Raised Powerful

Today’s first reading is a powerhouse of hope and glory!

1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-29:
            Brothers and sisters: Someone may say, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come back?” You fool! What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual one.
            So, too, it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being,” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. But the spiritual was not first; rather the natural and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. 

One of my favorite lines in this passage is: “it is sown weak; it is raised powerful.” Of this line, the Magnificat said in the short reflection for today’s Mass:

“That is, it enables us today to live the very life of God with a hundredfold intensity.”

I re-read this line at least four times in my prayer this morning. The seed of weakness that we are sown in this life, if put to death, is raised to power – the power of God. We die to ourselves, to our worries, our fears, our sinfulness, our insecurities – or rather we put them to death, so that Christ can reign in us. Our weakness raised to power is what ‘enables us today [and everyday!] to live the very life of God with a hundredfold intensity’. No matter what you have planned in your day today, and whatever happens unplanned, we are all enabled to live the very life of God with intensity. I LOVE that word intensity; we aren’t called to simply live the life of God, but to do so with intensity! That is, with our whole focus, our whole being, our whole life. How can you keep God as the center focus of you day, and live his life with intensity in your journey this day? What might need to change in your day to be more pleasing and honorable in the sight of God? What can you add to your day, or how can you adjust your outlook or attitude to be more intensely fulfilling God’s life within you?

Claim the power that God promises! “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one”, by denying ourselves and aligning our day with the promises and power of God, we are enabled to live the very life of God with a hundredfold intensity, so that “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”

A hundredfold…. another powerful word that alludes to the way God goes above and beyond to increase our gift back to him. Like the parable of the mustard seed: we give the little that we can, and God makes it glorious. We don’t have the power ourselves to live the life of God with a hundredfold intensity, but it is possible to do so because if we offer what we have to God, He gives it back a hundredfold; he fills to overflowing the cup, the shell that we offer, and makes it glorious. Be raised powerful today.

Happy Moments

Sometimes you have to create happy moments. Sometimes you simply have to recognize the happy moments you have and just let yourself absorb in alllll the goodness; to truly appreciate it. For example, I’m cherishing this moment: sitting at a friend’s house for a much-needed weekend getaway and change of scenery, sitting at the table late at night, with decaf pumpkin spice coffee in a Zakopane mug from Poland, with my favorite flowers (daisies) in the background. What a cool moment! And I’m cherishing every second of it.

As we navigate through the twists and turns of life, the ups and downs, shifting gears, and even the curve balls, we are never (contrary to popular opinion) devoid of happiness. Maybe we only find it for a moment at times, but there’s always something, at some point, that we can find joy in. And when multiple simple little things come together in a nice little package of joyousness, that’s even better! (Like my spontaneous getaway, PSL, late-night quiet, daises and a BFF).

Happy moments happen, but sometimes we also have to work for them. I knew I needed a getaway. I needed a change of pace, a cheesy chick-flick, and to enjoy coffee in good company. So I did it. And the little things fell into place.

Trust in God. Trust in His plan for your happiness. Trust that He wants you to be happy and that even in all of the crazy, you are entitled to happy moments. Look for them, make some happen, and thank God for the things that He gives you to remind you that you are worthy of happiness.

Swaddled & Slain

Today, on the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, I want to share a few thoughts... first, lover of poetry that I am, I want to share a meditation that was published in the Magnificat for today's feast; a poem by Rita A. Simmonds:

The Infant Mary

"After centuries of weight, the waters break and flow.

The desert leaps with fruit. How can this be so? -

A temple made of flesh without the strain of Eve, 

a full and promised moon, a servant and a queen.

A womb within a womb, cocooned in swaddled silk 

or morning glory blue, the scent of myrrh and milk.

The prophet would foretell the piercing of her soul

that Eden's flaming sword had wounded long ago

when bitterness was named for a sweetness made to last

though newborn memory is a star too far to grasp.

The spread of sea is calm. The infant Mary sleeps.

The firmament reflects its sparkling, faultless queen."

What a beautiful reflection we have in Simmonds' poetic genius! There so much we can take away from this reflection... but what stands out to me most is in being reminded that Mary, swaddled in perfection, infant queen, with a pure and sinless soul, will later have in her heart a wound from a sword; 'when bitterness was named for a sweetness made to last'. Out of Mary's pure yes, deep grief, and triumphant virtue, comes pure freedom, deep peace, and triumph over death through her Son, Jesus Christ. Out of the greatest bitterness of this life comes the greatest sweetness that could possibly be had. It is a good reminder for us, that whatever bitterness we experience in our own lives, God will bring greater sweetness out of it. It is also a good reminder for us that Mary understands our bitterness and pain when our lives seem to dish out more than we can bear. We are not alone, she is with us and consoling us, and will help us in our suffering while helping us keep our hope in Jesus.

Today as we celebrate the birthday of Mary, we celebrate the coming into the world of the woman who not only gave us her Son, but also gave us herself. We celebrate the birthday of the Mother of our Savior, who as she gave up Jesus, Jesus gave her us. And how lovingly she cherishes us! Place yourself in the company of the angels and saints today in a moment of silence and reflection. Surround yourself with the angels and the saints who over 2000 years ago rejoiced in Heaven on this day. Reflect on the beauty, the holiness, the reverence, awe, and silent wonder at the hope granted on this day - the beginning of the age of salvation. 

*Photo Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/490822059363370930/