65-degree Monday

As I was driving out of Gramercy on this cooler Monday morning, I glanced over to the temperature reading outside of my vehicle which read 65 degrees. My face gave up a smile, and my heart said, “thank you, God for this cooler weather.” I was relieved that the Holy Spirit helped me find my gratitude after receiving sorrowful news in the past twenty-four hours.
Two tragic accidents in neighboring Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes have left several parents, families and friends to mourn the passing of young people. Four Vandebilt High School students and one Nicholls State University student died suddenly and tragically. As well as, in my own area, a not-yet-two-year old precious little boy died. Our community rallied and continues to support his family with prayer, love and friendship.
I have learned through past experiences that God is always with us in the good times and the bad times of our lives.
In today’s first reading, we hear the story of Job. Job’s story of loss seems to run parallel with the recent events of our Southeastern Louisiana, close-knit communities. We can draw consolation in knowing that God is with us through our pain and loss. Even though Job lost so much, he still maintained his faith and relationship with God.
Jesus cried and cries with us, too. Jesus wept for his friend, Lazarus. Jesus showed us how to maintain our relationship with God even through the challenging times of our lives.
Today is also the feast of St. Vincent de Paul. St Vincent de Paul experienced a heart-changing moment during the death-bed confession of a dying servant. That God-facilitated moment helped St Vincent de Paul become aware of the spiritual and every-day needs of people in need. The compassion that was born in St Vincent de Paul’s heart drove him to a life of service to those who were in need.
Today, let us count our blessings and thank the loved ones in our lives as we are reminded to make every day count. Let us lean on and find consolation in the love of God. Let us ask Jesus to carry us in our grief. Let us support one another with our prayers, love and friendship. Let our hearts grow with compassion for each other.

Full Moon and Jupiter for company….

The full moon with the company of Jupiter lit my way as I traveled to work this morning. Like a white shiny marble, the full moon lit up the before-dawn darkness so much that I was tempted to turn off my headlights. The water of Manchac Pass glistened with the brightness of the moon and cast the cypress trees in holy silhouette. I felt and heard the sound of God’s “I love you” in this awesome early morning scene. And, I was consoled as I also heard, “I am with you.”
And so, my vehicle seemed to drive itself as God and I conversed. My heart and mind rested. Even though I wanted to stay atop the Pass Manchac Bridge to continue to listen to God and watch the movement of the full moon and light on the water, I continued to work ever mindful of God’s presence.
And, my heart smiled with my face as I read today’s Psalm because it’s message was so much on topic with my conversation with God when God spoke to me driving through the Manchac Pass cypress forest this morning.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart…Ps90:12
Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy.. Ps90:14
Let us pray for each other. Let us make each moment of each day count. Let us pass on the love and kindness of God following the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Spirit. Amen.

Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox is here
In the Northern Hemisphere
Night and Day
Are nearly equal.
Deciduous trees
Change their leaf-clothing
Signaling a change
Of seasons and
Of time.
Can we change, too?
Leave behind our
Prejudice…
Leave behind our
Insensitive selfishness…
Leave behind our
Negativity…
Can we shed
Our leaves for
New growth and
A new chance
To love.



May we be open to God’s presence and promptings for offing the old so that we can make room for new growth. May we grow closer to God and one another. Amen.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be a powerful thing. Forgiveness can change lives, both for the forgiver and the one receiving forgiveness. We see that in today’s Gospel from Luke (7:36-50). I have experienced that myself in my own life. I believe forgiveness is another way to love. Jesus says, "But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little (Lk7:47b).”
We have to let go of the self righteousness. ...The same self righteousness shown by the Pharisee who is hosting Jesus in his home. The Pharisee who is caught up in his self righteousness judges the woman harshly. But Jesus doesn’t judge. He only shows mercy and forgiveness. Jesus loves when He forgives the woman.
Forgiveness is life changing because it is liberating. We are set free. The forgiver is set free from harsh judgment and a corrupted sense of righteousness which causes them to falsely elevate themselves above others…which inhibits healing of relationships. We get into a bad place when we elevate ourselves and demote the people who have hurt or wronged us.
The person receiving forgiveness is set free from the sin of wrongdoing that breaks and harms a relationship. They are changed by the mercy of receiving forgiveness.
When forgiveness is freely given and received, people are reconciled and healed. Relationships are healed. Hearts that were broken are healed. We are free to love. Our faith which Jesus talks about leads us to and through forgiveness. Our sins are forgiven. We are reconciled to God and to each other. We are set free to love. When we love, we are able to do the work and ministry in which Jesus calls us to do.

Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross

During my long commute to work, I pass Mission Church near I-55. Outside of Mission Church is a 150-foot cross which is lit from below with several spot-lights when the sun goes down. This cross is quite a sight to behold as I drive by on I-55 in the early morning darkness before sunrise. On cloudy/foggy mornings, the lighted cross screams a beacon of hope because the light from the cross shines upwards laser-beaming into the sky giving the passersby a sense of Resurrection, the other side of the cross…the other side of suffering and life-challenges.
The thought and reflection on the total picture of the Cross and the Resurrection gives me great consolation especially on those mornings when my heart is heavily burdened. I am reminded of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery. It’s not just about the cross. It’s not just about suffering. There is hope and joy in Resurrection. Our resurrections come after our journey through the suffering and challenges in our lives
Because of Jesus’ journey through suffering and death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, we can journey through our suffering and life challenges to our resurrections. We have Jesus’ model to follow. Because of our faith, we have the hope and joy of resurrection---the light at the end of the tunnel.
So while the Cross is important, the Cross is only half of the story. The other part of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery is the Resurrection, Jesus’ happy ending….and our hope.
By the way, I called Mission Church to inquire about their cross. I spoke to a wonderful woman who relayed story upon story of peoples’ experiences of their cross. …How people have often driven and parked at the base of the cross to pray. People of different Christian denominations have all been united by the consolation of that cross. What a wonderful occurrence to learn. I am not the only person receiving consolation from the Mission Church cross. Jesus unites us in and through His Paschal Mystery. AMEN!