Our Desperate Need for Awe
We live in an age marked by uncertainty, anxiety, violence, political divisiveness, loneliness, and fears of all kinds. We are not the first age to experience such things. During such times it is easy for us to slip into numbness or even despair. That’s why it is more important than ever to cultivate experiences of awe in our lives.
What is awe? Awe is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that is beyond our understanding: a night sky filled with stars, towering trees in a forest, mighty waves crashing along a rocky ocean shore. We can have an experience of awe with small things too: gazing at the tiny fingernails of a newborn, pondering a line from a poem that moves our heart, catching the scent of Christmas cookies baking, or spotting a lone hawk soaring high above us. Recent research has demonstrated the powerful positive effects awe can have on us.
1. Awe can soothe our central nervous system. It can actually lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, and bestow calm upon us.
2. Awe can expand our sense of connection with others. It gives us the sense that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. It underscores our bond with other human beings and, indeed, with the rest of existence. Surely the experience of the total eclipse on April 8, 2024 did this for millions of people–including myself! One study even showed that people who experienced awe were more likely to be generous and to volunteer their time for others (Zhang, 2014).
3. Awe promotes openness, creativity, understanding. It reconnects us with the mystery, power, and richness of life.
4. Awe makes us feel small in a good way. It humbles us while simultaneously widening our perspective.
It seems to me that cultivating experiences of awe in our everyday life would be a very good Advent practice. But how can we do this? The Spiritual Naturalist Society website lists several ways. Here are three.
1. By the mindful observation of nature. Leigh Anderson writes, “One of the most reliable doorways into awe is simply stepping outside with the intent to notice.” This might be challenging if we live in a place of cold, ice, and snow during Advent. But we can still cultivate awe by taking a walk, standing in our backyard or on our porch, or gazing out a window at the gently falling snow or a howling blizzard. Or we can watch a PBS documentary on redwood trees, lions and tigers, our national parks, stars, and even pigeons! (Yes, pigeons! I recently watched such a program and came away in awe over these birds we sometimes see only as “dirty pests.”) Choose an experience that invtes you into a rhythm that’s “slower, older, and more generous” than the one you are usually inhabit.
2. By slowing down and making space for stillness. On my list of books to read is John Mark Comer’s book with the fascinating title: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, a New York Times bestseller. I know I am guilty of getting caught up with the hurry and rush of contemporary life. Did you know that in 1974 cardiologists coined the phrase “hurry sickness”? They defined this sickness as the chronic state of stress caused by feeling rushed and overwhelmed even without a clear reason. Common “symptoms” of this “illness” include impatience, irritability, emotional numbness, and addiction to work. One antedote to hurry sickness is deliberately slowing down on a regular basis.
3. By seeing the ordinary as extraordinary. We experience the ordinary so often, we can take it for granted, or, worse yet, we can fail to really see and experience it. Zen teachers encourage their students to approach their surroundings with a “beginner’s mind,” that is, to experience their surroundings as if for the first time. Another way we can experience the ordinary as extraordinary is to see the ordinary through the eyes of a small child. Little kids can get excited over catching snowflakes on their tongue, seeing a Nativity set beneath a Christmas tree, spotting a red cardinal at a bird feeder, and, in summer, beholding their first dragonfly. They remind us of the extraordinary in the ordinary, the miraculous in the everyday.
Jesus made time for awe. Jesus valued awe experiences in his life. He regularly went up into the mountains to pray. Perhaps he felt closer to God up there, or he simply enjoyed getting a wider perspective on the valley below–much as we do when we pull off the parkway every time we see a “scenic overlook” sign. Jesus noticed the everyday miracles of bread rising, wine fermenting, weather patterns forming, and mother hens sheltering their young beneath their wings.
He was amazed when he witnessed moral goodness in people: that Roman centurian with his extraordinary tenderness toward his servant, and the destitute widow generously depositing two small coins into the temple treasury. He gave us examples of moral goodness in his stories–especially the Good Samaritan and the forgiving father in the Prodigal Son. And he counseled us to do likewise. Jesus called his followers’ attention to the birds of the air and lilies of the field. He even made time to play with children, to watch shepherds caring for their sheep on the hillside, to notice camels squeezing through narrow gates, and to engage in conversation with a wide variety of individuals–including women.
