On a recent pilgrimage / retreat, we were matched with a fellow pilgrim, whose identity we wouldn’t know until the end of the journey. It was suggested that we hold that person in our hearts, and during one of the quiet times during the trip, ask God for a word or image that would be meaningful for them. I had received words and images from others in prayer ministry, and recognized the gift this can be, so happily set aside a quiet moment to receive this grace for my secret fellow pilgrim.
As I prayed, the image of someone standing under a white blossoming tree came to my mind, and the Scripture where Jesus sees Nathanael under a tree and recognizes him as someone in whom there is no guile. I felt the Lord was saying to this person, “I see you. I know you. I know what’s on your heart. Come close to Me.” To test this thought and image, I returned to the exercise several times before the end of the pilgrimage, and the image and words remained true, and clear.
At the end of the pilgrimage, we gathered together and discovered who our secret partner was. I didn’t know her, and had not interacted with her on the trip. We were instructed to share what the Lord had given us for this person, so I told her what I had seen and heard. When I began, telling her Jesus had seen her standing under a white blossoming tree, she was visibly moved! She explained that at home she had a lilac tree that every other year had displayed beautiful purple blossoms, but for an unknown reason, this year the blossoms were white!
The words of Jesus, “I see you. I know you. I know what’s on your heart. Come close to me,” along with the image that was so very personal, were a blessed gift from God for my partner! There was no possible way I could have known she had a tree like that; God in His love and tenderness wanted her to know that He sees her, He knows her, He knows what she carries in her heart, and He desires that she come closer to Him! How much the Lord wants us to know that He knows everything about us, that He cares, and He desires an intimate relationship with us!
As is always the case when the Lord gives us the gift of bringing a blessing to another, the image and the words blessed me as well. God’s Word is filled with assurances of His love and and care for us. Ps 139 comes to mind here: “I have probed you and I know you. I know when you sit and when you stand. Your journeys and your rest I scrutinize. With all your ways I am familiar…”. These words from Scripture bring peace to our hearts, and when coupled with an image that only God could know, they are a powerful witness to the truth of His personal knowledge of us.
The second part of this word was the story from John 1:47 where Jesus declares “here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” I looked up the word “guile” and found this definition for the spiritual meaning of guile: “to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy or dishonesty in thought or deed.” Ps 32:2 says “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit (guile).” My partner struck me as just this sort of soul, which added another dimension to the story. The Lord knows her heart, and wants her to know she is blessed by the Lord for her pure spirit.
Praise God for this little prayer exercise that brought blessing to us both, and to others I have shared it with. How we desire to be seen, to be known, and to be called into deeper intimacy with Him! I’ll remember it whenever I see a white blossoming tree!
Thank you Lord, for your gift of the Holy Spirit which puts into our minds a word or image to bring blessing to another. Grant us this gift of the Spirit that we may be agents of Your love and mercy to our brothers and sisters, drawing us both into a deeper intimacy with You…
Our parish hosted a recent Day of Reflection focused on the theme “It is Well.” The theme corresponded to the beautiful hymn, “It is well with my soul,” written by Horatio Spafford in 1873. I was especially blessed with Fr Wratkowski’s reflections about just what it means “to be well.”
He began with the story of the writing of the hymn, a tale of deep faith in God in the midst of tragedy. Horatio and Anna Spafford had experienced financial disaster after the Great Chicago fire, but were now able to plan a trip to Europe to visit family and friends, and to celebrate Christmas in Paris. Horatio had to wait to finish some necessary business, but bid Anna and their four daughters bon voyage and Godspeed on the French steamer SS Ville de Havre. Off the coast of Newfoundland their vessel collided with an English ship, the Loch Earn, ripping a huge hole in the hull, and causing so much damage that their ship sank within 20 minutes. Fr Wratkowski spoke of how before the ship sank, Anna gathered her children to pray, seeking God’s help. She prayed not only to be spared, but “for the grace to endure whatever might come.”
What came was the tragic loss by drowning of all four of their daughters, with Anna alone surviving. She was rescued by a life boat, and ten days later arrived in Cardiff, Wales, where she sent a telegram home to Horatio with the simple message “Saved Alone.”
He took passage on a ship to join her as soon as he could, traveling the same sea route where his children had perished. The captain of the ship called him when they came to the very spot where his daughters had drowned, and it was there that Horatio looked not down at the sea, but up to Heaven where he trusted his loved ones to be, and the words of the beautiful hymn, “It is well with my soul,” began to live in his heart.
