From Matthew 9:35-36: Around you went poking your head into their doorways present and prayerful in their synagogues speaking stories of a new kingdom that is both now and later to be healing with a touch gentle as the waves on a summer lake. They were independence-minded children hopeless sheep without a shepherd as we all are, still slipping out of your grip falling beneath the waves gasping for breath still hoping we can make it on our own until we cannot until we reach up for your hand once more and you upright us and work redemption in us.
I thought of my son who kept sheep when he was young. They knew him and came running to him when they saw or heard him. Now one day, a cow had knocked the lid off the bomb shelter (a 1960's tiny brick lined hole in the ground) and RamaLamaDingDong fell in, unbeknownst to us. Upon returning from school that day, Nathan's voice had all the sheep except one come running. He heard RamaLamaDingDong baa-ing in the bomb shelter, ran for a ladder and a rope, went down and secured the sheep and then hauled him up. Nothing was more important to him than rescuing that sheep. After a quick nuzzle of gratitude, the sheep ran off to join the flock. I thought of this today. And yes, Nathan made a more secure lid for the bomb shelter and RamaLamaDingDong was fine, but it was redemption for that sheep and the love between the shepherd and his flock that made the point to me those many years ago. I've never forgotten it. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Fr. Mark, this is indeed a powerful retreat. Thank you for directing us. Each day I am hearing something I have never heard of before. It is brand new with your insight and stories. God Bless You. Thank you!
Fr., I was reading Scripture a couple weeks ago & I came across that same passage. I had a different thought about it. I thought about the coronavirus & wondered if our pastors feel like shepherds without their flock (sheep)because we are no longer able to gather within our churches as our pastor's sheep to worship as a community. Thankfully we are not left to be devoured by wolves because our pastors have offered many opportunities to stay connected with our faith. I've prayed more than ever bc of the virus. I've talked more with Jesus & I believe I've learned so much from the different programs I'm doing. Also being able to pray at home has lessened my pain that I experience at church in the pews. I've had heart & lung surgery which has caused great nerve pain from the lung surgery. So to be quite truthful, I'm enjoying being home. I also want to tell you that you have a very calming voice. I pray I can continue the entire retreat. Thank you!
Reflecting on the Trinity today, I think about how Jesus incarnated not only into the human race but also into all of creation. It's certainly an interdependent web, and I'm sure Jesus was attuned to that! I like Elizabeth Johnson's book "Creation and the Cross" for that reason. Father Mark, your story about almost drowning in an inner tube reminds me of a recent experience with my dog who chased a bumblebee over her electronic fence (which wasn't working at the time). She doesn't understand why I won't let her run free and play with the compost under the carport. When the fence was fixed, she got a sharp reminder of her limits. She trusts me when I say "stay back," even though she has no idea why! I'm thinking that our triune God is working for the redemption of all creation regardless of the level of each part's consciousness and responsibility. I can see why we have "dominion over the earth!" Our knowledge brings responsibility.
I love your stories that illustrate a point. I can actually see you flipping upside down, feel your father’s panic and rush to save you. Without his prompt action you could’ve easily drowned. Thanks be to God for saving us.
Fr. Mark, as we move out of firth week, I wanted to tell you how helpful the 4 questions you asked us to pray with regarding our own sins were to me. In particular, the one to look at what is the root of our sins. That broke open some insights for me to hopefully move past the stranglehold of some of the sins I have been haunted with for a long time. I can relate to well to St. Paul's writings to the Romans in chapter 7. Thank you for helping me to hopefully gain some freedom from my repeated sins that I hate. God Bless.
I loved your story and was able to clearly see the scene and reminded me of a similar situation with one of my daughters. I love to see the Holy Trinity doing the same. Saving us and taking care of us all the time. I am grateful to be aware that they love me no matter I am a sinner and redemption is the highest proof of that love. Thanks again for this opportunity.
My father used to get inner tubes for us, too! We used them in our pool. If they sat in the sun too long, you had to be careful as they would be scorching hot! What a lovely memory you brought to me and a wonderful story to illustrate your point.
Dear Father Mark, It is a great blessing to follow this retreat through you during this pandemic. Each day I receive a new gift form God, st. Ignatius & you. New perspectives to grow in love with our awesome God, a greater desire to let Him love me all the way & to increase my desire to bring His love to others. Your talk today reminded me of the beautiful poem of St John of the Cross about the the Romances of the Trinity “In Principio erat Verbum”. The poem ends with the birth of Jesus. Now I’m delighted to know that this retreat will take us further into the fullness of all His life. God bless you and please pray for me.
FR Mark, I am following you from Ethiopia. You reminded me my own experience of being drowned when I was learning to swim in a deep pool. I was helplessly sinking but friend quickly held me but he was not strong enough to pull me and another friend came to rescue us all. I am alive because their of intervention. Yes, I can't save my self. God saved me from death as my friends pulled me from being killed in the pool. Right now I ask my self 'will Ethiopia will be saved from the existing crisis'?.
Fr. Mark, As you spoke of the sinfulness and forgiveness, I was reminded of the phrase "victors in the midst of strife" from the song Joyful, Joyful We adore Thee. Thanks!
From Matthew 9:35-36:
Around you went
poking your head into their doorways
present and prayerful in their synagogues
speaking stories of a new kingdom
that is both now and later to be
healing with a touch gentle as the waves on a summer lake.