Awe experiences aren’t just “nice” experiences to have because they can make us feel good. Awe experiences can actually help to make us good, to make us better! They are, in some ways, essential for our well-being as individuals, as a human community, and as a whole earth community. And finally, it is precisely through awe that we can gain access to the Creator-and-Sustainer-of-All-That-Is, our Beloved and Awe-Inspiring God!
Reflection questions:
Did any words or ideas in this reflection stand out for you? Do you know why?
Reflect on a few key experiences of awe that you have had. What effects did they have on you? Would you like to share one of those experiences with us below?
Have you experienced the “moral goodness” in an individual or a group of individuals that made you want to be a better person?
What actions do you take to avoid catching the “hurry sickness”?
PS: below is a moment of “sunset awe” I savored from my porch/balcony the other day…
Our video today is called “Winter Wonder.” In 3 min. and 17 secs. it captures some of the awe-inspiring beauty of winter accompanied by gentle music. Videos such as these are produced by “Nature Relaxation.” I hope you enjoy it.
I welcome you to share a comment below–about the reflection, photographs, reflective questions, or video:
Lessons I Learned from My Old Bank Book
I was going through one of my bulging files labeled “Blog Ideas” to get an idea for this reflection. In it, I found an old bank book of mine, the one I used from first to fifth grade at James A. Garfield School. That school, which included grades 1 through 6, was a fun place to learn. We did some nifty things there. For example, we banked our real money regularly at school. We all got bank books with our names typed on the front. On banking day, we brought our books and dimes and quarters, filled out our deposit slips, went down to the cafeteria, and stood in line waiting for the next teller–just like a real bank. In fact, it was a real bank: The Cleveland Trust Company with a branch in Willoughby, Ohio–only it was in our school. The older students were the tellers. They sat at the cafeteria tables looking very official. They recorded our deposit and took our money. The teachers were walking around in case there was any problem.
My bank book was labeled “School Savings Passbook.” Certain regulations were listed on the back: “When making deposits or withdrawals always present this book… If this book is lost, notify your teacher at once… Accounts may be opened with twenty-five cents or more.” I opened my account Feb. 2, 1951. I was in first grade and I deposited a quarter. Now as I studied the little gray book further, I noticed some curious things:
I usually deposited a quarter. I received my first interest in January 1952. I got $.01! This raised my total to $3.31. I checked: a penny in 1952 is worth 12 cents today! I made a $1 deposit in third grade. That was big money back then. In fifth grade I made other “big” deposits of $2, $3, and even $5. That was probably babysitting money. At 50 cents an hour, I was making big bucks. Throughout those five years at Garfield, I never withdrew any money. Said the bank book: “Withdrawals are made at the bank–never in school.” But on June 29, 1956, I withdrew all my money: $55.20. Today that would be worth $659.15! I closed my account because I was leaving dear old Garfield. Our parish, St. Felicitas, opened their school that year, and my parents made me go to that Catholic School–a difficult move for me because I was leaving all my friends. In my fifth grade, only 2 boys (Frank and Buddy) were Catholic and they switched to St. Felicitas too. But none of my girlfriends were Catholic. In time, however, I made new friends at St. Felicitas, and I even kept in touch with one of my girlfriends from Garfield until she passed away a few years ago.
Further thoughts:
By banking at school, we were being taught some important lessons in life. One main lesson was “delayed gratification.” Why do we put money aside? Because we are saving up to get something we need or want. Most children, psychologists say, learn this lesson by the time they are six: “Eat your peas and you can have a piece of apple pie.” Make the sacrifice now, and you’ll be rewarded in the future.” I wonder, how do parents and teachers teach this important lesson to their children today?
Secondly, we were learning responsibility in a host of different ways: Remember, tomorrow is banking day… don’t lose your bank book… making even a small deposit is good (my smallest was $.15)… fill out your deposit slip properly….wait your turn in line.
Third, we were learning about time. It takes time to earn money and to save it… it takes time to plan for the future… it takes time to put money in the bank… over time the value of money changes.
