2020 Vision/ Once Upon a Time12/31/2020 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today is New Year’s Eve which marks the chronological ending of 2019 but it’s also the 7th day of Christmas. And on the seventh day of Christmas, “my true love gave to me, seven swans-a-swimming.” Two years ago, on this very day, I had the most wonderful experience of seeing seven swans swimming! How’s that for “kairos!” As you know, there are two concepts of time, one having to do with time that is measured (chronological) and the other (kairotic) a graced, or decisive moment. Although our lives are determined by the passage of chronological time, it’s those “kairos” moments, that are imprinted on our souls as “full of grace.” (Notice that two of the swans create a heart shape as they come together.) It just so happens that today’s scripture for the 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas has this very theme of endings and beginnings. The Letter of John speaks of the “last hour.” (Fitting for New Year’s Eve!) “Children, it is the last hour…. We know this is the last hour.” But the Gospel is about the “beginning.” “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God.” As we come to the “last hour” of the chronological year, 2020 that has wrought devastation to so many lives throughout the world, there is a strong sentiment of “good riddance!” We all want this year to be over, as if “time” is to blame for our misfortune. This has been a year of one cataclysm after another, and yet at the same time, can we find the grace-filled moments that have occurred. If Chronos has taken its time to bring hope and healing, has Kairos found its way into our minds and hearts? From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him. Although this text from John’s Gospel is sometimes translated “grace in place of grace” suggesting that the new covenant, replaces the old, I prefer the translation, “grace upon grace” suggesting that God is One who cannot help but be the source of an outpouring of love always and everywhere. In God, there is no “once” but “all ways.” I’d invite you to reflect today on the grace-filled experiences you have had during this year, 2020. The irony of course, is that 20-20 usually means “clear and perfect” vision. Would it be fair to say that most of this year was a “blur?” But even still, can we ask for the grace to see the ways in which God’s spirit has been “favoring” us in this “unfavorable” time? As I reflect on the graces of this year, I cannot help but be grateful for the creative gifts that I have been able to share in my daily writing, poetry, photography, virtual retreats and in person accompaniment of retreatants. Thank you for being with me during this year that has been at times heart-breaking, and at times grace filled. One of the graces of this year has been witnessing the predawn and sunrise here at Eastern Point. It's always a good reminder of our place in the universe and how we are here just "once upon a time." (Yesterday's sunrise)
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Christmas Stolen?12/29/2020 Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas
This was one of those days that didn’t give me the time to post a reflection. I’m posting tonight for today and tomorrow since I have a funeral early tomorrow morning. The image of the moon will be a bridge between the two. If you read yesterday’s reflection, you’ll know that I started a poem with the Grinch as the main character. Somewhere along the line I realized that the Grinch was in me, that part of myself that was stewing in the juices of hurt, loss and pain. When I thought of the fruits that are the ingredients of Christmas stollen, it made me smile a little. Not yet a grin but Who knows? Was this Christmas stolen? It certainly seems so! Was the Grinch up to no good with Noel a no-go? With grrs, groans and gripes who else covid be, but the Grinch who trumps Scrooge In his inhumanity? Give Grinch an inch and he takes your smile. So how was your Christmas? Less joyful, more while? While I ponder this question, now brooding on loss, this season once golden now appearing as dross. Weighed down with such sadness with grrs, groans and grief heart’s empty cavity belying belief I look in the mirror the reflection I see? The Grinch who stole Christmas grinning at me. He sneers and he snickers, his snee pierces through, my heart and soul, saying, “It’s me within you.” I fluster and bluster crying, how can this be? How send the Grinch packing and letting me be? And then I remembered A spelling, two “els.” Change stolen to stollen, Christ tolling the bells! Look inside the stollen and see what you find, let these fruits remind you of the spiritual kind Peace, love and patience, to name just a few, good, gentle and faithful who was there for you? This Christmas was stollen, A smile breaking through, A grin changing heartbreak, Hope’s promise anew. Christmas Stollen12/28/2020 Feast of the Holy Innocents
I can’t get the Grinch out of my mind! I’ve been trying to write a poem that begins like this: Was this Christmas stolen? It certainly seems so! Was the Grinch up to no good? With Noel a no-go! With grrs, groans and gripes Who else covid be? But the Grinch who trumps Scrooge In his inhumanity. Give Grinch an inch And he takes your smile. So how was your Christmas? Less joyful, more while? I’m not sure where I’m going with this, if anywhere, but there is this nagging feeling that there’s something I want to share. So, on this feast of the Holy Innocents, which was the first Christmas stolen by the cruelty of Herod, I leave you with an image of Christmas Stollen that has the ingredients of joy and hope. "Wholly Family"12/27/2020 Today is the feast of the Holy Family. It also happens to be the feast of St John the Evangelist.
