End the Year in Hope

As the calendar year comes to an end, the Roman Catholic Lectionary offers another look at the Incarnation through the Gospel of John. Some discussion of this point of view leads to the emphasis of the Person of Jesus becoming the expression of the Divine in our reality. The Christmas message of Emmanuel or “God is with us” is the thought with which we leave the old year and decade and begin the New Year with the hope that this Promise of our inheritance as children of God will be discovered as the indwelling Spirit that is light and life.

Return to Work World

In the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, Luke completes the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Jerusalem and has them return to Nazareth. This is like the return to the work world after the Christmas Holidays. Perhaps the return will feature many resolutions for the New Year. The challenge of being in the world but not being “of the world” is that faced by those over the ages who have resolved to pursue holiness. The other texts in the Scripture from today extol the reader to move in this direction

Friends and Disciples

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of two aspects of discipleship. The disciple follows the lead of the master. The “New Commandment” is to love. The Master loves all without condition. The disciple will find this difficult. The disciple will present a challenge to some. This challenge may evoke responses of anger and even violence. Of course, the “light” that the disciple radiates is the life that maintains faithfulness to the first commandment even in the experience of the second aspect of discipleship. The Resurrection Mass for Rev. Basil Carew will be celebrated today in Halifax. “Father Bas” radiated that “light”. He made the effort to follow the “New Commandment” and lived many experiences of “giving all” that the disciple is given by the Master. He has completed the race.

Choice and Innocents

A priest friend commented recently that the liturgy of the Church after Christmas brings us sharply back from the peacefulness of Christmas. Today, the Roman Catholic Lectionary brings texts for the feast of the first martyrs, the Holy Innocents, children which Matthew tells us were slaughtered by Herod after failure of his plan to find the Christ child in Bethlehem. We come back to reality in our world where innocents die daily. Unfortunately, we can call up many examples. Where is God in these atrocities? Many wanderers on the spiritual journey have wrestled with this question. It is an essential phase of our struggle to embrace holiness. A response is that God is the first to mourn the tragedies which result from the choices of people. The free choice of people to move toward intimacy with the Divine or to withdraw to the domain of the ego, pride and self-worship is essential for the relationship with the in dwelling Spirit to grow freely and fully.

Family Love Mystery

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today, in Canada, looks at the thankfulness we often experience in our family life. The mystery of the relationships between children and parents and children and grandparents are threads to take to the understanding of the relationship between Creature and Creator. The love between humans can be a deep mystery. The extent to which an individual will give and live for another has been shown to be beyond understanding or “common sense”. Our Promise is that the indwelling Spirit will allow us to experience the fullness of joy which results from being in the Presence which is anticipated by the psalmist today in praising the joy of worship in the Temple. Our temple, the Temple of the Promise, is the ‘earthen vessel’ of out being.

Boxing Day move away

Boxing Day is also the feast of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen. The Roman Catholic Lectionary takes us to texts about the reaction of some in the world to those who live guided by the indwelling Spirit. This seems a rapid change of pace and direction from the peace and joy of Christmas. However, when the texts are examined more closely, the indwelling Spirit is the source of peace and joy for the persecuted. We endure persecution. It is a characteristic of this world that many resort to conflict and violence when they perceive forces, concepts and actions which challenge their assumptions and world view. The ‘Word made flesh’ celebrated at Christmas time is the source and solution to the challenges we perceive to our life styles.

Prepared to Rejoice

At dawn this morning we may assess our preparedness to celebrate the Christmas feast. The Roman Catholic Lectionary has two parts today. As the day dawns, we read from Samuel and Luke about the Promises of God to be fulfilled through two people, David and John the Baptist. The preparation for the Kingdom of God will be the work of these leaders. We have prepared for our family and guests to join us during the next couple of days. We hope our role as hosts brings peace and joy. The Lectionary for later in this day recognizes the people in darkness have seen the great light of Christmas. In this ever present light we will gather our friends and family. Once again, we will display love and we will hope to live the promise of peace. Isaiah and Luke will be the familiar words that will re energize our spirit to the possibilities of the “Word made flesh” to our being.

