Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
How Will You Serve God?
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a person who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. James 1:23–24
Are you a hearer and not a doer? I asked myself this last spring when the women of WINGS and I explored the book of James in depth. It is so easy to hear the Word of God through the readings at Mass—to sit and nod in agreement as we listen. But how many of us really take in what is said and actually take the Word home with us and then form an action plan to put the Word into action?
I often find myself in this situation. I get many ideas and new thoughts from the daily and Sunday readings and then something from our secular world distracts me and the thought vanishes. We lead such busy lives… we multitask everything… we schedule everything… including time for God! Does your Sunday to do list look like this:
- Breakfast, paper & coffee
- Get self and family ready for Mass
- Attend Mass
- Lunch and Patriots
- Laundry, dishes, trash, homework, housekeeping, home repairs, mow lawn, phone calls, Internet, e-mail, pay bills, supper, ecetera, etcetera, etcetera…
It is no wonder that we have become just hearers and not doers of the Word! Where is prayer, reflection and service? As the summer winds down let us take time to explore how we will become a parish of doers. Get a small notebook and pen and start writing down thoughts and ideas on how to become doers. Right after Mass is a good time (before all the sports!). Consider sharing them with us. We would love to hear how you are serving God and being a doer of the Word. God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Time for God
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Tick-tock, Tick-tock
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Tick-tock, Tick-tock…
God speaks to us in many different ways, not always just while we are in prayer. I was exploring Facebook the other day and came upon a little application called “What does God Want You to Know?” For fun, I clicked on it and the message was:
God wants Holly to know... that when you were told time exists, you were lied to. We have invented time to feel secure that we can predict life. That clock is merciless beating out seconds at a constant rate, ignoring the natural changing rhythms of our minds and our bodies. And so we are constantly trying to speed up or slow down. Give yourself a break for a change, - put away that watch for a couple of days and settle into your own natural rhythms.
The irony of this message was that I had just finished watching a documentary on the physics of time and how we perceive time. We humans are always trying to alter God’s time… we want to speed it up, slow it down… we want to go back and do over or see the future. We are obsessed with time.
As I sat down to journal my thoughts on God and time this quote from Ecclesiastes came to my computer screen:
Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! Ecc 4:6
Now I know God is speaking to me! Telling me to slow down! As the summer winds down let us take some time to relax, and put away that watch, (and cell phone and laptop etc!) and pause to listen to God. Ask yourselves where and how is God speaking to me and what is He saying? Be open to the endless possibilities! - God Bless, Holly Clark
Tick-tock, Tick-tock…
God speaks to us in many different ways, not always just while we are in prayer. I was exploring Facebook the other day and came upon a little application called “What does God Want You to Know?” For fun, I clicked on it and the message was:
God wants Holly to know... that when you were told time exists, you were lied to. We have invented time to feel secure that we can predict life. That clock is merciless beating out seconds at a constant rate, ignoring the natural changing rhythms of our minds and our bodies. And so we are constantly trying to speed up or slow down. Give yourself a break for a change, - put away that watch for a couple of days and settle into your own natural rhythms.
The irony of this message was that I had just finished watching a documentary on the physics of time and how we perceive time. We humans are always trying to alter God’s time… we want to speed it up, slow it down… we want to go back and do over or see the future. We are obsessed with time.
As I sat down to journal my thoughts on God and time this quote from Ecclesiastes came to my computer screen:
Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! Ecc 4:6
Now I know God is speaking to me! Telling me to slow down! As the summer winds down let us take some time to relax, and put away that watch, (and cell phone and laptop etc!) and pause to listen to God. Ask yourselves where and how is God speaking to me and what is He saying? Be open to the endless possibilities! - God Bless, Holly Clark
Put Away the Old Self
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Put Away the Old Self
For just about a year now I have been practicing Lectio Devina with the daily readings and journaling my thoughts into a prayer journal/blog online. As I look back I see certain patterns of thought that repeat throughout my life. Today’s second reading contains one of those thoughts:
…you should put away the old self of your former way of life,… and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self… Eph 4:22, 23-24
I have often wrestled with this. I wonder as I enter a new self in Christ how much of my former way of life I should get rid of and what should I keep? It is difficult to look at one’s self in the mirror and try to see what is keeping you back from freely following Jesus and being open to the Spirit. I pondered this for about an hour and came to no real answers. As I closed my journal entry a “random” Bible verse popped up on my computer screen:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not. -Proverbs 3:5
I asked myself was this God’s way of telling me to not think so much… don’t sprain my brain pondering the mysteries of my life? Was this God’s way of telling me to lighten up and not be so hard on myself?
