Blind To The Light

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Martha

 

Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011. Saint Catherine of Siena is buried beneath the altar, and to the left is a statue carved by Michelangelo -Christ Bearing The Cross.

“They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  Matthew 20:33-34

     We are all as the two blind men in Matthew, seeking light to see by.  It is possible that we think we are seeing just fine and will never lose our way.  However, we do not know what we cannot see beyond the edge of light deep in the recesses of the darkness.  It may be that we are blind only in certain areas of darkness that surround our lives, such as a sin we continue to repeat over and over again.  Or, it may be a sin we see someone else committing over and over again, not speaking out, thereby becoming a participant in the guilt of the sin.  This might be others we know or care about that are cheating their employers, having affairs, or abusing a spouse or child.  Or, maybe we are complacent toward or refrain from speaking about important Christian moral issues such as abortion, marriage, or Christ in the Eucharist.  Maybe we don’t have the strength or courage to share our faith with others for fear of what our secular mainstream friends will think.

     Each of these ways are akin to being blind to the light, leaving us to navigate through the darkness on our own.  If we are weak in a certain area of our life, or we don’t think we suffer from any blindness whatsoever, we must pause and then cry out as the two blind men in Matthew did, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”  We must ask Jesus to search our soul opening up to the Light any areas that are shaded or overcome by darkness.  We must ask Him to have pity on us and touch our eyes.  Then, we must be prepared to receive our (His) sight so that we can follow and serve Him well all the remaining days of our life.

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Lean In

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Martha
Statuary on the facade of the Duomo Square Babtistery, accross from The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

Statuary on the facade of the Duomo Square Babtistery, across from The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

 “…by the God of your father, who will help you,
    by the Almighty who will bless you
    with blessings of heaven above,
blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
    blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
The blessings of your father
    are stronger than the blessings of the eternal mountains,
    the bounties of the everlasting hills;
may they be on the head of Joseph,
    on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.”  Genesis 49:25-27

     Each time I enter The Stillness, I receive His blessing.  For me, it is at the moment The Stillness begins.  I have asked, “Are You there, Lord?”  He replies, “Yes, child.  I AM here.  Remember, I AM always here, for I AM in you and you are in Me.”  I reply, “Yes, Lord, I remember, You are in me, and I am in You.”  To which He answers, “Well then, child,Be Still and Know that I Am God.”  I then say, “Yes, Lord.  I will be Still, for You are my God.”  It is here that I bow my head and lean in.  He places His Hands on my head and blesses me.  And so begins each Stillness before Him.

     He wants all to understand, to know with certainty, that His blessing awaits anyone who comes to Him, who leans in.  He wants us to lean in expectantly, to greet Him hopefully, and to receive His blessing joyfully.  He is pleased that I lean in and wants me to tell all that His blessing awaits them, to lean in.  He is right, I do lean in expectantly, eyes closed, waiting to feel His Hands upon my head in blessing.

     Why do I receive His blessing?  It is because I show up to get it, mentally, physically, and longing with all my heart to receive it.  You can too.  He is there waiting to bless you.  Close your eyes.  Lean in.  Be Blessed.

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Just You And Me

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Martha
View from the top of the Vatican, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012

View from the top of the Vatican, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012

 “So now come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”  Genesis 31:44

 The following is an entry fr0m Journey Through The Stillness (My personal spiritual journal shared on facebook.)

September 1, 2010 – He tilts my face up to look into His eyes.  He says, “Just you and Me today, Martha.  Let go of everyone else and everything else.  Sometimes you let your mind runaway with you, take you hostage.  You worry so about others and those you love.  Pray and let go.  Pray and let go.  Help where needed and move on to the next one to help.  Give of yourself but always mindful of and guarding your own Spirit within.  Just as a prisoner for life can sometimes have the sentence commuted, so too can everyone.  LEAD them to Me and then LEAVE them with Me.  It is mine to resolve.  Each one has a different circumstance, a different need.  Love all.  Continue to strive for this in your own life.  Lead by example.  Remember, Martha, it really is just you and Me.”

