Feelings

2696

Good Afternoon,

I have a strong Faith that keeps me excited about following Jesus everyday of my life.

Like everyone, I'm tested on a regular basis --- a couple days ago was one of those times.

Without going into a lot of details, I was asked to look for my twelve grandson who had a wreak on his dirt bike. As I drove to where I thought it was -- I prayed as hard as I have ever prayed in my life. 

Being the first on the scene, I recognized immediately that he had broken collarbone (with protruding bones) and probably a broken wrist. 

After five hours dealing with ER --- he was able to come home with each arm in a sling. (with one in a cast) Today, Max came over to seat by the pool --- getting up on occasion, to walk around, stopping by the diving board etc. I can only imagine what he was thinking and "feeling".

xxxxx

Speaking of feelings --- being almost 75 --- I grew up in a time when "feelings" just were not part of  my life.

In fact I really never understood what a feeling was until I reached the age of 26. I heard of a group that sat around expressing feelings. It took quite a while , but I finally learned how to share feelings.

That was 48 years ago!

xxxxx

Moving ahead to this weekend, I have a hard time putting into words how I "feel" except to say Our Lord is in charge and will lead us through the challenge before us.

One day at a time --- in a word --- I feel empty.

In my heart of hearts and in the pit of my stomach I feel EMPTY. 

I honestly believe our family will be stronger and more willing to help others in need. Also, we were so blessed --- it could have been much worse.

THANK YOU LORD!!

Peace,

Grandpazach

Photo: Max on his first day of school--- just a few days before his dirt bike accident.

Him and his brothers are as tough as they come--- he will be good as new in a few weeks --- just in time for basketball season. 

I didn't mention it above, but this put an abrupt end to his football season. He is a excellent running back and middle-linebacker (playing on both sides of the ball).

Flow-Diary-Writing

2698

Good Evening,

From Journalkeeping ....Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice:

"Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon offer this advice about sacred writing: 'You find a moment .... You open the journal, pausing to recollect where you have been and who you are becoming. It is as if between the covers of your journal you enter place of spiritual retreat and contemplation, much as a nun or monk enters her or his simple cell. Here the rapid flow of daily business is left outside. In the private world of your journal a sense of spaciousness unfolds, held in focus by the thoughtful movements of your pen on the page.' This kind of sacred flow writing simply records awareness of the Spirit's pervasive presence in nature, people, and other experiences. If you only wrote this kind of reflection, this praying of experiences, you would have a profound experience if the Divine. Try praying your experience in flow-writing.

xxx

I want to write something about Max's Accident yesterday, but I'm not quite ready.

I'm amazed at well he is doing today--- what with a serious broken collarbone and broken wrist.

He can't see Orthopedists until next Tuesday --- what with Labor Day Weekend Etc.

In the meantime, his football team sent him a lot of get well type stuff --- very nice of everyone. Tracy has had an outpouring of support.

I've been off Facebook book for 40 days (not completely --- but I cut way back) 

Today, I posted a lengthy, rambling post about Max and his dirt bike accident and how I was the first on the scene etc.

He really is a tough, strong young man --- it could have been a lot worse. As always, once the dust settles,

our family is going "grow" from this unexpected experience.

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Photo:

Titled a Moment In Time

--- Linda and I with Bishop David Malloy at the Silver and Gold Mass celebrated at St. Mary's in Huntley, Il.

We were are about to celebrate 55 years of of wedded bliss -- never a dull moment.

A couple of  other Moments in Time:

75 years ago. --- born

70--- mom left our family

60--- graduated grade school

56 --- graduated high school

55 --- married

50---- graduated college, moved to Mt. Prodpect, Il.

           Started career at CBOT, started a new business 

           named Linda Z's ( still in business, my father 

           passed away (50 years ago this month)

47--- bot CBOT membership

45--- moved to Inverness

40----started gardening, started Birding, started 

          Journaling, first Retreat at Bellarmine Hall

37--- started strong ten year investment program 

30---- my first Christ Renews His Parish -- a very

           Special experience 

29----walked Debbie down the red carpet at her 

          Wedding ( one of the very special days of my

           life)

25----- two Retreats at Holy Family, started learning 

            about the most well known Monk in the 

             world --Thomas Merton.

