We Have Escaped

Indeed the snare has been broken and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Ps.124:7

This song of ascents was sung by pilgrims climbing up to the Temple of Jerusalem. It's a song of thankfulness to God.

Since the birth of Jesus there has been an unstoppable flow of goodness and light over the world. One more time "Peace on earth, goodwill to men" sing out the Christmas bells. Yes, hate is strong and mocks the song... but the bells keep ringing

The Christmas Octave is a good time to reflect on what God has done, and be thankful. And from thankfulness springs joy. 

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on Earth, good will to men

 And the bells are ringing
 Like a choir they're singing
 In my heart I hear them
 Peace on Earth, good will to men 

 And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on Earth, " I said
 For hate is strong and mocks the song
 Of peace on Earth, good will to men 

 Then rang the bells more loud and deep
 God is not dead, nor does He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men 

Then ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth, good will to men

Complete Joy

We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.
1Jn.1:4

John writes his testimony of what he has seen and heard. Why? To complete the joy that comes from his spreading the Good News about Jesus.

There is a joy in spreading good news. I recall the joy I had in telling people of the birth of my first child. Mother and child were well! People were delighted for me and I was blessed in telling them. 

I've helped run Alpha Courses in our parish. There is a building up of joy in both the hosts and guests as the good news of God's love is proclaimed again and again over the eleven weeks of the course. 

Do I want a joy that is complete? I can try spreading some good news today.

Saint John the Apostle, please pray that we become joyful spreaders of the Good News.

Offensive

Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.
Acts.6:8

Stephen's grace and power was evidenced by two things. Signs and miracles.

Saint Stephen is a hero to me. His courage and conviction are inspirational. It's strange how the Christian message of love is so threatening to some. Perhaps it's because our faith is an all-or-nothing affair. If I'm not "offending" someone by my lifestyle, maybe I'm not being a very effective witness.

I note Saint Stephen is the patron saint of stonemasons and people suffering headaches. Who says our Church doesn't have a sense of humor.

Saint Stephen, please pray for us. 

Come then My Love

My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
‘Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
For see, winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The season of glad songs has come.

Song of Songs 2:10-12

God is lovesick for me. He calls me out from my hiding place of shame into the joy of his loving embrace. 

Advent joy is reaching its climax. Winter is past, the season of glad tidings has come. 

I am my beloveds and he is mine Alleluia!

Father's Hearts

 He will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children.
Lk.1:17

The Angel Gabriel breaks the astounding news to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth are to bear a son who will be great in preparing a people fit for the Lord. What will be the sign that the people are prepared? Fathers hearts will be turned to their children.

I was walking through a central city park yesterday and came across a group of young people loitering under trees for no apparent purpose. A bivouac had been made under the branches of a tree, it's walls made from supermarket trolleys. The place had the appearance of a refugee camp, which in a way it was. 

I had the sense these young people were abandoned and left to their own devices. They were fatherless. It strikes me that if there is a "silver bullet" to resolve the ills of western society, it is the turning of the hearts of fathers back to their children. I would add this starts by fathers loving the mothers of their children. 

The Holy Family is a role model for what a family is to look like. Dad loving Mum loving Kids. 

Mary, Jesus and Joseph please pray for us.

A Man of Honour

Joseph; being a man of honour
Mt.1:19

A virtue Saint Joseph possessed was so great it is recorded in sacred scripture for perpetuity. He was a man of honour. 

Joseph has no words recorded but we know much about  him. How? Through his actions, his virtues and through those he loved, his wife and his son. 

This is how I would like to be remembered. A man of honor.

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

Oh What Love

 

Feast of Saint John of the Cross

This postage stamp sized pencil sketch by Saint John of the Cross is riveting in its ghastly detail. Christ's dislocated arms, ripped hands, slumped torso all depict the brutality and horror of crucifixion.  

Yet, they also convey the magnitude of a fathomless love. What a wonderful Advent reflection as I look forward to celebrating the arrival of the greatest gift of all. A mewling, puking babe in animal's feeding trough in a stinking stable in the back-blocks of Palestine.   

Oh what love!

Be Prepared

The foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps.
Mt.25:3,4

The sensible bridesmaids wisdom had them prepared. They hoped for the best (the bridegroom's speedy arrival) but prepared for the worst (the bridegroom delayed).

Today is the feast of Saint Lucy, martyred for her faith. She was prepared for the worst (martyrdom). What was her oil? She had a deep faith that remained unflinching in the face of torture. It seems she knew her death was not her end. Her hope was in Jesus' promise of life after death. 

Lucy's state of "preparedness" fits well with the call of John the Baptist. Prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We know not the day but we are called to be ready when it happens. I need the oil of faith to keep my lamp burning as I wait.

