Lord, You Are Spirit And Life

Posted on August 9, 2012 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

Lord, You are Spirit and Life.

Forgive me, Lord, when I take both my life and my faith for granted.  Also forgive me when I neglect, or fail to nurture, either my physical health or my spiritual health.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my life and for all the love and blessings bestowed upon me.  Let my life ever serve to point the way to You.

     It is often easy to get so caught up in the activities of our busy lives, or with the material things of this world, that we begin to neglect our physical health, our spiritual health, or both.  The longer we fail to recognize our lax the more it takes root and becomes the norm.  The sooner we recognize it the easier the path back to wholeness is.  Take some time to look and see if you have been neglecting that which God has entrusted you with.  Your body is the temple for your soul.  Your soul is where God abides in you.  Neglect of either is neglect of God.  Pray the above prayer and ask Him to show you where you are neglectful and how you can become whole again.  He will be happy to point the Way.

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Divine Providence

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Martha
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, 2012, taken by Martha Wiggins

Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, 2012, taken by Martha Wiggins

“If the smallest things are beyond your power, why be anxious about the rest?”  Luke 12:26

     In Luke, Chapter 12, verses 22-31, Jesus warns us not to get too concerned about the things we need in this life, such as the food we eat, or the clothes we wear.  For most of us that is quite a tall order!  Jesus knows this about us, otherwise He would not have found it necessary to preach about it. 

     He uses the ravens and lilies as His examples.  He tells us to look and see how they are fed, and how beautifully they are adorned, yet they do nothing on their own to accomplish it.  They simply exist by the Grace of God.  They live in His plan for their life, growing and using the talents and skills He has given them.  Because they are His, He takes care of them; He sees to their individual needs.  They live in His Divine Providence.  I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.  I live, I get fed and clothed!  You know me, I like simple.  Yep, a good deal! 

     Before we get all excited about the possibilities, and yes, while it is simple, there is a catch.  Let us look a little closer at those ravens and lilies.  They don’t really have much choice in the matter, do they?  They cannot deviate from God’s plan for them because they have no free will.  God gave each one of us a free will.  We can choose to live according to His plan for us, or we can opt out.  Jesus even tries to entice us by telling us how much more important we are to God than the ravens and lilies.  He points out if God cares for, and adorns them so, then think how much more He will do for us, who are worth so much more in His sight! 

     Jesus knows us too well.  He says, in Luke 12:30, “The unbelievers of this world are always running after these things.  Your Father knows that you need such things.”  He goes on to say, in verse 31, “Seek out instead his kingship over you, and the rest will follow in turn.”  He knows, because of our free will, many of us will be tempted by the trappings of the so called ‘good life’.  In His wisdom, He provides us the answer.  We are to seek Him first, above all things, and then the rest will take care of itself.  All will be well with us.

     Easier said than done, I know.  But, we can’t say He doesn’t provide for His followers.  There may be trials and tribulations, but if we follow His plan for our life, our basic needs will be met.  Divine Providence is there for the taking!  I still think that is a pretty good deal.

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Mother Of The Word

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Martha
Statue of Mary at Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken 2011

Statue of Mary at Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken 2011

Statue of Mary at Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken 2011
Statue of Mary at Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy, (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva) taken 2011

“And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”  Luke 1:38

     I have shared before that there are times when I have the tremendous urge to write something that I feel He is leading me to write.  Sometimes I simply write whatever it is, and then set it aside only to have it jump out at me at a later date.  This is one of those times.  For several days this particular prayer, written by me on May 28th, has presented itself.  First, on July 25th, as I wrote in my Stillness journal after a very disturbing encounter, when it fell out along with another prayer to Mary written by Pope John XXIII.  I looked back in my journal today and realized the day I wrote out this prayer, May 28th, there was no Stillness.  I can’t remember why I didn’t enter The Stillness that particular day, but I did so on the day before and the day after.  All I can say is that I probably wrote this prayer, feeling urged to do so, during my regular prayer routine.  For some reason I also penciled the date beside it.  Regardless, I now feel I am being urged to share it.  The timing is His…    

Mother Of The Word

 Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate,

You adoringly cradled the holy child

who foreshadowed the piercing of your heart.

