Fr. Don – Isle of View

The Summer schedule for Fr. Don's Isle of View reflections will be Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Monday of the 14th week of Ordinary Time. 

“’Lord, are you going to restore the rule to Israel now?’ His answer was: ‘the exact time is not for you to know. The Father has reserved that for himself.’” Acts 1:6,7. 

So many are asking the question: when will this all end? Dissatisfaction with the present is pervasive. There is a yearning for radical change on so many levels: political leadership, medical development, human behavior, economic growth, and faith perspective. 

On the Isle of View, excitement, optimism, and hope thrive in this opportunity for the world to end as we know it. When there is satisfaction, contentment, and conformity to the comfortable and convenient way of life entrenchment and resistance obstruct change. But with this yearning, a docility in letting God’s power change us and our lives begins to take hold. 

Ready for change-whatever that means-whatever it takes, Father Don.
 

14^th Sunday of Ordinary Time. 

Sabbath day. 

Behold God’s dwelling place. 

How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord, Mighty God, Lord of all. Blessed are they whose dwelling is your own, Lord of Peace. Blessed are they refreshed by springs and by rain when dryness daunts and scathes. Behold my shield and my God. I would forsake a thousand days anywhere if I could spend one day in your courts, belonging to you alone.   Adaptation of Psalm 84:2, 7, 11. 

Behold yourself as God’s dwelling place! 

Behold God dwelling in you!    

Beholding to God dwelling in us, Father Don 
 

Friday the 13th week of Ordinary Time. 

Gain within loss. 

“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting. Sorrow is better than laughter because when the face is sad the heart grows wiser. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” Ecclesiastes 7:2-4. 

There is an acknowledgment of the importance of relationships more so than ever. Most of this stems from the sadness of not being able to see loved ones. Often times I hear children saying that they are so distressed at not being able to see their parent at the nursing home. Maybe this is a time for reflection about what all of us were able to do with our loved ones before the pandemic.  Just maybe this lament will go so deep into our heart of hearts that when we are able to visit our loved ones we will make the sacrifice to do so. 

We can learn from this loss. This learning can be our gain. I pray that this sadness reaches deeply into the soul of humanity to change values and lifestyles in a way that when it is possible to be with loved ones, it will actually happen. 

The View on the Isle brings into focus the significance of love within relationships. Living on the Isle, loss points out how precious the giftedness of present moments is. The more we look out from the Isle the more we can see how great, how wide and how deep this Love is without having to lose it in the first place or even in the second place. Father Don.
 

Wednesday of the 13th week of Ordinary Time. 

Value in the void. 

“I have come to rate all as worthless in the light of the surpassing value of knowing my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else as rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth…” Philippians 3:8. 

Looking into the world, we can easily focus on hatred, war and dissidence. Total disregard for each other’s needs and dignity reigns upon human dynamics. When will human beings learn to be considerate of each other? Emptiness creeps into human relationships. 

Living life from the Isle, the view could be on the emptiness of the ocean. Looking out from this point of view, the sight would seem only endless water surrounding the Isle. However, Isle sight focuses on the nuances of blue hues of sky and sea. There is awareness of newness of life in the mixing of elements of air and water. There is ability to enter the life of the plethora of plankton, porpoise and pisces. 

View from the Isle helps us to focus on what really matters and what is hopeful. The binoculars of prayer and reflection give a close-up to the divine spark within all of creation. To look at the nothing is to be blind to the Something. 

Our complaints and criticisms stem only looking at the loss and not seeing the gain within it. 

The View on the Isle always sees the wealth beyond the waste! Father Don
 

Monday of the 13th week of Ordinary Time. 

“Once they had climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat showed Him reverence, declaring, ‘Beyond doubt you are the son of God!’” Matthew 14:32, 33. 

Nature of Faith. 

We’ve been sailing through life on the Isle of View for the last few months. How did we get here? I mean, how did we even get into the boat called, “Isle of View?” We have been reflecting how faith gives us a point of view much like a boat gives a point of view from the water in a way that would not be possible otherwise. We see life through the eyes of faith.  

