Shining Spirit

I took a walk yesterday and I saw the ugliest thing!
I turned my eyes away from the pitiful giant.

I took a walk yesterday and I saw something unique.
I’ve never seen a saguaro like this,
so I took a picture of it for later study.

I took a walk yesterday and I was stopped in my tracks
by this strangely beautiful saguaro. I sat on the ground
for an hour taking in the shapes and curves and almost
mystical appearance. What a great gift to those of us
who walk this way.

Curious, isn’t it, how different eyes can see different things?

The earth laughs in flowers.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have lost my smile.
Don’t worry, the dandelions have it.
Tich Nhat Hanh

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone,
but also on trees, and in the flowers
and clouds and stars.
Martin Luther

The delicate artistry, so beautifully crafted,
is but one example of the abundance
of God’s gracious love
for all creation.
The One who creates, cares.
The One who cares, sustains.
The One who sustains,
walks by your side.
Thanks be to God!
Amen.

This is a scene that happens all over the country, in major
cities and smaller communities.  It is the sorting and bagging 
of food items for people who might otherwise go hungry.  This 
happens to be an elementary school where 100 bags of vegetables,
fruit, canned food, bread and other important necessities are distributed 
to families.  And it is an illustration of how people care for people, even
people they don’t know.  It is encouraging to find this community,
volunteer effort happening in so many places, but it is also a candid
illustration of how close some folks live to the edge and have to reach
out for a little help.  We dare not become satisfied with our own comforts
and neglect the homeless, the poor, and the hungry.
You will remember the admonition: Do unto others…
Well, sometimes we have to do for others when they
can’t do for themselves.  This is the crowning glory of
being a human being.
What are you doing to lend a hand or 
assist those who need a little help?

I thought the shaggy bush in the back yard was dead. It was a big cluster of brown stalks, no buds, no hints of life. Since it was near the water faucet, I tossed a little water on it just to soothe my conscience. In time the other plants in the backyard began to bud and blossom. The peach tree sported pink flowers, bougainvillea challenged with reds, yellow fruit on the lemon tree asked to be plucked, and various patio potted plants joined the awakening. But not the shaggy bush with brown stalks.

Not until yesterday when it all happened. No more brown bush. Beautiful purple blossoms burst out from the stalks and each one was topped with a crown of delicate lavender leaf. All it took was a little water and time. The purple surprise reminded me that all living things want to bloom, to produce, to contribute. I think we are made that way. But I also think that I get so preoccupied with my own life needs and desires that I don’t see the other (plant or person) who needs just a little encouragement or assistance in order to come into its fullness.

Paying attention, seeing with the heart, lending a hand, encouraging are all gifts, sacred gifts, we can give to another person. What a wonderful act of Christ love: to care someone into the fullness of his or her life. The one who cares is blessed, the one who
receives the caring is blessed, and the Spirit smiles.

May this be our experience today and everyday, to the glory of the Living God.

One light can’t illuminate one city.
One star can’t fill the evening sky.
Lights, stars, songs, books.
More than one!
One person can make a little change.
Two people — better.
1,000 people — greater change.
Community, neighborhood, congregation
Let your light shine so that all will know
the Way of Jesus exists. Your light matters.
You matter! In community and in solidarity,
shine!

God is the Space between musical notes in a Beethoven symphony
the Reality filling soundless moments between ticks of the clock
the Interval linking all heart beats from first to last
the Quiet joining each recurring echo of coyotes singing in the canyon
the Moment between lightening’s flash and thunder’s rumble
the Split Second separating Einstein’s “ah ha”
the Distance between every star in every galaxy known and yet to be known
the Electrical Snap linking the impulses from my brain to my hands

God: the unseen Adhesive of life

God is the dark Silence at the bottom of the deepest ocean
the rhythmical Whisper of a respirator in a hospital room
the first Gurgle from the mouth of a newborn in her mother’s arms
the Roar of engines as the rocket lifts off into fathomless space
the Fragrance of apple pie cooling on the kitchen table
the Music of rain dancing on a tin roof

God: the intrinsic Voice of life

(Written December, 2017)

A reflection on Matthew 5:21-26

Good to get away from that crowd. Anyway, it’s cooler up here on the mountain, and we can have Jesus all to ourselves. Come on, the others are gathering around him. Looks like he’s going to teach.

He is certainly right…murder is a terrible crime. Wait…what did he just say? He’s changing the scriptures? “But I tell you…” Can he do that?

A grudge is just as bad as murdering someone? Did you hear that, too? A grudge is just thoughts and words. How can a grudge be that bad?

And name calling! Again, just words spoken. Jesus doesn’t know my cousin…he IS an idiot.

Okay. I understand. I’m responsible for my behavior. No grudges and no name calling. I need to control my anger and not let it fester into a grudge.

Wait. Sit down. I don’t think he’s finished yet. Hold on…did you hear what I just heard? Even if I don’t hold a grudge against my cousin, but he holds one against me, I should try to reconcile. But it’s his grudge! He’s the one who is mad and pouting. He’s got the problem, not me. Excuse me, Rabbi. Are you sure you have that right? I think you have it turned around. In fact I…sorry, Master. Yes, it is something new to me. Yes, Rabbi, I understand and I don’t understand. It’s like the world just turned upside down. Yes, it will be surprising to the crowds. But I will share your teaching faithfully…however, first I need to visit my cousin.