We were looking forward to something special, this Thanksgiving, as a family. Life had other plans and as a result we experienced a roller coaster of emotions dealing with the change in plans. It is easy to get disappointed after realizing something we desired so much can’t take place. This morning I found myself thinking of many wonderful Thanksgivings in the past. It helped me to take a fresh look at this Thanksgiving and look forward, God willing, to the many Thanksgivings in our future.
My Mom and Dad were married on Thanksgiving Day. It was November 24th, which this year is Friday, but my Dad always recalled their anniversary and celebrated on Thanksgiving Day. Well, I actually think it gave him a reason to celebrate twice, if the 24th didn’t fall on Thanksgiving Day!
My uncle Tony and aunt Marilyn were married on November 24th as well, but not on Thanksgiving Day. Gene and Stacie, my brother and sister-in-law, were married on November 28th and my niece, Maureen, and her husband, Ben, were married on November 30th. My nephew, Eugene, and his wife, Jennifer, celebrate their anniversary in December so still within the special bookends of Thanksgiving and Christmas, seasons of thanksgiving, joy and love. The holidays have always been a time to come together to celebrate as a family but then also a time to give thanks for the gift of family that continues to love and grow as a result of the commitment that is made in marriage.
So whether Thanksgiving will be a raucous family celebration or a quiet day at home, take some time to appreciate special memories and family members of Thanksgivings past. Say a prayer of blessing over those you are gathered with and especially over those you cannot gather with. Be at peace with the day, no matter how it turns out.
Wishing you abundant love and peace this Thanksgiving! Deena
Sunny days like yesterday and today give me hope. I know it will stay light a little longer, perhaps until 5 or so, instead of 4:30 on dark and cloudy days. I treasure whatever moments of daylight we can get before the evening settles in.
I canceled my cable subscription a couple of months ago. I don’t miss the mindless TV and have other opportunities to catch up on news each day. I have a streaming app for $6/mo and can watch local Chicago news if I am free or something is happening that I want a quick update on. With YouTube and phone news apps, as well as ability to search for anything online, there are ways to stay informed. It is important to stay informed, but not let the news of the world consume or overwhelm us.
After reading a link to The Washington Post from Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, I was left confused reading the disagreements between United States, the United Nations, Israel and Hamas over the differences between a humanitarian pause and temporary cease-fire regarding the war in the Middle East. Neither side can agree or is willing to budge for the sake of the lives of innocent civilians. Both were viewed as “tactical pauses” that would result in the continuation of the war and continue to delay the work of those trying to get aid to those impacted by the war as well as continue to negotiate the release of hostages. It can be overwhelming to think about the pain and suffering of all the lives being ravaged by this war.
In a world that feels more and more divisive, with the wars in our world, as well as political and religious dissension looming large in the news, I found comfort in the words I saw in a post yesterday of the first African-American Nobel prize winning author Toni Morrison (1931-2019), written in 2015:
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.
I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge – even wisdom.
Like art.”
In his Angelus message today from Rome, Pope Francis also offers us words to reflect on, looking to the Gospel for today, from St. Matthew, and the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 prepared and 5 unprepared with their lantern oil, for the arrival of the bridegroom and the wedding feast. The Pope asks us to consider the many ways we are more concerned with the things of the world, our appearance and our image to others, instead of “taking care of the things that cannot be seen…caring for the heart.” He suggests we should not ignore the “oil of inner life” and take time to look at our inner lives, of God’s gaze upon us.
Let us let the chaos in our world, lead us to that time of inner reflection, listening deeply to how God might be calling us to reach out to others in our broken world.
Like Bela in my photo today, look for the light wherever you can find it. Find stories of hope and inspiration. Stay informed but pray for peace and watch for the uplifting stories of those helping others, whether in war ravaged parts of our world, like the Middle East and Ukraine, aid being given to refuges being bused to cities with no homes or job, or those seeking to help those less fortunate in our country – veterans, mentally unstable and the homeless. Keep our inner lanterns replenished with nourishing oil by dedicating time to the matters of the heart and soul, being service to others as much as we are able, and to the things that matter to our spiritual lives.