So, how did we get in the boat in the first place and why are we still the in the boat? How did we begin to believe and see the world through the eyes of faith? 

The story of faith is as unique and different as each of us. Often times the beginnings of believing start with being in an environment of believers. Thus, the statement: “Faith is caught not taught.”  

There is a point in time where we are not just taken off the dock to float along with the flock. We have made our own decision to stay in the boat even in the midst of storms. Actually, we’ve been able to brave the storms because of the boat that we are in.  

As we have seen, the boat not only offers security at times but challenges us to take risks beyond our feelings of security. 

Let’s keep sailing along together on the Isle! Father Don
 

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Sabbath Day.

Day of solitude and rest.

“At that point the Spirit sent him out toward the desert. He stayed in the wasteland 40 days, put to the test there by Satan. He was with the wild beasts and angels waited on him.” Mark 1: 12, 13.

In solitude, we encounter ourselves and all the demons within.

There is a wrestling within the resting. Tossing and turning.

Temptations by the demons occasion clarity for self-discovery.

Knowing our true identity gives us the freedom to live from the inside out.

One with all the children of God, Father Don.
 

Friday of the 12th week of Ordinary Time. 

God Justice. 
 

“Be assured, then, that faith without works is as dead as a body without breath.” James 2:26. 

God Justice doesn’t just happen.  

The kingdom of God is made evident by the works of human hands. 

Wednesday’s reflection talked about the connection of compassion and prayer with those who suffer injustice. People of the Isle, people of faith move to action. Remember, the Isle of View is like a boat. This Faith Boat never anchors. It never seeks a harbor. It never seeks security for its own sake. 

Faith is a verb. Its essence demands action. People of the Isle move towards the suffering of the world. Isle View focuses on changing systems which perpetrate injustice. 

Taking into account personal health capacities, we all need to act in the following ways: 

1. Donate money. Give to organizations like: CROSS, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services; and racial justice organizations like: Minnesota Freedom Fund, Reclaim the Block and Louisville Community Bail Fund. 

2. Writing your own legislator especially noting that you are his or her constituent. Simply Google: “Minnesota legislature.” This will even give you specific information as to how to address a letter to your representative and your senator. State your concern regarding issues related to injustices perpetrated locally. If you can, it is helpful to elicit ways by which state laws, policies and funding can be directed towards establishing more just systems. 

3. With appropriate protocols and precautions which limit exposure to the virus, volunteer personally with organizations which provide service and work for social change. Personal contact with those who suffer injustice and poverty really help us to come to see and begin to understand how unjust social structures suppress capacities and participation. Volunteer with organizations like: Catholic Charities, Justice for Immigrants, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, MN Coalition for the Homeless, St. Joseph the Worker Parish opportunities- Social Justice Board, Families Moving Forward, Habitat For Humanity. 

4. Contact Alex Blechle, staff member at St. Joseph the Worker. Alex@sjtw.net 

Isle of View moves to action for God Justice. Father Don.
 

Wednesday of the 12th week of Ordinary Time.

God Justice.

“If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them, ‘goodbye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed,’ but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless.” James 2:15- 17.
 

With all this talk about injustice and the violent protests shouting out for justice to be served, how can little old me do anything about it? Besides that, I’m trapped in my “shelter in place” with the precautions that are needed for the sake of my and other’s health. What can I do to answer the cries for justice?

These days, it’s almost impossible not to have fatigue concerning trying to minimize the exposure to the virus with all the protocols and procedures with protective equipment, let alone having any compassion for those who suffer so much at the hands of the powerful.

And now, with these reflections from the Isle of View, I’m supposed to be able to see all of that in a perspective wherein I am empowered to help others along with taking care of myself. Whew!

Those on the Isle have the honesty with themselves to ask these questions and to speak these frustrations. At least there’s an admission that things are not as they should be. Not just for me but for everyone. This is an awareness of injustice. This is an awareness of our tendency toward ignorance and lack of compassion which cause such suffering to exist in the first place.

