2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14
2 Thes 2:16-3:5
Lk 20:27-38

Sunflower Seeds
Recently I heard this phrase: “Even if we cannot find God within, God recognizes Himself within us.” I find this statement very powerful and very encouraging. It is especially helpful with our brain cells struggle with depression; our bodies are going through changes which shift our graciousness to others.

I have always worked really hard to “do things right.” As my physical body is shifting these days and it is affecting the filters which usually keep my thoughts (those ones you can’t believe just came out of your mouth!) in my head and away from my tongue. There are days when I don’t feel like such a good representative of God’s light or love. It is days like those that I am grateful that God can see Herself in me, even if I can’t find my own inner light switch.

As I look at the gospel for November 11th and its focus on issues around the resurrection I find myself quieted. I use to worry about whether I would get to heaven or not. As a young girl under the age of seven I memorized my “major sins” so that I could confess them when I got to confession. Fortunately I only remember taking a little bag of sunflower seeds from the corner grocery. Otherwise my sins were the repetitive type like fighting with my brothers, being mean to my younger sister. They seem to show up even past my first confession.

Now I don’t focus so much about the someday resurrection as I do the expansive and loving presence of God in the here and now. Now I seek to live day by day and at the end of the day being happy to be able to start again tomorrow.