SUFI Saying

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates.

At the first gate, ask yourself,
  'Is it true?'

At the second ask,
  'Is it necessary?'

At the third gate ask,
  'Is it kind?'

Miracles are Second

Miracles are second, FAITH comes first.

Easter has just passed so the readings at mass are coming from the Acts of the Apostles.   It is said that among the greatest proof that Jesus was the Son of God was the conversion brought about by the Apostles after Jesus' death and resurrection.  The Apostles lived their lives as witnesses of the faith.  They were able to perform miracles and they were able to bring others into the faith through their words and actions.  The apostles gave their lives to God.

In this day and age, we do not hear of too many people being brought back to life (shocking a cardiac victim with a defibrillator doesn't quite count) nor do we read about people being miraculously cured of their ailments.  We ask, "Have we done something wrong?  Why doesn't the Spirit perform miracles the way we would want it to these days?"

Fr. John Watkins answered that question this morning at mass.  He said, "Therein lies the problem ... we ask why the Spirit does not perform miracles in the way WE want.   It is not what WE want that should matter.  It is what our Lord wants that should come first.  Faith is the key.  Faith in Jesus.  The apostles lived their lives as a reflection of Jesus' life.   The Spirit was IN them.  They did God's will, not their own.   First they believed, the miracles came after."

In Times of Trouble

Way back in December, during one of those times I was feeling out of sorts, I reached out to my former roommate.   I honestly don't remember any specific nighttime conversations with her but I do know that I can  always go to her if I needed someone to talk to (and that holds true for my other siblings and other 'sisters' in my life).

We were able to chat on the phone and that really helped a lot.  In addition to that, she typed out a reply to my "dissertation" of my situation.  

She wrote:

Space within myself. Space between what is now and what worries me. Space which is filled with God's presence. I am coming to terms with the idea of Emotions. Emotions are our perception of reality. The reality may not be real but it is very real to us and that is why we feel tension, fear, pressure. It is real to us. Emotions are the trigger that tells me what I believe how things are. When I recognize that this is what I perceive reality to be, I can ask our Lord - is it real. Are my fears real? Is this important?  Why is it important to me? And then little by little I realize who I am and what it is I really want and what it is that is so important to me.

 Now when there is an issue that really worries me but it has to be very specific - I put it in a prayer oven.  I say to God - Lord I am going to park this lorry in your garage because there is no room in mine to take care of it. And you know what - it works. The matter gets resolved somehow.

Words of wisdom.  

Thank God for older sisters.

One day, I hope that she and my other siblings will co-author this blog and share their thoughts and words of wisdom.  They have much to teach and I have much to learn.

Let There Be Space

My youngest brother sent out a prayer request today.  He was having work issues.

One sibling reminded him to "breathe, breathe, take time to mentally step away from drama and issue at hand." 

Another sister said, "... (sister's) idea to mentally step away from the drama is so true and so wise ... one of the most interesting things I have discovered is that there is a space that exists between situation and reaction. Sometimes our emotions lead us to react too quickly to a situation/stimulus so this space is very small.   If we widen the space then we have time to think and take a choice. It is this space where freedom lies for it is a space wherein we have a choice. It is in this space that God can talk to us.  The actions of the other person may be definitely wrong but at least our reactions will hopefully be definitely right."