     We often allow our thoughts and actions, even though they may be good and well intentioned, to take and hold us hostage.  Jesus wants us to release all to Him.  Jesus wants us to pray, help, and lead others, but to never lose sight of our own oneness with Him.  We must remember that at the crux of all is Jesus.  No one thing, even in its goodness, can become so important or all encompassing, that we allow it to overtake us.  If so, we are no longer operating from within Jesus, but outside of Him.  We are no longer living in and through Him.

     We must be ever vigilant.  We must always be on guard that our relationship with Jesus is front and center.  Make it about just Him and you. Then all else will fall into place.  Pray, help, lead, and let go.  Leave the outcome with Him.

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Beleive, Accept, Achieve

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Martha

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”  Thessalonians 2:13

     God’s power to give is limitless.  Every possible need, desire, or joy we can imagine, He can fulfill or provide.  If this is so, then why do we not have everything?  Why are we often left wanting, or in need of something more?  God is not limited in His capacity to give, but we are often limited in our capacity or willingness to accept. 

     At times we imagine what life would be if it was exactly how we wanted it to be.  We imagine, but we do not truly project ourselves into the equation.  Instead, we often slough off the dream  saying, “Oh well, life is what it is,” or “Why would God ever want to do these things for me?  Look at me, wretched sinner that I am.”  Here is usually where we turn and walk away from our life dreams.  Here is where a lot of us give up and just plod along through whatever comes our way.

     What if?  What if, instead, we truly envisioned our life the way we wanted it?  What if we really saw ourselves living that life?  What if we actually believed God could and would do this for us?

     For this to happen, we must meld together our belief that God truly loves us, no matter what, with our willingness to accept, gladly, whatever He brings our way.  We must believe, accept, and then achieve.

     Sound simple?  If it were that simple, we would all be living the good life!  What seems to quickly derail our efforts is the fact that we must often live through some difficult times, whether they be

Taken in Vatican Musem, Rome, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

Taken in Vatican Musem, Rome, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

hardships or sorrows.  As hard as it is to learn how to truly accept these times, we must work toward gladly thanking God for them and for helping us to grow.  If we do so, while ever envisioning the life we want, we will soon begin to realize our best life.  We must also continue forward by asking God what He wants us to learn from our experiences.  We then internally process the lesson, letting it become part of the new person we are becoming under His tutelage, under His loving wisdom and grace.  We must believe, accept, and achieve in order to become who we are meant to be and live the life we are meant to live.

     Believe in God’s grace, accept His will, and then achieve in His strength!  Go forth everyone, and make it a blessed day by being a blessing to those around you.  You might be surprised how quickly circumstances can change for the better and how dreams are fulfilled when you give them over to God.

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Church, A Leper Colony

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Martha
Taken in Vatican Museum, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

Taken in Vatican Museum, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

 

 “A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.”  Mark 1:40

     In today’s society there are many forms of being a leper.  Being a Catholic or a Christian in some instances and in some cultures has become a major one.  There are groups and forces working hard to push Catholics and Christians into their churches and bar the doors.  They would have our churches become our leper colonies, whereby we will not be allowed out if any Christian spots are visible on us.  They would have it that no prayers are heard outside the church walls, no crosses or Christian symbols of any kind worn on our bodies, hung in public places, or mentioned in our schools and government.  They would have all others view us as lepers to be avoided at all costs, lest we infect them with feelings of guilt over their secular ways.  Being a Catholic or a Christian can be downright uncomfortable at times.

      This is actually nothing new.  It has been this way since the dawn of Christianity, since the death of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all who claim He is so.  Catholics were persecuted, shunned, and segregated from both the Jews and the pagans simply because they proclaimed their belief in Christ and dared to share Him with others.    Today, just as the leper in Mark 1:40, we must drop down on our knees and cry out to God.  We must ask Him for complete healing and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Then we must proclaim His Glory to all, trusting that we shall be vindicated in the final Judgment and then find ourselves in that great leper colony in the sky, with all the angels and saints, singing His praises forever in Life Eternal.

