Thoughts Along the Journey

During this year's Advent season, I decided to take a break from posting on Blogger, as well as penning new articles for Catholic365 .  It wasn't so much that I had no ideas, as it seems I constantly have new ideas running a race around the track of my mind.  No, it was more that I felt this deep need for silence. The season began with a hectic rush of "go here, run there, do this, fix that" in a crazy pace of non-stop action.  I came down with a painful, energy-robbing sinus infection.  Advent was not starting off well. The second Sunday of Advent, though, brought me to the silence.  We attended the annual evening of "Lessons and Carols" at our diocesan seminary.  It was deep, beautiful nourishment for my soul.  In the midst of the words of Scripture--promising our Lord's birth--and the lyrics and melodies of the carols and instrumental harmonies...God brought a sweet, holy silence into my heart.  The night began in quiet darkness. ...

I think we've all had that aroma-memory moment.  It's similar to the music-memory moment.  (You know the one.  You're in the middle of a store, hear a song on the in-store music, and a flood of images fill your mind.)   Aroma-memories are so amazing, aren't they?  While walking behind an older woman recently, a waft of her perfume caressed my senses.  Suddenly, I saw my grandmother's face so clearly.  It was a sweet moment. Fall is like aroma-memory overload for me.  There are so many crazy-good memories associated with the fragrance of the fallen leaves, the bonfires, the pumpkin-scented candles... Today, I got to have one of those memories.  We were in apple harvest overload in our house.  I had purchased a couple of bags of apples at the grocery store a few weeks ago.  Only days later, I decided to take a trip to the local orchard, and brought home a "large" bag of seconds.  (These are great apples, and always a mix of v...

I haven't heard this song in many, many years, but the words came to my mind today. If you've never heard it, check out the link below (they modernized the words a bit, but it's still pretty much the same). The basic idea is this:  Here I am, Lord, needing prayer.  Just little ol' me.  It's not someone else.  It's me!  I can't speak for all the others, Lord, but I know I need prayer! The beautiful thing about this song is that it's descriptive of every single one of us.  We are standing in the need of prayer.  Whether our day is full of joy or sorrow, we are still in need of prayer. I often forget that simple concept.  It's so much easier for me to pray for others than for myself.  People share their prayer needs with me on a regular basis.  I am not one of those, "I'll-pray-for-you-but-not-until-I-see-you-again-and-remember-I'm-supposed-to-pray-for-you" kind of individuals.  I take the entrustment of others' prayer requ...

It has happened.  Again.  Another troubled person has taken out their pain on others, leaving behind distraught teachers, parents, friends.  There is yet another community trying to sort out the reasons and work through the agony of a loss beyond comprehension.  It will never make sense.  There will always be more questions than answers.  A tragedy of indescribable proportions leaves a deep wound. I have heard those in the news media trying to give their own insights.  Some are wondering why it is that "only" 10 were killed and there is an uproar, when over 300 people have been killed in Chicago in 2015, and we hear little about it? Why was a 5-month old baby killed yesterday, as the car she was in was hit by bullets meant for others?  She is one of several victims in a series of shootings in Cleveland. It only proves that the size of a town or city does not cause or prevent violence. My question is, "Why isn't there outrage at every ... singl...

Like so many others in our country, the events of 9/11/01 will forever be emblazoned in my mind:  The initial shock of the report that a plane had hit a building in New York City.  The horror of watching live TV as another plane hit the tower adjacent to the first.  The continuing agony as I learned of more hijackings, more downed planes, and the loss of so many lives.  Anguish as people began leaping from the infernos.  Overwhelming grief as hour after hour of coverage unfolded:  firemen and other rescuers dying to save lives, heroic passengers giving their lives to protect others on the ground...and on and on it went.  The angry realization that someone plotted these attacks in the name of honoring God and their religion.  The feeling of unity with our entire nation, as all citizens were called to prayer.  Even in the midst of tragedy, America was at her finest, standing strong against terrorism. But now, fourteen years later, what have...

Well, friends, it's that time of year again.  Our oldest son has begun his second year of college.  Our younger son is in his junior year of high school.  (When I began this blog, they were 10 and 7!)  We're not quite "empty nesters," but are feeling the beginnings of what that will look like.  If you have children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or close friends that have children, you can probably relate.  They grow up so quickly.  Those toddler years seem interminable.  Then, suddenly, you're in the teen years and dealing with that new world of raging hormones and roller coaster emotions.  Blink your eyes, and they're turning 18--joining the world of adulthood. Today is the Feast of Saint Monica.  If you're not familiar with her story, she was an incredibly faithful servant of God.  She was a Christian, but for whatever reason was given in marriage to a pagan man named Patricius.  He was a man given to fits of anger, an...

I don't often use this blog for "hot button" issues.  This post has been burning in my heart for two months, though.   ___________________________________________________________________ Take a good look at my profile picture (but not too closely!), and you will immediately realize that I am white, and come from European lineage.  There's a bit of English, German, Scottish, Irish--and probably several other nationalities--blended into my DNA.  I have honestly never sat down and mused on what that means for me as a person.  It is just "what it is." Having said that, my interaction with those of other races was quite limited until after I graduated from high school.  (And honestly, I never really thought of any of my schoolmates as being anything other than that, no matter the color of their skin.)   One of my first memories of encountering an African American child was quite positive.  While visiting a church, the only girl who spoke to ...