For reflection:
Did anything stand out for you in this reflection?
Did you have banking at school? Or, how did you learn to save money as a child?
How did you learn the lesson of delayed gratification? How have you taught that lesson to your children or grandchildren?
What “nifty” things do you remember from your early years in school?
PS: Thanks again for your prayers during my retreat. I’ll share more about my retreat in a future post!
Several weeks ago, our U. S. Mint produced the last penny. Yes, starting now, we in the U.S. won’t have any new pennies although the billions in circulation will still be around for a while. (I personally will miss seeing Abe Lincoln on the penny. We need his image more than ever these days. I’m grateul he’s still on our $5 bills!) In honor of the “noble penny,” I chose for our song today, “Pennies from Heaven.” Released in 1936, this song was written by Arthur Johnson and Johnny Burke. It was a cheerful little song for people struggling through the Great Depression. In essence it was saying, “There is goodness even in the darkness and storms we’re going through.” I hope you enjoy this song and even sing along with this easy jazzy version by Paul Anka and Michael Buble.
I welcome your comments below. I always enjoy your insights!
Advent Reflection 2025
The season of Advent is all about time: the past, the present, and the future.
Advent proclaims: Jesus came! Yes, he came over 2,000 years ago, born of a young Jewish woman named Mary in the small town of Bethehem. For about 33 years or so, he walked the dusty roads of Galilee in sandaled feet, living and healing and teaching a message of love, service, forgiveness, and trust in God.
Advent announces: Jesus comes! Not only did he come into the world of first-century Palestine, he comes into our world right here, right now! He walks among us still. How? Here are just a few ways: in the scripture that is proclaimed at every Mass and that we ponder throughout our lives… in the believing community gathered together in prayer and service of one another… in the Eucharistic Bread we receive at every Mass. Other ways where Jesus is present include: in the poor and needy in our midst… in the loving relationships we form with each other… in the service we give to one another… in the beauty, mystery, and power of creation… in the tears and laughter we share with one another.
Advent also promises: Jesus will come again! This man from Galilee, this Emmanuel, will return in the fulness of time, drawling all things unto himself. And before that ultimate return, Jesus will come for each one of us as we transition from this earthly life, through death, and into heavenly glory.
These three comings of Jesus can give us a framework for our prayer this Advent. First, let us take time to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation, that is, the mystery of God himself becoming a human being. We might ask ourselves, Why did God become a human being? Ultimately, the answer is love. As we read in John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Som, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” But as we look around at the world today, we still see so much pain, sorrow, violence, hatred, injustice, and cruelty. The Incarnation did not take away the ugliness of sin in our world. Rather the Incarnation gives us the power to burrow deeply into our world and find the love and beauty and goodness present there. More importantly, the Incarnation gives us the strength, courage, and hope to add our own little bit of love, goodness, and beauty each day.
Second, let us reflect on the ways Jesus comes into our lives. We find Jesus primarily in the people we relate to–those we are bonded to in love and friendship as well as casual neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances and even strangers who enter our lives “by chance.” May we take time to really see people… to listen to them… to respect them… to encourage them … learn from them … and find ways to serve them.
And third, this Advent we might take a little time to reflect upon our own death–whether we think death is near or far in the future. We can do this by raising questions such as these: Are there things I still hope to do before I die? What’s preventing me from doing them now? Are there individuals I would like to see again, have a good conversation with, write a letter to, ask questions of, or be reconciled with? Is there something I’d like to give away before I die?
Advent celebrates the three comings of Jesus. May we find ways to ponder those comings as we prepare for the Celebration of Christmas 2025. Happy Adventing to all of you!
For reflection:
Did any words stand out for you in today’s reflection?
Does Advent mean anything special to you?
Is there any practice you would like to do during these few weeks before Christmas?
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ANNOUNCING: My new booklet, Walking with Mary Through Light and Darkness, is now available at Twenty-Third Publications and Amazon. The 32-page booklet is a collection of reflections on Mary’s life with questions for reflection, prayers, and suggested videos and art work. It’s listed for $2.95, but lower bulk rates are also available. Hopefully, this booklet will help us to appreciate Mary as “one of us,” and Mary as our mother, sister, companion, and fellow disciple of Jesus. To order contact twenty-Third Publications: 1-800-321-4011 or [email protected]. Also available on Amazon.com.
