I have always lived in “The Heartland of America” - Nebraska - in the middle of the U.S.A. We are farm and cattle country and for the past month or so we have been in a seasonal transition - from Summer to Fall where the temperatures range from 35-80; the winds are gusty and cool; the leaves turn from their vibrant shades of green to beautiful yellows, oranges, reds, rusts and browns and the trees shed their leaves in a constant ‘rainfall’. The harvests include corn, pumpkins, butternut squash, acorns; and the flowers are primarily mums of every color. I cherish this season and wish it would last forever! However, at times the changes in the weather are abrupt, and the first snow comes way too early, ending the cascade of color. Our scripture reading from today reminds me of these seasonal transitions - that can be slow, transitional, or abrupt and sudden.
In today’s scripture reading it asks “Are we spiritually prepared or not?” In biblical history the sudden voice of God or appearance of Christ has occurred abruptly and without warning - how do I stay vigilant and ready?
Spiritual preparedness - How do I amidst my ordinary daily routines of work, kids, family, obligations remain spiritually ready and prepared? The business of life in this ‘temporary world’ can prevent me from focusing on my eternal life. I pray to God to help me prepare for my eternal life.
Spiritual preparedness - How do I keep my identity in Christ and not in my job title/position, place in society or on my material assets, security and comforts? I pray to God to help me grow in humility recognizing God will provide.
Spiritual preparedness - How do I let go of self-preservation - and stop micromanaging, obsessing over the future, fighting to be in control, worrying about when and where the next bad thing will happen. I pray to God to help me recognize my ego and false self, to surrender to God.
Spiritual preparedness - How do I build genuine, organic relationships that can grow and evolve? How do I let go of the fear of rejection, the loneliness, rigid expectations, the need to change people, or putting on a ‘mask’ to hide my true self. I pray to God to heal my destructive patterns and help me to love genuinely and authentically.
Spiritual preparedness - How do I recognize the grace in every moment and see change as a pruning process understanding transitions occur with every decade of life. I pray to God to help me love unconditionally and understand the unique human condition which embraces life’s experiences including the wins, losses, celebrations and mistakes.
A beautiful Reflection by the Henri Nouwen Society captured my thoughts well for today’s scripture and reflection:
“Life is God’s initiative and can end or change suddenly unexpectedly; and unpredictably; when we humans are ready to give up hope and resign ourselves to inevitability; God intervenes and reveals completely new beginnings; The resurrection of Jesus is God’s sign breaking through every form of human fatalism and despair,”
Cindy Costanzo
I have worked at Creighton University since 2005 as a full-time associate professor in the College of Nursing (CON), graduate school, and College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE). In 2023, I transitioned to part-time as a adjunct associate professor in CPCE within the Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Education department. I love working with doctoral students as they journey toward their terminal degree.
Reading and writing reflections for this ministry augments my daily meditation and allows me to grow closer to Jesus. Spending this time in prayer and meditation over the past several years has transformed me in ways I am forever grateful.
