Blue Moon LIGHT

A new year! A new decade! Wow! And on top of that, we'll be ringing it in with a "blue moon," the second full moon in the month of December. Although not really a "celestial event," somehow it seems significant. It seems a "good sign". It can easily be seen and interpreted as a symbol of hope - an extra special light that shines over our darkened world at the time when the first decade of this new century passes and a new decade begins. I'm looking at it that way, anyway.

During the month when we remember and celebrate the LIGHT of the World coming into our midst at a time in history (Luke 2:1-20), we remember that the light overcame the darkness and that darkness could not overpower it. (John 1:1-18) In John 8:12, Jesus embraces the Light that he is and spoke to the people, saying, "I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; (s)/he will have the light of life."

In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus tells us that when we follow him and embrace his light, we ourselves become light and we are to share our light with the world, giving glory to God, "You are the light of the world...No one lights a lamp to put it under a basket; they put it on the lampstand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven."

In this season of light, in this new decade beginning with the extra light of the "blue" moon, let us embrace and be filled with the light that is offered to us so fully and completely, and let us share that light with the world -- darkness can not overcome it! And let us sing....

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!!

Let your light shine!!!

~Cindy

Another LIGHT in the World: Bob Hentzen

73-Year-Old Man Begins 8,000-Mile Walk in Solidarity With the Poor

Bob Hentzen is 73 years old. Starting out in Guatemala this very day, Bob has begun an over 8,000-mile walk through 12 countries across Central and South America that will conclude in April, 2011, shortly after his 75^th birthday. Bob is co-founder of the Christian Foundation for Children & Aging (CFCA) and he is continuing the walk he began in 1996 when he walked 4,000+ miles from Kansas City, KS, home to the international headquarters of CFCA. The first walk was one of gratitude and love for all the sponsored members; this walk is to help “counterbalance the isolation of people living in poverty, and show them that someone cares. By walking with them, we are saying you are not alone. We are listening to you and learning from you.” Along the way, Hentzen will be walking with and meeting with thousands of individuals and families, children, youth, and the aging, who are sponsored by CFCA supporters.

I am the proud sponsor of a young girl in San Lucas Toliman, Herlinda, and have had the privilege and joy of meeting with her, her single mother, and her siblings on more than one occasion. It is such a blessing to know that my simple monthly donation is helping this family to eat and for Herlinda to attend school. I get regular correspondences from her, translated by a family member or staff member of CFCA. I have met Bob Hentzen, as well, as he and his wife live just outside of San Lucas Toliman and he drives his horse and buggy over to the parroquia for lunch and a visit with pastor (and one of my real-life heroes), Fr. Greg Schaffer.

You can do something about poverty. Sponsor a child, youth or aging friend and help break the cycle of poverty in the world.

If you are looking to make a financial donation to a worthy organization before the end of the year, I highly recommend CFCA. 94.6% of all monies raised goes directly to projects that benefit children, youth & the elderly they serve. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charities, gives CFCA its highest 4-star rating. This is the eighth consecutive year they have received this highest rating and CFCA was listed in Charity Navigator’s top 10 charities with the most consecutive 4-star evaluations. Less than 1% of all rated charities have received at least eight consecutive years with this high 4-star rating. The American Institute of Philanthropy also gives CFCA its top rating, giving it an A+ - the only child sponsorship organization to receive this rating from them. In addition, they’ve also met 20 rigorous standards created by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and were among the 200 largest U.S. charities included in the 2009 Forbes Magazine annual list of top nonprofits.

To sponsor a child or an elderly person, or to make a financial contribution, CFCA’s website is: http://www.cfcausa.org. You can follow Bob Hentzen’s walk at: http://www.walk2gether.org. From this site you can link to Facebook and Twitter to receive regular updates.

I just found out about this heroic walk today, the very day Bob set out with his first step, and I’m so glad I did. When I read about it, I was moved to tears. This man is 73 years old and is so filled with love and passion for those throughout the world who live in great poverty, and he has such respect and regard for them, that he left the comfort of home to walk more than 8,000 miles to be with them in love and solidarity. I, among many, will be walking with him in spirit and in prayer. It is a great privilege. I invite you to join us.

