Jesus looked up (into the tree) and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke Chapter 19 versus 1 – 10 is a beautiful story. One worth reading for fun and meditation.
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Sunset over Collegiate Peaks, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, U.S.A.
Wisdom 13: 1, 9All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan. For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord?
Rio Grande River, Big Bend National Park, U.S.A.
Ezekiel 47: 1, 8- 9 “I saw water flowing out from under the threshold of the temple. This water runs down into the Arabah (desert) and empties into the polluted waters of the sea to freshen them. Wherever it flows, the river teems with every kind of living creature; fish will abound. Where these waters flow they refresh; everything lives where the river goes.”
May the waters of the Spirit flow from us and replenish the desert giving life to the world.
Blue Bonnets, Texas Hill Country, U.S.A.
When you are walking alone, listen to the sermon preached to you by the flowers. Notice how they preach to you a sermon full of love, of praise of God, and how they invite you to proclaim the greatness of the one who has given them being."
— St. Paul of the Cross
Cedar Waxwings, Big Bend National Park, U.S.A., background mosaic from Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France
Today is All Saints Day. Let us we reflect upon the depth of the Church which not only includes us on earth and our Lord in Heaven but all the Angels and Saints that participate in our Church each moment of each and every day. Let us thanks them for their example of lives well lived and thank them for their continued prayers.
Revelation 7:9 After this I had a vision of a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
California Condors, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.
The California Condor was nearly extinct in 1987 with only 22 condors in existence and none in the wild. Through conservation efforts now there are over 400 California Condors with condors flying free over many parts of the Arizona, Utah and California deserts.
“Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. [22] All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents. (Laudato Si’, par 14, Pope Francis)
We are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. (Laudato Si’, par 53, Pope Francis)
Distant Horizon, Badlands National Park, South Dakota, U.S.A.
“Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”. Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter, Deus Caritas Est (25 December 2005)
The beginning of autumn, Pikes Peak, Colorado
Autumn Colors - The Sharing of Grace
"The greens of spring and summer nourished by God’s amazing light,
share God’s grace in radiant beauty,
for it is only right.
Green turns to yellow and yellow turns to red,
what each man does with the grace he has been given,
is only his to be said."
Honey Bee on Purple Sage, Hill Country, Texas
“When God inspires you with a sentiment of love, stop and taste it, as the bee sips the honey.... Ah! When I reflect that my soul is the temple of God, that God dwells in me, how my heart rejoices! All sufferings and afflictions appear to me sweet and light.... What a fruitful source of meditation!” – "Flowers of the Passion -Thoughts of St Paul of the Cross", whose memorial we celebrate today
Mt. Whitney at 14,505 feet is the highest peak in the Continental U.S. Shown rising like a castle from the basin near Iceberg Lake.
Today is the memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church. Teresa is best known for her works on contemplation and prayer, Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle.
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.”
― Teresa of Ávila
Reflections – Hanging Lake, Colorado
Today is the memorial of Saint John XXIII. Born to a family of farmers, John’s humble roots resonated throughout his life. In World War I, John served as a stretcher barrier. In World War II; as a papal diplomat in Turkey and in France, he provided a safe pathway to many saving an estimated 24,000 Jews. In his papacy he convened the Second Vatican Council. John promoted a dialog among Protestants, Orthodox, Jews and Muslims. Emerging from a period of wars John wrote an encyclical on Peace on Earth and another on the role of the Church as Mother and Teacher. Let spend some time reflecting on Saint John XXIII words.
“Christianity is the meeting-point of earth and heaven. It lays claim to the whole man, body and soul, intellect and will, inducing him to raise his mind above the changing conditions of this earthly existence and reach upwards for the eternal life of heaven, where one day he will find his unfailing happiness and peace.” Mother and Teacher (1961) Paragraph 2
Northern Flicker Feeding its Chick, Spring Branch, Texas, U.S.A.
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Vincent DePaul. Vincent is known for his tireless caring of the poor and needy. Saint Vincent cared for all of God’s children, at one time he raised enough money to free 1,200 slaves.
Canoe on shore, Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas U.S.A.
“All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si”, Par 14
Colors of Joy, Vermillion Flycatcher, Big Bend National Park, Texas, U.S.A.
“With Christ joy is constantly born anew.” - Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, Par. 1
Moonrise and Sunset, Texas Hill Country, U.S.A.
Today we celebrate the birth of Mary the Mother of God.
“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman* clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” - Revelations 12:1
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." - Luke 1:28
A day’s beginning, Texas Hill Country, U.S.A.
"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." - Saint Teresa of Calcutta whose feast day we commemorate tomorrow, September 5.
Saint Teresa’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech – 19 minutes you may never forget, that may change your life (the link is below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36Nistc9wE
Pacific Coastline, Oregon, U.S.A.
Today is the World Day of Prayer for Creation as designated by Pope Francis. The following prayer is at the end of Laudato Si’ – On Care for our Common Home.
A Christian prayer in union with creation,
Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory. Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
Monarch Butterflies resting on flowers, Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S.A.
Man is constantly searching, trying to find rest.
He searches for money, for health, for beauty, for power, for prestige, for influence; but finds no rest.
Man’s heart is only satisfied in the Lord.
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” – Saint Augustine of Hippo, Confessions – whose feast day we celebrate today
Cactus in Bloom, Big Bend National Park, Texas, U.S.A.
"The misuse of creation begins when we no longer recognize any higher instance than ourselves, when we see nothing else but ourselves." - Laudato Si' par 6, Pope Francis quoting Pope Benedict XVI
Work of the field, Spring Branch, Texas, U.S.A.
“Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment. Helping the poor financially must always be a provisional solution in the face of pressing needs. The broader objective should always be to allow them a dignified life through work.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, Par 128