He arrived and joined his grieving wife, and also met with their close friend, evangelist Dwight Moody. In relating their story to him, they were able in faith to say, “It is well. God’s will be done.” This phrase remained in Horatio’s heart, and was the kernel of grace that produced the words of the hymn. There’s much more to the story, and well worth reading, as from this tragedy the Spafford family’s life bore great fruit in service of God’s people.
There’s a beautiful YouTube presentation, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the hymn, and a theatrical re-enactment of the story that includes “the rest of the story.”
There are so many hymns that we’ve come to know and love. How much more this one means to me now that I’ve heard the story behind it’s composition. I return again to one of my favorite Scriptures, Romans 8:28. “All things works together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Praise God for His Word, for HIs Promises, and for the grace to endure whatever may come, knowing that nothing is outside of His Providence.
Thank You Lord, for the beautiful witness of faith that has been handed down to us throughout the centuries, and inspires us to trust You in all circumstances. Help me to remain close to You always, and know that indeed, it is well with my soul…
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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
At our weekly Bible study, we were sharing thoughts about how the Beauty of Creation fills our hearts with consolation. One of the ladies commented about a friend who had a great view of the outdoors from his house, and often took photos of the sunset and then sent them to others, with a note of gratitude for this gift from God.
One of the fellows made a joke about cloudy skies, how they obstructed that lovely sunset. This was countered with the claim that often the clouds actually enhanced the beauty of the sunset. Her comment, “without clouds it’s the sun going down, and that’s it, but with the clouds the sunset lasts longer and is even more beautiful.”
We had also been speaking of the faith of those who experience many and grave trials, yet stand firm in their faith; perhaps stronger than if there had been no trials. All of this seemed to lead naturally to the reality that for our faith to grow strong, we need these trials and challenges. How we respond hinges on many variables, leading to the importance of developing an attitude of praise and thanksgiving before the hard times come.
The book PRISON TO PRAISE by Merlin Carothers was shared with me almost 30 years ago, and has helped me immeasurably in adopting this attitude of praise! I practice it in the small and simple difficulties of daily living, and now when bigger challenges arise, my response of praise rather than complaint comes more quickly. The Christian classics repeat in so many ways that to really trust God means to thank Him for each and every trial, as well as for the obvious pleasant blessings He brings us each day. If we really believe that “all things work for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28), then to praise and thank Him in all circumstances is the appropriate and sole response we are to give.
Sometimes when surprised by a trial, I forget! That’s when I need friends who also want to live praising God, and who will remind me of this Truth, and set me back on the right path. I’ve come to appreciate the cloudy sunset even more as I experience that it is indeed evermore beautiful, and that it lasts longer!
Lord God, thank You for sunsets, thank You for clouds, thank You for teaching me how to live a joy-filled life praising and thanking You in all circumstances! Thank You for companions on the journey to remind me and lift me up when I forget! May I live a life of praise, trusting in the Good God in every kind of weather…
November is a month dedicated to prayer for the dead, with visits to a cemetery on my “to do” list. I’m grateful for the wisdom of the Church to teach me about this, with the reality of communion with the holy souls awaiting our prayers to speed them on the way to purification and union with the Trinity. Knowing that they in turn are praying for us, for me, is a source of comfort and deep gratitude as I acknowledge the truth of the communion of the saints! The veil is often so very thin, and I’m especially aware of this amidst the gravestones.
I’ve always loved cemeteries! This was especially true during the covid isolation days. We couldn’t congregate indoors, and the parks and public spots available for social distancing were often crowded. I desired more space, and found the cemeteries to be the perfect answer – quiet, few people around, and the awareness of being on holy ground with the saints 🙂 I’ll stop and read some of the epithets, wondering what their life on earth was like, and what it’s like to be united now with those who have gone before them. Homecoming celebrations in Heaven are the best kind!
Again and again I’ve been reminded of the great value of “remembering death,” memento mori. This last week our Marian Servant community was blessed with a Day of Reflection led by Fr Daniel Klimek, who confirmed this beautifully as he spoke of the value of meditating on Christ’s Passion, uniting our sufferings with His on the Cross. This leads so naturally to the reality of our own death, and desiring the help of the saints to live this life well and so be united with Christ in Eternity.
I’m headed out soon to pray in the cemetery at our parish church, and one day this week I’ll join a friend to pray by her husband’s grave. Mentally I’ll spend some time visiting the family graves back in my hometown, praying for the repose of their souls, and seeking their intercession for family and friends who don’t yet know the Lord, His Love and care for them.