Delight in the children

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary on this day before the day before Christmas remind us of the preparation for increased intimacy with the Divine. Luke completes the story of the Birth of John the Baptist with the naming of the special child with a special name. He is to be called John. Earlier Luke revealed that one of the missions of John was to reunite people of Israel and God. A particular mention is the restoration of the relationship between parents and children. John’ s mission and that of the prophet Elijah are very similar according to the text from Malachi. The mission of Elijah was also to restore relationships between parents and children. What is the nature of the parent child relationship that within it there is a possibility to prepare for intimacy with the Divine? One aspect that psalmist and authors have identified is the “delight” of God for Creatures who are children is dimly mirrored in the “delight” of parents in their children. Our imaginations and hopefully recent experience of this “delight” will herald a renewal for our relationships this Christmas.

Women in Praise

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today puts together texts in which two women offer great hymns of praise to God for miraculous gifts of children. Hannah, mother of Sampson, is the barren woman who is to give birth. She has been inspired to know that her special child will serve the Lord and the people of the Lord. Mary, who is Jesus mother, is the virgin mother. She has said ‘Amen’ to God’s plan that her son will be born of the Holy Spirit and will be God’s gift of the Divine to people. A quick search or ‘google’ of the phrase ‘hannah and mary’ brought many interesting links. The praise of these women has inspired great music. Composers have used these events to exalt and rejoice in the action of the Divine.

Spring to Christmas

The first day of winter is today. The Roman Catholic Lectionary has text from the Song of Songs which is entitled Springtime Rhapsody. This is, for some, a hopeful thought. However the joy of spring and the images of the blooming of love are the important seeds for the imagination in the days before the celebration of Christmas. It is celebrated at that time of year when the darkness of the shortest day, the winter solstice, has begun to be replaced by the return of the light with the promise of love and peace. Our hope is always that the Promise of Christmas will be fulfilled. Our faith is to trust that Providence provides gracious gifts to accomplish the Promise and our charity is to be joy and hope for all as we bring the indwelling Spirit on our Christmas visits.

The will to visit

Whose will be done? As the Christmas season approaches, we may be asking this question in many contexts. In the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the author of Hebrews express the answer of Jesus. It is to do the “will of the Father” that Jesus is given a body. The “Incarnation” is the will of the Father. It is the “thy will be done” of the Lord’s Prayer. We like Mary are to carry Jesus. We like Mary, in today’s Gospel from Luke, are to carry Jesus to others. Our visits, at this time, and always are to bring the joy of spirit that Elizabeth experiences from Mary's visit to others. Simple? Easier than following Laws? Not always.

Storm signs

A storm is coming. There are signs. Today we look at the satellite photo. In the time of John the Baptist, who is featured in Luke’s Gospel from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, the special birth was marked in Hebrew tradition by signs like the barren giving birth, often in old age. The storm of John the Baptist called attention to the Divine desire to renew the relationship with people. The Promise of the presence of God among His people is the hope of all ages. John heralds Jesus who will be God Incarnate and indwelling with people. Batten Down the Hatches? Or Open the doors?

Emmanuel Mary Joseph and Mystery

Matthew’s Gospel in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today tells the story of the Birth of Jesus. The challenge for modern readers of this passage is to attempt to rationalize how a virgin gives birth. The “Mystery” of the birth of Jesus is an essential part of the Incarnation “scandal”. The sign of a Messiah includes miraculous birth. Isaiah declares this. The understanding of ‘God is with us’ as the indwelling Divine Presence is an obstacle to Hebrew thought. It is not any easier for the rational Western mind yet the message is to dwell in the Mystery of the Divine desiring to be within, to be born in Creature. This is a place where imagination and art can go but our ego and logic holds us back.

The Introduction to our story

What do we learn from looking at Genealogy? The passage from Matthew in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today is the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s list is an introduction to the Jewish audience for whom he was writing. The pattern of the genealogy is important. The conclusions that Matthew hoped his readers would draw are important. The individuals included (and excluded) from the list are significant. So often we are richer in reading texts when we can add to our understanding some background about the motives and cultural environment of the author. This ‘background’ that illuminates texts can also shine light on our relationships with each other. We ‘read’, ‘understand’ and ‘serve’ each other. In an enlightened way

Take offence from truth

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today contains Luke’s account of the questions that John the Baptist’s disciples have for Jesus. He responds by quoting Isaiah. John will know the relationship of the prophesies of Isaiah to the coming of the Messiah. One phrase from this text “And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me” is particularly unexpected. In history the ones who bring ‘truth’ are not always well received. The Divine knowledge of Creature can be offending to our ego as we are healed of our blindness and we are able to overcome the lameness that prevents us from walking in the truth.

