On "Good Shepherd" Sunday.....

.....let us pray for all those in positions of authority and power. May they, like the Good Shepherd care for the whole flock; casting none aside, demonizing no one, using no one or group of people for political or selfish gain. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for ALL, may those given responsibility for the care of others do the same. This is the task of all leaders; political, business and religious. May all who lead or seek the mantle of leadership never forget a true leader is ultimately the "servant" of ALL! * While I found other images of the Good Shepherd I liked better, this was the only pic where the sheep being carried was black. How wonderful the love of God embraces those of us who others might see as "black sheep". Fellow black sheep, let's enjoy the ride!

lest we forget......

Another view from the swing....

Ours was a two swing set and while I was usually blissfully alone while swinging, from time to time I had company. On one occasion, my sister Mary was swinging with me and we were kicking pretty high despite it being too early to "kick at the moon". As we kicked even higher, since there was an element of competition in the air we sang songs we had learned in the parish (RC) school. The only song I remember singing was "Immaculate Mary". Now let me assure you, this is a perfect song to sing while swinging, especially the refrain: Ave (kick), Ave (kick), Ave Maria (kick)......you get the jest of the exercise. During our revelry, our neighbor Mrs. Turnavich (sp?) was sitting in her back yard reading the paper. After we had finished several songs she called over and asked us to sing "Ave Maria" again. Sweet! This was the best of the kicking songs and we had an appreciative audience. We most graciously complied with her request. I'm presently estranged from my sister Mary and I confess I have no idea how to rectify the situation. Too bad we no longer have a swing.....

My middle name is Thomas.......

John 20:19-31

......well, not really and I'll tell you a story about my real middle name one day. Today, my middle name is Thomas because my faith so often requires visual, physical proof. I need to put my finger into the openings caused by the nails of the crucifixion, put my hand into the wound in his side if I am to believe. When the Risen Christ heard Thomas' confession of faith "My Lord and My God!" after Thomas had seen and had physical proof the the resurrection, he responded "Blessed are they who have not seen yet believe". Spiritual maturity may be thus defined and indeed blessed are they! I want to be a part of that great "they" more regularly. Not as a denial of empirical evidence, but as a confirmation of what I see and experience of the love of God and the transcendence of Truth. This Easter season is a perfect time to try.........

We recognised Him in the breaking of the bread...

Luke 24:13-49

We can be so consumed by the events of yesterday as to be blind to the reality of this New Dawn. They could not be open to the Impossible in their midst, the New Creation all around them. They walked with their heads down, their eyes glued to the ground failing to look up and see that Redemption shared that road to Emmaus. Then as now, our eyes are opened to the reality of the Risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.

Christ Is Risen!
Alleluia!

The silence of Holy Saturday.......

All of creation seems to ache with anticipation, but today silence prevails. Thomas Merton said that Holy Saturday was the bleakest day in the monastery. Indeed, the waiting seems impossible to bear; so much so that we start our celebration of Easter early. The world screams on Holy Saturday, but the only thing to emerge is silence.......

Good Friday view from the swing.........

Judging others make it easy for us to see them as less than human. Once we've accomplished this, we can justify treating them as shamefully as we do animals. In this light, the journey from Palm Sunday to Good Friday was a short trip. Judgment leads to Death.........

The Children of Jerusalem, Carried Olive Branches....

Palm (Passion) Sunday thought: One day they praise you....a few days later, they hang you on a tree......it seems, after two millennia we have yet to learn, let alone change our ways......