As I reflect upon today’s readings I realize that in a way I have been wandering the desert, seeking answers, getting no where, when I should be trusting that the Lord will provide for what I need physically and spiritually. Let us take some time today to examine our lives, to discover what is holding us back from a fuller relationship with God and let us pray for the Lord to guide us through the deserts of our minds.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Put Away the Old Self
For just about a year now I have been practicing Lectio Devina with the daily readings and journaling my thoughts into a prayer journal/blog online. As I look back I see certain patterns of thought that repeat throughout my life. Today’s second reading contains one of those thoughts:
…you should put away the old self of your former way of life,… and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self… Eph 4:22, 23-24
I have often wrestled with this. I wonder as I enter a new self in Christ how much of my former way of life I should get rid of and what should I keep? It is difficult to look at one’s self in the mirror and try to see what is keeping you back from freely following Jesus and being open to the Spirit. I pondered this for about an hour and came to no real answers. As I closed my journal entry a “random” Bible verse popped up on my computer screen:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not. -Proverbs 3:5
I asked myself was this God’s way of telling me to not think so much… don’t sprain my brain pondering the mysteries of my life? Was this God’s way of telling me to lighten up and not be so hard on myself?
As I reflect upon today’s readings I realize that in a way I have been wandering the desert, seeking answers, getting no where, when I should be trusting that the Lord will provide for what I need physically and spiritually. Let us take some time today to examine our lives, to discover what is holding us back from a fuller relationship with God and let us pray for the Lord to guide us through the deserts of our minds.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Hummingbird
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
The Hummingbird
Last weekend I decided I wanted to follow last Sunday’s Gospel’s advice to “come and rest awhile.” I did have a busy weekend planned with not a lot of free time. We had family visiting for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration and lots of festivities planned. After everyone left I had to finish a paper for a class I am taking on the New Testament. I got out all my books, laptop, and refreshments and set up camp on my back deck facing the woods. I really did want to rest awhile but the paper loomed large.
About 15 minutes into my work a hummingbird came to visit me. He and I were just inches apart, he hovered and just stared at me eye-to-eye and then flew away. I wondered what the hummingbird was trying to say to me. (He looked like he wanted to speak.) I took a break and blogged about the experience on Facebook. A cousin of mine wondered if it was sent by our deceased grandmother’s spirit as a message of encouragement to me and my thoughts went immediately to an elderly aunt who had just passed away the night before in Wyoming. My Aunt Mae died while up in the Big Horn Mountains enjoying an annual family reunion. She loved the mountains and her family and passed away on the mountain and in the arms of her family.
I thought again of the hummingbird. I discovered that birds in the Bible represent the soul’s flight at death (Ps 124:7). Perhaps the bird did symbolize my Aunt Mae on her way to heaven and she gave to me the gift of hope in new life. Let us take some time this summer and visit with our elderly relatives and friends. Let us live life in the now and tell each other how much we care. Don’t wait—now is the time!- God Bless, Holly Clark
The Hummingbird
Last weekend I decided I wanted to follow last Sunday’s Gospel’s advice to “come and rest awhile.” I did have a busy weekend planned with not a lot of free time. We had family visiting for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration and lots of festivities planned. After everyone left I had to finish a paper for a class I am taking on the New Testament. I got out all my books, laptop, and refreshments and set up camp on my back deck facing the woods. I really did want to rest awhile but the paper loomed large.
About 15 minutes into my work a hummingbird came to visit me. He and I were just inches apart, he hovered and just stared at me eye-to-eye and then flew away. I wondered what the hummingbird was trying to say to me. (He looked like he wanted to speak.) I took a break and blogged about the experience on Facebook. A cousin of mine wondered if it was sent by our deceased grandmother’s spirit as a message of encouragement to me and my thoughts went immediately to an elderly aunt who had just passed away the night before in Wyoming. My Aunt Mae died while up in the Big Horn Mountains enjoying an annual family reunion. She loved the mountains and her family and passed away on the mountain and in the arms of her family.