What do we do?

The story in Matthew’s Gospel, in the Roman Catholic lectionary for today, is familiar to most families. The family member is asked to do a task. He/she declines the request. Another accepts the request but does not do the job. The first rethinks the decision and completes the task. The question asked in the Gospel is “Who has done the will of the Father?” The answer is not clear. Today, we sometimes need to wrestle with the idea that “trying is doing”. We encounter ideas that working on something is as valuable as completing it. Perhaps the sibling who accepted the request worked on it, earned partial marks and felt that had ‘passed’ in terms of doing the will of the Father. Perhaps the person who re-thought the request and completed the job was late. Maybe the Father’s request was for immediate action. From another point of view, we might consider the value in the ability to change our mind. This is difficult. The ego is a definite challenge when we need to re-consider. Prompt, reliable, flexible and thorough, with the ability to change our mind. Wouldn’t we like to work with that person?

Popular Prophet

The image of the wise seer who is popular among the people is not what the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, presents. Balaam from the Hebrew Scriptures was one who had developed the “third eye” of spiritual enlightenment. This ability to see clearly the Presence of God in the events surrounding his life did not win him popularity among the people to whom he spoke. John the Baptist and Jesus who are present to us in Advent have their authority and prophetic work questioned. The Baptismal anointing of Christians is as priest, prophet and king. Our journey may lead us to prophetic understanding and clear sight however it would seem to require humility and the desire to be free of the need for popularity.

Joy Joy Joy Down in my Heart

The Entrance Antiphon for the liturgy of the Third Sunday in Advent, the texts for which are in the Roman Catholic Lectionary, is, in Latin, a plural imperative verb to rejoice (Gaudete). For this reason today is the Sunday in Advent for particular rejoicing. The advent candle today is often pink instead of purple. The celebration of joy is because of the “nearness of the Lord”. This is an anticipation of the Feast of Christmas, which is the formal liturgical celebration of the Incarnation of the Divine, in the person of Jesus, in the flesh of humanity. That “Joy, joy, joy” Where? ” Down In My Heart” is another expression of the nearness of the in dwelling Spirit.

People, places and the Sacred.

Read how Cape Breton and Mexico are linked together through the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the feast celebrated in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today in the Americas.

Dealing with our Choices

Isaiah, the Psalmist and Matthew in the Scripture from today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary offer words that resonate with teachers at this end of semester time. Teachers reflect that the students would be in better places had they made better choices during the semester. The gift of seeing the choices from the point of view of the one who chooses is the path to understanding and compassion. It is the view of the Divine toward our choices. We see ourselves in the persons who Isaiah sees have missed the gracious gift of God, who have chosen to sit with scorners and who seem to be the hard to understand people of ‘this generation’. The real story in all of these examples is Redemption and restoration of the relationship which hopefully follows in teaching and learning and is guaranteed to follow in our relationship with the Divine.

Role of the Prophet

The psalmist in the Roman Catholic Lectionary texts for today is lavish in praise of the goodness and glory of God. The response to the Divine Presence when the action is taken to move toward and accept the invitation to an intimate relationship is that of the psalmist. Matthew continues to challenge our reluctance to step out as we try to accommodate the apparent “tough love” of John the Baptist. The tensions created by the Prophets who ‘see’ with what Rohr calls the “third eye” become part of our journey and struggle to “know as we are known”.

Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness and Mercy

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 (Matthew 11:28) The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today contains texts that proclaim the power, goodness and glory of God. The juxtaposition of these proclamations to the tragedy of James Delorey is difficult. Rabbi Harold Kushner has addressed this issue in his writing. He assures us that God is Present in all of human affairs. The deep Mystery of the reason behind that Presence is a part of the journey that we are experiencing.

Necessary tension in contemplation

During the season of Advent, the Roman Catholic Lectionary features Scripture which prepares us for the Incarnation. The tradition of the Church contains over 2000 years of special ways to bring this spiritual relationship to our understanding. Two concepts from the Tradition and from the concept of the need for “spiritual tensions” are presented today. Luke’s gospel presents the ‘yes’ of Mary which generates the paradox and tension of Virgin and Mother in the same person. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated today, creates the tension of one of the children of God with a place, because of Divine grace, of sinless relationship to the Divine in a reality where “all have sinned and have fallen short”. The Mystery is the tension between these concepts which like our own personal spiritual mystery need to be held in our being as we find the “third eye” of contemplation and spiritual growth that Rohr exhorts as the essential journey to know ourselves in the Divine.