You knelt lovingly at the foot of the Cross

and witnessed Him die, the child of your womb.

You stood mournfully by His side as they lowered

His sacrificed body and you prayerfully grieved

while He lay in His tomb.

You greatly rejoiced at His miraculous Rising,

the child of your womb,

whose glorious return from the grave

endowed each and every soul with brand new Life.

Mary, you cradled, witnessed, mourned, and rejoiced

your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate.

Now, given us by Him as our own beloved mother,

may you do all for us as you did for Him,

the child of your womb.

Amen. 

 (Written by Martha M. Wiggins, May 28, 2012)

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Personal Holiness Journey

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Martha
Colosseum, Rome

Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 2011

     In two previous Stillness entries I wrote about a CD that touched my core personally.  Today I would like to share some of what touched me so intensely.  I wrote about how I have learned to listen better when God is trying to reach out to me, and to pay closer attention to what I think He wants me to do.  Through the CD He spoke loud and clear.  Actually, in truth, I do know that I am doing what He wants because I have felt His leading and guidance along the way.   It seems though, over time I had become the child that comes along complaining the whole way to the something that turns out to be a good thing, a blessing in my life.  I had stopped running out to greet that blessing, instead, pulling backwards on God’s Hand because the way to that blessing looked too difficult, scary, or too demanding.  I am re-learning the value of bringing along or being that child who trusts and gladly skips alongside.  As I said in the previous Stillness, I now know I will be able to conquer that tendency to fight, to pull backwards, or go my own way.  I know, because I now know where I am called to be holy, what I am to conquer in me to achieve holiness, and how I plan to do so… with Christ IN me.

     Part of what I learned is that I must ask myself this question, “What is the one thing in my life I would change, the one thing I would walk away from, that I really do not want to do?”  Bingo!  That is exactly where I am called to be holy, to overcome self, to offer it as a sacrifice to God and get on with it.  I knew immediately.  As the CD continued on, I kept looking (hoping) for something else to present itself, but it didn’t.  I knew.  The one thing I have been so discontented with, the one thing that I have tried to hide from, or pretend it just isn’t there because I don’t want to do it, that one thing is it.  It is not a habit or a sin I have been trying to overcome, but instead, a service I have been reluctant to take up.  He knows this and has called me out.  He leads and I am to follow, not reluctantly but willingly, and with joy in my heart at the opportunity to serve Him.  Easier said than done. 

     Besides finding out where we are called to be holy, the CD also talks about where there is something in life that we want to fix or change, such as solving a family member’s life issue, or a failed attempt at leading someone to Jesus, we must accept that it is bigger than us.  We must continue to pray, we must keep Christ at the center of it by always calling Him into focus whenever we feel overwhelmed by thoughts of failure or by anxiety over the situation.  We must focus on Him until the uneasiness subsides and we are left knowing His peace, knowing that He is in charge and hears our prayer.  One aid to help us to do so is to repeat a simple, one-line prayer over and over focusing on Jesus until our thoughts calm, such as, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.”  A situation may be bigger than you, but nothing is bigger than Jesus.    

     Do you know where you are called to be holy?  Ask yourself the question above and really listen to Jesus in your heart.  Please do not think that I consider myself to be holy.  I do consider myself called to be holy, as we all are, and blessed to have heard His call.  I am also not saying the journey to holiness will be easy, but it will be doable with Him.  In fact, the journey to holiness will more than likely be long and arduous, but the attained goal will be its own reward.   The path to holiness is a personal journey that each soul must make.  I pray that God will bless you on yours.

 

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By Word And Deed

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Martha
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Yesterday I shared the first part of Psalm 145.  I wrote about the longevity of the Lord’s works as continually viewed in the majesty of His creation.  In the rest of the Psalm, shared here today, we learn how the Lord treats all of His works, His creation, with compassion and faithfulness.  Just as He is faithful in word and deed to us, we must also be faithful in word and deed to Him.  We are His faithful people and we are to share Him with all, to tell of the glory of His kingdom and pass it down from generation to generation so that all may be saved.  Let our words and our deeds proclaim Him to the ends of the earth! 

