A New Advent-Sure!11/30/2019 First Sunday of Advent
Here we go again! Now is the day, the hour, the time for an adventure to begin. We always begin Advent with a “wake-up” call. The voice of Isaiah, Paul, Jesus are together calling us to pay attention to God’s “inbreaking” into our world. No, this is not the first time nor will it be the last but it is “now” time. Are you ready to begin a new year? Ready for another advent? Sure? As you know, it’s common to make new year’s resolutions on the 1st of January? What about Advent? What will you resolve to do during this time of waiting, longing, expectation, hope, promise? When we think of Advent, we usually think of stillness, taking time out from the business of the pre-Christmas season. The irony, however, is that the text from the prophet Isaiah has everyone on the move, rather than sitting or standing still. Notice all the movement words. “All nations shall stream toward it” “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain” “Let us walk in the light of the Lord! And the responsorial psalm has the joyful refrain” “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” What we may want to pay attention on this Advent journey, is the interior movement of the Spirit within that desires to bring us closer to God as we go about our “busyness.”. We may also want to pay attention to the interior movements of the Spirit that may surprise us with Joy in the midst of the pain and suffering that we see all around us. We may want to pray daily for the realization of the vision of Isaiah where peace reigns and all war and conflict is at an end. I’d liks to share with you a children’s story that I wrote decades ago for the First Sunday of Advent. I hope it will be de-light- for you at the beginning of this Advent-Sure! Floyd: Good morning and welcome to Advent Airlines. My name is Floyd . Flora: And my name is Flora and we’re you’re flight attendants. Floyd: Our destination is Christmas and our flying time should be 4 weeks. Expected time of arrival in the Christmas season is December 24. Our pilot today is the Holy Spirit. Flora: She is a very experienced flyer. Her nickname is “DOVE”. Floyd: Please make sure you seatbacks are in their upright position. All your “baggage” should be left behind for this journey, but if you’ve brought something with you it must be stored over head or underneath. The use of electronic equipment is not permitted on take off and landing. No cell phone, cd players, computers . (Floyd does some sign language during this) Floyd: IF YOU WOULD PAY ATTENTION (he says rather loudly) we would like a few minutes of your time to go over some important procedures. (Flora does the attendant routine throughout while passanger pays no attention or falls asleep) Floyd: Flora, I’m getting tired of this routine. None of these passengers ever pay attention to what we have to say. This is important to hear but they think, “Oh I’ve heard it all before. I’ve been on Advent airlines. Same old stuff. Prepare ye! Get ready, Watch out. The lord is coming! They think they know it all but now is the time to rouse them from sleep! Flora: Well Floyd, if we can’t get them to pay attention, maybe our flight crew can! Floyd: Good idea! I’ll get the word to the co-pilot. (He continues) Please make sure that your seat belts are buckled. There may be some turbulence on the flight. Flora: Especially with John the Baptist as the co-pilot. (John the Baptist’s voice comes over the intercomto wake the passengers from sleep) “REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND! Floyd: There are two “emergency” exits. One in the coach section at the front of the plane. And one in the first class section at the rear of the plane. On Advent Airlines, the first shall be coach and coach shall be first class! Flora: Don’t worry! you won’t need the emergency exits. Not with the flight crew we have! Floyd: In the unlikely event of a crisis, your oxygen mask will fall from heaven and just breathe deeply! Since we will be travelling over water, The Sea of Galilee, The Jordan River, the Red Sea, The Dead Sea, flotation cushions have been provided, Flora: Hey Floyd, if we land in the Dead Sea, we won’t need Flotation cushions. Everything floats in the dead sea! Floyd: That’s right and there’s no flora that grows there either. (Get it? no flora, Flora) Flora: Floyd, I know-a your father’s name. It’s Noah, right. and you’re Noah’s Floyd (Get it? Noah’s Floyd) Floyd: I give up Flora, Even jokes won’t get that passengers attention. Flora: That’s it! Flora! The desert shall bloom! The Christmas cactus! If this doesn’t get their attention nothing will! (She reveals the cactus plant in full bloom) Passenger: Wow! This Advent Airlines is even more than the Friendly Skies. That’s beautiful! (The voice of the Spirit is heard over the intercom) This is your pilot, Captain Dove, speaking. We are climbing together to our holy mountain. I am moving with you, flying with you, journeying with you. We are waiting! Get ready! The time is near at hand! Floyd and Flora: Hi, my name is Floyd and I’m Flora and were you flight attendants on Advent Airlines......
