Breathe In, Breathe Out

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breathe, gratitude, new reality, one breath at a time, possibility, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, transition

Today is a day to rejoice in the ability of the human spirit to rise to challenge and see what promise there is in each day. We had a day of ceremony yesterday here in the United States of America. It was a day of gratitude for technology and creativity, a day to participate in the unfolding of a new day, a new reality. I sat in our living room all day, unwilling to miss a moment of what was happening in the transition of leadership in government. It had to be simple and we had to intuit the smiles on faces that were masked but that was easy to do because we knew a new day had dawned and the eyes of the country were shining with hope.

President Biden said at one point that he had been asked recently to describe the United States in one word. His answer was: POSSIBILITY. If he had been asked to expand his answer to a sentence, I have no doubt that he might have said, “All things are possible for those who love God.” That’s how I feel today. It’s as if we have hardly been able to breathe lately and now we understand a way forward: one breath at a time.

Little Christmas

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blessings, Eckhart Tolle, epiphany, gratitude, present moment, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Eckhart Tolle has an appropriate message for today. His “Present Moment Reminder” says the following:

When you make the present moment the focal point of your life instead of past and future, your ability to enjoy what you do – and with it the quality of your life – increases dramatically.”

That seems a perfect corollary to the celebration of the Epiphany, the date of which is usually January 6th but has sometimes been changed to accommodate the faithful whose work schedule is Monday – Friday. I think of the song from the movie “Mame” that shouts out how “we need a little Christmas, right this very minute…we need a little Christmas now.” It was difficult to have a “normal” Christmas this year so maybe what we ought to try is a “do-over,” spending some time on this day when we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the world to consider how we see Christ in those people who cause gratitude to rise in us whenever we think of or encounter them – and all of the blessings – spiritual and physical – that we have been given over the past year.

BOMBAS

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dignity, gratitude, prayers of gratitude, remember, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Veterans Day

I was just looking at a new website – new to me, I mean. It’s called Bombas. Maybe you’ve heard of them. They make socks and for each pair they sell, they give one pair to a homeless person. They say that the one item of clothing most needed by poor or homeless people is socks. At the moment their website says that they have given away 40,000 pairs of socks! (You see why I say it’s not new. I think they have been in existence for about five years, but still, that’s a lot of socks!)

Today I saw a new face of Bombas. It concerned their care for military veterans. I’m amazed at their organization and happy that I found it on the internet in a new way on this Veterans’ Day holiday. The Executive Director of Bombas, Marguerite Bachand, announced today Operation Dignity, a program serving at-risk veterans in their 20s, their 70s and every age between, providing them and their families with emergency, transitional and permanent housing as well as comprehensive outreach and support services, under the title, Operation Dignity. (You can find it on the internet.) Today is a great day to remember the service of our military men and women. If you are so inclined and able, why not give socks for Christmas this year? (…even order them today from Bombas!).

Perhaps the greatest gratitude you can give is through your prayer. Please join me throughout today – and beyond – in offering a bow of gratitude in the prayers we say for all those we know and those unknown to us who have given service to our country and the world. God’s blessing on our Veterans!

The Right to Vote

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election, gratitude, prayer, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, voting

This could perhaps seem to be a postscript to yesterday’s post about patience but, for me, it’s also a reminder of the privilege I have to live where I do—in the United States of America, I mean. Sometimes these days I am sad when I speak of or write the letters USA because of all the discord that exists in our country right now. It seems that the “U” (United) is tottering on a precipice as we face our Election Day next Tuesday. This year is different, however, allowing many people to more easily exercise that most precious right of voting. Because of the threat of disease we have many options of place and time to vote.

Yesterday was my sister’s birthday and I consciously made the decision to vote on that day as a sort of bow to her years of ministry in service to our government. I was hoping for good weather and lines that were not too long although the more important thing was the hope of lots of people doing their civic duty! It was a rather strange but somehow quite meaningful event. Because we were all masked, conversation was at a minimum; only couples could be seen close enough to talk to one another. The early rain had stopped and as we snaked toward the door of the building (interestingly named “Cooperative Extension – Taste New York”) the sun came out to brighten the mood of this quiet bunch, adding a peaceful quality to the event as everyone waited their turn, keeping a safe distance but moving steadily together toward the doors of opportunity.

As I moved forward, I became aware of the diversity in the crowd as well as our unity of purpose and intent. I began to pray then for our country and the people in front of and behind me in that line. I prayed for the youngest, for the lady with her little dog and for the elderly woman with a cane whose resolve was evident in her slow progress to the door where (blessedly) she was invited by everyone to pass along before them. I prayed in gratitude for the poll workers and for peace in the coming week, that all might be safe. and I prayed in thanksgiving for the privilege of living in this country and for the stamina we need now to navigate the challenges we face as a nation.