Mystery of Healing

Healing is a Mystery. In the passage from Luke’s Gospel in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, Jesus heals a paralytic. The mystery of healing continues to be challenging to both people of faith and those who rely less on faith. Is there a formula that releases Divine healing? The friends of the paralytic are determined to bring him to Jesus. The Healing mystery brings together at least (3) realities, Divine grace, forgiveness and healing. These contributors are present in today’s passage. Hope, which builds perseverance, and friends who act for us with presence are important components of this account of healing.

Decisions and Choices made in Love

The prayer of Paul for the Philippians,” that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”(Philippians 1: 9-11) is one of the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, the 2nd Sunday in Advent. It reflects a hope that we have love which will manifest itself in knowledge and insight. This time of year presents us with many contradictions and paradox. The juxtaposition of the sacred and profane practices presents a mystery which perhaps is only a reflection of the great mystery that sometimes we are to ourselves. Love points to the best. Paul wishes overflowing love for us. The decisions made in and for and motivated by love are the best. John the Baptist is pictured in Luke’s Gospel as a Herald of the coming of the Lord, the Word made Flesh. The Incarnation of Jesus in human life, within our being, through the Holy Spirit, is the overflowing love which will make us be and wish others the “Best of the Season”

Close to the Kingdom

Isaiah continues to console and encourage the exiles about the gracious assistance which is available to them from God in the Scriptures from today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary. The sense of being lost is addressed today. The Divine Presence within provides ‘a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’’ (Isaiah 30:19). The psalmist proclaims ‘The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.’ (Psalm 147). Guidance and healing are experienced by those in touch with the indwelling Spirit. Matthew relates Jesus response to finding so many like sheep without shepherds. He missions the Twelve to “As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”* 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,* cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (Matthew 9: 6-8). The Kingdom is near. It is dwelling within the earthen vessels of our humanity. The mission of those who have encountered the Life within is, like the Twelve, to go out and proclaim this Good News.

Hope corrects error

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today, the Friday in the first week of Advent, is full of hope. Hope is essential for the spiritual journey. It is the attitude that complements prayer. We can hear the Promises of the relationship with the Divine through Hope. As the end of the semester approaches teachers may share the hope of Isaiah that “And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction” (Isaiah 29:17-24). That correction of error and acceptance of instruction is tied to the psalmist’s hope to live in the house of the Lord. Matthew relates Jesus healing of two blind men. Certainly, we can use the blind metaphor to apply to the condition of blindness mentioned by Isaiah. The Temple of the Divine, which Jesus urges us to have the faith to go within to find, contains the Spirit which corrects error and heals our blindness. Our Hopes are answered!

Hearers and Doers

The building of strong relationships takes time. Matthew tells of Jesus advice to avoid self deception in our relationship with the Divine. The Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrates Saint Francis Xavier. The Catholic ENCYCLOPEDIA writes “It is truly a matter of wonder that one man in the short space of ten years (6 May, 1542 - 2 December, 1552) could have visited so many countries, traversed so many seas, preached the Gospel to so many nations” This saint is an example of being both Hearer and Doer.

Gracious gifts for His Children

Abundance, generosity, health and grace are the themes of the texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. The exiled people of Israel are told that they cannot imagine the rich relationship that God desires to have with them on their return. The obstacles do not exist. The psalmist reflects that surely he will dwell always in the House of the Lord. Matthew relates the that the obstacles of ill health, possession, social rejection and bodily need are broken down so that Jesus can invite the people to that grace filled relationship willed by the Father.

Ancient hope realized outside of time

Luke shares Jesus prayer of rejoicing in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. Jesus praises the Father for the revelation of the transformation of people to come to know the intimate relationship with the Divine offered to them through Jesus and the Spirit. Through this intimacy, the “peaceful kingdom” envisaged by Isaiah is more than possible. The gifts the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord are in the nature of the indwelling Spirit of the Lord which the decision to be open, like children can be, allows the resonance between Son or Daughter and Father to spring up like a well of living water.