Be Prepared!

We all know the scouts motto "Be Prepared" -- I was a Girl Scout from 1st grade through the 9th and then was a leader for 12 years later in my life.  We learned about how to be prepared, to anticipate problems.  We developed skills in first-aid and what we should have in our first aid kit in case of an emergency.  We learned camping skills - how to build a fire and how to cook on that fire -- my favorite was baking a cake with a dutch oven - we put coals on the cover - it was fascinating.  We also learned life skills such as leadership, team building, and problem solving.  In today's world we are advised to be prepared in case of a natural disaster - have water for each person in the household, canned food, flashlights, and extra batteries.

In yesterday's Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13) we heard of the five wise bridesmaids who were prepared for the arrival of the groom by having extra oil available for their lamps in case he was delayed.  The bridesmaids anticipated that they had no control of when the groom would arrive and planned accordingly.  Their lamps were important to guide the groom in since he was traveling at night - back then they did not have street lights or lights on the camels, it was very dark.  And as we turn our outside lights on to welcome guests or direct family home, the maids' lamps shined in the darkness as a welcome to the groom.

So all this being said, I wondered how I could be prepared for the Lord's coming -- what should I anticipate and what extra oil should I have (for if you know me, I'm always making lists and thinking through scenarios - I want to be prepared.)

Just what is my oil made from?  The oil for our lamps is filled with the love we show to our brothers and sisters.  It is the prayers we offer for them, the service we provide to them, the comfort we give them.  Jesus commanded us to love God above all others and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are charged with showing love to everyone around us - those who are easy to love and those who test our resolve.  This love fills our lamps - so that no matter how long it is before Jesus' arrival - your lamp will be filled to the brim - directing him to you.  And since we do not know the date or time - we should not plan to wait to fill our lamps at the last minute - we must stay awake and watch for his coming.

Invited to the Banquet

In today's Gospel (Luke 14:15-24) Jesus tells of a grand banquet prepared by a king, but the invited guests one-by-one have an excuse of why they cannot attend.  I read in a reflection of today's Gospel of how the excuse of each guests represents the sins in our lives.

The first guest asked to excused because he had purchased a field and needed to examine it.  This is the excuses we use when our work or other activities take the focus of our lives.  The second guest had purchased five yoke of oxen and was off to evaluate them.  This is the excuse we use when the martial things of this world takes our focus.  The third is that the guest was just married.  This excuse is when we put ourselves above others, our needs come first, our focus is on ourselves.  None of these guest gave any thought or consideration to the sacrifice of the king - the food which
had to be prepared, the table had to be set.

Each week we are all invited to a great feast by the King - and each week we can find an excuse to not attend.  I've probably used everyone of them many times over at some point in my life.  My attention was on me and my needs, not on the sacrifice the King has made to set this beautiful table.

The invitation is always there for us - come to the table - Christ is the host and he has set the banquet before us. All are welcome!  Now it is up to each of us to accept the invitation - put our needs aside and focus on the Lord.

Are you being pruned?

As any good gardener will tell you, there are times you really have to drastically prune a plant for it to produce the biggest flower or fruit.  It can feel like you are going to kill the poor plant as you cut the old stems away, but it forces the plant to grow healther and stronger, which will improve the plant as a whole.

Here is an example, I have a large snowball bush in my back yard that produces large white balls of flowers - one on each stem.  In early spring I have to cut the bush down to the ground. If I didn’t prune it - it would still bloom, but the flowers would be small and the bush would be straggly. But when I do cut it back - the bush grows so much better; full of leaves and huge balls of flowers.

Did you know that God does the same to us? He will prune away the old, damage growth from out lives.  At times, you might not even realize what is going on and it can really hurt when you are experiencing God's pruning.  You may find big changes happening in your life which you have not expected. You could discover that there are some people who had been in your life have been removed, or an unexpected job loss or change - it could be anything that may be coming between you and the Father.  I know in my life, I did not understand what was happening until later when I reflected on the changes in my life.  My eyes have been opened several times when I see what has happened after all the dust has settled.  My faith has grown deeper, I am able to really talk with the Lord in a different way; and my focus has changed away from myself.

 You can choose to grow with the pruning or stay stagnant - it is completely up to you - the Lord will never force you.  It takes a great deal of trust in the Lord to works through a pruning, but when done, you will find a richer life and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Ask the Father to help prune away from your life the things or people who are disrupting your faith.

What's in your toolbox?

I was recently watching something on TV and they were talking about making sure the group they represent had all the tools they need to get their job done.  And as my crazy mind works - I began to think about my toolbox in the closet, then my tools in the kitchen, and then I began wondering about my spiritual toolbox.

We need to make sure we have the right tools for the job - if you are hanging a shelf - you will need a hammer, a level and a measuring tape.  In the kitchen you may use your mixer or food processor to get the job done. 

But what are the tools we need in our spiritual toolbox - tools that can help build our faith, to help others, and to move a little further on our journey to the Father?

