Go Outside!
I read a disturbing statistic the other day: The average American spends only ten minutes a day outside. Ten minutes! I find that fact disturbing because I fear it’s a sign we are losing direct contact with the natural world. And no direct contact with nature can breed unawareness, disregard or even a lack of respect for creation. The Book of Wisdom says, “For from the greatness and beauty of created things their author is seen.” If we cut ourselves off from creation we risk cutting ourselves off from the Creator. (more…)
The Power of Prayer
This week I’ll be leading a retreat at Cape May Point, NJ on the Atlantic Ocean. Jesus told us to proclaim the gospel to the “whole world.” I’m sure that includes the Jersey Shore! This week-long retreat is being held at St. Mary-by-the-Sea, the retreat center of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia. It’s located right on the ocean! Last time I was there I could see dolphins from my bedroom window! If you would like to see this lovely place, go to their website: www.stmarybythesea.org. (more…)
A Reflection on Freedom
What is freedom?
I like this definition:
“Freedom is nothing else than the chance to be better.”
Why did God give us the gift of freedom?
Only for this: to love.
We might think, “I want to be free to do what I want to do.”
Yes, but we are truly free only if what we want to do is love.”
We might say, “I want to be free to be me!”
Yes, but only if that “me” is someone who loves.
None of us is completely free.
And blessed are those who recognize their servitude
whether it be fear, compulsion, ignorance, laziness,
self-centeredness, hardness of heart.
Servitude comes in many forms.
As St. John of the Cross reminds us:
a bird tethered by a gossamer thread
is just as unable to fly
as one held by a steel cable.
Freedom is not very neat. It can get messy at times.
Tyranny is always better organized.
Freedom is never achieved once and for all either.
From conception to death we are all engaged
in a life-long process of liberation.
Someone has said, “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.”
Those individuals are most free who tread this world lightly
and with open hands.
Freedom is collective, communal.
A threat to freedom anywhere
is a threat to freedom everywhere.
Conversely, the more free I become,
the greater the potential for freedom for all of us.
Freedom costs.
One cost is “eternal vigilance.”
Another is perseverance,
perseverance in the daily struggle with light and darkness
that leads to the coming of the Reign of God.
Jesus was free. Completely so.
He was free to come, free to go,
free to speak, from to remain silent,
free to be gentle, free to be angry,
free to laugh, free to weep.
Jesus was never more free than when he was nailed on the cross
on Good Friday out of love for us.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the great gift of freedom. Help me to recognize my servitude in whatever form it takes. Give me the strength to use my precious gift of freedom to love others as you have loved me!
Talking to a Daisy
Last week we celebrated the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This day is also referred to as midsummer’s day. Ancient peoples believed this was the time of the year when the veil that separates the various forms of the natural world is the thinnest, making communication between them the easiest. (more…)
A Visit from a Former Student
Two weeks ago a former student came to see me, Michelle Redmond, whom I taught at Notre Dame College in the mid-70’s. Michelle was a communications major so I had her for several courses: creative writing, journalism, film study, and literature. She was a fine student, an articulate and attractive Black woman. “Doors will open for her,” one of her other teachers said to me. And they did open. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, the world of journalism was looking for women—especially women of color. “Yes, the doors opened for me,” Michelle told me years later. “But I was successful in the world of journalism because I could write!” (more…)
