TOTALLY NOT THERE!
Be The TREE!!
Photo By: Flickr/John Goode
We have been having some very powerful awesome readings at Mass in the last two days. Yesterday, we were given the image of the tree being home to all, big and majestic, protecting and welcoming. Today as I admired the trees in my yard, and the one outside Church—it hit me as I sat trying to be still---BE THE TREE. Just be there embracing the air, the wind, the sun, the warmth, and be all the tree was created to be, by grace of God, be the tree. The one spoken of in yesterday’s first reading.
Reading 1 Ez 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.
Today, the acceptable time spoken of in today’s ready: we pray for the grace to ‘Be the Tree.’ In the way we live and love. Accepting with welcoming understanding all that come into our life.
Be the tree in the way we sit and draw away to pray and in the way we lift up our life in a continuous praise to God for creating us and allowing us to Be used by Him. Relax, go with the flow of the winds of God's perfect design. Be used by Him, bending to His Will, and bowing in submission to His grace. Be the tree that He designed you to be: if apple, then apple, if cedar then cedar. Do not try to be someone else or like someone else because you think you can improve on what already was perfectly designed. Be the tree--especially the one which gave its life, so that He could be the Perfect Sacrifice, dying for us in His Love. "As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do." Let that be our answer too.
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About the Author
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 52 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