On three different occasions this week I was involved in a conversation with someone who said “I could never…” or basically, “I don’t see myself having the talent to”…. I have to admit that in one of those conversations, I was the one saying it.
I picked up my copy of The Word Among Us this morning and saw the November title and theme of “Already and Not Yet.” The editor and president quoted the letter of St. John saying “We are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). I understand that Jeff Smith is talking about the heavenly kingdom, the promises of Baptism and our citizenship in heaven, but it made me pause a moment and think about those conversations this week.
In meetings this week, for Ignatian Ministries, and our continued discernment about the ways we accompany others in their lives of faith, we reflected on where we were at this time last year and how things have been unfolding in a very exciting way. There are days that we are surprised and in awe. There are days we question what lies ahead. The discernment process we engaged in, and our openness to the promptings of the Spirit, allowed us to move forward in faith and trust in what God was revealing to us. I believe we can do that as individuals as well. But we have to be willing to state the grace we are seeking, listen in prayer for the voice of God to respond to us, or fill us with a sense of joy and consolation so that we know we are on the right track, then begin to take action as the opportunities unfold before us.
I think back to last year, as I prepared to begin this blog in Advent, for the beginning of the liturgical year in the Church. I would never have imagined being at the point of publishing 50 posts! I am quite confident I said something to the effect – “what could I possibly have to write about?” Yet each week, an idea or nudging from the Spirit has guided me to a topic to reflect on.
Where might you be limiting yourself by saying words like “I could never…” “I don’t have the talent to…” or “I would love to but…”?
The first step might be as simple as exploring what it might be that you would love to do. I find journaling a helpful way to explore those thoughts and ideas. But I have to make myself actually sit down, consistently, so that the ideas get to the paper! One of the journals I use is a 5 year memory book. I have noticed lately it is filled with statements, for the previous year, regarding the weather that day, appointments I had or friends I visited with. Those are great memories to look back on, but I am going to challenge myself to make more soul statements – what’s on my mind, what would I like more of in my life, what are the important decisions I am faced with? Then as I reflect back next year I will be able to look back at the things that were “already and not yet” moments to see if they have become more tangible in my life experiences.
Join me, in whatever way feels comfortable for you, and let’s see how the year unfolds!
Prayerful and abundant blessings, Deena
Image: A picture from my Italy trip of a mosaic at the Vatican of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew to follow Him.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Benedictus, Canticle of Zechariah – Morning Prayer)
As I continue to recover after my trip, today is shaping up as another day to stay in and rest. I guess if the results were different I might be tempted to get ambitious and do more than my body is ready for. As my friend, and healing arts practitioner, Kate Brown cautioned me yesterday “You need rest. Active rest. Sleep… be patient and allow yourself to heal.” Patience…I am not very good at it!
This time of waiting, and resting, has allowed me the opportunity to tune in to the services and bulletins from the Vatican by Pope Francis praying for a ceasefire and an end to the violence in the Holy Land, especially in Gaza. At Ignatian Ministries, we joined the world in prayer, on October 27, with a rosary at 11. LaSalle Catholic Parishes held a beautiful rosary, in English and Spanish, for peace on Friday evening (you can still find it on their Facebook page. I think our need for prayer continues so you might enjoy praying with it.). Then Friday night, I watched the Rosary and Prayer Service, with Adoration and Benediction, held earlier in the day in St. Peter’s Basilica on Vatican News. Fr. Carlson coached us, during our pilgrimage, to learn the Hail Mary in Italian, so I tried my best to pray in Italian but soon found responding in English easier. Again, patience….
Having just been to the Basilica the previous week, I felt I was attending along with the other clergy and pilgrims who were participating on Friday. I looked at the sanctuary and the statues that I gazed upon not so long ago. I looked at the marble floor that demarkates the size of other Basilicas in the world and where they would fit inside St. Peter’s. St. Peter’s is the largest Catholic Church in the world. In the floor of the central nave, as you move forward toward the sculpted bronze pillars and canopy that cover the baldachin, or high altar, there are circular markings and the names of the basilicas. I have attached a picture at the bottom of this post of the marking for our National Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. I recall thinking that we have our individual buildings and structures, the circles were symbolic for me, we are one holy and apostolic church.
