March 30, 2014

Bulletin 4^th Sunday in Lent A

1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9: 1-41
Am I blind? How blind am I? These are strange questions to reflect on for one with sight but the readings are asking these with regard to God. I can rephrase these: Am I blind to the ways of God? Do I feel that I know what God is saying? Is there any spiritual blindness in me? Do I reflect on the actions of God in my life each day so that I may grow in the awareness, closeness and love of God for me?
In the first reading Samuel the prophet was on a mission from God to anoint the successor of King Saul. Now in the culture at the time a king’s first born son would assume the throne and there could be in-fighting with the other sons. Everyone wanted the ‘power that came with the throne.’ So Samuel, at God’s command, went to see Jesse sons and anoint one of his sons as king (and not one of Saul’s sons). This must have been an imposing group but God told Samuel not to judge by appearances, by what you see; God’s judgment comes by looking in the heart. What a lesson...from my youth I wanted to be judged by what I was like on the inside. The inside is where honesty, enthusiasm and dedication are; it where we define our true selves. This is where what I hope to accomplish is nurtured. Even though I may not be the ‘best’ by any human way of measuring, I am the best because of the ‘me inside’ if I am honest to myself. It is so comforting to hear God’s words, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” And God chose the youngest of Jesse’s sons. The bottom line is that Saul was jealous; Samuel had anointed him as king but Saul proved himself unworthy. And later on Saul tried to kill David. The Spirit fills each person with gifts. These must be used and brought to fruition with God’s grace. But I must look at my gifts versus wanting another’s gift. When I want another’s then my sin becomes what was the sin of Adam and Eve: ingratitude...wanting more. I must constantly use this as a reflection.
Paul clarifies this in today’s writing to Ephesians by using the example of light and darkness. He states that the people before Christ lived lives ‘in darkness’ and this could be seen in their ‘dark deeds’: impurity, greed, obscenity, ridiculous or suggestive talk and idolatry. They did not have the revelation of God through Jesus. Jesus said that each must live and interact as children of the light who produce goodness, truth and love in their actions. All this is doable and only possible when each person turns to God for His constant help and grace in living life. Am I concerned about me or do I realize I am blessed and chosen to live a life in Jesus so people can see love and love? Am I blind to God and see only myself?
John then completes the lesson on blindness to God with the miracle story of the man born blind. John’s gospel is different from the synoptics. John talks about ‘signs’ rather than miracles and he only list seven of these. He says that ‘signs’ are wondrous deeds of Jesus and they carry with them tremendous significance. John identifies SEVEN of these signs and after the last sign the “hour of Jesus” arrives, the reason why He was born, the reason why He came. These seven ‘signs’ build up to a crescendo and ask me about my belief in Jesus and accepting Him as my God and Redeemer. Just looking at these ‘signs’ helps me to deepen my faith and to see what Jesus is telling me about God. The signs: 1) changing of water and wine at Cana; 2) royal official’s son restored to life; 3) healing of the crippled man at Bethesda, 4) feeding the multitude, 5) walking on the water and 6) today’s sign of healing the blind man. Each ‘sign’ serves to reveal Jesus’ identity and confirm His disciples’ belief in Him. But with each sign, those who do not believe or even want to believe are hardened in their animosity toward Jesus. In today’s sign, it is so easy to see the Pharisees absolutely refusing to listen to or to hear God’s message or to see God in Jesus. They are the religious leaders, the educators, they studied the scriptures, they are right. How stubborn they are; how set in their ways. I have to take time and look at myself to see if and when I am ‘closed’ to God in my life.
The seventh sign is the ultimate: the raising of Lazarus. After this the priests and Pharisees gather the ‘Great Council’ and have had it; they decide to have Jesus put to death. WHY? Jealousy...refusal to ‘see’ anything that is opposed to their way of thinking...prejudice in their thinking that they ‘know’ what God is all about and they do not need any ‘upstart’...after all ‘we are the teachers...we are the leaders...we are important, just ask us...we can tell you what God is saying.’ It is so obvious in today’s story to see that it is the Pharisees who are unable to recognize Jesus as the Son of Man...They are the ones who are truly blind. So I ask again am I blind...where am I blind?
Jesus concludes the gospel in a message for all: “’I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this and said to Him, ‘Surely we are not also blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ’ If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.’” Am I blind in seeing Jesus in my life and in the lives of those in front of me each day? Can it be that it may be my spiritual blindness that has to be healed?
Sunday Homily Helps says, “That statement of Jesus is aimed not only toward the Pharisees, but toward us as well. a) Sometimes we are as blind as the man healed in today’s Gospel. Our eyes may have 20/20 vision, but, in actuality, we may be spiritually blind. b) Some of us are blind because of a lack of faith. We see what goes on around us and accept it as we see it, without viewing it though the eyes of faith. We shrug our shoulders and say: ‘That’s the way it is. What can I do about it?’ c) We live in strange times. We are blinded by the world around us. We know more about celebrities than about our next-door neighbors—or even those we call ‘family’ and ‘friends.’ So many things distract us from what really matters.” So I reflect on:

