Creative Beauty

Here in Gran Canaria, I am surrounded with Creative Beauty, man-made in many ways yet especially God made. This morning my friend and I climbed up to the Cross, a man-made monument which has become a climbing point for many people, especially tourists.

The climb up via pathway was not difficult, but the short-cut in coming down was hard, very hard for me, yet thank God, without mishap.

I will cherish this memory of standing at the foot of the Cross, remembering Calvary and our blessed Mother looking up at her Son, our Saviour. Oh, what a moving yet loving proof of God's love for us.

I will also cherish the splendid view of Anfi beach on my right and Patalavaca beach to my left.

In a way, the more we are surrounded with beauty, the more able we become in our awareness of God's presence in our lives.

The Power of Love...

Yesterday, St. Valentine's day, caused me to think about Love and all the many ways we have to show that we care for each other.

I was amused at the amount of men I caught sight of, walking or rather rushing home with a bouquet of flowers to the one they love. Is it a commercial thing that wives expect husbands to display their love with flowers and chocolates?  Perhaps, and yet it is a wonderful thing to have the courage to show the one we love how much we care for them.

This got me thinking about the Power of Love and how we willingly make sacrifices for those we love. Perhaps our ability to love may be hampered by human weakness and yet, will always have a comforting and positive effect.

No wonder God displays His love for us so often, even when we don't recognise His Loving Hand behind the many good happenings in our lives.

Love, when true, does not need or look for a return.  It's enough for the Lover to love and for the receiver to receive.

If only the world could grasp the Power of Love, then what a magnificent world we would have.

Spread the Good News...

After Mass this morning, Fr. Donal asked us to pray for young people who will be making their Confirmation, a commitment to their Faith.
He handed out cards with a person's first name on it and the idea is to pray especially for this young person that they will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit in their preparation for Confirmation.
I wonder how it was for myself?
Did I understand the commitment I was making, becoming a 'soldier of Christ' and opening my heart and soul to the Holy Spirit?
Of course the nuns gave us good training, explaining what it was all about and yet, did I truly understand?
I remember the fear I had of not being able to answer the Bishop's question whatever it might be...
And, the interest in receiving new clothes...

Did I dwell on the importance of my commitment or even understand it?  Perhaps in some small way I did. This makes me realise that God never pushes us to do good, yet will inspire and draw by the good we see in others.
We learn from others and hopefully they learn from us.

Community Spirit

Living in Community is such a blessing.  

When people live in unity and are bonded by the same high values then it becomes a treasure and must be protected at all times.

The danger can often be found when we put our own interests before the common good.

We can't deny that human nature can be selfish and want to please self and yet we also know the value of love, of caring for another person / persons.

God has instilled in each one of us the ability to love.

This ability needs to be fostered and matured.  This way we are guided by Truth, not feelings.

Each person has an inner voice / a conscience that will guide and protect so that one is not swayed by a temptation to see only one's own interests.

When we live for the common good, we are happy and free to be our true selves.

Community life gives the foundation and opportunities to become a loving person, open to all that is good and especially open to doing God's Will at all times.