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Abortion Kills More Than A Baby

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Martha
Annunciation mosaic on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

Annunciation mosaic on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

     Abortion kills.  It brutally takes the life of a human being, a baby in the womb, who flinches, squirms, and actually moves itself away from the scalpal in a useless attempt to escape from the pain being inflicted upon it.

        That said, abortion kills more than the baby in the womb.  It often kills the spirit of the mother, who acting under extreme duress and emotions, later regrets the decision to abort her baby.  It often kills the relationship between the two people who may have chosen abortion as the way to protect and continue the relationship.  It often haunts the men for the rest of their lives also.

     One abortion often results in further abortions.  Babies are aborted by mothers who might never have considered it as an option, but for seeing it so readily available and accepted by others.  

     Abortion also kills a moral, ethical society, which becomes accustomed to and even desensitized to the killing of innocent babies.  Acceptance of abortion as the norm is one step closer to violating a whole host of moral and ethical issues such as gender choosing, genocide, and population control, just to mention a few.

     The list could go on and on, but most importantly abortion kills relationships with Jesus.  Women and men who have chosen abortion often find themselves living with the pain of guilt and remorse, yet feeling unworthy of the forgiveness so needed to move on in their lives.  They live their lives in an empty, desolate shell.

     While the act of abortion is a sin and an abomination, we must remember the mother and father involved are human beings, created by the same God who created each of us.  People make mistakes; God does not.  There are many out there suffering from the sin and guilt of an abortion who feel they have no where to turn.  They greatly need to be told of a Jesus, who is lovingly and patiently waiting to hear their sorrow and remorse so He can forgive them.  They need to know He forgives all who sincerely repent, and ask for forgiveness from Him.  Then, they need to be told their aborted baby is sharing in the glory of heaven with Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.  It is only through repentance and forgiveness they can one day be reunited in love with their child.  If more of them truly understood this, they just might be able to turn their lives around in the hope of one day seeing their baby truly alive with the Creator of all life.

     Let us all keep aborted babies lifted up in prayer.  Pray also for those yet to be aborted, and pray for a change of heart on the part of the parents.  Then pray for all those who have already experienced an abortion, recently or in the past, that they too may be made whole again in the forgiveness of Jesus. And then, love them as Jesus would.

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Anima Christi – Soul of Christ

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Martha
The Last Supper, part of a four tapestry series on the Passion, ca 1520-30, Vatican Museum, taken 2012 by Martha Wiggins

The Last Supper, part of a four tapestry series on the Passion, ca 1520-30, Vatican Museum, taken 2012 by Martha Wiggins

     I have shared this beautiful prayer before because it is one that I treasure and pray especially after receiving the Eucharist.  Read it slowly, meditating on each part.  Let it enrich your soul…

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me; 

Body of Christ, save me; 

Blood of Christ, inebriate me; 

Water from the side of Christ, wash me; 

Passion of Christ, strengthen me; 

O Good Jesus, hear me; 

Within Your wounds hide me; 

Separated from You, let me never be; 

From the evil one protect me; 

At the hour of my death, call me; 

And close to You bid me;  

That with Your saints, I may be, 

praising You forever and ever.

Amen.

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Step Back And Watch

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Martha
Ephesus, Turkey taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

Ephesus, Turkey taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

 

     The following is an excerpt from my personal spiritual journal, which I share on a facebook group page entitled “Journey Through The Stillness.”  I began my journey in early January of 2010, and have been called out of my comfort zone on a regular basis, the new Orbital Buzz Facebook Page being the most recent call to action.  He has never let me down, and I have learned to quit asking, “Are we there yet?”

Jan 25 2010 – The messages keep coming in the stillness.  I remain calm about it, yet, determined that I feel called to write these messages.  I will keep on, but keep quiet, until I fully understand the reality, goal, and use of these messages.  It seems wholly selfish, and unrealistic to think the Lord is speaking just to and for me, but for now I must listen as me, write as me, and then pray to be guided in their use.