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Look Back Friday11/29/2019 While most people are looking forward to Black Friday sales, I’m looking back on this Friday which happens to be the Church's New Year’s Eve. That’s what we usually do on New Year’s Eve. We look back and remember what has happened over the past year. Since tomorrow begins the Church’s New Year, I’m looking back at images that capture this journey through the past liturgical year. Advent Waiting for the the Light to dispel the darkness Christmas God'S-Knowing Incarnate Epiphany Illumination Ordinary Time I Winter's waiting/ Winter's Stillness Ash Wednesday Signs of the Time Lent Life's lengthening Holy Week All Creation's Groaning Easter Season Springing New Life Pentecost Fountain of Love Ordinary Time II Summer's warmth/Autumn's Chill Christ the King of the Universe
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. A bit of Serendip Yipee!11/27/2019 Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Today's liturgy includes Creation's Canticle. If you haven't looked at the reading, you most likely think I'm speaking of St Francis’ Canticle of the Sun. Before Francis, however, there was the Book of Daniel which contains a beautiful song of praise. In the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, it is spoken/sung/ prayed on Sunday of Week I and on all major feasts. It may be a bit of “serendipity” that the responsorial psalm today in replaced with Creation’s Canticle with it’s litany of blessings since it’s the day before Thanksgiving! Sun and Moon, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God about all forever! Stars of heaven, bless the Lord, Praise and exalt God above all forever! Every Shower and Dew, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all forever All you Winds, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all forever! Fire and Heat, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Cold and Chill, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Frost and Snow, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Night and Day, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Clouds of Heaven, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Let the Earth bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all! Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all You springs bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! Seas and rivers, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt God above all, forever! You sea monsters and all water creatures, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt All you birds of the air bless the lord. Praise and exalt God above all All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord, Praise and exalt God above All God's people bless the Lord, Praise and exalt God above all, forever! AMEN! BLESS THE LORD! THANKS BE TO GOD FOR ALL GOD'S BLESSINGS!
YIPEE! Swan Like11/26/2019 Tuesday of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time
Don’t you love the photo of the swans, one of which is turned upside down? I almost was able to take one of all three of them with their tails up in the air! Life can be "Swan-like." Sometimes our world is turned upside down and like the swan, we need to come up for air. Today’s scriptures are all about the world crumbling and falling to pieces. Thankfully I found this image of the swans to give some balance and humor to a very “bleak” message. From “bleak” to “beak!” And of course, there is the Mary Oliver poem! The Swan Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river? Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air – An armful of white blossoms, A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies, Biting the air with its black beak? Did you hear it, fluting and whistling A shrill dark music – like the rain pelting the trees – like a waterfall Knifing down the black ledges? And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds – A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river? And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything? And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for? And have you changed your life? – Mary Oliver "Mite" I Ask?11/25/2019 Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
The Gospel this morning is the widow’s mite. The message is very simple and clear. A little goes a long way! It’s amazing how a little kindness or a small gesture or act of generosity can put a smile on your face. When I saw the floral arrangements that Fr. Bill Campbell had created for retreatants, I couldn’t help but smile. With all that he has to do as director of Eastern Point, he chose to create something beautiful, memorable and although only a “mite” of what it costs to support this place, something that would put a smile on someone’s face. This is a week for gratitude as we come closer to the “official” Thanksgiving Day but I’m learning that it’s the “mite” moments that really make a difference. In addition to directing retreatants, writing reflections and poetry, working on communications for our ministry, I’m presently focused on getting the word out about this year’s production of A Dancer’s Christmas at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in NY on December 20/21st. Today is November 25th and we’re only a month away from Christmas! One of the best Christmas gifts that I will be receiving is knowing that Joel Peterson, whom I have written about in these reflections, will be coming to NY to dance “Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day.” Steven Cornwall and Maresa D’Amore Morrison will be dancing the roles of Mary and Joseph again. Sara Knight’s company is extraordinary so I’m hoping that we will have a good turnout this year. Mite I ask, if you have benefited from my daily reflections which I began last February that you consider one of three options.