They were independence-minded children
hopeless sheep without a shepherd
as we all are, still
slipping out of your grip
falling beneath the waves
gasping for breath
still hoping we can make it on our own
until we cannot
until we reach up for your hand once more
and you upright us
and work redemption in us.
What a beautiful echo of today's reflection. Thank you.
I thought of my son who kept sheep when he was young. They knew him and came running to him when they saw or heard him. Now one day, a cow had knocked the lid off the bomb shelter (a 1960's tiny brick lined hole in the ground) and RamaLamaDingDong fell in, unbeknownst to us. Upon returning from school that day, Nathan's voice had all the sheep except one come running. He heard RamaLamaDingDong baa-ing in the bomb shelter, ran for a ladder and a rope, went down and secured the sheep and then hauled him up. Nothing was more important to him than rescuing that sheep. After a quick nuzzle of gratitude, the sheep ran off to join the flock. I thought of this today. And yes, Nathan made a more secure lid for the bomb shelter and RamaLamaDingDong was fine, but it was redemption for that sheep and the love between the shepherd and his flock that made the point to me those many years ago. I've never forgotten it. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Amy this is a great, affirming story. A perfect reflection. Thank you for sharing.
Fr. Mark, this is indeed a powerful retreat. Thank you for directing us. Each day I am hearing something I have never heard of before. It is brand new with your insight and stories. God Bless You. Thank you!
Fr., I was reading Scripture a couple weeks ago & I came across that same passage. I had a different thought about it. I thought about the coronavirus & wondered if our pastors feel like shepherds without their flock (sheep)because we are no longer able to gather within our churches as our pastor's sheep to worship as a community. Thankfully we are not left to be devoured by wolves because our pastors have offered many opportunities to stay connected with our faith. I've prayed more than ever bc of the virus. I've talked more with Jesus & I believe I've learned so much from the different programs I'm doing. Also being able to pray at home has lessened my pain that I experience at church in the pews. I've had heart & lung surgery which has caused great nerve pain from the lung surgery. So to be quite truthful, I'm enjoying being home.
I also want to tell you that you have a very calming voice. I pray I can continue the entire retreat.
Thank you!
Reflecting on the Trinity today, I think about how Jesus incarnated not only into the human race but also into all of creation. It's certainly an interdependent web, and I'm sure Jesus was attuned to that! I like Elizabeth Johnson's book "Creation and the Cross" for that reason.
Father Mark, your story about almost drowning in an inner tube reminds me of a recent experience with my dog who chased a bumblebee over her electronic fence (which wasn't working at the time). She doesn't understand why I won't let her run free and play with the compost under the carport. When the fence was fixed, she got a sharp reminder of her limits. She trusts me when I say "stay back," even though she has no idea why!
I'm thinking that our triune God is working for the redemption of all creation regardless of the level of each part's consciousness and responsibility. I can see why we have "dominion over the earth!" Our knowledge brings responsibility.
I love your stories that illustrate a point. I can actually see you flipping upside down, feel your father’s panic and rush to save you. Without his prompt action you could’ve easily drowned. Thanks be to God for saving us.
Fr. Mark, as we move out of firth week, I wanted to tell you how helpful the 4 questions you asked us to pray with regarding our own sins were to me. In particular, the one to look at what is the root of our sins. That broke open some insights for me to hopefully move past the stranglehold of some of the sins I have been haunted with for a long time. I can relate to well to St. Paul's writings to the Romans in chapter 7. Thank you for helping me to hopefully gain some freedom from my repeated sins that I hate. God Bless.
I loved your story and was able to clearly see the scene and reminded me of a similar situation with one of my daughters. I love to see the Holy Trinity doing the same. Saving us and taking care of us all the time. I am grateful to be aware that they love me no matter I am a sinner and redemption is the highest proof of that love. Thanks again for this opportunity.
Thank you, Father, for the stories you share to illustrate the point you are making. It helps me so much.
My father used to get inner tubes for us, too! We used them in our pool. If they sat in the sun too long, you had to be careful as they would be scorching hot! What a lovely memory you brought to me and a wonderful story to illustrate your point.
Dear Father Mark, It is a great blessing to follow this retreat through you during this pandemic. Each day I receive a new gift form God, st. Ignatius & you. New perspectives to grow in love with our awesome God, a greater desire to let Him love me all the way & to increase my desire to bring His love to others. Your talk today reminded me of the beautiful poem of St John of the Cross about the the Romances of the Trinity “In Principio erat Verbum”. The poem ends with the birth of Jesus. Now I’m delighted to know that this retreat will take us further into the fullness of all His life. God bless you and please pray for me.
FR Mark, I am following you from Ethiopia. You reminded me my own experience of being drowned when I was learning to swim in a deep pool. I was helplessly sinking but friend quickly held me but he was not strong enough to pull me and another friend came to rescue us all. I am alive because their of intervention. Yes, I can't save my self. God saved me from death as my friends pulled me from being killed in the pool. Right now I ask my self 'will Ethiopia will be saved from the existing crisis'?.
8 October 20 R5 D8.Thank you.
8 Feb 21. R9D8. Thank you.
8 march 21 R10 D8.Thanks.
8 Nov 20. R6 D8. Thank you.
8 Jan 21 R8D8. Thank you.
8 Dec 20 R7 D8, Thanks.
8 Aug 20. R3D8.Thank you.
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Fr. Mark, As you spoke of the sinfulness and forgiveness, I was reminded of the phrase "victors in the midst of strife" from the song Joyful, Joyful We adore Thee. Thanks!