feb. 22, 2011 St. Peter's Chair

Today the Church celebrates the Chair of St. Peter... and the gospel presents Peter in a shining moment when he acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah. Who do you say that I am? asks Jesus. Peter replies-not Elijah, or John the Baptist, but the Christ. What a moment. It seems a lot of the time the disciples kind of blow it. They misunderstand what Jesus is trying to do and even try to sabotage him sometimes. Remember when Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me Satan"? But today we're invited to celebrate Peter's recognition of who Jesus really is. I remember when I was about 22 or 23 and for some reason, perhaps at the behest of a teacher, I read the entire gospel of Mark in one sitting. I lived in an apartment on Ascot Drive in Moraga with my pal, Terri. I was home alone and was lying on the living room floor. I remember reading it and having an encounter with this person Jesus as I read through Mark's brief (only 16 chapters) telling of the gospel. Had I not been lying down, I like Paul, would've fallen down. If Jesus were to have asked me then, Who do you say that I am?, I too would've said, GOD. Now, like Peter, I don't often understand God's ways, but I've taken to reading the gospel of Mark again to try to remind myself again: just who do I say that Jesus is? because I can't often remember. and I want to.

february 15, 2011 feast of St. Cornelius I think

today, my small faithsharing group met and we're still listening to Fr. Michael Crosby, O.F.M. talk about the Beatitudes. He talked about "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Acc. to Fr. Michael the work "meek" means "nonviolent" after he explained the Greek word from which the translations came.. it is not to be understand as "whimp" or "pushover". I saw a scene on the television news the other night. Across the GGBridge walked a group from Pink Code, which I believe is a peace group. They were carrying signs that said "Yeah, Egypt!"and other positive, celebratory messages.. it was a very moving scene as the camera focused in on the individuals and their signs. They, of course, looked happy.. for a change. Their campaign had a success story to celebrate. Millions of Egyptians peacefully stood against oppression and their voices were heard. So many many lives scarred by the dictatorship of Mubarek. But, in this scene, there were individuals here in San Francisco, able to celebrate a cause for which they work. I was so happy for them. and so touched by their caring about this issue of nonviolence and of peacemaking. I am inspired to seek a nonviolent path in my own life.. in my speech, and in my thoughts and .. the work of which will require awareness and effort and decision. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Amen.

february 9, 2011

I didn't read the readings today. I leapt into action to prepare for our cleaning ladies. Today is a quiet day.. my sweet cleaning ladies are from Mexico. One had a baby Christmas day and the other is expecting her third baby in six mos. We talked about how to best clean our shower and our bathtub. I had a cleaning product that was fantastic! She was amazed! It's amazing how happy a clean shower can make one. Somehow I'm reminded of a brand new baby... so pure! and how awe-some is that purity. A baby glows through and through. My shower now glows superficially. I'm so happy! a fresh start~ it seems to say. bright and shiny and ready to serve you dear bather. Clean, bright, new, fresh, inviting beginnings.. like a blank sheet of paper coupled with a perfect pen. Yesterday, we received John's high school graduation announcements. He will graduate in four months and then in seven months he will leave for college. New beginnings for him!! and for us. Because he is our last, these new beginnings have a different color. What color, Katie? I feel like maybe they are the color of water...