HIDE AND SEEK

 

   

Photo: Google

When my heart is anxious, You come to me,

Putting on disguises that don't fool me!

An inspiring word found in a book, 

Reminds me well that God is truth.

The smiles and warmth of friends who care,

Show me a Father who is always there.

The human friendships and intimacy,

Reflections of God's love for me.

Some words of wisdom by someone dear,

Enough to dispel unfounded fears.

The tranquil mood of the river across,

The promise of peace to endurance of the cross.

The soft gentle kisses of nature's breezes,

Reminding me well, God is full of tenderness.

The graceful swaying of old tree branches,

Invites me bend under God's loving wishes.

The sight of mountains, big and tall,

Makes me feel lost and so very small!

The open spaces of countryside around me,

They seem desolate, lonely and empty,

But not without beauty,

Like the eager heart waiting for heaven's gracious bounty.

When fears and loneliness arise,

It's surely no surprise, a father or brother, just nearby

Pick up the phone or write them a line,

You are there again in your disguise!

If I can only keep in mind, how you play

this game of "Jesus Hides."

Then I will see YOU through all of my life,

When you choose to visit in a hidden guise. 

 

 

Silent Companion

 

I toss in bed tonight,

what can be wrong?

I cannot go to sleep,

Is something wrong?

I turned and saw your picture,

your eyes beholding me.

And then I thought in silence,

You long for company.

I sat beside my bed,

in silence just sitting near.

The Cross of Christ so silent,

and yet, o how so near!

And so I passed in silence,

the hours you want me near.

watching, loving, consoling,

O Jesus keep me here!

 

SHM

Do You Hear What I Hear? Do You See What I See?

A graveyard full of dead-fallen leaves,
With the earth standing still.
Nothing, nothing for the senses,
Save for the gentle sway of color-filled branches.

All of creation, in transformation,
Gentle breezes on dancing branches,
Giving proof to the presence,
Of a Presence.

My heart is lulled to slumber,
This peaceful silence, oblivious to surroundings,
Demanding a hearing...
A silent heart hears,,, Only a silent heart can hear.

A harmony of movements -
Tree-top branches gently swaying.
Weathered branches softly bending,
No ripple seen on silky waters.

But the heart perceives something-
Or Someone .. in the silence.

"O send me the Spirit!
I will be lifted up with His power!"
 How can you say, "Send me the Spirit?"
When He is there abiding even in His silence?

Enter... Enter
Enter... Within!
He is there... waiting!

Faith will grasp Him,
Love will capture Him.

Sister Helena of Mary, O.Carm.

The Cry of the Unborn (A Heart that Beats in the Night)

His voice is silent
His eyes are closed.
His mouth is tiny
Unacquainted with words.
His arms are crossed
His legs are bent
As he sleeps secure
Under God’s loving gaze.

  A little heart that's made for love,
  A mind so fashioned to know God,
  A body well formed though tiny
A holy sanctuary of the Trinity.

God Almighty,
You live and dwell in a temple tiny
Allowing yourself to be a victim of many
Destroying this temple made so holy
All in the name of so called “mercy.”

(Voice of a Child)
“What have I done to deserve your fury?
Why is this anger in the hearts of many?
What will I do to receive your mercy?
What can I give that I may live?

As I wait in silence my destiny,
  Of a joy that may never be.
Of loving faces I may never see,
  Expecting the freedom hailed by many,
But never really to be given me.

My Father in heaven,
Your will has made me.
In my mother’s womb,
you have fashioned me.
Hear my silent, frightened plea,
Send someone who will fight for  me.

For I am so alone against the very many.

Do You Hear What I Hear? Do You See What I See?

A graveyard full of dead fallen leaves....
With the earth standing still.

Nothing, nothing for the senses,
Save for the gentle swaying
Of color-filled branches.

All of creation,
In transformation!
Gentle breezes, dancing branches
Giving proof to the presence,
Of a Presence.

My heart is lulled to slumber,
This peaceful silence
Oblivious to its surroundings.

Demanding a hearing...

A silent heart hears.....
Only a silent heart can hear.

A harmony of movements..

Tree top branches gently swaying,
Weathered branches softly bending.

No ripple seen on the silky waters,
But the heart perceives something,
Or Someone,
In the silence.

“O send me the Spirit!
I will be filled by His power!”

How can you say
send me your spirit?
When He is there abiding,
Even in His silence.

Enter,
Enter,
Within,
He is there waiting!

Faith will grasp Him,
Love will capture Him.

