Tag Archives: postaday 2012

February 26, 2012 · 4:21 pm

the rainbow: God`s covenant of love…for all!

Traditional scripture readings sometimes nudge your mind beyond traditional interpretations. Hubby and I began our Sunday with Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on PBS; a favorite weekly show. Today, there was a report from Africa called Gay Rights in Uganda. Two hours later, I sat in church and listened to a well-known reading from Genesis. God spoke to Noah after the flood,

This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9: 12-13)

Who doesn’t love a rainbow? From Rainbow Brite dolls and Care Bears, to Lucky Charms cereal, rainbows are marketed to children as symbols of happiness and hope. A rainbow after a storm makes every one stop and marvel at its beauty. A double rainbow graced the sky on the way to our honeymoon, and again during our 25th wedding anniversary celebration. We took it as a sign not only of God’s love, but as a blessing on our own covenant.

Today, the rainbow has also become a universal symbol for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) rights. It’s a perfect symbol for promoting a world where diversity can be accepted; where equality and diversity can walk hand in hand.

Uganda attained international notoriety in 2009 for proposing an Anti-Homosexuality Bill that not only outlawed homosexuality, but allowed for the death sentence in cases of “aggravated homosexuality”. The PBS report shows how this deeply entrenched intolerance is rooted in and rationalized by references to scripture and fiery evangelical sermons.

Uganda might be a poster-child for extreme homophobia, but we are far from innocent here in North America.  For example, to the south of us, Rick Santorum proudly confesses his anti-homosexual beliefs as part and parcel of his Catholic faith. He, and others of his ilk, believes that this makes him a “good Catholic”. He continues to push the culture war agenda, siding with religious and political conservatives in the hopes of garnering their vote. But doesn’t everyone have a right to their beliefs, and a right to share those beliefs?

Tell people often enough, and in harsh enough language, that homosexuality is evil and a sin then the need for understanding and compassion is removed. Couch religious beliefs in battle terminology of good vs. evil, then you can expect judgmental extremism. You can expect hatred. You can expect persecution meted out in the name of religion. You can expect cruel bullying in schools and work places. You can expect suicides from those who feel they can no longer live in a world that doesn’t accept them as they are.

We are blessed with dear friends who are actively part of the GLBT community. They refuse to believe that being a gay Catholic is an oxymoron. As faith-filled women and men, they refuse to live a secretive existence and refuse to be pushed out of the church they love. They work to promote an open, welcoming, inclusive, truly catholic church, for this is a social justice issue; following in the footsteps of Jesus who welcomed all around his table.

Uganda forces us to open our eyes to the evils of intolerance. Being a gay Catholic or supporting gay Catholic rights is not an oxymoron. Being a Catholic or Christian homophobe is.

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February 24, 2012 · 11:42 am

40 days with the 40 least

40 Days with the 40 Least is a powerful Lenten reflection produced annually by the Marianists in Spain. 40 Days is an opportunity to increase our awareness and unite in solidarity with the 40 least developed countries in our world. This year’s theme focuses on Human Rights. The following is from the introduction to the resource,

This year we wish to focus our gaze, our heart and our mind on the reality of the human rights of the people who live in the last forty, the forty countries with the lowest Index of Human Development, according to the 2011 Annual Report of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). We will do this in union with the social pain of those who are victims of the violation of their rights, and also with the witness of those who, in the midst of that situation, embrace the responsibility of denunciation, promotion and defense of those rights…

In identifying the current situation of human rights, contemporary reflection tends to highlight three concerns: the degradation of life, the loss of liberty, the lack of justice. Around these three universal principles – life, liberty, justice – in situations where they are lacking and in the forces that defend them, revolves our Lenten campaign this year…

As in other years, for each day of Lent we are offering a passage of testimony and, following it, a juridical text Signed and ratified, taken from the very rich universal legislative sources, which we will see. To help us pass from right to deed, there is a commentary and a proposal for action. Finally, a short Prayer will help us place into the hands of God both our plans and the situation of which we are witnesses. We hope that for another year this recourse to the situation of human rights in the last forty might help us to live this Lent in solidarity and compassion, as we walk with our Savior on his ascent to Jerusalem.

40 Days with the 40 Least is available in English, Español, Français, and  Português. Click on the Calendar on the home page for each day’s resources.

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February 23, 2012 · 4:45 pm

choose life

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days.” Deut. 30: 19-20.

When I was a young university student, our faith sharing community had a long discussion on morality. How do we discern what is right and wrong? We all knew the basic black and white rules and commandments. But what about all those situations in the fuzzy, grey in between? What do we do when the answers aren’t clear? We debated long and hard, with the passion of youthful adults, and came up with the following guide-line… When in doubt, choose the path that is most life-giving. Choose life!

