This week, my brother and his oldest son and my other brother’s oldest son journeyed across the river to Vacherie to the West Bank Center to receive from Governor Jindal a medal of appreciation for my daddy’s service in the Army during WWII. The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal was given in appreciation and gratitude to men and women who have served our country.
Though I did not personally attend, my brother and nephews relayed how nice the ceremony was and how there were many people in attendance.
My daddy loved his country and proudly served during WWII. He left Gramercy and crossed the Atlantic out of that love for and a sense of duty to his country.
He rarely spoke about the war to us as young children. When he did, often it was in the form of stories. It was his way of conveying the harsh realities of war in ways for us, kids could understand.
It was so good that my brother and nephews received the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal for my daddy. Though my nephews never met or knew their grandfather (PawPawBB), my brother’s action of taking them to the ceremony spoke volumes as to what my daddy was about. They learned more about their grandfather by being there and accepting the Honor Medal on his behalf.
Today, I remember Daddy’s courage and bravery. I remember his sense of responsibility and duty to our country. I remember how all of those qualities grew from a core of patriotism and respect and love for his country. I remember how he endeavored to instill in me to always do the right thing.
I pray for the courage to always do the correct thing: to act and behave with integrity and to stand up and speak out when there is something wrong or be there for someone who is being hurt, mistreated, or abused.
I pray for and with my daddy. I remember him. He lives in me. He lives in the way I live out what he taught me.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Kill’em with Kindness
We have all heard of the saying “kill’em with kindness.” My mom had another saying of her own that she would often tell me. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
As I reflect on that today, with the benefit of older age and more life experience (smile), I understand the powerful, profound meanings of both of those expressions and their implications involving relationship and friendship. Those expressions convey a sense of encouragement, love and kindness which we should endeavor to practice.
Found in Scripture in St Paul’s letters to the Romans (1:11-13; 15:3-5), Philippians (2:1-3), Colossians (2:1-3;4:7-9), and Thessalonians, (1Th5:10-15) St Paul wrote about how encouragement was important for the early Christians as well as important for us to practice today. Encouragement builds up the Body of Christ.
St Paul also wrote about kindness which can be found in Corinthians (2Cor6:5-7), Galatians (5:21-23) and Colossians 3:11-13. Kindness also builds up the Body of Christ and is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal5:22).
All four Gospels record how much Jesus talked about and practiced love and loving. Jesus even told us to love our enemies (Mt5:43-45; Lk6:26-28). And in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives a new commandment to love our neighbor as He as loved us. Like kindness, love is also a fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22). Jesus modeled His love for God and His love for us. We only need to follow His good example.
In relationship and friendship, where two people care, support and love each other, encouragement and lovingkindness strengthens each person as well as strengthens the relationship/friendship they share. In the mutual sharing and support of the relationship, God’s presence is found because the persons are following Christ’s model and expectations for loving and serving our neighbor.
A part of supporting the other in a relationship/friendship is knowing when and how to practice active listening so that hopes, dreams, hurts, and frustrations can be expressed and heard with compassion and without judgment. Lovingkindness expressed during the times of active listening when we listen with our heart as well as our mind builds us up.
Perhaps the most challenging time to express lovingkindness is when there is conflict in a relationship/friendship, or when you are on the receiving end of mean-spiritedness from someone who is not your friend. During those times we can call on Jesus for help and strength to do the right thing and express kindness when we are face-front with the opposite. Repaying kindness with meanness may be just what is needed when someone is having a bad day and inadvertently takes it out on you. The expression of kindness may help them to get back to a sense of peace and help them to see their mean-spiritedness and help them to correct their behavior.
Let us pray for the courage and strength to follow Jesus’ model of love. Let us pray that we may give encouragement and kindness as St Paul writes about even when we may not receive those from others.
As I reflect on that today, with the benefit of older age and more life experience (smile), I understand the powerful, profound meanings of both of those expressions and their implications involving relationship and friendship. Those expressions convey a sense of encouragement, love and kindness which we should endeavor to practice.
