Butterflies and Cardinals

Since my mother died, yellow butterflies were "mom sightings"

With dad, we think cardinals....he used to wear a red jacket and there were a couple of unique cardinal appearances shortly after his death.

The other day I came across something I had written many years ago....has its own different meaning in this different context. (Warning: unpolished "poetry")

I thought I saw a cardinal

And even thinking made me smile

I peered about and scanned the tree

Hopeful–hadn’t seen one in a while

I thought I saw a cardinal

Perched away up in a tree

I stopped, stood still and waited

I did so much want to see

I thought I saw a cardinal

But how could it be true?

I thought I saw a cardinal

And it made me think of you.

I never got another glimpse

So I continued on my way

Thinking of a bright red bird

Carrying a wisp of you away

And a bit of you in my day.

Forgive them...

The song at morning prayer yesterday included a chanting of the line "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Perhaps there is a cosmic wisdom in this message that I never appreciated before...

Maybe forgiveness is the only response to the wrongs, evils, stupidities, violences...that we commit in a state of limited consciousness/ignorance. Jesus with fuller knowing responds to immense suffering perpetrated by those who do not understand that the pain they are inflicting is causing suffering to the whole body of which they/we are a part. 

Can our global community barely beginning to know ourselves as part of a greater whole forgive our less conscious selves "for we know not what we do"?

For all the ways we have used/abused/exploited other parts of the whole, taken without consent or gratitude, are forgiveness and learning to pay forward what can never be paid back pathways to transformation?

Listen to glaciers and stardust

How do I learn to listen to glaciers and stardust?

The deep listening that our time calls for only barely begins with hugging a tree. It requires that we embrace the whole of creation and learn from it, engage it through inquiry, dialogue, and accountability. 

Starting to learn and practice these skills with my fellow humans is barely scratching the surface and at least a beginning. 

Then someday perhaps I can also learn to listen and understand glaciers, oceans, and stars. 

I Am

I am

I am layers of being and layers of consciousness. 

I am blood and stars. 

I am knowing and unknowing. 

I am and I am becoming. 

Peace Seeking Mission

If we are going to have a more peaceful world it will be because each of us does peace work...

What is one thing I will do today to change the energy I bring to my interactions with others and with creation?

Our social/political discourse is one place to start. Am I aware of tone and attitude? Does the way I express my opinion  open the door to dialogue and understanding?  Or does it incite--reinforcing aggression, fear, anger...?

Random acts of kindness, affirmation and beauty...

What ideas do you have for ways to help build our path to peace?

Inchworm

This reflection was inspired by my struggle with a particular pose in the Sun Salutation sequence in yoga.  I learned this name "Inchworm" for this posture and have been trying to focus on improving that step (not always successfully--it's still more frequently a flop than a posture).  However I think I am actually stretching, practicing, truly inching into it.

Inchworm 

     Slow, steady progress

     inch by inch

     know your direction intention

     Go slow but go

     Crawling is a humble path

     the way beautiful babies begin

     and humble creatures remain

     Slow, steady progress

     when learning perhaps not an inch

     maybe only half at a time

     learn how

     choose when and where

     go humbly,  faithfully

     inch by inch

     

Retreat Work: "Mindful"

Mindful, holy hope leads the 

way to simple, peaceful

what is unknown, hard, slow

declutter once, try, at least

then joy and purpose

be silent and listen to the

glaciers and the galaxies

and to your sisters

and violent world harder 

Farewell

Just had the wake for Sister Blanche Thiele, whose funeral will take place tomorrow.  Sister Blanche inspired this blog post in 2009.

Exercising Citizenship

Many Maryknollers are on their way to Washington, DC today to participate in one of our Centennial events, Maryknoll on the Hill. 

"For many years, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) has brought the lived experience of Maryknoll missioners and the people with whom they live and work to the decision-making tables in our nation’s capital. The authentic understanding that Maryknoll brings to discussions of international policy is deeply respected by our colleagues and by lawmakers alike. We hope that a significant presence by the entire Maryknoll family will raise awareness of the critical issues of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, and also will illuminate the work of the MOGC and its efforts on behalf of the Maryknoll community."

I'm not going to Washington, but I am hoping to do my part from home.  During the next few days, I hope to spend some extra time reflecting on my values and legislation that is (or should be) on the table to help bring about justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

In the Maryknoll Sisters family, we treasure a phrase, no two alike. 
We don't do everything the same, or see everything the same. 

However, whatever our differences may be, exercising responsible citizenship is important.  We can all easily see the problems when only big business interests communicate effectively with our legislative decision makers.

Here's one area you could have an opinion on:  violence against women.  Learn more and consider taking action here:  http://www.maryknollogc.org/social/VAWA_2012.html

Maryknollers in Washington will focus on issues that have become important to us because of their signficant impact on the peoples around the world with whom we work. 

What are the issues that are important to you?  "Think global, act local" is a good adage.  Or I like to hope that I am learning to be like Mother Mary Joseph, the founder of the Maryknoll Sisters, a person with a world wide heart.

Where Were You When.....?

Different events in our lives mark us in different ways.

Some people never forget where they were...

...when the war started (which war....)
...when Kennedy was shot
...when Neil Armstrong took that small but giant step on the moon
...when the space shuttle exploded
...when planes were used as weapons of mass destruction on 9/11
...when Katrina struck
...when...
...when...
...when I heard about... and my world changed forever

Some things happen and change the way we remember, change the way we look at ourselves or others, change the way we mark time: before and after

What's your WHEN?