Bearing one another through love

In today’s reflection in the Word I read this from St. Paul’s writing to the early Christian community at Ephesus: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear­ing with one another through love,” (Ephesians 4:2). Wow!  I needed this, especially in light of how divided I am feeling with the political debate that just passed and many friends and colleagues who are beginning to draw the proverbial line in the sand.  They seem to be saying, “are you with us, or against us?” 

I was not happy with the presidential debates, as there was no real debate opportunity. It became a war on words and trading spin stories.  Neither candidate seemed to be really interested in getting to the meat of the issues.  The same happens in my social media circles; when I see some argue over abortion or artificial contraception; when we really should be debating the sanctity of life issue, and not limit it to only a woman's issue or a religious issue.  When I see some argue about greedy Wall Street billionaires, when we really should be debating the moral responsibilities that must be a part of a capitalistic economic system within a repubulic built on democratic ideals. There are no easy answers, and those issues are harder to debate, especially when one is given two minutes to respond to a complex question. It becomes easier to divide ourselves and point at who the "enemy" is.  

So in the spirit of this political season, instead of egaging in “conversations” that really doesn’t convince anyone to change their minds, I prefer a reflection on examining our minds and hearts.  This reflection is one I prepared a few weeks ago for a group of adults that I facilitate once a week as we got ready for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It is based on Jesus’ teaching on the Mount, known as the Beatitudes (Latin for “Blessings”). (Matt 5: 3-12) 

It is a teaching that is meant to help us understand that we are called rise above our own divisions  and distractions and become "counter cultural". We are called to be people who prefer to be transformational, rather than live in security and validation. 

 

1. Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God~

Do I trust God above all things?

Do I choose to live knowing that I am a child of God and that is more meaningful and significant than being part of any particular nationality , any political party or what gender I am?  

Am I aware that ALL of creation is blessed? Living and non-living, in any phase of development?

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted~

Do I take responsibility for the problems in the world?

Do I make choices based on how my choices may impact others? 

When others around me are suffering, do I allow myself to share in their suffering?

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth~

Do I go through my day as though only I possess all the right answers? 

Do I listen to others, even if I don’t agree with them, and respond to them in love?  

Do I believe that groups wholly define a person, or do I take time to get to know the person and love them for the unique gift they bring to my world?

4. Blessed are those who search for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied~

What motivates me?  Is it my own desire to succeed, to have it all, to achieve greatness, to be in power/control? 

Am I on a quest for truth and peace within myself?

What am I willing to sacrifice in order to defend all that is sacred?

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy~

Am I quick to condemn or judge others, especially when what they say or how they live isn’t in alignment with my own values?

Do I forgive those who have offended me or do I prefer to live with resentment and cynicism?  

Do I pray for others?

Do I sacrifice for others needs, without making a big deal of it, without expecting anything in return, even when it is inconvenient for me?

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God~

Do I examine all issues through the lens of love?

Do I realize that I am either working towards love, or against it. 

Do I let myself be distracted by the “spin” from others who prefer that we stay distracted and confused.

Do I broaden my vision and realize that truly loving ourselves and loving others is only possible if we love God first with our whole mind, body, and soul?

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God~

Do I pray for those who seem to be my enemies?

Do I avoid dualistic thinking: Conservative vs. Liberal, Democrat vs. Republican,  
Christian vs. Muslim, Wall street and Main street, Anglos vs. Hispanics, Us and them?

Am I able to walk away when I would rather make my point, although it would add to the chaos or anger or frustration?

Am I aware that prayer demands me to be counter cultural?

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven~

What are the values and issues that I am willing to defend?

When have I been courageous enough to stand against what everyone else seems to be tolerating?

What trends do I follow?  

 When my children beg me for something because “everyone else” has one or is doing it, do I give in, even if I know it is not in the best interest our family?

9. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in Heaven.

Do I live my life in fear or in gratitude?

Do I make my decisions from a desire for goodness for all of creation? 

Am I able to accept the consequences to all the choices I have made and will make?

Do I live a life that speaks of “peace, gentleness, love, humility, joy” without having to utter those words?

The Blessing Cups

Each of my children prepared for their first Communion at 2^nd grade.  This is a great age; children easily and eagerly love Jesus.  At the end of their year of preparation, they were presented with a blessing cup. They cherished their cups. Placed by their meal at dinner time, a visible reminder of how we share our blessings in our home with one another. Each cup served a reminder of how we share in the Lord’s blessing as we go to our church and Jesus shares himself with us at Mass.  We transform ourselves through worship and we affect our world by that transformation. This is a blessing!

Today as I cleaned the blessing cups that belonged to each of my children, I wondered what is the symbolism of the “cup”?  In the OT, Jeremiah speaks of Israel as having to drink the cup of the fury of the Lord at his hand.  Something was handed to Israel, which they had to endure. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not my will but yours be done”.  Psalms 23 says “my cup runneth over”. I became aware that “cup” is our field of experience, of which we have no control over. The cup is used throughout the Bible as a figure of what life hands us.  Jesus knew what he was preparing for, as he prayed in the Garden; he was ready to accept what life was about to hand him. We don’t accept so readily, because we aren’t prepared.  Not being prepared means we can’t understand this kind of surrender to life.  Having a more mature faith, one grounded in a relationship with the Father, allows one to not only understand it, but to live it gracefully: to live what Catholics call, The Paschal Mystery. 

"If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done". This is the journey to the cross; the paschal mystery is what Jesus is referring to.  This is his cup to drink. He is spiritually ready for this experience that will take us all into new life.