Even a “mite” will make a mighty difference since a “little goes a long way.” If you need more information on any of these options, please let me know at robertvereecke@me.com Christ's Kin-ship11/24/2019 Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe
Yes, the rainbow above is for real! It's been a pretty off and on rainy retreat but one of the bonuses has been a rainbow that stretched across the horizon. It was much too expansive for me to capture in one photo but it was breathtakingly beautiful and a suitable image for the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. Below is the homily that I'll be giving this afternoon. It includes a poem that I wrote inspired by today's Gospel. Its title is INRI. Swans, mallards, crows, seagulls, Canada geese, herons, chickadees, tufted titmice, song sparrows, mergansers, blue birds, woodpeckers, buffleheads, American coots. This is a list of the birds that some of you have seen during this time of retreat. What else has caught your eye? Sunrises, sunsets, stormy and serene seas, the sliver of a moon and even a rainbow! Winter berries, evergreen and bare-branched deciduous, trees of all kinds, some vine-wrapped and of course, everyone’s favorite, the tree on the shore that seems to stand alone and capture the hearts of everyone who sees themselves reflected in its branches. Or even a buoy in orange and red, free from its moorings? Boats and lights in the distance? What have you seen? What have you heard in the silence? Bird songs? Sea songs? Wind chimes? Raindrops falling and falling and falling, footfalls? Voices singing God’s praise. (No need to sing Rain down, Rain down!) What have you tasted? Food lovingly prepared by chefs who want to indulge you with their culinary skills. Bread and wine at daily Eucharist. What smells have awakened memories in you? A pine tree’s resin reminding you of advent wreaths and Christmas trees? What have you felt? Grief and gratitude? Joy and jumpiness? Hope and Happiness? What you have seen, heard, tasted, smelt and felt this week has been your universe. And if we take St Paul’s words to the Colossians seriously, Christ has been in all of those sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Or as Elizabeth Johnson says in “Creation and the Cross” commenting on this passage: “The drumbeat of “all things” repeated five times in this short text. Coupled with references to “all creation,” “everything,” the encompassing “Things visible and invisible,” and “all things whether on earth or in heaven,” drives home the blessing of new life that flows to all creatures from the crucified and risen Christ.” (p.191) I hope during this week you have seen, heard, tasted, felt and even smelt how this new life in Christ flows in all creation and that includes, you and even me. I realize that for many the word “King” excludes rather than includes. It’s important to acknowledge that before Christ is King, he is Kin to us in his humanity. And more than that he is made of the same “stuff” as us. As Johnson says, “This person, Jesus of Nazareth, Wisdom incarnate, was composed of star stuff and earth stuff; his life formed a genuine part of the historical and biological community of Earth; his body existed in a network of relationships drawing from and extending to the whole physical universe” p. 190 All matter matters to the God who is the creator of the Universe, to Jesus, the anointed one of God, who draws all creation to himself, especially on the Cross. It’s the wood of the Cross that has held me fast the past two days as I prayed with today’s Gospel. You can’t get away from wood here. The cross, the tabernacle, the statue of Mary holding the child, all in wood. And we’re surrounded by wood here in this room and outside as well. What kept echoing in my mind was the words from Good Friday. “Behold the wood of the cross on which hung the salvation of the world. INRI INRI Four letters Etched in wood Ecce lignum Behold the wood Ide xylo Eye the wood What would I not do for you? What wood we behold, Jesu, Iēsous, Yeshua, held From creche to cross Ecce lignum Ide xylo Behold the wood Behold the babe held by wood How held? In a manger Made of wood What would he not be for you? Ecce lignum Behold the wood Behold the boy Jesu, Iēsous, Yeshua The carpenter’s son Wood-working Hand’s holding. Hammer and nails And sycamore, Wood from trees Once grown, now hewn, Felled and feeling, Xylophonic. What would he not be for you? Ecce homo Etched in flesh Behold the man Ide Anthropos Eye the human being Divinely sent On a fishing expedition Criss crossing Kinnareth In wooden vessels, Earthen vessels holding fisherfolk. Jesu, Iēsous, Yeshua Miracle making Sin absolving Illness easing Kingdom preaching Bread taking Wine blessing Could cup and plate Made of wood Hold body and blood? What would he not be for you? Ecce lignum crucis Ide xylo