10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Genesis 3: 9-15
2. Psalms 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
3. 2 Corinthians 4: 13-5: 1
4. Mark 3: 20-35

• Who told you that you were naked?
• Nightmares where we are speaking before a large crowd and suddenly realize that we are naked seem to be pretty common.  Maybe the fear is that, in the rush to get out of the door you forgot that one item of your preparation checklist, maybe it's that you don't think that you are prepared at all, maybe it's that you don't feel worthy to be there at all.
• Where do you feel most accepted for who/what you are?
• Where do you feel most at home?
• Does that say more about who you are, what you've accomplished, or about those who are so accepting?

• Mercy me
• God's mercy for each of us is a great mystery, and yet we are called to show some measure of that same grace to others.
• When was the last time that you were merciful to someone else?
• What prompted you to do that?
• Do you think that mercy always means giving the other person what they want?

• Do these wings make me look fat?
• When I was young, I must have asked whether we would meet the family dog Charlie in heaven.  My dad was pretty certain that, despite the mischief that Charlie had committed in this life, that upon entering heaven we will each hear a familiar barking, soon to be followed by one very special cocker beagle leaping into our arms.
• These dwellings that we will have in heaven, will they look the way that we did in our 20s?
• Will we have senses of any sort in heaven?
• Will it matter?

• Being in the moment
• We talk about work/life balance in our lives as a goal for better health.
• How do you suppose that Jesus kept from burning out?
• Do you think that He could pour Himself into his ministry because He know it would not have to last forever?
• How do you make room in your life for the unexpected, the out of the box, the Spirit flying low?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Who in my life needs to hear that they are accepted just as they are?
2. Who in my life today needs mercy from me?
3. What is the most important thing about me that I want to identified by in eternity?
4. How can I be more open to changes in my plans?

It is Enough

Years ago, before my son towered over me the way he does now,

We were walking together, and he put his hand in mine.

My heart sang, and shed a tear at the same time.

Time does not come in a bottle.  Experiences can not be clung to.

And yet, all of eternity can be found in a single moment.

Sudden, breath-taking union with all that is, ever was, ever will be.

Looking back, I know that I was totally present to that moment.

I have no regrets from that day, because I was totally there just then.

But it leaves me wondering how many breath-taking moments I miss

For lack of attention, for being in a hurry, for not giving them enough space.

At the end of life's journey, I want to be full of gratitude.

Maybe the way to get there is to practice gratitude for each moment now.

Learn to let each moment blossom of its own,

Not looking for what's next, where are we going with this, what's in it for me.

Shalom!