Metaphorical Barrista Seeks Clarity

There’s a lot brewing but I’m not clear enough to post. Yes, there are some really good discussions going on and I look forward to writing. A colleague in Christ once shared a quote that I find resonates with experience. His encouragement is, “ to think yourself empty, read yourself full, and write yourself clear”. Sagely advice, don’t you think?

But, I’m not there yet. So, in lieu of writing, let me share a Weekly Reflection from Henri Nouen.org. It merits a read. Also, I added two prayers (4th and 16th century) that may under gird the posted reflection. Make certain to read them as you close.

On The Journey Towards Caring for Others

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, my mother's health deteriorated gradually and for about seven long years my father was her primary care giver. The tasks grew tiring and tedious. She begged to be relegated to her bed and would use every conniving trick to lie down even though everyone knew she needed more physical activity. And, the ordeal to get her to eat to nourish her body became a daily struggle. My father would anguish over trying to do all the doctors recommended and often felt a failure. However, he would get up each day with renewed effort and firm resolve to try to prolong her life. I parallel that to how God must feel watching us destroy creation and one another in a world of war and poverty. Our gifts are so abundant and as intimate as our very breath. Any loved one always wants the best for the beloved and we are graced time and time again with all that we need to grow spiritually with one hand outstretched and the other behind our back. Each person in our world deserves a dedicated caregiver as faithful as God himself. Perhaps we are the reluctant hands that hold the power.

-- written by BARBARA FUHRWERK)

Two Prayers

"Do you wish to honor the Body of Christ? Do not despise him when he is naked. Do not honor him here in the church building with silks, only to neglect him outside, when he is suffering from cold and nakedness. For he who said 'This is my Body' is the same who said 'You saw me, a hungry man, and you did not give me to eat.' Feed the hungry and then come and decorate the table. The Temple of your afflicted brother's body is more precious than this Temple (the church). The Body of Christ becomes for you an altar. It is more holy than the altar of stone on which you celebrate the holy sacrifice. You are able to contemplate this altar everywhere, in the street and in the open squares." --St. John Chrysostom

Christ has no body now but yours,No hands, no feet on earth but yours.Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
-- attributed to St. Terese of Avila