On July 20 1969, as a little girl of eight years old in far off Welkom in Free State, South Africa, I can tell you exactly what I was doing. I was in the Standard One class, and Sr. Bernadette had done a most thrilling thing; she had called off the class, smuggled in a radio, and we were all clandestinely listening to the most enthralling event. A man was landing on the moon. We sat in tight awed bunches in our polished, uncomfortable wooden desks; pigtailed and school-uniformed, listening to the report of the most wondrous happening of that time.
Little did I know that history was in the making. Sister had us all learning about space travel; daily we spoke of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins. Further missions to the moon were closely tracked by us. We had large maps hand-drawn by ourselves over the class noticeboards, with coloured pieces of wool on tin tacks tracking the movements of the Apollo missions. Our local garages gave out Apollo stickers and pictures of our heroes every time we bought petrol. Dad was constantly besieged by ourselves to drive more. Why? So that we could use petrol faster, and have to get more, together with the next prized Apollo sticker. Dad sighed.
Sr. Bernadette told us we were living in times of history, and to thank God for the wonders we were seeing. And how right she was. We had learned that it was possible for us to do the impossible; to dream the great; to move beyond the boundaries our humanity had placed before us.
It was some time before the excitement died down. When I left Standard One and went to Standard Two, it was another great year with another great teacher. However, it was quite a culture shock leaving the classroom which was dedicated to Armstrong and the Apollo teams, the plaster moon with its rings which we had made and which had the unfortunate tendency to start melting somewhat during the blistering heat of the Welkom heatwaves, for a moon-free zone in Standard Two. I soon adjusted, and Apollo became a memory.
It was years before I really understood what a wonderful time this had been, and what a great achievement had been made. The Psalmists and King David had spoken of the wonderful creation of the moon at night which lights our way. Jesus the Christ had stood and looked at the moon during his childhood, and His journeys as He preached the Word of Goodness and Light to us. I had looked at that very same moon, a free gift to everyone on earth. And now we had touched its sacred surface. I prayed blessings for all who had helped to achieve that dream.
Years later I read a story which, in the context of my spiritual journey at the time, I found both touching and inspirational. Astronaut Aldrin took communion in the form of loaf and wine shortly after they landed, in gratitude and respect to the God Who made us. Aldrin poured the wine into the chalice, and in the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup. He then read the sacred writing from John, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.' He ate the tiny consecrated Host of loaf-bread, and swallowed the consecrated Wine.
This story has been an inspiration to me, and as minister I have recounted it to many people. To me, it is a celebration and signature of respect by these daring and talented men on behalf of us as humanity, to the God Who made us at the moment of great growth in our journey as humanity. These three took the time before disembarking and placing the first footprint on the surface of the moon, to turn their hearts in silent gratitude and respect to the God of All. I am sure I speak on behalf of all of us who sat breathlessly listening on that memorable day in 1969, to give our condolences to the family of the great Neil Armstrong and our thanks to them for the great act of service Armstrong did for our human family. A candle has been lit by Lumiere in remembrance of Armstrong, and for his family and friends.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1247118--neil-armstrong-first-man-on-the-moon-dead-at-82
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/communion.asp
*Photograph taken in the beautiful Free State by Catherine Nicolette. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose
*Name of teacher has been changed
Despite the occasional first impressions,
Love always wins.
Kindness always prevails.
And smiles always warm the heart.
So keep at it -- results might take just a little longer than you think.
Reverend Amy Long, Universal Life Church
*Photo of beautifully made wooden cross taken in Ireland by Rev. Catherine Nicolette
Special prayer and worship service have been held for you today - if you are in desperation, lonely, sick, worried. If you are in financial difficulties. If you are a prisoner, or a victim of crime. If you are in any way in need - you have been remembered very specially before the Altar of God today. May God's blessing come upon you and yours in an abundant flood of comfort and strength to guide you through your difficulties.
Be yourself - gloriously yourself.
Here is the secret; Jesus Christ had the insight and the courage to be Himself. A totally independent thinker, dependent on His relationship with God as Father for decisions He made and the opinions He formed.
Jesus Christ is the human incarnation of God. This does not mean that there are two Gods; there is only one God, the Almighty, the Transcendent, the Great. God, in His wisdom and mercy, saw the difficulties humanity was living within. He sent the Ten Commandments through the great Prophet Moses to attempt to ease our path through life.