Found in Scripture in St Paul’s letters to the Romans (1:11-13; 15:3-5), Philippians (2:1-3), Colossians (2:1-3;4:7-9), and Thessalonians, (1Th5:10-15) St Paul wrote about how encouragement was important for the early Christians as well as important for us to practice today. Encouragement builds up the Body of Christ.
St Paul also wrote about kindness which can be found in Corinthians (2Cor6:5-7), Galatians (5:21-23) and Colossians 3:11-13. Kindness also builds up the Body of Christ and is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal5:22).
All four Gospels record how much Jesus talked about and practiced love and loving. Jesus even told us to love our enemies (Mt5:43-45; Lk6:26-28). And in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives a new commandment to love our neighbor as He as loved us. Like kindness, love is also a fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22). Jesus modeled His love for God and His love for us. We only need to follow His good example.
In relationship and friendship, where two people care, support and love each other, encouragement and lovingkindness strengthens each person as well as strengthens the relationship/friendship they share. In the mutual sharing and support of the relationship, God’s presence is found because the persons are following Christ’s model and expectations for loving and serving our neighbor.
A part of supporting the other in a relationship/friendship is knowing when and how to practice active listening so that hopes, dreams, hurts, and frustrations can be expressed and heard with compassion and without judgment. Lovingkindness expressed during the times of active listening when we listen with our heart as well as our mind builds us up.
Perhaps the most challenging time to express lovingkindness is when there is conflict in a relationship/friendship, or when you are on the receiving end of mean-spiritedness from someone who is not your friend. During those times we can call on Jesus for help and strength to do the right thing and express kindness when we are face-front with the opposite. Repaying kindness with meanness may be just what is needed when someone is having a bad day and inadvertently takes it out on you. The expression of kindness may help them to get back to a sense of peace and help them to see their mean-spiritedness and help them to correct their behavior.
Let us pray for the courage and strength to follow Jesus’ model of love. Let us pray that we may give encouragement and kindness as St Paul writes about even when we may not receive those from others.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Transformed by Transfiguration
In the Gospel of Luke, today, Jesus takes Peter, John and James up a mountain to pray. In that experience, Jesus is transfigured before their eyes and Peter, John and James are transformed as a result of their encounter with Jesus Transfigured. We hear evidence of that in the 2nd reading, 2 Peter 1:16-19: “For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, ‘This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
When I reflect on this, I think about and pray with a vision to see the ways and the manner in which I have been transformed by Jesus. What I learned through that reflection is that in coming to be in relationship with Jesus in realizing Jesus’ love for me, I am encouraged; I am inspired to see and be grateful for the gifts God has blessed me with. And, in and through my relationship with Jesus, my expression of love for Jesus is having the courage to use my gifts in the service and ministry for my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers—everyone and everything in my community. Everyone. What I mean by that is that I am called to serve and minister not just folks who love, support and encourage me. I am called to serve and minister with those who do not love me, who do not support or encourage me. I am called to be there for them, too. I am called to be “a lamp shining in a dark place.” Today’s Scripture affirms that but also, our Catholic Church teaches us that we receive the Light of Christ in Baptism. We are to go and shine that Light of Christ to the world.
Deeper reflection on today’s Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord brings to mind some wisdom from Drew Brees’ book, Coming Back Stronger. Brees shares about trusting God that “God can use anything for good” Whatever happens to you; whatever the adversity in your life, God can use that to do good. We have to trust God, and we have to choose to be open to God to see and be aware of the good we can do as a result of the adversity in our life. He also shares that we can choose to be positive.
Lastly, we should be aware of those folks who God puts in our lives when we are in the midst of adversity. Those people who can deliver God’s message of hope, encouragement and inspiration when we need it the most in those times of despair. Drew Brees also comments on this, too. How his friend, Lorenzo Neal told him something he really needed to hear at a low moment in his life. What I get from that is that we need to be aware and trusting of God’s message being spoken by those who really care about us. Because they can see the big picture when our adversity has blinded us or given us tunnel vision not allowing us to see the big picture.
