A Shepherd In The Field

We are inundated by reports of pain, grief, and even hopelessness. This gloom seems to lurk and is exacerbated by social distancing and being shuttered in our home. As of now, we cannot control the virus, and we are helpless. The feeling is similar to when you walk down a dark and unfamiliar path. Each step is hesitant, you focus on your balance, and your eyes are continually adjusting and seeking the destination. It is unsettling, and you just want to find the way back to your own sense of security.   In praying over the feelings that many are encountering, one word has been covering my prayers, and it is resiliency. To be resilient is part of the narrative of our faith and our history. Think of Abraham and the questions. The gloom evident as the Israelites wandered in the desert.  Grief is intimately felt by the frightened and doubting disciples in an isolated room. In this week’s Gospel, we hear of that uneven path toward Emmaus, where Christ set our footing straight. ...

Holy Saturday.   We wait.   We pray.  We wait. We mourn. We wait. We hope. The earth is still. Painting by James Jacques Tissot

Lord Show me your face today. The Jesuit Priest Anthony DeMello wrote: “Peace is only found in the yes.” This prayer has always redirected my need to plan and prepare. The peace that is found in the yes is a constant reminder to sit in the sacred present and focus on what is found in the holy moment. We cannot respond affirmatively if we do not take the time to stop and listen to the question. As we begin the Paschal Triduum, (the three days that begin with the liturgy on Maundy Thursday and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday), the need for being sacredly present takes on more profound meaning. During this time of physical distancing, each moment provides the opportunity to heighten our practice of presence. Being watchful to the Holy Mystery entering and unfolding into our lives at any given moment.  In the pre-pandemic world, we were accustomed to looking ahead. To accomplish and move on to the next project. While admirable, this path consumes our lives ...

I grow weary because of my groaning;  every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears. My eyes are wasted with grief  Psalm 6:6-7 Throughout the bible, we encounter the holy narrative of anxiety, frustration, lamentation, grief, and tears. At times they can be distant words, at a far off time felt by a character in an ancient story. Yet, there are moments in our life where we can actually feel their pain and understand their tears. I know that during this moment in time, I have felt the tears welling up deep inside my soul, waiting to be liberated.  Holy Week is an opportune time for us to fully embody the meaning and importance of tears. The Gospel passages leading up to Holy Week are filled with tears. The woman with the alabaster jar washes the feet of Jesus with tears. Jesus cries both at the tomb of Lazarus and over Jerusalem. The overwhelming sadness and anguish he suffers in the Garden soak his clothes with tears. We feel the pain o...

Each Saturday, we “share the peace.” Last week, we shared a song that holds special meaning. As we enter into Holy Week, let us share the peace through a photograph. It could be of a place, a saint, a church - it is up to you.  Perhaps explain why the picture represents your faith. The first image I would like to share is at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. People from all over the world bring their prayers, pain, dreams, tears, and gratitude and offer them to God.  They come together as a people in faith and hold their heart to the Holy One. The candles also represent the knowledge that the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.  The second image represents two essential components of my faith: Pilgrimage and desert monasticism. The worn and weathered cross is found in the high mountain desert at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range (Blood of Christ in Spanish). The cross is on the road to the Santua...

Each Friday, we “share the peace” with one another through the written word. Last week, our theme was poetry. This week I am borrowing from the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, the Rector of St. Martin in the Fields in Philadelphia. He asked people to post a favorite verse of a  song. It is a beautiful idea. Share the peace by selecting your favorite verse from a religious, spiritual, gospel, or any song that speaks to your faith or has deep meaning to you. I picked two songs: The King of Love my Shepherd is. I could not select only one verse as two verses always speak to my heart: The King of love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his And he is mine for ever. In death's dark vale I fear no ill With thee, dear Lord, beside me; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me. The second song that has special meaning is Tunnel by Third Day: You got your disappointments and sorrows You ought to share the weight of that load ...

“The Lord’s mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136 Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.  Matthew 9:13 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful ...” Luke 6:36 When I wrote this letter to the diocese at the beginning of Lent, no one could have imagined the reality we are living in. Yet, mercy is timeless, love,  love is eternal, hope is real, and this time will pass. I would like to offer this letter once again and ask you to hold mercy, hope, and love in your hearts.   I also invite you to expand your prayers to include a prayer for the entire world. I have changed the numbered points listed below to adapt to our current situation.  Let us pray.  Mercy is powerful, transformative, hopeful, life-giving, and foundational to both the Old and New Testaments. Mercy is knowing that we are forgiven. Mercy speaks of God’s inexhaustible love for each one of us.  Mercy is demo...

“Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.” Luke 5:3-5 Despite his initial hesitations and protestations, Peter trusted Jesus, sailed to the deep and let down the nets.  The water stirred, the nets became heavy with fish. The nets began to sink into the water and tear.  Peter and his companions pulled and pulled, and they could not bring them up.  Peter looked around and spotted the other boat.  He called for help, and his partners rushed to his side.  Together, alongside one another, each person reached down and pulled.  I suspect that Jesus joined in the work.  The nets began to rise, and both boats were overflowing with the gifts from God.   Turn on the television, and you cannot help but be overwhelmed by...