There is a definition of spirituality that talks of our engagement with transcendence. We take that encounter, that spiritual essence, with us as we learn to live and understand life on the material and physical plain.
The one who believes, who lives life in faith, has the opportunity to be transformed and to experience life with hope and ultimately, gratitude. Jesus came to give us life in greater abundance (John 10:10).
And to those who are suffering and poor in their state of life, Jesus says, 鈥淚 have come to bring the good news to the poor鈥� and to set the oppressed free鈥� (Luke 4:18).
I was watching the 2020 World Junior Hockey game between Canada and Germany. At some point it became painful to watch as the 16-2 score unfolded. I fast-forwarded the action, making it a point to watch the last two minutes. The German team scored their second goal and displayed the courage I had anticipated.
About dreaming, Pope Francis addressed children and immigrant families in East Harlem on Sept. 25, 2015: 鈥淜eep smiling and help bring joy to everyone you meet. It isn鈥檛 always easy. Every home has its problems, difficult situations, sickness, but never stop dreaming so you can be happy.鈥�
We all have dreams, our anticipation of what we are to become.You have a right to dream, Pope Francis said: 鈥淲herever there are dreams, wherever there is joy, Jesus is present. Always.鈥� Joy seems to be the segue that joins all our Christian actions and motivations. (From Dreaming and loving and family and God).
Let me share a true story from Homilies for Everyday Life by Father Rudolph Novecosky. 鈥淎 young woman had been poor all her life. One day she met the man of her dreams. He was wealthy and wonderful, and they married and lived in the suburbs. Then tragedy struck. She was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
鈥淪he felt that God had withdrawn his love, so she struggled out of bed and headed for the chapel. As she made her painful journey she plotted, 鈥極 God, you are a fraud, a real phoney. You鈥檝e been passing yourself off as love for 2,000 years. Every time someone finds a little happiness, you pull the rug out from under their feet. I see through you.鈥櫬�
鈥淣ear the chapel entrance she fell. Scarcely being able to raise her eyes, she read on the steps of the sanctuary: You are my Beloved.鈥�
鈥淪he put her head on her arms and listened. Deep within her she heard, 鈥榊ou are my beloved.鈥� She went back to her room and fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.鈥�
If we walk with God in our lives, we will find gratitude. We will be a match for the darkness around us. 鈥淭here never was a problem that could defeat sunrise or Christmas鈥� (from The Christmas Train 2017).
Hope is the antidote to sadness. You cannot be sad if you are grateful. Christ came into our world to bring us hope, to dispel the darkness of sin and even death. Gratitude is ours whether we are in sickness or health, in poverty or wealth.
We live on and we dream on! 鈥淓very person鈥檚 life is a fairy tale written by God鈥檚 finger.鈥� Hans Christian Anderson.
鈥淭here is no place where God is not.鈥� Mayo Angelou. As the saying in Carl Jung鈥檚 house puts it: 鈥淚nvited or not, God is present.鈥�
