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THE SCALLOP: Reflections on the Journey

God's Hidden Hand

"Called Or Not Called, God Is Here"

Conversion is not viewed as an act of turning away from this or that sin toward this or that virtue. True conversion is never so neatly defined or cleanly accomplished. Conversion involves the gradual reshaping of consciousness to the point that the "convert" begins to view life in a radically new way. It is not something a person DECIDES to do, as though it were in our power to do so. We are led through conversion by the gracious Lord who alone has the power to reshape our consciousness, and who must do so in the face of deep resistance. In the ways the the spirit, it is the Lord and not ourselves who determines that from which we must be purified, and this is usually the source of our greatest resistance.
Peter Fink, S.J.



A friend sent this quote to me saying, "...it always speaks to me about the hidden ways God is doing what only God can do in us--and we're not aware of it at all. In fact, we often believe just the opposite."


Both the quote and my friend's words speak to me this Lent. I have chosen a couple disciplines this Lent focusing not on "giving up" as much as "giving time." Forgoing some activities that devour more time than intended in order to do something more life-giving. I am giving myself "soul room" by clearing out some clutter.

While I think that is a good thing, and intend to stick with it, I am reminded by Peter Fink and my friend, Luisa, that God may be working somewhere else in my life to slowly radicalize my way of seeing and living.

I like thinking of the hiddenness of God's hand. Awareness that anything and everything can be a moment of transformation helps me reverence the people and events of my day.

Giving thanks for all of it, the annoying, mundane parts, the work, the suffering that I would wish away if I could, makes sense looking at God's work this way. Who knows.

I guess that's the point. God knows. Not me.



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"Clutching the Garments of God"

PHOTO: Mary van Balen

For thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel: ‘Your salvation lies in conversion and tranquility, your strength will come from complete trust.’ The Lord is waiting to be gracious to you, to rise and take pity on you, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who hope in him.
Noon reading (Sext) Isaiah 30:15,18

You will seek the Lord your God, and if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul, you shall find him. In your distress, all that I have said will overtake you, but at the end of days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to his voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful God and will not desert or destroy you or forget the covenant he made on oath with your fathers.
Afternoon reading (None) Deuteronomy 4:29-31



I have written many times about struggling to grow into "complete trust," as mentioned in the readings from today's Liturgy of the Hours. As I ponder these words tonight, images of Japanese people huddled around fires and searching for food and water cycle over television news programs.

How does one find trust and tranquility in the midst of trials, whether those presented by daily life or those resulting from natural disasters? How does one maintain trust in a faithful God, always present, eager to be gracious? Read More 

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You Can't Win...Or Can You?

PHOTO: Christ and John the Baptist - Church of the Divine Wisdom, Istanbul
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:


“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.
Mt 11,16-19

Today’s gospel reading may resonate with many of you. You can’t win. A child wants you to do one thing, your spouse another. Your boss has a vision for your project, but the people who will be putting it into action have their own ideas. And somewhere, at the bottom of the list is what you want to be doing. So, no matter what you do, some people are going to be unhappy. What are you to do? Read More 
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Levi's Banquet

PHOTO: MARY VAN BALEN


After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. he said to him, "follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, ad a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. Luke 5, 27-29



Yesterday's reading spoke of fasting. Today's gospel tells of the tax collector, Levi, leaving everything behind to respond to Jesus' call, and the first thing Levi did was throw a party and invite all his friends to meet and hear Jesus. To the Pharisee's consternation, Jesus attended. I imagine he enjoyed himself. He was not one to avoid celebrations. As recounted in Scripture, his public ministry began with a miracle providing wine when the bridal couple's store was running low. Read More 
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