Of all the discussions we had in those early years, this one has remained with both hubby and me. It continues to be at the base of many of our decisions, and a piece of wisdom we’ve tried to pass on to our children. In difficult situations or relationships, we often ask the question; is this situation (or relationship) life-giving or an energy sucker? Life-giving does not mean without challenge, for challenges provide experiences for growth. Also, we can’t just do things that please us, or hang with folks who make us happy all the time. But, if it’s one energy sucking experience after another than we need to re-evaluate our choices. We need to choose life.

I confess to also using this approach when it comes to faith issues and beliefs. Many well-intentioned Catholics will accuse me of being a “cafeteria Catholic”; picking and choosing what I want to believe in. Let’s just say that the over-loaded, groaning buffet table offered by the Church is sometimes too much for me to handle. Trying to take it all in gives me a nasty case of indigestion! I need to focus on that which is pleasant to the palate and leaves me nourished and satisfied. I need to politely refuse that which leaves me angry, frustrated, saddened, and drained of life-giving energy.

There are those who say that if you can’t handle the whole meal deal offered by the Church, then you should dine somewhere else. This is the height of in-hospitality. Would you ask a friend to leave the table just because they don’t like one of the dishes you have offered? Would you leave a table where you are being nourished just because your favorite dessert wasn’t served, or wasn’t served to your perfect standard?

So, what about those issues that we struggle with? A very dear priest friend, whom we’ve known since those early university days, used to tell us to put those issues on the back-burner. Re-visit them as time goes by, but don’t let them drain you of the life-giving energy at the core of our faith. He patiently explained the teachings of the Church to us, but never used vigorous debate to convince us. He encouraged us to question and dialogue without judgment. And, he nudged us to nurture our spiritual lives so that we could listen to the voice of God deep within.

There is so much that is life-giving in our Catholic faith. In this season of Lent, I’m going to try and focus on that which gives me much needed energy, and put aside that which gets my knickers in a twist. I’m going to have a Happy Lent!

(Note: the CHOOSE LIFE logo on the famous Wham T-shirt worn by George Michael above, was promoting an anti-drug and anti-suicide message in the 80′s. It is also used by the pro-life movement. A great logo. A great message.)

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February 22, 2012 · 10:38 am

remember that you are dust…

My Lenten resolution this year is to rise above the doom and gloom and have a ‘happy’ Lent. Yet here we are on Ash Wednesday, being reminded of our mortality. We are signed with ashes and the words Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. The gentler version intones Repent, and believe in the Gospel. A nice thought, but it lacks the spiritual kick in the rear-end of the former.

Our society is programmed into avoiding thoughts of death. Funeral parlors now handle the messiness of dying and grieving for us. We forget that the process of letting go of a loved one doesn’t end when the funeral lunch is cleared away. Last Sunday, I greeted a man in our parish that lost his wife several months ago. “How are you doing, E—?”, I asked. He answered, “I’m doing it alone. It’s really hard after 47 years together.” With those words, he invited me to share his grief. He reminded me that his grief needed to be shared and not forgotten.

St. Benedict wanted his monks to daily keep death before their eyes. It seems such a morbid practice. But, speak to anyone who has faced and escaped death and they will tell you of a renewed appreciation for life. Keeping death before your eyes helps put the pettiness into perspective. It encourages you to revisit your own “bucket list”, those things that you want to do before you leave this world. These aren’t so much the grand gestures or great adventures, but the more simple “how do I want to be remembered?” Usually the doing won’t be remembered as much as the loving.

Over at the Prairie Messenger, staff and readers are mourning the loss of a great Catholic voice here on the Canadian prairies. Fr. Andrew Britz, OSB, was the editor of the PM from 1983-2004. He fearlessly challenged the Church and each of us to keep the spirit of Vatican II alive. The newspaper he led became known for allowing all voices to be heard in a true spirit of catholicity.

Maureen Weber, associate editor, wrote a tribute to the man who was both long-time friend and mentor to her. She describes well the paradox of death to persons of faith,

Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of Chicago, one of Rev. Andrew Britz’s heroes, once said, “We can look at death as an enemy or a friend. If we see it as an enemy, death causes anxiety and fear. We tend to go into a state of denial. But if we see it as a friend, our attitude is truly different. As a person of faith, I see death as a friend, as the transition from earthly life to life eternal.”

When we lose someone, though, death is seen as a thief, not a friend. My friend Andrew Britz, OSB, died Feb. 14. A man of great faith, Andrew viewed death as a friend. But we were robbed. read more

 

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February 21, 2012 · 11:40 am

happy lent!

Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Today, a friend wished me a Happy Lent! I chuckled at the oxymoron. Isn’t Lent all about sack-cloth and ashes, fasting, giving up pleasurable tastes and treats, and focusing on the poor and needy in our world? Hardly stuff to be happy about.