Be in touch with the transforming power of Jesus’ love. Be aware of those who speak God’s message of encouragement. When we are transformed by God’s love, we become a transformer for others. The whole community benefits from the sharing of our God-given gifts. Let the Light of Christ shine in us and through us.
When I reflect on this, I think about and pray with a vision to see the ways and the manner in which I have been transformed by Jesus. What I learned through that reflection is that in coming to be in relationship with Jesus in realizing Jesus’ love for me, I am encouraged; I am inspired to see and be grateful for the gifts God has blessed me with. And, in and through my relationship with Jesus, my expression of love for Jesus is having the courage to use my gifts in the service and ministry for my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers—everyone and everything in my community. Everyone. What I mean by that is that I am called to serve and minister not just folks who love, support and encourage me. I am called to serve and minister with those who do not love me, who do not support or encourage me. I am called to be there for them, too. I am called to be “a lamp shining in a dark place.” Today’s Scripture affirms that but also, our Catholic Church teaches us that we receive the Light of Christ in Baptism. We are to go and shine that Light of Christ to the world.
Deeper reflection on today’s Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord brings to mind some wisdom from Drew Brees’ book, Coming Back Stronger. Brees shares about trusting God that “God can use anything for good” Whatever happens to you; whatever the adversity in your life, God can use that to do good. We have to trust God, and we have to choose to be open to God to see and be aware of the good we can do as a result of the adversity in our life. He also shares that we can choose to be positive.
Lastly, we should be aware of those folks who God puts in our lives when we are in the midst of adversity. Those people who can deliver God’s message of hope, encouragement and inspiration when we need it the most in those times of despair. Drew Brees also comments on this, too. How his friend, Lorenzo Neal told him something he really needed to hear at a low moment in his life. What I get from that is that we need to be aware and trusting of God’s message being spoken by those who really care about us. Because they can see the big picture when our adversity has blinded us or given us tunnel vision not allowing us to see the big picture.
Be in touch with the transforming power of Jesus’ love. Be aware of those who speak God’s message of encouragement. When we are transformed by God’s love, we become a transformer for others. The whole community benefits from the sharing of our God-given gifts. Let the Light of Christ shine in us and through us.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Praying with Lightning
A dark flashing northeastern sky warned me there were thunderstorms ready to greet me as I made my way to work this morning. So, I settled into the cockpit of my Ford Escape and tuned my radio to KLOVE, the Christian music station. As I turned onto I-55 north, the darkness in the northeast was interrupted more and more frequently with bursts of light. Trying to find the consolation of the impending rain, I smiled to myself as I thought how God was going to wash the bugs off of my windshield and gift me with a free car wash. I was about to realize and be gifted with yet more insight from our loving God.
As I found myself making the right turn to head east toward Covington, there was still no rain yet in front of me the light strobes had been replaced with crooked vertical lines of lightning. Lightning fascinates me. There is so much energy in such skinny lines, and this energy is focused to singular points on the ground yet if these bolts of energy strike in strategic places, there can be a cascade effect of electrical outage or even ignite fires.
As I prayed with the lightning that God gifted me with this morning and as I applied it to my life circumstances and current local and global events, I was given my lesson for today.
Positive and negative charges within mixing air of a thunderstorm cause lightning. It is amazing to think that when two huge differences clashing together-- the resulting energy of that clash is lightning. And the resulting heat from lightning causes explosions of thunder.
The amazing revelation in all of that this morning was in order for that to happen, there has to be a relationship. There has to be a mixing of the hot and cold air masses. There has to be a coming together of the positive and negative charges in order for the amazing lightning to be born announced by the labor wails of thunder. Lightning cannot happen if both components are not present and reacting with each other. They have to be present and interacting.