Our video today is the Advent song, “Beyond the Moon and Stars” by Dan Schutte. It is based on Ps. 84:3: “Even the sparrow finds a home…a place near your altars, Lord, God Almighty.” Some of the phrases that touched me are these: “so great our hunger, Lord, to see your light… We place our hopes and dreams within your hand… You chose to dwell with us in flesh and bone…” For me the song captures the deepest longings of our hearts…
As I spend this week in retreat, I carry all of you in my prayers and in my heart… And, as usual, I invite you to respond below with a comment of your own.
Impediments to Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Reflection
This week, we in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, a beautiful holiday on which we traditionally pause to thank God for the blessings we have received–especially family, friends, and nature’s bounty. I begin by wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! This wish is coupled with a big THANK YOU for reading this blog. And a thank you for your many comments which expand what I offer each week.
I thought it might be appropriate today to say a few words about thanksgiving or gratitude as seen on the Gospel. This reflection is based on the story of the Jesus’ cure of the ten lepers found in Lk. 17:11-19.
One day, as Jesus was entering a certain town, he was met by ten lepers who “stood at a distance from him.” They cried out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” They did as he said, but on their way, they were all suddenly cured. But that’s not the end of the story. Of the ten lepers, only one eventually returned to Jesus, fell on his knees, and thanked him. Says Luke, “And he was a Samaritan.” This fact did not go unntoiced by Jesus. In fact he asked, “Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” And to the man, he said, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
It’s a short passage. Only nine verses. But there’s much food for thought here. For example, it’s easy for us to assume that if we had been one of those cured lepers, we certainly would have returned with the “foreigner” to say thank you. Right? Why didn’t the other nine lepers return? What could possibly have prevented them from doing the polite thing and say “thank you”? Here are some possible reasons I came up with. While doing so, I realized, “Sometimes I’m not so different from those nine lepers who didn’t give thanks.”
Reasons I didn’t return to give thanks:
1) I coudn’t find Jesus. He was always on the move. I didn’t know where to look.
2) I couldn’t afford the time. I had already wasted many years of my life debilitated by this awful disease. I couldn’t waste one precious minute of my new life in a posture of gratitude.
3) I wanted to put my leperous life behind me. Returning to give thanks would have reminded me of my terrible, desperate needs back then. I wanted to forget all that and move on.
4) Truth be told, I was afraid of this man Jesus. I figured, if he had such power to heal me, what other powers could he possess that might not be so benevolent towards me.
5) Jesus seemed to be a pretty sensitive guy. I figured he knew how grateful I was. I didn’t have to say the words. Besides, he was so busy.
6) I was afraid of what he would have asked of me as payment for this miraculous cure. No one bestows such a marvelus gift without demanding something big in return, not so?
7) I didn’t want to be associated with this Jesus guy. I had heard that the religious and political leaders were against him. Some even wanted him dead. I felt the safe thing to do was to keep my distance from him.
8) I began to doubt if it was Jesus who actually cured me. After all, he didn’t say any magic-holy words or touch me. In fact, I wasn’t even in his presence when I was healed. Who says I owe Jesus anything?
9) I forgot.
For reflection:
Those are nine reasons (excuses) for not giving thanks–not only to God, but to other people who bless us with gifts every day: our spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, the people we serve, the people who serve us, a co-worker, the clerk in the grocery store, etc. Can you find yourself in any of these excuses?
Can you come up with any other excuse we might have for not saying thank you? If so, can you share it with us below?
Why not make a list (even a mental one) of 5 things you are especially grateful for today. You might want to say “thank you” (text, quick call, in person) to someone who’s responsible for something on your list.
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PS: I will be making my annual retreat from Sunday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 7. Could you please say a little prayer for me during this week? I worked ahead and so I will post a reflection as usual next Monday, Dec. 1. It will be an Advent reflection. Meanwhile, know that I will hold all of you in my prayer next week, thanking God for your unique and special presence in my life!
