Beloved Anna Marie,

The white butterfly was pictured in Florence in the monastery garden of Santo Spiritu (where the "Christ of Michelangelo" is displayed). The orange monarch butterfly was captured yesterday in El Cajon at Our Lady of Grace. I had to enhance the picture with some color because it seemed the color was drained from the butterfly...was it worn out? Is there such a thing as an old butterfly? You may also notice the tips of the wings are cut off. This reminds me of the inspiration story that I will share with you below. The contrast of the two butterfly images is stark for me...one in a beautiful natural setting in nature and the other withered and worn on a chain link fence. It's a bit like the contrasts in people's lives as experienced in the work of YDI4M.

I begin this prayer time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit to inspire us."

God's Word For Us Today

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

Wisdom 6:12-16

Reflection: ...whoever for Wisdom's sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care

Meditation: I am constantly seeking Wisdom. I am awed by the thought that through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we may view the world with "God-glasses" or probably more appropriately and anthropologically, with God's heart. I thirst for Wisdom and pray for the ongoing revelation of it in my daily sojourn. I believe that Wisdom is the gift that empowers with love my encounters with people and situations that are difficult. Often, I need the gift of courage too! The book of Wisdom is an inspiring read for prayer. I recommend it.

Inspiration:  I want to continue my story from last week of "the eternal bottom line" and setting out to walk the streets, "fearful yet convicted." What I found while exploring what was available for people in search of assistance with the basic human rights was that San Diego East County was a "service desert" and the services that were available were hard to access and navigate for many reasons. Images of Jesus walking the streets of antiquity and coming alongside people in need filled my head and heart. In addition to the need for companionship leading to connections and resources, it was also obvious that there were gaps in what people could access for immediate assistance. Service providers needed to stay within the boundaries of government or grant funding contract requirements which didn't include assistance with emergent needs that could transform a crisis. These were the inspirations behind the forming of this nonprofit.

As an example, last week I received a request from a legal clinic service partner that an older gentleman known to us was in need of immediate funds to get his vehicle out of impound. The vehicle is his transitional safe sleeping space while he works on housing with service providers. The night before, someone took a hammer to the window while he was inside. He needed to be transported to the emergency department in an ambulance. During the 10 hours he was gone, his vehicle was towed. Without his vehicle, he would be even more vulnerable, sleeping outside. Because of YDI4M donors, he has his vehicle and safe parking should be his destination. Gratitude and joy were the responses from the legal partner and the gentleman and YDI4M!

Action: Pray for Wisdom, especially to view people with God's heart. Perhaps pray with Scripture's book of Wisdom.

Prayer: O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. I will remember you through the night-watches and meditate on you: You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. (adapted from Psalm 63:2-8)

In the reflections for November I will recall the expressions of faith that have led to this moment of celebrating five years of prayer, financial support and walking side by side to ensure our vulnerable community members have the basic human rights.