Prayer brings us into this place of the Isle where faith proclaims that God and God’s power fill our lack. Earnest prayer is not wishing well with an easy and flippant dismissal of the needs of others. True prayer in faith acknowledges God’s working within us where we know we come up short. God Justice makes an inroad with this humble self-assessment.
Father Don
 

“’My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.’ That the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2Corinthians 11:9.
 

Monday of the 12th week of Ordinary Time. 

God Justice. 

The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He hid it again, and rejoicing at his find went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44. 

Reaching the balance between the survival of business and the safeguarding of the health of society has been one of the top news stories in the last month. All would agree that one does affect the other. The debate happens when one tries to emphasize one over the other. 

The United States, in fact in most countries throughout the world, the economy is definitely a focus. Most, in developed countries, would say that you need to keep the businesses heathy to ensure that there are healthy people. 

People of the Isle see a kingdom that’s worth great sacrifice. That sacrifice is necessary for the kingdom to come. The question in the context of our present dilemma is: What should give in this tension between business and public health? 

I would suggest, given our need for a change of heart for the Kingdom of God Justice to reign on this earth, that the focus of market should change from commodities to service, for buying things to helping others. Accordingly, some businesses which purely aim at entertainment could be sacrificed so that businesses for education and service to the vulnerable, disabled and the poor would be embellished. Thus, the economy may seem to suffer when certain businesses die. However, in death there is new life and growth. The area of service could be the new life of business. 

The View of the Isle brings into focus these values which are so prized that making such sacrifices is well worth it!  
   
Father Don 
 

“Terrorism grows when there is no other option, and as long as the world economy has as its center the God of money and not the person… This is fundamental terrorism against all of humanity.” Pope Francis.
 

Sunday the 12th week of the Ordinary Time.

Sabbath Day.

“For the Lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with victory.” Psalm 149:4.

A day of rest. A day to stop. A day to pause.

A day of an awareness that my identity comes from being a unique child of God. I have no need to consume, to achieve, to produce, to be busy, or to earn.

My energy, my experience and my existence is defined by Divine Acceptance.

I am fully alive in God!

Father Don.

“As for you, every hair of your head has been counted.” Matthew 10:30
 

Friday of the 11th week of Ordinary Time.  

“….what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18. 

God Justice.  

In the sacrifices we have had to make with the appearance of the virus, have we learned what things we can do without? 

Many are going through their closets, shelves, and garages finding things that are forgotten about. It is said that if it’s not used within the year it is not needed. The question would be: why was it procured in the first place? Why is such an abundance hoarded? How much money are we storing up because investments have been going down? Why are so many resources invested in the superfluous? 

In our material lives, what matters more than the earthly life of a human being? How much are we aware of how the poor are suffering because of this downturn? The lack of generous compassion and ignorance for the human condition are the seeds of violence that this injustice sows. 

Isle dwellers see the world through Love-View lenses which frees them up from the clutter of the nonessential. They (we?) focus on what matters for eternity. People who live on the Isle have a View which sees the suffering of the poor and the ways to practically address that suffering. These ways bring into the essential, eternal Vision of God Justice.   Father Don. 
 

“These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that’s a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.” Pope Francis
 

Wednesday of the 11th week of Ordinary Time. 

God justice. 
 

“Here, crying aloud, are the wages you withheld from the farmhands who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You lived in wanton luxury on the earth; you fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.” James 5:4,5. 

James’ strong and challenging words drive home to those who have Isle View. With the eyes of faith, we can see how the way we live our lives affects the quality of life for others. There are so many areas in our lives where this is true. 

Just one, specific and powerful example is the fabrication of the clothes we wear. Have you ever looked at the labels see where your clothes are from? 99% are from countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Haiti and China.  

U.S. companies outsource labor because it’s cheaper overseas. The labor laws, if any, do not have anything  in place for the protection of the laborer. Therefore, those who make our clothes do not receive wages to pay for daily living. They work long, grueling hours under oppressive conditions. 

When we go shopping, we always look for the best quality for the cheapest price. Our expectations drive companies to provide just that, no matter how it affects their employees. 

