Hospitality is Presence

 I have been learning a lot about hospitality lately, and how it is more than being a good host with the perfectly clean house and the home-baked cookies.  It is so easy for me to want to be a good hostess and seem to have everything prepared and well kept-up, but that isn't the case while raising two sweet, rambunctious, littles ones.  I have learned from other moms with young children that just because the house is scattered with toys and no goodies to offer does not mean I can't invite others into my home.  

One thing I strive to instill in my children is that they are Seen, Known, and Loved, so that they also get a glimpse of who God is.  And that's what we all should be bringing to others right?  And this hospitality that I mentioned is more than the idea of having people over.  It can be seen how we are present to others in the store and elsewhere too.  And I don't take that desire for witness lightly, because we sometimes have bad days and are just trying to get by, correct?  I'm no different, and sometimes I just want to rush into the store, grab my groceries and barrel out of there; because doing it with the kids can be a little tricky right?  But I've been realizing that whether I'm coming out of church all-inspired or coming out of that grocery store while "holding my breath" that the kids behave, I can still ask the cashier how they've doing, I can still give a friendly smile to the passer-by, and I can still make myself Present and listen.  

As much as I want my kids to sense that idea of being seen, known, and loved by me, I need to be these things to others in general.  Do they feel seen when I ask them how they're doing?  Do I look interested in what they have to say?  And when I remove my own spotlight of anxieties from myself to them, my load becomes a little lighter because I'm not so focused on it.  And won't the other person feel like they are more worthy of your time and noticed, that way?  

I often pray "God, help me to be present to You, as You are present to us."  And in taking special notice of the person right in front of me, I hope I can live out the fruits of the Holy Spirit that only He can produce because I am striving to be a good Christian.  Am I joyful?  Am I gentle?  Am I patient? to name a few.  

All because I showed an interest in someone else's presence, more than to my own troubles.  (Not that having troubles is bad.  Like I mentioned, sometimes noticing someone else's keeps us from getting caught up in our own.)

So I hope you will continue to join me in this thing called life as we strive in our little victories of being Present to others as much as God is Ever-Present to us.  Because He is in our brothers and sisters, is He not?  And that is what I am learning that true hospitality is all about.

The Ascension of Our Lord

 The Ascension of Our Lord is upon us!  Is Easter really wrapping up its season already?  It has definitely been a time of rejoicing, and entrustment to the Merciful Love of God, for me.  He is so loving!  

As we watch on with the disciples as Jesus rises to the heavens, sometimes I feel like whispering to Him in my own life: please, don't leave me!  I have been through this process when making one of my first lectio divinas with this scene.  It took some time to think about, but also to realize that in reality He never left me.  

Did He not send the Holy Spirit?  And don't I have a personal relationship with this divine lover?  

So no, He never left me!  He is my redeemer and lover, and I don't have to feel like I'm "leaving him" either.  

Lord Jesus, help us be present to You, as You are always present to us!

God be Praised!  Let us move forward, with Him!

Praying With the Gospel

 "'If you know me, then you will also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.'" (John 14:7). There is more that is said in this conversation, but this statement from Jesus is what I would like to reflect on today.

Sometimes, even I wonder if I truly know the love of God.  I hear different bible passages and stories throughout the liturgical years, and seek out the Truth of Who He says He is.  Not only does this help me get to know Him, it also reveals what kind of relationship I can have with Him.  

Is He happy with me?

Will He forgive me for such-and-such a shortcoming?

Is He angry with me?

Then here, in this very cited passage of the gospel, Jesus shows his attributes to also be God's attributes.  So why do I wonder or even fall short of grasping, Who He is?  Is this not the reality of the Trinity?  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One?  

So Jesus is the revelation of God, as St. Paul also says, Who really is not a mystery, and I can regain the confidence I can have in Him, because He does look on me with love!  He does die for me!  He does forgive me!  

Lord, help me to regain this knowledge of You, and trust in Who You say You Are.

Loved and Claimed

 The days are getting warmer, and so are our hearts.

As we continue to revisit the empty tomb, and realize... He is risen!

There is no need to doubt or despair, because we have a healer, a lover, a redeemer,

And He says "You are mine!"  

It is time to trust, if we have not yet, and say "Yes, I am Yours oh Jesus!"

So we renew our contrition, we receive the Living Bread, 

And let life change for the better, because we are loved and claimed, 

If we but let Him in.

Now is the Resurrection!

 Now is the resurrection,

Now is the hope,

Now is the sweet relief.

The believing, the knowing,

The grace-filled accepting.

A union with the beloved

That no death can separate.

So let there be the grace of "Yes!"

That wholehearted "Yes!"

Embrace your Savior,

He remains forever,

The hero of our hearts.

With Jesus this Holy Week

 As we enter into Holy Week,

I invite you to enter into a moment of silence.

Be present to Jesus, as He prays in Gethsemane,

As He is scourged,

As His Sacred Body hangs to a cross by nails.

What do you say to Him?

Maybe nothing?  I hope it is at least a whisper of thanks

for carrying the load for us.

And for the reminder that, with every cross, there is always a resurrection.

Attentive to God in Lay Life

     I know it can be a challenge to stay with an “ear cocked” towards God’s Voice in our lives, when our surroundings can be so noisy!  Whether at home, at work, or simply in our minds, this attentiveness of being in His Presence can feel like one more thing to be alert to.  But what is God really asking of us?  Personally, as a mother of young children who have many wants and needs (and lots of intense emotions!), I have wondered how I can keep a spirit of recollection?  So I have gone on a further quest (see my blog post “My Place in the Church as Mother” for earlier points of reflection) to seek and resolve to better live in God’s Presence.  

Venturing on this little mission of mine, I asked one of the Sisters, from my time of vocational discernment, how I could possibly stay recollected?  Basically, her words of counsel were that it is a lot simpler than I realize, what with my being a busy wife, mom and homemaker. 

“Your work is focusing on your duties as a wife and mother.  Being totally present to the children and to your household duties is indeed what the Lord is asking of you and that in itself is how you become and stay recollected and aware of God’s Presence.”  A morning offering to God of my works is a great start, and little prayers at points in the day to consecrate it, is plenty!  

God is not asking us to go above and beyond our callings as lay people.  So, as for me, I needn’t overwhelm myself, nor demand of myself a “more pious” lifestyle.  St. Francis de Sales even brings this up at the beginning of his book Introduction to the Devout Life!  Yes, I am still called upon to go to Mass and to pray, but I mustn’t be discouraged if I’m distracted by little ones the entire time.  I’m still there for Him!  This is His Will for me, and I can rest assured that He will give me the grace to strive for holiness.  I am also encouraged by St. Therese’s little way, doing little things with great love for my family and Jesus.  St. Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23 NASB1995.) 

So let us do everything with attentiveness and love, for God is calling us to do all for Him!