Lord God, may I be ever mindful of the shortness of this earthly life, grateful for this gift of life, especially eternal life with You! May my prayers help to speed holy souls on their journey to you, even as they offer prayers for us here and now. “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
I’m watching my grandchildren as they’re learning how to do things for themselves, growing in confidence as they manage simple tasks like drinking from a cup and using eating utensils. Their achievements are met with encouragement and praise with each new skill mastered. Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, all smile and applaud as the little ones soak in the love that is being showered upon them, helping them to risk trying the next challenge presented. “Good job, Honey!” “Way to go, Buddy!” And as the kids are becoming more and more articulate, we hear “I did it!,” accompanied by a well deserved smile and self-satisfaction.
In the world of faith my focus has become self-surrender, as the Word “without Me, you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) echoes often in my thoughts. I’m wondering how this transition takes place, and thinking it needs to begin right at the start. Helping the little ones know that everything good comes from the Creator, from the Good God Who loves them and gives them the ability to do anything. Knowing that He created us to learn and to grow, to use the gifts He’s given us, and that indeed all is gift from Him. And to know too how pleased He is with their abilities and progress, that He too is cheering them on, and whispering “God job, My beloved daughter!” And “Way to go, beloved child of My Heart!” My own heart desires to hear them respond, “See what God has helped me to do!” And to know in their hearts that He is their constant help, that their accomplishments are pleasing to Him, and that He is always looking at them with love and encouragement.
I recently heard Debbie Herbeck share how she encouraged her daughters, beginning at age 3, to look in the mirror each morning and repeat, “I am a beloved daughter of God.” To teach them right from the start that they have been created by a Good God, Who loves them unconditionally, and will help them do all that they ever need to do, so they may become all they have been created to be.
One of the primary obstacles to union with God is said to be “self-reliance.” How we need to teach the little ones the necessary skills to master as they grow, within the framework of God’s provision. As they grow, to help them to grasp the gift of the Holy Spirit Who enables them to function beyond their natural abilities, and accomplish “exceedingly abundantly beyond all we ask or imagine,” (Eph 3:20), all for the Glory of God!
It seems it goes back to recognizing that they are not doing anything alone, but always with the help of the Good God who loves them. As I’m becoming more aware of my own littleness, of my own nothingness, perhaps this reflection is for me. I’m that little child, weak and helpless, but empowered by the very Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from the tomb!
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom 8:11) Praise God Who calls me to be always God-reliant and not self-reliant!
Lord God, thank you for reminding me of Your ever-present help and strength to do all You ask of me, as I watch our grandchildren learning new skills. May we all know that indeed nothing is possible without You, not even the next breath we take, that we may live in the attitude of gratitude for all that you enable us to do and be, for Your praise and Glory…
This mystery recalls a time of great sorrow and at the same time great hope – a reliving of the paschal mystery in my life. Our marriage was crumbling after 36 years of what I had thought was a good marriage – how could I be so blind? The soul searching and unraveling of our life together brought painful truth into the light, but with the anguish came a new and deeper relationship with the Lord, and the promise of new life in Him.
As I was trying to process the struggle we were experiencing, I took a few days to go up to our cabin in the North Woods. On the drive, I listened to a tape by Paula D’Arcy, which spoke of her journey to a deeper trust and surrender to the Lord. She related the story of her family’s kitchen table, made of sturdy oak, and always there, like an anchor for the family. She did her homework there, ate there, entertained friends there – it was at the heart of the family life. Then she had a dream, and in the dream the table vanished. When she awoke, she recognized the dream as a call for a deeper surrender and reliance on God alone. The title of the tape was about the second half of the Christian life – the first half has a solid structure, like the table, and the second half calls for the removal of that structure, and total dependence on God. It was a good message for me to hear, and I thanked God for sending me the tape.
When I got to the cabin, I went for a walk back to a little lake in the woods. When I turned a bend approaching the lake, I stopped short. A huge oak tree, which had been there forever, lay broken and fallen on the ground. I had climbed that tree as a child; our four children had each climbed it in their turn; there was even a photo us sitting at its base on my refrigerator at home. I went closer to look, and found that the tree was hollow, just as our marriage seemed to be.
I cried, and then I smiled, recognizing God’s hand and timing. He had prepared my heart on the way north with the tape, and now he was showing me this fallen oak tree. Surely He knew every detail of our lives, and He would be with both of us through this present turbulent journey.