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For our video today I chose the old Thanksgiving Hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth,” here sung by Audrey Assad. Feel free to sing along.
I invite you to add your thoughts below. I love hearing from you!
Schedule a Humor Break
We schedule all kinds of things: A doctor’s appointment, a dental check-up, a trip to the grocery store, lunch with a friend, our housework, an oil change, and even a time to go to church. As important as these appointments are, there is another appointment that deserves our regular attention: a humor break. Hopefully, today’s “reflection” will provide such a break for you. Notice, I’m posting this humor break the week before Thanksgiving in case you want to lighten up the conversation around your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Let’s begin with animals… Can you guess which annimal would be good for these jobs?
1) A hotel bellhop?
2) A political consultant?
3) An acupuncturist?
4) A daycare provider?
Answers: 1) kangaroo, 2) hamster–he’s good at spinning, 3) porcupine 4) goat–she’s great with kids.
Okay, let’s hop along… Certainly we can do better than that…
A boy is sitting down with his parents for dinner. All three are holding their cellphones. Says the mother to her son, “Sammy, please text grace.”
From a middle school exam: Question: What is hard water? Student answer: Ice. (If you were the teacher, would you give that student any credit for that answer?)
A woman asked her travel agent: Can you make sure I don’t get a window seat on the plane, because I just had my hair done?
An actual newspaper headline in a Massachusetts paper: “Committee Appoints Committee to Appoint Committee.”
Back to animals… What are the collective nouns for these groups of animals?
What do you call a group of owls?… a group of sharks?… a group of hummingbirds? …giraffes?… rhinocerous?… hedgehogs or porcupines?… penguins?
Answers:
Owls: A parliament… sharks: a shiver… hummingbirds: a charm… giraffes: a tower… rhinocerous: a crash… hedgehogs or porcupines: a prickly… penguins: a colony… a waddle… or a raft.
(How many did you get right? Before I looked them up, I got ony 3 right: owls, rhinos, and penguins. I guessed a colony! I didn’t know about waddle or raft!)
November 8 was Pun Day. Sorry I’m late with these. Get ready to groan:
Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
Small babies may be delivered by a stork, but heavier ones need a crane.
I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.
A frantic woman tells her husband that moose are falling from the sky. The husband says, “No, it’s reindeer!”
“I need a pencil sharpener,” said Tom bluntly.
Need an ark? I noah guy.
Geology rocks, but geography is where it’s at!
Stay out of hot water when brewing a pun. It’s best to use subtle tea.
Words about advancing in age:
The older I get, the earlier it gets late.
At my age, “drink responsibly” means don’t spill it.
I had my patience tested. I’m negative.
By replacing potato chips with grapefruit you can lose 90% of what little joy you still have in life!
When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say “nothing,” it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing.
When I ask for directions, please don’t use words like “east.”
Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That will really freak you out.
When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?
My cardiologist’s diet for me: If it tastes good, spit it out.
Here’s something comedian Will Rogers said many, many, many years ago. Do you think it’s still true?
“We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress!”
Miscellaneous:
Some people eat snails. They must not like fast food.
What did the green grape say to the purple grape? “Breathe, man! Breathe!”
What’s the easiest way to get straight A’s? Use a ruler.
Which rock group has four guys who can’t sing or play any musical instruments? Mount Rushmore
Wife: I’ll admit I’m wrong if you admit I’m right.
Husband: Okay. You go first.
Wife: I’m wrong.
Husband: You’re right!
A man walks into a library and asks the librarian for books about paranoia. She whispers, “They’re right behind you!”
A man once said to Mark Twain, “I want to save my money, travel to Mt. Sinai, stand on that mountain, and read the 10 Commandments aloud.” Said Twain, “Why don’t you just stay home and live them!”
And last but not least: Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!
For reflection:
Did you enjoy any of these?
Would you like to add a joke, pun, or funny remark below? I welcome your additions!
Here’s an “oldie but goodie” that some of you might remember: “High Hopes” sung by Frank Sinatra and some kids. Sing along if you remember the words!
I welcome your comments below!