The Holy Priesthood

©srhelena2012

On the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrated June 7, 2013, we remember in a special way Priests and we are encouraged to pray for their sanctification .  The Carmelites, especially in the Reform of St. Teresa of Avila, have always nurtured devotion of praying for Priests. When St. Therese of the Child Jesus was asked why she entered Carmel, she responded "I entered Carmel to save souls and to pray for Priests." I have a personal devotion of praying for Priests. Our Constitutions explicitly oblige us to pray and offer sacrifices for priests. Carmel dedicates Saturday as a special day to pray for priests and candidates to the priesthood. This devotion was initially nurtured in me by my association with the Carmelites early on. But it was reinforced and acquired a new meaning for me in later years. On a personal basis, I am grateful to God for giving me the gift of a brother who's a priest.  Having a brother-priest made me even more solicitous to pray for those called to the Priesthood. The scandal on sex abuse of children by priests even made me more cognizant of the fact that we need to pray for them. My long association with different priests made me realize how human and vulnerable they are. They are flesh and blood. They have the same need for love, encouragement, affirmation and companionship. They are confronted by the same temptations we are all subjected to. It might even be said that they have definitely chosen a more difficult life because we expect more from them. Much is given to them and so therefore, much is also expected. We do not excuse failings we see in them but rather demand a full accountability of what they do and do not do. We sometimes say "they should know better!" The sex abuse scandal was an inexcusable tragedy to the victims but also inflicted a deep wound  in the image of Priesthood and brought a crisis of faith in many, if not ruining it altogether.  The grace of priestly ordination is a treasure in earthen vessel.  Despite the imperfections of the priest, Christ has ordained to choose a weak man to continue His priestly ministry of Word and Sacraments for the good of souls and the sanctification of His Church.  May we never lose sight of this reality.  It certainly calls for a deeper faith.   It is only by keeping this mystery in mind that we can remain believers in the inherent dignity of this vocation. The world will try to convince us otherwise, and they would have proofs of their arguments, but we try to remain persuaded that the dignity of the ministerial Priesthood lies deeper than the worthiness of the man called to its office.

I love priests, not because they are inherently lovable, but because they are appointed by God to minister His sacraments here on earth. I have known many priests who have helped me grow spiritually and have helped me during great spiritual difficulties. I am always grateful to them and ask GOD to reward them. I believe it was in the Fatima apparition where the Angel told the children that when they are before the presence of a Priest and an angel, they should bow before the Priest and not the angel. This was a powerful statement for me regarding the dignity of priests. St. Teresa of Avila in her "Way of Perfection," made this statement to her nuns about Priests and the Priesthood:
"These priests, who must strengthen people who are weak and encourage the little ones.. these persons must live among men, deal with men, live in palaces and even sometimes outwardly behave as such men do. Have no fear that the world will forgive this deficiency, nor is there any imperfection it fails to recognize. I beg you to strive to pray.. that after putting these men in this combat which is not easy, they may receive protection from the Lord, so as to remain free of the many perils there are in the world and stop their ears in order not to hear the siren's songs, on this dangerous sea." This should be our constant prayer.

My brother always makes fun of my poems! "Your poem does not rhyme!" he complained. But I write them as an expression of my sentiments and do not really care much for rhyme and rhythm. So during one of those inspired moments, I came up with this poem:

"Kneeling before thy holy sanctuary,

Witness to the unfolding mystery,

Gazing at the hands holding Thee,

White Host held so reverently.

Sound of words changing substantially

Wine and bread into Blood and Body.

Hands formed in their mother’s womb

Created in secret in a hidden world,

One day will hold their Master and Lord.

Hidden from eyes of worldly curiosity,

Quietly formed in worth and dignity,

Touch with compassion, bless with devotion,

The waiting world needing Thee.

Empty hands, blessed hands!

Anointed by God for the work He began.

Do you believe how blessed you are,

Despite imperfections of being human?

This truth shall last now and forever

In life, in death, you are His priest,

Forget that never."

The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel

 

A place of beauty and green serenity,

The blowing breeze of coolness transported from the sea.

Earth's creation finds its abode in thee,

With holy hermits, fruits of Elias' glory.

This is Carmel,  mountain most heavenly!

O Virgin Mary, Queen Most Holy,

You are our Lady, inspiring many!

Your quiet life, simplicity, purity..

It speaks to me of Carmel's story.

This glorious Lady is our Mother too!

Who comes to us when life is blue.

She comes in silence and gentle ways,

In the depths of the heart, she whispers softly,

"Don't be afraid, I'm here for you."

To be with us forever and not to leave us ever,

Her Scapular she gave us.

To those with true devotion,

A token of compassion and garment of salvation.

As Our Holy Father St. Elias,

Beheld you image in that little cloud.

May God, our Father, whose Spouse thou art,

Behold your image in our lives and hearts.

