Holy Family Sunday - 2019

As a child my favorite Christmas gifts were the Erector sets by Meccano. One Christmas a model steam engine was added to my collection – it was going to be the best Christmas ever. But on that very day it broke down and failed to work – joy quickly turned to the saddest Christmas ever. Broken gifts are not uncommon at this time, that is why in the days after Christmas shopping for “Krazy Glue” is a big item. The sadness experienced at Christmas can not only be over broken toys but over broken families as well. That is why this feast of the Holy Family is of such importance. For the Second Reading in today’s liturgy the Church chooses a selection from St. Paul’s letter to Colossians. Here Paul lays out a description of the “krazy glue-of grace” that holds families together. “As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”  Now you might say to St. Paul, “That’s easy for you to say but you don’t know my family.” – but God does. But these are virtues of grace that Paul has listed, and they flow from the Holy Spirit into our hearts through prayer. “As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,” - first God brings us into His family, broken as we are and loves us into life. And in this communion with God we are healed and made holy, part of God’s beloved family. Now we can begin to bring this “krazy glue-of grace” into our families and start to heal what is broken within them. Let us be certain of this, if history has anything to say, man alone is not going to heal this broke world we live in. If we break away from the Family of God what hope do we have? Only when people realize this and return to the Father’s House will the remedy be found. St. Paul concludes: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Then he adds three keys: And let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be Thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly; Only then filled with God’s love, will we be able to: “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;  Paul ends with these words, let us take them home to our families today. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

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PRAYER OF BLESSING O God, you have created us in love and saved us in mercy, and through the bond of marriage you have established the family and willed that it should become a sign of Christ's love for his Church. Shower your blessings on these families gathered here in your name. Enable those who are joined by one love to support one another by their fervor of spirit and devotion to prayer. Make them responsive to the needs of others and witnesses to the faith in all they say and do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

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Christmas - 2019

There are many meanings attach to Christmas – the importance given it seems to be changing over the years. Today the commercialization of Christmas has had a substantial negative effect. The old Christmas stories of conversion from despair to joy are now more likely to be replaced by just silly romance stories that just happen to take place around Christmas. Even now when the image of the Christ Child is displayed its message seems unable to rise above the mere sentimental. It becomes all the more important for us to disentangle from all these negative influences and grasp again with wonder and awe the powerful message laying open before us. To expose ourselves to this great revelation it’s necessary that when we look down at the baby Jesus in the crib we look up at that same Jesus on the Cross, because that is the message – that is why he has come. As the words of the familiar Christmas song ponder: “I wonder as I wander out under the sky that Jesus my Saviour did come for to die for poor on'ry people like you and like I.” St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians chapter 2 shows us how, not only to wander in wonder but to understand and to imitate what we see revealed in the Christmas Image of crib and cross. Paul tells us: “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (vs. 5) This manger and this cross seen together reveal the true meaning of Christmas. St. Paul now exhorts: “be of the same mind, (that you behold) with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for the interests of others.” (vs. 3-4) This is why Jesus was born into this world and it is also the reason why each of us has also been born. St. Paul again: “For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.” (vs. 13) (work for what- his, God’s good purpose) One of the customs of Christmas is to decorate our homes with lights – indeed there is almost a competition to see who has the most and the brightest lights.  St. Paul ends this section by describing the true lights: “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.” (vs. 15-16)

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Fourth Sunday of Advent - 2019

