Month: September 2021
Reflection As persons, we have an internal unity. Who we are and what we believe infuses what we do. We cannot really separate our visible choices or words from what we say our faith beliefs are. The old adage is “Practice what you preach”. To do otherwise opens us to being viewed as hypocritical. To profess to be Christian means our lives reflect the teachings of Jesus. We can’t profess…
Reflection Wonder is especially important in our times, because our world has given up wonder for use as our primary experience of the universe. Use might be considered the primary orientation of American civilization toward the universe it inhabits, especially to the North American continent. Use goes with personal freedom and rights to property. To be real, a thing must be useful. Anything nonuseful is wasted, is meaningless…We seldom…
Reflection When weather events are threatening, we abruptly realize the distortion of our climate. But, at other times do we really pay attention? Every day we are dependent on Earth not only for our bodily survival but also for the renewal of our spirits. We have a deep connection with the essence of our planet home. Even if we live in the city, our human bond with Earth requires a…
Reflection At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God’s creation and the one human family. It is about protecting both the human environment’ and the natural environment. To embrace our role as stewards of God’s creation, we must employ restraint and moderation in the use of material goods, so…
Reflection And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded Matthew 10:42 Ordinary things can impact people in extraordinary ways. It isn’t about the value of the gift. It’s all about the giver and the receiver. The gift is not given grudgingly and out of obligation. It isn’t given with any misgivings about the receiver. The…
Reflection Spiritual teachers tell us to live in the present moment, to be steeped in the blessings of the now. At any moment of life it is all we can be sure we have. Time slips away and only the present moment is what is real. “Today is yesterday’s tomorrow”. It is a reminder that life is precious. To rush busily through our days without noticing the unfolding of the…
Reflection Living in the present time, we need moral courage. Moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition or discouragement. It is the conviction that we are to be guided by conscience despite those, no matter their position, who may try to influence our thinking or behavior. This type of courage is needed whenever we confront a difficult or disturbing situation. Moral courage motivates…
Reflection The only truths which serve as the operating systems of our souls are love, compassion, kindness, grace, empathy, acceptance. The darkness we face as the human race right now, is a result of our planet and our souls evolving out of fear, and into love. It’s hard to imagine that the world will return to operating the way we previously did. Love is the peace in the pain. Love…
Autumn Equinox Reflection There is poignancy to autumn. The early dawn of mornings and the long brightness of evenings have slowly shortened into a balance of light and darkness. Sunrise occurs later and the night begins to fall earlier each evening. We know darkness will grow before light slowly increases. Animals begin to hibernate. The trees, whose new green announced springtime, lose their green and reveal the brilliant oranges, reds and…
Reflection It is dangerous to oneself and others to live rigidly in one’s own world no matter what the factual evidence may be. A view based in one’s own perception or bias prevents openness to the surrounding reality. The facts are there but paying attention to them becomes too problematic. It would require one to face reality and change. It would mean losing one’s comfortable illusions. It’s easier to ignore…