, I need to try to pass on that joy. I read this question this morning that keeps coming back to me today: ""When has Jesus appeared to you?"

Sunday, A Day of Rest

I often sit here at the computer and let the Holy Spirit inspire the blog. Today, I opened to a picture in my file that said "beautiful scene for rest"; I opened it and immediately thought of how important the Lord's Day is in my life. It is a day to stop and remember why we do all that we do.

I was reading about the floods this morning and hoping that those people whose houses are surrounded by water are not in danger and that their houses will be saved.

I am using "Following in the Footsteps of Jesus: Meditations on the Gospels for Year C" by Jose Pagola, the same author of the book I used all during Lent and intend to start to read again: "Jesus: An Historical Approximation". Today's Gospel begins with "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand...."  Jesus explains what it means to be his sheep. Pagola says that he "emphasizes only two characteristics he considers the most essential and indispensable: My sheep hear my voice...and they follow me."  We still need to listen to His voice and follow Him!

Canadian Tulips Give Joy!

I heard the news of the capture of the suspected bomber after a biblical lecture last night. That was a motive for joy for all! This picture is a motive of joy for me as it takes me to God. The excellent lecture by a wonderful speaker from Yale Divinity School last night was on Resurrection after Death. I assure you it is still a mystery! I say in the creed that I believe in the resurrection of the body but have no idea what that really means. I am finding that more and more of life is a mystery because we cannot understand God.
I am reading another one of Ilia Delio's books, The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective, and find myself underlining so much of the first chapter as she says things that are worth reflecting on and so here is a quote:

"God is a mystery of humble love. It is a mystery that you cannot reason or try to figure out. You must simply live in the mystery.....Silence is a language God can speak without being constantly interrupted because God is a mystery of incomprehensible love, and love speaks for itself."

Boston Tragedy Affects All of Us

As part of Boston seems to be completely locked down while the manhunt continues, I am thinking of how this is affecting everyone and how the effects of the bombing will remain with many of us for many days and weeks and more, especially for those in Boston. My prayer is for all those who are suffering both from the physical injuries and from the mental anguish.

It is past the middle of April and the paper is talking about more snow storms in the north and roads that were dangerous in other states because of ice and sleet. I love this snow scene because it is so peaceful and hope you will find some stillness in just gazing at it.

We had a good discussion last night in our Reflection Group. I woke up thinking of how we are all one, yet very different. I love the idea that I am connected with all and need to love them as God loves me. I am reading a book about a man who is struggling in his married life; he has two young daughters so is trying to stay married but has built a cabin in the woods for his family hoping it will help bring them together. The picture above reminded me of the book that I am reading at night - sort of a story of a man's search for happiness.