December 28, 2008: The Feast of the Holy Family

As they held the Child, Mary and Joseph heard words from Anna and Simeon. Anna’s words have been lost to us, but Simeon’s are haunting: “this Child is destined to be downfall and the rise of many…a sign that will be opposed.” As I think on His message, a message about not judging others, a message about turning the other cheek and not resorting to power and violence, I think how often I, myself, have “opposed” those words and that message. I think of how I’ve “risen” by humility, and “fallen flat” when I forgot His message, and let pride puff me up, only then, to fall. I’ve seen Simeon’s prophecy come to life in me! The author of the letter to the Colossians knew that same struggle, and urges everyone to “forgive their grievances…as God has forgiven them.” For in doing so, we become the humble, peaceful “family of God,” setting His authority over us, and honoring Him, as the Book of Sirach begs us do.

December 25, 2008: Christmas

Light in life’s darkness, joy in the midst of tears, freedom born in slavery: these are the works of God in the world; of this Isaiah is certain. St. Paul calls this Light “Grace,” and describes it as a “Trainer.” How many of us have (or wish we had) personal trainers, helping us to keep physically fit? Here, God’s Grace (personified in Christ) is seen as “a spiritual trainer” coaching us to avoid life’s pitfalls, and to do good. Luke’s Gospel announces that although Augustus Caesar may have called himself “son of God, and prince of peace,” that the Light was really elsewhere…in a tiny manger, in little Bethlehem, attended by shepherds (a job considered one of the lowest occupations a human being could have at that time.) Yet they, in their smallness saw the Light. We can, too; and that Light can be the Grace that trains us to become men and women of depth, doing all the good we are capable of doing. Let us rejoice in our smallness, and welcome the Light this night.

December 21, 2008: Fourth Sunday in Advent. Scripture Reflection:

David’s one great wish was to build God a “house,” in other words, he wanted to be the one to build the Temple in Jerusalem. In this reading from Samuel, we see God gently remind David that it is God Who builds “houses,” and that He has, indeed, built the “house of David,” and that David’s heir, in this case Solomon will build the Temple. Solomon (Shlomo, in Hebrew) comes from the word “Shalom,” the word for peace. David had been a man of war, securing the boundaries of Israel, but God wanted His Temple built by a man of peace. And, true to his name, Solomon made treaties of peace with all the nations around him, and in so doing was worthy of building God’s “house.” In the Gospel it is to a “maiden of Nazareth,” not to a warrior, a revolutionary, or to a grand orator that God comes to “extend his spiritual House and Kingdom.” The powerless maiden will bear in her womb the Lamb of God Who will die for the world. It is to this powerlessness, St. Paul tells us, that we Gentiles are invited. May gentleness and humility carry us to the manger this year.

december 14, 2008

In the Gospel, John the Baptist found it hard to say exactly who he was, and found it easier to say who he was NOT. There is wisdom in that. Were he to have said, “I am the Voice of Deliverance!” he would have probably got a big head, and pride would have overtaken him. As it was, he said, “I’m NOT the Christ; I’m not even the light! I’m not Elijah nor am I a prophet…I guess I’m just a voice in the desert…” St. Paul encourages each of us to say, “I am NOT perfect! I am NOT particularly holy, and I am NOT irreproachable.” That way, we can be open to the Power of the One Who CAN make us holy, and lead us in goodness. It is so important to humility to know what we are not. It is when we are truly humble, accepting our insignificance that God can work through us, placing the Spirit upon us to help others heal and find freedom. As we approach the manger, low as it is, we have to learn to kneel, let us pray for humility and tenderness.

December 7, 2008

Can the desert road ever be a “traveler friendly place?” The biblical poet thinks it can. It’s in the deserts of our lives that God finds us, and makes “highways” to lead us out. If you’ve ever had a “desert experience,” you know it’s nothing to sing about. It was probably one of the lowest points in your life. And it probably felt like it would never end. St. Peter tells us that God doesn’t “delay,” in keeping this promise to rescue us from disaster, though it can feel like that. Rather, there are subtle shades of sadness with which we must become familiar to have the proper “repentance,” or “attitude of soul.” Otherwise, we won’t recognize the Voice of Deliverance when it comes—and this is what is hinted at in the Gospel: John the Baptist, the Voice of Deliverance was so unexpected that he was largely ignored. This week’s “preparation” for the celebration of the “Light” of Christmas involves learning from our darkness, or better said, learning why we are in the dark, so that when the way to the Light appears we’ll know to follow it. Interesting ideas, no? Maybe we should be preparing for our penance service on December 15th.