Soul within Soul

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The colors of the Advent candles
remind me of what I pray
we will truly come
to believe and experience
about
our soul within His,
each and every moment of our existence...

sculpture: "Grip of Grace" by Alex Tee


pink = our soul
purple = God's

Faith Like His Love

"My love for you is taller than the tallest mountain

deeper than the deepest ocean

wider than the widest horizon.

May your faith in me
be as tall
and as deep
and as wide
as my love for you..."


- Jesus

Therese and the Garden

.....In honor of St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)

“...I understand how all the flowers God has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understand that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers. So it is in the world of souls, Jesus' garden. He has created smaller ones and those must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.” - St. Therese



"Yes, my Beloved, it is thus that my life's brief day shall be spent before Thee. No other means have I of proving my love than to strew flowers; that is, to let no little sacrifice escape me, not a look, not a word, to avail of the very least actions and do them for Love. I wish to suffer for Love's sake and for Love's sake even to rejoice; thus shall I strew flowers. Not one shall I find without shedding its petals for Thee...and then I will sing, I will always sing, even if I must gather my roses in the very midst of thorns - and the longer and sharper the thorns the sweeter shall be my song." - Story of a Soul, Chapter XI




"In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying, of practicing virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I love Him; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem extinct I would still throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle." - XVI letter to her sister Celine





"Without love, deeds even the most briliant, count as nothings." - Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII.




"I have not the courage to force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books; not knowing which to choose I act as children do who cannot read; I say quite simply to the good God what I want to tell Him, and He always understands me." - Story of A Soul, Chapter X

"But on whom shall our poor heart lavish its love? Who shall be found that is great enough to be the recipient of its treasures? Will a human being know how to comprehend them, and above all will he be able to repay? There exists but one Being capable of comprehending love; it is Jesus; He alone can give us back infinitely more than we shall ever give to him." - Letter to her cousin, Marie Guerin

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Relics of St. Therese

"There is no artist who does not like his work praised, and the Divine Artist of souls is pleased when we do not stop at the exterior, but penetrating even to the inmost sanctuary which He has chosen for His dwelling, we admire its beauty." - Story of A Soul, Chapter IX (photo by H. Sy)

"The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity..." - VI letter to her sister Celine

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Relics of St. Therese

"Love attracts love, mine rushes forth unto Thee, it would fain fill up the abyss which attracts it; but alas! it is not even as one drop of dew lost in the Ocean. To love Thee as Thou lovest me I must borrow Thy very Love - then only, can I find rest." - Story of A Soul, Chapter XI

Thank you God, for the beauty of her soul!

Relic of St. Therese

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Song for the Journey

...a beautiful song for the journey...

I WALK THE KING'S HIGHWAY

I know not where the road will lead

I follow day by day

Or where it ends, I only know

I walk the King's highway. 
 

I know not if the way is long

And no one else can say

But rough or smooth, up hill or down

I walk the King’s highway.

And some I love have reached the end

But some with me may stay

Their faith and hope still guiding me

I walk the King’s highway.

The way is truth, the way is love,

For light and strength I pray,

And through the years of life, to God,

I walk the King’s highway.

The countless hosts lead on before

I must not fear nor stray

With them, the pilgrims of the faith

I walk the King’s highway.
 

Through light and dark the road leads on

Till dawns the endless day

When I shall know why in this life

I walk the King’s highway.

- E.A. Cummins, 1922

Honoring in the Present

It was interesting to listen to the praises being now being heaped on Michael Jackson for his contributions to music and to the world. There was an outpouring of sincere gratitude for the many ways his music and even some of his personal qualities have made a difference in people's lives. My one big takeaway while watching the memorial service last night was that how much more wonderful it is if we are able to honor persons who make a difference in our life, while they are still around and are able to receive our expressions of gratitude and love.

"One of the saddest things in life is a kind word left unsaid," is a saying from a childhood book marker that has stuck in my mind all these years. I use these words to prod me on whenever I hesitate to compliment someone who has influenced my life in a positive way but whom I am quite timid to express my thoughts to. Or, when I am so busy and tempted to put off communicating a praise or a kind word for another day.

Oftentimes, the extra effort to reach out and honor someone actually turns out to be just what the other person needed badly at that moment. Unknown to us, they could be undergoing a low period in their life and our casual affirmations of their good qualities goes a long way in lifting them up. That last kind phrase that we honor them with may make all the difference in their sense of well-being, without our even being aware that that is what would happen.

If only Michael Jackson, who felt ridiculed and judged harshly by the world, was able to hear the volumes of praises and kind words about him that are coming out now. It may have made him less defensive, less wary of everything around him.

This makes me once again resolve to be more generous and spontaneous in honoring and saying kind words to people who have made a difference. Yes, a kind word given to a living person is worth much more than a million praises expressed to one who has already left this world...

Happy honoring!

In Our Small Way

There's an old song sung by a then very young Michael Jackson that I love listening to because of its simple but rich lyrics. The world and all it's problems are too big for even great leaders of nations to overcome. But love (for our Lord) starts with small steps.. and "we still can change some things today, in our small way".

IN OUR SMALL WAY

Empty words are not enough
Where there's hurt, we'll be a crutch
When there's thirst, we'll fill each other's cup
Because we care, we love enough to share

In despair we'll be the hope
And the prayer that frees the soul
We'll be there to share each lonely road
Because we love, I know we care enough

Just a little time is all it takes
What a difference just a smile can make you'll see
Love is all we need

Maybe you and I can't do great things
We may not change the world in one day
But we still can change some things today
In our small way


(by Beatrice Verdi and Christine Yarian)

Walking on Water

There are days when worry creeps into me, especially when I feel that I am not able to be as productive and effective as I would like to be at work. The feeling is there not because of lack of effort in trying, but more because of my age-old, hard to get rid of habit of self-doubt!

Today is one such day. So I did what I knew I had to do - visit the Blessed Sacrament and sit in front of our Beloved Lord's True Presence. While with Him, the gospel scene of Peter being called by the Lord to walk on water, gently came to mind. 100% Faith. 100% Trust. Believing that He dwells in the inmost core of our being and is always with us, moving us in the direction He wants, when we allow Him to take over. If doubts creep in, we will get that sinking feeling. But with faith in His deep love and constant presence with us, we can, like Peter, actually walk on water!

"Dearest Lord, please do the work like You have so often assured me You desire to do. Help me to overcome my all my self-doubts and to develop 100% Faith in You. Unlike Peter, help me to reach the point where I even forget I am walking on water, because I feel secure from the deepest part of me, that You and I always walk together."

The journey of commitment to 100% Faith starts now. At the very least, it's worth taking a first step..