I thought again of the hummingbird. I discovered that birds in the Bible represent the soul’s flight at death (Ps 124:7). Perhaps the bird did symbolize my Aunt Mae on her way to heaven and she gave to me the gift of hope in new life. Let us take some time this summer and visit with our elderly relatives and friends. Let us live life in the now and tell each other how much we care. Don’t wait—now is the time!- God Bless, Holly Clark
Come and Rest Awhile...
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
"Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
This passage from today’s gospel is the perfect message for the summer as we travel to far off places or maybe just seek solitude in our own backyards. It is a reminder that we all need to slow down and reflect upon our lives.
I often retreat to the ocean when I feel the need to find solitude. We all need to find that special place where we can be alone with our thoughts and invite the Lord to listen in. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on the beach, watching the tide go out and pondering life. The beach was pretty much deserted as it was a rather chilly day. The hymn “All That is Hidden” kept running through my mind. The tide slowly ebbed away and revealed the hidden shoreline. Concealed treasures soon became revealed and life to me suddenly became clear: It is with time that all things become known.
God is telling us to be patient. He does not want us to be concerned with all that we don’t know or worrying about our futures. The Lord knows our future and will take care of us. When we are uncertain about what lies ahead we can put our trust in the Lord and know that whatever is invisible to us now will, in time, be revealed. By worrying about tomorrow we ruin the today. Life is a journey and we must savor every bit of it. - God Bless, Holly Clark
"Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
This passage from today’s gospel is the perfect message for the summer as we travel to far off places or maybe just seek solitude in our own backyards. It is a reminder that we all need to slow down and reflect upon our lives.
I often retreat to the ocean when I feel the need to find solitude. We all need to find that special place where we can be alone with our thoughts and invite the Lord to listen in. A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on the beach, watching the tide go out and pondering life. The beach was pretty much deserted as it was a rather chilly day. The hymn “All That is Hidden” kept running through my mind. The tide slowly ebbed away and revealed the hidden shoreline. Concealed treasures soon became revealed and life to me suddenly became clear: It is with time that all things become known.
God is telling us to be patient. He does not want us to be concerned with all that we don’t know or worrying about our futures. The Lord knows our future and will take care of us. When we are uncertain about what lies ahead we can put our trust in the Lord and know that whatever is invisible to us now will, in time, be revealed. By worrying about tomorrow we ruin the today. Life is a journey and we must savor every bit of it. - God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Rock on the Beach...
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
The Rock on the Beach
Last week I took time out to enjoy the summer that seems to have finally arrived! I took a trip to the National Seashore located on the outer Cape. I had my beach chair, some good books and plunked myself in the middle of Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. It was the first real sunny day in ages so I spent the day there.
When I arrived, the tide was going out and as the hours ticked by I could see a large rock emerging on the beach, coming out from under the water as the tide ebbed away. I watched as the waves splashed repeatedly into the rock and thought of myself as that rock. I asked myself am I like the rock that stands stubbornly in the face of trials and tribulations, resisting and fighting life? Or am I like the rock that allows and welcomes the waves to gently flow over me, slowly reshaping me into something anew?
The Holy Spirit is very much like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes coming crashing into you and at other times gently washing over you, and through you, bringing you to new life. Water has the awesome power to transform us through Baptism. The next time you encounter water, in the shower, doing dishes, or at the beach pause and take a moment and reflect upon its life-giving qualities both in the physical and spiritual sense.
As the tide returned and re-covered my rock, the refrain from the song “Sacred Silence” kept running through my head as a prayer… It is a good prayer to remember as we go about our summer activities:
Sacred silence, holy ocean,
gentle water, washing over me.
Help me listen, Holy Spirit,
come and speak to me.
“Sacred Silence” - Tom Booth
God Bless, Holly Clark
The Rock on the Beach
Last week I took time out to enjoy the summer that seems to have finally arrived! I took a trip to the National Seashore located on the outer Cape. I had my beach chair, some good books and plunked myself in the middle of Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. It was the first real sunny day in ages so I spent the day there.