• Am I quick to dismiss the struggles of others as a matter of personal failure?
  
• Am I so complacent in my own success that I can’t tolerate other’s failures?
  
• How can I see as God sees?
  

Sacred Space 2014 continues:

“The man’s blindness is cured, but the blindness of those who won’t believe in Jesus remains. I think of how I grope, stumble, and am unsure of my direction unless I rely on Jesus, the light of the world.

The opening question of the disciples was, ‘Who is to blame?’ Jesus reminds us that sometimes no one is to blame. He tells us that even difficult situations present an opportunity for us to be drawn into God’s presence.”

So I take today’s readings and pray that this Lent, I may open my cynical and skeptical heart to let in the light of Christ’s compassion and may I reflect that light with God’s grace in humble and grateful acts of kindness and consolation to the poor and struggling around me.   

March 23, 2014

Bulletin 3^rd Sunday of Lent

March 23, 2014

Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4: 5-42

What can God do for me? So often I don’t even ask myself this question but Jesus is asking me each day, ‘what can I do for you today...I love you...what can I do?’ The initial reaction is ‘well nothing’ or ‘I think I can handle it today’ or ‘there are loads of people all over who really are in need, help them out...I’ll give you some names.’ But each person is asked a point blank question, why am I so reluctant to say, ‘Yes...come...I need you...I really do.’
I think so often it is the temptation or distractions from the devil that make me feel that God is too busy or doesn’t care or that I’m not that important or whatever else distracts me from God who loves me every moment. I remember hearing way back in Catholic grammar school that if God didn’t want me to exist, I wouldn’t be here. Also that if God didn’t think about me for a moment, I wouldn’t exist. The readings today tell not only how close God is but the total care He has for every person.
The first reading from Exodus shows the people again complaining. This seems to be their regular preoccupation, I must look at myself. I would say that I’m not a complainer but how often am I satisfied with what is happening in my life. I look at the times I have to ‘wait in line’ or am ‘sidetracked from what I want to do into doing something for someone else.’ I do not like to be inconvenienced, who does...but somehow some subtle complaining comes out from ‘the deep recesses of me’. Well not long after the Hebrews left Egypt, they turned on Moses. First they grumble that they have no food (Exodus 16:3) and what does God do...He provides manna in the morning and quail in the evening. As I look back in my life, God provides and what does He provide...how I need to be aware of His plan that will lead me to heaven? Today the people are complaining again, this time its thirst. Moses complains himself, “What shall I do with these people? And just as God provided food, through the actions of Moses, God gives drink. Interestingly, this place was called ‘Massah’ which means ‘the place of the test’ and ‘Meribah’ which means ‘the place of quarreling.’ What a reminder this is for me that in spite of me, God never abandons me or anyone and cares and loves. I think of the visits I had to the ‘really poor’ in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in the 70’s and my week in Haiti in 2000. The poverty was huge and in Haiti, it was totally widespread. The people only had the clothes they wore...Haitians feel if they have one change of clothes, they are not poor. The lesson I saw, learned and treasured was that these people were happy, really happy. Missionaries told me ‘they only have today and live for today and they know that God cares for them each day. So why do I complain and grumble?
Paul gives another example of God’s total care in spite of each person’s sinfulness. He says that God died for the “ungodly”—what did I do; nothing; what does God do; everything. Dr. Reginald H. Fuller’s great work, Preaching the Lectionary is one of the most often consulted work in preaching and biblical scholarship. He says this of today’s passage from Paul, “Justification and the gift of the Spirit are the outcome of God’s love. That love is not an abstract idea but something that happened—on the cross. The love of God in Christ on the cross was pure love, love not caused by the attractiveness of its object: while we were yet sinners and while we were yet helpless, Christ died for us. Through the cross God accepts sinners, and His acceptance of them is manifested by sending His Spirit to dwell in them and gradually transform them, so that eventually they will become in reality what they are in theory, namely, righteous.”
This is beautifully seen in the meeting of Jesus with the woman at the well. Why did Jesus talk to her and spend time with her? She was an infidel, a Gentile whom Jewish people refused to associate with. Yet she was ‘thirsty’; she came to the well for water. She came alone, not with the women because of her shame and multiple marriages. She had a yearning for the ‘living water’ that Jesus provides which would bring so much relief to her spiritual longing. Jesus cared for her, Jesus filled her...no person is ever not loved and cared for by God. Again I quote Dr. Fuller, “On the whole, we must take the dialogue as a Christian meditation on the meaning of Jesus for faith: He is the bringer of salvation; He exposed human sin; He inaugurates the true worship of God, which transcends all human approaches to God and is a worship in spirit and truth, a worship based upon the gospel. It is because Jesus is the bringer of the final revelation of God that He draws all to Himself as Savior of the World.”
So I ask where is my faith? Am I looking at the daily happenings in my life as totally separate from a God who loves me? Do I feel that I know the way to God? Do I come in faith to say, ‘Lord, thank you for the gift of faith, and help my unbelief.’ I reflect on:

