Lost and Found

Every year, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.

So, we call Jesus and Mary and Joseph the Holy Family; paintings always place a halo over their heads. In order for us to see how this family encountered problems just like other families, the Gospel chosen for this Sunday is about Jesus' boyhood years. Joseph is by now a carpenter in Nazareth, and Mary is a busy housewife and mother of a teenager! As parents, Mary and Joseph are well aware of their responsibilities. Being God's divine Son does not prevent Jesus, however, from acting with all the inexperience and spontaneous behavior of any normal twelve-year-old. What an exciting experience for a boy from a small town to travel to Jerusalem for the Feast!

Fascinated with the learned teachers He found in the Temple, He loses track of time and, like most teenagers, doesn't think about the terror that a missing child can cause for parents. After three frantic days of searching, they find Him, only to hear Jesus rather naively ask, "Didn't you realize I had to be in my Father's house?" No, they don't understand, but they tucked it away in their hearts, along with a lot of other unanswered questions.

Mary and Joseph, like millions of other parents, were acting as good, responsible caregivers who were having difficulty understanding their son. So what else is new? Teenagers don't understand themselves either. Was Jesus just carried away with impatience to start His ministry? For Joseph and Mary, the fact that Jesus was divine made His actions all the more mystifying to them.

What Jesus did after that is really the great lesson for all families -- He humbly bowed to their authority. When He saw how upset they were, He promptly left the Temple, and went back obediently to Nazareth where He "advanced in age and grace and wisdom."

As I write this, I am not so sure Jesus’ question “Didn't you realize I had to be in my Father's house?" was so much naïve as it was profound.  After all, if you think about it He wasn’t lost—He knew exactly where He was.  I would never disparage Mary or Joseph, but the fact of the matter is they lost sight of their son.  So Jesus’ response to His mother for me is more of a gentle reminder that when we lose sight of Jesus, it’s not through His fault, but our own and we will always know where to find Him—at work doing the Will of God and inviting us to follow.   

What makes a family "holy"? Is it all so simple? Just to love, communicate with, and forgive one another, and keep the commandments! Of course, simple answers like that are the hardest to accept! John says we must believe in the Son and keep His commandments. Joseph was totally committed to heading this "holy family" because the Angel told him to do it. Mary, at the risk of her reputation, gave birth to Jesus, and was a faithful, protective mother because God wanted it. And Jesus was a faithful son, subservient to human parents because His heavenly Father willed it so!

Our families would find their disagreements, stressful relationships, and resentments that spoil the joy of family harmony so much easier to solve by imitating the faith and loving trust of the Holy Family.

Today marks the end of 2012 and tomorrow the dawn of 2013. What a powerful gospel reading the Church has chosen for the occasion! It serves as a statement of who we are as Christians, the gifts we have been given and where we are headed, to our promised destiny.

St. John reminds us that in the beginning was the Word. He speaks of creation, our salvation, the role of St. John the Baptist and our gift as Christians. What more could we be given than that which is described by St. John:

But to those who did accept Him He gave power to become children of God. (John 1:12a)

Yes, we can choose to join the millions who make trivial New Year's resolutions which fade away in days or weeks. But how much more beneficial to embrace again today, the gifts God has already given us? Let us resolve to remain open to the graces of God in 2013 and respond even more generously to His endless Love.

Hold on tight!

If we keep our heads about us and don’t let the frenzy of the season intrude too deeply, the anticipation of Advent followed by the blessings of Christmas fill us with joy.  It’s a time of family and remembrances and thankfulness for all that we have been given, with the ultimate gift being the birth of Jesus.  Our thoughts of that first Christmas are filled with the sweetness of the child in the manger and of Mary as the perfect embodiment of motherhood. 

Perhaps because this experience of happiness is so fresh in our hearts, thinking about today’s Gospel (Matthew 2:13-18) is so beyond understanding.   Sometime within two years after Jesus’s birth, Joseph and Mary, still not fully comprehending the miracle that they have been given, are warned that Herod wants to murder their child.  In a state of panic and fear, they leave Bethlehem for Egypt giving up all that they know and all whom they love so that they might save their child.  Then, while they find safety, Herod is so infuriated that he calls for the murder of all the young boys in Bethlehem. 

Mary and Joseph could not disassociate themselves from the horror they were leaving behind.  Their act of protecting their child’s safety results in tragedy for other mothers and fathers.  We don’t know of a sadder line than that from today’s Gospel, “Rachel would not be consoled since her children were no more.”  As this nation has come to know through the events a couple of weeks ago in Connecticut, we all feel the pain when we learn that someone has lost a child.  There is no grief as deep; there is no touch that can lessen the hurt.  We hold our own children tightly and give thanks for their safety and we pray that nothing will ever harm them.

Of course, we don’t know what Mary thought but it is so difficult to accept that someone could so hate a small child that he would call for the child’s death.  This was no doubt a foretelling to Mary of what she might have to experience in the future, a constant fear that she would come to live with.  And what of her thoughts of her neighbors and friends in Bethlehem who suffered such a great loss?  If she could, how would she reach out to them and what would she say?

I think that she would echo a reading from the first letter of John (1 John 1:5--2:2).  This reading gives me hope for a world that seems surrounded by darkness.  Hope because there is light in the world that brightens the darkness.  For all the evil acts that blacken the world around us there is God’s light shining through people who stand for justice, truth and love.  These are regular people like you and me, coming from all faiths and cultures; people who brighten the dark places of the world.  We brighten the world because we stand up against injustices, pursue God’s truth, and reflect the love that God has for each one of us.  We are not saints, but we are people who care, we have been touched by God’s love and want to share the gift.  By sharing God’s love we are lighting up the world.  As we celebrate the Christmas season and the birth of God among us, we can be confident that the light we bring to the world is making a difference.  Even those small daily acts of love, truth, and justice shared with family, friends, and strangers are sending sparks of light into the world.  We can’t undo the horrors of yesterday, but we can bring light in the world today.  The world needs us to bring God’s love, hope and light into every situation we encounter. 

But our thoughts today go to Rachel and all the other mothers lost in their grief.  How do we reach out to them and what should we say?  We don’t know, so we hold our children tightly.

 

Might as well make it memorable

One way to make a meal more pleasant is to begin it with a special prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God. For a lot of people, family gatherings during holidays are the only time a grace before meals is said.  So you might as well make it memorable!  Maybe not as memorable as this.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..but memorable, nonetheless.

Many Spirit-filled individuals I’ve known over the years have been able to come up with dinner prayers “off-the-cuff” that are truly outstanding.  I tend to muddle those up, no matter how sincere I am in the attempt.  So I usually resort to researching prayers already written for the occasion and “editing” them to be more personal.  I have posted the top 3 I found over the last week.  I will be using one of them.  I will probably write the blessing that I use on a separate sheet of paper and read it before the meal.  Another great idea I read is to place a small portion of each prayer on a separate card and have a different person at the table each read one.  Whichever way you choose to say your grace, remember that it is the most important part of the meal!

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1.  Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the birth of your Son and the celebration of His life. Help us to remember that this festive day is set aside to celebrate all He has done for us. We give thanks for our family and friends and for the blessing that you have given us so we can plan and enjoy a Christmas meal together. We thank you for your provision of a home, a kitchen, for loving hands and for the abundance of food upon this table.  Please help us to remember that there are those who have no families, no place at a table, and no one with whom to share a Christmas dinner.  Help us to listen to your wee small voice and to obey that wee small voice so we can reach out and help their Christmas be a merrier one. We ask that you would bless those around this Christmas table and we ask you to bless our food.  Allow our hearts and attitudes, our actions and our lives to be blessings to you. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, we pray. Amen

 

2.  Eternal God, this joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do.  Allow us to share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity.  Bless us and the feast that You have provided for us, let us be thankful for the true gift of Christmas, your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

This third prayer was written especially to remember the tragedy of the Connecticut school shootings:

3.  Father, we thank you for our family and friends. We are so grateful for each and every person around this table and we thank you for the gifts of compassion, love, strength and encouragement they have been.  Although it's been a painful time in our country recently, and we share in the grief of those parents whose children were taken from them too soon, we know that You are always with us. Your promises are true. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for the love that holds us together and for always comforting us. Thank you for the gift of your Son, whose very life reminds us that you are a father of compassion and one acquainted with grief in the midst of joy and joy in the midst of suffering. Help us to hold each other close and to treasure each other this day and all the days to come. We present this prayer in Jesus' name, Amen."

Mothers

In these final days of Advent, as we anxiously await the arrival of the Christ child, the gospel reminds us that we are joined in our anticipation by our Blessed Mother. We also rejoice that God, in His love, not only became man but also gave us His mother. Echoing the words of Elizabeth two thousand years ago, what an incredible realization this is, that the mother of my Lord has come to me. What a breathtaking truth this is, that the Mother of God is my mother too.

Writing this reflection, I am being reminded of my own mom.  You will never meet anyone who loves, prays, and cares about her children and grandchildren more than she does.  But I also think her love reflects the love of all mothers, including our Blessed Mother. Our mothers lovingly prepare us for the future and help us grow in many ways. They continuously form us and orient us towards Jesus Christ by both example and word. In the same way, our Heavenly Mother desires to help us grow closer to her Son. Through her love, prayers and care, as well as by simply looking to her example as the perfect Christian, we can prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming.

In these final days of Advent, we echo Mary’s preparation for the coming of her son. Just as Mary journeyed to the hill county of Judah over two thousand years ago, we have traveled through this season of Advent to prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming. Just as the baby joyfully leaped within Elizabeth’s womb at Mary’s arrival, our hearts will be filled with joy as we commemorate Christ’s birth this Christmas. So I challenge you in these last few days of preparation to allow our Blessed Mother to make your heart ready for the arrival of her son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

May God bless you in this season of the Christ child.

Even now, Hope is alive

On this last Saturday of Advent, our anticipation rises to a near crescendo level. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, prefigures Mary (1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd) in praising God's goodness and majesty. Now, with infinitely greater import, Mary acknowledges God's overwhelming generosity toward her: she is to become the mother of the Christ, the Anointed One; the Son of God. (Luke 1:46-56)

Such a blessing is not only a "great thing" for Mary, it reflects the transcendent and mysterious essence of God ("holy is His name").

As we are called to model our lives after our Blessed Mother, let us acknowledge just a few of the great things that God has done for us:

-Before the world began, God chose us in Him to be holy and blameless in His sight. (Ephesians 1:4)

-God sent His only begotten Son to save and redeem us. (John 3:16)

-God offers us a share in His divine life for all eternity. (John 17:2)

Even here and now in this life, despite the hardships, we realize upon reflection that we have been given much that calls for heartfelt gratitude.

Indeed, He who is mighty has done great things for us, and holy is His name.

Throughout our lives, we face so many challenges and tough times and occasionally we forget who we are, our strengths, our fortunes, focusing on the negativities in our lives. It is hard to remind ourselves that God is with us when, all around people are struggling, especially in light of the recent massacre of innocent children in Connecticut. Yet He graciously reminds us that no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, no man or matter can conquer the love that He is graciously given to us at no charge! We are forever in His kindness and generosity, and there is nothing we can ever do to lose that. We are His and His alone.

So today, do not fear of those challenges and tribulations that lie before you. Instead, hold on to God and let Him clear the path for you. Blessed be your day.

An example of a good Advent

For the 2^nd time in my working career, I am taking a two week vacation leading up to Christmas.  I thought I was going to be able to write quite a few entries here to make up for lost time but here I am a week-and-a-half in, and I haven’t written a single thought.  I’ll try to catch you all up!

 

First, Mom has moved in with my sister-in-law in Southern California.  She realized that she simply can’t live on her own anymore.  Living with Marilyn will still give her some semblance of independence, while providing daily care as well.  It’s like living in an assisted-living facility except that she is going to be assisted by someone she has known and loved for over 50 years, instead of strangers (even if they are nuns!).  We took the past few weekends deciding what she wanted to take with her, what she wanted to store, and what she wanted to donate.

 

Last week, we rented a trailer and took the items she wanted to have with her at her new home as well as the items she wanted to store and got her moved in.  We talked about the move for a long time, and now that it is done, she seems happy.

 

The move gave me many great occasions for meditating on Advent.  Mom has lived in the same apartment for 35 years.  As far as I can piece together the information from the original leases we found while going through her files, she signed the lease for the apartment she just left in 1977.  She was in another apartment in the same complex for about a year or so before that!  That’s a lot of memories.  She has had 2 brothers and two sisters live in the same complex over the years.  Grandma lived with Mom for about 10 or 15 years.  My brother Tom lived with her for about 3 years as well, until his death in 2001.  She has seen many neighbors come and go.  Her best friend Rose is still living there.

 

This move has been described by many of her nieces and nephews as a “new beginning”—an anticipation of better things to come, and a preparation for a new life; in other words, an Advent.  We had a discussion recently about what we can do during Advent to help others see the joyful hope we have as we await the birth of our Savior.  We thought it would be great if we could help just one person see Christ in us by our actions of love toward our neighbor.  Mom went above and beyond that.  Mom took so little with her.  She left behind an entire apartment full of furniture and furnishings that would have to be dealt with.  So a few weeks ago, she invited some of the nieces and friends to come in and take whatever they wanted.  That still left her with an awful lot of “things of the world” that she would have to divest herself of.  She had lots of religious “trinkets”, statues, books and prayer cards that she donated to the woman who brought her Communion every Thursday.  She had a closet full of clothing she felt she would never wear again—she donated those to the homeless shelter.  There was a lot of food left in the refrigerator and in the cupboards that she gave to Rose.  The rest of the “stuff” she donated to a non-profit neighborhood thrift store that is a part of the church attended by another of her neighbors, who is the youth minister there and who has been extraordinarily kind to her including cooking her a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings last year!   All proceeds from the sales of the thrift store are used to feed and clothe the poor in the area.  The standard response from each and every one of the recipients of Mom’s generosity (after Thank You, of course) was “God Bless Angela”.  I would have to agree.

So I would say that Mom did quite a bit more than her share this Advent season; how did YOU do?

Secondly, I have been battling a cold since the first day of my vacation and—of course—now I’m battling my chronic bronchitis!  You would think after all these years I would know how to prevent it, but I can’t.  It hasn't been all bad though—Lily has also had a cold, and watching her tenacity in playing and smiling through all of her discomfort has been a real example for me to stop feeling sorry for myself.

Speaking of Lily; today is her 4^th birthday!   She is certainly growing up fast.  I love that little bundle of joy!  We've been able to play almost every day I've been home.  For some reason, a child having fun can make anything better!  

A Spiritual Artisan

My cousin Amy is a true spiritual artisan.  She sees beauty and the workings of the Holy Spirit in things that most of us would pass by.  She recently sent Mom a homemade greeting card with a picture of a rock and a very uplifting message that made Mom happy.  When Mom showed it to me, I said (nonchalantly) “Oh yeah, I see a face in that.”  Mom said “Well, if you look at it at that angle, you might see a face.  But Amy sees the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the markings.”  At that, she tilted it slightly to the left and sure enough, I too could see the shape of the Sacred Heart.  It takes a strong dose of the Holy Spirit working within you to recognize those things at first glance.  It took me a couple of trips to the "imagination station” to get it.  Amy has posted (on her Facebook page) dozens of photos and poems and shared many thoughts that attest to her spiritual awareness and her “catholicity”—an awareness that I admit I envy.

So I wasn’t surprised when she posted a picture of the Advent wreath she created this week:

 

What gave me the topic of tonight’s blog however was the only comment to her post—“Are those candles sticking up out of that wreath?!”

Advent is the season so neglected -- or even unknown -- to the secular world. Yet, what a beautiful privilege we have as Catholic Christians to observe this time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of our Savior's birth!

The Church calendar this month is studded with "little feast days," leading up to the big one on December 25. St. Nicholas day is December 6, the Immaculate Conception is Dec. 8, Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, St. Lucy on December 13, and of course, the four Sundays of Advent. Each day has its own "flavor" and its own customs. Each contributes in its own way to this holy season of preparation for the birth of Jesus.

It may be hard to "keep" Advent, but if we make the effort, the Lord will bless us. In the midst of what can be a hectic season, why not set aside a time of quiet just for Jesus and you? It will take some effort, but take whatever time you can manage - even 15 minutes - and it will help you to center your heart on the real "reason for the season." That "reason," of course, is Jesus!

Spend some time with Him! Come to Him in a simple, childlike way, and He will reveal to you the mysteries of heaven. As Jesus prays to His Father in today's gospel, "Although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike."

What a great way to celebrate Advent!

This is a great Advent calendar, courtesy the USCCB.  And it's an easy blog entry for me.  Win-win!