In Christ, who is the light of the world,

~Cindy

Our Lady of Rwanda/Immaculee

I'm a little amazed. Well, kind-of a lot amazed, really. Today was a weird kind-of day. I've been feeling out-of-sorts, lost, not sure what to do about a lot things in almost every area of my life, including my faith and spiritual life.

I had some time alone and found myself thinking about Jesus and how distant I feel from him. I came across a video that I purchased a couple of years ago, but never got around to watching: The Diary of Immaculee. I have been a great admirer of Immaulee Ilibagiza ever since I first saw her interview on 60-Minutes in December of 2006.

If you do not know her story, she is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who has told her amazing story of survival, suffering, and forgiveness in her book Left to Tell. I definitely recommend that you read it. She has written a couple other books, as well, including Our Lady of Kibeho (more on that in a minute).

I have not thought of Immaculee in a very long time, but as I said, I picked up this previously unseen video, which was a short interview and documentary of her first trip home after starting her new life here in the U.S. It was incredibly moving.

After watching it I went to check on her website to see if anything was new. Her site led me to her blog (http://www.immaculee.info/) where I found that she is, right now, even as I write this, back in Rwanda, leading a group to Kibeho, the site of approved apparitions of Mary, Mother of the Word. The most amazing thing to me is that TODAY is the designated Feast Day in honor of Our Lady of Kibeho. I had no idea, none whatsoever. And upon Immaculee's blog I found this Prayer to Our Lady of Kibeho:

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word, Mother of all those who believe in Him and who welcome Him into their life, we are here before you to contemplate You. We believe that you are amongst us, like a mother in the midst of her children, even though we do not see You with our bodily eyes.
We bless you, the Sure way that leads us to Jesus the Savior, for, all the favors which You endlessly pour out upon us, especially, that, in your meekness, You were gracious enough to appear miraculously in Kibeho, just when our world needed it most.

Grant us always the light and the strength necessary to accept, with all seriousness, Your call to us to be converted, to repent, and to live according to your Son’s Gospel. Teach us how to pray with sincerity, and to love one another as He loved us, so that, just as You have requested, we may always be beautiful flowers diffusing their pleasant fragrance everywhere and upon everyone.

Holy Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, teach us to understand the value of the cross in our lives, so that whatever is still lacking to the sufferings of Christ we may fill up in our own bodies for His mystical Body, which is the Church. And, when our pilgrimage on this earth comes to an end, may we live eternally with You in the kingdom of Heaven.

Amen.

Imprimatur: Gikongore, the 25th of March, 2006
+August Misgo-Bishop of Gikongoro

I also include here a link to a video that I found on youtube during with one of the visionaries speaks of Mary and light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfTtIl_MXaU

Immaculee's books, including her newest title, If Only We Had Listened: Heaven Warned Rwanda Long Before the Genocide, are available at her website: http://www.immaculee.biz/.

I plan to get the book and begin anew to listen and to listen more closely with my heart.

For peace and light in our hearts and in our world, Our Lady of Kibeho, pray for us.

A blessed Advent.

Morning Prayer - Radiance

Ahhh....that the darkness be banished from our minds and we be filled with the Light of Christ...our morning prayer today.

All-powerful and ever-living God,
splendor of true light, and never ending day:
let the radiance of your coming
banish from our minds
the darkness of sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

(Liturgy of the Hours, Week IV
Saturday Morning/Concluding Prayer)

Solemnity of All Saints - Lights in Our World!

Happy Feast Day!

Jack-O-Lantern Light

PUMPKIN
We bought a fat orange pumpkin
The plumpest sort they sell.
We neatly scooped the inside out
And only left the shell.
We carved a funny funny-face
Of silly shape and size,
A pointy nose,
A jagged mouth and two enormous eyes.
We set it in a window
And we put a candle in,
Then lit it up for all to see
Our jack-o-lantern grin.

-Author unknown
Found at http://www.coolest-holiday-parties.com/halloween-poems.html

JACK-O-LANTERN
Jack-o-lantern, Jack-o-lantern,
You are such a funny sight
As you sit there by the window,
Looking out at the night.
You were once a sturdy pumpkin
Growing on a vine.
Now you are a Jack-o-lantern,
See the light shine.