• “What am I spiritually thirsting for? Acceptance? Wisdom? Forgiveness? Something else?”
  
• Have there been moments when I have felt that the love of God was poured into my heart? Is God’s love poured into us even when we don’t feel it?”
  
• Do I think that Jesus knows everything there is to know about me? Do I sometimes act as if my life is secret from Him? Am I ever afraid that if others knew me as well as I know myself that they might not like me?
  
• What might my life be like if I didn’t believe in God and heaven? Where would my meaning come from?
  

Sacred Space 2014 helps so much:

“Several times, the Samaritan woman seems to resist; perhaps she has developed a defensive, self-protecting habit. I ask God to help me to be open to receive good news from any source though which God may send it to me.

‘If only you knew what God is offering.’ Jesus yearns for me to be aware of God’s generosity towards me. I pray that I may open my heart to express my need and humbly receive the blessings of God.”

Fr. Don Miller OFM transitions this to the Eucharist, “We are here at this Eucharist today as a people of faith who have come together to remember the saving work of Jesus in our lives. Maybe there have been times we cried out in fear to God, forgetting His love. But today we have the opportunity to allow Him to gently lead us to deeper faith and satisfy our every ‘thirst.’ As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the saving events of Holy Week and Easter, let us open our hearts to the living water being freely offered to us.”

March 16, 2014

2^nd Sunday in Lent A

Genesis 12:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17: 1-9
I think in my life how often I feel like I’m going through it alone. At other times, I’m well aware that life is a ‘we’ that I am journeying to the Lord’s home with others. The readings point out so graphically that God is always present; God has called me and every one of His creatures to be with Him and God provides the opportunities for each person to be with Him. I am never alone, no one is.
God told Abram, “Go forth...I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you.” So often I look at my life to see what I have accomplished; but what difference does it make? If I’m living each day the best that I can and try to be a loving and caring person, I am doing all that God needs me to do. I can only do these acts of love and care with the grace that God fills me. So like Abram, I ‘go forth’ each day, and the ‘greatness’ that comes from me only comes from God’s graces and blessings to continue His plan of bringing all to Him forever. Like Abram I have to leave the security of my family and the familiarity of home to travel to the people and places where God is needed. It seems strange to compare oneself to Abram, but it is true. The first reading from Genesis introduces the epic journey of one man who despite the odds, his advanced years and all the uncertainties of the journey trusted in God. That is a powerful message for me...how often am I grateful and how often do I put my total trust in the Lord. I have found that I can only do this if I give up doing it my way, an ever present temptation.
Paul in writing to Timothy continues this call theme. Paul says that God is calling Timothy, himself and every person to a holy life. Paul’s merit, Timothy’s merit or mine have nothing to do with it. I did not do something ‘so glorious’ in my life that I deserve to be ‘called’ by God or to lead others closer to Him. God chooses, God calls; it is all part of God’s plan as Jesus said ‘to lose nothing of what You have given me.’ Now this can be a scary proposition if I put it all on myself. But God has called; that means that God gives everything necessary to the journey. I have to trust in God and ask for an awareness of His love every moment.
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and He gives a kind of ‘preview’ of His glory which will be completed at the fullness of God’s kingdom. Peter, James and John witness this glimpse of the glorified Lord. In a sense, it is a glimpse of the ending of the Gospel while still in the middle of it. This whole event comes and goes very quickly. These three apostles are given no explanation of what this means, only that they are to trust and not be afraid. After the Resurrection of Jesus, this will make sense to them. To each of us, it’s a stop along our journey of faith, but it is a very important stop for me and every person.