20---- had an awakening, stopped chasing money (a

          very blessed day for me -never looked back)

16--- walked Tracy down the red carpet at her 

           Wedding (one of the very special days of my 

            life)

14---- Anna (our Granddaughter died and went to 

           Heaven)--- Truly Inspired to read Purpose

            Driven Life for 440 days (11 times)

12----moved to SSPP in Cary,Il. 

10---- two major Cancer-type operations and 37 

          Radiation Treatments 

5---- envolved day and night with Ministries

0---- Up to the minute ---- Grandson Max, had a bad

         Dirt bike accident and ended up with both arms

         in slings ( badly broken collarbone on left side 

          and broken wrist on his right side -- his writing

          hand)

           As always, God will lead Max and our extended 

            through this and will come out the other end  a 

            Stronger more Faithful Family.            

Clear Out Clutter

2699

Good Afternoon,

This is always the time of year when I do my best to improve and learn a few new things --- just like all the children that either just went back to school or are about to start classes.

I grabbed a book titled --Organize Yourself 

And randomly opened up to the following:

BEWARE OF TIME WASTERS

For each of the following time wasters, there is an obvious solution. In the the list below, how often do you recognize yourself?

*Not having a plan; lacking direction

*Failing to set priorities; trapped by indecision 

*Inability to say no

*Attempting to take on more tasks than you can

      possibly handle 

*Failure to delegate; trying to do everything yourself

*Scheduling activities so that you have too much or 

       too little time for something 

*Putting off something which should be done today 

*Focusing on how busy you are; avoiding priorities 

*Suffering from personal disorganization; unable to 

      find things because of CLUTTER.*Jumpng from one activity, project, item to the next 

      instead of getting one thing done

*Leaving tasks unfinished and having to re-think what

       you were doing in order to finish up

*Getting bogged down by detail instead of keeping 

       your goals in mind

*Starting a project without having enough information 

*Lacking skills to accomplish what you intend (e.g., 

        having to hunt-and-peck at the typewriter because 

        you don't know how)

*Being kept waiting

*Being interrupted by the telephone

*Socializing during times you set aside for projects

*Being interrupted by visitors who drop in

*Not getting to the point in a conversation; not saying

        what you mean

*Attending meetings without an agenda

*Not using your commuting or travel time wisely

*Watching television when you had planned to do

        something else

xxxx

Good Luck!

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Scribbled in a Notebook

2700

Good Morning,

Long story for some other time --- but 25 years ago, during a visit to the beautiful hills of Kentucky,  I came into contact with the life and legacy of  the Cistercian (Trappist) Monk Thomas Merton.

My dear friend William Sladcik and I, on one of  our pilgrimages, had a wonderful day at The Abbey of Gethsemani --- Merton's home.

I'd like to share a couple of lines, written by Sister Elena Malits, C.S.C   -- from a book titled:

The Solitary Explorer --Thomas Merton's Transforming Journey. (Written in 1980 -- Sister chaired the Religious Studies Department of St. Mary's 

College, Notre Dame, Indiana).

"Theologians of the 1950's may not have been impressed, but Merton's kind of theology deeply affected many people. His ideas were mulled over, meditated on, and approached with utmost seriousness.

His words came alive to these people because he spoke to them 'not in the language of speculation, in terms of personal experience.' Merton himself recognized the hazards of such an approach, but he was convinced of its necessity. In his journal covering the years 1946-1952, he noted,

'I found in writing The Ascent of Truth that the technical language, though it is universal and certain and accepted by theologians, DOES NOT REACH THE AVERAGE MAN and does not convey what is most personal and vital in religious experience. Since my focus is not upon dogmas as such, but only on their repercussions in the life of the soul in which they begin to find a concrete realization, I may be pardoned for using my own words to talk about my own soul.'