But, I really do need a happy Lent. I need to focus on the proverbial half full glass instead of wallowing in the half-empty shallowness. I’m tired of reading about the unbelievable stupidity coming from some of our political and church leaders. I’m even more tired of the same ranting voices on discussion boards; voices that loudly promote their own narrow views, refusing to listen to the other. The focuses on issues that have little connection with real life, but much to say about power struggles are dragging me down. The loud railing against the so-called ‘culture wars’ and anti-Catholic persecutions in North America are not firing up my Catholic soul and readying me for a righteous battle. They are making me want to hide in a quiet corner until the kaka clears.

The following words are in today’s Psalm reading, (Psalm 55),

If only I had wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest. Far away I would flee; I would stay in the desert.

Ah, the classic Lenten image of a desert. A harsh place, yes. But also a place of solitude and deep silence. A place of vast horizons of sameness, forcing you to spend time in what can be the harshest and most challenging of places – your own interior life. Forcing you to be still. To listen. To seek the wisdom within.

Of course, I can’t escape the late winter prairies to go tenting in the desert for forty days. But, I know that I can be more intentional in seeking the silence. I know what I need to turn off and when. I know how I can carve out time in my day to be still, and know better our God.

This is my Lenten resolution. This, and a commitment to put rants aside for a while. This doesn’t mean embracing a Pollyanna existence, closing my eyes to hide the darkness. I don’t trust the perpetually optimistic if the optimism comes from a place of denial or refusal to face reality. But, I do find energy in those who, in the midst of struggles and despair, can see the face of hope. Can be the face of hope to those around them.

I’m still not sure what a happy Lent will look like. But, I’m willing to give it a try. And, of course, I’ll use this blog to help map out the journey; hoping that others will add their wisdom along the way!

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February 19, 2012 · 4:56 pm

Hugs are an outward sign of inward grace | National Catholic Reporter

Our purpose in life is to come to see and to show what we really are in Christ. A hug is an outward sign of an inward grace. It expresses our spiritual oneness with God and each other. What could be more beautiful?

via Hugs are an outward sign of inward grace | National Catholic Reporter.

Please do read the above essay by Michael Leach. Warning, it might give you an uncontrollable urge to hug someone.

Hugs are given out generously in our family. When we arrive, and when we depart; we hug. When we hear news worth celebrating, and when sorrows are shared; we hug. When we reunite with old friends or family, a hug melts the separation of time. And when someone new is welcomed into our home…well, that can get a wee bit tricky…

One daughter always warns her friends that they may get hugged at the door. But, the ‘hug or not to hug’ question sometimes requires a game-time decision. I hate making decisions, so usually open my arms to welcome someone new. When in doubt, hug…right? Not always. When someone seems really ill at ease or shy, a hug can be truly an awkward thing. Just like the ‘dead fish hand-shake’, the ill-at-ease-light-pat-on-the-back-and-oh-so-swift-distancing can feel like a rejection. In those cases, I just make a mental note. Next time, a warm greeting and perhaps an outstretched hand.

Or, another approach. Persistence! Some folks just need some hugging lessons. Give them enough time and enough hugs, and they’ll get the hang of it. It’s a wonderful feeling when a reformed non-hugger  finally welcomes you with open arms. :-)

But, I have also been in situations where cultural traditions must be respected. Physical closeness can be seen as not only an intrusion, but as the height of rudeness. This must be respected in order not to offend. And then there’s the wonderful European embrace…arms on shoulders and the double cheek kiss. After a lot of head butts, I’m still trying to master this one. Which side do you start with? And then, just when I think I got it, someone pulls out the triple kiss!

Ah, now I’m over-analyzing the beautiful simplicity of a wonderful gesture. Leach also says, An old saying goes, “A hug is a universal medicine. It is how we handshake from the heart.”

A BIG AMEN!!!

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February 15, 2012 · 10:00 pm

many spiritualities…one church

Contrary to what some think, or would like to see, there is no such thing as a one-size fits all Catholic spirituality. There is one faith, but many and diverse ways to express it.

Throughout the centuries, holy women and men were inspired by the signs of their times to focus on a specific aspect of our faith and sought ways to live out that focus more deeply. For St. Francis, it was gospel poverty and simplicity. For St. Benedict, it was to follow the rhythm of prayer and work within the nitty-gritty of monastic life. For St. Dominic, it was to devote oneself to serious theological study in order to defend the faith. For St. Teresa of Avila, it was to plumb the depths of interior prayer. For Mother Teresa of Calcutta, it was to seek Christ in the face of the poorest of the poor, those rejected by society.

Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, the Missionaries of Charity all have a special gospel focus or charism; an inspired gift of the Holy Spirit. And out of that focus, comes a specific mission or apostolate. This mission is nurtured and formed by its way of thinking, doing, and praying; a specific spirituality.