When I arrived, the tide was going out and as the hours ticked by I could see a large rock emerging on the beach, coming out from under the water as the tide ebbed away. I watched as the waves splashed repeatedly into the rock and thought of myself as that rock. I asked myself am I like the rock that stands stubbornly in the face of trials and tribulations, resisting and fighting life? Or am I like the rock that allows and welcomes the waves to gently flow over me, slowly reshaping me into something anew?
The Holy Spirit is very much like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes coming crashing into you and at other times gently washing over you, and through you, bringing you to new life. Water has the awesome power to transform us through Baptism. The next time you encounter water, in the shower, doing dishes, or at the beach pause and take a moment and reflect upon its life-giving qualities both in the physical and spiritual sense.
As the tide returned and re-covered my rock, the refrain from the song “Sacred Silence” kept running through my head as a prayer… It is a good prayer to remember as we go about our summer activities:
Sacred silence, holy ocean,
gentle water, washing over me.
Help me listen, Holy Spirit,
come and speak to me.
“Sacred Silence” - Tom Booth
God Bless, Holly Clark
Monday, July 6, 2009
Online Art Retreat
Online Art Retreat
www.prayerwindows.com
This site presents an internet gallery that uses paintings to display a way to pray in a creative manner. The artist, Bob Gilroy, S.J., uses creativity to express feelings and communicate with God. Directions are provided so viewers can learn how to see God reflected in their own lives through the arts.
www.prayerwindows.com
This site presents an internet gallery that uses paintings to display a way to pray in a creative manner. The artist, Bob Gilroy, S.J., uses creativity to express feelings and communicate with God. Directions are provided so viewers can learn how to see God reflected in their own lives through the arts.
Doodles and Scribbles: Praying with Art
July 5, 2009
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Doodles and Scribbles:
Praying with Art
I recently attended a day retreat called Sacred Images-Contemplation and Art. This retreat introduced me to methods of meditation based upon various traditions and simple art exercises. We explored how to pray with images that were created by others and created by ourselves. You do not need to be an artist to pray with and through art.
I often find myself doodling and as I explore my spirituality I come to realize that this may be one more method God uses to communicate to me, and through my created art I can share my revelations with others. Outlined below are some ideas on how you can also pray with art:
With eyes closed make gestures on a blank piece of paper with some dark drawing instrument as if you were dancing on paper.
What shapes or figures appear? Complete the sketch in color and detail.
Play with contrasting lines, shapes, and textures.
Pick colors you like and notice how you feel when you draw with them.
Draw or paint to music.
Create a mandala. This is a circle that represents wholeness in you. It could be abstract or realistic.
Record in a prayer journal your experiences and insights.
The next time you find yourself mindlessly doodling try asking yourself if there is something God is trying to tell you. God speaks to us in many ways but we do not always hear nor do we listen.
This summer let us be more attentive to God’s voice. Take time out to quiet your mind and start listening... and you will encounter God everywhere. God Bless, Holly Clark
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Doodles and Scribbles:
Praying with Art
I recently attended a day retreat called Sacred Images-Contemplation and Art. This retreat introduced me to methods of meditation based upon various traditions and simple art exercises. We explored how to pray with images that were created by others and created by ourselves. You do not need to be an artist to pray with and through art.
I often find myself doodling and as I explore my spirituality I come to realize that this may be one more method God uses to communicate to me, and through my created art I can share my revelations with others. Outlined below are some ideas on how you can also pray with art:
With eyes closed make gestures on a blank piece of paper with some dark drawing instrument as if you were dancing on paper.
What shapes or figures appear? Complete the sketch in color and detail.
Play with contrasting lines, shapes, and textures.
Pick colors you like and notice how you feel when you draw with them.
Draw or paint to music.
Create a mandala. This is a circle that represents wholeness in you. It could be abstract or realistic.
Record in a prayer journal your experiences and insights.
The next time you find yourself mindlessly doodling try asking yourself if there is something God is trying to tell you. God speaks to us in many ways but we do not always hear nor do we listen.
This summer let us be more attentive to God’s voice. Take time out to quiet your mind and start listening... and you will encounter God everywhere. God Bless, Holly Clark
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