Category: Reflection

I came across this reflection I shared on one of my old blogs from an older journal that I have somewhere. In the coming days, I am going to be looking back on old posts and things of the past, looking for what strikes me as relevant to my life today still. Here is one of those such reflections.

Sometimes life calls for you to take one step back and let out a sigh.  Say a prayer and think about all you have and how much more than that you have to give.  Don’t be afraid to step out of a comfort zone and let go.  Let go of all the negative thoughts.  Let go of your talents and use them, not hiding them in a box in the back of a closet buried under your fears.  Think about it, you were given certain abilities, skills, and much more that can be used to help out others in so many different ways.  Don’t hide you talents and all you have, what is the point of that?  Look around you, take in your surroundings.  Are you using all of what you have in front of you, working with what you are given?  Take those things, make something, and mold a life worth something, as everyone is capable of doing.  Where are you going in your life, is it bringing you towards something worth smiling about?  If it is not bringing you where you can stand to be alive each day, maybe you need to go somewhere else.  Take another sigh, your life is worth so much.  You may see people going to help disaster victims, or going to third world countries to help those in poverty, but that may not your way.  Don’t be disappointed in that, there are many other ways you can serve the world and maybe just the people in your community.  Go ahead, take another sigh, and return to reality.  See all your life ahead of you and do with it as you will while making sure to keep in mind who gave it to you and who out there needs your help.  Last of all, be your true self, no one else is qualified.

Written February 2006

Today has provided me with much to reflect on.  In the midst of a pandemic, churches are no longer able to offer public Masses, leaving the faithful to turn to technology to help maintain their spiritual life.  While there are many other changes to reflect on as well (such as the inability to find toilet paper and how I, as a preschool teacher, provide online learning for my students), I am going to stick with what I have learned today.

In order to maintain some normacy around my Sunday morning routine, I made sure I was up in time for Mass.  Showered, dressed in my best, and ready to go…I settled in to live-stream the Mass.  It is amazing how just the simple actions of standing and kneeling at the appropriate times can connect me and put me in the mindset of what is going on in the present moment.  We even had music at the 10am Mass!

The one thing I noticed is how my home is not fit to be a place of worship.  I have always struggled with keeping things organized and clean, much of the time feeling comepletely overwhelmed in even the small things.  Experiencing following the Mass live online like I did today has lit my fire a little more in terms of motivation.  Next week when I am worshipping in the Mass, I want to feel less distracted by the things in my apartment.

I was blessed today to be able to receive the Holy Eucharist after viewing the Mass live form my home.  For half an hour after each that is held, my parish is offering the opportunity to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.  We line up outside the Gathering Place on the side walk, waiting our turn in a socially distant way.  First step is going in between the two sets of doors to pray the Lord’s Prayer with the Deacon.  Then we move to waiting at the door to the sactuary.  When it is your turn, you move right inside the sancuary and receive Eucharist from the Priest, as well as a blessing.  After, you leave the building and go on your way.  It flowed wonderfully and waiting in the cold wind was well worth it.

While I was there, the person in front of me was a high school student who typically altar-serves.  He was alone and I heard him say his family was at home.  To see a young man there on his own without family there as well is a testament to the beautiful work of the Lord through my parish.

My biggest take away from the homily today was about how if we each share our little lights together, we shine brighter for the world to see.  I think of what we are going through these days and I believe that together we will get through the trials that come upon us.

How will you be a light to those around you?

Sometimes I find that people take for granted the friendships that they have.  Coming home from my day yesterday, I could not have been more grateful for a friend of mine taking time to listen to me and support me in my journey.  It has been a rough week and even with my weekly appointment, I needed to just talk my life out with someone.  She is a blessing to me for sure.

This finds me thinking about church community.  We are called to be in community with each other, not traveling alone.  Think about when Jesus sent out the 72 to proclaim then Good News, they were sent in pairs.  Then there is when it is said that “were two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be there.”  God is three “persons,” Father and Son and Holy Spirit…community.  Man was not made to be alone.

We must never think we can travel this journey alone.  Having a friend to lean on can make all the difference in the world.  Being that friend to someone else can give you a sense of belonging, making a difference in another’s life.

Do you make yourself available for friends in need?

Are you allowing yourself to be vulnerable and reach out to friends?