Dancing on the Rim

All day long the ball was dancing on the rim. Lots of good looks and almost baskets, mainly, though, the shoot around session consisted of the ball lingering on the rim without falling through the hole. “Aim higher,” an old coach’s words echoed through the barren gym. “Due to gravity, the ball is always going to come down,” he explained. “If you shoot above the rim, the ball has a chance of falling into the hoop; but if you keep throwing up those darts, you are minimizing your chances.”  Aim higher? Aiming high isn’t something I usually need to be encouraged towards. Frustrated, I replied aloud, as though he was present, “how much higher can I aim?”

I coached myself through a series of jump shots repeating his words: “aim higher”. As much as my aim was my issue (my sight was at the rim not above it), the change came when I started to use my legs. No longer shooting in the “my follow through is pretty” kind of way, I adjusted so that my legs were bent, locked and loaded, ready to explode. There’s jumping and then there’s exploding. When you have to aim higher you have to not only raise your eyes and expectations but you need to adjust your setup and execution as well.  

In the midst of a shoot around it’s frustrating to see the misses linger. But if you’ve ever experienced the buzzer beater not falling into the hole, you know the heartbreak that sinks simultaneously as the hope of winning instantly plummets. In life there are those “could have been” and “almost was” events. The ones you have been training for with dedication and determination only to come up inches short of victory at the finish line. They stretch one’s dedication to say it kindly.

It’s an act of the will to not linger in defeat. Just because I didn’t doesn’t mean that I won’t. It’s a choice to sit out or set up for the next chance. It’s a choice to continue to practice, even when the effort feels it’s done in vain. I may not have sunk the last buzzer beater but in the meantime, I’m going to improve my setup, strengthen my base, and heighten my aim so when the time comes, without doubt, “I’ll make it.”

Verso l’alto,

K.Coop

Because there is NO better movie in all of history!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE-QSZof_Iw

Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOp4NAq6EHI

You shattered my darkness
washed away my blindness
now Im breathing in
and breathing out
Im alive again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h30qiH7MSHM

Mountain Cold

I’ve always had a love affair with the mountains. Affair might be the wrong word since I did call them home for many years. Their power, beauty, and mystique provide hours of reflection, pages of inspiration and a general ascent of my soul towards He who is transcendent. It’s the dirt of the trail and the apex of the mountain unified in one screen shot – repeatedly - for one’s panoramic view. In particular, my romanticized notion of winter in the mountains recalls the blanket of a royal blue sky dotted with a full, golden moon, draped over the first snow fall, gently hushing the town (population: 125).

There is stillness to winter that mingles with an expectant hope. The snuggling in bed with stories and hot chocolate after warming by the fireside is greeted with an anticipatory wiggle of what to play in the a.m. Deciding between a snow ball fight, snow angel making, or a good walk in the snow, one drifts to sleep to the wind clamoring against the side of the cabin.

It’s colder in the mountains; yet it seems there is a better understanding of how to enjoy the cold. A few years ago, I met two German girls while traveling who insisted: “There is no bad weather, only bad gear!” They spoke about pristine winters and the harsh reality of battling the elements. However, they demonstrated a keen understanding that not only must we know our circumstances but also how to enjoy them. Let us be self aware enough to see where we don’t see as God does and let us humbly enjoy whatever season we find ourselves in realizing the good Lord provides in all seasons, gifts that are good, and a shield of protection.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us. Verso l’alto, K.G.R.C.

Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?

*Still a personal favorite!*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbWsnjb6a8

And because of You, I come alive

It’s your sacred heart within me beating

Your voice within me singing out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejVgDKHiO8k

I look at my pain in His hands

Filling the holes, and I understand

And finally see how suffering has opened the gates for me

As the water flows my heart it knows

We have danced in fields of gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX3svkiRyNc#t=120

Star Studded Wonder

There were four in the bed and there wasn’t a spare inch to be found. Three of them nestled together, sleeping head to foot, foot to head, head to foot. I squished into the corner of the top bunk, since my legs were designated pillows. I’d say they tossed and turned but the truth is they just talked. The eldest requested me to braid her hair while the youngest excitedly proclaimed “I hope you come back really soon.” Only to break the silence minutes later by stating, “As much as I want you to come back really soon, I hope my mom comes back sooner!” Their imaginations ran wild and they narrated a night of wonder creating villains and heroes who encountered everyday plots with heroic virtues. Two hours later, I begrudgingly left their room realizing that was the only way they would actually go to bed.

“Kids are a gift, The only reason people don’t have more is for selfish reasons. I know that’s the case for myself,” she explained. It was a rather matter of fact statement and yet it provoked a flurry of questions for reflection, especially in light of the previous night’s joyful, wonder studded evening. Though she spoke of her hesitancy to receive the gift of more children, it made me realize that there are times when I refuse the gifts God’s giving. How do we see the gifts we’ve been given and yet construct certain boundaries to limit the love of God, to minimize the gifts He has given and wants to give? What gifts have I refused to accept from God because of my selfish reasons and selfish intentions erroneously thinking the gifts God offers contradict my way and my plans? What good gifts have I blocked – whether out of fear or selfish ambition - because the gifts didn’t come packaged as I expected or hoped?

As we prepare to celebrate the Epiphany this weekend, what gifts have you received from Christ this Christmas? What gifts have you received this year? Name the gifts; name the graces. At the start of a New Year, let us look forward with joyful and expectant hope. Let us replace worry with wonder and let us accept with grateful hearts the greatest gift He has given, the present of His presence. By the gift of Christmas, we know: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 3:15) “ This year let us resolve to leave His light on.

