MARY'S EMBRACING FAITH
The Blessed Mother is standing on the front lawn--around the corner and a few blocks from my house. She appeared this week out of nowhere...inside her own private grotto, surrounded by roses, for all the world to see...or at least all the cars passing by her busy little street.
I was so touched seeing her there...tall and grey stone, arms outstretched...welcoming passersby- reaching out in motherly care...offering her heavenly embrace, right here on earth.
She stands on dry, well manicured land...where a river of floodwater once flowed, filling the streets and the homes with washed away memories in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...and she stands now, for strength and hope and the promise of a bright future--because God is with us...and her son is among us--in every random act of kindness, generosity and goodwill that we have given freely and lovingly to those who least expect it.
I did not expect to see her there...in front of this lovely new home...that I have passed countless times in any one day...But I am grateful that she has appeared...and grateful someone placed her there...Their inspiration is our gift...a reminder that heaven is here -among us...welcoming us...watching over us--as we move through this wonderful world...in preparation for the next.
The BVM also lives- inside of my home...tall and beautiful...she stands in the front room-peering out of the window watching the world pass her by...sometimes we turn her around-to face inside...to watch over us when we are facing a difficult challenge. A neighbor placed a votive candle outside, below the window in honor of a dying friend... my son Jacob, placed prayer cards there...erecting a makeshift altar...It warmed my heart-and I smiled. Simple faith--soulful memories.
As we approach the birth of Mary's son, her baby boy, the one who would be crucified, for us--who would save us from ourselves...I try to remember that this is the season to see how deeply intertwined our lives are with our eternal destiny...That this is the place where we can choose to embrace the basic universal principles of Love and tolerance of respect and of honesty...Our time to tell others -by our actions- that there is only one gift that really matters...the gift of faith...Because faith forms the foundation of our future -individually and collectively...and in its absence, there is nothing...that we can ever aspire to- or gain, that will ever give us the peace or the joy or the freedom- to soar-like faith.
So today, as I drive around the corner a few blocks from my home...as I pass Mary-on this cold Louisiana day-I will say a prayer of thanks for the one who cared enough to share their faith with the rest of us---and I will smile -knowing -that theirs is a living faith--openly celebrated --inspiring others like me, while honoring the gift of faith and the belief that above all else---God matters more than we can ever humanly comprehend. And that like Mary-the most efficacious expression of our faith--is to embrace-unbridled, unwavering, unconditional-Love.
I was so touched seeing her there...tall and grey stone, arms outstretched...welcoming passersby- reaching out in motherly care...offering her heavenly embrace, right here on earth.
She stands on dry, well manicured land...where a river of floodwater once flowed, filling the streets and the homes with washed away memories in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...and she stands now, for strength and hope and the promise of a bright future--because God is with us...and her son is among us--in every random act of kindness, generosity and goodwill that we have given freely and lovingly to those who least expect it.
I did not expect to see her there...in front of this lovely new home...that I have passed countless times in any one day...But I am grateful that she has appeared...and grateful someone placed her there...Their inspiration is our gift...a reminder that heaven is here -among us...welcoming us...watching over us--as we move through this wonderful world...in preparation for the next.
The BVM also lives- inside of my home...tall and beautiful...she stands in the front room-peering out of the window watching the world pass her by...sometimes we turn her around-to face inside...to watch over us when we are facing a difficult challenge. A neighbor placed a votive candle outside, below the window in honor of a dying friend... my son Jacob, placed prayer cards there...erecting a makeshift altar...It warmed my heart-and I smiled. Simple faith--soulful memories.
As we approach the birth of Mary's son, her baby boy, the one who would be crucified, for us--who would save us from ourselves...I try to remember that this is the season to see how deeply intertwined our lives are with our eternal destiny...That this is the place where we can choose to embrace the basic universal principles of Love and tolerance of respect and of honesty...Our time to tell others -by our actions- that there is only one gift that really matters...the gift of faith...Because faith forms the foundation of our future -individually and collectively...and in its absence, there is nothing...that we can ever aspire to- or gain, that will ever give us the peace or the joy or the freedom- to soar-like faith.
So today, as I drive around the corner a few blocks from my home...as I pass Mary-on this cold Louisiana day-I will say a prayer of thanks for the one who cared enough to share their faith with the rest of us---and I will smile -knowing -that theirs is a living faith--openly celebrated --inspiring others like me, while honoring the gift of faith and the belief that above all else---God matters more than we can ever humanly comprehend. And that like Mary-the most efficacious expression of our faith--is to embrace-unbridled, unwavering, unconditional-Love.
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