The hills look like the side of a woman.
They are covered in yellow poppies, nodding in the wind.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Prophets of a Future Not Our Own
It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that can be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
That is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder
and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
Romero was killed by a shot to the heart on March 24, 1980 while celebrating Mass at a small chapel near his cathedral following a sermon where he called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that can be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
That is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder
and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
Romero was killed by a shot to the heart on March 24, 1980 while celebrating Mass at a small chapel near his cathedral following a sermon where he called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.
Friday, April 18, 2008
St. Albert's Priory
Today I rushed to St Albert's after work and made it just in time for the homily in which the priest made several references to metaphysical philosophy that were apparently very funny because all of the Dominican brothers in the congregation laughed big guffaws several times. I had a huge goofy grin on my face for the entire homily, not because I understood it all but because I was just so thrilled to be really struggling to understand a homily. What a gift to the Church are these Dominican minds!
On top of the usual cerebral wonderfulness of St. Albert's, the mass was in Spanish, reminding me of my many mass experiences in Central America. I forgot most of the responses but just the rhythm of the Spanish mass is in some ways more familiar to me in English, (I think it must be because it is my second language so I pay more attention to what is happening).
Thank you God for the blessing of St. Albert's...
Can I get an "Amen" Marilene?
On top of the usual cerebral wonderfulness of St. Albert's, the mass was in Spanish, reminding me of my many mass experiences in Central America. I forgot most of the responses but just the rhythm of the Spanish mass is in some ways more familiar to me in English, (I think it must be because it is my second language so I pay more attention to what is happening).
Thank you God for the blessing of St. Albert's...
Can I get an "Amen" Marilene?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
New Times Call for New Blogs
Hello Dear Friends and Family,
You probably are wondering why I moved my blog.
I feel on the cusp of a new phase in my life and I would like those closest to me to be a part of it. I have had my Tmarie blog since I began Teach for America in Miami. Although I love and care for every person who has had an impact on my life, I do not want all of them to be reading my innermost thoughts!
So, with that, the beginning of a new era, with a new name.
Peace in Christ,
Theresa
You probably are wondering why I moved my blog.
I feel on the cusp of a new phase in my life and I would like those closest to me to be a part of it. I have had my Tmarie blog since I began Teach for America in Miami. Although I love and care for every person who has had an impact on my life, I do not want all of them to be reading my innermost thoughts!
So, with that, the beginning of a new era, with a new name.
Peace in Christ,
Theresa
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