Msgr. Eugene Lauer in Sunday Morning Insights gives a powerful reflection: “The event of the transfiguration teaches us some profound lessons about Christian faith. The transfiguration is a sign and promise of the resurrection. It is a manifestation of Jesus as fulfillment of Old Testament promises. It is an experienced theology of hope.

In the midst of all these deep insights into our faith, there is contained in the transfiguration story an eminently practical point about faith-living, a simple lesson that we all sometimes forget. What are the final words of God, speaking from the cover of the clouds? What did the divine emphasize in the final climactic command to Peter, James and John?

‘Listen . . . .’

That’s it—listen. Peter didn’t understand that initially. He thought that for the moment to be complete, he had to say something (Peter always seemed to feel that way; he talked too much and usually ended up putting his foot in his mouth). That’s a common human trait. No event is finished, no encounter is authentic, unless we respond and explain totally and definitively how we understand perfectly.

Instead of listening in order to understand genuinely what the other person means and feels, how frequently do we do this: while the other person is speaking we spend our time carefully preparing what we are going to say in response.

We often do that with God in prayer. We explain precisely (for we have already figured it out so well) how the event should turn out, why the person should be cured, why our solution to the problem at hand is the best one. Then we tell God, reverently, piously, respectfully—but nonetheless we are doing the telling—what the divine should do.

Parents sometimes do the same with their children. Those in political and economic power do it with minorities. The rich do it with the poor. Those with PhD’s do it with the ‘common people'. And they don’t listen.

The gospel is simple this Sunday. ‘This is My beloved Son. . . . Listen to Him.’” So do I listen...not very well at all.
So I reflect on:

• Have I ever taken time to look at my life and its direction from God’s perspective? Do I know where I am going?
  
• I am being called, as each person is, to live the heroic life. This holy life according to God’s plan includes generous outpourings of love, mercy, forgiveness, and justice. Does this appeal to me? Am I running away from this? Do I ask God for help often?
  
• What do I know about myself that scares me, yet compels me to higher things?
  
• How often, in prayer, do I tell Jesus how wonderful it is to be in His presence? Where do I find Jesus in my day-to-day life?
  
• Do I allow the Holy Spirit to say this of me, ‘This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased?’
  

My Lenten journey reflection this week is to realize that ‘my conversion’ is to turn away from the ultimately frustrating values of ‘me first’ and turning to embrace the ‘spirit’ of Jesus’ humility and selflessness.

In doing this I have to realize that there exists in me and in each person the ‘divinity’, the Spirit of God that enables each person to ‘recreate themselves’ to become the person God calls me and each person to be.