I also pondered the weight of the concerns that Pope Francis must carry; prayers for peace in the world, prayers for those impacted by the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, prayers for all those impacted by the hurricane in Acapulco, Mexico, prayers for answers for climate change and prayers for the Church and the closing of the Synod. Yet, despite all the worries and criticisms he faces, when we saw him in the Papal Audience, you feel the joy in his spirit, the love of God being shared with each of us.
Is it prayer and faith that brings that level of peace and patience? This feels like something for me to reflect on in my life. I reflect on St. Catherine of Siena’s devotion to the Eucharist and think more time in prayer and adoration might be a worthy goal for more peace and faith in my life.
While not related, I can’t close this blog this week without talking about three very special days this week. As we bring October come to a close, I have to mention three of my favorite days; Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve), All Saints and All Souls Days. It’s true I love to share all the pumpkins, black cats and spooky images of Halloween but really for me it is a threshold space, a holy time to think about and ask for the help and guidance of the Saints and the ancestors as we prepare to bring the year to an end (liturgically and then soon after the calendar year). In past years I have participated in retreats or days of reflection, calling upon the wisdom of those gone before. This year I plan on time alone, quiet reflection with a candle and sacred images, reading and prayer. Another Old Country tradition is to place a candle on the tombstone of loved ones on the evening of All Saints Day. I have found myself using electronic candles so the flames don’t go out but my intention is there. The light helps wandering souls or is viewed as an offering to help guide a soul on its way to Heaven. The Day of the Dead, Dia De Los Muertos, celebrated on November 1 and 2, is another beautiful tradition of visiting gravestones with candles, flowers and celebration to honor those who have passed on.
Perhaps you might create a ritual for yourself as we cross from October to November. What saints (big or small S) do you turn to for guidance? Who might have a message that you need right now?
All you holy men and women of God, pray for us!
Deena
The post image is from Assisi with the word Pax (peace) sculpted in shrubs.
I must admit that I am still a bit tired from my two week pilgrimage to Italy so I have been doing a lot of resting. Butters, one of my cats, seems to enjoy the companionship for little cat naps. He snuggles in close so he can be right next to me, or on an arm or a hand! Perhaps to be sure I don’t leave him again. With that said, I have had a lot of time to think back on our journey and all the sites and cities we visited. It occurred to me at 4 a.m. this morning that our pilgrimage was a perfect analogy for life.
At a time that I was Chair for the Bishop’s Commission on Women for our Diocese we had a similar thought discerning our purpose for the Commission. We wanted to create a resource that would support Catholic women and provide opportunities to journey to places that would inspire and nurture our Catholic faith. We visited shrines in Chicago, Wisconsin, and took an amazing pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal. That theme, of journeying, has never left me, as you have noticed in my selection of the title of this blog series on my website.
Highlights of the Italy trip were always the morning gatherings for coffee before leaving the hotel for the day, our daily Masses in the most beautiful chapels of churches and Basilicas, and our evening dinners together as a group. Stories were shared from adventures that might have been taken apart from the group.
Our trip didn’t lack mishap either; a broken wrist due to a fall in Assisi for one of our pilgrims and another finding a priest, from another tour group from Ireland, that had fallen or died suddenly in a stairwell in Rome.
There were times that we rushed through sites moving on to the next one. Crowds of people, especially in Rome, seemed to arriving, snapping pictures then quickly moving on to the next place. I regret that, at certain sites, we didn’t linger a bit longer to reflect and savor the experience.
My favorite memories were always the quiet pauses for cappuccino, or wine, to savor the aromas and sounds. Last Sunday I sat in a piazza in Assisi listening and watching families gathering after Mass at the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St. Clare). My heart was full observing all that was happening around me.