-Author unknown
Found at: http:www.coolest-holiday-parties.com/halloween-poems.html

HAPPY ALL HALLOWS EVE!
(The moon is almost full!)

The Bright Flame of Thanksgiving

May your heart be an altar,
from which the bright flame
of unending thanksgiving
ascends to heaven.

-Sr. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Embrace the World

"Your light shall rise for you in the darkness..."

Your light shall rise for you in the darkness
and the Lord will give you rest continually
and fill your soul with brightness,
And you shall be like a watered garden
and like a fountain whose waters shall not fail.
-Isaiah 58:10-11

Last week at a Franciscan day of reflection, Fr. Jim said something that really struck me and has stayed with me all week.

There's a necessary light that is only available in the darkness.

I find this intriguing, comforting, and true. It takes me back the first grasp of the little light within me, the only light I could cling to during the darkest time of my life. It was in the darkness and the grasping of this little light , that the necessary light was made available to me. The Light did, indeed, rise for me in my darkness...and my soul has been filled with brightness. Thanks be to God! :D

If you are walking in and struggling with the darkness that surrounds you or seems to be filling you, close your eyes and find that tiniest bit of light - mine was only the size of the head of a pin - and it will be sufficient; it will be enough, it will be the necessary light that you must grab hold of and cling to with everything you've got. This is enough to carry you for now and it will grow and flourish and fill you with brightness and light. It is true. Trust me. The time will come when you will let your light shine and your very presence will brighten the world.

For now: Breathe. Hold on. If you can, pray; if you can not, don't worry, others are praying for you and on your behalf. Walk with the tiniest piece of light that is within you and soon your path will be made bright. When you break through the darkness and are living and walking in the Light, you will be able to share your experience with others and help carry another's burden, thus, passing it on. Peace to you during you this difficult time.

P.S. If as you are reading this you are having a hard time even imagining any LIGHT within you, right now....light a candle, stare at the flame, breathe deeply and imagine that this little light is the light of Christ, and draw that light into your self. With your mind's eye, draw the light into your heart and hold it there. The light of this one little candle will surround you, this light will enfold you, the power of this light will protect you, the presence of Christ, the Light, watches over you.

It's better to LIGHT ONE CANDLE than to curse the darkness.

The darkness does not have the power to overcome the light; light overcomes the darkness every time.

Afraid of the Light?

A question worth pondering...

Who is more foolish,
the child afraid of the dark
or the man afraid of the light?

~Maurice Freehill

Be a Lover of Silence...

If you love truth,
be a lover of silence.
Silence,
like the sunlight
will illuminate you in God.

- St. Issac
7th Century Hermit Monk

Little Torches

"We're all here for a reason.
I believe a bit of the reason
is to throw little torches out
to lead people through the dark."
-W. Goldberg

I really like that image of offering "little torches" to people. But not only can we "throw little torches out" to people, we can actually become a torch a be a LIGHT to everyone we meet, leaving LIGHT on the path with every step we take, and spreading LIGHT throughout the world. It's true!

Jesus tells us that WE ARE the LIGHT of the world...and our "LIGHT must shine before others.... " (Matthew 5:14-16), thus giving glory to the one who made us.

Let us be LIGHT, bring LIGHT, and throw out little torches to LIGHT the way for someone today!

Old Innuit Song

I think over again my small adventures,
my fears, those small ones that seemed so big,
all those vital things I had to get and reach,
and yet there is only one great thing:
to live and see the great day that dawns,
and the light that fills the world.

-Old Innuit Song

I can hardly believe how long it's been since I've posted anything here. I've been aware that I haven't been writing, but really didn't realized that it's almost been a whole month already. I've missed it. I realized just this morning how important writing is to me. It's not just that I like to write; it's not just that I'm rather good at writing. I think I really need to write and I think that writing, especially here and in my journal, is prayer for me.

So, with that said, I begin today's post on a dark, rainy Saturday morning (Thank God! We really need the rain!), continuing to write about light, the theme of this blog and the theme of my life.

Just this past week, the Church celebrated a feast of great light -- the light of Christ at the scene of the Transfiguration.

