Strength and Rest

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Christianity, Eagle, God, Isaiah, Jesus, Lord, Old Testament, Religion and Spirituality, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

One of my best memories of working outside was on a day I was mowing the grass in our back field. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that turned out to be an eagle taking flight from the cornfield below. I watched for a full ten minutes, I think, as the eagle soared and circled all around our land. It was as if s/he were blessing everything in that broad circular path – an amazing sight.

I thought of that eagle this morning when I read today’s selection from the prophet Isaiah. He says: Those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar as with eagles’ wings. They will run and not grow weary.

As if that were not enough encouragement to get me going, today’s gospel adds to the promise of Isaiah and lets us know that if we have become weary, Jesus is there asking us to come to him for rest. Being cradled in his arms, as the lamb from yesterday’s reading, is comfort enough to say “yes” once again to the dawning day.

Lost & Found

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Christianity, God, God the Father, Gospel, Jesus, Parable of the Lost Sheep, Religion and Spirituality, Rhetorical question, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today it is the structure of the gospel passage about the “lost sheep” that catches my attention. Jesus asks his disciples what appears to be a rhetorical question about the behavior of a shepherd – something with which they, in their culture, would be much more familiar than we are. He is obviously really interested in having them listen to what he wants to say because he begins by saying, “What is your opinion?” but it’s amusing because after he asks whether the shepherd of 100 sheep would leave the 99 and go in search of one that was lost, he doesn’t wait for them but assumes a positive by saying, “…if he finds it, he rejoices over it more than the ninety-nine that did not stray.” I see the disciples in that moment reacting variously to being asked their opinion. One says, “Huh? What’s the question?” Another: “Uh oh, here comes a test.” The third, “I know I can get this one!” and so on. At least a couple of them must’ve been happy it turned out to be rhetorical…

The point of all this is, of course, the analogy that Jesus is making to how much God loves us. “In just the same way,” he says, “it is not the will of your Heavenly father that even one of these little ones be lost.” That includes us, for sure!

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.

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