Dear Hennessey Family,
Recently I had the opportunity to endure a little pain and to offer my sufferings in union with those of Christ on the cross. With your mother gently reminding me not to let the suffering go to waste, I did the best I could to make use of my suffering without being burdensome to others. I’m truly grateful for all the prayers I received and especially for the loving care from Mary during that time. I had many opportunities during my recovery to reflect on my blessings. I also had occasion to repent of the many times I have ignored the sufferings of others, or been so caught up in my own interests that I was blind to the needs of those around me. I think I gained a new appreciation for the kind of love that Jesus calls us to have in our everyday life.
When we say love, we think of warm, soft, and secure, but the love of Jesus freely chose birth in a stable, a life among the poor, and eventually death on a cross. I invite you all this Christmas season to take the time to reflect on His brand of love, and how to bring it about in your lives.
Have a blessed Christmas, and a holy 2011.
Love Makes the World Go ‘Round
Love makes the world go ‘round, they say
And oh, how true it is.
For Love is what created all,
That ever was or is.
True love, the kind our Father showed
When sending us His Son,
Born in a humble stable from,
The holy virgin one.
No pomp or circumstance surround
The birth of this great King.
But shepherds round a feeding trough,
To witness such a thing.
Snuggled down in swaddling clothes,
The donkey’s warming breath,
Few comforts for this little one,
Our Savior, born for death.
Great love He showed throughout His life.
The elders, stupefied.
And so, the Wonder, Counselor,
They had Him crucified.
We know not Love when often we,
Intent on selfish gain,
Reject true love and turn from Him,
To just avoid some pain.
Love makes the world go ‘round they say
And oh, how true it is.
But not the proud and worthless kind,
The humble brand of His.
So stop tonight before you rest,
Before the manger where,
The shepherds and the angels gazed,
Upon the infant fair.
And ponder if your love does make
For others all around,
The world spin a little quick,
Or does it slow it down?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Suffering
Another unfinished one...
Is any suffering like mine,
The suffering of the Holy Vine,
The lamb of God the innocent,
The One who calls us to repent?
We see in Him the horror of
So many choices lacking love.
But in His choice on Calvary,
He showed true Love for all to see.
Our every burden on the cross,
Where every dignity was lost,
Uttered forth from God's own Son,
"Forgive them all for what they've done."
The perfect sacrifice once made,
The debt for all our sins was paid....
Is any suffering like mine,
The suffering of the Holy Vine,
The lamb of God the innocent,
The One who calls us to repent?
We see in Him the horror of
So many choices lacking love.
But in His choice on Calvary,
He showed true Love for all to see.
Our every burden on the cross,
Where every dignity was lost,
Uttered forth from God's own Son,
"Forgive them all for what they've done."
The perfect sacrifice once made,
The debt for all our sins was paid....
Advice
I got distracted and never finished this:
Some words of fatherly advice
I wish to share with you.
I pray you keep them in your mind
And know just what to do.
Your mother is a special one
The woman called my wife.
Her love is quite the reason why
You have the gift of life.
Respect her wishes even when
To you they seem unfair.
Her motives in the rules she makes
Proclaim maternal care.
Be generous with all you have
To others freely give.
For money in the foolish hand’s
Like water in a sieve.
Learn wisdom at whatever price
Some words of fatherly advice
I wish to share with you.
I pray you keep them in your mind
And know just what to do.
Your mother is a special one
The woman called my wife.
Her love is quite the reason why
You have the gift of life.
Respect her wishes even when
To you they seem unfair.
Her motives in the rules she makes
Proclaim maternal care.
Be generous with all you have
To others freely give.
For money in the foolish hand’s
Like water in a sieve.
Learn wisdom at whatever price
A Gift for Me
Christmas 2009
To the children and young adults of the Hennessey tribe,
Every year at this time I hear friends or folks at work complaining about their family gatherings. It seems that very few families, if any, are exempt from some type of estrangement within their ranks. I consider myself very blessed to have a family that truly does love one another. I pray that each of you develop a deep appreciation for the blessings you have in your siblings and in-laws. God has chosen us to be the members of this special domestic church, and it’s our obligation to be a light for the world and salt for the earth.