All three Synoptic Gospels record this account: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. It is also frequently accepted that there is a reference to the Transfiguration in John's text, John 1:14.

My sharing today is from the Liturgy of the Hours, for the Feast of the Transfiguration. Thoughts of light for our prayer and reflection:

Jesus took his disciples and went up the mountain where he was transfigured before them. (Evening Prayer I, Ant. 1)

Lord, in your light may we see light. (Ant., Intercessions)

Light dawns for the just, and joy for the upright of heart. (Office of Readings, Ant. 2)

"Jesus goes before us to show us the way, both up the mountain and into heaven, and -- I speak boldly -- it is for us now to follow him with all speed, yearning for the heavenly vision that will give us a share in his radiance, renew our spiritual nature and transform us into his own likeness....Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into his divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here -- here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen. " (Second Reading: From a sermon on the transfiguration of the Lord by Anastasius of Sinai, bishop)

Jesus took his disciples and went up the mountain where he was transfigured before them.
(Evening Prayer I, Ant. 1)

Reflect the light you have received.

Living in Light,
Cindy

P.S. As I conclude this post the clouds have dispersed, the rain has stopped, and the sun is shining brightly! :D

The Great Day That Dawns

I think over again my small adventures,
my fears, those small ones that seemed so big,
all those vital things I had to get and to reach,
and yet there is only one great thing:
to live and see the great day that dawns,
and the LIGHT that fills the world.
~Old Innuit Song

Light In Darkness

Fireworks!

Bright light in
dark night sky,
brilliant, colorful
sparkles sprinkling upon
those who watch, filled
with excitement,
expectation, the next
explosion of light.

Signs of celebration, each.

Where are the fireworks
exploding in my soul?
Where is the bright light in
my interior darkness?
What sparkles of color and light
will sprinkle upon my waiting,
expectant heart?

Openness, readiness,
willingness to share,
the only qualification
to receive,
my soul, filled
with excitement,
expectation of the next
explosion of light.

Signs of love and presence, each.

Light in darkness....

Quiet now.
Be still,
expectant.
Listen.
See.

Light explodes!

Radiance!

Longest Day of Light + St. John the Baptist

Today is the first day of summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere; it is the longest day of the year and we enjoy the most light of of the sun of the entire year. We are in the season of LIGHT and we bask in the glow of our Brother Sun ("Canticle of the Sun" written by St. Francis of Assisi.)

After today, little-by-little, imperceptibly, the daylight begins to decrease ever-so gradually until December 21st. For eons there have been celebrations of this day by peoples of every culture and religious/spiritual belief and it certainly continues to this day. I'm sure you'll see national and local news stories noting the day itself and some kind of activities going on celebrating our longest day.

It is commonly known that the early Christians placed significant feast days near the pagan feasts and rituals, most notably Christmas. Since we do not know the exact birth date of Jesus, the early believers set a date just a few days after the Winter Solstice to honor and celebrate the birth of Christ -- bringing light into the midst of the season of darkness, following the darkest day of the year.

I mention this because I think it is less commonly known that the early church also set one of its earliest feast day celebrations, that of John the Baptist, just a few days after the Summer Solstice. This feast coincides with the supposition that John was born approximately six months before Jesus. When Mary was pregnant with Jesus she learned that her older cousin Elizabeth was also with child. Mary went to visit Elizabeth and at their meeting, baby John "leaped" in the womb of his mother Elizabeth and she "was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:41). The "light of the world," who was still in his mother's womb, brought about the sign of new life in the leaping, joyfull movement of little John, and his mother, being filled with the Spirit, recognized who was in their presence.

I find it very interesting and enlightening to learn that, while the Church honors most of her saints by the date of their deaths, with John the Baptist, she chose the time of his birth to celebrate, remember, recognize, and honor.

Let us, on this special day and this special season, celebrate, remember, recognize, and honor the light, the first gift of the Creator, who spoke the words, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good." (Genesis 1:2) Let us reflect one who said of himself, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12) And let us celebrate with our brothers and sisters all around the world the one St. Francis named our "brother sun."

Happy Solstice!

Happy Summer!