Saint Lucy, please pray for me.

Rest for My Soul

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mt.11:29

Jesus offers to satisfy the deepest yearning of every human soul. With what? Rest.

There is a discontent in me that only Jesus can remove. I've tried just about everything else... sex, drugs, rock n roll. None of it gave lasting relief. Then, I accepted Jesus' offer and took his light, easy yoke. I learnt gentleness and humility. I found a rest that has stayed with me, a rest for my soul. 

Oh what a relief. 

I think this is why I love Advent. Slowing down to the pace of a plodding donkey. Being intentional about seeking gentleness and a lowliness of heart. It's nothing if not restful to my soul. 

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus.

Prepare the Way

does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 
Mt.18:12

The Parable of the Lost Sheep tells me we must have a constant eye searching for the lost. This means the Church, by default, is to be outward reaching.

I don't think we're very good at this. We have great programs for those within the fold but we don't know how to "go in search". We spend a lot of time stroking the wool of the one sheep in the penfold but not much in search of the ninety-nine out in the wilderness. 

The Church has me refocus. Isaiah calls out, "A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord." 

The world is aching for the babe in the manger. Already my unchurched neighbours have their Christmas trees up and fake snow sprayed on their windows. I don't have to search far to find lost sheep. My wife and I plan to invite them over for Christmas drinks. Maybe this will help prepare the way. 

Saint Joseph, please pray for us.

Compassion for Them

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 
Mt.9:36

Jesus displays the necessary attitude when engaged in service. Compassion.

Compassion is just another word for love. If I don't love those I'm serving then, what is my motivation? Duty? 

Our parish is hosting a Christmas Carol service on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (Rejoicing) Sunday appropriately enough. This year we are reaching out to residents in the retirement village adjacent to our church, most of whom don't come to Mass. 

Our motivation is to love them up. I think we'll leave it at that and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And, through us, you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen!

Love gives Faith and Faith gives Sight

According to your faith be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened. 
Mt.9:29

Two blind men follow Jesus begging to have their sight restored. They may have been beggars but they had the currency that Jesus could use. Faith.

Being a convert, I am drawn to the Gospel stories of the blind being given sight. I was once totally blind to Jesus.

Initially it was the faith of others that helped me see Jesus, reflected in the lives they lived. This led to questions and as these were answered my faith slowly grew. I began seeing Jesus dimly, like a tree in the fog. 

Then, a simple children's song blew the fog away and revealed him to me. "Jesus loves me, this I know...". Love gave me faith and faith gave me sight. 

Remembering this this morning makes me thankful for my sight, both physical and spiritual. As today's psalm declares, "I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living."

Hear then Do

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Mt.7:24

Hearing then doing. This reminds me of Saint Joseph. He heard God in dreams and then immediately acted. Advent has me focussing on Joseph leading a heavily pregnant Mary on a donkey, protecting her, encouraging her, loving her.

I have four daughters. They each say Joseph is the model of the man to marry. He demonstrates how to cherish, protect and provide for the woman he loves. 

So, hear then do. Advent s not only a time to prepare the way, it's a time for doing.

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

 

Green Pastures Still Waters

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
Ps.22:1,2

Where do I find rest? Green pastures. Where do I find refreshment? Still waters. God's creation is an elixir for a tired and drooping spirit.

I'm literally looking out onto green pastures of an adjacent school grounds with a spring morning sun blazing across it. A restful scene indeed. 

As Jesus exhibited concern for the physical wellbeing of the five thousand before he fed them in today's Gospel, God has compassion for me today. I've had a busy and emotionally tiring week. Today can be a day of green pastures and still waters.

Thank you Lord for the green pastures and still waters you place into my life when I need them. Mary Mother of Jesus, please pray for me.

Only Say the Word

...but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Mt.8:8

The monumental faith of the centurian is displayed in four words... "only say the word".

Advent has me thinking more about Mary. For me, she encapsulates the spirit of Advent. Preparing the way, following God's will, expectancy, looking forward to something amazing just over the horizon, and perhaps most importantly, slowing down to the speed of a plodding donkey. 

This is very counter-cultural. The world's advent is all about me, all about now, all about speeding up.

So in this Advent frame of mind, the centurion has me thinking about Mary. His "only say the word" echoes the Angel Gabriel telling Mary "no word from God will ever fail.” (Lk.1:37) and Mary's reply, "May your word to me be fulfilled.”  (Lk.1:38)

There is much in my life that needs The Word of God. This Advent is a time to slow down to the speed of a plodding donkey, gain the faith of the centurion and Mary... and then listen with expectancy.