People of the Isle have a conscience. Some actually run companies which put into place policies and practices which take the health and the well-being of their employees into consideration. The rest of us need to educate ourselves as to which companies actually do that. Those are the ones we need to patronize even though their products may likely cost more because these companies compensate justly. 

Also, Isle perspective motivates us to buy products that are made locally. This may move foreign manufacturing to actually make things for their own countries. There is such an irony for goodhearted U.S. citizens to donate shoes to a developing country where they were originally made. 

This is God Justice on the Isle. Father Don
 

Monday of the 11th week of Ordinary Time. 

God Justice. 

“If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23, 24. 

Could being forced to leave our gift at the altar because of the virus be our opportunity to reflect on how our brothers and sisters have suffered injustice because of us? Most of us don’t like this leaving gifts unattended. However, in truth, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we have participated in injustice. 

Movements, organizations, coalitions, protests and demonstrations all point to various levels and areas where injustice is perpetrated. Isle dwellers listen with open hearts and humble spirits to look within and see where change first needs to happen. These pointers to injustice help the Isle of View to be expanded beyond self to social structures. 

Awareness for personal and societal reform and restructuring helps to put in perspective the pain of sacrifice of not being able to offer worship in our traditional way. This pain not only helps to identify with those who suffer injustice in some way, but also motivates those on the Isle to mobilize for God Justice. 

Father Don
 

Feast of Corpus Christi. Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. 

Sabbath day. 

Everywhere Eucharistic processions were the way to celebrate this day 100 years ago. People would parade through the streets all dressed up. 

In a real way, wherever we go whether for a walk on the trail or at 6 feet from each other in the grocery store, we could see ourselves as Eucharistic procession. 

Because we on the Isle have the View that we are Eucharist. 

Father Don. 

“Here we become what we receive 

here in the Eucharistic feast 

we are His Body, living as one. 

Our God is here.” Chris Muglia 
 

Our God is in us! We are in our God! We celebrate us!
 

Friday of the 10th week of Ordinary Time.

God Justice.
 

“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, ‘did God tell really tell you not to eat of any of the trees of the garden?’” Genesis 3:1.

The (d)evil attracts attention to cast dispersions. Personified and objectified derision disrupts heavenly harmony. God Justice is fractured.

Self-will becomes will for self. Temptations always aim at ambition, control and self-gratification.

Why is there such an opening for the chasm? Is it boredom? Unawareness of giftedness? Loss of identity?

Original blessings are lost when choices are made based on a territorial, not an Isle View. It is sin. A separation from self. A separation from God. A separation with all that exists. A disruption that breaks God Justice. True injustice. The very basis for all oppression, domination and exploitation.

The Isle of View provides a secure grounding in God Justice, maintaining harmonious relationship with all. This subverts the perceived need to put self above the rest.

Father Don
 

Wednesday of the 10th week of Ordinary Time. 

God Justice. 

“This is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.” Genesis 2:24, 25. 

God Justice brings into One the diverse and the different. There is a connection that transcends all barriers, cover-ups and lack of trust. 

There is total acceptance and complete appreciation of all that is. 

God Justice is a harmony and a right relationship within all of creation. In this way of Isle View, distinctions and contrasts become ways for complementarity and collaboration. All work together using each one’s varying gifts for the good of all. 

God Justice releases all concern for any lack within one’s own identity. There is no focus on self-esteem in comparison to others. God Justice establishes an equality within inequality. No status or hierarchy of importance exists. 

God Justice is the lens through which those who live on the Isle see a new world.  A new creation emerges through the disruption of chaos, introducing evidence of Resurrection.
Fr. Don 

Monday of the 10th week Ordinary Time. 

God’s Justice. 

“’Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish in the sea, the birds of the air and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.’ God created man in His image: in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 2:26, 27. 

People shout out: “justice, we want justice.” From the beginning of time, there is been a cry for justice to be established on this earth. 

Actually, at the beginning of time, justice was established. It was God’s Justice. Interpreted correctly, dominion meant responsibility in relationship. When humans began to only think of themselves, this Justice broke. 

