Grace

Peace thru the Goodness of the Lord…

In a year where the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on the same day as Christmas Eve (with the Christmas Vigil Mass), and in a world where it seems that there is a constant push toward an absolute one way or the other, but rarely a celebration of a little here, a little there, or somewhere in between, there lies a reminder of a better way.

Each year the Season of Advent is thought of as a period of waiting and Christmas as a period of celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ, our Savior. And while we remember and participate in rituals each year, it can be easy to overlook the essence of these practices and to get lost in the ways in which we have come to proceed through them. With this, the opportunity to fully receive what is Divinely offered can become less.

Oftentimes, the greatest desire that many of us hold is the desire for peace (inner peace, peace within families/communities, world peace, etc.). And it is not uncommon to move, knowingly or not, toward external things or activities and attach a sense of peace to them, rather than to the joy they might bring to us as well as the real source of that joy and the peace that accompanies it—the Spirit of God.

Keeping in mind that peace is not possible without an openness to coexistence and unity, in what ways is your heart and mind open to peace? What strengths/challenges do you experience with regards to coexistence and unity in various situations? Where does this come up in your prayer life, and how is your sense of peace affected?  

In a few days, when the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve (with the celebration of the Christmas Vigil Mass) share the day, envision it as an invitation to unity and, through it, peace. Take some time to reflect on the notion that what you desire is what you need, and what you are waiting for is already, in a sense, here. Then take some time to celebrate the goodness of the Lord.

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. – Psalm 89:2A

Discovering Joy…

The 3rd Sunday of Advent is referred to as Gaudete Sunday, as we move closer to Christmas, anticipating the joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus, the new Adam. The readings for this Sunday (Isaiah 61:1-2A, 6-7; Responsorial Psalm – Luke 1:46-50, 53-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, and John 1:6-8, 19-28) call upon us to embrace and rejoice in the Spirit of the Lord. What does that look like? How do you know when you’re embracing and rejoicing in the Spirit of the Lord?

In the Gospel, John the Baptist is asked by priests and Levites, “Who are you?” (John 1:22). Part of John’s response is, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” (John 1:23). Reflecting on John’s response, what do you imagine it was like for him? How would you respond to the question, “Who are you?” In what ways would your response be the same or different depending on who asks the question?

What’s it like to ponder that the same God who created John and inspired his words and actions, desires to do the same for all of us?

Continuing to consider this, in what places or situations do you desire your words and actions to be influenced more by God? What are the places or situations where you experience peace, joy, and a sense that your desire and God’s are united?

Prayer: Gracious and merciful Lord, over the course of the next few weeks, with all the busyness of the Advent and Christmas Season, help us to be open to your inspiration and to cooperate with the glue that is your Grace, so that we might discover that there is joy in each moment.

“Man is born broken; he lives by mending. The grace of God is the glue.” – Eugene O’Neill

Lights in the World…

Leaning into Fall, the trees embrace the Essence of their nature. Season after season, year after year, who’s to say on time, or in time? Either way, waiting without edge, trusting in the beauty of Your time as you gently reveal the colors, so many colors, of Your way.

Beacon calling out to one and all alike, remember: life is but a spectrum, at its fullest and shining bright, when casting out the shadows, fears, and doubts. Your light so much stronger than the decay, rising up and out from far below.

It’s time to recognize again who we really are. So much alike, created to be different, but not with indifference or carrying any shades of hate. Loved into existence, the vision of Your eye. Side by side, each and every one of us are vessels of Your grace, and we all have a place.

Holy God, Most High Creator, hold us all together, unite us in Your heart… in our hearts.    

Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. – Phil 2:15d, 16a

Out of Bounds…

In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). Although he was writing to people of a different time than us, how appropriate this instruction or advice is for any age. After all, looking around and considering all of creation, there’s not only a broad spectrum of living things, but also cycles or seasons of change that occur across each category, and all created in the image of the Creator. With all of this, it’s not too hard to imagine God as being far more dynamic than any one generation, society, or age might deem.

Still though, it can be easy to move through a task, a day, or more with “a place for everything and everything in its place” mindset, whether as an individual or within a group or an organization. Perhaps St. Paul is reminding us not to get hung up on making things fit into our existing notions, to the extent that we leave no room to perceive the new things that God is doing or trying to teach us (Is 43:19). After all, how can God reveal to us, even a portion of insight to God’s will or a shimmer of the expanse and depth of God’s love, if one has already made up their mind and is so fixed and unwilling to consider something other?

This is not to say that one should never hold fast to a value or notion, but rather to be cautious of excluding possibilities outside of the ones already recognized or held.

In the Gospel for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16:23). He says this because Peter’s response comes out of his own understanding and is not based on listening to and considering what was said or communicating with Jesus.

When Jesus reveals that he will be killed, it does not fit the narrative of Peter’s notion of what’s to come of the Anointed One. The influence of Peter’s response is not of God. It is rigid, does not consider what the Anointed One has said, and leaves no room for possibilities outside of what Peter “knows”.

Again, looking around and considering all of creation, there is change, there is fluidity. God is not rigid. And, having been created in God’s image, humankind is not meant to be rigid either. To hold fast? Yes, but first and foremost to God. This is so that everything else not only falls into place in a way that is most fitting, but also in a way that is blessed and does not serve to block the flow of God’s grace from extending in ways beyond our own understanding.

Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct.” – Matthew 16:21-27

First Things First…

The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time offer an opportunity to consider priorities and the values that elevate some over others.

