Who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink’?

Remembering Japan

In today’s Gospel (John 4), Jesus is thirsty and asks the first person he sees for water. This woman is a Samaritan and in those days certain cultural groups just did not mix. Jesus was Jewish and she was a Samaritan, two groups that did not mix or dwell together. Jesus replied to her that if she only knew who He was (Son of God) that she herself would never thirst again. The woman had some sense that she was talking to a very special man, one who was willing to share water, conversation, and friendship with her, putting aside all cultural and religious differences. Jesus was in need of water to quench His human thirst and she was in need of “water” (living water) to quench her spiritual thirst.

As I read this Gospel I find myself thinking of the Japanese people. A proud nation facing unthinkable devastation and unbearable suffering. Looking into their faces on the tv news reports I see a terrible sadness but yet also resilience and hope. They may be too proud to verbally ask us for “a drink” but their eyes say it all. They are “thirsty” and need “living water.”

During Lent, we are asked to pray, fast and give alms. I ask you today to pause and reflect upon people in your life who may be thirsty, thirsty for basic needs, company, and spiritual fulfillment. I ask you to think of ways to provide the living water of Jesus to those who need Him so desperately. Remember those in Japan who need your prayers and alms. Perhaps you could dedicate a personal fast as well to show solidarity with those in Japan who may be starving and dehydrated. Let us open our hearts and give them drink as Jesus would. By sharing the Living Water Jesus quells our thirst as well. So… pause and look around… who is asking you for a drink?
God Bless, Holly Clark

Transfigure Us, O Lord...

And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
Mt 17:3

Oh how don’t wish you could climb up a mountain, feel God’s presence and look to the sky and be transfigured by God into the person you were meant to be? Wouldn’t it be joyous? Doesn’t this sound a bit dreamlike and not within the reach of reality? So often in our society we look to instant gratification, joy, communications. Nothing seems to take any time at all. We look to self help books, Google, Facebook, advice from friends in search of instant answers. We don’t want to wait for solutions to our problems and we lose patience with ourselves.

During Lent we are asked to be patient. Answers to our faith longings cannot be instantly obtained as easily we would like (i.e. receiving a text message from God!) Jesus spent 40 days in the desert while His faith was being tested and tempted by Satan. During Lent we are asked to walk with Jesus in the desert. We are asked to reflect upon our lives and examine where Satan is tempting us in our lives. We need to be patient with ourselves and to not expect instant answers to our faith.

Each one of us will walk a different path in the desert. One of us will see nothing but dirt and dust, another will see small signs of life in the cracks and still another will see nothing but joy in the challenge of walking in a desolate landscape. No one will find instant answers to life and after our 40 day journey we may find ourselves with more questions than answers. Our desert journey is just the beginning to our own transfiguration. We are fortunate to have Jesus as our guide and companion. As we travel our road to Easter and the joy of new life, let us remember that our transfiguration will come, in time… be still… and you will someday wake up, look in a mirror and see your face shining like the sun… transfigured in joy and love.
God Bless, Holly Clark

Become What You Think and Do?

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time for reflection upon our lives and our relationship with the Father and Son. As we begin Lent I would ask you to take some time to quietly sit and reflect upon your life. Ask yourself what takes up the most time in your lives and what occupies your thoughts. Family, careers, worries? Then ask yourselves where does God fit in… is He even there?

Back in the eighties, with my first career in the medical sciences, I tended to look at life in terms of science. Looking at a flower, I would think of my botany class. Looking at the ocean I’d think of ecosystems. Later when I tried my hand at graphic design I looked at life with the eye of an artist. I saw everything in terms of shapes and colors. Getting a job in graphic design was very difficult and my life seemed to be a bit empty. I started volunteering my graphic design skills here at Sacred Heart and suddenly my life seemed much fuller! I was being exposed to new thoughts and ideas. I started reading Scripture and finally started understanding what our faith is all about. I started looking at my life and the world around me with a new lens. Now as I look around me I still see things in terms of science and art but now I thank God for giving us the beauty of science and nature. I still see life surrounded by color and shapes and I thank God for His paintbrush of Nature.

As I reflect upon my life this Lent, I am finding myself enriched by the Living Word. I try to see the world as Jesus would. I look at seed and think of the Parable of the Sower; at a recent wedding, the miracle at Cana; at a blind man- I think of Jesus’ healings… This Lent break open the Sunday scriptures and see where Scripture fits in your life. Scripture is a living word, a glimpse into God’s world. This Lent, ask Jesus to be your guide to life. Your eyes will be opened and your heart will be filled. As I look around me I see God’s world, God’s handiwork… in the smile of child, in the change of seasons, in the sky, in my family and friends, and in each of you.
God Bless, Holly Clark

Where is your Heart and Mind?

Even now, says the LORD, return to me
with your whole heart… -Joel 2:12

The first reading for Ash Wednesday, from Joel, asks us to return to the LORD with our whole heart. As we begin Lent we are beginning a new program called “Catholics Come Home.” We are inviting those who have drifted away from the Catholic faith to come celebrate and share our faith once again. I ask you to examine your hearts and try to recall a time when you were separated from your faith and remember what it was that brought you back. Was it an invitation from a friend, a kindly welcoming smile from a parishioner or perhaps you were in a crisis and the Church helped you overcome grief or economic hardship? In my early adulthood (seems like eons ago) I had drifted away and what brought me back was my love of music. A new choir was forming and though I had no idea even if I could sing, I joined after hearing God’s invitation. From that point on, 19 years ago, I started an incredible journey, arm-in-arm with the Lord.

On Ash Wednesday, and throughout Lent and Triduum, we will meet many people who have drifted away from the faith. How will you welcome them home? Will we be upset because they “took my pew” or will we smile warmly and say a silent prayer for them. Will we welcome them with open hearts and minds? St. Paul tells us that “We are ambassadors for Christ…” (2 Cor 5:20). How will we carry out this awesome task? Open your hearts! Open your minds! Open up a highway to God that all may travel!

I am looking forward to this Lent and Triduum as opportunities arise to show our love for one another with the Lord. I look forward to seeing new people and welcoming them to the Sacred Heart and St. Rose faith communities. I look forward to shouting “Alleluia! He is risen!” at Easter-time with our new family members. Only together can we build our highway to God.
God Bless, Holly Clark