Eat, Pray, Walk, Sleep: Repeat Numerous Times

"Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." ~ John 6:12

I am nearing the end of my first eight-day Ignatian retreat. The pattern has very much been eat, pray, walk, sleep, and not necessarily in any given order. I have prayed, walked, and slept at all hours. The eating of the healthy and tasty food though has been at set hours. I have even made it to the pool to swim a few times. I am so grateful for this time to be.

Today we were given a wee respite as we did not have to pray one period on the communal matter. I awoke early and reached for my missalette for today's readings. John's Gospel was to be the prayer focus today. This line grabbed hold of my heart. Today I will be gathering up the fragments of my prayer times so that nothing may be lost.

My former pastor loved the Eucharist and he was an expert in feeding his flock. I read one of his homilies today on this topic. Are we eating junk food or are we eating until we are satisfied so that we can be food for others? He really comprehended our call as Catholics. I have been soaking up the Eucharist here, hungry for beautiful music, proper liturgy, and inspiring homilies. The sacrament has nourished my soul. I will gather up the left overs for the long journey ahead.

I have noticed that my internal song has returned. I am a horrible singer. I cannot hold a tune but I love to sing. In my quiet, centred times, I am aware of the music that comes out of my soul. Sometimes I recognize the song but often times it is simply a serenade to my soul, one that arises naturally and joyfully. I am not even sure when it stopped being inside of me; I just know that it is a gift to have it back. I even find myself singing out loud in my quiet moments of walking the fields or sitting in prayer. These are fragments to hold tightly to in the days ahead. I must not let them be diminished again.

Tomorrow afternoon I leave here and return to the 'world"--we were cautioned this evening about getting caught in desolation. I am soon to bed and I must admit that I am still living fully this experience. I look forward to leaving and spending time with friends here. I will reunite with some of these folks on Tuesday as it is Ignatius' Feast Day.

What fragments do you need to gather this day so that nothing is lost?

Peace,

Suzanne

Living Waters

"O God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for You; Your love is finer than life." ~ Lyrics to Morning Psalm (63).

Sitting by the trickling stream, I rested in the sun, damselflies zipping under the bridge upon which I sat, playfully enjoying our shared space. The task at hand for this prayer period is to listen for the name which comes up--the name for this group. Instead what emerges in the hot sun is the memory of the Samaritan woman at the well. "You are Living Water for my people."

Even in the drought this stream, which should be a river according to the map, gives life to the damselflies that dance and the rest of the creation here, so sorely in need of life-giving water. Even a wee bit of water can bring life. It is enough and I feel myself rejuvenated.

Peace,

Suzanne

Beholding God

"The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything." ~ Julian of Norwich

One of the gifts I am grateful for this week is soaking in the beauty and surprises that Loyola House has on its property. This morning I set out for the Willow Dome and sat in it to do my morning prayer. I was fascinated by how I almost missed the entrance, a simple willow arched pathway. Once inside, I slowly noticed all sorts of items that had been placed around the dome, including this cross.

The entire property has these presents but one has to be attentive to them. I had walked by another little hidden prayer area earlier this week that I later found out that my friend Fr. John English had created. I discovered it by chance really when I heard the wind chimes inside and wondered where they were. The next thing I knew I had stepped inside a calming space, tall trees that protected the person inside from being seen, where I could sit and pray and be.

I have more to explore in the remaining days but I may have to come back. Rain is scheduled and desperately needed here. I may be indoors for the next while but who knows, maybe I will behold God in what I see here in other ways.

I must confess that I am moved by the dialogue occurring between the Jesuits and the co-labourers. I am being affirmed in my times of sharing and learning lots about myself and others. This week has been an opportunity to move between consolation and desolation but always seeing the Trinity at work and Joy waiting patiently to be invited in when overlooked.

Peace,

Suzanne

This Journey is Our Destiny

“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him.” ~ lyrics from Eye Has Not Seen

It’s not that I forget how much I love to look at the world through my camera lens but these past few days have really helped restore my spirit by doing so. There is so much beauty here at Loyola House that I have appreciated the time outdoors and wish in some little way that there was less structured time and more free time. Our evening meetings run late but I am grateful for the insights that I am gleaning.

