Where Do You Seek Refuge?

Two months ago we wept with the people of Haiti as they experienced the strongest earthquake to hit their country in two centuries.  The damage was catastrophic; the death toll staggering.  Thankfully, so many people around the world have contributed both spiritually with prayer and materially with money and other resources.

As with many catastrophes, however, we also witnessed tremendous faith.  I remember watching Anderson Cooper Live on CNN one evening.  He was broadcasting from Haiti, and in the background you could hear the people singing hymns to the Lord.  In the midst of their suffering, they took refuge in the Lord.

They were a living reminder of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.  Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea. . . God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed. . . The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.” Read more »

Calm in the Midst of the Storm

“Stop this train.  I want to get off and go home again.  I can’t take the speed it’s moving in.  I know I can’t; but honestly won’t someone stop this train.”  -John Mayer

We often miss the gift of life because we live at a speed that is just too fast.  Our American way of life is just too fast.  Few of us are exempt from the busy, fast-paced life—priests included.  The demands of job and family life can be overwhelming for the laity; the demands of ministry can be overwhelming for priests and religious.  But so many of us believe the lie that if we’re not busy, then we’re not effective; and as we get caught in the maelstrom of our busyness, we experience emotional and spiritual pain.wilma

I’ve reflected on this reality of the busy, fast-paced life for a while and I’ve come to see that it’s not so much about being too busy that causes our pain; it’s really about not being rooted.   Read more »

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