At the weekly audience we attended on Wednesday, at the Vatican, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on apostolic zeal. Pope Francis spoke of St. Charles de Foucauld as someone that attempted to imitate Christ with his life. He spoke about the importance of lay people in the Church, to be open to the Spirit and to live with compassion, meekness and tenderness. He reminded us that we can evangelize in simple ways, with kindness and a smile for those around us. He speaks with such sincerity and love for the gospel and how we can grow closer to God. I follow Vatican News but read a bit more carefully these two weeks because of the Synod of Bishops, which has been going on in October, and being in Rome. I was captivated seeing so many priests, bishops, and cardinals walking around Vatican City. I pondered the immense weight that the Pope must feel guiding the Church during these turbulent times. I hope you saw the amazing photo I took that day as Pope Francis drove right by us on his way to his chair to speak to us. It was an incredible experience to see him that close and in person. He radiates joy and had an amazing energy and attention for those he drove by.
So it is with life, we rush through too many moments in order to get on to the next one. We have ups and downs, losses and sadness along the way. There are also interludes of pause and rest to savor the moment at hand, family or friends. But I am reminded to build more of them into my day. We have teachers and leaders we can turn to for guidance and inspiration when needed. The saints and mystics are there to show us, by the example of their lives, to keep going despite the hardships and challenges. Even short lives like Blessed Carlos Acutis who died in 2006 at the age of 15, who helped those in need around him around his home and on the way to school and built a website to document Eucharistic miracles, inspire me to use social media to share positive messages.
Lastly a pilgrimage, or life, is only a spiritual experience if I make it so. It can be a collage of moments that I rush through and visit or it can be moments I tune in and listen to the voice of God and what I might need to hear. My prayer is to be transformed by this experience I was so fortunate to have taken, to listen more carefully and move a bit more intentionally, always moving in the direction of greater peace and joy in God.
Photo is a walkway in Assisi. I shared many photos and descriptions of the places we visited but I have hundreds more! I look forward to going through them and sharing them over time. Thank you for commenting that you enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading about them.
Every day I would look at pictures trying to decide which to post for your virtual Visio Divina but the choices are endless. The frescoes, canvases, churches and architecture are more beautiful in each city.
Last week I talked about the power of sacred reading, or Lectio Divina. This week I am going to share a few thoughts on Visio Divina, or sacred seeing. When we view a painting, sculpture, landscape, photo, or gaze at nature we can, if open to the invitation, allow our hearts and minds to view life in a new way, shift our focus from the mundane, enter a sacred silence, and allow that image to speak to us of greater realities.
As I mentioned last week, I was doing some audio recording, guided Lectio Divina and Visio Divina reflections, for an Advent retreat and I thought about my upcoming pilgrimage to Italy. I recall from my last trip to Italy, and more recently to Spain and Portugal, seeing beautiful and moving artwork. Artwork that touched me on a spiritual level. Artwork that helped me speculate about my spiritual beliefs on a deeper level. For this trip, I am especially looking forward to seeing the Fra Angelico frescos in Florence at the San Marco Museum, which was formerly a Dominican convent. Far Angelico was a monk there, then later the Prior, who painted the walls so that monks could reflect on the images of scripture as they prayed in their cells (rooms). Some of his paintings are my favorite but I have only seen most in images online. I wait in eager anticipation of seeing these frescos in person.
In a recent article written by the team at Center for Action and Contemplation, thoughts by Barbara Holmes regarding sacred art were shared in the daily email update. They quoted Barbara as saying: “Art can amplify the sacred and challenge the status quo. The arts help us to hear above the cacophony in the midst of our multitasking. The arts engage a sacred frequency that is perforated with pauses. Artists learned … there were things too full for human tongues, too alive for articulation. You can dance and rhyme and sing it, you almost reach it in the high notes, but joy unspeakable is experience and sojourn, it is the ineffable within our reach.” “This shift of focus bends us toward the universe, a cosmos of soul and spirit, bone and flesh, which constantly reaches toward divinity.”
