Christmas Week - 2023

“Someone has moved into our neighborhood”? Continuing with the theme we began in the previous post let us explore further the notion of intimacy and Christmas. We noted that the word intimacy is derived from the Latin "intimus", meaning inner or inmost. To be intimate with another is to have access to, and to comprehend, his/her inmost character. We noted that Jesus chose incarnation in human form in order to make it possible for us to see God and to enter into an intimate relationship with our God.  What is important here is to understand that in making his presence real with his birth at Christmas Jesus did not intend that this person-to-person contact would only be for a short time and conclude with his ascension into heaven. Jesus’ real presence is continuing to this very day.  As Catholics we are taught that Jesus is truly present in the sacraments – but there is more. The intimate, one-on-one encounter also happens in prayer, and more precisely in contemplative prayer. To better understand this let us take up the “homely” example of the neighbour across the street image we used in the previous post. Prayer is a one-on-one encounter. It is two persons, really present to each other, engaged in an interpersonal dynamic. If you never reach out to the new neighbour across the street, or you never respond to the  invite to meet from the new neighbour nothing ever happens. Simple.  But if you have a desire to meet your neighbour and get to know him better the possibilities are endless. So you go over to your neighbour’s and begin a conversation with him. This we might call the prayer of meditation. Here it is you doing all the talking from your side. If you say, “this is me doing all the talking, tell me about yourself”, and you become the listener, we now how have what we might call contemplation.  If one is convinced that the house across the street is empty, nothing happens. So many people today see only emptiness when they look across at religion; so, they never go over there. Some are curious, wondering if there really is someone to meet, but never check it out. Some wave from across the street, or call out, “have a nice day”, (like going to church occasionally but only to stand and sit and say amen). But for some, they are convinced and are willing to go over and meet the mystery person. They just need a little prompting. Exploring this most important subject of prayer is the purpose of this blog site begun in 2012.  On the side panel of this blog there is a list of pages that contain all the instruction on prayer posted over the years. Finally for this post may I offer this text from Vespers of the Office prayers for the Solemnity of Christmas. READING 1 John 1:1-3 This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon and our hands have touched – we speak of the word of life. (This life became visible; we have seen and bear witness to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was present to the Father and became visible to us.) What we have seen and heard we proclaim in turn to you so that you may share life with us. This fellowship of ours is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.