Changes and Chances

All the beautiful changes and
chances
Through which the landscape flits and glances,
Till now, you dreamed not what could be
done
With a bit of rock and a ray of
sun

James Russell Lowell


Recently, it felt like not much was being done with my own changes and chances. Really kind of aggravated by the recent twists and turns of my life
I came across the traditional Roman Catholic collect for this past Sunday.

It helped a little.

For those unfamiliar, here is a translation:

O Almighty God,
who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men:
grant unto your people
that they may love the thing which you command,
and desire that which you promise;
our hearts may surely there be fixed,
where true joys are to be found.

My "dialogue with God" version:

Phil: "Lord , get me out of this...... temptation.... mess.... situation."

God: "I will.... when you come home to be with Me and not one moment before....
All you are experiencing now is prelude and instruction and practice in the school of Love....
until you become Love itself."

It's not only true that God works and walks with us
in every change and chance of this life.
We get the further grace of knowing and experiencing
how He uses those circumstances to turn our hearts to Him.

We never quite get there while here on earth.

I suspect even the desire to do so might be evidence,
alternatively, of spiritual pride or laziness.

In my own case it's a bit of both.
But then we are bid to turn our eyes heavenward,
to find out where our true Joy is found
to find our own "bit of rock and ray of the sun."

Generous in Graces

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary.

I think of this day like the scene between Frodo and Galadriel in the "Lord of the Rings" movie. Those who have read the book or seen the movies will remember this pivotal scene, where Frodo encounters Galadriel. Glimpsing his fate through her mirror and understanding her humility, Frodo is strengthened for the journey which is his and his alone to travel.

A Queen, terrible and great,
crystalline in Her perfection.
Yet, kind in intention and compassionate,
She shares Her vision with a pilgrim on a great journey.

She is Strength in adversity,
a Light in darkness,
a Reminder and Strength for mission.

Such is our Lady's Queenship.
She is humble before God.
She is exalted because of grace,
and so is able
generously to give Her graces to us
who are also travellers on the Way.