Holy Family - 2023

Which One of These Two Are You? In the gospel for this Feast of the Holy Family we have Mary and Joseph with the newborn baby Jesus going to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after His birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12) In their visit to the Temple they have some unexpected encounters. The first encounter is with a deeply spiritual man who has been given a revelation by the Holy Spirit telling him that he would see in person the Christ the Lord and Saviour before he dies. He is literally compelled to go to the temple this day and when he sees Mary with Jesus in her arms he ask to hold Mary's baby. At this he speaks these prophetic words we read in today's gospel. As he hands baby Jesus back to Mary he addresses to Mary this awesome prophecy of future conflict and death that awaited the baby Jesus. Then to Mary these words: "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." While Christmas is a time for joyful celebration, for the devout Christian, Christmas is so much more. It begins a new year in the journey of faith; a year to experience ever deeper the consolation of the presence of the son of God as well as the challenges this broken world will bring upon us. Mary is set before us as a model for the way we should embrace this time. Luke tells us that Mary "treasured all these things she was hearing and pondered in her heart what they could mean." And so it will be for each one of us as we embark on this new journey of faith into all that lies hidden before us. The prophet wisely warns us that there will be crosses but the Word reveals that in these crosses faith will triumph. The answer to these mysteries we shall find reveal in God's Word that we "prayerfully ponder" each day. “Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

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.

Christmas 2023

INTIMACY 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. Is there an example of intimacy that is more compelling than a pregnant woman and her child; life drawing new life from another?  Jesus the Son of God could have reveal his presence to the world in many different ways. We see some of these ways in the Old Testament. But Jesus chose incarnation in human form for a very important reason. By taking on humanity Jesus makes it possible for us to see God and to enter into an intimate relationship with God. Now we see God with our own eyes, there he is. Now it becomes possible to get to know this person, a relationship can begin to unfold - or not as one chooses. Consider this example, a vacant house across the street from you has been purchased and a new person has just moved in. The possibility of the many stages of relationship with that person are now open to you. You did not choose him as your neighbour he chose to move in on your street. Where things will go from here is an open question, from never knowing even his name to a deep an caring friendship are possible. Jesus is a real historical person and not someone just made up. This is what Christmas is all about, Jesus moving in on our street. His coming is his choice and it is he who chooses to move into our life. What is more, he comes with the distinct purpose of having an intimate relationship with us, if we will have it.  The question Christmas asks us now is where on the intimacy scale does our relationship with Jesus stand?

Final Days of Advent - 2023

Christmas 2020 was a most unusual experience. Because of the Covid pandemic the doors to all churches were locked. People had no where to gather and celebrate the glorious feast of Christmas. It was as if in a strange way the faithful had been given a way to identify with Joseph and Mary who came to Bethlehem and found that they were locked out with no worm and comfortable place where Mary could give birth to Jesus. This Christmas seems to be back to normal but with a twist. The church doors are wide open and people are again invited to come and welcome the saviour into their hearts. But for an ever increasing number of people the doors of their hearts are closed. Some are full up with celebrating the holiday season and many other distractions - no time for church; for others it is because they are no longer interested in religion. Once again Jesus with Joseph and Mary find there is no room. What shall we say, in the end it is all a matter of the heart. "Where your treasure is there your heart will be." Debates over religion will go on but in the end people let the values in their heart tell them what to choose. This is well laid out for us by the Lord in Matthew's gospel. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Mtt. 6:19 Is there room in your heart this Christmas?