From the new day...

A few months ago, while I was seeing my hospice patients in a nursing home, I was greeted on the elevator by a resident of the facility. He asked “Have you seen anything new today?” I looked at him puzzlingly and said “No, I don’t think so.” He asked again and I shook my head as I thought about the question. He continued to look at me, waiting for an answer. As I shrugged my shoulders, I said “Not that I can think of, but maybe you have a different idea.”  With that, he responded, with the exuberant voice of a preacher, “A new day, a brand new day, like you’ve never seen before!”

 Where did that come from I thought to myself?! This normally quiet gentleman shuffles along slowly with a walker, has only a few teeth left in his mouth which you see because his bottom jaw juts forward exposing them, and he doesn’t have two cents to rub together.  He appears to have little in this world. But appearances are deceiving. While he may not have tangible wealth or be in the best health, he is clearly rich with joy and has a knowing that many people search their whole lives for and never find. And he’s absolutely right. I thought of him today, and I smiled.

He stayed with me throughout the day in spirit. For today the world was new as it breathed the intoxicating scents of honeysuckle and freshly mowed grass in my path.  It laid before me fields of buttercups and the sight of foals cuddling close to their mothers. 
                                               
The breath of this day carried on it the song of the birds, the laughter of children and the wind rushing by my ears as I biked along the back country roads.  Everything seemed laced with awe and wonder and my heart relished the joy that it brought.  An old man gave me new eyes today, and with them, I saw a new day, a brand new day, like I never saw before.

Giving thanks for the blessing of this day...

From the new day...

For much too long, darkness has shrouded the Philadelphia Archdiocese, but over the weekend a light shone through the darkness. In a corner of the city, in the oldest Catholic Church in town, I was a witness to the goodness and love of human beings, in contrast to the ugliness that has existed and that is currently on trial. While testimony continues regarding unthinkable and mishandled crimes, I saw the light of hope rising before me.

In the welcoming setting of Old St. Joseph’s church, the home of the Jesuits since 1733, joy and sincerity joined hands and the sanctuary became filled with the light and love of the divine.

The website of Old St. Joseph's boldly states “All are welcome”. Sadly, this is not true in all houses of worship. It also states the following:

We recognize that we cannot love God without loving our sisters and brothers. We acknowledge and respect the dignity and worth of every person, and we hear clearly Jesus' call to reach out to those in greatest need. Through our social justice and outreach programs, which we undertake without regard to race, religion, socioeconomic circumstances, or sexual orientation, we will show our solidarity with all men and women. In particular, we will care for those most in need, especially the hungry and the homeless, the sick and the lonely, and the disadvantaged children of our community, and we will advocate for social change on their behalf.

It is no wonder that my cousin chose this church as the setting for his wedding. The Jesuits  model the life that John and Camille emulate. A verse from the song they chose to have at the conclusion of their wedding celebration follows:

We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly, we are called to serve one another; to walk humbly with God!

Incorporating such a song in the wedding, following readings of the same ilk, made a statement for all present to hear, about their intentions for how they will live their life. Their life experience has already shown that they are on this path. I would assume that the local clergy and the church hierarchy all began with idealism and strict ethics like John and Camille, but along the way, some of them became misguided. They lost their devotion to what is important and the temptations that face human beings won out.  There is a need for new energy and commitment and for lessons to be learned from this period in order to avoid a recurrence. 

John and Camille and other caring and ethically driven people like them are hope for the future. If their example can be utilized and their zeal become contagious, the tarnished Catholic Church has the chance to regain its full luster and truly be a beacon of light in this world, joining with other enlightened individuals and groups. The archdiocese, as well as the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, would be wise to adopt the Jesuit statement above as their daily mantra, reminding them how to live and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. It’s that simple. Criticism of nuns, using gays as scapegoats, or perpetuating a culture of cover ups…these are not what the word is about. The word is about love. The word is love. And from love, light streams. It’s that simple. I saw it today.

Giving thanks for the blessing of this day...

From the new day...

A week ago I had the opportunity to take time off from work and go on a personal retreat. This was something I have contemplated doing for several years but had just not moved towards actually making it happen. Finally, I listened. The outcome was perfect. Each day spoke to me in so many wonderful and enriching ways. For now, here is a short poem that came to me one morning as I stood by the little water falls of the creek that flowed down the edge of the scenic "sanctuary" in the breathtaking blue ridge mountains.

Good Morning Creek

Flowing free

Laughing, dancing

Oh, to be

A drop of water

One with you

Joyful,

In your heaven.

Giving thanks for the blessing of these days...