What do I want?

What is it that God wants for me that I do not want for myself? -Meister Eckhart

For as long as I can remember, an obsessing question has been “What do I want to do with my life?” I've spent countless hours envisioning and planning my future. I've dreamed and formulated plans. I've dreamed again and re-formulated the plans. I've tried to look into the crystal ball to see what I was to do and who I was to be. I envisioned myself, at some point in time, satisfied and content for having successfully accomplished my goals and having reached my glorious destination.

As Christians, however, we are called to make a radical paradigm shift. Our EGO, the great Trinity of Me, Myself, and I is to be replaced by GOD, the true Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. As Christians we are called to get our egoistic selves out of the way and to change from an Ego-centric to Christo-centric way of being. The obsessing question then changes from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?”

Even more challenging is the question “What does God want for me that I don’t want for myself?” With this new world view, we ask ourselves very different questions. What does God want me to change that I don’t want to change. What does God want me to be that I don’t want to be? What does God want me to do that I don't want to do?

We fear these questions because we often think that we know what’s best for our lives. If God wants what I want that's great, but what happens when I don't want what God wants? We resist the truth that God's plan for our lives is better than our plan. In fact, it's far better than what we could ever imagine. God only desires what's best for us. God will only lead us in ways that will draw us closer to the fullness of who God created us to be. God's plan is good and perfect for those who will open themselves to the working of God in their lives, and open themselves to the possibilities and opportunities that God presents.

I've spent far too much time and energy trying to answer the wrong question. Instead of "What I want for my life?" the better question is, "What does God want for my life." For the plans and dreams of God for me and my life are beyond anything I could ever imagine...even if it's something I thought I never wanted.

Holy and Loving God replace my trinity with your Holy Trinity, and my desires with your desires, and my longings with your longings, but when they are not give me the wisdom and courage to follow your ways not mine. Amen.

Lent: A time for healthy choices

This past Wednesday, we heard the invitation of the church to the "observance of a holy lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; by reading and meditating on God's holy Word."

I believe that Lent is a misunderstood season. For some this is a time to put on sack cloth and ashes and to suffer for Jesus. Let's really show God our love by seeing what we can give up or what we can take on, all to prove ourselves worthy, a mad test of endurance and survival until Easter. Lent is NOT the ultimate test in fasting and self-denial, but I believe we are called to something radically different.

Lent is not spiritual "boot camp" for the truly faithful. It is not a time to be endured, but rather a time to intentionally model healthy Christian living. It is an annual "check-up" in which we take our spiritual pulse and check our vital signs. It is a time for healthy choices for mind, body and spirit. It is not a season solely for fasting, but for feasting, as well. We fast from those things which do not work for our good and we feast on those things which bring us closer to a holy life.

As we live more fully into this season, I invite you to make healthy choices for your mind, body and spirit. Healthy choices which include both fasting and feasting. Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from the words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion.
Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayers that sustain.
Fast from worry; Feast in faith.
-"Lenten Fast" by William Arthur Ward

Here's to a healthy life in Christ,
Paul+

The truth shall set us free!

A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don't know ourselves! Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, as thick and hard as an ox's or bear's, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.

- Meister Eckhart

As we begin this holy season of Lent, we are invited to embark on a sacred pilgrimage. We are invited to journey into the depths of our soul. A journey many of us may prefer not to take. Perhaps it's because we are afraid of what we may discover. A part of ourselves that we would rather not admit exists. Knowing the truth of one’s self calls for naked openness and vulnerability that we don’t often allow ourselves to experience.

Truth can be a bitter pill to swallow, but as the scripture says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) For far more powerful than the truth of our sins and shortcomings is the truth of God’s abundant love. We need not fear nor dread this journey. It is a journey to freedom. We are held captive by deceptions of our own creation and we are freed by Christ’s loving embrace.

So, as we begin this time, let us hear the call, and accept the invitation to embark on this most holy journey. Let us remember that we do not go on this journey alone. We are invited by God, accompanied by Christ and comforted by the Holy Spirit. And if we dare journey into the depths of our soul, there I believe we will find truth and this truth does not bring condemnation nor captivity, but rather forgiveness and freedom. Freedom to be more truly the people God created us to be.

Let us go into our own ground and learn to know ourselves and there I pray we meet the Holy One and the truth shall set us free. Amen.

La Virgen de Guadalupe

This past Sunday, I had a most remarkable experience. I visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A caravan made the trip from Minneapolis to La Crosse. Driving a van packed with new latino friends, we made our way to the shrine. It was the Sunday for the monthly Spanish service.

With great eagerness and expectation, latino pilgrims made their way up the hill to the shrine. Our friends were the musicians for the service, an extended family that formed a mariachi group. They had spent hours of practice and preparation, for this was not just another occasion to perform, this was a chance to play for the La Virgen de Guadalupe and they prayed that their offering would be pleasing to God.

Immediately, as the first note of broke through the reverent silence, my eyes began to burn with tears. For I had heard some of their stories. Stories of suffering and hardship. Stories of fear and oppression. Stories of hope and joy. Stories of Christ and redemption.

After the mass had ended they were allowed to play for thirty minutes until the next service was to begin. The group then stood before the altar looking only at the cross and painting of Mary. They were not "performing", they were offering songs of thanksgiving and celebration. They were offering prayers for all those who suffer from the ravages of poverty and oppression. They were lifting up countless millions of people who long for a better life for their children. They held in their hearts all those who find themselves as aliens in a foreign land and dream of home.

When they had finished, I commented on the visibly humble and faithful spirit with which they sang. I said, "They were singing as if they believed that La Virgen de Guadalupe was really there." The leader of the mariachis, Chalio, when hearing this had a curious look on his face and simply said, "She was there."

