Mycelium

Mushrooms again.

In ths season they are popping up everywhere. The tiny upshoots of a hidden network of mycelium, each mushroom in this image is connected.

We are also connected.  To each other, to the universe, to God.
Like these mushrooms are borne of an unseen force, we too are part of an unseen force that links us all together.

You, me, person next door, even people on the other side of this world - we are all one in God's family. No matter the colour of our eyes, gender, or race, beneath the skin of each of us lies a heart that belongs to the Creator.

Seek the heart of God that beats in everyone you interact with.  Recognise God and treat everyone with dignity because that person is God himself, here to great you.

Michaelmas

Today is Michaelmas, or the feast of the Archangel Michael.  Fittingly the Michaelmas daisies are set to bloom.
St. Michael, known as the protector, is called upon to help in times of need. Pray with me to this archangel, today and everyday for the protection of our Catholic faith and all of the faithful.

Tangled Garden

As summer fades and the demands of 'regular life' limit time to tend the garden, weeds take over, flower heads go to seed and excess foliage blocks the autumn blooms.

For some, the tangled remains in a fall garden is a reflection of the tangled remains of a faith neglected. Distracted by the demands of twenty-first century life, many people fail to nurture the Spirit.

But, with a little time, well spent with God, He will respond to prayers and restore the garden our your soul.

The Four Agreements

from Don Miguel Ángel Ruiz

Slipping

There are times when what was once considered stable, begins to feel like it is slipping away.

The faith community that I am part of has recently experienced a change in leadership.

In the past weeks, I have noted a decline in attendance and a decline in funds collected. While this is sad, we need to acknowledge that change is inevitable. People will come and go.  This could be a mere coincidence and not a sign of things to come.

However, should this trend continue in a downward slide, the result might be a bigger and more devastating change - the closure of a well-love and historical worship site. Considering the age of the building, the state of disrepair from neglectful leadership in the past and the costs to make these much needed repairs, could it be that this change in leadership was deliberate, with the intent of seeing our doors close forever?

Rock On

I love rocks.

Where I live the rocks are old, existing millions of years.

Warmed by sun, cooled by ice and snow, worn by weather and yet, like my God they are still here.

Imagine, if these rocks could talk what stories they could tell of the journeys that have crossed over them.

And again, like my God, they are ever present, peaceful and comforting.

Education

I had dinner today with my daughter, her boyfriend and my son.   We were celebrating a milestone birthday.

At one point the conversation turned to the the multitude of educational pursuit around the table.  Happily, recognizing my unending love of learning, I too was invited to share my views about the classes that I am enrolled in.

It felt great to be part of the privileged few in our society who can learn and expand the horizons of their universe.

Thank you Creator for the gift of a curious mind and the means to satisfy that curiosity.