Out of the Eyes of Babes

 

 

Tomorrow, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear for the fourth time this month Luke’s Gospel of the Annunciation story.  I’m sure we have reflected many times on the meaning of this Gospel in our lives, as we have done year after year, from the time of our vocation calling to the never- ending callings and challenges we experience in our daily monastic lives.  And hearing this Gospel two days in a row, somehow wakes us up to dive deeper into these last few days of Advent, waiting and pondering with Mary, anticipating Christ’s coming at Christmas.

We’ve all read many commentaries on the Annunciation.  The essential message we glean from all of them is Mary’s surrendering “Fiat.”  And her response “How can this be?” or maybe “Why me?” has been experienced by all of us.

I do not feel the need to read another commentary; rather, I’m going to share a precious story.

My sister shared with me this past week that as she was babysitting her 18 month-old granddaughter Jordan, Jordan seemed to be captivated with the Nativity set.  She just stood in a quiet stance, and with her big inquisitive eyes seemed to be taking everything in.  Her eyes focused on the statue of Mary, she picked it up, gazed at it, her eyes meeting Mary’s eyes.  She began talking to Mary, in infant gibberish, of course, and then began kissing Mary.  The next morning, as my sister was leaving for work, she just happened to glance at the manger scene as she was headed out the door and noticed that Mary was missing.  She looked all over the house and finally found Mary in a basket with all of Jordan’s favorite stuffed animals.

This story touched my heart and I asked my sister if she could possibly get Jordan to re-enact this sacred event and send me a picture.  She was able to accomplish this request.

I think this event is an Annunciation story for Jordan.  Somehow she knows that Mary is special.  What is she thinking? What is she feeling?  What is she pondering? Is it an “inner knowing?”  I will never know what she is thinking, feeling, or pondering.  She cannot express her inner knowing.  She will probably not remember this sacred discovery next year.  But somehow I believe it an Annunciation moment for her, a formation period for her, somehow forming her for all the “fiats” of her life.

Jordan’s sharing of Mary with her stuffed animals, whom she probably communicates with on a regular basis, is evidence to me that God is already working within her to birth and share God’s life with others.

The following poem, entitled “Woven” by Edwina Gateley in her book Growing into God,

captures the Annunciation mystery:

“There is a divinity

split over the earth

that flows where we don’t see

and clothes

all dead and living things

in mantles of eternity.

Though in our gray

and stressed out world

we miss the holy thing,

still it shines,

wove fast and deep

in our dark humanity.

And if one day

we’d dare to glance

into a child’s wondrous eyes,

we’d see reflected,

shining there,

God’s bright inviting dance.”  

Grand Silence

Peaceful Silence

at day's end 

to ponder blessed experience

of all that has been.

The quiet of the night

centers my heart aright

to proclaim gratitude 

for all that has been.

Praying

Working

Community sharing

Breaking bread

What wonderful gift.

Grateful for what went well

I offer contrition for what did not go well

and hear 

this day is gone

welcome the new day soon to appear.

Now I lay me down to sleep

no more worries to keep

resting in God's peace

to be refreshed 

for the dawning of a new day 

in God's loving way.

 

"This Tremendous Love"

The Gospel from today's liturgy, Matthew 5: 38-48, starts out this way:

"You have heard that it was said,

an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  

But I say to you, offer resistance to no one who is evil.

When someone strikes you on your right cheek, 

turn the other as well.

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

hand over your cloak as well.

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

go for two miles.

Give to the one who asks of you,

and do not turn your back on the one who wants to borrow."

AND

"...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."

AND

"...be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

This Gospel message is certainly part of our faith belief and strikes the love and peace chords within our hearts every time we hear these exhortations.  We can't help but to ponder the message of these words for us in our everyday lives.  We are invited to ask the following questions?

~Have I offered resistance rather than peace?

~Have I been generous toward those who needed assistance?

~Have I forgotten about my needs to go two miles when asked?

~Have I looked into the eyes of others to see Christ within them?

What a tall order!!! To "be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect." It was my turn to present a reflection on this Gospel last night for Vigil. What a tall order!!!  I pondered and pondered and pondered, but nothing was surfacing to complete this tall order at hand.  As I sat pondering what direction to take, my eyes fell on one of my favorite books by one of my favorite inspirational authors, Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB.  She provides the perfect reflection on this Gospel in her book, Abide, Keeping Vigil with the Word of God (2011, Liturgical Press).  As I perused the Table of Contents, the following title jumped out before my eyes:

This Tremendous Love (Matthew 5: 38-48)

Sister Macrina's reflection on this Gospel was a wondrous gift as I read excerpts from it to the Sisters.  The following passage from her reflection perhaps serves as the theme of this Gospel passage:

 "A lot of space in the world is still filled with hate.

As followers of Jesus we have no option except to try to fill up these spaces with love.

What might happen if, instead of holding on to our desire for revenge,

we would endeavor to fill up all places of hate with love?

Where hate reigns, love can reign!