The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom 
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts 
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
 and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises 
 and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
 and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
 and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
 and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
 and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, 
 to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; 
 he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him, 
 but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
 Let every creature praise his holy name 
 for ever and ever.  Psalm 145:9-21

 

 

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From Generation To Generation

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Martha

Banff National Park, taken by Martha Wiggins, 2010

Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, taken by Martha Wiggins, 2010
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada, taken by Martha Wiggins, 2010

      Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise and worship by David.  Every time I read a psalm I am touched by something.  Today I focus on “One generation commends your works to another,” and then, “They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty– and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”  These lines today turn my thoughts, not just to His mighty acts of forgiveness, mercy, and love, but to the grandeur and majesty of nature.  I think of how it continually sings out His glory and praise from generation to generation.  The splendor of the mountains, the power of the ocean, the beauty of the mist, the delicacy of a flower, all have the power to extol His Name forever.  They remain ever there in worship serving as a reminder to us to pay attention to all that is Him…  

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully singof your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.  Psalm 145:1-8

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What Will Our Ruins Say?

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Martha
Ephesus, Turkey taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

Ephesus, Turkey taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:19-22

     In the summer of 2011 I was blessed to be able to visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Turkey.  I walked the same streets and stood in the same areas that Saint Paul did over two thousand years earlier.  To see the beautiful remains of this ancient city is truly amazing.  To realize that it is part of the foundation of my Christianity is humbling, for we are all gentiles.  If not for Peter, Paul, and all the apostles and saints, the Gospel might have been held captive by a few select and elite people.  Through their preaching efforts and through the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are one people, one family.  We cannot single ourselves out.  We cannot take credit for our faith.  We can, however, continue the efforts of those who have gone before us and carry the Gospel message of salvation to the farthest reaches of the earth.  We can do so through our charity and our prayers, and by sharing our awareness of the needs being unmet.

     When we see those in need, because we have been blessed by and with our faith, we are called to respond.  It is fairly easy to respond to the needs of our own faith families and local communities.  It may be harder to respond to the wider and far reaching needs of a hurting and ignorant world.  We must be determined to find our own personal path to making a difference.  Not all are called to go, but all are called to serve.  Take some time to research some local and some worldwide outreach services.  There are many options for all walks of faith.  Find one or two that meet your faith criteria and reach out to them.  Remember that prayers are needed as much, and often more, than any amount of money you do or don’t have.  Remember too that time and actions are eternal, and do not have physical limitations.  Love, compassion, and acceptance are gifts beyond measure.  They are the Gospel.

     I can’t help but wonder what our ruins will one day say to the people who visit them.  The ruins at Ephesus speaks loud and clear as did Saint Paul: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household…”

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Infuse Me; Use Me

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Martha
Ceiling in one of the halls inside the Vatican Museum, taken 2012 by Martha Wiggins

Ceiling in one of the halls inside the Vatican Museum, taken 2012 by Martha Wiggins

 My Lord, and My God, infuse me with the Life of your Son, the Love of His Mother, Mary, and the Peace of your Holy Spirit flowing within, that I might be used by each for the fight against your most powerful enemy, Satan, in order that he be cast down and made to release those souls that You, in your infinite Mercy and Love, desire to bring home to The Father that they might gain the grace of your salvation and live in union with You in eternal life, ever offering in praise that Glory and Honor which cannot be denied You, for thou art The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Amen.  (March 19, 2010 – Journey Through The Stillness, written by Martha Wiggins)

   Do you ever think to ask God to use you in any way He sees fit?  We often think we have all the answers and know exactly what God wants us to do, but do we give Him the opportunity to actually tell us?  Try praying the above prayer and open your heart and mind to the possibilities.  You might be quite surprised where He leads you!  I certainly was!

