Word Search
Therese Rohr - April 15, 2012
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a fascination with words. Pretty sure I get this from my Dad who, among other things, graduated with a degree in English before going on to attend law school. The same Dad who wisely never wavered from his classic response “Look it up in the dictionary kiddo” whenever I, or any of my seven siblings would ask “How do you spell _____ ?”
In fact, after the 322nd time of asking and getting the same response, one might tend to wonder why you would continue to subject yourself to certain ‘rejection’ but apparently hope springs eternal in all things—even something as seemingly insignificant as a crack in unwavering literary constancy. But boy I tell you what, decades before spell-check even thought about entering the scene, between my Dad & the good Servite sisters, you better believe my brothers and sisters and I learned how to spell.
Linguistics and etymology aside, I find hope once again springs eternal in these days of our liturgical calendar with words like ‘octave’ and ‘utopia’ coming to mind. Octave, as in the Easter octave we’re in the midst of celebrating. And utopia, as in the seeming state of affairs in those days of the early Church we hear described in the readings during the course of these eight days.
Which is not to say there was complete absence from strife or confusion at that time, but rather is to say, as the risen Jesus continued to make Himself known to others as when he encountered the two guys hoofing it to Emmaus, or at the breakfast bonfire where he grilled both fish and Peter, or when he encountered the now-famous doubting Thomas in the upper room—there were some pretty exciting moments.
You know my Dad certainly could have made it easier on me and simply acquiesced when called upon to spell a word. In some ways, it might have even made him appear to be a ‘super hero’ of dictionary proportions. But instead, he imparted a lifelong sense of the satisfaction of searching and discovering something for myself. A discovery, which I would come back to him with a triumphant “Ha! I found it!” Talk about your win-win. I learned how to spell while Dad took satisfaction in knowing I was invested in the process as well.
Looking at things from that perspective, can it be too far a stretch to imagine that God our Father is just as pleased when we, his kids, invest ourselves in the search and discovery of the Word he sent us?!
First Things First
Therese Rohr - April 1, 2012
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Sound vaguely familiar? For all the talk concerning the events of the past several months in Washington, I humbly admit, it did not to me. At least, not at first in its formal version. However, for those who possess a working knowledge of the framework our founding fathers labored with such great intent to provide us, you immediately recognize the above as the first amendment of our U.S. Constitution.
Not the 2nd, or the 3rd, or the 17th—the FIRST.
Coincidentally enough (you think?) today also happens to be the first of April. A day well-known for fools and folly.
It also happens to be Palm Sunday. The beginning of holy week. A week where we commemorate—among many things—encounters with fools on many sides.
A week where, despite the fact Jesus asked his disciples to ‘remain and keep watch’ he returned three times to find them sleeping, apparently oblivious to all that was about to unfold.
First amendment. April First. Palm Sunday. Do you see the connection? If you do, be very afraid for that means we are scary alike…
Because as Catholic Christians, we’re at a point where essentially we’re being asked if we’re awake. Awake to the arguably frightening reality that what the framers of the constitution could so clearly see as being among the utmost priority—that being our right to religious liberty—has somehow almost unbelievably melted down into a mandate dictating how and in what manner our faith should be practiced; WILL be practiced.
Awake to the fact that just as Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with shouts of ‘Hosanna!’—in less time than it takes to fashion a cross out of the palms that will be distributed at churches everywhere today, we too can turn right around and be lulled into a state of detachment and denial re: all that which is about to potentially unfold before us.
That is, unlike Jesus’ disciples, we choose to wake up.
Of Peter, Pondering, and other Potential Opportunities...
Therese Rohr - August 7, 2011
Though I typically try not to speak for others, let alone the anonymous masses surfing the web at any given moment in time, I feel I can be fairly bold in saying the first word that comes to mind when describing Peter—Peter as in the earthly ‘rock’ upon which Jesus founded the Church—is not going to be saint.
Good guy, great guy, accomplished fisherman—you could probably see your way to all of those descriptions, although perhaps not necessarily the stuff of Bass Pro fame. But yes, the same Peter who absolutely went on to become one of our foremost saints, and yet, I’m stickin’ with the notion ‘saint’ is not the first word that comes immediately to mind when you hear his name.
And therein lies the beauty (again) of God’s infinite wisdom in His choice of Peter to be the aforementioned rock. I mean what’s not to love, or at the very least really, really like, about this guy? Throughout the New Testament aren’t you at least mildly tempted to ask one time, “Would you like some fries with that size 12 fisherman’s foot in your mouth?” And yes, for the podiatary purists in the crowd, that is totally unsubstantiated however, you gotta’ admit, it does make for a great visual.
But back to our rock star. Say you’ve been fishing all night with little to no luck when the boss shows up & guides you to a can’t fail spot, but all things being equal, you tell him you’re ready to call it a night? Yep, Peter’s our supply chain brainchild.
You say you won’t allow harm or suffering befall the chairman of the board? Peter is our one man Brinks Security department – never mind that suffering was one of the non-negotiable elements the Master himself included in order for the plan to be carried out. But even for this decidedly non-gridiron gal, even I recognize that as the epitome of Monday morning quarterback-ing some 2000 years later. I mean come on--how was Pete to know any of that back then? It’s not as if someone tweeted about it...
You say you’ve got your best friend’s back & would go to the grave to defend him? Sadly, Peter gives all new meaning to the phrase ‘fair weather friend’ in this scenario.
But not to despair. Because a bit closer to home, let’s say you’re tempted to walk on water as Peter so boldly declares he’s ready to do in today’s Gospel? But instead of tripping the aquatic fantastic, maybe your thing is really about whether you have the faith to dive in to some other type of challenge or adventure. Is it possible there’s something out there to which God is calling you? Something that’s not nearly as comfortable or familiar as sitting in a nice, safe boat—post raging storm of course.
Or is it possible there’s an adventure to which God is gently (?) nudging you to return –only this time around, He’s suggesting you bring a slightly new or different perspective to the table? Hmmmm….could be, could be…one never really knows for sure, but no doubt that’s a whole ‘nother story for a whole ‘nother day.
Which is why for this day I think I’ll stick with Peter--the guy who indeed went on to become one of the greatest of saints—but in so doing, was so human, so approachable, so rumblin’, stumblin’ and bumblin’ – one just can’t help but contemplate if God worked the wonders He did through Peter, what the heck might He accomplish through little old us?