Put Your Best Self Forward

Counters of scriptural references have cited 146 incidences of the number 40 in the bible. For example, in the time of Noah, it rained 40 days and 40 nights; Moses spent 40 years in the desert escaping Pharaoh’s death penalty after killing the Egyptian; the Israelites wandered around in arid lands before entering the promised land; and this first week’s Gospel reading focuses on Jesus being lead into the wilderness where his priorities, sense of self and faith were put to the test.

Lent begins and we find ourselves embarking on a forty-day grace-filled, spiritual journey. “Why 40 days?” you may wonder. The season of Lent is traditionally observed as a time of conversion and renewal. Recalling that renewal is synonymous to rebirth may help us grasp the underlying significance of forty. Pregnancy is customarily measured as 40 weeks.* Thus, forty takes on a symbolic meaning in reference to the process of our spiritual rebirthing.

On the internet, I found the Vatican’s English translation of the Pope’s Lenten message. In his message Francis reminds followers that Lent urgently calls us to conversion. He is quick to remind us that Lent is a favourable time for deepening our spiritual life through the tried-and-true means of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.  We would be wise to reflect in what new ways we might give expression to the essence of these traditional practices in our times?

In another web article referring to the topic – Put Your Best Self Forward** three key points were highlighted in reference to approaching situations, other people and life confidently. It sparked me into wondering whether these same three watchwords, “Walk lightly, Stand tall and Just breathe”, might aptly hold us in good stead as we embrace Lent this year.

Might Walk lightly be a gentle appeal to divest ourselves of needless anxiety, the overabundance of consumer goods and ready ourselves to convey hope and compassion to others.

Might Stand tall be an encouragement to rest assured that the God of Goodness beholds us as beloved.

Might Just breathe be an invitation to slow down, to be still and tune into God’s loving wisdom for us.

As you continue your Lenten journey may you grow in confidence that you are a MIRROR reflecting the goodness of Love to those who are your companions on the journey.

Nancy Wales, CSJ

*Human gestational length averages 38 weeks (8.74 months) from conception. However, pregnancy is customarily measured from the date of the last menstrual period — about 2 weeks before conception. By this scale, pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, or 9.20 months. https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-say-a-pregnancy-is-a-nine-months-when-it-is...

**Put Your Best Self Forward-  www.gokhalemthod.com/blog/57518

Anticipating the Advent of our God

As I began to think of Advent I could hear ringing in my ears, “Not same old . . . make a difference this year.” But what difference will I, could I make?

Anticipating an event can be a most rich part of living. Imagine the happy wonderings and planning of an expectant mother and father in the nine months of gestation. Notice the loving anticipation of a bride and groom in the time prior to their wedding. We wonder what emotions passed through the hearts of Mary and Joseph as they awaited their child, and questioned the specialness of this event as they have been told by messangers of God.

Each church year we take time to anticipate the advent of our God. Advent and Christmas are truly times for personal reflection and deep meditation within our hearts.

Sister Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ reminds us that eventually the early Christian community confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one, the one anointed by the Spirit.

“Through his human history the Spirit who pervades the universe becomes concretely present in a small bit of it; . . . the Shekinah (one who dwells) dwells among the suffering people in a new way. In a word, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us”

Johnson goes on to say that this is profoundly good news for persons who are poor, denigrated, oppressed, struggling, victimized and questing for life and the fullness of life. Under the influence of this same Spirit, disciples of Jesus continue to keep alive this dangerous memory of his life, death and resurrections. (She Who Is, p. 150)

Making a difference this Advent:

• I will try to carry out one simple, loving act of mercy every day
• I will let “light” – daylight, a candle remind me of the Light living among us, Shekinah
• I will choose an Advent biblical figure, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, lowly shepherds and accompany her/him/them during Advent in anticipation of Jesus’ birth.

How will you make a difference as you live this Advent?

Betty Berrigan, CSJ

Being Hoped-Filled

It is a challenge to be hopeful these days! We seem to be surrounded by stories of tragedy, violence, ecological devastation, poverty and pessimism, to name just a few. At the same time, there is love and birth and joy around us as well.

Once again, as it was for Charles Dickens in nineteenth century England, “It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times.” The main thing about our time is simply that it is OUR time, our moment of grace, our now, right where we are; and so it is our time to be hope-filled.

Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God, and it lies deep within us, waiting to be activated. In spite of popular misconceptions, hope has little to do with happy outcomes, the absence of problems, the coming of better times, even the achievement of peace and justice in the world. Christian hope is about knowing that we are one with the Holy One, and therefore with all others of creation too.

As I say this, I’m reminded of a little poem by Wendell Berry:

The incarnate Word is with us,

Is still speaking, is present

Always, yet leaves no sign

But everything that is.

Reprinted with permission courtesy of Dolores Hall
Spiritual Director at Providence Spirituality Centre www.spiritualitycentre.ca

A Conversation with Myself

How can I be my best self? How can I find my purpose in life as I grow older? All transformation is a shift in the conversation. What is it that moves a person to chart a new course? The HERO is within each of us! Listen! Am I being my best self, have I a sense of belonging? Can I forgive myself enough to change, to transform?

Faith like love isn’t something that IS, it is something we do each day. Faith is active! The gift of God is within each one of us, with self-discipline and love we see our belief grow as we engage in the work God asks of us. Sometimes a miracle is as small as a homeless man getting a meal at the Soup Kitchen, or an unexpected compliment to brighten one’s day. Maybe it’s simply being present or sharing your beautiful smile, or simply walking with the elderly at their pace, arm-in-arm with someone who is 87 or maybe 99!

Miracles do happen when we choose to reach out and do more than simply what we ought to do.

Simone Batte, csj

A Time for Thankful Hearts

This is by far my favourite time of year. These days surrounding Thanksgiving Day have a way of surfacing within me the words,

“There is an endless song
that echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring…
How can I keep from singing?”

As we sit before our feasts of plenty may we be mindful of the Goodness of God that touches us in so many ways. May the richness of God’s bounty that we continuously experience fill us with gratitude and openness of heart. May gratitude help us to embody the words I first heard at my Grandma Wales’ table.

For what we are about to receive
may we be truly thankful
and keep us always mindful of the needs of others. 

I invite you to view and reflect on this PowerPoint Presentation, based on words of Joyce Rupp, which offer a fitting prayer of blessing.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Nancy Wales, CSJ