A Grateful Heart

“All the way to heaven is heaven, 

because Jesus said, "I am the way.”
― St. Catherine of Siena   

       I look around me on this August day in late summer, and I notice already the beginning of the end of this season.  My tomato plant-in-a-pot, known as "Tommy" to my friends, is wild with blossoms and new fruit sprouting out everywhere.  I have gone to battle first with Japanese beetles and then with hornworms, and their relentless offspring, to get here, without chemicals and insecticides.  Harvest time is fast approaching!

I see some reddish-tinted leaves beginning to fall from the crape myrtle in our backyard.  The late afternoon and evening sunlight is coming through the living room windows at a different angle these days.  Earth is shifting on her axis.

I notice that the day doesn't last till 9 p.m. any longer, and dusk arrives sooner and sooner, as we now head into September.  Before we know it, we'll be wearing soft, comforting sweaters and drinking warm beverages from our favorite mugs.

But until autumn really gets here, I'm going to enjoy every last moment of daylight, each warm evening, and the feel of a fan's cool caress, as I fall asleep.  Life is so good, and sometimes we're too busy to notice...

I often think about what St. Catherine of Siena exclaimed, "All the way to heaven is heaven," as I enjoy the gift of God's creativeness in vast ways.  "All the way to heaven is heaven," as I feel God's love through my friends, family, and even my cat.  "All the way to heaven is heaven," as I choose Christ as my model for the rest of life on earth and continuing to follow him toward life eternal.  May you too feel heaven in the unique way that God offers it to you today.  💙

Midweek Meditation: The Heart of a Child

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 

'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'

He called a child, whom He put among them and said,

'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest

in the kingdom of heaven. 

Whoever welcomes one such child in my name 

welcomes me....

Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones;

for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see

the face of my Father in heaven.'"

Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

      This past week, I saw the faces of the children whose parent(s) were taken away from their homes and their lives by the employees of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  And I can't get the image of those innocent, young, sobbing children out of my mind.  

If I can't erase that image, what must it be like for God to have to watch?  Just the very words that Jesus chose to use to speak about children, it shows how much God values and loves us, as we were created to be!  What happens to the humble innocence of the children that Jesus points out in the scripture reading above?  Aren't the children of the world today the same as they were in the time that Jesus walked among us - innocent and humble?  And if not - why don't we protect our children's innocence more closely?  Why is it okay for children to constantly be humbled by those who have the greater power - whether that be at the hands of someone in their home, in their town, or in the world?  Why is it okay for children to know far more about violence and separation than their grandparents knew at that age?  How can we "change and become like children" again so that entrance into the heavenly kingdom is as Jesus promised?  How can we become like children again, when it appears that the world has forgotten what it's like to be a child? 

Pray for the children of the world the rest of this week.  Pray too for the child that still lives within each of us that this child can be found again and allowed to come forth in a new way. Pray not to ask the question of how I can be the greatest in heaven but how to serve the least of these on earth.   💙 

Hearts in a Chapel

       For the first time, last night, I had the pleasure of spending an hour with a contemplative prayer group that meets twice monthly at Chapel in the Pines, a lovely and gracious Presbyterian church in Orange County, NC.  It was a really sweet experience of finding God in place, people, and perception.

The first time I walked into Chapel in the Pines (CITP), a few weeks ago, I was welcomed by the pastor who, you can tell the moment you meet him, is a gentle and unassuming soul.  And when we toured the building and walked into the sanctuary for the first time, I remember catching my breath.  I was touched not only by the natural beauty of the wood and glass sanctuary, but I felt so much more – I felt the Spirit of our Living God.  God is present everywhere at all times, but CITP is one of this world's thin places.

This was my first time to meet with some of the congregants of CITP last night as well.  What friendly folks!  And when we settled in our seats and eventually moved into silence, I could say to myself and to God, “It is good, Lord, to be here.”  I could sense that everyone was there to just BE with God, in order to get to know the Divine more intimately. 

The perception that I took home with me – and is still with me today – is that in this place one can experience God totally, through all our senses: I could see the deep green of the surrounding pines outside the picture windows.  They were an icon to sit with all by themselves.  I could hear the deep silence that helps me to know the Silence better.  I could taste the Bread of Life that was lovingly offered – first by our Lord and then by Pastor Andrew to each of us.  I could breathe in the peace and smell the holy fragrance of God.   And I tangibly could feel the love of God – Father, Christ, and Holy Spirit – being offered to this stranger in the handshakes and hugs of those present.

For anyone who would like to try contemplative prayer, I’m certain that you too will be welcomed at Chapel in the Pines.  They meet on the second and fourth Mondays each month, starting at 6:00 pm. 

For those who would like to read about contemplative prayer, I can personally recommend these books:

Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation

Cynthia Bourgeault’s  The Wisdom Way of Knowing

Tilden Edward’s Living in the Presence

Mary Margaret Funk’s Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life

Thomas Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart

Peace be with you today.  💙