We sang Eye Has Not Seen today. The music here is really beautiful and I am soaking it up. With this song, I find myself wondering what God has ready for me. For the recessional song at mass this evening we sang something I had never heard before but that was so fitting for this retreat with co-labourers. Part of the refrain of Jerusalem, My Destiny is “Though I cannot see the end for me, I cannot turn away. We have set our hearts for the way; this journey is our destiny.”

I could not sing this the first time through. The image of Jesus setting his face towards Jerusalem and not turning away from us was powerful. My own journey has been challenging in so any aspects of my life. In several areas, I cannot turn away. My heart is set. We live in a throw-away and walk-away society of which I refuse to be part. I cannot leave a community that has shaped me and formed me. I need to stay. I have known this all along but the fear of what staying was doing to my soul began to prevail. I think that fear has passed though, replaced instead by love and a desire to be more whole. I don’t know what this journey has as an end for me, but I know I must stick with the journey. I love God and I am not sure what God has ready for me but I am trusting in this process.

After lunch today, I took a walk without my camera or my journal. I simply wanted to be open to what God wanted me to observe. I sat on a bench by a stream and began to think. I got distracted and I suddenly heard a big splash. I think it was a fish jumping but it brought me back to my thoughts at hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a chipmunk. It ran across the bridge I was now standing on. I am not sure if it was the same one or another one that skittered back across. I watched this happen a few times when the little critter actually stopped dead, and stood up, aware of my presence finally. It became quite agitated. “I’m traumatizing the poor thing,” I thought. “I should go.” I realized the same was true for the person I had been thinking about. As I made that link, the chipmunk ran willy-nilly across the bridge and scampered right over my foot. Ouch!! It hurt for such a small creature. Hmmm….maybe I should stay and endure the pain. I had as much right to be there as he did.

The last 24 hours have been profound on several levels. One story that impacted me was that of a Jesuit who talked about being a target for the laity’s anger at the Church for two years but he stuck with it anyway. I think we need to stay on the journey to Jerusalem together. We will step on each other’s toes and we will hurt each other, but we are capable of moving beyond that. We have to be. At the very least, I must try.

Peace,

Suzanne

Co-Labourers

"In God's hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being." ~ Job 12:10

Today our morning sessions have shifted a wee bit from teaching to sharing. Our evening groups will share with the larger group after morning prayer to seek what we are learning about collaboration or co-labouring. Today's large group session was an analysis of the major changes in the last 112 years in the Jesuits, the Church, and world. Events such as the Montreal Massacre, 9/11, the election of Pope Benedict, the new Roman Missal, the formation of CLC groups, the work of the Spiritual Exercises with the laity, etc. were brought forth as notable moments. The list was impressive.

Co-labouring between the Jesuits and laity, as with many religious orders both male and female, is not new, but how that collaboration looks is different. The internet is sketchy tonight so I must keep this short. I may lose it all in a minute but will try to finish my train of thought. As lay people take over running institutions that were previously run by religious orders, understanding the history, charism, and values are crucial. We must be ready to work with these orders as much as they are trying to work with us. The changes are not always easy.

I pray for peace tonight as we continue our talks. As with any union, great pains and history both shine and strike the heart. We will need in the days ahead open minds and spirits so that peace and goodness will prevail.

Peace,

Suzanne

Must.Change.Attitude

"Forgive all injuries, and to practise the highest perfection of Christian charity, bestow cordially the greatest kindness on those for whom you feel the greatest repugnance." ~ Maxims of Charity Toward the Neighbour from the founding documents of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

Today was another fruitful day. We were given the option of praying over several texts and I chose these Maxims which were incredibly challenging. I have also been looking at a book here (which I will probably buy) called Heroic Living that uses Ignatian principles to help people discover their purpose in life and change the world. No small feat, either of these writings! However, I have to admit that something has grabbed a hold of me with each of them, as frightening as they are. I would love to emulate the maxims wherever possible. Certainly, even with the one example above, one would have to agree that most of us do not strive for this standard.

I am learning lots and my spirit is settling. I am thrilled to have wonderful, daily liturgies, with good preaching and lovely music. My small group is interesting. The challenge is not to get stuck in the negative talk. People are hurting and I can see healing is needed in the Church on many levels. For myself, something shifted late today, due in part to seeing a Mary Engelbreit poster with the words: "Must.Change.Attitude." and the photo of a girl with a scowl on her face and her hands on her hips. I came across it as I waited for my director to finish up with another retreatant.

