Such a week as we have not seen in many a while. I often I try and avoid reporting on topical matters, yet when faced with such a calamity which is the hurricane/tropical storm Harvey, it is hard to not be affected by its impact. This week we see the best of human nature and the worst of mother nature both happening at the same time. (To quote Chris Cuomo of CNN).

Again, we see humanity, directed by God, bringing others to safety, putting themselves second and the very best of being an American neighbor/brother/sister to others. We can gain solace in watching what others are doing to help, and perhaps make our own presence felt in some way. Certainly the rebuilding of the coastline of Texas is going to be a monumental effort, one likely to take months, even years, to complete. However it will, lie the Phoenix, rise again with help from others.

Rebuilding on this grand scale makes us grateful for what we have today. Situated in the wonderful corner of the North East we know as New England, we have little to complain of, at least not severe weather of the sort just encountered in Texas.

While visiting Old Sturbridge Village last week, I was reminded of the weeding required in our garden in Clinton, and how small most challenges are when we compare them with others.

Yet, they are still important to notice and repair.

I will remove the weeds in my garden, and my life.

Tending the Weeds by Michael Cunningham

© 2017 Michael J. Cunningham

 

This past week I have been traveling with my sister and husband around the North-East corridor of the US. On our way to D.C. we stopped at Gettysburg, VA as Dave (her husband) is a military buff. Taking the tour for the structure of the 3-day battle there, its twists and turns, orders followed and unfollowed and their repercussions … it gave me a great deal of pause.

At times in our lives we are faced with our own small Gettysburg’s. Something happens which causes us to have to react, change direction, perhaps enlist others, or join a cause ourselves. To align ourselves with what we feel is right, and commit our all to it.

Some of us have perhaps had to make that commitment of our lives in a battle situation, just as those soldiers did over the three-day period. The results of this battle changed the course of a war, and ultimately a nation. While I am a first-generation American, I can still feel the historic relevance and commitment made by those soldiers. While all the fields, hills and craggy rocks are silent now, they still echo a past full of those making a commitment. There is an interconnectedness I could not explain, but was felt looking over the sites of what was a very bloody battle.

The picture below is a silhouette of an officer overlooking the scene of his conflict at sunset; obviously romanticized yet still reflective of an outcome, seemingly respecting all who fought; those who survived and those who did not make it to the fourth day.

Surely, all of us, can learn something when we are called to become something more than we think we can do alone. With God at our side all is possible, but we still should make a movement towards Him. To do something for His side, for God’s will.

At a time when we seem to be focused on division and differences, perhaps we need more than just to glance at God momentarily, but rather keep our attention on Him, then we will find the guidance needed to bring grace and love to the lives in need.

Which is all of us right now.

 

As the summer days roll by, we connect with family, nature, perhaps visit new places or our favorite haunts of the past. It is a time of renewal, refreshment and at times excitement. One aspect of this time is looking forward to doing “nothing”. Yet, when I analyze my own free time, I often find myself unable to “decouple” from my pre-vacation world.

Can I manage without the cell phone, checking my email daily, worrying if someone did something I asked them to do, is that new customer doing OK with the product I just sold them? The questions seem to rise out of nowhere, so what should I do about them?

My son came to visit us this weekend, he is a busy executive with a lot of responsibilities; he also knows work/life balance is important, so ensures his family gets all the attention they need during the vacation days. Yet, as the evening wears on, and supper is finished, I find him working on the computer till the wee hours dealing with the problems he knows are not being dealt with while he is “out”. Rather than spend time at night worrying about them, he fixes them and then returns to bed with his family.

How many of us fall into the same category? We have the responsibility to do certain things for our working lives, yet cannot seem to disengage fully when we have that precious commodity. Time off from work!

I guess we can deal with these problems in two different ways. One is to look for that work/life balance that keeps us sane and at peace with the world, and the second is to meet the responsibilities we have at work and home.

The key word in all of this is peace, we must search for a way find this peace in our lives; and we all know where this solution lies.

Let is call on God for help in finding peace and solutions to the turmoil often present in our over busy lives; and take steps to notice his presence in all around us while on vacation this summer.

Passing By

Passing me by,

Recognizing my existence,

Yet not stopping to look.

 

And smell me.

 

© 2017 Michael J. Cunningham

Michael Cunningham is Director of Teen and Adult Faith Formation for St. Eulalia Parish