The importance of listening

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Andrew, Apostle, Epistle to the Romans, God, Good News, Jesu, Lord, Saint Andrew, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today is the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. All of the readings for this day speak in some way about the role of an “apostle” – one who speaks/preaches. In the letter to the Romans, Paul reiterates a line from the Hebrew Scriptures that emphasizes this role rather lyrically. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” In Eastern spiritual practice, devotees often reverence the feet of their guru as one who walks in light. Christians have attributed that line to Jesus whom we see as the one who brought the “Good News” to our world. The psalm for today (19) is also replete with beauty as the psalmist sings: “Your words, O  Lord, are spirit and life! They are more precious than gold, sweeter than honey…”

Perhaps there are no more important words than those spoken by Jesus in today’s gospel to Andrew. “COME,’ Jesus says. “Follow me.” What if Andrew and the other fishermen who met Jesus that day had been so occupied with their nets that they didn’t clearly hear (with their hearts) what Jesus was saying? Perhaps today is a good time to ponder what is being said to us and about how we might sharpen our inner ear so that we might be ready to respond to the call of God each day.

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Even in the silence…

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Book of Daniel, Business, Consumer Goods and Services, Flowers and Foliages, God, Lord, Refrain, Religion and Spirituality, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

As I look out my window this morning all is still. There is no wind and the gentlest snow is falling, so quiet as to disturb nothing of the silence that envelops the creation. In this moment the response to the first reading seems out of place with its refrain of “PRAISE AND EXALT HIM ABOVE ALL FOREVER” (from the Book of Daniel). The lines between repetitions of the refrain fairly shout wild activity with images of seas and rivers, dolphins and all water creatures, birds of the air, beasts wild and tame…but the line that spoke to me in the midst of this was: “Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.” I look out and see only bare trees and think of all the plants and bushes that we have cut down in preparation for winter. It seems as if nothing has survived the cold, but then a verse we often use for funerals comes to mind. “They seemed in the view of the foolish to be dead…” With that, I begin to feel the energy of those bulbs, sleeping now, which in the spring will amaze us with their beautiful flowers. And I know it is the same with us. The season that is upon us is the best for entering our “inner room” and recalling what is always happening in us if we are attentive. Our on-going creation – especially in the silence – calls us daily toward the recognition of God’s life in us which will appear, when we make ourselves ready, in the flowering of our truest selves.

Thoughts for Thanksgiving

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First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, Gospel of Luke, Lord, Luke, Psalm 145, Sirach, Thanksgiving, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

The Scripture readings for today fairly shout feelings of gratitude for the opportunity to reflect on all that God has done and is doing. We are also reminded to give thanks for everything, since we are not always attuned to the deeper “goings on” in our lives. Let me clarify:

From the Book of Sirach: May God grant you joy of heart, and may peace abide among you.

From Psalm 145: Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.

From 1 Corinthians: God is faithful.

From the Gospel of Luke: Ten lepers were cleansed. Only one returned to give thanks.

These readings, taken together, seem to show a pattern for the day. The holiday of Thanksgiving, a traditionally American event, often wakes us in the morning with joy or peace in our hearts and the expectation of connecting somehow with those we love – even if not in person. (Sirach)

We are reminded, sometimes in a religious service, sometimes as we sit around a table feast praying grace, that the beauty of creation around us and within us is due to God’s generosity and creativity. (Ps. 145)

If we take the time as we share stories on this day and other days to look at how our lives have unfolded, we may recognize hidden blessings, opportunities for growth, sometimes hidden in even the painful moments of our lives. (1 Corinthians)

Lastly, we are reminded to verbalize often and live always our thanks for all that we have been given. (Luke 17).

May your day be filled with the joy and peace, love and blessings from Sister Lois, Barbara and the growing community that is The Sophia Center for Spirituality.

Blessings

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Catholic Church, Children and Youth, Christianity, Holiday, Religion and Spirituality, Roman Catholic, Sophia, Thanksgiving, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this vigil of the holiday I am really grateful that I have finally been able to get past all the bugs and roadblocks to blogging through the wonder of a new computer and the efforts of Mary Pat Hyland, a patient teacher and webmaster. If all goes as planned, what I hope to post most days are short reflections on the Scripture readings of the day from the Roman Catholic lectionary. Be assured that these will not be concerned with doctrine but rather (in keeping with our vision here at The Sophia Center) simple thoughts on how something in the readings touches my heart in a way that may help me grow and, by posting it here, help us to grow together. I welcome your reflections in response!

Blessings to all!

Sister Lois Barton, Program Director at Sophia