We begin this Fourth and final week of Advent in Matthew's gospel as he begins to tell the story of "...how the birth of Jesus Christ came about." In those days, the period of engagement of marriage was to last up to one year. The marriage covenant was official, they are married, but before the couple lived together, this one year waiting period would prove that the betrothed was indeed a virgin and that any child conceived would be that of the husband. Should a conception occur it prove infidelity and adultery on the part of the woman. The engagement/marriage would be broken off and the woman publicly disgraced. Matthew does not give us many details as to how all this unfolded with Joseph and Mary. This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to explore these questions in meditation and prayer. Matthew tells us, "... she was found with child." Here we are led to wonder did Mary explain her pregnancy to Joseph; how it was the work of God? Did Joseph believe her? We can only speculate. The text continues "... Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly." “… since he was a righteous man” This tells us that Joseph was a man of holy integrity and that he followed the Law of Moses in all its detail. Now, in the Book of Deuteronomy 22:23 we read: “If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.…” What deep conflict must have been tearing at the heart of Joseph. Mary is pregnant! What to do – the law is clear as to what must be done. Joseph knows he must divorce Mary but surely God will permit him to spare her such humiliation and disgrace, even death. Now the hand of God is revealed through the angel Gabriel: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Joseph too must see the important role God is giving him to fulfill in this plan - "She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  Dear friends, these stories are not fairy tales we bring out at Christmas to dress up in colourful scenes. They are real events that happened in the lives of real people. Recognizing this can we not identify with these humble people of God? Do we not have to face conflicts and challenges in our lives, struggling to understand, struggling to make sense of it – to find solutions just as they did? Our faith is not disconnected from our real life. On the contrary, it is intimately connected just as it was for Mary and Joseph. And when we make this connection our faith becomes a living, life saving dynamic reality guiding and supporting us throughout our life. Once we make this connection the stories of the lives of the people in the scriptures become learning centres, where we begin to learn how to recognize God’s hand in our lives. Do not let Christmas just be a fairy tale.

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Click to View Video The Road to Bethlehem by  Fritz von Uhde In reflecting on this painting, depicting a scene from Luke 2: 3-7, Geoff Wheaton SJ points out the love and concern of Joseph, the strength of Mary, and the poverty that Jesus was born into. How do you react to what you see?

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The "O" Antiphons

Beginning today the Church recites or chants the "O" Antiphons. They are the seven antiphons that precede the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours, and are the words of the gospel acclamation for the daily liturgy of the Word at Mass. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. For a detailed look into these Antiphons go to this LINK >>>.
December 17 O Sapientia: O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.	December 18 O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
December 19 O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.	December 20 O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
December 21 O Oriens: O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.	December 22 O Rex Gentium: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
December 23 O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

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Third Sunday of Advent - 2019

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally referred to as “Gaudete Sunday”. The name comes from the first word spoken in the liturgy for this day, in the Entrance Antiphon: (Gaudete in Latin): Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. There is a similar theme that recurs in Lent, in the fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally called “Laetare Sunday” again taken from the first word of the entrance antiphon: (Laetare in Latin) Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. The first words of the Third Sunday of Advent are the words of St. Paul found in the fourth chapter of the Letter to the Philippians, vs. 4-5. So why Gaudete, why Rejoice? The answer begins in the First Reading, with the words of the prophet Isaiah. The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will REJOICE and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and REJOICE with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened:  Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Isaiah 35: Israel has been conquered and its people have been living in exile for many years. But now the prophets are telling the people that soon their exile will come to an end, and they will be returning to their homeland. They believed that God was punishing them for their sins by letting their enemies conquer and enslave them. But now, what is this they hear? Believers of every generation, at various times, have found their hearts and hope shattered; believing they have been abandoned by God, left alone with no hope. So, the Church returns each year in Advent, to address this ancient problem, the Problem of Evil, to gather all who are wounded, to hear once again these words of truth and healing and restoration: “Rejoice, the Lord is near”!  You will notice that all the serious Christmas stories that we read all have this same theme running through them. In the darkest night, when all seems lost, hope is restored. Now the true spirit of Advent has a penitential character to it, where we examine our lives to root out our own causes for our downfalls and miseries. Then, the candle of the Advent Wreath, lighted on this day, the Third Sunday of Advent, rose colored, with the name “Joy”, raises up our spirits at the prospect of the new coming of mercy into our lives. In many ways, our popular culture, with its commercializing of Christmas has interfered with the real spirit of Advent with its rich and beautiful spirituality. So where does this Gaudete Sunday find you? Are you one who is carrying heavy burdens – be they burdens brought on by your own faults and failures, or has human frailty and the faults of others beset you? If so, the grace offered on this Sunday is meant for you.  The Grace of Gaudete Sunday is the grace of a clear sense of Presence. I am not alone, the Lord is here, with me now. The Lord comes bearing gifts, the gift is the Gift of Hope. What ever the details of my deliverance are to be, will be revealed in the days to come. But first, a broken heart must be healed and given the eyes of hopefulness with which to see - to begin to see how the Lord's plan is to unfold. For me, now, it is to turn my face eastward, to look forward in hope for His coming. Hear again these words of the prophet: "Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication;  with divine recompense he comes to save you."

