Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Luis in Wednesday's homily discussed there is a place for "good anger" in our lives and a need for "balance." A dear friend in Santa Barbara introduced me to a man who helps you become "balanced." Now I can't repeat nearly as well as Luis’s homily. Nor can I explain what Christiam does to help you become "balanced." So I will not try. But the just the word "balance" brings me some comfort.

Yesterday was a day that started out "unbalanced." Unhappy clients, unreasonable demands, and stress flying at me at all directions. So like a 3 year-old I took a time out. I went to St. Johns for Eucharist, watched Tom Keating talk about centering prayer, and then went to a quiet restaurant and reflected on the many positives in my life. It wasn't the quiet room of centering prayer, but it was close. I emerged and returned to work "balanced."

For each of us we have to learn to practice finding that quiet place in our lives. Lent is a perfect time to engage in "spring training" ourselves. Use it to stretch, loosen up, and get in shape with our spiritual lives. Spock used to say, "live long and prosper." Maybe he should say, "live balanced and prosper."

Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Tom Keating when he is discussing "Centering Prayer" demonstrates with his hands today's Lenten thought. He reminds us that we open our hands to the sky during prayer so we are ready to receive a gift, but once we receive a gift we grasp it and by closing our hand around it we not only hold on to it, the hand is no longer able to receive another gift. He suggests we receive the gift and then let it go, so we can receive another.

Lenten fasting is much like what Father Keating suggests. For 40 days we let go of something we have become attached in order to receive another gift. I think we can go further with this than chocolates or wine. Is there something you are holding on to today that prevents you from receiving a gift from God. Is it material? Is it something in your past? Is it a relationship?If it is preventing you from receiving God's gift loosen your grip on it and open yourself up to receive once again. It is easier said than done, I know; but, Lent is a practice session for learning to let go.

Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Marvelous Truth,
confront usAt every turn
In every guise -- Denise Levertov

I watched 60 Minutes last night to see what the President had to say about the economy and his first 2 months in office. But the truth confronted me after the segment on the President with a story about a man, gifted in playing the Bass, schooled at Julliard, and now homeless in LA. The story was moving and provacative about a man who had found his way into Paranoia, but was being cared for by a newspaper man and members of the LA symphony.

But the "marvelous truth that confronted me" was a single line in the story. 60,000 people are homeless and live on the streets of LA every night. I called a friend in California to ask if that was possible and his reaction was that the number was probably 2 to 3 times more and getting much worse. The single line was not the point of the story. It was about a talented musician who had been befriended. Yet I can't get past the truth told in a different context.

We need to add to our prayers a request that at every turn we see our world with "open eyes." "Open eyes" to see and try and find solutions. "Open eyes to see suffering behind beauty; and yes, beauty in those who suffer."

Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Sister Beth strikes again:

Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE, led a Lenten retreat at the Cathedral College a few years ago. One nugget from his meditations was to accept each day as a gift, not presume it as a given. Wow! Imagine: every day wrapped up in exquisite papers with bows …. the excitement of the unknown … the wonder of a simple present we didn’t even think to ask for or one grander than we could even imagine … the hope that a time-worn prayer will be answered. Some days, by definition, burst with expectation: Christmas, Easter, Opening Day, and Grand Slam finals (not necessarily in that order). Others distract us with monotony or dread: Monday, spelling test, April 15th, and for many of us, Lent.

Often we are disappointed by unfulfilled hopes or surprised by unexpected fruits of our work or just showing up.As this day unfolds, will we accept God’s gifts with gratitude and grace, or grumble “___________ [go ahead, fill in the blank!] again” and yearn for something else? Will we look deeper and seek the gift hiding in the ordinary? Will we tend fledgling treasures and give them away in due course?

God, giver of all good gifts, we pray for the grace to recognize this day as Your gift, to receive and acknowledge as ours to nurture and share to in the spirit of Your generosity. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

One and Done!

You will hear this expression a lot over the next few weeks. It explains that if one team loses a game in the NCAA Tournament they are out of the tournament. There are no second chances in the “Big Dance.” Ultimately there will be only one winner, and the rest of the teams go home having lost their last game. Sound a little cruel, a little unfair?

So many things in our society are “one and done.” Youthful indiscretions, innocent or not so innocent mistakes, financial failures, etc. become part of our identity and restrict our lives for a long time and often forever. Our criminal justice system and the civil disabilities that attach to an individual are unforgiving. I am sure each of you know or have experienced “one and done” in your lives in some form or fashion.

It is ironic that the “Big Dance” always occurs during the Lenten season. The period of time right before Easter where God removes the concept of “one and done” with him. His love for us is unconditional, and we are never losers in God’s eyes. We all are given second, third, fourth, and as many chances as we need. Everyone makes it to the ultimate big dance through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Soon the ultimate winner in the NCAA tournament and only one team will celebrate with their fans. One week later we will all celebrate Easter, and the fact that we are all winners. We are all loved by God and been given a new life.

Thanks be to God!