Bullseye Reflections

On August 8, 1981 we exchanged our marriage vows at St. Edmonds Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. We asked Fr. Fred Reynolds, S.J., the main presider at our wedding, to choose the Gospel reading for the mass.  He chose St. Luke’s story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem and people laying palms before him.  He shared, in his homily, that that is a strange reading for a wedding, but not a Christian wedding where a man and woman stand before witnesses and die to themselves in order to be resurrected as a couple set apart for the service and worship of God.  Together they take up their cross of living out the Sacramental mystery. The Icon Fr. Fred gave us to commemorate our wedding is a constant reminder of that celebration and his words to us. Through the cross is new life and joy in marriage. There have been temptations, distractions and incredibly hard times. We have gotten through these times by following Fr. Fred’s encouragement to recognize the mystical presence...

A prayer chain. A chain that captures a person, persons or event in thoughts and words lifted to God. A prayer chain. Intended to surround a person, persons or event with intense love. A prayer chain. Pleading words that God's love be manifested in the world and true freedom be realized within the person, persons or event that the prayer chain captures.   DICHOTOMY 

  A BLESSED PERSPECTIVE       I sat in church today and heard "The Beatitudes" being proclaimed as the Gospel.  I tried to count how many times I had heard that reading at mass, read it in the Bible or studied it in a Catechism class or retreat.  I've heard it taught as the "new commandments", the way Christians should live and the "be-attitudes".   Nothing connected for me.  Matthew 5:3-12 eluded my understanding.      The Deacon, in his homily, once again patiently explained to the congregation each of the eight characteristics that God wanted us to adopt.  Light bulbs went off in my head...the Deacon was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.  All my life, I've been trying to figure out how I'm supposed to live these out, but Jesus was not trying to give us characteristics we need to strive to acquire or to live out.  He was giving the disciples and all of us a different perspective.  A blesse...

God through... God through me         is all the other prepositions             whirling around within me God with  me God for me God above me God beside me God in me               then bursting forth out of me.... God through me       into the lives of others God’s love through me to others      and God’s love through others to me.  God through...

GOD HUGS                                    “Mommy, I hurt myself.”   With tears streaming down her face, my daughter comes running to me, pointing to her skinned elbow.   I bend down, pick her up in my arms and give her a hug.   I carry her into the house and bandage the elbow.   Afterwards, we sit in the rocking chair and I let her rest in my arms a bit as we rock.   Then she’s off and running again, knowing that I’m nearby.               “Hugging” moments are special for parents. Cuddling up with the kids for a bedtime story, or back-from-school hugs or morning hugs or even spontaneous hugs are all treasured moments. As our children move into adolescent years, the open arm affection often is replaced by a   “leaning into” hug. (When...

WHAT I WANT..... I woke up at 4am with my friend who is battling leukemia on my mind.  Yes, another friend who has cancer. This horrible disease which ravages peoples bodies.  Some battle it and continue living here on earth while some battle it and it leads them into the next stage of eternal life.  I just lay in bed with my eyes closed, present to the thoughts racing through my brain.  How do I pray?   Do I ask for what I want? … I want her to be 100% healed of the cancer right now and keep on living here on earth!   Then my mind moves to the pious thought  "not my will but yours be done, Lord.” But don’t I want what God wants?  Does God want Donna to suffer and die?  Why do we even have suffering on earth?   My mind races and races through all these questions.  Then an image of our dog, Mac, comes to mind.  Mac is a medium sized terrier who enthusiastically wakes up every morning.  He lite...

I am ‘Mom’ Called out by my children in their need, in their joy, in their suffering From their little voices calling out endlessly, I hear them and wrap them in the cocoon of my love: “Mom, look at me!” “Mom, I need you!” “Mom, I love you!” “Mom…..” To teen anguish and enthusiasm, I watch as their wings break through the cocoon: “Mom, I need a hug.” “Mom, I can do it on my own.” “Mom, can you please go away?” “Mom, can you help me?” “Mom, can you take me to….” “Mom, can I go…..” “Mom, let me show you this…” “Mom…….” To mature voices, calling out to me as they use their wings to fly: “Mom, I’ve been accepted at…” “Mom, I’m going to….” “Mom, I’m getting married….” “Mom, we’re having a baby!” “Mom…..” The intentional evolution completed I joyfully watch my children fly on their own and every now and then our wings touch… 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 On December 25, 2023 I received a beautiful gift from my daughter, Evelyn Joy Hoelscher....