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ADVENT SERIES WEEK THREE
In the Mountains - William Kurelek	Two Barns - William Kurelek	Christmas
MONDAY <> LINK	WEDNESDAY <> LINK	FRIDAY <> LINK

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Click the Image for the Link This coming Tuesday, one week from Christmas Eve, begins the "O Antiphons" The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They also are used as the Gospel Acclimation of the daily Masses. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas Dec.17-24

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Second Sunday of Advent - 2019

Time To Listen & Hear “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” "Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Mtt. 3:1-12

A Voice ... crying out ... in the wilderness ... Advent is such a precious time that is so often missed entirely. In these four weeks, our popular culture is busy getting into the Christmas spirit. All around us is filled with the sounds of Christmas. The "wilderness" of today is the market place filled with people - unable to hear that voice of Advent calling out. A wilderness is a place of space; a space to pray, to listen, to hear. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight ... Everyone has a path marked out for their life. But do I know where it is taking me? Is it leading me ever deeper into the mystery of union with God? Or, has my path added many new side paths - involvements that increasingly leave little room for things spiritual? Is my chosen path leading me away from god's presence? Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees ... And what shall my response be ... this is a time to take an axe to the dead wood in our lives. These are days of discernment. What in my life is bearing fruit and what is taking up space and waisting my precious gift of time?  Once again I would like to recommend the Ignatian Prayer of Discernment here; as well as some of their other resources for Advent.

ADVENT SERIES WEEK TWO Repeat Series for Advent Based On the Lectio Divina Approach to Prayer
William Kurelek The Welcome at the  Country Mission	William Kurelek The Presentation to the Children	William Kurelek A Boathouse Man's Excuse
MONDAY <> LINK	WEDNESDAY <> LINK	FRIDAY <> LINK

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First Sunday of Advent - 2019

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Mtt 24:42

Time is something we take for granted, ours to use at our discretion. But there in lies the problem. We do not create time; we are only the managers of time. Time is a gift given by God, for a purpose. As servants of the landowner, a portion of the “garden of time” is assigned to us, wherein to plant the works of holiness and reap an abundant harvest, as best we can. The gospels are rich in this imagery, given by Jesus in his parables, to help us to learn and understand the purpose of our existence in time. So, what kind of servant am I? Misguided: – increasingly, the shroud of secularism is spreading over the mind of this generation. With man at the centre, time is exclusively ours to do with as we please. There is no other to which we must account. Negligent: – those who have been informed with a conscience that teaches us of responsibility for what happens in our time. Yet tomorrow seems to be the time of choice. Selfish: – yes, but time is limited so me first. Wise: – every day is my last day. At what works will I be found engaged when he comes to call me? The First Sunday of Advent begins a new year of grace; a new year to study the gospels and the works of holiness; a new gift of time. What lies ahead is hidden. Only one thing is certain - we will be asked for an accounting of this time spent.

Last Advent I posted a series of meditations based on the Lectio Divina method of prayer. I am including these again this Advent. The graphics used in these posts are of the paintings by William Kurelek found in his book, Northern Nativity.

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ADVENT SERIES WEEK ONE Repeat Series for Advent Based On the Lectio Divina Approach to Prayer
William Kurelek The Nightwatchman's Christmas	William Kurelek A Farm Family's Adoration	William Kurelek The Holy Family as Indian
MONDAY <> LINK	WEDNESDAY <> LINK	FRIDAY <> LINK

THE ADVENT WREATH One of the symbols associated with Advent is the Advent Wreath. There are various traditions that describe its meaning and use. In the midst of all the Christmas decoration, having an Advent Wreath in the home helps keep us in touch with the spirituality of Advent. This in turn will prepare us to connect to the rich spiritual meaning of Christmas. Here is a sample of some of the ways you might use an Advent Wreath as part of your Advent prayer. /// link \\\

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