Sunday, January 8, 2017

"They opened their treasures..."


They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
~Matthew 2:10-11

Stars cross the sky, wise men journey from pagan lands, earth receives its savior in a cave. Let there be no one without a gift to offer, no one without gratitude as we celebrate the salvation of the world, the birthday of the human race.  ~St. Basil the Great
"Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart."
~Christina Rossetti

Saturday, January 7, 2017

God With Us!

"And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth;
we have beheld his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father."
~John 1:14

Remembering the Sacred Presence of the One Who  Dwells Among Us
~by Joyce Rupp


May we look for your goodness in people who seem least likely to carry your love.

May we behold your radiance in the ones we quickly pass by at home or work.

May we discover your love in our deeper self when we feel unloving and irritable.

May we embrace you in the persons whose faithfulness we take for granted.

May we see your empathy in those serving the wounded of the world.

May we recognize your courage in the valiant people who speak for justice.

May we notice your non-judgmental acceptance in those who keep an open mind.

May we search for your gentleness when it is covered with harshness in another.

May we observe your generosity in every gift we receive, no matter how small it is.

May we reveal your mercy when we pardon someone for having turned against us.

May we welcome your joy in the delightful voices and happy play of children.

May we convey your compassion when we visit those with illness and poor health.

May we detect your patience in those who put up with our impatience and hurry.

May we unite with your peace hidden beneath the layers of the world’s disharmony.

O Divine One, you came into our world in the form of a newly emerged child, fresh and fragile as all of us are at our birthing.  You came as a beloved one filled with the radiance of eternal Light.  As you grew in humanness, your life and teachings revealed the vast goodness of your inner being.  We now carry your loving Spirit of radiance within us.  We can easily miss this gift in the press of our activities and our clouded, inner vision.  Skim away the inattentiveness of our minds and the crusts of unloving on our hearts.  As we prepare to celebrate the wonder of your birth, help us discern your concealed presence in each part of our life.  

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Epiphany of Our Lord


"Why do so few ever see the star?
Only because so few are looking for it...."
~Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J.


Dear Jesus,
my Light and my Salvation,
in Your kindness and mercy,
make me tenacious in seeking the star
and courageous in proclaiming it.
Amen.