We always want to change the other. What Heroic Living and the Maxims suggest is that change starts within. We can remain tight in the bud, or open to change. I am going to choose being open this week and see how I emerge. I already notice glistenings of hope and feel lighter in spirit. Sleep is crucial this week. I will keep these posts short and hope it gives a glimpse into my spiritual journey this week.

Peace,

Suzanne

Friendship as Sacrament

"I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad, I found in him a resting place; And he has made me glad." ~ lyrics from I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Today has been a long day, with a good many tears. I have come worn, weary and sad; I am in desperate need of a resting place. My deepest desire is to leave here with joy. The first talk of the day was given by a woman religious named Bonnie and the topic was being friends in the Lord. She spoke with wisdom and from personal experience. What struck me were a number of things. She pointed out that there is a cost to deep human friendships that we must be willing to pay when those friendships are rooted in love. Though human, there is a profound spiritual communion in many relationships. When two humans share a bond, it is usually a triad due to the moments of grace that are given to sustain the journey. I know that this is true for me in many of my relationships.

She shared an experience at a shelter where she was confronted by a homeless woman who asked of her, "are you a do-gooder?" If she was, she wanted nothing to do with her. If she was willing to be her friend, she could stay. In ministry, we must ensure that we are serving for the right reasons and developing mutual relationships. We must give our gifts to the Church and the whole world, thinking first of the other, and not ourselves.

Jesus, she reminded us, instructed us to take nothing for the journey which means that we must be willing to receive as well as to give. Ministry is not a one way street.

We were given a text to pray on for the day but also encouraged to just soak in nature. The grounds here are stunning. I walked the labyrinth this morning, wanting to slow down and think more about a disturbing moment from my prayer time. In reflecting on Christ's order to Peter in a colloquy, I found I was stumped. I don't know how was my response to feed my sheep. I feel stuck right now and I hope that in a week's time I can respond differently.

However, even in the labyrinth walk, I felt a shift. Labyrinths are odd places. You desire to reach the centre but the journey is a slow one. This morning, I noticed that I came very close almost immediately to the chair in the centre but the path then veered off and took me away from my destination. The journey to the centre is long and arduous, especially when walked in the hot sun. The twists and turns keep you focused as you silently place one foot in front of the other. The temptation arises to hop over a row to quicken the anticipated arrival but a voice cries out, "Trust me! You will end up where you need and want to be" and the walker stays the course.

Another woman joined me at one point and I reflected that I am not the first to walk this path, nor will I be the last. A great cloud of witnesses has gone before me and is yet to come after me as well. We are not alone, yet we all must walk the path that is laid out for us.

When I start the journey of returning, yet another temptation arises to jump to the path easily within my reach that will take me straight out, having made it to my destination. Instead, I walk the long way out, more content and more trusting than when I entered. I have less questions and anxiety though not much has essentially changed. I know that the brief time in the centre is meant to sustain me and leaving the short way does not honour the journey that I am on. I cannot cheat. I must complete the journey in its entirety.

I make it back to the house just in time for lunch. I am grateful for the meals here, which are healthy and nourishing. I am also appreciative that the meals are in silence so that I can concentrate on my own journey for the whole day, until the evening group work.

I meet with my director after a brief rest. He is a lay man and I like him. He is gentle and wise. He also prods me into where I need to go. There are a good many tears during this time. He encourages me to let go of the failures and move instead into my graced history, to ground myself with gratitude for the gifts given. I like the idea of gathering gratitude this week. It is time to let go to the negative stuff. He can see that I need rest. I think I must look like heck that it is so obvious to him that I am exhausted. He suggests that I participate in mass this week, as a gift bearer or minister. I shake my head. I am too weary. He gently recommends I give it a day or two prior to sticking by that decision. By the end of my afternoon, I have signed up to be a lector at week's end. Already, I am feeling somewhat more centered.

After our time together, I chose to go for a walk in the forested area. I come across a clearing after some time, with a beautiful metal cross, and I pray before it, but I also rest. I walk on, delighting in the beauty that God places before me. I am like a child, wondering at all I see. I love the texture of the bark on the trees and the way the light dances in this forest.