staurou Behold the wood of the cross Holding him, Jesu, Iēsous, Yeshua Hammer and nails And who knows what kind of wood? Christ’s-crossing Christ’s-crying Eloi, Eloi What would I not do for you? You may have noticed that of all the senses I did not mention “touch” which is so central to our human experience. And so I ask “what you have you touched” this week and who and what has touched you. I was saving the best for last. It is the touch we experience in the Eucharist in receiving and being the Body of Christ, in the exchange of Peace and in holding the Eucharistic bread in our hands. It’s good for us to remember what Cyril said referring to the Eucharist. “When thou go to receive communion go not with your wrists extended, nor with your fingers separated, but placing your left hand as a throne for your right, which is to receive so great a King, and in the hollow of the palm receive the body of Christ, saying, Amen Once when I was giving out communion a young man after he received the Eucharist in his hand asked me “What is love?” I was startled by the question but the answer came quickly. You’re holding love in your hands. I would add, the universe as well! Music's Muse11/22/2019 Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Today is the memorial of St Cecilia, patron saint of Music. We’re told that she is usually pictured playing a viola or small organ. The photo above is my viola that I will be playing at the liturgy this afternoon. The song that I have chosen to play is David Haas’ Deep Within. Music’s muse plays within the depth of our being. It’s as if each of us is an instrument and God’s spirit is the bow, or the hammer, or the wind/air that creates the music of our lives. The text from the book of Maccabees that is read in our liturgy today provides an appropriate accompaniment for the feast of St Cecilia. On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled the altar, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. Hanukkah may be a four weeks away but today’s reading which describes the origin of this 8-day celebration for our Jewish brothers and sisters invites us to go “into the depths” of our ourselves and celebrate with joy the music that God makes deep within each of us and "rededicate" ourselves to the One who whose music makes us dance :-) Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev. What I learned today is that a Menorah typically has seven branches where a Menorah at Hanukkah is called a Hanukkiah and has nine branches, one candle for each of the eight days. Can we let the music of our lives be heard and the light within be seen today and tomorrow even if it’s not yet Hanukkah? Here is a link to a Lenten evening prayer with a dance to Deep Within. It begins 9 minutes into the video. https://vimeo.com/60764715 It's All in the Presentation11/21/2019
Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I’m sure you know the expression, “It’s all in the presentation.” It usually refers to the way different culinary elements are arranged. Of course, the food needs to taste good but “presentation” makes a difference. Today happens to be the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As I reflected on this, the expression above came into my mind. Although there is no Gospel evidence for this feast which tells of Mary’s being dedicated to God from an early age as she is brought the temple by her parents, Joachim and Anne, there is something very lovely about the story of this child being “given to God” so that she can become “God-bearer.” In the Eastern Churches this feast is called “the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.” As I was praying in the Chapel this morning, I was remembering my 30-day retreat in 1983. I was praying about the Incarnation which led me to think about the choreography I had done for the Christmas season. Even though this was the month of July, my prayer was leading me to think about new choreography I would do for the annual Christmas performance which would be called A Dancer’s Christmas the next year. For some strange reason when I finished praying, I was drawn to the “stereo room” down the hall which contained mostly “albums” of Mitch Miller and Perry Como. But I found an album called, “A Medieval Christmas” with music by the Boston Camerata. For me it was Christmas in July as I heard the beautiful music of the Camerata and knew in that moment that I would be using this music for the coming Christmas performance. For the next 25 years, there was a “ripple effect” from this moment of prayer as each year the 2nd Act of A Dancer’s Christmas featured the music of the Boston Camerata. Here’s a link to the Ave Maria, danced by Nicole Huggins and Jeffrey Polston. I hope it will help you reflect on the beauty and gentleness of this feast of the Presentation. The piece begins 10 minutes into the video.
