Posts

Jesus Wept

Flower with morning dew, Olympia, WA

Jesus wept not just from the deep thoughts of his understanding but from spontaneous tenderness, from the gentleness and mercy, the encompassing loving-kindness and exuberant affection of the Son of God for his own work, the race of man. Their tears touched him at once, as their miseries had brought him down from heaven. His ear was open to them, and the sound of their weeping went at once to his heart. ~ St. Cardinal John Henry Newman

Be comforted, the Lord hears your prayers.


Clothed with Christ

Bufflehead duck, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, WA

Let us put on the robe of Christ and we need look no further than the cross to emulate him.

It is courage, enduring to the end.

It is poverty, detached of earthly wealth while radiating heavenly treasures.

It is mercy, forgiving even ones enemies.

It is mourning for those that do not know God, showing them his love.

It is meekness, using ones strength to turn the other cheek.

It is living a life of peace, even when confronted with hate.

It is a life of humble service, thirsting for righteousness and doing the will of God.

It is a complete love of God and neighbor.

So let us “be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us”. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2


Seeing God

Mt. Saint Helens with Mt. Rainier in the background, WA USA 

Lord Jesus,

Lead me up your Holy Mountain,

illuminate my heart with your grace.

Remove my stains of

pride and callousness,

selfishness and addiction,

and make my heart a servant’s heart,

overflowing with love for you and my neighbor.

Fill my journey with the hope,

that I one day will summit your Holy Mountain

and see your face.

Amen


The Light of Life

Saffron Finch, Kona, Hawaii USA

Brothers and sisters, it is clear what Jesus means by asking us to be the light of the world: we, who are his disciples, are called to shine forth like a city set on a hill, like a lamp whose flame may never be extinguished. In other words, before we worry about the darkness surrounding us, before we hope that the shadows around us will lighten, we are called to radiate light, to give brightness to our cities, our villages and homes, our acquaintances and all our daily activities by our lives and good works. The Lord will give us strength, the strength to be light in him, so that everyone will see our good works, and seeing them, as Jesus reminds us, they will rejoice in God and give him glory. If we live like sons and daughters, brothers and sisters on earth, people will come to know that all of us have a Father in heaven. We are being asked, then, to burn with love, never to let our light be extinguished ~ Pope Francis

Order as seen through the Eyes of Faith

Pineapple plant near Kona, Hawaii  

Comprehensibility through order; the scientist requires it, others take it for granted, for some it is ignored, but for the one that sees with the eyes of faith it is the fingerprint of God.

All your works give you thanks, LORD

and your faithful bless you.

They speak of the glory of your reign

and tell of your mighty works

~ Psalm 145:10-11

Who God Is

Mallard drake and hen, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, WA

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. ~ 1 John 4: 7-9

Help From The Lord

Mt. Elinor as seen from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, WA

“When I see that the burden is beyond my strength, I do not consider or analyze it or probe into it, but I run like a child to the Heart of Jesus and say only one word to Him: “You can do all things.” And then I keep silent, because I know that Jesus Himself will intervene in the matter, and as for me, instead of tormenting myself, I use that time to love Him.” (Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Par. 1033, page 392) 

The Oneness of Love

Interwoven Trees, Burfoot Park, Olympia, WA, USA

“I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one.” (John  17:23) 

God is crazy in love with us ~ St. Catherine of Sienna

Following Him

Trail, Squaxin Park, Olympia, WA, USA

Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs - let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ. I would rather die and come to Jesus Christ than be king over the entire earth. Him I seek who died for us; him I love who rose again because of us.” - St Ignatius of Antioch, Christian martyr, 107 AD


Christian life was not easy for the first followers of Christ and yet the first Christian’s remained hopeful, even joyous as they followed Christ. One of the biggest impoverishments we have today is a lack of hope. People are hungry for hope, the hope that only Christ can give.


Let us spread hope, let us show our joy is not dependent on this moment’s pleasure but is rooted in following Christ. Let us demonstrate our love by imitating Christ in virtue and charity.


The Longest Journey

Sunrise over Mt. Rainier, WA, USA

The universe has an estimated 1 septillion stars (a one followed by 24 zeros), with the furthest star 28 billion light years away from earth. However; what is more amazing is that God, the creator of this vast universe, became man and was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem.


Love came from the infinite

        to live with the finite,

from heaven

        to live on earth,

from wealth

        to live in poverty.

Love journeyed to place divinity

        into humanity.

Many every knee bow at the name of Love,

       Jesus Christ.

       True God, true man.

        The Word made flesh.

        Love made flesh.


Merry Christmas!


The Greatest Romance

Western Chehalis Trail, Olympia, WA

On our journey with God let us always remember, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Reflecting God's Love

Budd Inlet, Olympia, Washington USA

Jesus said, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” ~ Matthew 5:16

Prepare the Way!

Sunrise Galveston, TX with background mosaic from Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France

As we commence this Advent season, preparing our way for Christmas, I wanted to share this picture from our Christmas 2018 post.


This Advent season let us “prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3).

A Tiny Flame

Sunset in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado USA

The light of the Christian comes from the fruits of the Holy Spirit which are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love that we may renew the face of the earth.
Amen

Knowing He is With Us

Point Wilson Lighthouse, Washington, USA

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” ~ Hebrews 11:1

The Wonders of Your Law

Naches Peak Loop Trail, Washington, USA

Lord, help us see clearly. Jesus may our relationships flow from our love of you. Let us understand that love doesn’t come from a conformity of beliefs but from your grace in helping us to desire the good of the other. Help us to look beyond our differences and see people as the neighbors that God has asked us to love.

Amen


Nothing can separate us from the love of God

Tilllamook Rock Lighthouse, Cannon Beach, Oregon

“Christian joy is about the experience of a peace that remains in our hearts, even when we are pelted by trials and afflictions, for then we know that we are not alone, but accompanied by a God who is not indifferent to our lot. When seas are rough: the storm is always on the surface, but the depths remain calm and peaceful. That is also true of Christian joy: it is a free gift, the certainty of knowing that we are loved, sustained and embraced by Christ in every situation in life. Because he is the one who frees us from selfishness and sin, from the sadness of solitude, from inner emptiness and fear, and gives us a new look at life and history…” ~ Pope Francis