To paraphrase the great St. Teresa of Avila, there are many rooms in the mansion that is the Church. There is room for Gregorian chanting traditionalists and for guitar strumming liberals. There is room for introverted hermits and outgoing evangelizers. There is room for the simply pious, and for intellectually soaring minds. And, there is a spirituality to fit just about anyone. The key is to find the right fit.

I found my fit over thirty years ago as a university student. I joined a small faith group that was being formed by some local Marianist priests and brothers. We met weekly to discuss various faith issues with the zeal (and all-knowing wisdom!) of young adults. We were encouraged to question, ponder and dialogue. We celebrated liturgies together. Our prayers soared with music provided by the gifted musicians among us. We prayed and we played together. Our favorite times were retreat weekends at the Brothers’ wilderness cabin. Some of the communities and friendships that were formed those many years ago still exist today. Several of those friendships turned into marriages; including our own.

Today, these communities are called Marianist Lay Communities and are part of a community of communities around the world. I just wrote a column for the Prairie Messenger called An example of community: the Marianist tradition. It gives a wee bit of a back-ground to the spirituality that I have embraced; embraced because it fits.

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February 8, 2012 · 3:00 pm

reality and a 5 minute retreat

The international clerical sexual abuse and cover-up scandals are again making Catholic news head-lines this week. Signs of progress are coming from an Abuse Summit taking place at the Vatican. From heart-wrenching personal witnesses by victims, to public penitential prayers, to acknowledgement of the accountability of both bishops and priests; there is hope that eyes are being opened and denials will no longer be accepted. John Allen’s daily reports over at the National Catholic Reporter give an insightful commentary on the summit proceedings.

Another NCR article chronicles a well-known story of massive cover-up and re-victimization of the abused not just by the offending clergy, but by their own families and parishes. Clerical power thwarts victims in Poland is a difficult article to read. I found my heart racing, and my body filling with angry tension. This is the country of my heritage with a culture of devoted Catholics, colorful pilgrimages, and love for the Blessed Mother. Yet, it is also the Church that angered my grand-father decades ago for its clericalism and greed.

By now, we know that our Church consists of sinners and saints. We cannot run from the reality of evil, for it must be faced and eradicated. But we also need to be nurtured and reminded of the existence of a loving God. We need to be reminded that we are beloved by God. And, we need to be reminded that we are loved by others. This is especially true for those who have been so deeply hurt and wounded.

I began my daily online reading with an uplifting piece from Sandy Prather’s column, Breaking Open the Ordinary in the Prairie Messenger. It raised my spirits, and I returned to it again after the depressing reading later in the day. If you can, take some time to read the entire reflection. It makes for a wonderful 5 minute retreat…

We likely will never have the actual experience of clouds parting and seeing the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon us, but each of us needs to hear at least once in our life the spoken words: “You are the beloved; in you I am well pleased.” As disciples of Jesus, we carry the message to each other: God delights in you. It is to be affirmed into life.

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February 3, 2012 · 11:22 am

silence in an age of information overload

microsoft image

When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary. Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds….

 BENEDICT XVI Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

The 46th World Communications Day message is a timely reflection for our age of information overload.

I confess to being a news junkie. I spend far too many hours in the day surfing web-sites, reading articles, checking out one more link or blog. I try to justify this as ‘research’ for my writing. I’m a big believer that a good writer must be an avid reader. But not all that we read is trustworthy.

And, not all that we read is of value. At the end of the day, my head is filled with too much useless information. (Damn you, Yahoo News!) It answers my curiosity of the moment, but serves no long term purpose. And, since the hard-drive capacity in my brain is limited (more so as the years pass), it gets dumped into the information trash bin. And yet, don’t we need to hear all voices in order to discern for ourselves what to believe? In this sense, the useless information serves its own purpose. (I need to read about the latest red-carpet fashion flop in order to judge, for myself, it`s newsworthiness. ;-) )

Much has been said about the seismic change in news broadcasting with the dawning of 24-7 news networks and web-sites. Remember the days when the daily newspaper and nightly news were your only source of current events? You sat and read, or sat and watched, then waited until the next day to get your updates. Now, we are bombarded with news around the clock. And, it takes creativity and tenacity to keep the news coming when information is still scarce. For example, check out the techno magic on CNN to keep viewers glued to yet another Primary debate or election. What more is there to say? What other angle is there to dissect the statistical distribution of votes? How many more views and commentaries do we need?

Perhaps information over-loads us only if we allow it too. As BXVI says, the key is to intentionally seek the silence amid the abundance of voices. Silence is not merely shutting our eyes and closing our ears. Silence is stepping back in order to contemplate and process what we have received. Pondering in the silence helps us to add to our knowledge of the bigger picture; for ourselves and with others.

Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge.

Silence is needed to hear the voice of wisdom deep within each of us; the voice that helps to filter and discern the trustworthy and valuable information from the useless.

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