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?”

 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]

 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

 September 13, 2023

Quote for Today

“A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.” 

Lana Turner (1920-)