Let your light sparkle and shine!

Faith with the light you have

I just discovered this quote and I love it!

Faith

When you walk to the edge of all the light you have
and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown,
you must believe that one of two things will happen:

There will be something solid for you to stand upon,
or, you will be taught how to fly.

© Patrick Overton
The Leaning Tree, 1975
Rebuilding the Front Porch of America, 1997

Did this put a smile on your face when you read it, as it did on mine?

Peace, sparkles & light!

Light Shared

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
-Buddha (italics - mine)

Spread some light today -- share some happiness -- light a candle... :-D

Shakespear's Little Light

"How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world."
-William Shakespeare

Deep Gratitude

At times our own light goes out
and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted the flame within us.
-Albert Schweitzer

Sister Wendy's Light

I am reading a delightful book, "Sister Wendy On Prayer," by Sister Wendy Beckett of PBS fame. You may have seen some episodes of the series she had giving her perceptions of paintings, famous and not, as an art historian. I only saw one or two of them several years ago, but was taken by her lovely spirit, her simple, honest, astute and lively analysis. I'm just starting this book, but already found a paragraph that I thought would fit nicely with the theme of this blog and hope you enjoy it, too.

"When we pray, we are...carried, borne along by a power that we do not and cannot direct. It is our prayer, our boat. It is we who have launched it on this sea of faith and we who stay quiet within it. But all the movement comes from God. We await Him, we surrender to Him. Where we want to go is not to the point; it is where God wants to take us. We do not see where that is. There is starlight, yes, but no sun or moon, no clarity of vision. Our world becomes duotone: scarlet sky, purple sea. All that is in our power is choice (as it is in life, which is meant to be prayer extended): do we stay still, hidden, unable to take control, or do we jump up and steer that boat ourselves, refusing God's lordship?" (p. 36)

Even if only a little startlight, there is still always a LIGHT to lead our way....

A Little Light

I've been so aware that I haven't written anything on this blog since Easter and it's really been bugging me! I have a lot of LIGHT quotes and writings and thoughts ready to be written about and shared, but haven't gotten to it. I did not want to let another day go by without sharing something and just had the thought of just putting a little light out there in the blogosphere for today. No heavy thoughts. No commentary. No musings and ponderings. Just a little light. Hope this makes sense to someone besides me! Here goes:

light LIGHT light light LIGHT light light light LIGHT light LIGHT light light LIGHT light light light LIGHT light LIGHT light light LIGHT light light light LIGHT light LIGHT light light LIGHT light light light LIGHT light LIGHT light light LIGHT light light light light light light......

HOLY WEEK & EASTER!!

This is the day the Lord has made, alleluia!
-Let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia!

We have traveled yet another 40 days and 40 nights of the Lenten Season, a desert time of solitude and solidarity, of prayer, and of mindfulness of life, of suffering, of meaning, and of impending death and sadness, lifelessness. And yet, even while in the darkness we have the inner knowing of hope, the reality of life and of life-giving LIGHT and love.

As I wrote in my last post, LIGHT explodes in the darkness! Life is renewed! Life is reawakened in our hearts, in our souls, in our world. It truly is -- if we have but eyes and hearts to see. And if we do not, all we must do is ask and it will be given us; it has been promised.

Alleluia! Alleluia!!
Jesus is risen!!
Alleluia! Alleluia!!
He is risen, indeed --
just as he said!
Alleluia! Alleluia!!

The path of life is a path through suffering; it is a path of birthing, of learning, of growing, of letting-go, of rejoicing, of grieving, and of healing. There are moments of clarity and moments of confusion; there are moments of darkness and moments of glorious LIGHT.

During the prayers of the holiest week of our Christian year we are united with Jesus, in all of the above -- all of our life's experiences are encapsulated in the Holy Week liturgies, readings, and prayers. We are immersed in the promises of our very own baptism:

"Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Through baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might life a new life" (Romans 6:3-4).

What an awesome gift to us from the God who loves us so much, a gift offered to us by the Church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Our focus on Jesus' passion, death, entombment, and glorious resurrection plays out before us year after year, inviting us, luring us, enticing us, stirring and igniting out hearts, and embracing us fully, into union with God and with all of humanity.