https://vimeo.com/342154365
The photo below captures the "ripple effect" of the ocean. One of the beauties of life is seeing that "ripple effect" working in our own lives, especially as we see one blessing and grace coming from another. One moment in time, like the Presentation in the Temple can make all the difference in the world!
See/thing Red11/20/2019 Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
The scriptures today are not an easy read. The passage from the Book of Maccabees relates how Antiochus was “seeing red” at the obstinacy of the mother of the 7 sons, all of whom disobeyed his command. His rage was red hot, not unlike the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel. If tweets were around in those days, I’m sure he would have been tweeting furiously! In his mind, he was the “supreme” being and his word was law. But for this woman and her sons, there was only one Supreme Being and only one Law that was to be obeyed. In the Gospel, the nobleman is also “seeing red” at the servant’s disregard for his word and the citizens’ disregard for his rightful rule. Not only does he take out his fury on the useless servant but also on all those citizens who rejected him. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'" There is one word in this tale of gospel woe that captured my attention. It says that the servant kept his one gold coin and stored it away in a handkerchief. A handkerchief? In Matthew’s version, he buried his one talent in the ground but a handkerchief? I was so fascinated by this word that I went to the original Greek text and it is “sudario” a word for cloth, especially a burial cloth that went over the face of the deceased. I guess you could say that this guy was digging his own grave without even realizing it. (Maybe Luke did) But the word, handkerchief, reminded me of someone else who “saw red” and was consumed by green-eyed jealousy and rage. It’s Shakespeare’s Othello in which a stolen handkerchief is the cause of his mistrust of his faithful wife Desdemona. OTHELLO Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives. DESDEMONA Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. OTHELLO The handkerchief! DESDEMONA I pray, talk me of Cassio. OTHELLO The handkerchief! DESDEMONA A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, shared dangers with you,-- OTHELLO The handkerchief! DESDEMONA In sooth, you are to blame. OTHELLO Away! He is obsessed with this handkerchief, this little bit of cloth that should be “much ado about nothing” but becomes the cause of his fury and will provoke him to kill the one he loves. If you ever had the experience of “seeing red” than you know how all-consuming rage and anger can be and where it can lead to. With so many “seeing red,” in our country and throughout the world and even the Church, my prayer today would be to look at nature and see things red that brings peace and calm rather than see/thing red with rage. Easier said than done but it could be berry good thing ! Worth the Wait?11/19/2019 Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
I was mesmerized this morning by the surfers waiting to ride the waves at Brace Cove. I kept watching, expecting that any minute I would see them climb a board and catch a wave. I was wondering if it’s worth the wait. The surf and surfers were my prayer this morning since the scriptures for today left me “high and dry.” Worth the Wave? Surf’s Building, breaking, Cresting, crashing, Tumbling, tunneling, Whipping, wiping Out to sea Surfers Wave watching, Waiting, whiling away time While whetting wants For waves Wet-suited They wait Not bored But board Climbing a-board Catching a-wave Riding a-crest Dreaming a pipe Then, Crash, tumble Wipe out!!!! Crying, Christ! Are you the surf Or the surfer? The wave Or the waiver? The dream Or the dreamer? AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
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