The past month has been a busy one for our family.  During this time, our oldest son came home after his first year in college.  Other memorable events: Nine men were ordained as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cleveland.  This is the first class in five years.  A very exciting milestone in our diocese! Four men were ordained priests as well.  We continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood. My husband's godson received his first Communion.  It seems like just yesterday he was baptized! A young man from our parish received his vestments, as he continues to discern a vocation as a Franciscan Friar Minor.   A young woman from our parish began her time as a postulant with the Children of Mary , a community of nuns near Columbus,  Ohio.   My husband finished his second year of formation as a deacon. Our youngest son is wrapping up his sophomore year of high school. I'm preparing my piano students for our first-ever recital....

Last night and today, our parish hosted a women's retreat.  Our speaker was Father Nathan Cromly , who is a priest in the order of the Community of St. John .  He also heads up Eagle Eye Ministries . The weekend's theme was "The Better Part," taken from the passage in Luke 10, where Jesus visited the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Without going into great detail, I had passed along the link to the music  of my "journey song."  Our retreat coordinator, Mary, quickly decided it should become the theme song of our retreat. And so, for the first time, I had the privilege of singing it with other women, and hearing their voices join with mine to call on Jesus...to take us, and shape us, as we sat at His feet. In 2006, I had no idea. Wow. Father Nathan Adoration Father Nathan and friends  :o)

If you have been following my blog over the years, we have an item of unfinished business. In this post  from 2006, I wrote a song called "At Your Feet."  The words were posted, but I did not have the technology to share the music. So, for better or for worse, here it is...! Mary's Song (At Your Feet) I walk into Your presence, Lord, I fall down on my face As I come before You, Lord, I marvel at Your love and grace. Refrain: At Your feet, I find a place of perfect peace At Your feet, I find a place of sweet release At Your feet, I've finally found that I am home So take me Lord; shape me, Lord While I sit at Your feet So many voices calling me Can cause my heart to stray But when I listen to Your voice I know You'll show the better way... (back to Refrain) Bridge: I come and lay my heart at Your feet I pour it out to You And as I gaze into Your eyes, You give me all of Your heart, too. (back to Refrain) © 2006.  Joni Renee Johnson.  All Rights Reserved....

For anyone who reads my blog with any regularity (and I hope there are at least a couple of people out there!), you may have noticed my lack of posts.  If you didn't, well, okay.  :o) Our church organist, who has faithfully played at daily Mass for the past 30 years or so, took a nasty fall a few weeks ago.  In the process, he broke a bone in one of his hips.  Though no surgery was required, complete immobilization has been prescribed for proper healing.  I am his substitute, so have been playing more frequently.  In the process of that, my hands have received quite a thorough work-over.  Typing hasn't been as easy as I'd like.  That's all. So, to make up for lost time, I have been pondering something over the past 24 hours.  Blowing the dust off the computer, warming up the joints, and away we go....! _________________________________________________ Things that amaze me... Sunrises - Over the Kansas plains, over the mountains of Co...

I've had to take a short recess from blogging.  I ran across this quote today, though, and wanted to share it. Take heart!  His love is greater than tomorrow's worries!

If you've never read our oldest son's blog--what?!  Surely you jest?  Never read it?  Well, today is your lucky day!  :o) http://djdaveydave.blogspot.com/2015/03/where-does-evangelizing-begin.html

"Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity      and passing over transgression      for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever      because he delights in steadfast love. 19  He will again have compassion upon us,      he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins      into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19 How awesome is the ocean?  I mean, miles and miles of nothing but water.  And under that water, miles and miles of plant, fish, and animal life, most of which have never been observed by human eyes.  Myriads of microscopic organisms floating, swimming, living, reproducing, and dying--totally beyond the reach of scientific observance.  The word "amazing" doesn't even begin to cover it, does it? Wouldn't you love your faults, failures, and sins to be completely absorbed into all that immensity...

Our oldest is home from college for the week, so I may not be posting every day. Have a happy week!

I'm taking a step away from the daily Scripture meditation today.  I want to share something a bit different with my readers. For the past several weeks, I have been hearing about a documentary called, "The Dropbox."  I first heard about it from Focus on the Family.  The promotional clips showed a Korean pastor caring for infants and children in Seoul, South Korea.  The children they showed were mostly little ones with disabilities:  Down syndrome, birth defects, etc.  I felt a tug at my heart, and wanted to know more.  There is a special place in my heart for Korea, as my dad is a Korean War veteran.  There is another place reserved for those precious children who are abandoned or unwanted due to perceived abnormalities. Tonight, as we entered the theater, we were unsure if it was even being shown.  There was no sign of it on the marquee.  However, as soon as we were inside the doors, a woman asked if we wanted two tickets?  Sh...

"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray?    And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.    So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:12-14 The focus of the Scripture readings in Lent are repentance and forgiveness.  Everything we do throughout these 40 days is a preparation for Holy Week, as we remember Christ's death and resurrection.  In light of all He has done for us, we take a more intentional look at the things which separate us from the intimate relationship He so desires. Often, we discover small things that have grown over time.  Things that are generally okay or even good can become distractions to our passion for Christ.  Like the sheep in this parable, we find...

In the path of thy judgments,      O  Lord , we wait for thee; thy memorial name      is the desire of our soul. 9  My soul yearns for thee in the night,      my spirit within me earnestly seeks thee. For when thy judgments are in the earth,      the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 10  If favor is shown to the wicked,      he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals perversely      and does not see the majesty of the  Lord . 11  O  Lord , thy hand is lifted up,      but they see it not. Let them see thy zeal for thy people, and be ashamed.      Let the fire for thy adversaries consume them. 12  O  Lord , thou wilt ordain peace for us,      thou hast wrought for us all our works. 13  O  Lord  our God,   ...