Yes, it’s the Liturgical New Year. Today we begin again, telling the stories leading up to the Birth of Jesus. That moment when God, who seems, often feels, somewhere out there, way beyond our grasp, entered into out daily, human, corporeal existence, becoming one of us in everything, except sin. Through all the trials, and temptations of this mortal life Jesus remained faithful and open to God the Father’s will. And so now, as part of our daily, weekly, monthly, yearly celebration and commemoration of this Life we begin Advent. Advent is a time of preparation, is sacrificial and right in the middle of it we have a celebration week.
This weeks Psalm Response
R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
2018 brought me a lot of surprises, ones that were challenging to deal with in the whole of my being. My mother-in-love often told me I was prone to melancholy, 2018 proved her right. In true Catholic fashion this began during Advent 2017 so, yeah, there’s that. While it was a difficult year in some respects I am very grateful for the experience. It was an opportunity to lift up my soul to God, and experience deeply His love.
2019 will bring surprises, daily. I was reminded to be open to this gift of surprises in Bishop Barron’s daily Advent email. He says, “and then say: “Lord, I’m waiting for you to solve this, to show me the way out, the way forward. I’ve been running, planning, worrying, but now I’m going to let you work.” Then, throughout Advent, watch attentively for signs.
Also, when you pray before the Eucharist, allow your desire for the things of God to intensify;allow your heart and soul to expand. Pray, “Lord, make me ready to receive the gifts you want to give,” or even, “Lord Jesus, surprise me.”
I think my prayer will be, “Lord Jesus, surprise me.”
As I write it is a gray, overcast day. In the early part of this year I found these days harder than most because they enhanced my mood, and not in a good way. Right now, I am sitting here smiling, grateful for overcast days that bring snow and rain that nourish the earth, these days of rest are as important. It takes time to learn how to not let these days rule the rest of our days.
As quilt makers it’s important to learn how to use grays, browns, tans, creams, whites, blacks. These colors allow others to speak in their own voices, black, brown, and deep gray help quiet the big voices, and give us a visual resting place. Oh it gets even better with other colors helping to make the color shine and speak as vociferously as needed.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my Soul!
So this week will be some prep work for color work and some new work. Ma you lift your soul to the Lord and begin again. Embrace all the color and great joy in all the moments.
God bless,
Teri
A Quilter's Heart 