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Monday |
Feb-06 |
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'When the spaces of my heart seem cold, dark, barren, empty, fallow, dormant, infertile or inactive it is a hard place to be. It's a place that invites me, if I can, to wait for the thaw and the melting that leads to new life.' ~Finola Cunnane
Much of Europe is currently in the grip of freezing weather conditions. Even Rome experienced snow over the weekend, prompting Pope Benedict to mention it in his address yesterday: "The snowfall is beautiful but let's hope spring comes soon." On a spiritual level, the icy weather conditions can also speak at a deeper level. The starting point of spirituality is recognising that we all have cold, dark, barren, empty and bleak places within. These places are within every person so we should not feel that we are on our own. The next step is always the most important one and that is to know that we don't have to be stuck in these places. The invitation on a spiritual level is to allow God breathe new life, hope, energy and a sense of new beginnings into all these cold dark and dreary places. The Gospel stories are a constant reminder about the wonderful changes that can come about when we allow God into our lives. Does it mean that life will always be wonderful for ever more? It certainly doesn't but we are always in a much better position to maximise every spring like moment that comes our way. It may be cold now but spring is just around the corner. |
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Sunday |
Feb-05 |
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The following reflection is by Jane Mellett
It was still dark, deserted and prayerful. The Gospel today is a busy one. Jesus goes from teaching in the synagogue, to healing Peter's mother-in law, to curing everyone in the city who was sick or possessed. But there is one line in the midst of this text which stands out: 'In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.' We don't have to think too hard about the busyness of our own lives to realise the importance of stopping at some point in the middle of the mayhem to breathe, to give some space, prayer, reflection, whatever we can to focus our minds on the purpose of all the madness... God's Kingdom.
The Difference
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbled around me,
and heavier came each task.
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered.
He answered, 'You didn't ask.'
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me,
He said, 'But you didn't seek.'
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided:
'My child, you didn't knock.'
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.
Author Unknown
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Thursday |
Feb-02 |
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'A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the dark and he'll never crow. I have seen the light and I'm crowing.' ~Muhammad Ali
Much of Europe is feeling the icy grip of winds blowing down from Siberia. Despite the cold, it is hard to believe that the sun is going through its most active phase in recent years, throwing off spectacular solar flares. They travel at 6.7 million km/h towards earth and when they hit our atmosphere throw off red and green colours. The effect is known as the Northern Lights and can even be seen in some parts of Ireland. Light has always been seen as a symbol of hope. In the midst of darkness, light helps us find our bearings, find our direction and helps us on our way. Today is Candlemass Day and candles are particularly treasured and blessed today. A simple candle may not seem much, but in a dark room it is a dazzling light. As believers, it is our firm belief that Jesus is our light too, making such a difference in a world that can often be just so dark at times. This light knows no limits or boundaries. It can penetrate the deepest of darkness, it can shatter hopelessness and despair, it can uplift, guide and direct. Today we gently invite God's light into our lives and into the lives of those who crave for light, hope and peace. |
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Wednesday |
Feb-01 |
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'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
The feast of St.Brigid traditionally marks the arrival of spring. But with bitterly cold winds blowing in from the east today, spring is on hold for a little while longer. The feast of St.Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladnes, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything we weave and pull together. We ask her many blessings on us today. |
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