Fourth Monday of Easter: "There once was a pope from the States..."
Happy National Limerick Day! + First ever images of atoms + VIII. The Risen Lord Gives the Power to Forgive + Dry Tortugas (Florida) NP + "Jesus From Texas" by Semler + Patroness of COMPASSION
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.
A recent photo which I took Sunday morning as I walked my pooch.
Thanks + Blessings to whomever put these on the sidewalk. These simple images in the sunlight brought me joy.
B > Surya (Hindu) - Celebrations + Remembrances Today (from National Today)
There once was a pope from the States,
Whose wisdom and kindness were great.
Leo XIV took the helm,
With a heart to overwhelm,
Bringing hope to the world's vast estates! [Written by MS Copilot]
C > Amaterasu (Japanese) - Good News!
[From Good News Network - 5/11/25]
D > Tonatiuh (Aztec) - Planetary Pilgrims visit U.S. National Parks (least to most attended)
Dry Tortugas NP (Florida) is the 55th out of 63 in attendance.
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.
Going through the Rainbow Faith playlist, I came across the artist Semler. I’m captivated by their sound and story, including this NPR interview in 2021.
Here’s a pair of videos/songs from them.
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 problem.
[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 42.] Greater investment needs to be made in research aimed at understanding more fully the functioning of ecosystems and adequately analyzing the different variables associated with any significant modification of the environment. Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another. Each area is responsible for the care of this family. This will require undertaking a careful inventory of the species which it hosts, with a view to developing programmes and strategies of protection with particular care for safeguarding species heading towards extinction.
H > Kawa (Hopi) - Sacred Story Affirmations: Meditations on Discernment of Spirits by William M. Watson, S.J.
VIII. SACRED STORY LEADS TO MY FREEDOM AND AUTHENTICITY.
BUT DOES NOT ALWAYS MAKE ME FEEL HAPPY
Each of us has had a faith-inspired experience of a truth that challenges previously help convictions. The new “true belief” or “true practice” that we have discovered brings freedom. But it can also bring discomfort because it upsets our established patterns.
Following Jesus to live a life as Sacred Story leads to my authenticity and freedom. But it might also bring discomfort as the light of Christ shines brightly on the places in my life history - my beliefs and practices - that need reform and change.
We must never confuse the true peace of following the Lord with the false peace or shallow happiness of clinging to beliefs and practices that, even though familiar, are not serving our true freedom.
We must shoulder the discomfort of spiritual growth that brings us freedom and thank the Lord for calling us to live authentically.
Lord Jesus, give us patience with our spiritual growth. Let us not be discouraged by the spiritual and emotional discomfort when you call us to grow in freedom and authenticity. Give us happiness and true peace as we grow in to living our lives as a Sacred Story. Give us the true freedom that opens us to 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)
Heaven Bound, We Hope
Sermons on hell outnumber those on heaven ninety-nine to one. Since heaven is the destination of all believers, people ask “What is heaven like?”
Heaven is described as dwelling in the presence of God in a place of eternal rest and peace. Yet, perpetual rest implies doing nothing! Doing nothing sounds at first like an eternal vacation for those who have worked eight hours or more a day for their entire lives.
Yet, a paradise of eternal rest that means no cooking, no laundry, no gardening, no trips to the grocery store, no sports and no television sounds boring! When you’ve had to sit in a doctor’s waiting room with nothing to do, haven’t you found that experience boring?
Once a small child died a sudden death and of course went directly to heaven. After several days in heaven the small child went to God and said, “If I’m good today, may I play in hell tomorrow?”
As much of our busy work is worthless, practice your heaven by doing nothing; enjoy just being in the present moment, and find having to wait to be heavenly.
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 patroness of COMPASSION is Mechthild of Magdeburg (1208-1282 or 1294)
Draw me up to you then I shall be pure & radiant
O Compassionate One, you’ve extended your healing hand to me. You’ve welcomed me with open arms. From this wellspring of abundant mercy I’ve received, let it flow freely to friend and foe alike. 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 (10:45pm on Sunday):
The Summer Solstice arrives (6/20/25, 10:41pm) where I live in 39 days, 23 hours, 54 minutes
Luna is in the waxing (increasing) first quarter or 100% of full. It's 14 days and 7 hours old (the time since the last new moon) Click HERE to see what the moon looks like at this phase.
The May full moon (which is a micromoon this time) is known as the Flower Moon, Budding Moon, Egg Laying Moon and Planting Moon.
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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, 175 days until the Midterm election (11/3/26)
3 years, 179 days until the next Presidential election (11/7/28)
3 years, 253 days until tRump finally is done and I turn (by God’s grace) 59 yrs old (1/20/29)
Please note that I publish a Stack/blog on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.