My prayer for us continues as today I pray: God bless us all and God bless the United States of America!

The Ministry of Healing

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coronavirus, frontline, gratitude, selfless service, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Luke’s gospel moves quickly into the mission of Jesus as healer. By Chapter 4, he has already cured Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a severe fever and then spent the night – from sunset to daybreak – curing all those who came to him with “various diseases.” Even as he goes away to a deserted place, they follow and try to call him back. There seems no rest for him, weary as he is from working all night.

I am instantly reminded of the ambulance drivers, the orderlies, the nurses and doctors who are working non-stop to stem the tide of the Coronavirus. I can imagine they never expected to be swallowed up as they are now – from dawn to dusk and into the night, working to save lives.

They will be my focus for gratitude today, with the hope that they can persevere and know the peace that comes from selfless service.

Leave It to the Little Ones

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gratitude, Jesus, Matthew, Rilke's Book of Hours, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Sometimes I just need to let go of the ordinary and let the possible extraordinary wash over me bringing joy or hope. This morning, for example, on my way to the USCCB website (U.S. Bishops) where I find the daily Scripture readings, but before I successfully found today’s gospel, I was treated to a four-year-old girl not only identifying photos of an ear, a heart and a pair of lungs but also correctly explaining their function to Ellen DeGeneres. Then there was a man holding his 4-week old baby, giving instructions that the season of crying was over and now the baby ought to do nothing more than smile. Miraculously, the baby did just that! “Enough of this!” I said to myself. “Let’s get serious!” At that moment Rilke’s Book of Hours caught my eye and I opened to a previously marked page that said the following:

You too will find your strength. We who must live in this time cannot imagine how strong you will become—how strange, how surprising, yet familiar as yesterday. We will sense you like a fragrance from a nearby garden and watch you move through our days like a shaft of sunlight in a sickroom…(p. 183)

So with all of that experience gathered I was not surprised to find the passage from Matthew’s gospel for today that said: At that time Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones…” (MT 11: 25-26)

And thus, a shaft of light bringing gratitude to my 72 year-old self will allow a relief of total responsibility for the salvation of the world today, remembering that God is in charge and sees each generation through the challenges that arise and will undoubtedly be conquered!

Preparation/Determination

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consciousness, discipline, gratitude, prayer, thanks, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, to do list

Pentecost is on the horizon – not ready yet to burst forth but definitely building in energy. I just made a list of necessary tasks, those that I need to complete before what we call “Ordinary Time” begins again. That season is the longest in its liturgical “counting” of weeks and it is dawning on me that it may, indeed, indicate a “new normal” for us, in some manner at least. Today is not a time for lament on what seems lost but an opportunity to begin (if we haven’t already) to recognize a new season of consciousness.*

As I hurriedly picked up a used envelope, soon to be discarded to the trash, on which to write a list of tasks to be done before Sunday, I noticed I had already used part of the space on the back for a random quote. That’s not unusual. I often find these messages of import, saved for later when they offer perfect advice for the new day. This one seems quite appropriate for my mood and the rising tide of determination in me this morning. (The sun just broke through the clouds to underscore the moment.)

The envelope reminded me: The transformative power of gratitude cannot be overestimated…If the only prayer you ever pray is “THANKS!” it is enough. Two messages that become one in my quest for meaning and discipline today. May it follow me through the hours and breathe in me as a recognition of having done my best (even if not having totally completed all tasks) by nightfall.

Where do you hope to be by the end of the day?

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N.B. *While it is true that Pentecost is my “push point” for newness, it may be helpful for all to know that there is still time to prepare for newness of spirit. The Sunday after Pentecost (June 7th) is Trinity Sunday, the actual day of transition. We take the Triune God with us as we step into the period of “counting” or Ordinary Time.

Zooming Along

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communication, consciousness, gratitude, information, love, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, virtual connection, Zoom

Each day now it becomes more apparent to me how much life has changed. As I say that, phrases come flowing forward from the recesses of my brain, like “in the twinkling of an eye.” That one isn’t really accurate because the change has been incremental and continues as the virus has spread but sometimes it seems as if “the rug has been pulled out from under us.” That seems a more accurate assessment because it is about the recognition and/or the acknowledgement of the shifts that has reached each of us in similar (but probably not matching) ways.

