Take time for ...
... prayer
... an inspirational read
... spirituality
... seasonal meditation
... a seasonal meditation
Looking Back..............................… Looking forward..........… Living Now! |
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Bernadette Arscott is a sister of La Retraite, who moved during the year after a considerable period in one place, prompting her to reflect on what moving, and moving on, has meant in her life. She offers this reflection for moving into 2010. |
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A reflection for moving, from this past year of 2009 to this New Year of 2010 |
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 | from HOW I WAS to HOW I AM NOW |
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The rituals of ending and beginning, letting go, grieving losses, embracing the new, are very present at the time of the changing seasons: Advent to Christmas, Christmas to Epiphany, Old Year to New Year, Winter to Spring. I find that it is an opportunity midst all the business of preparation and change, to reflect and become AWARE of the movements that are within me and without. As I look back on what I have lived and what has been part of my life in the past liturgical season, or in the past months and year, and look forward to the changes taking place in the now, I try to invite the Spirit of Wisdom and Insight to journey with me through the past to the present (and on into the future). I ask to be able to look more closely at the invitations that I sense from my Creator God and to open my eyes wide: |
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to NOTICE and become AWARE of all the wonders I have seen in the world around me, not shrinking from the hard things, the suffering and pain which are so evident in the world at large. |
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‘What’, I am asked, by my constant challenger, Jesus Christ whose birth and coming into this same world is being celebrated year on year, ‘have I changed, have I seen as opportunities for change?’ ‘What has excited me and inspired me and given me cause for hope and encouragement? What are the obstacles that have changed into opportunities for growth? What can I truly be grateful for? Do I give thanks and praise for the unexpected openings of new encounters, along with the steadfastness of old and treasured friends who have also shared the journey in one way or another? ‘Where’, I am asked by my Friend and Saviour, have the deep and meaningful experiences, which might have been painful too, the losses and bereavements maybe, brought me? Where am I now in relation to these experiences? Can I still revisit them? Do I let them nourish me now? What longings do I remember having this time last year? |
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And now?
Can I MOVE ON and have a change of heart,
...............................................a change of habit,
...............................................to withdraw from what I know to be destructive.Remember, the Spirit of Wisdom keeps reminding me:
..........................You can CHOOSE to be what you wish to be,
..........................the person liberated by the WORD of GOD,
..........................free to choose to move on to
...............................................a NEW BEGINNING,
...............................................a NEW YEAR,
...............................................a NEW SEASON..................................for
“Today is the tomorrow I worried about yesterday and ALL IS WELL!”
Bernadette Arscott, December 2009