We must remember:

"The darkness is over and the real LIGHT begins to shine. The one who claims to be in LIGHT, hating their brother [or sister] all the while, is in darkness even now. The one who continues in the LIGHT is the one who loves their brother [and sister]; there is nothing in them to cause a fall" (1 John 2:8b-10).

This is the day the Lord has made, alleluia!
-Let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia!

HAPPY EASTER!

Lenten Light IV & V

I kind-a missed Lent IV. Not really, just didn't post here.

The Lenten Journey certainly continues. We move day-by-day through the 40 days of readings and reflections on the days and nights of Jesus and his disciples as we get closer to the remembrance of crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection. This is our story, of living and dying and rising to new life, from LIGHT to darkness, to new and more glorious LIGHT.

LIGHT promised.
LIGHT given.
LIGHT received.
LIGHT perceived.
LIGHT discovered.
LIGHT experienced.
LIGHT embraced.
LIGHT lived, danced, breathed.
LIGHT hidden, denied.
LIGHT dimmed, diminished, died...
LIGHT remembered.
LIGHT's continued promise.
LIGHT explodes!
LIGHT resurrected!
New LIGHT!
New LIFE!
Amen.

LIGHT a candle....the LIGHT overcomes the darkness. Every time.

HAPPY SPRING!

Happy Spring, indeed! Longer days, more LIGHT; and the LIGHT overcomes the darkness.

This is a bit of fun and interesting information that was shared on the Coast to Coast email newsletter this morning. The link is to an interesting article from National Geographic.

"Welcome to the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring.

On this day, a person standing on the equator can see the sun directly pass overhead. And at the North Pole, the sun skims the horizon, signaling the start of six months of non-stop daylight."

Blessings to you of LIGHT & love, peace & joy, & new life this spring!

May your days be sparkling and filled with LIGHT!!

Let your LIGHT shine!!!

Lenten Light III

"Give LIGHT and the darkness will disappear of itself."
-Erasmus

Amazing things happen when we become LIGHT-bearers -- when we share the LIGHT that we have, the LIGHT that we are, we give a gift of LIGHT to the entire world!

Lenten Light II

This Second Sunday of Lent we read the intriguing gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-10).

"Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. "

Our Liturgy of the Hours prayers this week, Week II, offer us several opportunities for reflection on light.

Evening Prayer I: Antiphon
Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain.
There he was transfigured before him.

Psalm-Prayer:
Let your Word, Father, be a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (Psalm119:105), so that we may understand what you wish to teach us and follow the path your light marks out for us.

Antiphon:
His face was radiant as the sun, and his clothing white as snow.

Office of Readings, Antiphon I:
Lord, our God, in splendor and majesty you are clothed, wrapped in light as in a robe (Psalm 104:1-2).

Morning Prayer: Psalm I
We bless you from the house of the Lord
the Lord God is our light. (Psalm 118:27)

And the (Alternative) Concluding Prayer:
Father of light,
in you is found no shadow of change,
but only the fullness of life and limitless truth.
Open our hearts to the voice of your Word
and free us from the original darkness that shadows our vision.
Restore our sight that we may look upon your Son
who calls us to repentence and a change of heart,
for he live and reigns with you for ever and ever.

Amen.

This week, let your LIGHT sparkle and shine!

Lenten Light I

Yesterday was the First Sunday of Lent.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, we begin our Lenten prayers and readings with the psalms, prayers, and antiphons of Week I. The Psalm-Prayer after the first psalm of Sunday Morning Prayer is absolutely one of my favorite prayers. I have it hand-written and keep it in a place I can find whenever I want it. This is the prayer:

Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you.
May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor,
and our voices celebrate you for ever.

Lovely. To pray for light.

