The Unbroken Word

THE UNBROKEN WORD

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment

We often imagine living in a heavenly place, somewhere where we consider we are always on vacation, away from chores and responsibilities, where we enjoy ourselves devoid of day-to-day hassles.

Such was such a day recently on a boat trip to Catalina, the wonderful channel island just offshore from the Southern Californian coastline. The weather was perfect, an almost calm ocean, an escort of dolphins for a while, and a day filled with beach weather, cycling and sightseeing up and down the Catalina hills. It was the sort of excursion that makes you feel the need for a “mental health” day and be filled with thankfulness for our lives.

On the way back to the boat, the pilot on the water taxi was asked the question, “do you live here full time.” She retorted with almost a hysteric response; “I get that question all the time” … “I wonder why people think I am so different from them just because I live here?” She was obviously disturbed, and it turned out this was the umpteenth time she had been asked the question today. After a little exchange, we explained because it is so beautiful on the island there was a certain amount of admiration and envy in the question, the questioner imagining himself living each day like the one we had just enjoyed.

Of course, for us, as day-trippers, the day was filled without agenda, deadlines and responsibilities, not so for the water taxi pilot. She had a working day, albeit on a beautiful island, still a working day.

A little further into the conversation, she noted that she always felt sad when leaving the island, indicating she also had a great affinity for the place and described how she met her obligations to see the family on the mainland but left with sadness as a result. The detachment was clearly felt on her face and emotions. She had gotten herself, perhaps by accident, into a conversation that went deep into her heart.

As we look for those days of retreat, searching for refreshment we could consider how God helps us in the process. Do we not find ourselves almost in immediate wonder, gratitude, reflection and consideration of our lives as soon as we can slow down? Does not the change of scenery help us appreciate our own, and force our minds and hearts into a different zone? Is this not why you make time for a retreat each year?

Perhaps this week, we can set aside some special time for one of those sacred places in your lives, and sit there a while with God. It might not be far, on a porch, a motorcycle, a second coffee on a Sunday morning. Give up some minutes for a micro-retreat in your everyday life; and then be grateful for all we have.

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Searching for Avalon

How did I end up here, in Avalon?

I am sure it could not have found it alone,

For such fortune cannot be sought, only given.

Whatever the path, I am grateful.

For leaving is painful, made tolerable only by knowing I will return.

 

Someday …

forever.

 

Copyright 2019 Reflection, poem and photography by Michael J. Cunningham OFS

THE DAILY GOSPEL AND READIGNS 17 OCTOBER 2019

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 470

Reading 1ROM 3:21-30

Brothers and sisters:
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
though testified to by the law and the prophets,
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ
for all who believe.
For there is no distinction;
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
They are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as an expiation,
through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness
because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,
through the forbearance of God–
to prove his righteousness in the present time,
that he might be righteous
and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
What occasion is there then for boasting?  It is ruled out.
On what principle, that of works?
No, rather on the principle of faith.
For we consider that a person is justified by faith
apart from works of the law.
Does God belong to Jews alone?
Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one
and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith
and the uncircumcised through faith.

Responsorial PsalmPS 130:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6AB

R. (7) With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

AlleluiaJN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 11:47-54

The Lord said:
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said,
‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles;
some of them they will kill and persecute’
in order that this generation might be charged
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.”
When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees
began to act with hostility toward him
and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.


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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

THE UNBROKEN WORD

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment

This past month we started our retreat season here at Mater Dolorosa; the retreat center where I work. I use the word “work” in the most general sense, as most of the visitors consider the place close to the Garden of Eden. Almost every month someone does something to make the buildings and grounds more beautiful, today it was the blessing of a stained-glass window of the Woman at the Well, in commemoration of a prior Retreat Leader. I will post a photo of it in an upcoming UW.

It makes me think of my own journey and the journeys of others as we try and get closer to God throughout our spiritual lives on earth. For me at least, wanting to do my will, and now necessarily follow God’s has punctuated my journey over the years. Now, in my more mature years (read getting older), I can see the importance of those steps and the places where I held back, and those when I said the big “yes” to God, and let the cards fall where they may.

The following reflection is about how all we have to do is submit to the ever-present and everlasting love which God has placed right inside us. All we have to do is recognize it, and using the gifts given to us, try and follow without forcing our own desires on ourselves, and others. Food for thought?

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Ocean of Love

I am a watcher by the stream,

longing for the cool, clear water to refresh me,

yet I cannot enter, for fear of where it will take me

dissolving my will

losing my status

giving in

to a journey and a path I cannot control.

So many others line the stream,

friends, others I don’t yet know, watch it, mesmerized it seems

by the sound of water and the eternal nature of its path.

Still I stand, now noticing all around me,

all transfixed on its path.

After some time, years or maybe seconds,

I suddenly jump in and find myself taken,

first scared as I am carried without a guide through white waters

in a seemingly uncontrolled ride.

Then suddenly, I am protected,

and the coolness turns to warmth as I enter the river.

And a sense of oneness overcomes me.

I feel the divine as God enters my soul

as a light ravishing me,

I continue to dissolve in His presence,

illuminating cold and empty places I dwelt moments before.

For all is now forgotten as I drift along an ever-slowing river.

Noticing others around me,

a communion of like souls drawn together,

as a salty taste fills the air,

we near the ocean of love.

The ocean where each drop makes it mark,

fills it role,

makes the taste that is God Himself,

as this ocean is His, as we are His.

At last together.