Where love reigns, there is no room for hate!" (Abide, pg.148)

Yes, we can believe this deep within our hearts.  But how do we carry it out in our everyday lives?

Sister Macrina goes on to say that love is a spiritual practice.  

"It doesn't happen automatically.

We have to practice loving.

Take a moment to underline the word practice.

It means exactly that! We practice!

If we want to excel in something like dancing, ice skating, music, gymnastics, or any kind of sport, it doesn't surprise us to be told we must practice.

What about opening our hearts to those who have wounded us?

What about forgiving?

What about loving our enemies?

What about becoming who we really are? 

Might we need some practice?" (Abide, pg. 149)

Jesus is our model for the love practice.  We see him loving, acting peacefully, turning the other cheek, walking the extra mile when he must have been tired and weary, and feeding the multitudes. Are we not called to do the same?  We must practice Jesus' way of tremendous love day after day after day.  Sr. Macrina concludes her reflection on this tremendous love with the following words of wisdom:

"We are opening our lives to the love that is flowing through our being.

Somewhere in the midst of this flowing

we discover that just as we cannot become holy on our own, we cannot love all alone.

My flowing flows into your flowing.

Together we are a vessel of this tremendous love." (Abide, pg. 151)

After Vigil last night, several of us gathered to watch the Olympics.  Our interest was primarily to view the ice skating Gala.  In between the figure skating episodes, we chatted, stuffed envelopes for our Lenten appeal, and sipped on some spirits in honor of National Margarita Day.  During the conversation, I heard the word PRACTICE several times.  I even heard the question, "What do Sisters do on Saturday night?"  Well, every Saturday night activity varies, just as every moment of every day varies.  But all of our lives is a steady PRACTICE of together becoming a "vessel of this tremendous love." 

 

 "Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are,

but first be holy that you may more truly be called so.

Live by God's commandments every day...

Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ."

The Rule of St. Benedict, Ch. 4: 62, 72

 

  

 

 

 

A Rare Wintry Morn

A rare event for southern land

an eager anticipation

to view God's winter portrait of winter fairy land.

Snow flakes gently falling

silently

gracefully

dancing in front of my eyes

such wondrous surprise.

My tired body

surrenders in silence

to

peaceful slumber 

in the embrace of God's wonder.

I awaken to a new day

rushing swiftly to the window to view 

the wondrous wintry display

of pure white blanketed creation

that makes my day.

The Advent Bell

The Advent Bell

 

The Advent bell tolls this eve

That our hearts may truly receive

God’s yearly wake-up call.

The Advent bell

That same old ordinary bell

Striking thrice daily,

Week after week,

Year after year,

The ever familiar command

To the life we hold so dear.

On this eve,

Our hearts perceive

A different tone, a different hum,

A holy anticipation of the Mystery to come.

The Advent bell

Invites us on a new pilgrimage

To climb the mountainous heights

To walk the holy path of Light.

 The Advent bell

Rouses us to awake from sleep

To reflect, renew, and rejoice

On all the paths we keep.

The Advent bell,

That same old ordinary bell,

Beckons us to wait in holy anticipation

For new epiphanies in all our daily interactions.

May our hearts be astound

When the long awaited Christmas bell resounds

That same old ordinary bell

That daily calls us to faithfully walk the path of the Paschal Mystery.

 

 

~Sister Priscilla Cohen, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Gift of Self-Care

 In a recent article from an Advance for Nurses article (nursing.advanceweb.com) by

Joan M. Lorenz, RN, PMHCNS-BC entitled “Making a Self-Care Plan,” the author shares the following rhyme that most likely reflects our experience at some point in our lives:

“Old Nurse Hubbard

                                                              Went to her cupboard
                                                      To refuel her tired body and brain
                                                                 When she got there
                                                                The cupboard was bare
                                                    So poor Nurse Hubbard stayed tired and drained.

Lorenz elaborates on this poem as follows:  “The work of nursing is caring for others.  In addition, many of us also tend to our families and neighbors.  Focusing on others and their welfare often causes us to lose sight of ourselves and our needs.  If we disregard ourselves long enough, our emotional cupboards become bare and when we go there we find nothing to sustain us.  There is a quirky little contradiction we need to address about ourselves and our work- to best care for others we must first care for ourselves.”

 Lorenz reminds us that as nurses we know well the technique of developing care plans for our patients.  Those us of who have been around awhile, remember the days we had to write individualized care plans for each patient in the Kardex.   Today’s care plans are now hard-wired in the computer system and we simply click away on the various categories that are pertinent to each patient.  As we assess our patients throughout the day, our brains are updating changes in the care plan, often without our even being aware of it.  We just do it and go with the flow of what is needed for the patient.  We evaluate the patient’s status and make changes when needed. 

The author poses the following question:  “How many of us use this [care plan method] when addressing situations in our own lives? How often do we take time to devote our expertise in systemic assessment and goal setting to write a care plan for something in our lives we would like to change?  Most likely, not often enough- if ever.  However, if we did, we might see more goal achievement in our lives and enjoy ourselves more.”

