November 2025

VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS

November 2025

Gratitude is the alleluia to existence!

Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

Greetings,

Gratitude seems to be having a moment! Politicians are demanding it. Pundits are lamenting its absence or protesting its over-abundance!

November – the month dedicated to thankfulness - is the perfect time to revisit the topic. But, first, we must get the words straight.

Thanks and thankfulness come from the Proto-Germanic “thanka” (or “panka”)

which means, “to think”. Thanks is not, therefore, a rote response to a kindness or courtesy. Rather, it is the result of pondering that gesture and its giver. We think, therefore we thank!

Appreciation is the value we add to what has been given (by God, others, Father Christmas, etc.). When we appreciate a person or place, a gift or a grace, we increase its worth. We “appreciate” it!

Hawkers of bling on the telly make similar claims about their wares but they are only speaking of dollar value!

Gratitude and its cognates come from the Latin “gratis” via the Medieval English “grate”, a word that meant “pleasing” or “gratifying.” The person, or action, or object that pleases us, starts us thinking. And from there to thanking.

There are many whys, wherefores, and ways to express gratitude. Sometimes, “thank you” is simple politeness. A “honeyed” social lubricant that is more

attractive than vinegary responses. (Or neutral ones.) But beware of thankfulness for the wrong things!

Telling God that you’re grateful he gave you this or that crisis or illness is hurtful for our Heavenly Parent. DO NOT GO THERE!

But if you recognise God’s presence in the ER, the OR, the court or the crash site, give her the credit! If you can see his hand at work organizing the health care team or the legal team, share your appreciation with our Holy First Responder. Tell others, too.

“God got me through it!” is a powerful testimony. And an honest prayer of thanks.

November is a time to be grateful for our ancestors and the saints in our lives,

To appreciate the good gifts of food and shelter, family and friends.

A time to THINK on God and THANK him.

November is the perfect time to add “allelulias” to our lives!

Wishing a month full of blessings!

And a Holiday Season brimming with praise!

Brenda

October 2025

VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS               

October 2025

He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life!

    Psalm 121:4, TMSG

Greetings,

It’s good to be back with you all after our holiday at home. The visit was brief but it allowed us to catch up with friends and stock up on “Yorkshire Gold” tea. It was wonderful to get together with old friends. The trip also provided two unexpected joys: the church & the train.

Sunday morning, we walked to nearby Christ Church, a Baptist/United Reformed (UCC) congregation.  Worship was uplifting – including an old Youth Group hymn and a lively march from Handel to send us out.  But their newsletter was especially inspiring. Apparently, Christ Church is an award winning “Eco Church” (A Rocha UK), and their September publication contains two creation-care messages: one about their pollinator garden and another on cut flowers. (See “Eco Church – Creation Care”) 

Christ Church are also committed to “neighbour-care”. The newsletter included a greeting from the next-door Catholic church, and an article about their connection with the local mosque.

Freshly motivated to be mindful of the Planet, we took the train for one of our longer journeys. It was brilliant!  No traffic congestion, no roundabouts (in the UK, there’s a roundabout between every roundabout!), no parking hassles, and no speed cameras!

Britain is heavily monitored by CCTV and driving offenses are the first to be spotted.

Justin Welby, then Archbishop of Canterbury, was captured driving 25 mph in a 20mph zone and was fined 500 pounds! (It started off at 150 pounds but he missed the payment deadline.) Train travel doesn’t just save Earth, it saves nerves, and cash!

Many of us think that God constantly has CCTV trained on us. Waiting for that moment when we veer into the bus land, stop millimetres into a hatched intersection, or go FIVE MILES above the speed limit! We fear that Peter will meet us at the Gates of Heaven with a lifetime of photographic evidence of our perfidy.

No worries! God doesn’t employ CCTV, hates catching people out, and keeps those Gates permanently propped open. But Our Heavenly Parent does have one traffic duty:

she’s a “Lollipop Lady”!  (A school crossing guard over here.)

He is out there with his vivid-coloured “STOP” sign whenever danger is near. Cautioning us to be careful; commanding others not to harm his kids. There is not a place in the world, nor a part of the day, when God takes a break from his “Lollipop” duties.

She is there with her arms outstretched to protect us from dashing into the road.

He stands firmly in front of all approaching danger.  “STOP!” God yells to any potential runner-over.

 Whether it’s a ten-ton truck of hate or a speeding e-bike of neglect, God does God’s best to block their path. Her only goal is to protect her beloved Earth and her precious Earthlings.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.    

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place,

  it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God,

That’s how much you mean to me!    

That’s how much I love you!

Isaiah 43: 2, 3a, 4a TMSG

May you know the peace that comes from God’s close protection.

Deepest Blessings,

Brenda

December 2025

VIEW FROM THE HEIGHTS

December 2025

“Lucy stayed behind because she thought it would be worthwhile trying the door of the wardrobe, even though she felt almost sure that it would be locked.

To her surprise it opened quite easily…”

C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” Chapter I

Advent and Christmas Greetings!

“Advent”, from the Latin, “adventus”, means the arrival of someone or something important. The name signifies the coming of God into the world through Jesus.

But I’m beginning to think we’ve reversed the direction of travel.

God is always here – in our world and in our hearts. Love created the cosmos and without their abiding presence nothing and no one would exist.

It is we who need to make a move. We hover on the threshold, uncertain that Unconditional Love is a real thing, and uncomfortable with the implications of Extravagant Generosity.

Stepping into God’s realm of peace and justice takes gumption!

Modern faith parables reflect this truth. Harry Potter & friends have to shove through the platform wall at King’s Cross station. Lucy and co. negotiated furniture and furs. Dumbledore & Aslan, goodness and love, awaited them on the other side. But, first, the kids had to get themselves through the entrance.

THAT is what Advent is all about! God sent Jesus to let us know that Love is safe to enter. Jesus’s role was not – is not – to let God OUT but to invite us IN.

Into Heaven on Earth. Into a fuller experience of God’s passion for us. Into a deeper understanding of our oneness with all people and all creation. Jesus is the Way, the Gate, the “on the latch” Door.

Like Lucy, we will have to brave empty rooms, tangles of old clothes, and the stink of mothballs. We will have to push on lots of doors!

No worries- NONE OF THEM ARE LOCKED!

All of them lead to a world where animals are our friends, buttered toast with honey is served for tea,i and it’s “always Christmas”!ii

May this season of Love and Light bless you now and throughout the coming year.

May it be for you “always Christmas.”

Brenda

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i Food was rationed throughout the war. Rationing did not fully end until 1954.

ii “It is winter in Narnia,” said Mr. Tumnus, “and has been for ever so long…. always winter, but never Christmas.” (L, W & W, chapter II)