Saturday, September 16, 2023

 September 16, 2023

 


LOOKING  FOR  A  BRIDGE

 

At times I spend half my time

looking for a bridge,

looking for a way to get

to the other side of

where I am right now.

It seems I’m stuck

looking for a solution,

but I can’t find one.

I see the water.

I see the other side.

I see the difficulty I’m in,

but stuck still stares

me in the face – but I’m also

stuck searching for a solution.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello

 September 16, 2023




Quote for Today


“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” 


Lao Tze


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


 September 15. 2023




Quote for Today


"Feminist Astronautics 101: If they can put one man on the moon, why can't they put them all?”


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

 September 14, 2023




Quote for Today


“After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” 


Will Rogers [1879-1935]