ALLL THE ABUNDANCE

"I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly."

-John 10:10

This is exactly it. Christ's coming gave us the dearest Savior, Companion, Hero who conquered death giving us the hope of an eternal life of pure bliss and a constant protectress and gentle Mother, an unnumbered army of angels and saints, His very own flesh and blood to nourish and sustain us in this life, and the best of examples of the transforming powers of suffering -- something so base and seemingly worthless is now able to purify and bring the truest joy. 

He has brought meaning to the daily paper cut, aching back, tired body and broken heart and amplified the meaning of every happiness, laugh, smile and moment of peace on this earth for it echoes the joy and peace awaiting us in His heavenly kingdom. Every flower, tree, piece of grass, breeze, bird, rain drop and person are seen with so much more meaning knowing it was created purposefully and wonderfully. 

We do not have a self centered existence that ends and leads to emptiness. No, we have been given a life to suffer, love, refine, purify, glorify and live for something higher, greater and majestic. And once we've done that, we will be welcomed, good and faithful servants.

Sirach 37:5

- true love -

Oh, Tumblr

One of the biggest trends I see on Tumblr is people finding a photo or a quote and claiming it to be the epitome of profundity: revolutionary, mind opening, wow-man-that's-freaking-awesome...

The caption on the photo is "we evolve into a product of society." 

But we don't. At least not as Catholics. 

As a Catholic one is constantly insulted, attacked, mocked for being counter-cultural. Woah, wait. I thought the movement was "down with social constructs! we won't be a product of society!" But when a group of people are truly counter cultural they are shunned and hated. Huh.

People of the world are always searching for truth and meaning. That's why they grab hold so fast with such hope to phrases and movements that sound different, seem counter cultural and promise to escape from the dull marching on of time and society. But they won't be fulfilled. 

We can't be fulfilled by conformity to movements, dull work with out an end and any other societal replacement. We were created to break free from this world into eternal life! The soul is meant to suffer with joy, be refreshed with beauty, create, love and live freely in truth. Anything less ends in frustration, emptiness and disappointment. As Augustine so beautifully said: "My heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee."

Peace, calm, quiet...love.

As soon as I step across the threshold, I belong. This is what I've missed, what has made my heart so restless. You enter my soul, embrace every fiber of my being, and fill me with peace, calm, quiet and love. Hate, envy, jealousy, worry and anxiety all lose their piercing grip. Reclaimed as Yours, You complete me, nurture, console and liven me. Whom then shall I fear?

O Beauty.

The recent warm weather and spring time relief has turned my thoughts, fittingly, to beauty and it's incredible testament to God's love for us. He created us, saved us, gave us eternal life, the most loving of Mothers, saints, Christ present in the Eucharist, hope, joy, love and beauty. There is beauty in each of the things above listed but also woven into each and every created being. The whispering wind, gentle breeze, lazy stream, and breath taking sunsets just barely being the list of His creativity. Not only has He created beauty for us to enjoy but He has given us the ability to participate and make it ourselves: a gentle heart, a pretty dress, a kind smile, art, poetry, prose, song and dance.... We are in His likeness -- beauty fulfills us.

Broken Ice

Winter to spring, ice to flow,

Shatter, shake, renew and make

My heart alive and new...

Strip away all fear and pride,

Chop away the branches died,

Bear my heart unto the Light

That shines and pierce it through.

Lord, this cage of iron bar

Restricts, kills, smothers but still

I yearn for You alone...

Coldness creeps and slows me numb,

Frozen here yet still my tongue

(Urged by heart not conquered yet)

Sings love, in trial, to You.

Birds of the Air

"Look at the birds of the air..."

-Matthew 6:26

Your father in heaven provides all His creatures with shelter, food, life, fulfillment and goodness; will not He do the same for you? Are not you more valuable than they?

Creation gives me such peace of heart -- it is so beautiful. The variety in creatures, plants, weather, landscape and all the rest gives testimony to the genius of God, His creativity and His love for us. The beauty of nature not only give glory to the King of kings but it delights us and brings us so much joy.

Seeing the way a single blooming flower fulfills it's purpose by adding beauty to the world reminds me of what this life is really all about. Take away the stress of jobs, money, school, work, and all other worldly cares that we look to fulfill us and we are so much like the flower: our purpose is to add beauty to the world and glorify Him. It's simple.