Reflections on The Saints

     When I was a little girl, I liked to read about the lives of the saints.  In the Catholic church, saints are seen, not as supernatural beings, but as ordinary people who struggled to live according to God's will.  By God's grace they were able to serve and understand more than others.  They are not to be worshiped themselves, but they can be seen as intermediaries and mentors when we pray or struggle.
     Many vocations have more than one patron saint.  As a painter, I appreciate the lives and understanding of St Luke and St Catharine of Bologna.  As a mother, I find strength and encouragement in the life of St Monica.  She was dealt a challenging family that included the now famous St. Augustine.  As American catholic.org notes, our modern life looks for immediate answers and solutions.  Monica did exactly the opposite; she trusted the Lord and prayed unceasingly for her family. In the end, her husband and mother-in-law accepted God and her son became a revered theologian and follower of Christ.
     St Francis is another favorite of mine.  I admire him because he loved all of God's creatures.  Francis said, " Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough.  We have a higher mission-to be of service to them wherever they require it." Regarding spiritual life he stated, "Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary."  Such a practical, functional approach to spirituality is refreshing.
      It is encouraging to read the stories of those who have gone before us.  If you are looking for a good  book on saints pick up "My Life With the Saints" by James Martin, SJ.  It is a highly readable and personal look at the influence of saints on one man's life and vocation.  We are not the first to make this journey. We are not alone when we stumble and fall. We are NOT exempt from the journey, but we can do a little research.  We can make our journey just a little more mindful.  Safe travels.

St Luke

St Nicholas

Cobblers and Collages

     Photos, magazine clippings, ribbon, buttons, shells, ticket stubs, dried flowers...these can all be key pieces in a collage.  Your life is no different.  When I reflect on my life up until now, I can see how the person I am today has been cobbled together by the places I've been, the experiences I've weathered, my accomplishments and the people that I've met.

    There are people, often strangers, that stand out.  When I was in my early twenties, I worked as a secretary during the day and a waitress at night.  I had a pair of black flats that I wore to both jobs.  I took them to an old world, Italian cobbler near my day job.  I had worn holes in the soles and they hurt my feet.  When I went to pick up the shoes, they looked like new! They were re-soled, seamlessly patched and shined.  The cobbler would not accept payment from me.  At the time, I was embarrassed  but in hindsight I see what he saw:  A girl working two jobs with very little money.  The shoes were a gift, and a fine one.  I have thought about him over the years and I have tried to be more like him.

   I struggled financially in my twenties.  There were times that I was hungry.  Two friends from college repeatedly cooked for me.  They taught me the simplicity and strength of hospitality.  They made me a better person and I am forever change by their love. 

     Once, long ago, I arrived in Taiwan late at night.  As soon as I left the terminal I was surrounded by lots of taxi drivers; it was overwhelming.  A Chinese woman walked up and yelled at them.  She insisted, in English, on sharing a cab with me to my hotel and then continuing to her destination.  Her kindness was not required but so appreciated.  She taught me that kindness is never wasted.

     My collage is not solely gentle, touching moments.  The tough times and difficult people have taught me even more than the seamless times and gentle folks.  Fresh out of college with a fancy degree and lots of debt, I worked as a waitress.  I learned all about hard work and how human beings treat each other, good and bad.  I remember vulgar, belittling language, long hours and people walking out without paying.  When people walked out, it came out of my check.  These experiences reminded me that none of us is above the other and that honest work is just that, honest.  To this day, unless the service is non-existent, I tip 20%.  Restaurant work is grueling work.

        A collage is a balance of color, shape and theme.  I used to look back on confrontations and mistakes with shame.  Now I see these diverse elements as the texture of a whole life.   In Corinthians 2:8 Christ says "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  If I could rely solely on my own powers, would I ever lift my gaze heavenward? I can't say.  I do know that I have learned from both kindness and difficulty.  I am not privy to the whole picture.  However, if I take the time to consider the pieces of my life and align myself with His will, God will fashion a more breathtaking picture than I could ever imagine.   As Paul notes in Corinthians 5:7 "We walk by faith, not by sight."  May you have a meaningful, well lit walk.  

Working From Your Core

     As I sank into chair pose, the instructor reminded us to engage the core.  In truth, the core should often be engaged to support the back and keep you balanced.  Engaging the core is a metaphor for living your life.  If you are not clear on what you believe, or serve, how can you live a productive, considered life?  Baseball great Yogi Berra said, " If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else."
     So how do you decide your direction and destination?  A thoughtful upbringing is helpful.  Proverbs 22:6 states:  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."   While this quote resonates with me as a parent,  I don't believe that a chaotic or uncharted childhood  means that our lives will be thus.  On the contrary, no matter what your childhood held, you can decide what you believe and what is important.  Matthew 6:24 states:  "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." 

     God, the Divine, the Heavenly Father , Yaweh, the Almighty, the Great Spirit, these are all labels we use to try and understand the unfathomable and infinite.  If we are are all children of the Divine, it is in our power to act like it.  None of us is better than the other.  None of us is more dearly loved.   None of us is more special.  What would happen if God's people fully embodied the beliefs that we espouse?  Would having the newest car still be as important as helping someone out?  Would material things still satisfy the thirst inside?  Matthew 6:20-21 reminds us to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy...For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." 

      Each of us can take a moment and reflect:  Where does my heart lie?  How do I spend my time?  What do I place value on?  Our answers may differ in detail, but I would guess that we share some common themes.  If family is not present, some may create families among their friends.  I would guess that memories of time spent with loved ones outweigh tangible gifts.  A well timed kindness lasts longer than any beautiful wrapping or jewel.  

     The great religions give us an extraordinary start, but it is only a beginning.  The individual must search, read and set his own intentions.   To quote Madeline L'Engle , "We can't take credit for our talents.  It's how we use them that counts."  Take time to find your core.  If you work from there, you will live an authentic life.  Be blessed.