Father Michael challenged us to identify with some of the characters in the Passion Scripture readings. One of those he mentioned was the woman who poured out the costly contents of the alabaster jar to anoint the feet of Jesus. She did not just take a portion of the precious contents, but she broke the jar and poured out all she had. It was an extavagant gesture. To many it seemed that the contents were wasted. She could have graciously used a portion and saved the rest.
Father Michael challenged us to be extravagant in our relationship with Jesus, to be extravagant with our time. He asked us to think about "wasting time" with Jesus in prayer.
I thought about all the other times I waste, whether it is listening to the same news over and again, or surfing the net, or lingering over that second or third cup of coffee. And that may not be so bad. But I never thought of wasting time with Jesus.
We think about "setting apart some time" for the Lord, and that is a good thing to do. But how about lingering in prayer when we could well be doing other things? How about "wasting time" with Jesus. I just never thought about it in quite that way before...being extravagant with my time.
No time with the Lord is wasted. But why not be more generous?
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Glimmer of Light in a Bleak Situation
From Peggy Noonan's April 6, 2006 column, another take on U.S. presence in Iraq:
"...Our troops in Iraq are the best of us: brave young men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for their country. But they are by and large something else: very good, and kind, and generous human beings. Every day for three years they have, as part of their mission and in their off hours, been interacting with Iraqi kids and young people. Those kids, those young people, having been exposed to who Americans are--their kindness, their helpfulness, their humor and good nature--will never forget it.
Will this have implications for the future? Yes, I do believe it will. After World War II, half of Europe had been defeated by America, bombed by it. And yet America had the broad support and affection of Western Europe in the crucial quarter century after that war, in part because of efforts such as the Marshall Plan, but also because of exposure, both prewar and postwar, to American GIs. Europeans came to know who Americans were. American leaders and diplomats did plenty to help America's standing, but in the end the glory went, I think, to the GI Joes, and some Janes too, who won and occupied with American grace.
We will find, down the road, that many in Iraq will hold affection and respect for America because of the Americans they met and came to know in our armed forces in the first years of the 21st century. And this will have implications, and they will not be unhappy..."
For the full column, click on this title for the link.
"...Our troops in Iraq are the best of us: brave young men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for their country. But they are by and large something else: very good, and kind, and generous human beings. Every day for three years they have, as part of their mission and in their off hours, been interacting with Iraqi kids and young people. Those kids, those young people, having been exposed to who Americans are--their kindness, their helpfulness, their humor and good nature--will never forget it.
Will this have implications for the future? Yes, I do believe it will. After World War II, half of Europe had been defeated by America, bombed by it. And yet America had the broad support and affection of Western Europe in the crucial quarter century after that war, in part because of efforts such as the Marshall Plan, but also because of exposure, both prewar and postwar, to American GIs. Europeans came to know who Americans were. American leaders and diplomats did plenty to help America's standing, but in the end the glory went, I think, to the GI Joes, and some Janes too, who won and occupied with American grace.
We will find, down the road, that many in Iraq will hold affection and respect for America because of the Americans they met and came to know in our armed forces in the first years of the 21st century. And this will have implications, and they will not be unhappy..."
For the full column, click on this title for the link.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Psy Chi
Friday, March 31, Jenn was inducted into the National Psychology Honors Society Psy Chi. Quite an achievement. I hear that only about 30% of Psych majors enjoy this distinction. We attended the ceremony as proud parents.
I recalled so many other award ceremonies that we have attended as proud parents from Preschool through High School days, and now at the collegiate level. I remember Jenn receiving the "Best Smile" award as a "Mighty Midget" toddler, and the "Best Coordinated" certificate from Mountain Bike Camp because the counselors were so impressed that her socks always matched her biking outfit. (I'm still not sure what that has to do with mountain biking.)
Anyway, Congrats to Jenn, for all her achievements.
And she is still well color-coordinated and her smile still dazzles.
I recalled so many other award ceremonies that we have attended as proud parents from Preschool through High School days, and now at the collegiate level. I remember Jenn receiving the "Best Smile" award as a "Mighty Midget" toddler, and the "Best Coordinated" certificate from Mountain Bike Camp because the counselors were so impressed that her socks always matched her biking outfit. (I'm still not sure what that has to do with mountain biking.)
Anyway, Congrats to Jenn, for all her achievements.
And she is still well color-coordinated and her smile still dazzles.
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