I come to a bridge with a bench on it and sit down. Water flows under me. I take off my shoes and breathe deeply. I look at the scene before me and am suddenly startled by black and white shapes darting along the stream, chasing each other. I am not sure what these creatures are and then I figure it out--dragonflies! Beautiful black-winged, white-bodied dragonflies. I feel a rush of joy at the sight of them. As I sit there a little longer, my thought is that if God can create this winged creature so beautifully, the Creator must stamp "beautiful" on everything, including me.

I walk back to the house for mass and supper. Afterwards, our small group meets. I go to sit outside, watch the sun set on the statue of St. Ignatius, and review my day. I recall to mind that someone said that friendship is a sacrament. If a marriage can be a sacrament, so can a friendship. I close this day so very grateful for this experience and for my graced history. I would not be where I am today if it were not for my friends. I hold them in prayer as I go through this week.

Peace,

Suzanne

Retreating

"Rejoice and leap for joy, O my soul, for the divine Spirit is given to you without reserve." ~ Pierre Chastellain, sj

The conference is over and I am now in Guelph for a "silent" eight-day retreat. I arrived around 7:00 pm, after a lovely drive out with my friend Glenice and her husband, James, and their GPS system Chris. I say "silent" because even though we are in silence most of the day, we are able to be in small groups twice a day (morning and evening)for spiritual conversations on the topic of collaboration. I am excited to know that we can work on our own stuff and my spiritual director is a lay man which I am pleased to know. I would have loved one Jesuit in particular who is here but I trust God has put me in good hands. My small group seems like a blessing too so I am excited to being the journey tomorrow after a good night's sleep. I suspect that the divine Spirit is given to me without reserve this week and I await its revelation.

I am able to access internet which surprised me but will honour limiting my time on my computer. I will blog throughout my retreat though as a way to pray more in-depth and have my readers journey with me.

Leap for joy, O my soul, this is a wonderful gift given. As in today's Gospel, I have come away to a deserted place to rest awhile. May my spirit by open to the Divine.

Peace,

Suzanne

Conferencing

“Each meeting occurs at the precise moment for which it was meant. Usually, when it will have the greatest impact on our lives.” ― Nadia Scrieva

This week is flying by. I have been in a conference since Tuesday night. We have one more day--an annual general meeting and then we end with a banquet and auction. The meetings have been good. One of the presentations was with a woman who works with interpreters around the world. I think sometimes I would like to do that. I have fond memories of my time in Burundi. I ran into that speaker at one point during the conference and she recommended that I pursue more of that dream.

What has been the real blessing though is sharing my room with friends and seeing colleagues who over the past three decades have become more than just work mates. The photo is of my roommate who got carded last night at the football game. We had a good laugh late at night once we all got home. The days have been long--up early and out late. I am soon to meet friends and head off to one of the conference organizers' homes. We promise to be back to the dorm at 10 but hard to know what will happen. The meetings that have had the most impact on my life this week are the ones that are not happening in the meeting rooms per se but in the halls, over a drink, or while dining together. I realize how richly blessed I truly am.

peace,

Suzanne

Destinations Unknown

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ~ Martin Buber

My mini-vacation is coming to an end today. I have spent a few days in Calgary with family. We had supper down town last night and ate well. Prior to that, I cashed in on a gift certificate to a spa. I felt quite relaxed as I was "wrapped" in a reviving concoction and left to soak in all its nutrients. Lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Calgary has been fun thus far. Now I am off to a conference which always brings me to a place I know well, as well as a surprise location. I am comfortable with my colleagues after 30 years and yet at the same time, I often find myself in a place I don't quite recognize. I look forward to both the planned and secret destinations of this conference. One surprise is that a friend from Florida is staying on campus too as she has a different training session she is attending. That is a lovely surprise. I will enjoy seeing her too.

Peace,

Suzanne

Vanishing Act

"I was feeling real good and real manly. Until a real cowboy walked by and told me I had my hat on backwards. So much for my career as a cowboy." ~ Michael Biehn

"Hey, you in the cowboy hat!" shouts the barker, and one hundred people glance over. We are at the Calgary Stampede for the final day of its 100th year. The sky is overcast and it finally does manage to rain, in fact pour, at times, especially while we are outside watching the PowWoW, and dance and drumming competitions. We got pretty soaked. Cowboy hats, even when worn properly, provide a great little funnel for the rain to pour down your back.

