September 16, 2023
Quote for Today
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
Lao Tze
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Friday, September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023
Reflection
HURRY!
Unlike nature – unlike creation –
too often I’m in a hurry – I’m in
a rush. Flowers, babies, healings
take their time. They do. Not me.
A poem, a painting, a pause,
take time to figure out what
I really want to say, what I really
want to do. They do. Not me.
Today took a long time to arrive.
Today took a long time to get here.
Today I tried slow a bit more
I listened to what I tend to miss.
Good boy …. Good day…. Good life….
©
Reflections, Andy Costello
Thursday, September 14, 2023
September 14, 2023
Feast of the Exaltation of Christ on the Cross
THE
CROSS CHOICE
The title of my homily is, “The Cross Choice.”
Yesterday 6 of us went out to The Udder Choice for
breakfast. It’s a restaurant here in Ephrata. Most of the guys had been there
before. It was the first time for me. Delicious. I had a wonderful cheese
omelet.
In a glass case on the wall just as you come into the
restaurant, there are ice cream metal "scoopers" – about 50 of them – all
different. The place must have featured ice cream down through the years.
I looked at them all – thinking how many times and how many
places I have been given delicious scoops of ice cream – which I love –
especially butter almond, rum raisin and chocolate.
Today is the feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
For a thought for this holy day, picture all the crosses
you have seen in your lifetime – all hanging on a gigantic wall - like the ice cream "scoopers" wall. Picture them in churches, on religious habits, on walls, on
death cards, around necks.
For a thought for this holy day, pick your favorite.
For a thought for this holy day, picture yourself making
the sign of the cross 1 million, 750, 926 times – all the times in your life –
so far.
For a thought for this holy day, hear Jesus saying his
seven last words on the cross.
For a thought for this holy day, hear today’s gospel from
John saying “the Son of Man will be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in
him may have eternal life.”
For a thought for this holy day, picture Moses in today’s
first reading, mounting a snake on a pole saying, “This is what is killing you.
Look at it and live.”
For a thought for this holy day, hear Paul in today's second reading repeating the
words of a very early Christian hymn, “Every knee should bend – and every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – to the glory of God the
Father.” Amen
September 14, 2023
Reflection
A TEAR
A tear ran down Jesus’ cheek –
on that day – on that cross. Jesus
wondered what that was all about.
His time was always about others –
so what was this about? He looked
to his left. He looked to his right.
It was the other thief. He couldn’t
cry. He couldn’t let go. He couldn’t
say a word of hope to his wife below.
And Jesus couldn’t catch his eye
like he caught the thoughts of
the other thief on his other side –
on that day – on that cross. Jesus ….
© Reflections, Andy Costello
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
September 13, 2023
Reflection
WHAT I
DON’T HAVE?
What I don’t have is so much.
No problem, You do too.
Look around. Think about it.
The softer chair with the softer bottom ….
I rarely get that chair. Also
the more burnt end cut of the meat loaf -
love that - but never get it.
In my childhood I was never the fastest
or the smartest or having the best bike.
But I did have a lot of fun:
going to Coney Island
for the Cyclone roller coaster about
ten times in the summer - as well
as the water at Bay 18 with our family
and our neighbors. Learned to body surf.
So I never had it all. I wasn’t God.
And God knows God can’t have it all.
Sorry God. But just continue just being You.
© Reflections,
Andy Costello
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