March 9, 2014

1^st Sunday of Lent A

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4: 1-11
Lent has begun. Jesus went to John in the wilderness section of the Jordan River to be baptized. John’s father was a priest but John was certainly not in any way connected to the Jewish priesthood. He was not associated with any specific ‘group’ within Judaism. He was a loner and by today’s understanding, an eccentric. He was fiercely austere who denied himself food and drink, surviving on wild honey and locusts (which were often the staple diet of the poor.) More importantly than his looks was his preaching: he constantly challenged the complacent and the religiously secure. His words echoed a very harsh reality the prophets spoke on: “Do not presume to say to yourselves...” how easily I can fill in the rest of this sentence...I’m a Catholic...I’m a priest...I do my prayers...I follow the rules...so I must be doing what is right in God’s eyes. Yet John called for a radical conversion and a change of heart.
And Jesus came to be baptized by John. John said that “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me. I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” There is no indication that at this time John knew what would be happening. The whole literature of the prophets kept on repeating a reminder to the people of God’s faithfulness: “I will be your God, you will be My people”...I will be faithful, always. The people were constantly unfaithful, preferring their way to God’s way. John insisted that real holiness was not just a matter of attention to the inner life, but of loving concern for those in need. I am loved, by God, each person is; my role is to love as God loves. The bottom line is that “we think we know what is best for us, but God in His mercy knows better.” I need God and I must allow God to transform me.
This is what happened in Jesus’ life; He was such a charismatic person that they wanted Him to be the Messiah they wanted Him to be. They wanted Rome driven out. These were a temptation to Jesus (from the people and the devil)—take the easy way out, accept the hero worship of the crowd. This was their way, not God’s. God’s domain has nothing to do with power or supremacy. The temptation to power...It is all about God and not about me. Jesus constantly was tempted to yield to popular flattery, ‘Go ahead, and be easy on yourself...God really doesn’t expect you to be that sincere...that honest...that kind...take care of yourself.’ How easily those temptations have filled my life. Jesus said, ‘NO’.
Jesus was tempted to stop fasting and praying in preparation for His mission—‘make it easy on yourself, and turn stones into bread.’ How easy it is to give in...how easy it is to do it my way...how unfortunate it is when I do this and not realize that life is nourished by the Spirit, not only a good meal. It is the Spirit who is leading me to be open, to care, to respond to one in need, to love and to be loved.
Then the devil took Jesus to a view of the holy city tempting Him to show how God will care for Him by having the angels save Him when He jumps. This is what happened in the desert...the people did not trust God; they doubted His care for them. Don’t I do that too when I say, ‘Now why did this happen to me...what did I do to deserve this...haven’t I been good?’ This shows my total lack of faith, again wanting to do it my way.
Then the last temptation is the one to use worldly power to accomplish a political goal. Satan is making the offer of giving earthly kingdoms as if they were his to give. How does the devil lure me: it is always to give in...to do it the easy way...to be concerned about me and not about others...to not care for people God has placed in my life and to selfishly to hoard the gifts and talents.

Donald Spoto in The Hidden Jesus, A New Life says this: “The Gospels reiterate that the entire ministry of Jesus was hedged round with inducements to ease instead of sacrifice, to power instead of poverty of spirit. As late as His last meal, Jesus spoke with wary gratitude to His closest disciples: ‘You are those who have stood by Me in my trials.’ Those trials and temptations virtually defined the entire arc of His life—not only the lure of social-political power, but also the occasional efforts even by His friends to deter Jesus from His difficult but destined road, to encourage Him to seek comfort above commitment.

Behind the primitive narrative lies the tradition that Jesus drew His growing self-understanding from constant reflection on God’s word. He would be the faithful son and servant...Evil had suggested that Jesus subscribe to a brand of false, political messianism that, He knew was contrary to the will of God. But Jesus did not falter.”
The gospel writers say that Jesus ‘went about doing good.’ What a wonderful Lenten message for me. Msgr. Chet Michael constantly says that the three ever present temptations of the devil are to Power, Possessions and Pleasure. What am I to do to counteract these daily temptations in my life? Msgr. Chet says that the opposite of power is prayer; the opposite of possessions is almsgiving and the opposite of pleasure is fasting. So I ask and reflect on:

• Am I devoting myself to quality time of prayer and of the prayer of listening each day to God’s interaction in my life?
  
• Am I seeing that I have been gifted and I am to share especially more so during this season of thanksgiving and praise?
  
• Am I doing those little daily sacrifices that are building up in me the habit of saying, ‘No I don’t need that now...I’ll sacrifice and offer it up for someone I know who needs a little boost today?’
  
• What other sort of actions can I undertake in order to make Lent a time in which I let God’s grace work in my life?
  
• In reflecting, do I see that I am led to desolate places where I find temptation, places such as despair, sadness, envy?
  
• Do I allow myself to drift into places and circumstances where temptation is more likely to happen?
  
• St Ignatius Loyola said, “Love manifests itself in deeds more than words.” St. John of the Cross says, “In the evening of life, we will be examined in love.”
  

Lord, help me in loving these holy days!