If our relationships are to be healthy enough to create lightning, then there must me a mutuality of giving and receiving….there must be a mutuality of sharing…..there must be a mutuality of care. And out of all of that mutuality is born a love so great that it speaks thunder into our community and world.
And most importantly, where there is this mutuality of relationship, God is present strengthening, supporting and loving all of us.
Ya’ll have a good day. Create lightning. Do stuff to develop and strengthen your relationships with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Let the thunder roll.
As I found myself making the right turn to head east toward Covington, there was still no rain yet in front of me the light strobes had been replaced with crooked vertical lines of lightning. Lightning fascinates me. There is so much energy in such skinny lines, and this energy is focused to singular points on the ground yet if these bolts of energy strike in strategic places, there can be a cascade effect of electrical outage or even ignite fires.
As I prayed with the lightning that God gifted me with this morning and as I applied it to my life circumstances and current local and global events, I was given my lesson for today.
Positive and negative charges within mixing air of a thunderstorm cause lightning. It is amazing to think that when two huge differences clashing together-- the resulting energy of that clash is lightning. And the resulting heat from lightning causes explosions of thunder.
The amazing revelation in all of that this morning was in order for that to happen, there has to be a relationship. There has to be a mixing of the hot and cold air masses. There has to be a coming together of the positive and negative charges in order for the amazing lightning to be born announced by the labor wails of thunder. Lightning cannot happen if both components are not present and reacting with each other. They have to be present and interacting.
If our relationships are to be healthy enough to create lightning, then there must me a mutuality of giving and receiving….there must be a mutuality of sharing…..there must be a mutuality of care. And out of all of that mutuality is born a love so great that it speaks thunder into our community and world.
And most importantly, where there is this mutuality of relationship, God is present strengthening, supporting and loving all of us.
Ya’ll have a good day. Create lightning. Do stuff to develop and strengthen your relationships with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Let the thunder roll.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Where's God
Have you ever entertained yourself with a Where’s Waldo book? Once your eyes trained your mind on the image of Waldo, you could scan pages and pages of cartoon graphic noise, zeroing-in on the image of the smiling Waldo cleverly hidden on the page.
I’d like to invite you to try something. In the comings and goings and busyness of your day, try to find God in the people, places and in your day’s experiences. Ask God to help you to do this.
God is always with us. God is present in God’s creation of people and nature…..God’s everywhere. And, when you find God, when you become aware of God’s loving presence rejoice and be thankful. Love God back for being there for you and blessing you with your loved ones and all you have in your life.
In this way, you will build your relationship with our good and gracious God. Your faith will grow and the next thing you know, you’ll be an instrument for God’s love and a living example of Christ.
So try it. Where’s God for you today?
I’d like to invite you to try something. In the comings and goings and busyness of your day, try to find God in the people, places and in your day’s experiences. Ask God to help you to do this.
God is always with us. God is present in God’s creation of people and nature…..God’s everywhere. And, when you find God, when you become aware of God’s loving presence rejoice and be thankful. Love God back for being there for you and blessing you with your loved ones and all you have in your life.
In this way, you will build your relationship with our good and gracious God. Your faith will grow and the next thing you know, you’ll be an instrument for God’s love and a living example of Christ.
So try it. Where’s God for you today?
Monday, August 02, 2010
I'm baackkkkkk......
After much prayer and discernment, I am out of hiatus and back posting here at my blog space.
I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of you who have given me feedback about my writing. And, I 'd like to thank you for your encouragement about my writing because in and through your kindness you have nurtured my dream and for that I am most grateful.
And so it is with a grateful and changed heart, that I share with you my spiritual e-musings once again.
Sr GeoThea writes again.
I'd like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of you who have given me feedback about my writing. And, I 'd like to thank you for your encouragement about my writing because in and through your kindness you have nurtured my dream and for that I am most grateful.
And so it is with a grateful and changed heart, that I share with you my spiritual e-musings once again.
Sr GeoThea writes again.
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