     And it was exactly Thomas Merton's 'own words' about his 'own soul' that interested people. Arresting as his ideas might be, it was ever the man himself who attracted attention. ..... Indeed a VAST public seemed fascinated by the random thoughts of Thomas Merton scribbled in his notebook behind some barn at Gethsemani."

xxxx

To me, Merton's whole life was a TRANSFORMING 

JOURNEY--- a Journey that all of us are experiencing------ see you down the trail!

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Give Thanks --- Always

2701

Good Morning,

We all have our good and bad days. The simple message today is to keep the Faith and give thanks,

trusting that the Good Lord is at your side no matter what happens.

xxxx

We too give thanks to God unceasingly. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

xxxx

A couple of lines from The Word Among Us:

"As you pursue the Lord, even every little baby step, your life is touching someone else's. KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

'Lord, thank you for all the people who have gone before me and all those around me. Thank you for their support and prayers.' "

xxx

Conclude with a short prayer from St. Francis de Sales:

"Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and everyday. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it."

Peace,

Grandpazach 

P.S.--- more photos from St. Meinrad's ArchAbbey in Southern Indiana.

Lord, Quiet my Mind and Open my Heart

2702

Good Morning,

I met Matthew Kelly the same month that our previous  President was elected. Purely coincidental, but looking back,  Matthew, all his books, and his lectures have given me the balance I needed during some tough times. Being a very simple man of Faith, I love the way he "calls it like it truly is" --- in terms I can understand. 

Here's a short pray of his, speaking about Scriptures:

"Loving Father, Thank you for this day and thank you for this opportunity to explore your Word in the Scriptures. Inspire me to live with passion and purpose. Help me to discover the genius of your ways.

QUIET MY MIND and open my heart so that I can HEAR exactly what you are trying to say to me today. Give me wisdom to embrace your ways of joy; give me courage to walk with you at every moment; give me strength when the world makes me weary; and help me to remember that I can always find rest and renewal in the Scriptures. Amen."

Peace,

Grandpazach 

We all are Chosen

2703

Good Morning,

A couple of lines from the Word Among Us:

"St. Augustine, whose feast we celebrate today, had a very dramatic experience of God adopting him into his family. Augustine spent years resisting God's call, openly pursuing sin and selfishness. But that didn't stop God from choosing him! When he finally relented and allowed God's love to warm his heart, Augustine cried out, 'Late have I loved you!' God had been pursuing Augustine his entire life, and it was only then, when he was thirty-one years old, that he let himself be found by the Lord.

Today spend some time remembering the ways in which you have been CHOSEN and LOVED by God.

He waits for you even now, in the ordinary moments of your day, with gifts of GRACE and CONFIDENCE. 

Open your HEART to him, and receive his LOVE and his assurance that you belong to him.

'Thank you, Lord, for loving me and choosing me.

I CHOOSE YOU! ' "

Peace,

Grandpazach 

The Pope explains: THE PATH OF LIFE

2704

Good Morning,

I love the wonderful homilies of Pope Francis--- here's part of one from today's Gospel that really hits home with me: (from Day By Day in the Magnificat)

"Certainly 'it is important to study and to know the Catechism, but it is not enough,' the pope insisted. For in order to know him truly, 'we need to travel the path that Peter traveled'....

The pope repeated that, in order to know Jesus, 'what is needed is not a study of notions but rather a LIFE as a disciple.' For 'in journeying with Jesus we learn who he is .... we come to know Jesus as disciples.' We come to know him 'in the  daily encounter with the Lord, each day. Through our victories and through our weaknesses.' It is precisely 'through these encounters' that 'we draw close to him more deeply.' For it is 'in these everyday encounters that we acquire what Saint Paul calls the mind of Christ, the hermeneutic to judge all things'.....

Therefore we come to know Jesus 'as disciples on the PATH OF LIFE, following behind him.' But this 'is not enough,' the pope said. In reality, this 'is a work of the Holy Spirit, who is a great worker: he is not a union organizer, he is a great worker. And he is ALWAYS at work in us: and he carries out this great work of explaining the mystery of Jesus, and if giving us the mind of Christ.'

Pope Francis concluded his reflection by posing Jesus' question: WHO AM I FOR YOU? 'As disciples.' He said, 'let us ask the Father to grant us a deeper knowledge of Christ, and let us ask the Holy Spirit to explain to us this mystery.'