For many of us, the greatest change is in the way that we receive and share information. While there are many relatively new platforms for connecting, one that seems simple and therefore quite accessible to many people is ZOOM! I have been personally grateful for this way of virtual connection for about five years now as it allows me to join “nun” meetings in Albany, New York that would otherwise necessitate five hours of driving to and fro. In addition I am now connected with my Sisters and other people all across this country and even sometimes across the world.

While still not as satisfying as a “face-to-face” encounter, technology has facilitated connections that would be impossible without it. Paying attention to that fact reminds me to give thanks for the great minds that have created the programs now available to us. From that consciousness I am led to celebrate those scientists who are working diligently to find new ways to heal us of this pandemic and those who care for our sisters and brothers infected by the virus.

I could spend my days now zooming from one thought stream to another! It does seem that “everybody’s doing it!” What I hope will always be my companion on these journeys is a huge amount of gratitude and love for those I encounter along these virtual pathways. I wish the same for all of us.

Attitude = Gratitude

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attitude, gratitude, light, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, virtual liturgy

I cannot escape this world that I live in, even if I wanted to with my whole self, that is: body, mind and spirit. So here is what seems quite evident to me on this first day of the week. I woke up with the thought that I need to change my attitude toward the present state of the world. I recognized that I have been devolving into a reactive mode with the negative forces (restrictions, political rhetoric, etc.) rising while my normal state of optimism was receding. The miracle of the day is that everything is converging to feed the good on my path.

Kitchen conversations at “coffee hour” just now were all about the spiritual lessons of yesterday given free of charge on the internet by spiritual leaders of East and West. Today’s lectionary readings at usccb.org were like stepping stones into light. Then more gifts from bloggers followed and I am now set to join a virtual congregation of Mass-goers at my favorite local Church to touch back into my heritage of beautiful Catholic ritual where approximately 300 believers will join with the exquisite singing voices of Pat and Jan and to listen to the wisdom of Father Charles whose presence as presider is a gift in itself. Additionally, every time I participate in this virtual Sunday liturgy, it seems that the seven necessary participants are joined by others. The resonance and volume seem to indicate many more participants in the church when in reality we are elsewhere but joining in spirit.

How can I not be grateful for this day, this opportunity to live in light – even in the face of what appears to be opposition? I am convinced of the call to shake off “the deeds of darkness” and bathe in the Light. Might you find ways to join in this attitude of gratitude today?

Zooming Along

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Bill Redfield, connect, consciousness, experiment, gratitude, lovingkindness, retreat, solidarity, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, unity, Zoom

I participated in three hour-long zoom calls yesterday. I can see the value in each but, in a contest, would have voted the first my favorite. Although it began at 7:00 AM (not my best time to be fully functioning), there were several reasons to recommend it. As a pre-planned part of Bill Redfield’s Lenten on-line retreat, there was content to discuss. Interesting that although the discussion took a turn because of the COVID-19 virus that is ever-present now, the 16 early risers folded that topic in to the discussion in a way that was seamless and totally appropriate. We found the call to consciousness and lovingkindness heightened in ways we could never have predicted because of the virus.

The second offering was an experiment and, like most “first tries,” it was rather chaotic, especially at the start. As an invitation to a virtual “open house” to meet the new Congregational Leadership Team of our religious community, this call was a replacement (one of five) for the pre-planned “in-person” visit of these five women. In essence, it was a remarkable feat, offering more Sisters more opportunity to interact with the leadership than ever before because we are over 800 women spread across the United States and in Peru. The downside of the meeting was the lack of familiarity with Zoom and the large number of Sisters who responded to the invitation. Although it was honestly chaotic, the hour provided opportunities to see and hear one another (more or less!) and to know ourselves as part of a powerful force for good, larger than ourselves, and willing to move to a new way of connecting that will, in time, be of great benefit to us in the future.

Back for the evening offering of Bill Redfield’s Lenten retreat at 7PM, there was conversation of the same nature as in the morning but with a twist. In a way that is still a mystery to non-technophiles, Bill sent us for awhile to small group “rooms.” Because there were 30 participants, we were randomly divided into groups of three for the major part of the hour. While I’m always happy to experience all the participants – some of whom I have known in other retreat experiences – the wonder of being thrust into what is always a deep and meaningful conversation with two or three people I have never met before is always a blessing. My half hour with Dave and Tony was just such a gift.

So what is the point of all this? The willingness of people to find new ways to connect and the recognition of our need to know not only that life goes on in times of challenge and distress but also that we can be lifted up in solidarity with others who are experiencing the same is a blessing in the midst of this worldwide crisis. More than anything we have experienced, this moment calls us to unity and to a gratitude for the generosity of people who serve in ways that motivate us all to deeper understanding. May it be so for all of us. God bless us all!