Bulletin for Mary

I'm composing a blurb for my parish's church bulletin. Some friends and I are "tree huggers." We're into gardening and interested in our environment. We call ourselves "Sacred Air Folks." We thought we'd put blurbs in church bulletins, now and then, to call attention to our sacred land, air--environment. Here's one I composed for the month of May. BTW, I've written about Mary Gardens here, in this blog.

from the Sacred Air Folks

May is for Mary

As you purchase plants and flowers this spring, consider devoting some space to plants that have a religious significance, by creating a Mary Garden.  This really is an old tradition.  Some devote space as a place for meditation.  But a Mary Garden can even be a small pot.

      Place a statue of Mary in the garden or pot, and then surround it with flowers and plants that have a Marian significance, either by name or tradition.  Information about Mary Gardens is available: www.mgardens.org   and   www.udayton.edu.mary

      Gardening is an act of faith.  A Mary Garden is special.  This summer visit the Mary Garden in Woods Hole.  It is across from St. Joseph Church.  It is the oldest known Mary Garden in the USA.

Two Historic Landmarks

 Here is a picture of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico.  They were given this name by the Francisco Missionary Padre Frincisco Torres, as he lay dying.  His last words were I see the Blood of Christ, as he looked at the vista before him--Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  

El Santuario de Chimayo is a small adobe chapel in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  During Holy Week pilgrims come.  Many are healed there.

Will the Real You Stand Up, Please

 Today at a chapter meeting, my "cloistered brothers," were talking about the masks we wear. As children we wear masks to please our parents.  Old children learn to wear different masks: for teachers, for friends, and parents.  Teens especially try on different masks: tough guys, nerds, jocks, goths, etc.

In prison, especially, you had better wear the appropriate masks or you will have a miserable life.  But which is the real you?  Are you a conglomerate of all your masks?  

The lone Franciscan in our group, opined.  St. Francis said, "I am what I am."

The Dominicans jumped in with a laugh and said, Popeye said that.  I y'am what I y'am.  

The Sign of the Cross

 

Although I don't bless myself like Father George does, I like this video.  Mostly because St. George is the icon on the right.  St. George slays dragons and there are all kinds of dragons in our world.  As I post this, Iran has launched hundreds of drones against Israel.  Evil is the dragon.  May St. George slay the evil in men's hearts and put peace in its place.

BTW, I bless myself with my whole hand.  My friends, like Father George make a cross or use three fingers, (think Trinity) and bless themselves.  It's a prayer in itself.

The Past is to be Learned From

 James McBride is an author I enjoy reading.  He once wrote for the Boston Globe.  His first novel, The Color of Water, is excellent.  In fact, this novel, The Heaven and the Earth Grocery Store is reminiscent of The Color of Water.  One of the major characters, Chona Ludlow, sounds like McBride's grandmother.  McBride's grandmother was Jewish and lived above a grocery store with her family.  So far, the two novels have the same setting.  The Jewish and Black families, as neighbors, are similar in the two books.

The plot is a big difference.  In The Heaven and the Earth Grocery Store, there are a couple of murders.  The story begins with finding a murdered man.  The story ends with an explanation of how that happened.  In between, the reader is introduced to the village of Chicken Hill, and its assortment of nationalities, colors, and religions.  It often is humorous.  The story turns serious when Chona takes in a young black boy who lost his parents.  The boy is deaf, but not mute, and intelligent.  The government wants to take him away and put him in a mental hospital.  

Unfortunately, the kid is taken and put in the institution.  One of the characters, big Nate, who is a dangerous man, but one of the good guys, helps snatch the boy, out of the institution.  They get away and life goes on.  More or less.  

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Story will make you laugh, cry, cringe, and hope.  What more do you want?

The Lord's Peace

 

LECTIO:                                                            Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you alone, O LORD,
bring security to my dwelling.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R. Alleluia.

STUDIUM:

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. The title of the psalm indicates that it was directed toward the Chief Musician, whom some suppose to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). The title also tells us that the song was deliberately written to be accompanied with stringed instruments. In this psalm David poured out his complaint against slanderous enemies and found peace and refuge in God.

MEDITATIO: 

David is reflecting.  He is speaking to his people about his enemies, his son Absalom is one.  How painful was that?  

ORATIO:

Lord, peace is only found in You.  I trust in You, no one else is trustworthy.  Even sons turn against fathers.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Jesus, I trust in You.

 

The psalm's text is a reflection of David speaking to all sinners while addressing himself to Absalom. The message in the psalm is that the victories of sinners are only temporary and meaningless, and that only repentance can bring true happiness. It is a request to God for deliverance from past distresses.

Stay on the Straight and Narrow

 

LECTIO:         1 Jn 2:1-5a

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep
his commandments.
Those who say, "I know him," but do not keep his commandments
are liars, and the truth is not in them.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.

STUDIUM:

Don't you love the salutation--"My Children"? When John wrote this, he must have been pretty old.  Everyone must seem like children to him.  And his tone continues.  He's not grouchy.  He's not a grumpy, old man.  He just doesn't want his children to sin.  He wants his children to stay close to Jesus.

MEDITATIO:

And even when the children do stray, John wants them to know that Jesus is on their side.  They should try to stay united to Jesus by keeping His commandments.  

ORATIO:

Lord, keep hold of my hand.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Be perfect like Jesus is perfect.