Broken justice, injustice, has taken on so many different forms and faces throughout human history. Power, control, selfishness, oppression, abuse, systemic evil are just a few of the ways that injustices perpetuate. 

Catholic theology reflects on God’s original Justice, calling it the beginning image of the garden Eden. This Isle View gives us a lens for human relationships.  Father Don

Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. 


Sabbath.

Day of rest. Day of reflection.

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" John 14: 9. 


The Father and the Son are one in the same.

Unity is identical identity.

Totally one with each other.

On the Isle, we, in our humanity, share completely with the divinity this identity.

Father Don

Saturday of the ninth week of Ordinary Time.

"Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the high priest, severing his right ear. At that, Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword back in its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?'" John 19: 10, 11.


Violence and injustice everywhere!
This is in the forefront of everyone's conversation and awareness. Fortunately and unfortunately we are concerned more than ever because of its prevalent and pervasive influence on how we are interacting with each other these days.
In our life on the Isle, we need to hone in our vision of how it is that we are to see, think and act. Confusion and complexity abound in trying to understand the motives of why people do what they do, and what the appropriate response should be.
Isle View offers ways to continue to reside in Peace, going beyond any environmental terror and turmoil. 

Let's go deeply into this View in the days and weeks ahead as I believe, unfortunately, violence and injustice will still be in the streets.

"Let Justice roll like a river and wash all oppression away,
Oh Come God and wake us,
Move and shake us,
Come now and make us anew,
That we might love justice like you."
-Marty Haugen 

PS. The Isle of View kicks into a summer schedule. Reflections will be coming out Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sunday will be Sabbath time.

Friday of the ninth week of ordinary time.

" He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly."  Luke1:52.

Unwillingly, unwittingly, and unknowingly we have all  participate in social injustice. The benefits and opportunities given to us often times come at the expense of others' suffering. Cheap clothes and job offerings are accessible to us because of our status, skin color, and geographical location.

The beauty and the burden of the Isle of View is being able to see how we are part and parcel of contributing to Injustice. Because of the present violence and virus, we are given this time of repentance, reparation and reform. We, on the Isle, need to step up and admit that we have sinned. We need to be willing to change our ways of arrogance, ignorance and affluence.

I have heard from people of the Isle who tell me they have begun the process of apologizing to those who have been treated poorly and have suffered so much at their advantaged hands.

A striking story given to me is of an elderly woman at a care facility who confessed to her nurse's aide. She told this woman who comes to care for her, being paid at less than minimum wage, that she is so sorry. She broke down and sobbed asking for forgiveness for the way she and others of her race are and have been treated by people of her own race.

This is the way that the Isle View is shared and grows. This is the way that things are set right in the ways of God! 

Father Don

Thursday of the ninth week of ordinary time.

Spirit life

"So with old age is wisdom and with length of days understanding; with the elder are wisdom and might: they are counsel and understanding." Job 12:13.

Many are talking about the vulnerability and weakness of the elders of society these days. More resources in medical care are being put in place because of the prevalence of the virus in the elder population. With the appearance of the virus, the elders are seen more than ever as a burden to society.

Upon returning from Venezuela, I was more aware of this bias. In that country, there are very few nursing homes. Hospitals and Clinics depend on the collaboration of family in caring for the basic needs of the family member even while "under their care." With delegated care for family members here in the United States, there is a more pragmatic approach for the intensified needs of the vulnerable. With these options, different values and priorities begin to shift the focus away from those who need this kind of attention.

 With aging, the View of the Isle comes into Focus even as eyesight fades. The Spirit Life matures much more quickly when living on the Isle. Life on the Isle offers a wisdom beyond the measure of years.

Mature Wisdom brings a stark awareness of the vulnerabilities and corruptibility of earthly existence. But because it is Spirit Life that lives in the Isle dweller, this Vision does not instill fear. Rather, it is a panoramic understanding of how this earthly life is infused with Spirit life which escapes elimination or destruction.

Elder wisdom is Island Wisdom which can help the young to not fear or panic when faced with short-term inconveniences and trials of non-island life.

Father Don

Wednesday of the ninth week of ordinary time.

