Sunday, December 22, 2013

MY BELOVED BECKONS


The Shepherd came to visit yesterday to gently guide my beloved friend from this side of the veil to the next. A ray of sunlight beamed through the window as the words were proclaimed; "The Lord is my Shepherd"......the Lord! It is he who leads me, guides me, sustains me in peace........I will not fear, for he with his Divine mercy and love comforts me. My soul is awakened and yet at rest. He has prepared a banqueting table for me......for me! I will live, dwell and abide in your house forever!

It was as though my friend was speaking, reassuring us, letting us know that all is alright, all is at peace, I am fine, I am free! I love you but my cherished one has called for me.

The light shown brightly as this was spoken, it was full of assurance and grace.

We went to the burial place, on green hills overlooking the city. It was pastoral, serene, full of resplendent light and it spoke not only of death but of new life, of resurrection hope. There before us was our daughter, our sister, our aunt and our friend.

 There was grief.

As the burial ceremony concluded there appeared two deer on the horizon whose silhouettes were sketched by the mid afternoon sun. Could it be they were her escorts to gently usher her through the thin veil, the veil of eternity?

"My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room."

There they were peering through the veil of eternity perhaps singing, "Come away my beloved."

"My beloved is he and he is mine."

Go in peace our beloved.

We will see you in the light.



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

YOU HAVE PREPARED A BANQUETING TABLE FOR ME

Today on our journey through Advent the Psalmist speaks to us about a banqueting table being prepared for us. In the Gospel we reflect on the loaves and fishes being served and in Isaiah we read about a feast. We are in the Advent/Christmas season where often great feasting takes place. Feasting always involves preparation, waiting for the delectable delights to be ready to savor and it involves community. There is the tantalizing fragrances of the various foods cooking and we wait in hopeful anticipation to partake in what will bring to us delight and nourishment.

In community we experience as we prepare and wait together a bonding that is like no other. We share stories, laugh with joy, remember those who used to join us, all while we prepare and wait.

Then there is the feast! We commune together, delight in not only the food that is presented but one another. We toast, give our praises to the hosts and merriment and mirth ensue!

This Advent season I can not be more engaged with these preparations and festivities as I have had spent them with family and friends. The closeness and love that lies deep.

This has become even more evident as the years have gone by and I have come to realize my feasting is much more than the tangible food but the feasting is of the heart. It is here where our spirits are fed and nourished, where we connect more deeply and where we experience the authentic Communion.

Fish and loaves to feed our bodies, wine and bread to feed our souls.

"You have prepared a banqueting table for me."

Yesterday, my friend accepted that invitation to be at that Banqueting Table and in so doing her wait has been fulfilled.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

THE BRIDEGROOM COMES


Advent means to wait. To wait for the revelation and coming of Christ and to emerge from darkness into transformational light!

Today, I have a dear friend who is waiting and is journeying to that light. She is surrounded by loved ones who wait with her. It is hard to wait but at the same time there is great hope and expectation. The hope that in darkness, light awaits us and reveals itself and the expectation of hope fulfilled in death to resurrection.

There is a wooing taking place that gently whispers my friends name and invites her through the thin veil of this side of eternity to the other. She is surrounded by those who love her, hold her dear and we are challenged to let go of her as she is invited to where we have not yet received the invitation. We love her. We are in conflict to let her go. We want to hold on but yet she is invited. There is weeping, caressing, grieving and some anger but yet, she is invited.

Who is knocking on her heart, waiting at the door, greeting her with compassion and acceptance? Is it not for whom we wait, the Christ who is full of mercy and unconditional love.

Let us let go today releasing her to freedom, to life, from darkness to light for she has waited and her Bridegroom has come!