I've thought of a few - you may have the same or completely different:

First - the lives of the Saints.  There are many Saints that have inspired me - some by their undying faith and others who did not necessarily live sainted lives in the beginning, but came to their faith later in life.  I have used St. Monica's continue prayer for her son to inspire me to continue praying for my own family.  And Mother Teresa's faith even when she faced the darkness everyday.

My second tool I have in my box is the Rosary - When I was younger, I did not really have a devotion to the Rosary, it was something I had in my purse, but rarely pulled out, but over the last few years I have found new strength in praying it.  I try to pray the Rosary everyday (notice the word 'try' for I am definitely not perfect.)  I have discovered that for me, it brings me so much closer to the Holy Mother and it gives me a center in my life.

The third tool I have is my prayers for others and their prayers for me.  A few years ago I was pretty sick and in the hospital.  My husband had brought my Rosary and had placed it in my hand.  But due to the pain and medication I could not focus and only could pray a couple Hail Mary's.  It was then that I felt God say to me 'It's okay, others are praying for you.'  This gave me much comfort and peace.  And later when I was better I could reflect on it.  It made me realize how important our prayers are for others.  We do not necessarily know what their lives are like or what they are facing - but our Father knows and our prayers help bring them closer to his love.  It's also just as important to ask for prayers from others.  I know for me I can hesitate, not knowing what their faith beliefs are or in fear of what they may say to me.  But I need to move past the fear and focus my life on the Lord.

So share with me - what is in your toolbox?

The Beauty of Frost

We woke this morning in West Michigan to our first frost of the season.  I can find it little sad for I know it signals the definite end of summer.  Plants which have defied the cooler nights of fall will now give way to the frost.  The trees will start loosing their leaves at a faster rate.  It also means I need to get all our yard ornaments and garden hoses put away for winter; I have to surrender to the fact that winter is on it's way. (I am not a cold weather girl.)  But there is beauty here too.

When you see the frost on the trees or grass as the first rays of the morning sun strikes the frost crystals it causes the blades of grass or tree limb to come alive dancing in the brilliant light of the morning sun.  We are like those blades of grass, when we are covered with the graces of God.  His glorious light will strike the graces of our lives and help our faith to come alive dancing within his light.  It can be the most beautiful thing you will ever experience on this earth, and it gives us a glimpse of how we will sparkle when we are in the presence of God's love.

Nature gives us such wonderful examples of God's love for us, we just need to be still and experience them.

Give to Caesar what belongs Caesar

In Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 23:15-21) we hear Jesus say to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what belongs to God.  This got me thinking about exactly what does belong to God.

And I determined God is not interested in our material accomplishments.  I'm sure he would not be impressed with my basket collection or how many shoes I have (which if you ask my husband is way too many.)  What belongs to God is our hearts and our service.  When we stand before the Lord what will be in our hands is the love we have shown to God and to God's people and how we served them. 

This was a perfect reading for Mission Sunday!  Serving God's people can sound a little daunting, It makes us think we need to pack our bags and head to another country.  But in all reality it does not have to be for God's people are truly all around us. Now, I'm sure you are breathing a sigh of relief, for there is no need to pack bags or update your passport.  But it does require action on your part.  There are many around us who can use our help, but do not voice it.  So you may need to put on your detective hat and pay attention to the clues. 

For example, perhaps there is an elderly widow that sits by you every Sunday at Mass, but then you begin to notice she is not there for a few weeks - perhaps she is sick or simple needs a ride to Mass - you will never know if you do not ask the question.  If she is sick, does she need Holy Communion taken to her or need a friendly face to stop by for a visit?  If it's because she needs a ride, perhaps she can no longer drive or her car is in need of repair.  Truly it does not really matter, what matters is that you show that you care, contact her with a friendly voice, offer your help.  Yes, this means you may need to take time out of your day to visit her, or drive out of your way to Mass and that should not matter for it's what we are called to do - to love and serve His people.

Who can you serve today?

Are you a Rock or a Sponge?

I heard a wonderful analogy about our encounter between us and the sacraments last night at RCIA (I am on the team.)

 Father asked the group - when a rock is put into a glass of water and then taken out - if you cut the rock open - what would be on the inside?  Well, the rock would be the same as before it was placed in the water - sure it would be wet on the outside - but it would still be dry and hard on the inside.  Ok, so if you put a sponge in a glass of water and then take it out - would the sponge be changed?  Yes, it would have soaked up all the water and become supple.

He was using this point to ask the group as to what happens to us when we encounter the Sacraments.  Do we just get wet on the outside and unchanged on the inside - or - do we soak up the Sacrament and allow it to change us.

When we encounter any Sacrament, we are encounter Christ.  We can either just sit there in the middle of it - doing nothing, or we can become an active participant, allowing the Sacrament to move us closer to the Lord.  Each Sunday we experience Christ through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.   It is a wonderful gift to us from God which allows us to become one with Jesus.  When we approach the Eucharist - we should be in prayer, asking God to allow this holy food to change us - we need to be like the sponge - soaking up all the graces that we find went we meet Christ in this way.  And then also like the sponge - share the water we soaked up with others.

So, I ask you -- today are you a rock or a sponge?