Spirit Life.

"His reputation spread more and more, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be cured of their maladies. He often retired to deserted places to pray." Luke 5:16

"Rising early the next morning we went off to a lonely place in the desert; there he was absorbed in prayer. Simon and his companions managed to track him down, and when they found him, they told him, "everybody is looking for you?'" Mark 1:35-37

Every single one of us has gone off to a lonely place. Separated and deserted. There is a yearning within us to feel connected. This unsatisfied desire generates great pain and stress. We need to see and touch and hear others in the process of loving and being loved.

The virus has forces us into this place of angst. And yet, Spirit Life within engenders possibilities for a deeper integration with all of creation. What was Jesus absorbed into into in being so alone? Could it be that the Life in the Spirit connected him to all of divinity and humanity in a way so much deeper than any cursory contact could? Was Jesus truly withdrawing or was he entering in?

Spirit Life on the Isle affords a communal connectedness that creates integration out of isolation. One with you.

Fr. Don

Tuesday of the ninth week of "ordinary" time.

Spirit Life.

"The eye cannot say to the hand, ' I do not need you,' any more than the head can say to the feet, ' I do not need you.' If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all members share its joy." 1 Corinthians 12: 21, 26.

How many times have we heard this Proclamation from St. Paul about how we are the body of Christ?

Do we really believe that we are made one body with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
It is being said these days of the virus, " the old people are going to die anyway." Unfortunately, I've heard this quite a few times in the last few weeks.

People on the Isle are stepping up and proclaiming how destructive this mentality is by their ever-growing stronger commitment and compassionate service to those who are vulnerable.

Spirit Life on the Isle demands a witness that the body of humanity and all creation can only be strengthened by such a commitment. The weak and those who depend on others not only need this compassion to survive, but all those who live on the Isle will only survive with a focus and priority on those most in need.

Everyone will die prematurely if the needs of those living on the edge of Life are neglected. There will be no more View on the Isle.
With great hope in Spirit Life,

Father Don

Monday of the ninth week of “ordinary” time. 

Spirit Life. 

“Jesus was in the stern through it all, sound asleep on the cushion. They finally woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, does it matter to you that we are going to drown?’” Mark 4:38. 

Oh boy, the storms are brewing and they are already here. 

So much angst. So much anger. So much violence. 

The waters churning deep down below have begun to rise to the surface. 

How do we stay on the Isle in so much turbulence? We are drowning in it! Not only surrounding us but drenching us and pulling us down. 

Life on the Isle is a place, perspective and practice to give us an inner peace, viewpoint and strategy for action. 

First, to know that it does matter to God. This knowledge is the basis from which to move toward the storm. Interfacing and interacting with such turmoil does cause us personal struggle and internal distress. However, knowing that God does care and works with infinite power compels us not to withdraw. 

Secondly, believing that God accompanies us in the midst of the storm gives us a sense beyond senses to view the distressing situation in a different light. Although it feels hopeless, it is not without hope. Within the storm, Life Spirit rushes into hearts ripped open by such pain and violence. 

Thirdly, with the view of the Isle we can use the energy of anger towards action for change. We can choose to do something constructive to minimize the forces that caused so much pain. Anger, based in love, can mobilize and transform the face of this earth. It is Spirit Life. 

We can move into the tumultuous sea with God’s powerful presence on the Isle of View! Father Don 
 

Pentecost Sunday.

Sabbath.

God breathing.

Breathe.

Breathe deeply.

Breathe freely.

Breathe eternally.

Breathe on the Isle of View.

Father Don.
 

Saturday of the seventh week of Easter. Eve of Pentecost.

Breath of God.

“The disciples had locked the doors of the place they were for fear of the Jews.” John 20:19.

Locked rooms. Imprisoned by fear. Restricted. Closed in. Dark. Lost.

Four walls constricting. No way in; no way out. Stuck. Stopped. Straddled. Strapped. Silence.

Nothing happening. Nothing to do. Now here. No where. Past erased. Future blurred. Present blank. Pure emptiness. Hallow.

