Every time I hear the song lyrics to Arthur's Theme by Christopher Cross I remember how good it feels to just fall in love - with people, with places, with nature, with animals . . . and I am struck that these powerful feelings of love at any given moment in time make me ponder over the wonder and awe of God's presence in my life. I certainly take His presence for granted. If only I could not keep missing these moments of wonder and awe. If I pay closer attention then maybe I can believe that "all will be well, and every kind of thing will be well." So let me substitute my own words in these lyrics:
Once in your life you find Him
Someone that turns your heart around
And next thing you know you're closing down the town
Wake up and it's still with you
Even though you left Him way across town
Wondering to yourself, "Hey, what've I found?"
When you get caught between the Moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the Moon and New York City
The best that you can do ......
The best that you can do is fall in love
Let me fall in love over and over again.
Wednesday's Child
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Transition
Transition can be difficult especially when it comes uninvited. One might even feel helpless or abandoned in the face of an unwelcome transition. This is what I was feeling when over the weekend someone quoted a prayer from St. Francis de Sales:
"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
Rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things;
And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
This month I experienced the loss of a beloved pastor due to a mandatory retirement clause cited in Canon Law. Not being a theologian, I am not sure I totally understand the wisdom of removing a pastor, a founding pastor who has been here for 31 years, and forcing a vibrant individual into retirement. The year long process of watching him prepare to leave has been agonizing. Through it all, this pastor remained positive and committed to his vow of obedience to his bishop. I'm afraid I was not as committed to trying to understand the rationale behind such a move and I felt truly abandoned by the hierarchy of the Catholic church once again. I was thinking of myself and was not relying on all the great things this pastor had taught me over the years in his homilies and through faith sharing. I was committed to abandoning the ship he was leaving behind and I was certainly not going to allow myself to like the new guy.
Now about this new guy. I understand it is not his fault that the Diocese assigned him to replace my beloved pastor. And to be honest, I looked upon him as a car wreck looking for some place to happen. He was the complete opposite of the priest I had known as pastor during the past twenty-two years that I was parishioner. But what is it that compels me not to give up? What is it that makes me go to Church everyday and try to get accustomed to this new guy? Right now, I have no answers. I cry a lot. My heart aches a lot. Change is so very very difficult . But this Sunday at Mass, the new guy began his homily with . . .
"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
Rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things;
And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
Thanks new guy.
Wednesday's Child
"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
Rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things;
And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
This month I experienced the loss of a beloved pastor due to a mandatory retirement clause cited in Canon Law. Not being a theologian, I am not sure I totally understand the wisdom of removing a pastor, a founding pastor who has been here for 31 years, and forcing a vibrant individual into retirement. The year long process of watching him prepare to leave has been agonizing. Through it all, this pastor remained positive and committed to his vow of obedience to his bishop. I'm afraid I was not as committed to trying to understand the rationale behind such a move and I felt truly abandoned by the hierarchy of the Catholic church once again. I was thinking of myself and was not relying on all the great things this pastor had taught me over the years in his homilies and through faith sharing. I was committed to abandoning the ship he was leaving behind and I was certainly not going to allow myself to like the new guy.
Now about this new guy. I understand it is not his fault that the Diocese assigned him to replace my beloved pastor. And to be honest, I looked upon him as a car wreck looking for some place to happen. He was the complete opposite of the priest I had known as pastor during the past twenty-two years that I was parishioner. But what is it that compels me not to give up? What is it that makes me go to Church everyday and try to get accustomed to this new guy? Right now, I have no answers. I cry a lot. My heart aches a lot. Change is so very very difficult . But this Sunday at Mass, the new guy began his homily with . . .
"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
Rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things;
And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
Thanks new guy.
Wednesday's Child
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