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A Possessed Man

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Martha
Taken in Vatican Museum, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

Taken in Vatican Museum, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

 “The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”  Luke 8:38-39    

     It is a normal reaction to want to be around someone who makes you feel good.  We all want to be accepted for who we are now, not who or what we were.  For the man tortured by demons there was no relief from his situation.  No one could help him; no one wanted to be around him.  He could not even help himself.  Eventually he removed himself from everyone, living in exile in the hills.  His life was one of complete loneliness and exile.

     Imagine the scene when the demons inside him recognized Jesus!  They began shrieking and collapsed at His feet.  They begged Him not to torment them; they, who had tormented and exiled the man!  Very calmly, Jesus listened to their pleas.  He had mercy on them, and sent them into a herd of nearby swine, who then jumped over a cliff into the water and drowned. 

     On the surface it is truly a horrible story, but when we look deeper we see it is really a story of healing, or reconciliation.  Like the possessed man, we are sometimes filled with demons.  And, demons come in many forms; some from without and some from within.  Like the possessed man, when we see Jesus, our reaction might be one of trepidation.  What will He do with us?  Will he reject us because we are unworthy, or will He heal us? 

     In His infinite wisdom, God knew man would need to be rescued from demons.  He also knew man would first need to recognize that he had demons before he could be rid of them; that he must first desire to be rid of them, and bring them to Him.  God also knew, when man was possessed with these demons, he would hide from Him.  He would be scared to bring them to Him, for fear of what the consequences would be, and for fear of what life without them would require of him. 

     In His infinite mercy and love, God sent His only Son into the world to rid mankind of the demons once and for all.  His Son, Jesus Christ, died a horrific death nailed to a cross, so all men could be free of demons.  And then, He resurrected His Son from the dead into Eternal Life, showing all men that new life, free from demons, was not only possible, but was theirs for the asking.  Still not finished, God sent His infinitely wise Holy Spirit to Light the Way for all mankind to enter into His Kingdom and live with Him in Glory forever.  Wow!

     The above Bible quote continues on, “So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”  He was a new man; he was healed.  He had begged to go with Him, but Jesus asked Him to bear witness instead.  The sad part of the story is when the people of the area heard about all Jesus had done, they were so frightened by it they asked Him to leave.  Let us be like the possessed man.  Let us recognize our demons, desire to rid of them, and bring them to Him for complete healing so we can live in His Kingdom forever!  Then let us bear witness to all He has done for us so that all might enter into Eternal Life.

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Personal Without Naming Names

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Martha
Taken in Vatican Musem, Rome, 2012, by Martha Wiggins

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

“I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love.  But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.”  Luke 7:47

     In Luke 7:36-50 we are told the story of a woman, the story of a wretched, sinful woman.  Included in the story is a high and mighty, better than thou, Pharisee, Simon.  While Simon might not have been a horrible sinner, from his elevated position in society he looked down on those who were known as sinful.  We see in the story that he would never consider allowing a sinner such as the woman into his home, especially not as his guest!

     Ah, but somehow, in her determination to be near Jesus, she gets in.  At first she stands behind Him, waiting.  She has with her an expensive alabaster jar of perfume, the type she probably used in her ‘profession’.  She is crying.  She is waiting.  When she sees her opportunity she goes down before Him, her tears of remorse falling onto His feet.  With loving tenderness she wipes them with her hair and then rubs the expensive perfume onto His feet. 

     Simon is insulted at her audacity, Jesus is not.  Simon has given Jesus a feast.  The woman has nothing to give but remorseful tears and perfume; perfume which costs her dearly both financially and physically; perfume which endangers her very soul.

     Jesus does not belittle Simon for his way of hospitality, nor does He condemn Simon for his attitude.  Instead, He teaches Simon and all present.  He teaches about forgiveness and love.  He makes it personal without naming names, knowing Simon will get the point.

     Let us make it personal also.  Let us look into our own hearts and see where our own attitudes need correcting.  Let us not judge or look down on someone for how much or what they give.  It may be all they have to give; it may be the one gift He wants.  Instead, let us give to each other the gifts of forgiveness and love, that we may be worthy to receive those same gifts from Him.

     May God bless all of you on your own faith journey with His gifts of forgivenss and love!

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