God in all things

Lest we forget. How many of us took a moment today to remember? As I stood in silence at 11:00 today, I was joined by a fairly large group of people who do not want to forget. I stood thinking about my friends in the DR Congo who are still caught in the midst of an ongoing war, fueled by our desire on this side of the world for electronics and games. I thought about a massage therapist who told me he suffered from PTSD after his stint in the armed forces. I replayed portions of Numbers. I thought about the woman who I had called my mom about this morning, asking who she was and remembering the numbers carved into her arm. She had been the common-law wife of a distant relative. A woman who no one talked about, who my mother could not remember by name.

I think about the people who are dying this very moment because there is no peace in the world. I think about those I need to be reconciled with. I remember my own sin. I turn to God on this cold day, and ask that my heart may be warmed. I pray that I may be an instrument of God’s great peace. What if every day we remembered that peace is our goal? What if today and the next we worked at restoring life instead of destroying it? What if right this minute I made a choice that was to heal and restore? Would anything be different in the world?

Peace,

Suzanne

Maccabees is not an easy reading but somehow seemed appropriate today, the day before Remembrance Day to hear the story of the persecution of the Jewish people for their beliefs. The brothers and the mother stand firm in their faith as they are led to slaughter. As part of an interfaith discussion group between Christians, Jews and Muslims we watched a powerful documentary entitled, Numbered tonight. People who were tattooed in the death camps and managed to survive the slaughter are highlighted in the film. Their stories varied but all were a heartbreaking reminder of the great cost of war. 

The Psalmist sings Guard me as the apple of they eye; hide me in the shadows of your wings. The second reading says that the Lord is faithful and will guard you from the evil one. We still need to be guarded by the One who can protect us. I pray for peace often. It is why I sign off with peace. As the sun went down tonight on these graves, I know that many around the world, still bury the dead, military and civilians. Why do we not learn from the lessons in Maccabees? Why today are we still trying to extinguish parts of the human race? God, do you weep as You watch? I know some days I do.

Peace begins with each person. What will you do to further peace?

Peace,

Suzanne

I have spent the morning trying to figure out what to do with mixed emotions. I have nothing to do, stranded here in the North, Jerrry McGuire in the background, colleague by my side, trying not to be annoyed by all that I miss today because I am not South. I have so much to do and have none of it with me. Letting go is a lifelong lesson. 

Soon it will be off to lunch and then the airport. I guess I should be grateful for quiet moments and rest. 

Peace,

Suzanne

The best laid plans get sidetracked by Mother Nature. I am stranded in a northern snow storm. I traveled without books or other things that I needed to do. I am trying to see this delay as a gift. My long weekend is shortened.  My spa plans with a friend tomorrow will now be postponed. I will have to rework my whole weekend. I’m grumpy instead of grateful. That is so not good.  Sigh! Looking for God in this. 

Peace,

Suzanne

Some days the whispers of the Spirit are louder than others. Several of my friends had been talking about Brene Brown and so I bought her book, The Gifts of Imperfection and devoured it. Then I heard she was doing a 6-week e-course. Next thing I knew, she was going to be speaking in Winnipeg as part of Compassion Project series that the Catholic Health Association of Manitoba and the Interfaith Health Care Association of Manitoba helped to sponsor. I bought a ticket to the evening session. I stepped out boldly, wondering if work might allow me to go to her morning workshop. They did. I was thrilled. The doors were opening again.

These past two days have been amazing. I think I relocated centre again. I seem to be more solid in my boundaries, reflecting on her stories and teachings. Her topics were vulnerability, shame and resilience. She was awesome, funny, and heart-warming. I feel as if I have been give a suit of armor, but not the kind that is harmful, but one that allows me to stand proud and ready to face the world. The armor is not on my heart, but rather for my decision-making process, for the love of myself, and for the ability to set good boundaries. I feel pretty fabulous.

She spoke about how most of us are brave and afraid at the same time. She posed this question: what is worth doing even if you fail? She encouraged us to practice gratitude. She invited us to pay attention to the ordinary moments because they are what will be missed most when they are gone. She told us that cool is an emotional straight-jacket that freezes your freedom. Stop being invested in being cool.

She asked hard questions like “What is one place i want to show up, be seen and live brave?” She recommended that we cultivate courage and shame-resilience. She assured us that trust is earned in super small moments that may not be noted until you realize that your jar of marbles is overflowing with love and caring. She talked about the sliding door moments where one decision will have the potential for trust and the other for betrayal. She talked about about the moments in life where loved ones have you putting marbles for “good behaviour” in a jar. They are the times that are pretty ordinary, for regular every day events like just being there fully engaged.

