The Light of Christ

Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling as though you’ve dragged through the year wearing a bathrobe through life?  Well this morning I feel that way.  It’s gray and snowy outside.  It’s going to be one of those days when it is dark all day.  I’ve got to motivate myself out of this gloomy feeling.  I seem to get this way during the holidays.  I am surrounded with individuals who are so into shopping; people who seem to forget the real meaning of the season.  The commercialization of Christmas can bring a person down and stressed out.  But advent is my special time.  I was baptized and confirmed as a Catholic on the 17^th of December.  And I am very happy that it was close to Christmas.  I need to get up, take a shower, turn on a bunch of lights, go out, take a walk, come back, put on some beautiful Christmas music, and eat some breakfast.  It’s time to take off the bathrobe and see the light in my life, the light of Christ.

Things seem to be funnier when you are not allowed to laugh.

A Catholic church is not like other large gathering areas, such as a sports stadium or a concert hall.  In a church, there is no place for ordinary bystanders.  Mass is not something we observe but something we do. The entire setting is the "participating arena" and you are the troupe; the entire church is the "stage" and you are the company.  We act; God is honored.

Once at a prominent cathedral, I was sitting near the front with most of all the front pews vacant.  The organist began.  Without thinking twice, I stood up and was compelled to begin singing the entrance song.  As everyone rose up and followed my lead, they began singing with me.  As we were singing, we kept waiting for the procession, but no show.  The priest and the liturgy had not begun.  It appeared that the organist was just practicing the entrance song.  At that moment I felt foolish but wanted burst out laughing.  And then I wanted to apologize for leading the others in song so abruptly.  But the individuals and I just sat down and acted like nothing had happened.  It’s amazing how many people will follow when you act confident and assertive, especially in a sacred dwelling.

These Days

These days I use an online dictionary while working at my desk.  But today I pulled out my American Heritage Dictionary stacked between desk files and an old telephone book.
Looking through the pages of my dictionary, I came across mementoes I had stuck between pages that were forgotten.
Randomly throughout my dictionary I found the following:  a pineapple-chicken recipe, Psalm 139 typed out on a piece of paper, a pink card with the word, “synchronicity” written on it, and the word, “eschatological” written out on a yellow slip of paper, and still another word, “seraphim”.  There was a picture of a graphic book title, “Designer’s Guide to Global Color Combinations”.  There was a picture of an icon of Jesus with open arms from Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre.

Beautiful Leaf

I have been  working on a special project and it has been awhile since I've used my Google Blogger or Gmail.  I'm trying to be more attentive.

I love trees.  And all the leaves that dress them.  Each season, I look forward observing the beauty they give to our world.



"Never be so busy as to not think of others."
--Mother Teresa



Words for a composer

Biking

One of my neighbors uses a bike for work, recreation, and errands.  And he has biked forever.  He actually owns two bikes.  He keeps one as a backup.  I have seen him occasionally downtown in all kinds of weather; even during winter.  And lately I have been pondering?  Why not bike?

Since the time when my auto was totaled, about a year and half ago, I have been building up a "car fund" putting money into my credit union.  My thinking was that I could put down a large down payment.  But now I find that I have become comfortable in using public transportation.  Also, because of the economy, I have grown cautious about parting with my savings.  Along with setting aside money, I have saved a chunk of change not buying gasoline and all the other stuff that comes with maintaining a vehicle.  I have been walking more.  Given that bikes are transported by the buses, biking seems to be a reasonable and fun way to get around town more without using a taxi.  I said something to my doctor about biking in town as a way of transportation, and she was concerned due to all the traffic.  There is a designated bike trail, but I want to use a bike to get to work and back.  I have figured that I could avoid the congested traffic routes and use quieter streets to get to work.  I have already mapped out a route to and from work.  Biking with a backpack seems like more freedom in getting around.  Of course, there could be consequences: the potholes, the weather, cracked sidewalks, cranial injuries, avoiding pedestrians, somersaulting over a curb, who knows?

On the postive side, I like the choice of going off the main route, parking my bike and shopping at a drug store, going to the farmer's market, or getting to a grocery.  I could of course wear a bike helmet.  It would be easier to visit friends.  The main reason would be, not having to rely on the bus schedule, especially on Sundays.  In addition, there is the beautiful benefit of exercise.

I sometimes think it was meant for that 85-year-old lady who was "dizzy" out driving her Silverado crashing into my car.  I have learned to adapt.  I have learned that you can do without and still be happy.  I have learned that I overused my vehicle.  I have learned how much more interesting it is to see my everyday world up-close in a different way.  I have learned to meet people that I would have never met before.  I have also become more compasionate to those who do without a lot more that I do.

But Wait

When you are looking for an invitation in the mail, hoping for a return to acceptance and peace, do not be surprised if your name has been vanished and invite forgotten.

But wait, don't look for the invitation, the peace is within you, no invitation is needed for the Kingdom of God.

When baptized into the life of Christ and knowing forgiveness is there to cherish, do not be surprised that others do not do the same.

But wait, God has forgiven you, and Christ says, "Forgive them, they know not what they do".

When the place where your feet walked was a secret lie and not a sacred life, do not expect others to understand.

So you had to brush the sand from your feet and move on.

And they never saw you were a part of The Body of Christ, it is their own hands, fingers, eyes, and heart that have suffered.

When at last you finally cross the bridge, use the courage you always had, you say good-bye.

Good-bye.  Good-bye, over and out.