The first feast this year has its own poignancy as we remember how many families have suffered terrible losses of loved ones because of the pandemic. At the same time, it reminds us of how important our “families” are as we have been unable to be physically present to one another. It’s worth thinking about the various families we belong to. It’s not only our immediate family but also our “faith” family, friends who tell us we are part of their family. In a very real sense, we are “wholly family” in that so much of our meaning and identity comes from those with whom we are so closely bound. I’m including a homily I wrote in 1996 on this feast in the B cycle. I think it has something very important to say to us in 2020. In 1996 when I first delivered this homily, I was in the “middle age” category (LOL!) Time is of the essence. Just in the nick of time. It's about time. Time to go. Your time is almost up. Time and time again. You've all the time in the world. There's never enough time. So little time. Take your time. Parsley, sage rosemary and Thyme. It's the wrong time! If I had the time, I'd go on with a list of expressions about time, but time is running out. This year 1996 has little time left and 1997 is right around the corner. The clocks are ticking. Make the most of the little time you have left. Speaking of clocks ticking. the other day i had to go to a clock shop. A friend's cuckoo was not working and I accompanied him to get it fixed. (It's the cuckoo in the photo above.) Have you ever been in a clock shop? Every kind of clock imaginable.... Grandfather clocks (Are there grandmother clocks?) mantle clocks, steeple clocks and a cadre of cuckoos all ticking, chiming, striking the gong... in the midst of so many timepieces, it's hard not to think about time. Especially how we think we have so much time but really there's never enough. For you who are children, you think you have all the time in the world. For us middle age folks, time is of the essence. Life no longer stretches out before us with limitless possibilities. And for those who have lived long lives, each moment of time is a precious opportunity. In the gospel today, time is of the essence. There is the ritual time of 8 days for the presentation of the child in the temple. As prescribed by law, this is the time of fulfillment, the first cycle of time for purification, circumcision and offering of the child in sacrifice to God. For the child Jesus, his life and time stretches out before him. What will this child be? What does life have in store for him? For Mary and Joseph who are just starting a family, time is precious. The events surrounding the birth of this child resonate in their hearts. Like any parents of a new-born, their hearts are filled with love and wonder. But for Simeon and Anna, whose time is near its end, this child is the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams for the future of Israel. Here in the temple is the long-awaited messiah. the one who will be a light to all nations. Now, you can dismiss your servant. For my eyes have seen a revealing light to the gentiles, the glory of your people Israel. There is something in this tender scene in the temple that strikes a chord about the expanse of time which we call life. From the new-born child whose life is just beginning to the holy man and woman whose life is near its end it speaks of the passage of time and how precious is the time we have. On this "holy family" Sunday, the scriptures invite us to reflect on the time we have, especially with our families. For there is never enough time to appreciate those we have while we have them. Each of us must have someone in our families that we would love to be with again. A mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, son or daughter, husband wife or lover the words we always wanted to say but never found the right time to say them. We may think we have all the time in the world, but listen the clocks are ticking, the time is wasting away. There's never enough time. So, find the time, make the time, take the time. It's really all we have. I’m also including a “jingle” I wrote last year for the feast of St John the Evangelist. Sing it to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” St John tells St John tells Good News all the way Oh what joy it is to write On St John’s festive day (2X) Scribing what he knows Has heard and seen and touched The Word of God made flesh The world God loved so much Jesus Christ, the Lord Is making spirits bright Oh what joy he brings to us What peace and love and light! St John tells St John tells Good News all the way Oh what joy it is to write On St John’s festive day (2X) Racing to the tomb With Peter just behind O’er the roads they go Not knowing what they’ll find The wrappings all that’s left The Risen One’s not there What joy to see with eyes of faith God’s gracious, loving care! St John tells St John tells Good News all the way Oh what joy it is to write On St John’s festive day (2X) Wreathing Rounds12/26/2020 Feast of St Stephen
I usually don’t write on Saturdays since I’m preparing for Sundays. As I looked at December 26th from last year, however, I thought it was worth re-posting. (sung to the tune of Good King Wenceslas) Just this morning I went out On the feast of Stephen When no snow lay on the ground Though it is the season. What I noticed while I walked Wreaths adorning doorways Rings of green, aglow with light, Christmas crowns of glory. Did you know that “Stephen” means wreath or crown of glory? When I first read the scriptures for the Feast of St Stephen, I inwardly groaned, wondering how I could continue to write about Christmas joy and peace when there is such hate and violence in the readings of the day. Yes, Stephen was stoned for his profession of faith and is the first martyr but the day after Christmas? Then, I read that Stephen’s name in Greek means “Wreathe or Crown.” Wreathes play a lovely role in Advent and Christmas. As you can see from the photos and the song above, the feast of St Stephen invited me to reflect on wreathes and Christ “wreathing round.” This brought to mind a simple but lovely Advent hymn composed by Dan Schutte. Christ circle round us Christ, may your light surround us. Shine in our living Fill our hearts with great thanksgiving. As this difficult and heart-breaking year comes to an end, I’m thinking of the people that I hope will be wreathed around with Christ’s love and light. I’d invite you to do the same, on the feast of Stephen. Crèched not Crushed12/25/2020 On this very unusual Christmas day, I share with you a homily I gave in 2014. It was very messy Christmas eve/day, not unlike the one we are having today. Read it and see how timely it is.