We managed to take in a number of the festivities, including an act called Recycled Percussion which fell short of winning America's Got Talent awhile back. They have a show in Vegas apparently. They were hot and action-packed. While filming a portion of their show, my memory card crashed, taking all my photos with it. Drat! No photo post today.

Peace,

Suzanne

Simplicity

"He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts." ~ Mark 6:8

I am on the move again and wonder why I travel with so much STUFF. I cannot imagine taking nothing for the journey. Many of us are consumers who overspend. I confess to being one of them. I would like to be less of a consumer in the coming year. Embracing a simple lifestyle can be challenging but I would like to try it.

In this photo, I ended up having to buy two pieces of cloth to cover my body to walk through the Mother Temple in Bali. It is a bit of a cash grab.

Today I am off to the Calgary Stampede with my brother and sister-in-law. I'll need some money in my belt there. Some rain is in the forecast today but hopefully nothing too continuous. It is downright chilly here compared to home.

Yesterday ended up being a longer wait at the airport as the plane had a bird strike before arriving and two hours was required to clean the engine. The odd passenger complained about the delay but what about the poor bird??!

Ciao for now,

Suzanne

On the Road Again!

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

I am flying off again today. I am leaving in about a half an hour so I better quickly post and get lunch in me. Heading out to spend some time with my brother and his wife (and possibly some chicken named Charlie, though he tells me he flew the coop so I could have his room). That darn bird!! He is boiling mad about me taking over his space. He will be one roasted chicken if he does not wise up!

I actually love to travel. After spending a few days with family, I will attend a conference for a week, where I will get to reconnect with several of my interpreting friends on a national level. I have been asked to facilitate three sessions, plus I have one evening focus group I should attend. One of my friends is making her first presentation at the conference and I hope to see that.

Afterwards I fly directly to an 8-day silent retreat a few provinces away. I am looking forward to that. Then it will be strictly fun--hanging out with friends before heading home. I feel off balance now so I am sure that air, sleep, dreams, and the sky--no sea this time--will restore me to balance.

Peace,

Suzanne

Fragile Matters

"Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus." ~Robert Brault

After the graduation on Sunday, we were walking back to one of the houses for a cold drink when we saw two of the little boys watching a baby bird that had fallen out of the bird house. Poor thing! It probably won't survive. I looked up and saw another one, dangling from some hay, caught in the heat and fried to a crisp. Ugh. Facts of life seen too clearly. Life is sometimes shorter than we hope...or at the very least takes on an unforeseen twist.

I think about that bird, trying to survive in the shade, while its sibling roasted in the scorching blaze. We sometimes put things off that need to be done and then suddenly realize we are out of time. This week has been stressful on several counts but I have been holding in prayer a younger cousin who was down visiting her boyfriend in Texas when he ended up in ICU with a heart attack.

We make all sorts of decisions in our lives. I am looking forward to heading off in about 10 days to a silent retreat where I can begin to rest after an incredibly busy school year and listen to God's voice. I need to focus on a few things and mostly I need to just be still.

Is God demanding your focus somewhere lately?

Peace,

Suzanne

What wisdom!

"What is this wisdom that has been given to him?" ~ Gospel of Mark 6

Powerful readings today! The Second Reading is from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 where we hear this revelation : My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. Sometimes when we struggle we realize that we can only do things through the power of Christ working in us. It is humbling but powerful at the same time.

The Gospel has the above quote in it and the well-known line of "A prophet is not without honour, except in his hometown, and among his own kin, and in his own house." We sometimes do not recognize the power given to us and at other times, others may not recognize that same power. Irony reigns often in life.

Today I had the honour of attending a graduation ceremony of two of the students on my caseload. There were four graduates at this tiny Hutterite school. I knew them since their early school days. I had the opportunity to give a speech to the graduates, their families, and the school staff that had supported them. This community really was inclusive.

During the speeches given by each of the graduates, I caught a glimpse of what they each valued. One spoke of plagarism and procrastination. She surprised me because she is usually quite quiet but she had us all laughing with comments such as deadlines are for a purpose--do NOT hand things in before they are due. Somehow she had been a prophet not recognized for her clever wit prior to this speech. Another spoke of the struggles of school for her. She mentioned how she often felt dumb but admitted she asked many questions because she could not just pretend to know--she needed to know. That wisdom surprised me and the confession about feeling dumb reminded me of my own struggles with school. A third student thanked a litany of people who helped her achieve her success. God's grace is sufficient for all of us and there is much wisdom in knowing this.