Early in his ministry, Fr. Al used to say that 50% of life’s problems were caused by a lack of forgiveness. Toward the end of his ministry, he said that failing to forgive caused at least 99% of our problems. . . I believe his later opinion was correct. When we are humble and quick to forgive the faults and failings of others we bring Christ into the lives of those who offend us. The whole reason for this season and Christ coming into the world was for the forgiveness of sins.
I wrote this poem because folks are always wondering what to get me for Christmas, and there really is not much that I need. But the greatest gift I could imagine would be the gift of a strong Catholic faith, a humble spirit, and a steadfast love for God and neighbor, in every member of my family.
A Gift For Me
The greatest Christmas gift for me
Cannot be found beneath the tree.
No bow surround, nor box contain
What I desire to obtain.
Not snow about on Christmas day
Nor some new toy with which to play
The gift so great that I describe
Is from the members of this tribe.
The gift of all in one accord
Committed to our faithful Lord
In chastity and love divine
Held firmly to the living Vine.
I look around and see such pain
From grasping after greedy gain
And unforgiving hearts are rent
In those refusing to repent.
No job is this for faint of heart,
For those who see and then depart,
That work is needed in this place
Refusing sanctifying grace.
It’s work for me and work for you
To show His love in all we do.
And grant forgiveness to them all
For their offenses great and small.
But this is what I ask of thee
Instead of presents under tree.
A humble spirit, soul, and mind
The Christmas gift I hope to find.
In every single child of mine
On every branch upon this vine.
A firm attachment to the Root,
Then you will bear abundant fruit.
To the children and young adults of the Hennessey tribe,
Every year at this time I hear friends or folks at work complaining about their family gatherings. It seems that very few families, if any, are exempt from some type of estrangement within their ranks. I consider myself very blessed to have a family that truly does love one another. I pray that each of you develop a deep appreciation for the blessings you have in your siblings and in-laws. God has chosen us to be the members of this special domestic church, and it’s our obligation to be a light for the world and salt for the earth.
Early in his ministry, Fr. Al used to say that 50% of life’s problems were caused by a lack of forgiveness. Toward the end of his ministry, he said that failing to forgive caused at least 99% of our problems. . . I believe his later opinion was correct. When we are humble and quick to forgive the faults and failings of others we bring Christ into the lives of those who offend us. The whole reason for this season and Christ coming into the world was for the forgiveness of sins.
I wrote this poem because folks are always wondering what to get me for Christmas, and there really is not much that I need. But the greatest gift I could imagine would be the gift of a strong Catholic faith, a humble spirit, and a steadfast love for God and neighbor, in every member of my family.
A Gift For Me
The greatest Christmas gift for me
Cannot be found beneath the tree.
No bow surround, nor box contain
What I desire to obtain.
Not snow about on Christmas day
Nor some new toy with which to play
The gift so great that I describe
Is from the members of this tribe.
The gift of all in one accord
Committed to our faithful Lord
In chastity and love divine
Held firmly to the living Vine.
I look around and see such pain
From grasping after greedy gain
And unforgiving hearts are rent
In those refusing to repent.
No job is this for faint of heart,
For those who see and then depart,
That work is needed in this place
Refusing sanctifying grace.
It’s work for me and work for you
To show His love in all we do.
And grant forgiveness to them all
For their offenses great and small.
But this is what I ask of thee
Instead of presents under tree.
A humble spirit, soul, and mind
The Christmas gift I hope to find.
In every single child of mine
On every branch upon this vine.
A firm attachment to the Root,
Then you will bear abundant fruit.
Fasting
Oh Lord please help me fast today
I want to learn more how to pray
To turn away from selfish sin
And feel your love down deep within.
I often try and often fail,
My will alone is oh so frail.
I need from You that passion strength,
And grace to love, at any length.
Remind me when the Tempter’s near,
That with Your strength I need not fear.
If I but strip away the pride,
I can continue at Your side.
Now teach me pleasure to forsake,
And with the saints alliance make,
That I might overcome this stress,
And in its place find happiness.
I want to learn more how to pray
To turn away from selfish sin
And feel your love down deep within.
I often try and often fail,
My will alone is oh so frail.
I need from You that passion strength,
And grace to love, at any length.
Remind me when the Tempter’s near,
That with Your strength I need not fear.
If I but strip away the pride,
I can continue at Your side.
Now teach me pleasure to forsake,
And with the saints alliance make,
That I might overcome this stress,
And in its place find happiness.
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