We say, "We are in the presence of God." We say, "Come Holy Spirit and fill this place." We say, "Christ is here with us." We say, "These are the gifts of God for the people of God. The holy food and drink of new and unending life in him." But do we really believe it, or are these simply "sayings" and things we hope to be true?

May we come before the presence of the Living God with the same eager expectation. May we sing and pray with the same faith and humility. May we long to offer our lives as gifts that are pleasing to God. May we experience the same sense of presence and spirit when we come before the altar of our Lord - for he is there!

Gracias a Dios ahora y para siempre!

In Christ,

Paul+

There was no one to intervene

How many times have you watched the news or read an article in the paper, and you said to yourself, "I can't believe no one did anything?" Someone is attacked in public; passersby simply give a glance and continue on their way. Someone knows of an abuse or neglect, yet never says a word to anyone.

Perhaps you have found yourself in a similar situation. How could this be happening? Did I really hear what I thought I heard? I should do something! I should stop this! I should tell someone! I should intervene! Well...it's really none of my business. I shouldn't get involved with this. It really has nothing to do with me. I'll probably just make it worse. Surely someone else will do something!

Everyday things happen that shouldn't, and no one says a thing. No one takes action. No one gets involved. No one intervenes.

I was profoundly moved this week by the words of the prophet Isaiah: The Lord saw it and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene: so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. (Isaiah 59:15b-16)

In this passage the prophet tells of the oppression of God's people, the injustices done to them, and yet, no one does anything. No one speaks on their behalf. No one comes to their aid. No one seeks justice for them. No one was willing to intervene. The Lord in frustration, and I'm sure anger and disappointment, seems to say, "Fine, if you won't do anything for my people, I'll just do it myself!" The Lord takes up the fight for justice because he could find no human to assist. No one willing to take a stand. No one willing to get involved.

Our faith calls us, no - requires us, to get involved. The Gospel clearly mandates justice for all people: rich and poor, young and old, neighbor and stranger. But, justice does not happen by itself. God calls us to be active participants in the work for justice. Yesterday, I read an article challenging us to be more actively engaged in our faith. The author noted, "What we have, by and large is believers when what we need...is practitioners." We need, God needs, the world needs fewer believers and more practitioners. Belief is great, but faith without works is dead. (James 14:26)

May we hear the call of the oppressed. May we respond to the pursuit of justice. May we have the courage and fortitude to move beyond belief by putting our faith into action. And may a prophet of God never have to say again, "The Lord saw it and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene."

In Christ,

Paul+

What is your heart's desire?

What is your heart's desire? All of us have hopes and dreams. All of us have those things which we hold dear in our heart, at the core of our being, our true longings. What is it that your heart truly desires?

This week while reading the Daily Office I come across Psalm 42.

As the deer longs for the water-brooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;

when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?

What beautiful and transforming words! Within us, each of us, there is a hunger, and if given the freedom to surface, it would reveal our TRUE desire - that which resides in the innermost place of our soul. But, so often we don't allow ourselves the freedom to let that surface. We stop short, settling for superficial longings and desires. We settle for the desires of the ego rather than the calling of God. We settle for that which will make us temporarily happy rather than profoundly joyful. We settle for imitations rather than the authentic. Bottom line...we settle, and often times we don't even know we're doing it.

God's true desire, God's true longing - that which resides in the inner most place of God's heart - is US. As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs God's soul for us. (That's my edit.) Yes, it's true. God's desire is us! God is athirst for us! God longs for us to be intimately in his presence!

Perhaps hard to believe, but God's heart desires US!

What is your heart's desire? Do you desire God? Do you long to be in the presence of God? Is your soul athirst for the living God? Look into your heart and allow that which resides in the innermost place of your soul the freedom to surface Then I pray, may you hear the true longing of your soul and the desire of your heart.

As the deer longs for the water-brooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;

when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?

In Christ,

Paul+

A culture of glamour

One of the books I am currently reading is The Invisible Embrace of Beauty: Rediscovering the true sources of compassion, serenity and hope, by John O'Donohue.

From the very beginning O'Donohue states his underlying belief that "The human soul is hungry for beauty." We long for beauty, for in beauty we get a glimpse of the essence of God. God offers us these wonderful sights and encounters with beauty everyday, but so often they go unnoticed. Right before our eyes is something beautiful and transforming, something revealing the majesty and glory of God and yet we are blind to it.

We have become a culture of glamour. Our eyes and attention are captured by that which glitters and shines. "It has become the habit of our times to mistake glamour for beauty." O'Donohue continues by quoting Robert C. Morgan, "Beauty is not glamour. Most of what the media...the fashion world...Hollywood...the art world has to offer is glamour. Glamour, like the art world itself, is a highly fickle and commercially driven enterprise that contributes to...the "humdrum". It appears and disappears...No one ever catches up to glamour."

We live in a world mesmerized by glamour. Glamour is deceptive and manipulative. Glamour is produced and quickly fades. Beauty is truth telling and life giving. Beauty is born and created and stands the true test of time. Beauty is inherent in the nature of God. Beauty gives us hope and transforms our souls. Glamour will leave us empty and unsatisfied. True beauty will fill our souls and nourish us.

We feel empty because we have been caught by the world's empty promise and allure of glamour, but God offers us beauty, true beauty, divine, holy and life giving beauty. Beauty that will sustain us. Beauty that will not fade nor betray us. Beauty that will fill us and not leave us still starving and unsatisfied. The beauty of life and love, of creation and renewal. The beauty of compassion and hope, of forgiveness and mercy. The beauty of creativity and dreams. The beauty of death and resurrection.

O Lord, open our eyes that we might see, open our ears that we might hear, open our hands that we might touch, open our lips that we might taste and our heart that we might feel your beauty and in turn be a reflection of that beauty in your world.

Peace,

Paul+