How many Gardens of Gethsemane do we find ourselves in?  Jesus spent his life preparing to make a decision that would impact all of humanity and for all eternity.  How do I prepare for those moments when my choices can either drive me away from God or closer to Him forever?  Do I concern myself with my spiritual preparation or just the spiritual celebrations?  Preparation requires rigor and discipline.  Suddenly those four cups reminded me of how far removed I am because I am easily distracted in a world of what is seen only.  The creed I recite at every Mass says “I believe in one God…maker of heaven and earth…of all things visible and invisible….”  These cups today reminded me that I must remember those things that are not visible.  They made me reflect, how many times did I not see my cup? Where I may have walked away out of fear or out of pride?  Yes, I am sure I have.

In our baptism we began to prepare for our cup.  Our parents started our journey for us, by taking us to be plunged into the waters of spiritual life. It was through their faith that God began his work in me. Remembering what the baptismal font looked like from old photos, it was like a cup too! A large marble basin filled with living water that initiated me into the Paschal Mystery.  As an adult, I now understand that my baptism was more than just a “one moment in time” event.  I must be ready to baptize myself into every event in my life so I can continue to die to the old and be renewed into new life. This is what it means to live the Paschal Mystery.

I wiped dry and gently sat the cups back in the cupboard tonight. I thought of my kids, three of the them are adults now. We don't use the blessing cups as often anymore.  Tonight I prayed: Lord, may I always show the way to you to my children. Help us to be worthy of your blessings, that we may be prepared always to be a blessing to others and that we may come to share in your cup of salvation.  Amen.

Sketching/reflecting upon the Old Cathedral de Habana

CCayon-10-15-12

I was too young to remember your impressive face

That gazes upon a plaza full of people in the historic square

I only have images to reflect upon your striking look

One that has  absorbed sun and rain and much more in Old Habana.

quick sketches from a series of sketches on 10-15-12

 

Your centuries old face has undulating crevices, creases and folds

Perhaps gently caressing moments from a forgotten time

When citizens gathered for worship and fellowship within your walls

praying for a future that included life and liberty for all.

 

Now your imposing face appears paralyzed in time

Causing tourists and citizens who may pause to inquire

About your longing sad smile and beckoning bell towers and

why such Gestures of grander periods of your past  still evoke such hope?

 

I may never have the chance to discover the delight in hearing those campanas toll for freedom

Or walk casually through the narrow avenues of my old native city

Where I may chance upon this node that pleasantly welcomes all

And  glance with many who walk within your shadow, upon your Mona Lisa-like smile

 

For now, I pay tribute to your unique outline with my sharpened pencils

loosely I lay your edges and notice their contrast against a resplendent blue Cuban sky

Filling in those secret memories with somber colors from my paint brush

I long to walk through your cool shade of my old cathedral in Habana.

 

 

Parking lot conversations

The parking lot is full of cars for the afternoon Spanish Mass. Zac and I make our way towards my office on the other side of the campus where we parked when we got there at 8:30 that morning. It’s been a long and fulfilling day.  We’re both hungry and ready for a lunch break. We started with morning Mass with the whole family, today Zac served as Cross bearer. After Mass he joins Mr. David Smith’s 5^th grade class and his older sister Catie who is a co- catechist.  He serves as their aide. This year Mr. Smith is experimenting with a new product that my team and I are considering using in our curriculum, so there is an unexpected fun aspect to the lesson plans that he has not experienced before. He loves going to this class.

My daughter Catie has taken a more active lead role this year. The fact that she is sharing herself with this class makes me smile.  Mr. Smith has mentored her for a few years now. She has been helping in catechism classes since she was in 4^th grade. This is who she is: someone who gently makes her way through our community, leaving deep prints in the hearts of many young kids and adults she has assisted. The deepest of which, I am sure, is the imprint she has made (and continues to make) on her little brother.

Finally, noon comes and Zac goes to his next class; his own 6^th grade Faith Formation group. His teacher is a young, new catechist.  Her name is Ms. Rachel.  He seems to really enjoy that class and this is usually the topic our conversation each Sunday as he and I slowly trek back to our car.

Usually our conversation goes something like:

Me: How was class today?

Him: hmmmm…Good.

Me: What did you talk about?

Him: Silence…..More Silence……

Him(finally): …. about a camel and the eye of a needle, but I have a question……

He always has questions.  We talk about the spiritual meaning behind the literal messages he heard.  This is the moment in my day when I can put my “mommy hat” back on. It’s been a constant day of moving from one issue to the next for me, answering various administrative needs, being present to catechists, to families in need. I can be mom to my son now…this interchange brings me peace.   I allow the peaceful silence to be part of the discussion. He needs time to form his thoughts. He is processing deep insights. Meanwhile, I am putting aside the problems I could not resolve today. I realize I can handle them tomorrow. I try not thinking of the things I need to do when we get home. Right at that moment I am just walking through a parking lot with my son and being present to his questioning heart.   This is what our faith is about…searching for answers. Our search will always yield more questions.  God is usually found in the silence. Our heart desires silence. Can we find answers in a silent walk through a parking lot?  We try.  And we walk. I resist giving him quick answers or helping him form his questions.  He struggles to share his concepts, but when he finally does, I admire his ability to make certain connections and ask more questions.

These Sunday experiences form our own mother-son faith stories. I am so thankful for these parking lot conversations and how they are such a meaningful transition in my day.