          The Lord said today, “Don’t be average.  Take the talents I have given you and put them out there for all to see.  Then, STEP BACK, letting go, and watch as others come to ME.

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Jesus, Child Of Mary

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Martha
Mary and the Child, Jesus. Statuary on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

Mary and the Child, Jesus. Statuary on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

I recently shared this Stillness entry on my facebook journal page.  I hope you enjoy the prayer:

December 17, 2012 – Today’s Stillness is the overwhelming, insistent urge to write the following prayer: 

Jesus, Child of Mary, Son of Man, Son of the Father;

Jesus, Spirit of Knowledge, Spirit of Wisdom, Spirit of Truth;

Jesus, Gift of Forgiveness, Gift of Mercy, Gift of Love;

Jesus, my Creator, my Savior, my God;

Through You, with You, and in You, I live and breathe.  Open my heart to receive You this Christmas.  Then, let my heart reflect back the Glory that is You to all the ends of the earth. 

Jesus, Child of Mary, lead me in the Way of child-like faith to greater awareness and discernment as You come into this world.  Let the child-like joy of your coming turn into the deep abiding Joy of faith and trust in Your everlasting gift of Saving Grace. 

Amen.

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Spiritual Ripples

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Martha
Statuary on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

Statuary on the facade of the Duomo, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy, 2012, taken by Martha M Wiggins

“Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you.”  Luke 6:38

     You seek, you pray, you try, and still you do not find God’s will for you.  Everything you read, everyone you hear says God has a plan for you, yet still you can’t seem to find the way.  You are left wondering and wandering, not knowing what to do next.

     Maybe the answer is to make a plan to find His plan.  This might sound a bit ridiculous on the surface, especially when you say you have already tried to find His plan.  Yet, if it hasn’t worked so far, this may be worth a try.

     God’s overall plan for everyone, first and foremost, is Salvation.  He wills each of us to live in His love and to live at our fullest potential.  In simplest of terms He wants us to love, be happy, and to be saved into Life Eternal with Him.

     That said, we are each unique, and we each have special qualities that enable us to love and be happy.  When we have been hurt, beaten down, or tested beyond our limits, by the situations and circumstances of our lives or this world, we begin to lose those abilities and qualities.  We begin to lose ourselves.  When this happens we don’t know where to turn or how to begin again.

     The key lies in the simplicity of His overall  plan for our lives, to live in love, be happy, and be Saved.  Our plan to seek His plan might begin with something such as a positive attitude; a positive attitude that we share with others.  This can be as simple as a smiling good morning to a family member, passerby, or co-worker.  The key here is to then internalize their response.  Let their smile, their cheery good morning imprint your own heart.  If they do not return your smile, internalize the idea that they might smile at the next persona they meet.  Feel good knowing that you brightened someone’s morning.  Then, look for other ways and times to do similar things, such as letting someone go before you in line, or not saying that which is on the tip of your tongue as a quick comeback to a remark.  Internalize the good feeling brought on by the self control gained in each circumstance.  You see, the smiling, the helping, the biting of the tongue, is done whether or not you feel like it.  You win by gaining self control; others win by the nice friendly vibrations emitted by you, which they in turn pass on to others they come in contact with.

     This may sound like the long way, however, with our new positive attitude, our new found self control, and a desire to make those around us happy, we will be well on our way to finding God’s will for us.  Like a pebble tossed into a pond makes small waves or ripples radiating outwardly, so it is with personal growth and kindness. We make Spiritual ripples.  And even better than water ripples, Spiritual ripples come back to us.  What we put out into the world comes back to us ten fold.  The more we practice the positive attitude and share it with others, the better we are treated by others.  In this cycle we begin to find ourselves again, reflected in those around us.  We begin to feel like ourselves again, with those special qualities and abilities that make us unique.  In our uniqueness we find God’s plan for us, becasue in our uniqueness we are who we are meant to be.

     Begin your journey to find God’s plan with a smile.  I think you will find it also ends with a smile.

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