Sacred Silence

I have reflections to reflect and artwork to share, but not enough time at the moment--Stay tuned for that.

I took a few days away for retreat at the CSA Motherhouse hermitages for the Triduum.  It was a wonderful space for me of rest, art-ting, prayer, and sacred silence.  Holy Thursday, on my walk, I brought my camera and just snapped anything and everything that caught my eye.  I saw many glimpses of the resurrection as green emerged from the SNOW (snow? Yes...SNOW on April 22).  Enjoy the slide show of the images and the song: Sacred Silence by T. Booth.

Passion Sunday--"He went out and began to weep bitterly."

Today at Mass, I found myself reflecting on the strangest of phrases in the Passion reading. 

"He went out and began to weep bitterly." 

Peter.  I don't think I've ever given more than a moment's thought about Peter; and let me tell you, usually the moment I give to thinking about Peter is irritation at his dopiness sometimes. 

Why Peter?  Why did this phrase jump out at me as if to clonk me over the head with a 2x4?  I thought about the sequence described by Matthew. 

He insists that he would never deny Jesus.  He is above that; thinks that's ridiculous.  Jesus gently fortells his actions and Peter passes it off.  Then it happens.  Not once, nor twice, but three times; cock crows and Peter is enveloped in deep sorrow almost immediately.  He denied one that he loved dearly.  He betrayed Jesus by word and action.  I wonder what was going through his head at that moment.  

I touched into Peter in the role of "betrayer".  Then, I had this profound sense of compassion for Peter.  I thought about his suffering and agony he must have been feeling; knowing he can't take it back nor can he run and express his love for Jesus. 

I really wanted to say, "Hey, Peter...buddy! You screwed up!  You have allowed for your humanness to come through.  Your love for Jesus is stronger than your mistake.  The relationship will be restored someday."  I was moved with compassion. 

Then of course the second 2x4 came swinging by to clunk me between the eyes.  What's this churning around in me?  Where's my lesson in this? 

I have felt the ache of betrayal.  The ache is sometimes an indescribable pain from deep within.  It rolls through me and cuts me open.  Surprisingly, underneath it all, is still love.  A deep love for these people who hurt me badly.  Why?  How?  How can I still love these people?  Well...the question that came to me today, thanks to Peter is:  How can I not?  

So...in turn I felt compassion for my betrayers today.  I do care about the relationships and hope the gap can be lessened in the future.  Underneath all this yuck is still love.  I pray for them.   

Thanks, Pete.  I'm sorry I called you dopey; you taught me something quite profound today.  Thank you for sharing your humanness.  Happy Holy Week everyone!

    

Sustained Friendships

The Girls


10 years ago (10 YEARS AGO?),  I studied abroad in Chester, England for a semester.  It was one of the most fantastic times of my life.  While there, I met two other American foreign students: Lisa and Janelle.  Lisa is from Wisconsin and studied coincidentally in Milwaukee at another college and Janelle from New York.  The three of us clicked...it was fabulous.  We spent all of our time together and became truly wonderful friends.  2 or 3 years after that, the year before I entered the convent, Janelle came to Milwaukee to live with me for a year--just a little adventure.  The three of us were back together again; having a marvelous time.  I entered the community.  Janelle moved back to New York.  Lisa got married and remained in Milwaukee.   A couple weeks ago, Janelle came to visit from New York (just north of the city...lol inside joke).  I hadn't seen Janelle in 6 years!!  It was great to have a reunion.

It got me thinking about my fantastic friendships.  I have several relationships that are long-term, sustained over time and distance.  It's the best feeling to be able to pick up where you left off, knowing that although you may not talk or see the person, they are still there.  It's great to see how we've grown-up (i.e. coming home at 11 and going right to bed...ha ha).  Talk about the paths our lives have taken us--the ex's, the currents, the good, the bad, the ugly.  Laugh hysterically like it's our full-time job.  Not even a beat has skipped.  Those are good friends.

I am really blessed with great people in my life.  I have sustained friendships from all parts of my life; friendships that weather the storms and gaps of time and distance.  I am blessed and simply grateful. 

Now for the fun part...PHOTOS!

Waiting for yummy pizza at Transfer

Title belt me!  STRIKE



Lisa at Koz's Mini Bowl

 



Doing the Happy Dance at Koz's Mini Bowl

Janelle "Strike Master" Tavormina

It should read "31"
Lisa and Janelle at Milwaukee Public Market

Charlie's Angles or Random Lion Hide?  You decide!