These Commandments are not meant to stifle our happiness, or be a list of "Do nots" and authoritarian "No's". They are a practical list of the map of happiness for each human. Those of us who have suffered from another's straying from relationship commitment, or from murder or injury of a fiancee/loved one in war or conflict know how much long term suffering this causes. Those of us who have experienced theft have experienced the long term difficulties this can cause, and how it can change our entire lives and financial status for the worse. When the Commandments are ignored, those who suffer from the fallout know only too well the devastation lack of interest in God's balanced advice for humanity brings.
Jesus, as the human child incarnated by God, had to learn the same lessons we did. God incarnated in humanity in order to personally experience our difficulties; and to show that following His Divine Example is both possible and preferable. God incarnated in human form due to His overwhelming love for us, His children. Jesus told us clearly that we are the sons and daughters of God when He taught us to pray to God as 'Abba' ('the Father' or 'O Father' in Aramaic).
Jesus' mission was to heal the rift between the Father of the human family and His loved children. The longing of God the Father to treasure and cherish us as His beloved children is shown in the story Jesus told about the Prodigal Son.
Jesus also came to earth to challenge the power of the ruling prince of the world, satan*, the fallen angel of darkness who is also known by various other names. Jesus clearly acknowledged the problem that satan had taken over the dominion of humanity on earth, which belongs rightfully to God. Jesus fasted in the desert and during this time experienced attempts by satan to tempt Him from His messianic path. Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. His offer was to give Jesus the power over all the earthly kingdoms he was in possession of, if Jesus would worship him. Jesus naturally turned away from this offer.
Jesus further undid the pain and tragedy that death causes to humanity. He broke the power of satan over us, the bondage of slavery, death and deliverance to the power of satan after death which had been placed over us at the beginning of our history. This story is told in the symbolic story of Genesis, of Adam and Eve. Jesus claimed our ultimate destiny after completion of our human life cycle to be where we belong, with God as His beloved children in His Home, called by many names - Heaven~.
So, Jesus leads the way for us, to take our destiny in our hands and decide to be our own unique selves - to form our own individual opinions and decisions. The ideal is to make our decisions only for the good and ultimately holy purpose. Let us then be free, as Jesus was in His earthly life, to be gloriously - uniquely - ourselves.
There is only one you. There never was another you, and there never will be another you. God created you with deepest love, for a specific purpose, a mission in this life that no other can carry out. It is your choice whether you accept this challenge and put in the work to be the best individual person you can be, or whether you will fall by the wayside under the influence which has caused so much trouble to humanity since our earliest times.
What is your call? Perhaps you are meant to bring comfort, promote the sacredness of life, and alleviate suffering as a doctor, nurse or member of the health team. Perhaps you are called to tell others of God as a spiritual leader; a priest, imam, rabbi, lama, guru. You may have the calling to be a mother or father, to bring up children. You might have the call to bear a physical or mental illness, and reach your holiness through quiet hours of communion with God in your difficulty. Perhaps you are called to serve and assist your community as a plumber, engineer, teacher, sailor, volunteer. Whatever your call, and however you live it, you are not alone. God, your Father, is with you. And Jesus walks with you on your path, always there to listen, love and guide. Especially in your darkest hours.
Reach out to God and be confident to be your unique self.
You are special.
*Other names for satan are devil, iblis, al-shaytan, shaitan or lucifer
~Other names for Heaven are;
Nirvana, Tian, Moksha, Deva Loka, Vaikuntha, Jannah, Paradise, World-to-come, Araboth, Omeyocan, Kiko-rangi, Summerland
Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette, with thanks to the glass artist for this beautiful portrayal of the great Jesus
A wise nun-nurse whom I worked with years ago turned around one day to me seriously, and said,
'You know, Catherine, all each of us really needs - from every man woman and child,
to the smallest kitten - is love.'
And she was right. We can help others, have great careers, enjoy lovely families, and still
deep down within each one of us is that need to be loved - unconditionally - just as we are.
Not as we could be. Not as others think we ought to be. Just as we are.
All of us are a work in progress. God isn't finished with us yet.
We are not perfect, we make mistakes, and sometimes act in ways which even puzzle us.
But let us learn from our mistakes. Let us look to God to help us with His Grace to grow within our being to whom we really could be.
And let us rejoice in Jesus Christ, Who showed us the way to God.
It really is so very, very simple.
Just to love one another as God has loved us.
God loves completely; totally; without reservation.
God loves with forgiveness; understanding; pity and compassion.
God does not seek revenge.
God loves tenderly; gently; and with a Father's love for His Child.
Let us then love one another as God has loved us.
Let us rejoice in the gift of our culture, of the way we look.