Peace,

Suzanne

Summer Time

"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live." ~ Elbert Hubbard

I LOVE summer! I am still working but there is a different pace to everything. Summer is the time I can live my life fully. Tomorrow I head out with a friend to the folk fest for the day. Sunday I have a late graduation ceremony in the country for a couple of students on my case load. Then next week I work with a few things going on in the evenings such as a pedicure and a gelati night.

You know, my life is pretty darn good, I have realized recently. Despite all my whining and complaining about certain things...things that my friends get tired of hearing...I am content. The one exciting thing about summer for me is that I take time to reflect on how life is going. I am looking forward to being on retreat again this summer, this time in silence for eight days and with a director. That should be a time to find my bearings and await the gift that God always gives. The photo is from summer retreat house just outside of Montreal where I received many good insights that have continued to sustain me.

How do you take stock of what is going on in your life to know that you are really living?

Peace,

Suzanne

Opening to God

"Life is God's novel. Let him write it." ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

I am trying to remain open to a number of things unfolding in my life. God is the narrator in this novel and I try to turn pages before they are written. It is annoying to the Author I am sure and frustrating for the reader. "Write faster!" I wish to cry but to no avail. The story must unfold as it will and I must wait.

Peace,

Suzanne

Snitching

“As you know, no one over thirty years of age is afraid of tittle-tattle. I myself find it much less difficult to strangle a man than to fear him.” ~ Christina, Queen of Sweden

In prison, being a snitch is a dangerous activity. Tonight I went to a funeral of one of the guys who was knifed in the kitchen as he worked. Our last conversation was how he knew he was not liked and that he was a moving target.

A good number of volunteers came out and surprisingly, a fair number of the men joined us. The priest named the situation for what it was--an act of violence that should not have happened. No one deserves that. One of the guys told me that the knife was pretty long--sounded like a butcher knife. Apparently there was a lot of blood.

One of the other guys saw him stumble out of the fridge, bleeding while he sat there eating a sandwich. He just kept on eating, because he knew that doing anything would mark him as a target. The priest celebrating the mass had gone to the hospital to see him and mentioned he was cut pretty badly. He succumbed to the injury so obviously it was nasty.

You never know when it is your time, not inside or on the street, as they say in prison lingo. May Cosmo be forgiven for all his sins and may he rest in the peace that we all deserve.

Peace,

Suzanne

Ooh! Ah!!

"Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off." ~ Tommy Cooper

Fireworks bring out the best in people. They are magical and delight the soul. Watching them you can hear the oohs and ahs of the crowd, from the youngest to the oldest. I have an annual tradition of attending the fireworks on Canada Day with a friend from high school. This year's event was stunning and did not disappoint.

I decided to take my camera this year to see if I could take some photos. They did not turn out too badly. I even have a video segment but cannot figure out how to upload it here.

Happy 145th birthday, Canada! Thanks for the gifts you grant your citizens.

Peace,

Suzanne

Healing Faith

"Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." ~ Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Daughter, your faith, peace, be healed....such words are inspiring and affirming. This woman has been a subject of prayer for me at various points in life. I long to reach out and touch the garment of Jesus and be made whole. It is not a one-time affair for me but ongoing. I reach out again and again to the One who can heal me.

We hear in the First Reading today that God created humans for incorruption and does not delight in the death of the living. God values all human life. We see in the Second Reading that God in the form of Jesus gave up everything to become one of us and assures us that those who have much will not have too much and those who have little, not too little. Balance is the key.

In the Gospel we see two situations of Jesus as healer. A leader in the synagogue comes to Jesus, asking healing for his daughter who is dying and a woman who is unclean for 12 years, who silently and boldly reaches out to touch the hem of Christ's garment. The faith of these two people save them. We all stand in need of healing, broken people who long to be whole. Oftentimes, we come to Jesus only when we need something, only when we are desperate. Perhaps we too need to come sooner, to spend time in thanksgiving, and sometimes, just to rest in the loving arms of the One who knows us through and through.

Today we celebrate Canada Day. Our country is also in need of much healing. I especially think of the murdered and missing women in our province, and across our land. May God bless us, those who have much and those who have little. May we learn to find a good balance in our lives so that all may live without hardship.

Peace,

Suzanne