In the first reading (1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12), we can see that Solomon acknowledges that although he is king, he needs God’s grace if his desire to rule wisely is going to be fulfilled. He knows that to do right requires more than his own knowledge, perception, and opinions. He understands that he needs to be able to have a sense of more than what he can surmise, and this is why he asks God for a discerning heart (and mind) when he could’ve asked for anything else at all. His top priority is not solely for himself, but for the benefit of all whom he serves as king.

In the psalm, we read the response, “Lord, I love your commands.” (Ps 119:97a). Again, we see reliance on God, as well as value and priority placed on God’s words as providing what is necessary. The psalmist tells of how God’s words are precious, carrying kindness and compassion, and expresses a desire to honor God’s words by living them (“For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate” – Ps 119:128). Then the psalmist says, “The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps 119:130). Again, we see evidence of fulfillment of a desire for truth and understanding as well as a continued desire to be led by God. It’s important to remember that the psalmist has experienced the grace of God directly, just like Solomon. It is in the words of God through intimate, personal exchanges that Solomon and the psalmist come to know in a particular moment what is good and right and wise in God’s eyes.

When we read further, in the second reading, St. Paul stresses relationship with God. In essence, he is saying that when priorities and values are centered in and through God, we become like the Love who created us.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.” – Rom 8:28-30

This brings us to the Gospel reading (Mt 13:44-52) and an invitation to prayer and reflection on priorities and values.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household
who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” – Mt 13:44-52

The word of God is the revelation of God, and through our graced experiences, we participate in the living word of God. Take some time to pray and reflect on your life through the lens of being a participant in the word of God? What comes to mind? What feelings arise from within? And in what ways do you feel inspired by the word of God, yesterday… today… as you think about the future?

Trust in Faith…

Out of place,
But right at home,
Very much at ease.
More than content
To simply be,
Like flowers will
And often do.
Accepting grace,
Blooming faith.
Paying homage,
Chosen, yes, chosen,
And gently put in place.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Yes, Indeed…

In the days that follow Easter,
My soul sings in and through
The brightness of the week.
Christ is risen,
Yes, indeed!

The sun it shines so brightly,
Broadening its range
Even when its hidden,
Bringing awe into my gaze.
Christ is here,
Yes, Indeed!

Source of love and mercy,
Raiser up of patience,
Lifter of all souls.
Christ forever saving,
Yes, Indeed!

Conversion…

Covered with snow, the landscape so quiet, so still, so beautiful. The branches and shrubs become as if carefully wrapped, insulated from the elements, as well as by the elements. Becoming part of what’s on the outside pushing inward? Or, perhaps, it’s the outside becoming part of what’s inside and underneath, pushing outward? How will they lean, where will they fall, maybe, just maybe, they will stand upright, if anything at all.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. – Ps 51:12

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent (Mt 4:1-11), is an account of the temptation of Jesus. We all experience variations of temptation throughout our lives. We all have weaknesses or tendencies that can lead us astray or take us away from being at or near our best, most genuine selves.

Looking to the example of Jesus, we can see his response to temptation, is first and foremost, to be aware and recognize it. Then second, to respond by remembering, and not only naming, but also reclaiming God as the source of all wellbeing. Jesus keeps God at the center throughout, and God’s grace enables him to overcome each temptation.

How can one apply this to real life experience in today’s world?

We can start by being aware and recognizing that temptation works in different ways. Sometimes it tries to move us toward “absolute” or limited views and the choices that flow from them, while at other times, temptation seeks to blur the lines between choices so that the best choice is left behind for the choice that seems good enough. Temptation tries, and keeps trying to find whatever hook will sink, to snag and pull one toward a more self-centered space and making a choice from there, instead of making it from a God-centered space where the choice is generative and beneficial beyond what one can surmise.

In the Gospel passage of the temptation of Jesus, Jesus shows us how to lean on the grace of God, and how to patiently endure to overcome temptation by living with God at the center—always in our hearts and minds. He reminds us that what has been written, holds true now, as well as forever.

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God. – Dt 8:3

He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Ps 91:11-12

You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test. – Dt 6:16

The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve. – Dt 6:13

Reflecting on each of Jesus’s responses above, what comes to mind in terms of your own experience of God’s grace in the face of a struggle or challenge you faced? Recall how God was present to you, and how you were, or became present to God? Share with God what that experience was like, and what it means to you today. What inspiration or insight might God want that experience to reveal to you today?

In the Light…

Standing up to take a break, stretch a little, and take a few steps around before returning to work in a temporary workspace for the day, the sign pictured below came into view. I read it and looked around some more. Taking in the environment and noticing more fully the ambience created by the natural light, gratitude and appreciation arose for the light and the souls who not only thought to share these interesting facts about sunlight and its benefits, but who also acted to shed the light, both in word and experience.

Oftentimes in the course of a day or week, we can be quick to move from task to task, and perhaps we miss the sign, put off the call, or rush through or past it, on the way to something else. Yet, much of the time, that thing, whatever it may be, that has a greater hold on our attention, robs us, “like a thief in the night,” of being present in a moment or for an opportunity to experience that which enlivens the soul, helps us to look beyond our own, often limited, schedules, scopes, or agendas, and reminds us of what’s really important—our connectedness, how we respect and appreciate each other—differences and all—and how we share our time and what we have, as blessings from Above.

The Lord is kind and merciful. – Psalm 103:8a

Enabled by Grace

To be

Radically, yet gently,

Influenced by, and

Utterly, without doubt,

Moved to, and in, the light of

Peace, love, and

Healing

“…I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” – Is 49:6