Verso l’alto,

Kathryn Grace

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5RY94ldDc

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRnFJlTzDw4

Gimme faith, gimme love, 'Cause I need it!
Show me grace, make me strong, lemme feel it!
Where to go?, Can I walk?, To redemption?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGe9GnBBvcQ

We can leave the night on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuMiMBjcvWU

Blinded by the Light

“Last night as I was praying, I lifted my head up, as it was buried in my arms, and I was blinded by the light,” he remarked. “I know the lights were dim but when you are hidden in darkness even the slightest ray of light can be overwhelming.” He drew an analogy to our lives explaining that our moments of weakness and occasions of sin darken our will and intellect, which can make our encounter with Truth jarring. Even when it is a soft, warm glow, there is a slight averting of the eyes as there is a necessary adjustment to the Light.  

The same is true when the Christmas lights come out. Initially it’s a shock. Sometimes that's because it’s October 29^th but that’s a soapbox moment I can save for another day. Even when it’s the right time and season, the lights that sparkle the darkness can be overwhelming if they aren’t received as they are intended. Let us pray that the same is not true of the miracle of Christmas. 

This week, as we prepare for Christmas, as we sit at the cradle, let us prepare our hearts to receive the Light who has abolished the darkness. Let us prepare to see Him as He is. I don’t know about you but I know I see better after receiving the gift and grace of Confession. If you haven’t been a while, maybe now’s the time. Seriously – look at your calendar to make room for this priceless gift. God longs to extend His mercy to us. Let us receive the gift of Himself and His forgiveness by returning and waiting with joyful hope so that we may see Him as He is – small and vulnerable, waiting like a gentle man, longing to be loved, dependent on the hands who will care for Him.

Let us proclaim with Mary our boundless yes to receive His infinite goodness, light, and Love and to love Him in all we encounter!

Verso l’alto,

Kathryn Grace

O Love, make a way come and find us

Search the darkness light the way come and guide us home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIRiG2R9qW8

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_tDRBzHcuQ

**Scroll to find this song: NEVER ALONE***

My soul longs for love alone

So here I am never alone

Connor Flanagan – Never Alone

Because Bruce is so close to getting it right  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjxbOe7p8C0

The Gift of God

"Yes, you don't belong to me," she cooed at the infant. "You are a gift from God on loan and someday you will return to Him. You are not mine," the new mother of three smiled at the infant who laid across her lap and the two toddlers who sat at the kitchen table. Maybe it was the grace and gift of adoption that gave her such clarity. 

Upon meeting a dear friend's mother,  I had thanked her and her husband for sharing their daughter with all those she blessed through her life as a religious sister. "You know when we left last time I spent a lot of time thinking about your comment. After some time, I realized she was never mine to give. She belongs to God," her mom remarked. I realized the understanding of gift is an integral element to parenthood. Moreover, it is an essential component in the life of a believer. 

As we approach the cradle, how have you prepared to receive the gift of Christ more fully this Christmas? Despair not, kids! We still have half of Advent to go. There is time to make room. There is an opportunity to wait with joyful hope. May we kneel at the manger this Christmas with joyful humility and boundless trust. Trusting the gift of Christ will satisfy the longings of our hearts. May you know the gift He is and the gift you are, made in His image and likeness, an unrepeatable miracle. Holy Spirit, guide us, shining bright. 

Fiat mihi, 

K. Coop 

​Venite! Venite! In Bethlehem ​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HwfK6VnHRA

​That mourns in lovely exile here until the Son of God appear ​

​REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEl. Shall come to thee O, Israel. ​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdR79P-2ewo

​There is just one thing I need​

All I want for Christmas is You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6f6HqrHZY

The Mouthpiece

"We need to pray before we play" girls. 

Right - name of the father, son, and holy spirit. At which point, I went to say grace. 

"Ms. Cooper, I couldn't find the definition anywhere. I looked for a long time on a LOT of websites, even Catholic ones." 

"Did you try the text book?" 

"No, I didn't think about that one." 

"We're not going to be at basketball practice tomorrow. We need to go to the hairdresser." 

"I have nothing nice to say, so I can't say anything." 

{I have a feeling they will be at practice}

New rules implemented for the basketball team. 

I made these as an executive decision without checking with the head coach figuring he wouldn't have an issue with either of them: 

*You can not eat pizza or any food for the matter during a game on the bench 

*You can not make phone calls from the bench in the middle of a game 

Oh and the third rule resulted when our best player, in the middle of the game, leaned down the bench to ask what time it was. After asking if she had a hot date she said she needed to leave by 5:15. Okay not bad the game would be over by then. "Did you tell Mr. Flanagan you need to leave early?" No. "Okay so for future reference I'm going to ask that you never tell me in the middle of a game that you need to leave before it's over." 

"Oh no, Ms. Cooper I would never do that." "But, you just did" "Oh...yeah! That's a fair rule" 

Pierced by Goodness

Initially, I thought it was the combination of his icy blue eyes and chiseled jaw that pierced my heart. Upon further reflection, it was his goodness.

She’s depicted holding an infant; she’s portrayed cradling a crucified son. The child snuggled in her bosom is crowned with thorns. As he nestles against her, her heart is pierced.

He comes that we “might have life and have it in abundance” (Jn. 10:10). The Lord of hosts came as babe in a manger knowing he’d endure his crucifixion. He came to forgive us our sins and to offer us the Way to peace and joy in this life and the next. 

He came to incarnate Love so that we may be pierced by His goodness. 

Verso l’alto,

K. Coop

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

Our finest gifts we bring

Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum

To lay before the King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah

http://listenonrepeat.com/?v=7GSTH3G1YIs#A_Christmas_Version_of_Leonard_Cohen_s_Hallelujah_that_will_Give_You_Chills!