Once upon a time there was a person walking along a path in the woods.  Suddenly a bear appeared and started to run after them.  The person ran and ran until they fell off a cliff.  Fortunately there was a small tree sticking out from the side of the cliff and the person quickly grabbed it.  As they hung there they looked down and saw a deep drop below and looking up they saw no way to climb back up without a rope.  The person called out,  "Is there anyone up there?"  After a pause a voice replied - "This is God.  Let go and I'll catch you."  After a very long pause the person called out "Is there anyone else?"

This story elicits a laugh from all who hear it because we recognize ourselves so well.  I find myself recalling it at times of confusion and uncertainty about how I'll "survive" a challenging situation.  I tell myself I trust God and God's love and presence but...then I can find myself hesitating and looking about for something else.  I don't know what this person hanging off the cliff did but I do know when I am willing to push past that hesitation and let God catch me and hold me it proves to be the correct step.  The result is not always what I predicted but the hand of God is there and I am back on my feet on solid ground.

What action are most excellent?

To gladden the heart of a human being

To feed the hungry.

To help the afflicted.

To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful.

To remove the wrongs of the injured.

That person is the most beloved of God who does most good to God's creatures.

The Prophet Muhammed

We can say that the "dog days of summer" are upon us with the heat of August in full blast. However, it is interesting to note that this expression, initially, had nothing to do with dogs laying about in the heat too tired to chase a ball or rabbit.   It refers to an astronomical event during Greek and Roman times when Sirius, the dog star, appeared to rise just before the sun in late July chasing the Rabbit constellation. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophe.

With the movement of the skies since those days the actual "dog days" have moved to the winter months - so I suppose we could say the dog is huddled by the fireplace and has no interest in going outside. This little piece of trivia, though not trivial to the Greeks and Romans, reminds me to look above me at night to see even more of God's creation.

We are in the midst of a time of great sorrow, grief and confusion.  We must pause and consider these words by Alan Paton.

"O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succor.  Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.  Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.  And so open my eyes and my ears that I may (in these coming days) be able to do some work of peace for thee. "

Amen

We are busy with our ministries despite the summer heat.  The Conference Center continues to welcome non-profit groups and the Ministry Office is taking reservations for Days of Prayer, Spiritual Direction and Private Retreats.  The Prayer Enrollment Office  is busy helping people celebrate weddings, new babies and travels and acknowledge deaths and illnesses.  New sisters are arriving from other Cenacle houses and others are moving on to new ministries.  Keep in mind, if you have a group looking for a place to meet or you are in need of some spiritual refreshment stop by or call the Cenacle and talk to with Sr. Judith, Bob or Crystal.  We have been here on Fullerton Parkway for nearly 100 years and have always had a welcoming smile for all.