Shining Spirit

The Gospel according to Matthew tells us a story about Jesus climbing a tall mountain in the company of Peter, James and John. Once at the summit, the three men are astounded to see Jesus, standing off by himself, change before their eyes. His face shown like the sun and his clothes were radiant.

The three felt both fear and wonder as two figures appeared near Jesus, called him to join them, and began a private conversation. This can’t be!
It is not possible for Moses and Elijah to stand here in human form. But very quickly their fears turned into delight and joy.

Within minutes, there appeared a huge, bright cloud that overshadowed all of them. The cloud took in the trees, the rocks, the whole mountain top and when it settled gently around them, a voice was heard…a voice! A voice coming from the cloud! “This is my son whom I love. I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!”

Two thousand years later, the voice still speaks. And it says the same thing.
In this painful time of massive death and confrontations in the streets, listen to what he has to say. His words and his way will save us from ourselves. Listen. Listen!

It’s hard to believe how many spectacular blessings Nature
offers us! We can only see them, however, when we are
looking up. I know it’s tempting to go through these days with
our heads down…the weight of frustration, the power of fear,
the sense of helplessness…these things weigh heavily on our
shoulders. But try to remember, we can’t see the blessings
unless we look up…up in our spirits, up with our eyes,
up with hopeful hearts. You and I are stronger than
our feelings and we will not let them control who we
are and how we respond.
So, today the phrase running in the back of my
brain is “I am stronger than my fears. I am
wiser than my frustrations. I am courageous in
the face of all obstacles.”
I am and you are because God is.
Maybe you will see something today that will
remind you about who you really are. Be watchful and aware.
Look up!

On this first day of the week, may you find hope to replace your sense of futility, peace in your mind and spirit instead of the undercurrent of fear,
awareness of the good and the positive around you, and an appreciation of beauty that is the sign of the Spirit’s residence within your heart.
May the trinity of Wisdom, Courage, and Serenity
guide your way to The Way.
May it be so.

Spread your wings today!

You are a beautiful work of Creation!

You can fly!

(If you try!)

Have you noticed the lovely flower crowns atop our Saguaro neighbors
all over town? Striking!
But when I see them my mind revisits the first words of the
Sursum Corda, the beginning statement of the
traditional communion rite in many Christian churches.
The priest calls out to the congregation:
“Lift up your hearts” and the
people reply: “We lift them up to the Lord.”
Our tall, stately cactus friends are lifting an offering of
beauty to the universe, a gift to creation, their way
of saying “above the confusion of life in this world,
there is beauty and we lift it high for all to see.”

Would that we might follow their lead.

It’s just an ordinary sandy path until the shadows come.

Shadows are often thought to be mysterious, even sinister,
but shadows painted onto a canvas or included in
a photograph add depth and dimension and
character.  In the hot Sonoran desert, shadows
are very welcome.
Could it be that the shadows that slip into our lives
might also offer a richness that would not be there
otherwise?
The shadow of doubt inspires honest questions.
The shadow of mistake reminds us to be more careful
or thoughtful or diligent.
Even the shadow that provides cool relaxation
reminds us to be thankful and appreciative.

Shadows are friends to those who recognize that
life is a mixture of many things, and who accept
the reality of life’s oneness.

This is not communion with nature,
this is communion with the Source of
all nature.

This is not looking at something beautiful,
this is looking through the objects and
seeing Inherent Beauty.

This is not taking a hike,
this is experiencing a mystical moment
that will never be repeated in
exactly the same way.

“How glorious is your dwelling place,
O Loving Creator of the universe.”