Thursday, June 11, 2020

June   11, 2020


TRUTH

When truth is not thought out, 
when truth is not seen with its 
consequences, when truth is 
seen as  tissue thin, when truth 
is rose petal soft, when truth is 
made of broken branches – then 
it can be further snapped, further 
unsapped, then it becomes even 
more disconnected with  what is 
necessary for life together –
for commerce and  communication -
then that person doesn’t care if
he or she lies or steals or doesn’t
keep commitments – or their word,
but if truth is  made of metal –
steel or titanium – hammered out –
forged fired – then you’re dealing
with someone you can down deep trust.


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020



June   11,  2020





Thought  for  Today 


“As  long as one keeps searching, the answers come.”

Joan  Baez




 



Wednesday, June 10, 2020

June   10,   2020


WATERMELONS

The elevator is coming down ….
The train is heading towards this stop ….
I know what is going to happen next.
I’ve stood here in this moment before.

But  what would happen if the inside
of the watermelon wasn’t always red?
What would happen if the elevator
had inside a hippo and a giraffe?

Wouldn’t marriages and friendships
be that much more lasting if we didn’t
know what’s next – like watermelons
being blue inside – surprise! Surprise!

©  Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

June   10,   2020  

Thought   for  Today  



“You just have to learn not to care about the dust mites under the bed.”   

Margaret Mead

Tuesday, June 9, 2020


June   9,   2020


Thought   for  Today 

“Virtues are formed  by  prayer. 
Prayer preserves temperance.  
Prayer suppresses anger. 
Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. 
Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit,  
and raises us to Heaven.” 

St. Ephrem of Syria


June 9, 2020

B    L   M

They have been walking 
for more than 400 years now: 
when we get that we get
that Black Lives Matter? 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

Monday, June 8, 2020

June  8,  2020


20  BEATITUDES  FOR  2020


Blessed are the George Floyd’s
whose horrible  deaths proclaim
to us that all life matters.

Blessed are the protestors who
are proclaiming that black lives matter.

Blessed are the sign makers.
May they come up with messages
that both move and challenge us. 

Blessed are those who wear masks
and give each other at least 6 feet,
so as to keep this virus at a distance.

Blessed are the medical professionals,
nurses, doctors, EMT, etc. who are
caring for our sick and those infected
with the coronavirus.

Blessed are those who say,
“Thank you” on a regular basis.

Blessed are those who think outside the box.

Blessed are those are humble enough 
to know they don't know it all.

Blessed are the researchers
who are searching for countless hours
and in countless ways for a vaccine to heal us.

Blessed are those who have reached out
to help those who lost loved ones who need
our presence, our care, our concern, our prayers
as they deal with the death of their loved ones
without benefit of religious and human ceremonies.

Blessed are those who vote with social justice in mind.

Blessed are those who are giving food
to the hungry and cold water to the thirsty.

Blessed are those who do not lie.

Blessed are those who can take a knee in prayer 
and in humble support of the others. 

Blessed are the police and firefighters
and the many others who do all kinds
of services to all those who protect our communities.

Blessed are our freedoms – especially of the press –
the ability to vote in person or through the mail.

Blessed is the loot that reminds looters
to pay back for what they have taken wrongly.

Blessed are those who hesitate and listen
when they are hearing new and different ways
when inside and outside of the box.

Blessed are those who know that those who try
make mistakes - but that they are humble enough 
to acknowledge their mistakes and mis-takes and 
ask for forgiveness so they can keep on trying. 

Blessed are those who call for bridges
instead of walls.


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020