Visio Divina can unfold in the same four steps as Lectio – read a scripture and/or gaze at the image asking what captures your attention, reflect again asking what the image might have to say to you, view it again and state a prayer that comes to mind or a grace you seek in life, then lastly sit in silence and just be in the presence of God.
While Lectio is listening with “the ear of the heart”, we can say that Visio Divina is praying with the “eyes of the heart”. During my pilgrimage I am going to share some photos of art or images along the journey. I might add a scripture or reflection based on the art we encounter. I invite you to spend some time with the images and see what it inspires for you.
This week’s image is a favorite. It is a watercolor by Corby Eisbacher entitled Jump for Joy, depicting the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. You can visit Art by Corby on Etsy here. Spend some time with the image. What speaks to you as you view it? What does the image have to say to you?
Reflecting on today’s gospel (Matthew 21: 28-32) for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, our pastor, Fr. Paul Carlson, spoke of the words of the sons to their father, not matching the deeds. Even though one of the sons didn’t act on the words he spoke, affirming to the father he would follow the request to go work in the vineyard, the words themselves still had value. He, we hope, showed respect and obedience. The son that said he didn’t want to go to the field and work, but changed his mind and went, shows us the value of reflecting on the word or the instruction we hear in the words spoken and letting them impact our behavior. All of the words in scripture point out who Jesus was and what He asks of us, in our own lives. As we reflect on them, and comprehend the words, we allow them impact our behavior, and transform our lives.
How can we integrate this in daily life? As I spent some time reflecting on Fr. Carlson’s homily, I thought about some guided prayers I was recording for work this week. One was a Lectio Divina, another a guided contemplation or imaginative prayer and lastly a prayer using Visio Divina. I am going to talk about two of them, Lectio Divina today and Visio Divina next week, and how these prayer methods of sacred listening or viewing can help us enter into the Word and let the Word enter into us.
Lectio Divina, a common monastic prayer method of praying with Scriptures, means “divine reading”. I learned this almost 30 years ago as I began my formation as an Oblate and it has been, to a greater or lesser degree, a part of my daily prayer. Sometimes I spend more time with Lectio, some days it is a very condensed version. The longer time spent in Lectio is always more fruitful, but life gets in the way. Lectio is simply reading or listening to a particular scripture passage, prayer or poem and letting those words enter our hearts. We read the passage once, and listen for a word or phrase that speaks to us. We read it again and reflect on what God or the Holy Spirit might be trying to say to us in those words. We read it a third time and contemplate the words, or sit in silence with them. Lastly we offer a prayer of gratitude for what we heard or a prayer of intention that rises up as we reflect on what God has asked of us as we have listened to the Word. The fruit of the prayer comes from really listening, with the ear of the heart, to the Word and then letting it impact our thoughts, words and actions.
We all know what it feels like to hear someone say one thing but then behave in a way that is contradictory to what they have spoken. It may not be intentional or malicious, but if the behavior and the action don’t correspond, then it gives us something to consider about the person or our relationship. Seeing this within our own behavior, helps us assess why we aren’t being true to the things that we say are important to us. We can assess, and change, when we see that we aren’t living in alignment with the values we say are important to us.
As our words and actions begin to become one and the same, we become the things we value and that we speak in life. I love the quote that you see on social media posts or in self improvement articles, we become what we think about. Or, another, your mind will believe everything you feed it, so feed it hope, truth and love.
If you have not prayed using Lectio Divina before, try it this week, it only takes a few minutes when praying it alone. Pick a short scripture or poem, it doesn’t have to have a lot of words to be impactful. Ask Spirit to guide your thoughts and speak to you with the words you need to hear. May it bring you peace!
This week the gospel is Matthew’s writing of the landowner and the workers (Mt 20:1-16a). You have probably heard, like I have this weekend or in years past, about God’s mercy freely given and open to all or on envy and how it holds us back from viewing heaven as we should. Today I find myself thinking about a different aspect of the gospel. What were the workers doing until they showed up at the location to be hired? If they were there earlier in the day, surely they would have been hired. Were they at other locations trying to find work? Or were they busy with other things and delaying getting there? Were they putting off the work to be done?