In taking time for self, it is necessary to overcome the idea that this objective is “selfish.”  Rather, it should be viewed as “self-nurturing.”(Lorenz)  If our reserves are depleted, our well becomes dry and we are not able to care for others with a compassionate heart.  Other obstacles to overcome are “lack of time” and a feeling of being negatively judged by others in our attempts to become more balanced.

We must prioritize time in our lives for self-assessment:

·        Am I getting enough sleep?

·        Do I eat a healthy diet?

·        Do I have a regular exercise routine?

·        Do I pray/meditate on a regular basis?

·        Do I journal my inner feelings, my blessings, and my life experiences?

·        Do I take time for creative expression (art, music, writing, photography)?

·        Do I plan some leisure time?

·        Do I pamper myself (an occasional massage or pedicure, a shopping spree, a dinner night out)?

·        Do I maintain a positive approach to life?

The Self-Care blog lists are infinite and offer a plethora of self-care strategies for maintaining a holistic balance of life.  One blog, Healthy Living, in a post entitled, “Taking Time for Self-Care,” shares that “self-care is taking the time to do things that nourish your body and mind.  It is important that we all take time to pamper ourselves every day.  When we don’t take time  for self-care and prioritize our happiness, it can result in making mistakes, procrastination, and crankiness.  The first step to self-care is to evaluate where you are putting your time and energy.  You can’t help others and do everything for everyone else if you never do anything for yourself.  You will be more productive and useful if you take time for yourself.  This may mean that you have to learn to say “no” to people, delegate more and/or cut some activities out completely so that you can have time for yourself.”

Last week I took a poll on my nursing unit to ask about self-care strategies.  I posed the following question:
What self-care strategies do you maintain in your life to assure a holistic balance of life that will make you a better caregiver at work?  The following statements were shared:

·        Whenever I feel fatigued, I take a stretch break or walk a couple laps in the hall.

·        I get plenty of sleep.

·        I try to eat healthy. 

·        I do not watch medical shows on TV when I get home from work.

·        I jog at least four times a week.

·        I listen to soft music before I go to bed.

·        I plan a trip to the beach over a long weekend and I sit for hours watching the waves.

·        I take nature walks with my camera and look for photo ops of God’s beauty.

·        When I get stressed, I pause and take a few deep breaths.

·        I strive to stay faithful to prayer times.

·        I have a gratitude journal.

·        My husband and I go out for dinner at least once a week.

The self-care imperative is certainly nothing new to any of us.  With any care plan in life, it takes prioritization.  Perhaps it is time, as we approach the New Year, to go away for awhile to a quiet place (as Jesus did quite frequently), and journal our life experiences of self-care over the past year.  Let us jot down what we did well, what we did not do so well, what needs to be scratched and what needs to be initiated. 

“So, take care of yourself.

You deserve it

and so do your patients!!!!

 

                    Healthy Diet and Exercise
               



 

Journaling
Leisure
Prayer
Music

 

 

 

“The Lord Is My Pace Setter”

 

The Lord is my pace setter…I shall not rush.

He makes me stop for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness which restores my serenity.

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not

fret, for his presence is here.

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind

with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall

walk in the Pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.

 

A version of the twenty-third psalm from Japan

Taken from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World  (Joanna Weaver)

 

The Splendor of Autumn

It's been over a year since I've spent time with this blog.  Though the intent is forever on my mind, it has been a year of so many events that hinder my fidelity to this creativity and expression I so dearly love.  I have been at a conference this past week at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, a Benedictine Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana, just south of Indianapolis.  As I strolled the campus today, admiring God's sunny presence on fall colors beginning to announce their presence, my eyes beheld the beauty of the above yellow leaves already falling to the ground below. 

Yellow leaves are truly a favorite for me. But I also love red leaves.  But I also love yellow, red, and orange leaves.  And I also love yellow, red, and orange leaves, interspersed with lime green leaves.  But the best of all sights to behold are all the above colors illuminated with the sun's rays.

Autumn is definitely my favorite season of the year.  The foliage colors awaken my heart to God's beauty and remind me of the seasons of my own life.  As I watch the leaves letting go of their home and falling to the ground, I am reminded to search my inner soul to let go of what has been and to fall to the ground to be re-nurtured in earth's soil that I may begin again my daily commitment of living life joyfully, lovingly, and peaceably. 

Autumn is a prayer for me.  It is a very contemplative prayer.  I don't have to say anything.  All I have to do is be there to behold its beauty and God will do the rest.  So these past few days at Beech Grove have been a prayer for me and a time to share the inner work of my soul with other Sisters who live my same journey day after day. This "beginning of autumn" adventure "magnifies my soul to proclaim the greatness of the Lord."

Next week I will be traveling with my family to the Smokies for a few days.  My heart eagerly awaits this contemplative experience.  So more to come.  I hope to pray with my eyes and my camera to capture the illuminative gift of God's arrays of color.