Holding the breath. A breath-stop. Bracing self. Waiting in fear. But waiting for what?

Everything is ready for an explosion and eruption. so much The pressure something must break.

On the Isle of View, resurrected life blasts through all the breath-stops with the power of Spirit-Breath! Father Don.

Come Holy Spirit, radically transform the face of this earth! Breathe New Life. May this newness not paralyze us but delight us because it is YOU!
 

Friday the seventh week of Easter. 

Breath of God. 

“I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me”. Galatians 2:20. 

Christ-breath is not artificial respiration. It is the authentic divine Breath breathing within us; breathing from out of us. 

The breath-stops of deep suffering, pain and fear are God’s opportunities for this Breath to rush in. Our problem is having a willingness to let it be a breath-stop. Or is it a willingness at all? Do we have to be forced? 

The disciples are gathered in the upper room, now, waiting for the Breath of the Spirit. They have been battered. In different ways, they experienced the crucifixion of Christ. In different ways, they experienced glances of resurrection. In different ways, they watched Jesus leave them in the ascension. In different ways, they were excited and fearful in waiting to see what is the heck is going to happen next! 

This waiting is a breath-stop creating room for the fresh authentic Air of the Isle.  

Father Don 

Can we stop our own breath so that the True Breath can breathe within us? 
 

Then he breathed into them: “receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22.

Thursday of the seventh week of Easter. 

Breath of God. 

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had accompanied her also weeping, he was troubled in spirit, moved by the deepest emotions. ‘Where have you laid him’(referring to Lazarus). ‘Lord, come and see,’ they said. Jesus wept. Some said, ‘see how much he loved him!’” John 11:33- 36. 

The exchange of breath on the Isle of View is an intertwining of life, sharing all with all of the living. The saltwater of tears flows from generation to generation. 

Yesterday’s reference to the saltwater of indifference and intolerance surrounding the Isle is powerful and is affecting all of us in our interactions with each other. This bitter saltwater of sadness continually crashes against the shores of the Isle. 

There are so many tears, so much sadness, so much saltwater. 

Jesus, from the sea of saltwater, cries out, “Lazarus, come out!” This compassionate cry breathed out of common suffering comes forth from the solid Isle shore against the waves of loss and loneliness. 

On the Isle of View, we are terribly affected by the battering. And yet, not overcome, we are finding strength from solid shores of the Isle. 

Father Don 

Then Jesus cried out: “receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22.
 

Wednesday of the seventh week of Easter. 

Breath of God. 

“‘Now it is finished.’ Then he bowed his head, and delivered up the spirit. John 19:30. 

Ultimately, does the breath-stop force one to let go? Dwelling on the Isle of View, we can see that in Jesus it was not something that was forced at the end. Rather, it was an authentic progression of self-sacrifice. 

This delivering up of every last breath is a handing over of all that we are, we hope for and we have lived for. It is a true, trusting release. 

In truth, every exhale is a breath-stop. Every breath-stop is the end. On the Isle of View, the end is a trusting delivering over and letting go of all. Without this view, it seems to be: The End. 

Father Don. 

“Then he breathed on them saying, ‘receive the Holy Spirit’.” John 20:22.
 

Tuesday of the seventh week of Easter. 

Breath of God. 

“‘I thirst’.” John 19:28. 

These words, spoken in the last breath of Jesus, reflect God’s breathing out to quench the desire for love, kindness, compassion, and delicate love.  

Mother Therese of the Sisters of Charity has put these words on the walls of each Chapel of every missionary house of her sisters everywhere throughout the world.  She spoke of the mission of the Sisters of Charity as sating the thirst of Jesus. 

More than ever, there is a need, a thirst for the breathing room of compassion and empathy for one another. All human beings need the breath of understanding, patience and respect for difference. 

Otherwise, we will not survive the drought of ignorance, indignance and indifference. 

All the more reason to dwell on the Isle of View where there is plenty of fresh water to nourish the faith surrounded by this saltwater. 

Father Don. 

“Then he breathed on them saying, ‘receive the Holy Spirit.’” John 20:22.


Read Past Articles