March 2, 2014

8^th Sun in Ordinary Time A

Isaiah 49:14-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34
Lent is coming, Ash Wednesday is this week. So I’m looking at the readings and reflecting on what will I do this Lent? Maybe the question should be more directed as to where is the Lord leading me...what is He telling me...how can I be more in tune with the Lord, His presence in my life and the love and care that He has for me every moment? I find it so much easier to have the Lord lead me versus my ‘doing’ during this holy season. I look at the readings with this in mind.
Isaiah 49 has been one of the most beautiful passages in my life. Too often than not I have felt down in the dumps: why is this happening to me...where will relief come...I can’t seem to locate God...I feel abandoned and lost...I’m loaded with the ‘poor me’s’...and I’m not a very nice person to be around...God can you help me? And Isaiah speaks these wonderful words, “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” A little background: the people were discouraged and depressed. Their kingdom had collapsed and now they are fugitives and exiles far from home...what did they do to deserve this? Some had returned home and had witnessed the destruction and mess and were disheartened. Why did this happen? I have asked the same question...the people were lacking in hope, I know the feeling. They were crying out to God and where is He? Isaiah responds with beautiful female imagery for God, one of the few examples of this in the Bible. Patricia Datchuck Sanchez in The Word We Celebrate says this: “For the first nine months of human life, in the intimacy of an intrauterine environment, a bond is forged between mother and child—a bond that grows and deepens at birth, a bond that will be tried and tested as the years pass, a bond that ideally is never weakened or broken. When Deutero-Isaiah undertook his mission of bringing comfort to an exiled Israel, he relied on that universal human experience of a mother’s love in order to illustrate God’s fidelity and care for His people.” So why am I worried...no matter how strong the love of a mother is, God’s love is even stronger. God’s love for me and each person has no limits. So I am to come to God with my hurts and pains and let His love do all that is needed and more so.
Now the Corinthian community felt that their apostolic leaders were special people who had a special mystical knowledge (gnosis) that they shared with others. Paul is saying that the leaders are nothing special in themselves, they are servants, they have been entrusted with God’s world and are gifted by God and they are to share what they have been given. God is the judge of the motives of each person. So what I must do is just be Jesus...I do not have to worry, just trust in the graces that God gives and know He is leading me to Him through the sharing of these gifts. So I have to realize that I don’t have to worry about the opinions of others, it is all about God and how I am allowing God to work through me to be closer to Him.
Jesus is helping me in the Gospel to rely on His graces. Padre Pio summarizes it perfectly saying, “Pray, hope and don’t worry! Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear our prayer.” At first the passage seems to imply that the fundamental needs that all people have for food, drink and clothing should not be viewed as important; but that is not what Jesus is saying. Rather Jesus is referring to the anxiety and worry that people have about these things. How true this is in my life, I spend a lot of time in worrying about the many things that I cannot control. This brings anxiety which leads to not trusting in God. This does not mean that I am to spend my day doing nothing, but that I should address the problems, difficulties and challenges each day as they come. I have to trust that God’s care for me will provide what I really need for my life. I have to spend time in reflecting on this each evening...God does care...and I have to reflect and be grateful.
Alice Camille in Exploring the Sunday Readings gives a wonderful reflection:
“Normally when I’m anxious about something, I don’t have the time or patience to take lessons from a flower. I’m in no mood to watch the birds either. But maybe I should. Birds manage to get a lot done in a day without surrendering a minute to the fretting that I do. They forage for food, work on their nests, and call for their mates. They fly all over the neighborhood, exhausting every bit of energy they have getting the day’s work done. They know when it’s time to gather with the community and when to get out of town, too. And they still take time to sit for a while and sing songs that are not mating calls, that are apparently just for fun. They don’t worry about life. They just live it. They take care of many of the details, and the rest take care of themselves. That’s faith.” Then she adds, “Name five things you can learn from a flower that would nourish you own life.”
I have found that it is my prayer life that has helped me in trusting. Reading the Daily Office and the Psalms helps me to organize my priorities and to look at each of those things that bring me worry and to bring to mind that God is in control. God helps me take care of today and tomorrow isn’t here yet. So I ask much more now, ‘Lord I need You to help me with this...today.’ And He does. So I reflect on:

• What material needs do I worry about the most? What things am I not doing because of those worries?
  
• How does the image of a mothers’ love for her child help me to understand God’s love better?
  
• Someone once said, ‘You can tell the size of your God by looking at the size of your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God.”
  
• LENT is a journey with Jesus. In going on a trip, I have to make all the necessary preparations.
  
• In the Eucharistic acclamation we proclaim together, “Dying You destroyed our death, rising You restored our life” and “By your cross and resurrection You have set us free; You are the Savior of the world.” Is this at the heart of my Lenten daily life?
  

Sacred Space 2014 shares:

“Jesus shows us that worry undermines faith. I bring my worries before God. I ask for help to bring them into a truer perspective.

As a consumer, I may allow my values to be set by others. I review my wants and desires and ask God’s help to be happy with the good things that I enjoy, to resist being wistful about what I am told I lack.”