Fourth Friday of Easter: "You make what is beyond brightness to secretly shine in all that is most dark"
Celebrating "National Honor Our LGBTQ Elders" Day (esp. Betsy & Marsha!) + Bike (or unicycle) to School Day + Great Basin NP (Nevada) + IX: Risen Lord & Thomas + "Scars" + "Well Maintained Antiques"
EASTER SEASON OF LIGHT
Many cultures had a deity who either was the light itself or who brought the light to the people. For this season of light, our organizing principle will be a diverse fellowship of these light-bringers.
A >Ra (Egyptian) - Photo of light from my archive.
I have a thing for photos which give a first-person perspective of walking on a trail, path, sidewalk and similar. When I let my pooch off the leash and I saw the sun shining through the leaves, I knew I had a photo opp:
B > Surya (Hindu) - Celebrations + Remembrances Today (from National Today)
[I’m celebrating my friends Marsha & Betsy today]
C > Amaterasu (Japanese) - Good News!
D > Tonatiuh (Aztec) - Planetary Pilgrims visit U.S. National Parks (least to most attended)
Great Basin (Nevada) is 54th out of 63. “Five Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Great Basin NP”
E > Dazhbog (Slavic) - My journey with Saint Ignatius, John Wesley, Patrick Carnes and Father Ed Hayes. I’m writing a book about my faith journey and how it’s been interwoven with these four spiritual men. Here’s some of my story - as I’m writing it.
F > Belenus (Gaulish) - The Via Lucis (Stations of Light) or Stations of the Resurrection are fourteen devotions based on events described in the gospels. Stations of the Light by Mary Ford-Grabowsky is the main source of the reflections found in these images.
The songs paired with each Station of Light are drawn from the extensive Spotify playlists entitled: LGBTQ Christian and Rainbow Faith. Songs featured here are also found on the uncommon communion: Via Lucis (Stations of Light) playlist.
I like this song as it references a few of the post-resurrection stories.
G > Mawu (West African) - To remember Pope Francis and his definitive linking of following Christ and caring for “our common home,” we reflect on excerpts from “Laudato Si” — (published in 2015)
[paragraph 32.] The earth’s resources are also being plundered because of short-sighted approaches to the economy, commerce and production. The loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which may constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food but also for curing disease and other uses. Different species contain genes which could be key resources in years ahead for meeting human needs and regulating environmental problems.
[paragraph 33.] It is not enough, however, to think of different species merely as potential “resources” to be exploited, while overlooking the fact that they have value in themselves. Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost for ever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.
[paragraph 37.] Some countries have made significant progress in establishing sanctuaries on land and in the oceans where any human intervention is prohibited which might modify their features or alter their original structures. In the protection of biodiversity, specialists insist on the need for particular attention to be shown to areas richer both in the number of species and in endemic, rare or less protected species. Certain places need greater protection because of their immense importance for the global ecosystem, or because they represent important water reserves and thus safeguard other forms of life.
H > Kawa (Hopi) - Sacred Story Affirmations: Meditations on Discernment of Spirits by William M. Watson, S.J.
IX. MY LIFE’S GREATEST TRAGEDIES CAN BE TRANSFORMED INTO MY LIFE’S MAJOR BLESSINGS
[NOTE: From here forward, I’m changing the “He” in the original text - when it refers to God - to “God.” This is in line with how I name the divine MORE in my speaking and writing]
It is important to listen to the phrasing of this Affirmation. The “can” in “can be transformed” does not limit the capability of God.
It indicates the possibility of transformation that relies on my cooperation with God’s grace. There is nothing that God cannot transform. No tragedy, disaster, or hopeless case is beyond God’s power. But the “can” indicates that God needs my active faith and cooperation to work God’s miraculous transformations.
As difficult as it might be at the time of some personal misfortune or tragedy, we must have the presence of heart to turn to God and call upon God’s graces to bring light out of darkness. Be we are invited to go even further than this. We should begin to thank God for the ways in which these events, that seem like the “end of the world” will be transformed to my benefit to the miraculous grace of God.
If we begin with the “sacrifice of praise” at the moment of some misfortune, we begin to activate our faith in the God for whom “nothing is impossible” (Lk. 1:37)
Lord Jesus, I affirm that you are the Lord of Life. All sickness, disasters and misfortunes - yes even death itself - are transformed by your redeeming love. Give me the grace to open my heart to you, especially at times of great misfortune, so that you can work you miracles of grace in my life and the lives of those I love. May even the greatest misfortunes eventually be transformed into you Creation. Presence. Memory. Mercy. Eternity.
I > Apollo (Greek) - Musings from A Book of Wonders: Daily Reflections for Awakened Living. by Father Edward Hays (of “Planetary Pilgrim” fame)
Well-Maintained Antiques
Antiques are beautiful, but being old like them isn’t!
Billions of dollars are spent annually on hair dyes, hairpieces, facial creams and skin tucks attempting to camouflage an antique look. It is natural and psychologically healthy to want to look as good as possible.
But attempting to camouflage the effects of growing old or reversing the aging process can be a type of idolatry, especially in a culture that worship slim-bodied gods and goddesses of youthfulness. Exercise is a necessary good, and physical fitness is important for healthy bodies and souls and for well-functioning brains.
But it can slip into idolatry too easily. Engage in the exercise of inner aerobics if you desire to age gracefully but not grow old: think radical new ideas, dream of new adventures, embrace newness, and discipline yourself to find the same beauty you see in the most costly antiques - and also in aging, old people.
Inspire me to be an artist of aging, using my own body as my canvas upon which to paint beauty, vitality, enthusiasm, and joy by my thoughts.
J > Sol (Norse/Germanic) Prayers and inspiration from Everything Could Be a Prayer: 100 Portraits of Saints & Mystics (2024) by Kreg Yingst [Note: I HIGHLY recommend that you purchase this amazing book so that you can experience the art accompanying each person]
Today’s patron of CONTEMPLATION is Anonymous, Author of “The Cloud of Unknowing” (ca. late 1300’s)
You make what is beyond brightness secretly to shine in all that is most dark.
O Mysterious One, you are known and unknown. Yet we are made in your image. I come to you, fully present, ready to immerse in your river of love, to experience you, and to receive what you have to offer. Amen
As Planetary Pilgrims, we are invited to be aware of where our earth is in its annual trek around the sun as well as where our moon - Luna - is in its 28 day cycle around Earth.
So, as of this writing (11:30pm on Thursday):
The Summer Solstice arrives (6/20/25, 10:41pm) where I live in 35 days, 23 hours, 11 minutes
Luna is in the waning gibbous or 89% of full. It's 18 days and 7 hours old (the time since the last new moon) Click HERE to see what the moon looks like at this phase.
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RIGHT NOW, we Planetary Pilgrims are MOVING:
1,000 mph - as the earth rotates
66,000 mph - as the earth orbits the sun (in one year we travel 595,000,000 miles around the sun)
43,000 mph - as the Sun, Earth, the seven other planets (and their satellites/moons) move together through space
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This movement through space passes us through time:
1 year, 171 days until the Midterm election (11/3/26)
3 years, 175 days until the next Presidential election (11/7/28)
3 years, 249 days until tRump finally is done and I turn (by God’s grace) 59 yrs old (1/20/29)
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