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Practice What You Preach

2705

Good Morning,

Today's Gospel is very straight forward --- Jesus condemns the leaders who do not practice what they preach. ( makes one wonder what Message He would have for our House and Senate of today)

xxxx

The real point is to ask ourselves: Which of MY practices might not fit so well with my preaching? 

xxxx

Lord, help me with my procrastination --- let's start today--- help me to change.......

(We all have a long list of things that need doing --- and the truth of the matter is that we all would feel better putting our thoughts and plans into action).

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Photos --- more from beautiful Rock Garden at ArchAbbey of St. Meinrad's

The Right Path

2706

Good Morning,

Matthew says in today's Gospel: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself ."

Reflection from Sacred Space:

"If I have ever wished for a simple summary of the Gospel, I give thanks that I have it here. Simple as this message seems, I know how difficult it is to live out. I ask God for the help I need to live fully and freely.

Life in balance means loving God and loving others. I consider how I sometimes wobble, and, in my prayer, seek again the PATH that Jesus puts before me."

Peace,

Grandpazach 

P.S.--- more photos from my July 23rd visit to ArchAbbey St. Meinrad's 

The Holy Spirit Provides COURAGE

2707

Good Morning,

Today, like every day of my short life, has been and will continue to be very special for me. 

The past three hours have gone by in a flash--- hard to put into words that would make sense --- just say that my Heart has been on Fire!

xxxx

I'd like to share a couple of lines from the Word Among Us that really ring true in my Life:

"Many people will tell you that there is someone in their life whose witness had a great impact in their own LIFE OF FAITH. One person reached out to them just where they were and walked beside them, leading them to Jesus. In fact, many saints and Christian thinkers, from St. Augustine to C.S. Lewis, tell us that they owe their faith to someone who, like Philip, invited to 'come and see' (John 1:46).

You, too, can be like Philip. You can tell your friends or family members, 'COME AND SEE.' It may take a bit of courage, but the Holy Spirit can provide what you may lack. Remember, God is the One who changes hearts; all you have to do is invite them to come to him. Just bring them to Jesus, and he'll take care of the rest.

'Jesus, give me the courage and grace to invite people to come and see you.' "

Peace,

Grandpazach

P.S.---- recent photos from the Beautiful Rock Garden (dedicated to St.Joseph) at the Benedictine ArchAbbey of St. Meinrad in Southern Indiana. (Was there a couple of weeks ago)

Our World is Aching for Jesus

2708

Good Morning,

Part of a reflection on today's Gospel -- from The Word Among Us:

"The world is aching for Jesus. People are yearning for an answer to their cries of brokenness. They're longing for a reason to hope.

Each of us has a unique faith, unique relationships, and unique talents that make us an irreplaceable laborer in the economy of salvation. What's more, God doesn't just send us out to flounder while He watches from his corporate office in the sky. No, he works alongside us, sending his Spirit both to help us and to prepare people's hearts for the witness we will bring. So ask the Spirit for guidance as you look for specific needs in your family, parish, or community.

As you enter this market of evangelization, know that one of your greatest resources is your own personal experience. It's the times when you felt especially close to God or when you received an answer to a desperate prayer. It's the times when you found yourself willing to forgive someone or reach out to someone very different from yourself. Don't keep these  things bottled up inside of you. Let them out! TELL PEOPLE HOW GOD HAS CHANGED YOUR LIFE, and let them know that he can do the same thing for them. 

Yes, God wants to hire you. So try to take one step of faith today and see where it leads. Even if you don't see immediate fruit, your witness will plant seeds of faith that will sprout later. A generous employer, GOD WILL REWARD YOUR EFFORTS.

'Lord, I'll take the job. Holy Spirit, guide me to those who are waiting to hear today that you love and accept them.' "

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Treasures of Life

8-22-17

2709

Good Morning,

A couple of lines from Sacred Space:

"Paul told the people of Philippi that nothing matters more than knowing Christ (Phil 3:8). I think of what really matters to me, what makes me truly rich, and ask God's help to let everything else go."

Peace,

Grandpazach