Reflections on the Cross

Reflections on the Cross (one older, and one from 9/22/12):

The Cross shows us a vertical beam and a horizontal beam. As I have reflected on it, God revealed to me the Divine-human connection and the horizontal beam shows a connection with each other. We cannot have a good connection with God without also crossing the connection with each other. And we cannot have a good connection with each other without also crossing the connection with God. So we can never say I have a good relationship with God, but I hate my brother/sister. And we can never say I have a good relationship with my brother/sister, but have none with God (don't believe in God).

Today (9/22/12) God shared with me: The image of the Cross shows the vertical beam is long and the horizontal one is shorter. That vertical beam provides the foundation/support for the horizontal beam to be properly sustained. If the vertical beam (our connection with God) is too small, then the horizontal beam (allowing our outreach to one another) cannot be sustained well; it needs the right balance.

Coming to God’s House? Not on my list of chores!

(from 2006)

   Do I look at coming to Mass as a burden?  Is it just one more thing on my already busy schedule?  At one time, going to Mass was almost like a chore – something I didn’t look forward to.

   I didn’t have a connection that was important to me.  Our Mass is a Eucharistic celebration, but unfortunately the latter word isn’t emphasized enough.  It is a celebration and it must be in, by, for and through the faith community.

   Our contributions, including the prayers, the singing, and coming to receive Holy Communion support and encourage each other in the journey of faith.  We are becoming the holy communion, the Body of Christ – We are the Church.

   We are becoming living temples where God is present.  When we leave the Eucharistic celebration we are carrying the Presence of God to all that we meet, to affect them also.

   Through the Mass, the faith community coming together is changed by the Eucharist.  We then go out to share the message of Jesus – “You are loved.  Love one another.”

   That’s the kind of connection I look forward to getting when I visit God’s house.  And coming into holy communion with you all is a wonderful benefit and blessing too.

Added (2012) – In the last couple of years God has given me a different perspective of “God’s house” to consider.  It is our home too, so we don’t visit, but rather we should feel comfortable in our “sanctuary”.  If we come to “visit God” we will always be uncomfortable on some level.  When we seek a better understanding, deepen our relationship, develop community-mindedness and build family connections, then our comfort-zone is increased.  And our faith is more alive, our love has better outreach and our hope is strengthened.

For A Reason? For A Season? For A Lifetime?

For A Reason?  For A Season?  For A Lifetime?

            Our lives are filled with relationships and each begins for a reason.  There are family members, friendships developed, or even chance meetings.  Whatever the reason, it has a beginning.

            Many of our encounters go beyond the “reason” stage and last for some period of time.  That period could range from very short to quite lengthy, so I’m referring to that period as “a season.”  That period could be a day, a few days, weeks, or even years.

            We are at a time right now when a “season” has been on our minds recently because of Advent and Christmas.  Did we (and are we continuing to) make Jesus a part of our season?  Is He the Reason for the Season(s)?  Is our relationship made up of a bunch of reasons strung together?  Or is it even less?

            There are so many things that could detract or be distractions from the spirituality of our preparations and celebrations, that were and continue through the new year.  Are we active participants in making that happen?  We must work hard to keep the true focus of what Christmas means.  How we define that would require much prayer to let Jesus show us how our giving and our living fit together.

            How long will our celebration of the Christmas season continue?  Many people have a big build up to Christmas Day, but then it quickly deflates or fades.  Actually Christmas Day (beginning with the EVEning time on the 24^th) is just the beginning of the Christmas season.  On the Church calendar the Christmas season continues through the Baptism of the Lord in January.  Now that we are beyond that point, the Christmas spirit can still affect our lives and those we meet.

            What we are celebrating at Christmas is the remembrance of Jesus’ coming into the world 2000+ years ago, and renewing His entering into our lives.  This relationship needs to be the “for a lifetime!” kind.  It is not just a relationship of destination, but also one of journey.  Jesus wants to walk with us into each new day, week, month and year.  We receive Jesus as a gift, truly the Present, but also His Real Presence!

            Lifetime friends are few and rare.  The reason is right, the season is now, the lifetime is yours!

For A Reason?

For A Season?

For A Lifetime?

written January 30th, 2003

presented February 1st, 2003 (Papago Park, AZ)

        for Diane Genet's Celebration of Life

When we contemplate relationships

They happen for a reason

last for a season or

span for a lifetime

Some of us met Diane for a reason

the purpose may not be fully known

but just in meeting Diane

some seeds of blessing were sown.

Some of us came for a season

I'm one who came for a while

She added so much cheer and joy

and came with that infectious smile.

For some, the relationship spanned a lifetime

In our lives she surely will be missed

all the shared moments so relished and cherished

each of us has had our own long, long list.

Whether yours was Reason, Season or Lifetime

Diane touched us in many caring ways

this wonderful woman we lovingly recall

through all our upcoming days.