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"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." Matt 22:37-40
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What does it mean to truly love, by Jesus' definition? I've been pondering. To love God with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind leads to complete obedience to all of God's laws and more. I must obey, yes, but love is an act of will and means more than obedience. Obedience is the foundation; complete assent to doing God's will in everything is true love of God.
A friend of mine told me that she and her mother were talking about the concept of doing what one enjoys. They concluded that, if everyone did what God had written on their hearts to do, everyone would have exactly what is needed in life. I think that may be what God has in mind for the world. He gives each of us talents to be used and shared with others. By our using the talents He gives us, we can love God and we can love our neighbors. If all of us shared our talents with each other, it would be a beautiful world, indeed! I wish we could do a grand experiment. What if people started doing this, no holds barred, with no reservations or fear? Some people grow food, some people make beautiful music or art, some people are engineers, others are builders, nurses...the list is endless, really. Just think, if we all got together and shared what we do best, how marvelous it would be! It seems to me that no one would want for anything. I think this is what the Christian community in the Acts of the Apostles tried to do.
The problem is we can be selfish, fearful, prideful, ready to pick fights, unwilling to share and wanting to do what we want to do when we want to do it, regardless of the consequences at times. However, we can effect change in small positive ways. We don't really have to do any experiments on a large scale. We can be kind to one another. We can hone our talents and find ways to glorify God and help our neighbors by using them. We can love quietly.
My desire is to spend the rest of my life, seeking ways to love God and the people around me by sharing the talents God gave me to help build the kingdom of God and to help others (as well as myself) get to heaven. With the grace of God, I will.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
lessons in compassion
I've been thinking about the times I have experienced or witnessed compassionate actions by people close to me. Those actions became mini-lessons on living according to God's will. They helped to shape me.
One of the first times I witnessed compassion, up close and personal, was when a close friend of my parents suffered postpartum depression and had to be hospitalized for 6 weeks. My parents took care of her infant daughter for those 6 weeks. (When she had to leave, I grieved. At the age of 9, I had a great love of babies.) I was touched by my parents' loving gesture. It wasn't easy taking in an infant when they already had 5 kids!
My father's daily ministering to patients in hospitals taught me to think outside of myself. His prayers for them became my prayers. I learned that people appreciate just 5 minutes of a stranger's time.
My sister's faith community surrounded her with loving gestures as she was dying--with nightly dinners for 10, for one thing--and taught me generosity. I'd never seen a whole community care for a family in the ways they did. Through that gargantuan effort, I learned that a small community can make a huge difference.
When I lost my job this year, people on the periphery of my life and people close to me brought their own unique kindnesses to me. Phone calls, letters, emails, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks...home cooked meals, prayer support...all came my way in a most generous outpouring of love. From them, I learned how much I was loved. And, during that time, God showed me how to trust Him by the many piano students He sent my way. I will never again doubt that God will provide for my every need. Saying yes to Him is no longer a chore but a great joy. I know absolutely that He has my best interest at heart.
And, a couple weeks ago, a prominent person in pro-life circles here (and a dear friend of mine) met me at the front door of a banquet hall, took my hand and led me to our table, telling me she had a feeling that night would be difficult for me. (It was an event where I would most likely encounter the people who'd fired me.) She told me later that, as she sat at the table before I had arrived, MY guardian angel had prompted her to go find me at the door. My heart sang as she led me through the hall to our seat. She taught me that the best leaders are those who answer God's call for compassion and kindness.
These and other people showed me how to live the two great commandments Jesus gave us: to love God and to love others. Their actions have changed me in profound ways. Isn't it amazing the difference we can make in others' lives by seemingly small, loving gestures?
One of the first times I witnessed compassion, up close and personal, was when a close friend of my parents suffered postpartum depression and had to be hospitalized for 6 weeks. My parents took care of her infant daughter for those 6 weeks. (When she had to leave, I grieved. At the age of 9, I had a great love of babies.) I was touched by my parents' loving gesture. It wasn't easy taking in an infant when they already had 5 kids!
My father's daily ministering to patients in hospitals taught me to think outside of myself. His prayers for them became my prayers. I learned that people appreciate just 5 minutes of a stranger's time.
My sister's faith community surrounded her with loving gestures as she was dying--with nightly dinners for 10, for one thing--and taught me generosity. I'd never seen a whole community care for a family in the ways they did. Through that gargantuan effort, I learned that a small community can make a huge difference.
When I lost my job this year, people on the periphery of my life and people close to me brought their own unique kindnesses to me. Phone calls, letters, emails, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks...home cooked meals, prayer support...all came my way in a most generous outpouring of love. From them, I learned how much I was loved. And, during that time, God showed me how to trust Him by the many piano students He sent my way. I will never again doubt that God will provide for my every need. Saying yes to Him is no longer a chore but a great joy. I know absolutely that He has my best interest at heart.
