Allowing Your Light to Shine

As a child, my cousins would always call me a little miss goodie two shoes.  I don't know about you, but for me, that always seemed like a derogatory name.  I don't really know where my nature to be of service to others has come from - but I believe the Angels must have been whispering in my ears from my birth.  Do I get it right all the time, absolutely not - but that is how we all learn.

As an adult, I have worked for various non-profits and volunteered for many different organizations.  I can remember one place I worked, the department I was in was very busy and most did not have time to participate in the volunteer opportunities our employer asked of us, so I tried to do more to represent our department.  And I was shocked when my supervisor told me that those employees in the department who were very busy - actually complained.  I can remember my answer "well, if they would do more, I believe I would not feel that I need to carry the load for our department."  Maybe not the more elegant answer (I can be very defensive when cornered.)  I now can see that they were either jealous that I took the time to help or they felt bad because they could not - most likely the later.  Today, I am part of an organization which is all about giving service to others and we are highly encouraged to do so.

I truly believe we are here to serve each other and when we hold back because of fear of what others may think, or say, we are holding on to the very gifts and graces which the Father has given us.  And when we simply don't want to help another person - well, I would suggest you might want to go to confession (just a thought.)

Serving others may not be the most lucrative activity - in fact it may cost you - energy, time and money.  But honestly when you help another, you receive back so much more that cannot be measured in this world's terms.  Serving others may not be easy - it may be work - it may be hard - it may physically test and challenge you.  But I ask you, (ok - prepare yourself for
here comes a little Catholic guilt)  was it easy for our Lord to pick up and carry his cross to Calvary?  I believe we all know the answer.  We are all called to do works of Mercy and Charity.  As Catholics it should be part of our DNA - if it is not part of yours - pray to the Holy Spirit for an infusion.

But what if you are not physically able to give service - is all lost?  Absolutely not, for you can pray for those who do give physical service and pray for those who need service.  Prayers are our most powerful tool.

If you are at a loss of what to do - perhaps you are newbie at service or now have a family you would like to include - I have a few suggestions -- look at your Parish bulletin for ideas, ask others where they volunteer, check out your diocese website.  Another idea is that Advent will soon be upon us - you could create an Advent Calendar which calls you to do something for another person each day - this is great for a family - items could include visiting a nursing home (adopt a senior), writing personal greetings to people you have not reached out to lately or you know they may be struggling with the holidays, take cookies to your local fire fighters - and I'm sure you can think of many more. 

I've found a links with lots more suggestions:

Catholic Link - acts of Charity

Now is the time to let your light shine - the world needs us more than ever -- people all around you can be blessed by your actions today.

Seeing the Feet of God

Let me set the scene -- it was my first weekend retreat (Friday evening through Sunday.)  As my friend and me checked in, we were given a notebook (what in the world was this for?) and told this was a silent retreat (what?!) - the whole retreat - even during meals we were not to speak to each other.  Father would have lectures both morning and afternoon for us to meditate upon.

Those who know me, know I can be a very talkative person (I cannot tell you how many times I got in trouble in school for talking - but trust me it was a lot) - and then put me with 50 other women and tell me I cannot talk with them over the course of the next three days -- well, you can guess it, I went crazy.  I had not been prepared for this.  So, what did I do?  I pouted - "poor me."  I did attend some of the lectures, but the temptation to talk was strong, which lead me to spend more time in my room praying and reading.

But I did participate in one important part - we had a Holy Hour on Saturday evening (which is an hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.)  Now before this time I had been trying in my mind's eye to look at Christ on the Cross - but all I could see was his feet.  I could not force my eyes upwards -- I believe I was in fear of what I would see - for I know I am a sinner, and am not truly worthy of God's love.

During the Holy Hour - while I was meditating on Christ's sacrifice - I once again tried to look at Jesus on the cross - I started seeing his feet once again in mind's eye, but then a marvelous thing happened.  My eyes moved upward and I saw the face of Jesus.  It was swollen and badly beaten, bruised and bloodied.  Then my eyes looked into his eyes - where I did not see judgement or anger, but rather mercy and forgiveness.  And most of all, I saw love.  His love for me but also his love for the whole world.  Here I had been all weekend thinking about myself, and not allowing something new to move me closer to the Lord.

This was a definite turning point in my relations with Christ.  Each time now, when I feel that I am being small and only concerned with my needs - I see in my mind's eye his face - and I know we are not here to do for only our needs - we are here to love the Father for his sacrifice and mercy.  We are then to take that glorious love of his and share it with one another.  His love cannot be kept to ourselves - it must be shared.

Have you tried to truly look at Christ on the cross in your mind's eye?  If not, I encourage you to try -- put yourself at the foot of the cross and look upwards.  I feel confident in saying, I know whatever you will find will change you - challenge you - and deepen your relationship with the Lord.