Whether we put on weight, or lose it - we are the same person.
Whether we have the smooth skin of babyhood or maturing skin with small wrinkles as we are privileged to have a longer time on earth - we are the same person.
Whether we have the knowledge we had at four years old, or the wisdom of long experience and many years of study or work later - we are the same person.
Let us then rejoice in our diversity; in the wondrous fact that we look different;
have different cultures;
different wonderful ways of worshipping God.
And let us support each other in our unique spiritual journey towards the God Who is Love.
Reflections of Christ have a slideshow which shows wonderfully the love of Jesus for all; the same love He came on earth to encourage us to feel for each other.
Why not take a few moments, and let the beauty of this show celebrating Jesus' love, and the beauty of our diversity bless your day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glQYsxJhv_E&feature=b-vrec
*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette of lovely blossoms in springtime, Ireland. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose
Within my heart I rejoice in the radiance of Your Creation, O Lord our God
You Whom we know by so many different names
In so many cultures and parts of our wondrous globe.
Yet in the depths of my heart, in the sanctuary of my inner being,
You are always the Hand Who created me ...
Who watched me blossom into being
As beautiful in Your Sight as
The peach blossoms graciously rejoicing
against the soft green of the leaves
of their wisdom and love.
Teach me to be worthy of You, dear Lord
Teach me to love all whom I meet
Teach me to forgive the ungracious
To turn the other cheek of forgiveness by not seeking revenge
Help me to be the best I can be
Help me to graciously accept the limitations of the intellect and body you gave me
Help me to share the essence of my God-created being with others
Help me to be faithful to You.
So that I may reach out to every person in my human family across our whole globe
That I may be a symbol of forgiveness and love to all I meet
That I may help each one in some way
That I may inspire the lonely
And help the sick
And encourage the downhearted
And teach the student in need
And give alms to the destitute
And ... above all ... to seek to follow Your Way
Of forgiveness; mercy; compassion; graciousness; justice; and LOVE.
Thank You for creating me, God,
And giving me the change to experience your wonderful world
Let me offer you the gift of this picture; of the Japanese garden artist's gracious blooms
Peach in colour, and soft green in background,
As a thank you for all the gifts you have given me,
The greatest of them the gift of life
as a member of your human family
created by Your Divinity
May I always praise and bless You
May I never reject You
May I always treat Your Name with reverence,
O great and gracious God.
Amen.
*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette
Dear God, Creator of All,
I am feeling so anxious right now. Something has happened ( . . . here tell Him what the problem is) and I am so scared. I am not sure how things will go, and I don't know what to do. I am panicking, my heart is racing, my mouth is dry and my hands feel damp. I need to take a big breath and calm down, and I just don't know how to do it. Please help me in my hour of need. Give me the calmness to face the problem, the strength to deal with it, the courage to take any steps that need to be taken.
I feel as if others do not know or appreciate how I feel, and how the situation is affecting me. Please grant me the grace to be patient with them, courteous in speech, and calm in manner. Deat God, I trust in You. Please help me at this difficult time.
Perhaps I have not turned to you before, but I'm turning to you now. I need a rock in my life, as I am in a whirlpool and don't know how to get out.
Your son / your daughter
Dear Son / Daughter,
I am thrilled you have turned to me. Of course I will help you. Look at the problem from my perspective. From all eternity I look and see that everything can be handled if people listen to each other, face up to the situation, and take step after step to deal with it. You are surely not alone. Look around you. Do you have even one friend in your situation now to whom you can turn to in order to talk about the problem? Is there someone you can turn to for comfort, reassurance and advice? Perhaps there is a respected person in your community to whom you can go for guidance. And there is always Me - so interested in all you are doing, and in all that is happening to you. I see this situation, and truly I have many great graces; invite my Strength and Power into your life, and I will do what I can to help.
I am the Rock in your life. No matter what happens, how bad it gets, how difficult it seems, let me shoulder the burden with you. You are never alone. Dearest one, why not light a candle at
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/enter.cfm?l=eng
I have most certainly heard your prayer, and the symbol of your lighted candle of prayer before my sight will perhaps comfort you greatly. Let me comfort you at this difficult time. I am your Father; you are my child. Let us work through this together.
Your loving Father God
My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation:
He is my fortress, I will never be
shaken.
Old Testament, Psalm 62, verses 1 and 2
My salvation and my honour depend on
God;
He is my mighty Rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart to Him
for God is our Refuge.
Old Testament, Psalm 62, verses 7 to 8.
