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 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 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
