10/12/15

October 12, 2015

110.                    God Informs, Directs and Supports Us.

With many others like you, I believe in the word of God given in the Old Testament, also called the Hebrew Scripture.

·        God, one and only God, exists (Exodus 3:14).

·        God creates (Genesis 1:1; Sirach 4:6)

·        God rules over all of the universe (Sirach 50:22).

·        God creates humans in God's "image", with ability to think and choose, and to be God's representative to the universe (Genesis 1:26-27).

·        God entered into "covenant" with the ancient Hebrews, containing both promises and obligations. "…The Lord is our God…. You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21).

·        God governs the universe (Psalm 104).

All examples that God speaks to us, informs us, directs us, and supports us. We no longer come to understand and manage nature totally by our own wits. God helps us. Then we ask ourselves, "Do I/we listen to God?  Am I/Are we following God's way of caring for and using nature? What are we leaving for our children and grandchildren so that they have a reasonably good quality of life?

 

 

10/5/15

October 5, 2015

109.                                 Build Bridges, Not Walls.

God always wants us to build bridges. Instead, we often build walls.  Result? Walls collapse.

We humans interact with each other, each day. It may be a parent-child, a spouse-spouse, a doctor-patient, a salesperson-buyer, an employer-employee, or one of many other person-to-person sorts of interactions. And sometimes: a group-group, nation-nation. Sometimes the issue at stake may be a disagreement; or sometimes both sides face an outside issue or problem which affects both parties.

Whoever we are, or why we face an issue/problem, or for whatever goal – we may need to come to grips with it and devise an acceptable solution. That we do by "building bridges".

Building good, sustainable bridges happens when, 1). We respect each other; 2). We trust each other; 3). We listen to each other; 4). We do not take undue advantage of each other; and 5). We seek a solution or compromise that is just and fair.   

If you see any additional ways to "build bridges", please add them to the ways I suggest. 

9/28/15

September 29, 2015

108.                                       Nurture the Good!

A theme Pope Francis urged us Americans to do during his visit here to the United States.

Whether in speeches, homilies and unscripted remarks - we heard that message in many different settings. Whether from Pres. Lincoln's speaker's stand on the steps of Freedom Hall, in Congress, or in the assembly of the United nations – Pope Francis emphasized this positive action. It came couched in his halting, but surprisingly good, English, or in his native Hispanic tongue. It came from different phrases, a variety of analogies and case-examples.  He placed it in the public forum, in religious ceremonies, and in unplanned conversation.

And he supported his words with actions. His reverence at Ground Zero, his touching of babies, his reaching out to the wheelchair patients, his learning from a grade-schooler how a smartboard works, his focusing on the families of  the world as they presented their experiences/struggles, his very animated, extemporaneous  homily at the Festival of Families. And especially, his simplicity in the middle of high protocol.

In sum, he left us not only ideas and a warm feeling – but animated us to nurture good things for the common good.    

9/21/15

September 21, 2015

107.                                     Pope Francis.

I am writing this while Pope Francis visits Cuba. But my comments consider much more than what he does or says while there. In my opinion, Pope Francis shows deep concern not just for Catholics, but for  all humans. He walks the talk. And in that he stands out as a unique leader in today's world.

He listens. He listens to many – from the powerful to the person on the street - more than do some leaders on the world stage, judging from the news sources.

He has a deep concern for the poor, the marginalized, the wandering migrants who flee oppression. He speaks genuinely of the importance of serving and caring for the "frailty of our brothers and sisters."

Taking a cue from scientists, other leaders, and the general public, Pope Francis dared to publish Laudato Si, pleading that all of us humans care for the environment. His, a simple lifestyle, without flamboyance, ends his words with an exclamation point.

He leads in the best sense, by his example. "Lord, make me an instrument of peace…" sums up his human leadership. A model and hope for each of us.