O dear Lady of Mount carmel,

Virgin of our solitude.

Teach us how to please the Spirit,

Show us God our only good.

Teach us climb life's mountain heights,

In the steep ways of the Spirit,

Faith, Hope, and Love our surest guides.

When life's burdens weigh so heavy,

And the journey makes me weary.

Queen of Carmel, come so quickly!

With your mantle covering me,

I will find repose in thee.

Like a child asleep with confidence so deep..

Sr. Helena of Mary, O.Carm.

Inspiring Thoughts On Carmel

"I have carefully studied the principal Religious Orders and none satisfies me well, my needs, my desires, and my tastes as does the Order of Carmel. Each Order has its rule and spirit, but I prefer that Order which to an austere rule, joins a spirit of love. Each has its end, but I prefer that whose end is sustaining the church and converting sinners. Each has its characteristic means, but I prefer that whose means is prayer. Each has its advantages, but I prefer that whose advantages are those of solitude. Each has its glory, but I, while passing by in humility that whose glory is learning and with reverence that whose glory is silence and in rapture that whose glory is poverty, while (humbly) striking my breast before that whose glory is penance. I run to that whose glory, before all other glory, is the incomparable glory of love. I hasten to enter the family of Elias, of Teresa, of John of the Cross and of Magdalene of Pazzi, a family inflamed by divine love. I, a little straw picked up from the dust by the Redeemer, purified by His grace, prepared by His Charity. I entered into this Order, as into a burning furnace, to be quickly consumed for Him; thus to attain the end for which He had created me by the means which it was His pleasure to choose for me. That was my hope."

(From Sr. Marie Aimee of Jesus, who died in the odor of sanctity in Carmel of Paris, May 4, 1874)

"Hide and Seek"

When my heart is anxious You come to me. Putting on disguises that don't fool me!

.. An inspiring word found in a book reminds me well that God is truth.
.. The smiles and warmth of friends who care show me a Father who is always there.
.. Of human friendships and intimacy are reflections of God's love for me.
.. Some words of wisdom by someone dear enough to dispel unfounded fears.
.. The tranquil mood of the river across promises peace to patient endurance of the cross.
.. The soft gentle kisses of nature breezes remind me that God is full of tenderness.
.. The graceful swaying of old tree branches invites me to bend under God's loving wishes.
.. The sight of mountains big and tall makes me feel lost and so very small.
.. The open spaces of country around me which seem so desolate and lonely and yet not without their beauty, like an eager heart waiting for God's gracious bounty!

If I can only keep in mind how You play this game of "Jesus Hides" then I can see through all of life, when You choose to come in a hidden guise...

Carmelite of Jesus

I rose from bed this morn of day
Nighttime sleep I shook away.
I lift my heart, my mind, my eyes
My loving Spouse waiting for me.
In the tabernacle of the sanctuary
Our dear Chapel not so far away.
I walked the silence of convent halls
And peeked outside the convent property.
Wondering if the sun breaks out today?
They said last night it'll be a nice day.

I have to get ready for today is Sunday,
The flowers in chapel arranged beautifully.
The altar’s vessels, prepared and ready,
The book of readings set for our liturgy.

Ah! How I love the silence around me!
I think and pray with Jesus and Mary.
Dispel all anxieties, forget my worries,
Trusting in faith in God’s generosity.

I think of my Sisters in our Community,
Noticing the burdens each has to carry.
Daily sacrifices of tired minds and bodies
Bouquets of roses for Jesus and Mary.

All our shared joys and happy occasions,
Religious professions and celebrations.
Memories remembered bring down blessings
Spiritual gifts keep us faithful and going
Journeying together,hoping,believing.

Carmelite of Jesus- the vocation God gave me.
Busy about giving God his glory.
Insignificant toils enough to make me weary
I know will please Jesus if I do them lovingly.

Carmelite of Jesus is mother to all souls.
With her Beloved she carries them all.
The aged and infirm in our ministry
Carmelite of Jesus brings to prayers daily.

Thank you, Lord, for the love you gave me.
I know in my heart I am not worthy.
Still your love which you bestow on me
Draws me to your presence so confidently.

Mary, thank you, for guiding me
Down through the years of life’s anxieties.
You came to my aid in many hidden ways
Assuring many times you are never far away.
A gaze, a prayer and whispered plea,
Your motherly care always there for me.

Carmelite of Jesus is a favored soul.
Our Savior’s partner in saving souls.
Christ the King extends His Cross to
His chosen soul who wishes to follow Him.

Faithful Carmelite this I long to be
Following the footsteps of those called before me.
Trusting in God’s grace I know he will help me.
My own strength alone will never sustain me.