When I got back to the cabin, I opened the Bible and this verse jumped out at me: Isaiah 6:13 “…he will be like the stump of an oak tree that has been cut down. The stump represents a new beginning for God’s people.” The Bible at the cabin was a different translation than my one at home; the wording of this version was a perfect gift from God to me.
It’s been a difficult road, but the image of the oak tree remains with me as a sign of God’s care and hope for the future. God promises new life and resurrection glory; I’m experiencing that more and more as I put all my trust in Him…
Lord God, thank You for preparing my heart and giving me the strength to endure the trials of life. May my trust in You grow stronger each day, that I may be a witness to Your faithfulness and mercy, and experience the power of Your Resurrection ~
(Re-visit from Rosary Reflections, First Glorious Mystery)
The opportunity for Reconciliation was always especially meaningful when celebrated at the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence – it seems that the Lord often would bring up things from the past that were stumbling blocks to grace.
At one of the sessions, I felt led to confess a sin of the past whose memory often haunted me. I had confessed it in a general way previously, but now felt the need to be more explicit about the experience. The priest was very helpful, as he assured me of God’s grace and mercy. In thanksgiving, I went to the Adoration Chapel to express my gratitude to the Lord.
As I sat before the tabernacle, the Lord gifted me with a beautiful image. I saw myself sitting on a bench beneath the Cross, with Mary sitting beside me with her arm around my shoulders. In my lap I held a photo album – in it were pictures of the situations I had confessed. Jesus was on the Cross above us, and as we sat there, His precious Blood began to drip down on the photos, and each drop totally erased the pictures, making them white as if a drop of bleach had been put on them. He was blotting out all those images with His precious Blood, so that I no longer saw them, but only saw a clean white frame, and felt the comfort of His Presence, and that of Our Blessed Mother. Now whenever the enemy seeks to raise those pictures before my eyes again, all I see is that image of us sitting beneath the Cross, with those drops of precious Blood that make each photo all white.
The Lord has blessed me several times by changing the way I remember a difficult experience. Asking Him to show me where He was with me, or what He was doing, have brought forth images that provide healing grace to painful moments in time, and have allowed me to become more free. What a beautiful way to bring healing, and to set the captives free!
Lord God, thank You that You are a God outside of Time, Who has been with us throughout our lives and can bring healing and wholeness to all areas of our lives. Thank You for the healing balm of Your precious Blood, to wash away the stain of sin ~
(re-visited from Rosary Reflections, Sorrowful mystery, the Crucifixion. In this season of Lent, of Reconciliation, this memory has always blessed me. May it bring a blessing to others who may be unable to let go of images that want to rob us of our peace)
A new season of Lent, another opportunity to draw closer to Jesus, through Mary, to eternity! What resolution might help me on the journey? What came to mind was to commit to posting one “Musing” each week, long overdue. My friend’s weekly postings have been an inspiration and encouragement to do the same, so we’ll start today, and check back in at Easter to see how it went. I believe it will enrich my Lenten season, and hopefully drop a little grace for anyone who might chance to read them :). Here goes for week one:
“Be in the silent heart of Jesus”. St Mother Terese Couderc. 2/15/24
The words of St Mother Couderc to Anne Marie Schmidt have been coming to mind for me often lately. To “be in the silent heart of Jesus.” What does that mean? What does it look like?
For me, it’s a call to stop “thinking” and just BE with Jesus. Taking a moment for prayer in the Spirit, and then a few moments of silence, close to His Sacred Heart. WITHIN His Sacred Heart. Going to a mental image of a location where I particularly am filled with the sense of wonder and awe at the Beauty of God’s Creation. For me, this is in the woods Up North, in the Spring when the forget-me-nots are in full bloom and so thick, they look like a lake of brilliant blue in the woods. Like steams of living water, gently moving with the breeze.
Our Marian Servant community is like the forget-me-nots. The daisies? Perhaps the Trinity, with the Saints and our Angels? We’re all in this together, into eternity.
How does this relate to “being in the silent heart of Jesus?” I’m reminded of the sacred silence that followed watching the film clip from “Saving Mr Banks.” It touched our hearts, our need for healing, and left us as a group in holy silence – any words spoken would surely have broken this tangible Presence we all felt. The words from the song, “Mercy is falling, is falling, is falling…Mercy is falling like a sweet spring rain…” embodied the sense we had of God’s Presence, and His healing touch. I want to spend more time in this precious place. Not thinking, just Being with the Lord, in silence.
Father God, help me to spend time with you in the Sacred Heart of Your Son. In silence, just to BE there with Him. To listen, to receive, and to bring Your love and mercy to a fearful and hurting world…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 