I can put off things for a later date or time like nobody’s business! I get things done on time if there is a deadline or it’s a goal for the day, so I don’t mean procrastination. I mean putting off things I want or need to do because maybe later will be a ‘better time’. I’ll be in a better space to pray or meditate later, only to get too busy and spend less time even though I would feel greater peace. I need more time to sit and journal (draw or write) all the thoughts in my head and then later it’s too late, I’m not in the mood anymore, something else demands my attention. I want to move more or change my diet to healthier options but work, errands and household tasks haven taken the time and expendable energy I have. Now planning for my trip to Italy, I find myself worrying about everything – what to take, the flight, the cats while I am gone…. I try to remind myself it will all fall in place. Worrying doesn’t change the amount of time left or get the things I want to get done accomplished any faster.
I was having a hard time focusing on writing this today. Time has been cut short, time in this life for her family and friends, for a colleague and friend. She died on Friday due to an illness and I have been shocked and heartbroken. I learned so much working for Terri, she was top notch! Terri and I did a virtual painting session one day while she was still in the Chicago area. Each working on our own painting, we just chatted about life and our love for attempting to express our creativity. We had said to each other that we should do it again. Last year I mentioned Terri in a post, regarding her new marriage and how happy she looked in each photo. She was simply radiant with joy! I also shared a quote by Paulo Coelho, “One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.” (Is 40 days long enough...)
In that post I talked about embracing the present moment more. I find myself thinking about that again. I need the reminder, maybe you do too. How many times do we say there will be time, later, to meet with friends, visit with family or spend time growing closer to God? We don’t know the day or the hour, let’s embrace the life and connections that we have. Let’s spend time doing the things that make us better people, in relation to God and to each other.
I am writing this on Saturday night, in anticipation of a Sunday afternoon gathering with friends. We are a group of friends that have grown up together. We fondly call our group “The Oglesby Girls”. Most of us grew up in Oglesby and started kindergarten together at Holy Family School, another joined us later in grade school then two others joined in high school.
Sadly, we lost one of our “girls” to cancer. We have shared weddings, the birth of children, the loss of parents, and divorce. We have donated together on large projects for Holy Family Church, even though only three of us remain parishioners because the rest of the group lives out of town. We still manage to get together and celebrate our friendship. The bond of our affection is strong. Many have commented on the steadfastness of our little group when I talk about our gatherings and escapades. Our friendships, and I would also include friendships from high school and those formed in our small rural area, are rare, enduring and admired by others I have encountered in life. Our lives have changed in so many ways but despite 50 years, we still have fun like the girls who headed to Friday night football and basketball games.
I have mentioned recently that I work part time for an online ministry. In the role of Director of Programming for Ignatian Ministries, I work on our community retreats, customer support and the coordination of our weekly blog, which is published on Sunday nights and is shared in an email on Monday morning. Over the past few weeks our core team and supporting “team” members have been writing the blog related to our ministry founding and purpose. I wrote the post, last week, on Community. I shared three examples of scripture quotes and personal experiences that I felt the support of community. As we discerned moving to a non-profit, and ways we want to serve others, one of the founding principles is community, accompanying and supporting others who are seeking the deeper waters of faith.
As I reflect on my small group of friends, I believe that we have embodied all of the aspects of community that I wrote about last week. We have created a space that we know we belong and are always welcomed. We are there to support each other, especially when we experience the difficult losses of family and friends. We encourage each other as we each use our individual gifts in life, regardless of the various paths our lives have taken.
If you are lucky enough to have friendships like this, treasure them! If you didn’t come upon them from childhood or young adult years, perhaps there are friendships that you developed in work or church communities. How can you nurture those friendships? Is there someone you would like to get to know better; someone you feel could be soul friend, someone you could support and you would welcome support from? What step can you take to get to know that person better?
I close with a quote from Thomas Aquinas, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” Amen!
Deena Pavinato - Journeys 