Sep
2
Esther De Waal says in her book “Every Earthly blessing”: “The Celtic experience was thus a religious universe. It is not static or dead, but a dynamic, living, powerful universe, reflecting a power which comes ultimately from God.”
Today we pray to establish a deeper relationship with this universe, “speaking to it,” listening to the gentle voice of God in the breeze that brushes against your cheek, the sun that warms your brow, the trees, flowers and grass that soothe and unite you with all your senses. May the eyes of your soul reveal to you how closely connected you are to God through the beauty of the nature that surrounds you. May the sky, the land and the sea be experienced as a holy embrace, an embrace of God’s love surrounding and healing your heart and soul.
Today place yourself in a quiet place of nature. Allow the sky to be a canopy of awe and wonder for you. Allow the sounds and sights of the birds and flowers to sooth and connect you to a new well of living water where God awaits with to drink deeply from.
May the prayer of the inhaling and exhaling of your breath today be: “Dear Lord in your creation I am fully alive…Here I find your love for me.”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Aug
10
The Greatest Teachers in My Life
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The greatest teachers in my life have been those who have struggled with illness. They are the wisest teaches of all. What have they taught me?: That illness never has the last word in our lives but rather love and resurrection do; that we are so much more than our bodies, that we have a soul and no illness can ever touch or destroy that sacred place within us. I have been taught that life is beautiful and sacred and that even in the midst of pain and suffering, every moment is worth living. I have learned that there are few things in life really worth worrying about and that we waste so much time running after things that simply turn to dust. I have learned that it is our relationship with God and with those around us that matters most in life. I have been taught the importance of hope, that hope sustains and nurtures us and we must not allow anyone to ever rob it from us. Finally I have been taught that even in illness we can radiate an incarnational presence of Christ; that in a mysterious way we become anointed and called to heal those around us. We become healers of broken and estranged relationships; we become prophets because we now see things through new eyes, the eyes of our soul…We begin to see ourselves differently also, not through human eyes but now through the eyes of Christ.
Meditation: Today we seek God through the voice of our soul to reassure and strengthen our hope and to welcome a new depth in our relationship with Christ. We take a few moments to go inward by closing our eyes and finding a slow, deep rhythm to our breathing. When comfortable we now begin with each breath to pray a prayer used by St. Patrick: “He who gave His life for me…He it is who speaks within me.” Simply repeat this prayer with each breath and stay in this place of inner anointing and healing as long as you may desire.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Aug
9
This week I have meditated on the saying: “There are two days we need not worry about…Yesterday and tomorrow. There is a deep truth here in this statement about living in the ‘eternal moment’. Yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is promised to no one. How can we be totally present and fully alive in our eternal moment? It is a gift and way of living worthy of being received. It also frees us to love those around in a way that gives life to others while being sustained and nurtured ourself. Love is our shelter of hope. It is the place were we can feel most fully alive. Today I contemplate on the Scripture from 1John 4:20 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear.” Today I pray for each of you and lift you into the light of Christ!
Jul
16
The Celtic Shelter
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The name of this blog is The Celtic Shelter. It is based on verse 1 in Psalm 91
“He who abides in the shelter of the Most High”
It is a blog or spiritual shelter for those living with a terminal or life-limiting illness. Use it as a place to share your struggles, your hopes and your joys.
Secondly, let it be a place of prayer and sharing of Holy Scripture so that you can be uplifted and encouraged in the Lord.
Third, may it be a cyber-colony of heaven, a place where you can come day or night to be reasurred that you are not alone. “I am with you always even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20)
Fr. Terrence P McGillicuddy