As have so many saints who have gone before us, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, bids us to pray for light. In his book, Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, Fr. Joseph Langford, MC, writes:
"God communicates himself in giving his gifts. Everything God does in our life fills us with him, if we have but eyes to see. Once we have realized this through prayer, we can genuinely help others in their moments of pain and crisis. People need more than our sympathy; they need the light of awareness of God's presence with them. Our faith, developed in prayer, can supply whatever may be their lack in their struggle with faith. Just as Mother Teresa communicated her faith to thousands of those who were struggling on the streets of Calcutta, or drawing their last breath in her Home for the Dying next to Kali Temple, or listening to her speak in Europe and America, so can we share the light we have received. A single flame can set a forest ablaze, and a single word of light, a word spoken in faith and born of prayer, can spread that same light to a soul plunged in darkness and doubt." (pp 65-66, Chapter 7, Contemplatives in the Heart of the World)

"No one who lights a lamp hides it away or places it (under a bushel basket), but on a lampstand so that those who enter might see the light. The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is sound, then your whole body is filled with light, but when it is bad, then your body is in darkness. Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness. If your whole body is full of light, and no part of it is in darkness, then it will be as full of light as a lamp illuminating you with its brightness." Luke 11:33-36

This Lenten Season, pray for light and then share the light that is given, the same unfailing light of the creator. It is not given for us alone, it is given to be set out on a lampstand to share with everyone, especially those who are in darkness.

"This little (Lenten) light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine!"

Let your light shine!

Two Ways of Spreading Light

"There are two ways of spreading light;
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
-Edith Wharton

The Encouragement of Light

How did the rose ever open its heart
and give to this world all of its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of Light against its being;
otherwise we all remain too frightened.

Hafiz,
translated by Daniel Ladinsky
Love Poems from God

PACEM on a Winter Night

From my Pacem in Terris journal, Friday, February 6, 2009
St. Margaret Mary Hermitage

...I want to back up a bit to last night (2/5/09) and mention what an absolutely beautiful night it was (the night I arrived).

It was a crisp cold, very clear sky, revealing plentiful stars and a beautiful not-quite-full moon. The shadows of the trees on the snow were stunningly lovely. All was calm, peaceful, and bright.

The Light of Christ

The Light of Christ surrounds us,
the Love of Christ enfolds us,
the Power of Christ protects us,
the Presence of Christ watches over us.
-Marty Haugen

Words for us to:

Pray.
Ponder.
Reflect.
Embrace.
Absorb.
Embody.
Become.

Peace & blessing,
Cindy

"And the LIGHT overcome the darkness."

Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)


I love this. Recently, I researched various translations of the scripture text, John 1:5, "and the LIGHT overcome the darkness," in the: New American Bible, International Standard Version, Bible in Basic English, Jerusalem Bible, King James American Version, God's Word Translation, Douay-Rheims, and King James, among several others.


Regarding the LIGHT in the various translations of this text, the darkness has never put it out, did not comprehend it, has never extinguished it; it is not overcome by the dark, the dark has not overpowered it, and did not perceive it….


There is so much here for our reflection and our hope - every chosen word is nuanced and powerful.


While each of these translations is slightly different from the next, each in its own way is a reflection of the LIGHT that shines in our darkness and communicates an amazing and continuous ray of LIGHT and hope.

Which phrase speaks or resonates most closely to what is in your heart today? Do you perceive the "light of life" in your self?

In future posts I will be getting more personal in sharing my thoughts and reflections. I think I'm just getting warmed up. : )

'Til then...

Let us choose daily to walk in the LIGHT.

"It is better to LIGHT ONE CANDLE than to curse the darkness."

-Cindy

QUOTES OF LIGHT

What is a soul?
It's like electricity -
we don't really know what it is,
but it's a force that can light a room.
-Ray Charles

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW BLOG!

Thank you for being here!

My intention for this blog is to be a source of LIGHT on the internet and in the world. Not a small task. However, this is something that has been important to me all my life and that has become increasingly important in my daily thoughts, meditation, prayer, and awareness.

There are so many categories of LIGHT that I have thoughts about, quotes about, ponderings about, prayers about, and enthusiasm about that I hardly know where to start. I've been thinking about this for a very long time and it is time, now -- finally -- to begin!

One-Two-Three -- GO!

I am looking forward to writing on this blog and am curious and excited to see how this develops, grows, and where this goes.

For today, for this very first blog post on http://www.thislittlelightblog.blogspot.com/ let me begin by just saying:

"Let there be LIGHT!"

Peace & blessing,
Cindy