Dec. 20: 4th Sunday of Advent. 2009

The prophet Micah gave an oracle to the nation of his day that said that from Bethlehem would come the one whose origins were of old who would lead Israel–obviously a reference to David’s hometown. BUT, the words Beth Lehem” in Hebrew mean “house of bread”–a double meaning, that told individual Israelites that from a place of nourishment, help was coming–in other words, not, this time, a general with a bigger bomb (or in that time, a larger spear!), but rather the “help” that would come would be inner nourishment for individual hearts and minds. The Gospel tells us how that help comes. It comes when we visit and take care of each other–which is what Mary and Elizabeth are doing. So, let’s prepare to celebrate Christ’s holy birth by caring for those who need it most. Have a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

Dec. 13: 3rd Sunday of Advent. 2009

The last two Sundays dealt with a “public” spirituality–how to live as a nation. This week’s and next week’s readings deal more with an internal, individual spirituality: St. Paul suggests that we each be a person who is joyful at all times, not because we don’t see problems all around us, but because we know God is near to us, and that we can, eventually, work things out with His wisdom. Such was the advice of Zephaniah, too, to the people of his day. He told them that there was no “judgment against them”–in other words, their creativity isn’t “blocked;” they can SOAR, if they choose. And John the Baptist says the same to “individuals” who came for baptism. As each asked what was necessary for him or her to do, he merely responded with gentle encouragement to be decent and fair. What better way to prepare for the One Whose sandal straps we are unworthy to loose?

Dec. 6: 2nd Sunday of Advent. 2009

John the Baptist lived during a reign of terror–a time when individual human beings were not valued at all by the King. In this time, he preached reconciliation–even, if you read the gospel closely, with the King’s and the Emperor’s soldiers who were so cruel in their time. He felt there was nothing so wrong that it couldn’t be fixed: “the crooked shall be made straight,” was his mantra. We are so fortunate to live in a gentler time, and in a nation that, while it has the problems of any sovereign state, actually values us! Yet, in our time, “religious voices” often want to divide us. Isn’t that odd? Nonetheless, the advice of St. Paul is forever helpful: “Discern what is of value;” for when we do that, we open ourselves to the Light that the prophet Baruch assures us is, ultimately, guiding us.