And, a couple weeks ago, a prominent person in pro-life circles here (and a dear friend of mine) met me at the front door of a banquet hall, took my hand and led me to our table, telling me she had a feeling that night would be difficult for me. (It was an event where I would most likely encounter the people who'd fired me.) She told me later that, as she sat at the table before I had arrived, MY guardian angel had prompted her to go find me at the door. My heart sang as she led me through the hall to our seat. She taught me that the best leaders are those who answer God's call for compassion and kindness.
These and other people showed me how to live the two great commandments Jesus gave us: to love God and to love others. Their actions have changed me in profound ways. Isn't it amazing the difference we can make in others' lives by seemingly small, loving gestures?
Monday, October 10, 2011
getting ready
Oooh, boy. The Catholic Church has revised Mass texts and we will begin using them the first week of Advent. We musicians are all agog, trying to convince our choirs that this is indeed a very good thing, as well as teach them new Mass parts. The verbiage in the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Memorial Acclamations AND the Lamb of God will all be changed. Along with all of this, we at St. Columba ordered new hymnals, replete with lots of hymns no one knows. There are many that are old favorites of mine. (I learned them, playing for other parishes.) Let's just hope my enthusiasm is contagious and the entire congregation will get on board! The thing is we musicians have it easy. It's the priests who will have to learn a lot more.
This takes me back to the time we went from Latin to the local languages. I remember it, even though I was pretty young when it happened. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to be able to understand what was being said at Mass, yet missing the beauty of Latin. (After all, we had missals in English to follow along when it was in Latin.) I was too young to really grasp the importance of it all.
Change does not come easy to us, does it? I've been feeling it lately. Over the past 9 months, my life completely changed. While I really enjoy what I am doing these days, I still feel discombobulated, as though it's all a dream. I work hard but it doesn't feel like work. I feel energized by each piano lesson I teach. Focusing on music is a great way to make a living! And yet here I am, stewing, wondering if it's going to last. Silly, huh? Nothing lasts forever so why spend time and energy, thinking about it. The thing to do is be present and revel in this very moment.
I resolve to be at peace and to bring joy, peace and love to the person who is before me right now. I won't worry about a year from now or even 10 minutes from now. Love this moment in the Lord. That's the ticket!
This takes me back to the time we went from Latin to the local languages. I remember it, even though I was pretty young when it happened. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to be able to understand what was being said at Mass, yet missing the beauty of Latin. (After all, we had missals in English to follow along when it was in Latin.) I was too young to really grasp the importance of it all.
Change does not come easy to us, does it? I've been feeling it lately. Over the past 9 months, my life completely changed. While I really enjoy what I am doing these days, I still feel discombobulated, as though it's all a dream. I work hard but it doesn't feel like work. I feel energized by each piano lesson I teach. Focusing on music is a great way to make a living! And yet here I am, stewing, wondering if it's going to last. Silly, huh? Nothing lasts forever so why spend time and energy, thinking about it. The thing to do is be present and revel in this very moment.
I resolve to be at peace and to bring joy, peace and love to the person who is before me right now. I won't worry about a year from now or even 10 minutes from now. Love this moment in the Lord. That's the ticket!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
don't worry; be peaceful!
Phil 4:6-9
"Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you."
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This was today's second reading. It gave me pause. No anxiety. Prayer and petition, and thanksgiving. Make my requests known to God. Peace. Focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious. "Then the God of peace will be with you." Peace. It sure has taken me a long time to come to the point of living my life in peace and not carry on with great angst all the time.
We are meant to live our lives in peace. I have come to understand that, if we do not love God with our whole hearts, minds, bodies and souls, we will have no peace. So, let's just make it easy on ourselves and follow St. Paul's command here. Okay? C'mon, if you don't believe me, do a little experiment. Every time you find yourself worrying about something, stop and say to yourself that God loves you with a magnitude that will never stop and He will take care of your every need. And, then, ask our Lord to take the worry from you. I'd love to hear your report after you do this for a while!
Don't worry. Be happy. Remember that saying from years ago? That saying was onto something. In God's realm: don't worry, be peaceful!
May you have a blessed, peaceful week!
"Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you."
+ + + + +
This was today's second reading. It gave me pause. No anxiety. Prayer and petition, and thanksgiving. Make my requests known to God. Peace. Focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious. "Then the God of peace will be with you." Peace. It sure has taken me a long time to come to the point of living my life in peace and not carry on with great angst all the time.
We are meant to live our lives in peace. I have come to understand that, if we do not love God with our whole hearts, minds, bodies and souls, we will have no peace. So, let's just make it easy on ourselves and follow St. Paul's command here. Okay? C'mon, if you don't believe me, do a little experiment. Every time you find yourself worrying about something, stop and say to yourself that God loves you with a magnitude that will never stop and He will take care of your every need. And, then, ask our Lord to take the worry from you. I'd love to hear your report after you do this for a while!
Don't worry. Be happy. Remember that saying from years ago? That saying was onto something. In God's realm: don't worry, be peaceful!
May you have a blessed, peaceful week!
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