Her presentations were simple, sprinkled with stories that inspired and examples that rang true. I am grateful for the opportunity to hear her and have my heart and soul refreshed by her. 

Peace,

Suzanne

Some days I wonder how faithful I am being to God’s call in my life. I have been working on a presentation for a class on the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises tonight when I should have been ready to do this over the weekend. I have procrastinated too much but still the fruits will be good, I hope. I have given the talk before and have just added some beautiful elements to it, based on some new reading I have done.

The First Week is about understanding how we are loved sinners–God loves us as we are, in our imperfection. Tomorrow I am going to hear Brene Brown speak on shame and resilience. The Exercises also teach about shame–how God wants us to acknowledge our short-comings but not in a way that demoralizes us. Shame can destroy us and prevent us from bearing the fruit that God desires for us.

If we can break free of all the sins and sense of unworthiness that binds us, we can bear fruit abundantly. God has big plans for us and we need to believe that who we are and what we can offer is enough. God who has created us will prune us to bear the fruit this world needs. God’s grace is sufficient. The harvest awaits the gifts we bring.

Peace,

Suzanne

When was the last time you climbed a tree? I actually can say that it was June for me. I did not want to see at that moment–I wanted to be seen. It was for a group photo in South Africa and we had found a really funk tree in which to pose. In today’s Gospel, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. A chief tax collector, he did not seem to let his position keep him from his desire to catch a mere glimpse of this man who was creating such a buzz around town. He was not assertive enough to push his way to the front perhaps or so detested that he did not want to make such a fuss. Instead, like a child, he climbed a tree. When was the last time you wanted to see Jesus so much that you did something extraordinary? Something that put you out on a limb?

This story is one of my favourite Gospel readings for a few reasons.  First off, it shows how we must be ready to free ourselves of our inhibitions to see Christ. Secondly, we see Jesus’ beautiful response to that effort: He knew exactly where Zacchaeus was and greeted him there for all to see. Then he urges him to come quickly down for he will be joining him at his home that very day.  Jesus wants to be our guest at any given opportunity. He wants us to know him.

Zacchaeus is moved to action by his personal encounter with Christ. He is transformed. He is released from his shame and given a new chance to be in the world. He chooses a new path.

Wouldn’t you agree that it is a great story? Well worth climbing a tree!

Peace,

Suzanne

Calling all angels! Today is a day to remember our beloved who have gone before us. Names of those I still miss daily rise in my memory and embrace my heart. I am changed forever by the gifts they have given me, by the love they bestowed upon me and by the legacies their lives have left.

I took a walk this glorious afternoon, finding God everywhere in Light that set leaves and fruit afire. Leo Buscaglia wrote a wonderful little book, Freddie the Leaf, many years ago, about letting go, death, and change.  Watching leaves flutter to the ground today, while some still clung to the branches, reminded me of that story.  The people that were once such an integral part of my life may be gone but I still feel their presence in my life. The relationship has changed.  Who they were can still guide and comfort me. I am grateful for that.

I found this white leaf on the ground today. Earlier I had found a white feather on my sleeve. Part of me smiles, knowing that my angels are with me this day, walking me through the residue of sadness, comforting me in my memories.

Peace,

Suzanne

Today is All Saints Day, a day to be grateful for that great cloud of witnesses that went before us who served graciously and abundantly.  Tonight I went to Taize prayer to be still and sing prayerfully. I loved the quiet and the ambiance. The icon was one of hospitality.

During the quiet time, I somehow got to thinking about the Body of Christ, perhaps because of the saints. The image that came to my mind was one of my dad in his home town at a celebration for my aunt. He was distributing the Blood of Christ during mass. As each person came up that he recognized, he greeted them with great joy and hospitality. The priest gave him a look at one point but I was captivated by it. The saints know that holy reverence is not always quiet. My father’s exuberance at seeing those he knew well was a sacred scene that touched me deeply anew tonight.

We remember those saints whose lives we emulate. I am grateful for Therese, Theresa, Ignatius, Marguerite, Francis, and so many others. They paved the way to holiness with their work. May I too seek God in all things and draw others to the Light of the world.

Peace,

Suzanne

I live in a super cool neighbourhood that celebrates holidays well. Hallowe’en is no exception. Below are some of the sights from the surrounding blocks. Fun stuff!

Peace,

Suzanne