Christmas Midnight 2014 I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. (sung) Well, dream all you want, it’s not a white Christmas, it’s a wet Christmas. Have yourself a messy little Christmas. That’s more like the day it has been today. Wet not white, messy not merry. Today’s weather may be closer to the experience of Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. It would be very rare to have snow at this time of the year. I don’t know about rain but mild, more likely. We do have our Christmas fantasies. What it’s supposed to look like ( a fresh snowfall) What it’s supposed to feel like.(joyful, merry) What it’s supposed to be like (peaceful with friends and family gathered around the table for a wonderful Christmas dinner after opening the present that you’ve always wanted) In our imagination Christmas is the perfect blend of beauty outside and that loving feeling inside. But dream on. That’s not what the reality is for most of us. It certainly wasn’t for a young couple in great distress, who faced the birthing of a child into a world that was anything but calm and bright. But that’s the Really Good News of Christmas. God chooses to enter a world that is broken yet beautiful, sinful yet save-able, lost yet love-able. That is why even when we imagine our “perfect” Christmas scene, there will be something or someone “missing”. Who is missing from your Christmas Dinner table? The aged parent or friend with Alzheimer’s tucked away in a nursing home, a loved one who is no longer with you, an estranged family member or friend with whom you’ve never reconciled. And who’s missing from the Lord’s Christmas table. A family member or friend who has stopped coming to church, one who does not feel welcomed or accepted? And what will be missing in a world where justice and peace rarely embrace? That is why we chose the symbol of the empty crèche during the advent season as a reminder of what is so often missing in our lives. It’s not the ‘baby Jesus’ who is missing (although we’ve been in a search for him all day) The empty crèche is not empty because we wait for another birth. It’s empty because it cannot contain all that God has become in our world through the Word made flesh. Once upon a time God entered the world that he created in an inconceivable way, as a new-born, vulnerable human being. Jesus, himself, becomes the crèche that holds all of human existence within himself. And now for all time, God in Christ is enfleshed in us. We have become the crèche. The risen Jesus lives in the crèche of our flesh and blood, in our lives with our hopes and dreams. And so on this wet and messy Christmas midnight, the question for all of us is twofold. Will we let God crèche not crush us with his infinite love and mercy? Will we let ourselves be the crèche that holds that infinite love and mercy in trust for others? Yes, a wet and wild and messy Christmas but still we stand in awe and wonder that the Word became flesh in our broken yet beautiful, sinful yet saveable, lost yet love able? After all, for a God who is love what other way could there be? 'Twas, 'Tis, 'Twill12/24/2020 ‘Twas the day before Christmas and all was a whirl,
all the stores were still open with last minute sales. All the grown-ups were hustling and bustling around, hoping gifts long sought after soon would be found. Running this way and that way, texting and tweeting, praying this frenzy would finally be fleeing. while children were waiting with anticipation. For the EVE of the day, with Christmas elation! This “riff” on “Twas the night before Christmas” is one I wrote for a performance of A Dancer’s Christmas, 25 years ago. It seemed to capture the frenzy of the day as folks would do their last minute preparations. vimeo.com/61032238#t=3900s Here’s another "riff" that might capture what this Christmas Eve day will be like for most. Tis the day before Christmas and nothing’s awhirl, No need to go shopping for last minute sales. No need to go hustling and bustling around Since gifts that are priceless are already found Walking this way and that way down memory lane Saying “thanks be to God” and blessing Christ’s name For all friends and family, faithfully giving, Gifts to be cherished, our reasons for living. Christmas day is soon coming, twelve hours away For its “twas, ‘tis and ‘twill be I gratefully say, What wonders are woven through all days and years Know well, God is with us in life’s joys and tears! What has given me joy in the past two days is recording a narration of The First Noel, the story I wrote last Christmas. Here's the youtube link if you'd like to hear and see for yourself. studio.youtube.com/video/LYEho3HKlG0/edit And if you're in the mood for something to watch other than a Hallmark Christmas movie, go to blde.org Christmas repertory and you'll have a Christmas buffet of versions of A Dancers' Christmas and Christmas Reflections. More to come tomorrow! Hi! and Lo!12/23/2020 Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent
Did you know that the name “Malachi” means “Messenger?” The reading today from Malachi is filled with “messages.” Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. And, of course, the Greek word for “messenger” is “angelos” or Angel. The Angel/ messenger Gabriel is the one chosen to speak to Zechariah and Mary of God’s marvels in their lives. Zechariah, as you know, was more questioning and Mary, just more curious. She was able to trust that God could do something “inconceivable” in her. “and the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and call him Emmanuel, God with us.” Are you questioning or curious these days? Does it depend on the day? These days it’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless, overwhelmed by the suffering of so many and the longing to return to the way things were. Of course, the past was never perfect, but the present feels like the kind of experience that Malachi messaged. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. These days it feels like the human race is being “refined.” We are on “tenterhooks” as we wait to see what the future will bring. (In my research on “fullers,” I found that they stretched the wool that was drying on hooks across a “tenter” a frame.) The title of this reflection, “Hi!” and “Lo” comes from the angel/messenger’s greeting and pronouncement. (Very colloquial, I know!) But it could also speak to the range of emotions we are experiencing these days. What are the “highs” and “lows” for you as we approach the “day of his coming?” For me, the “lowest” point of these days was the fall and painful recovery for my dear friend, Fr. JA. He’ll be in rehab for Christmas, joining the multitude of people in hospitals, nursing homes etc. who can’t be with their loved ones. The “high,” however, has been the “angels/messengers” who have made deliveries to him, since I have been unable to. A special thanks to Marguerite and John, Tim, Maria R and all those who have volunteered to help and are sending JA messages of care and concern and prayers for healing. Magnify-Sent12/22/2020 Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent
Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum! My soul magnifies the Lord! The scriptures today sing with the voices of Hannah and Mary as each proclaims the greatness of God in their lives. They 'send' their praises heavenward, magnifying the Lord. To “magnify” of course means to enlarge, as when you look through a magnifying glass. Everything looks so much larger. During this pandemic year, life has become so much smaller. All that seems to be magnified is the number of people suffering. How do you sing God’s praises and “magnify” the Lord when there is so much personal loss and pain? Just as yesterday the invitation was to reach deep down and find “joy” within, today’s invitation is to ask God to “magnify” our hearts and minds so that we might be in solidarity with those who are suffering. That is what Hannah and Mary’s Magnificat is really about. God is turning the tables on the proud and mighty and lifting up the humble and lowly. As you ponder the photo above, you may be wondering if there’s some kind of “magnifying” lens in the camera. You know from experience that the distance from the house to the shore is not as far as this would lead you to believe. Sometimes God seems so far away in the distance, but the reality is that God is as near to us. Emmanuel, God with us. What would your “magnifying glass” be these days? What are the small things that need some magnification so you can see and know that God is with you? Colloquy: Speak to God as one friend speaks to another. Ask for the grace to see with a “wide-angle” lens so that your spirit may magnify the good in your life during these challenging days. The "magnificent" photo below was shared with me by Mary Kocol, a professional photographer who was on retreat this past weekend. Love's A Leaping!12/21/2020 Now that’s a leap! Today’s scriptures are filled with dancing images, especially leaping, which in dance terminology is a combination of the highest and greatest extension that an individual is capable of doing with his/her body. To leap is to defy gravity. Our scripture today invites us to “defy gravity” and let our hearts leap with joy at the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. Gravity is certainly having its days this year. So much easier to be pulled down and let down then leap for joy. After all it is a Leap year! Is the challenge finding the joy deep within as you gaze on the image of Mary and Elizabeth below? When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb, For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. As you pray with the Visitation text, can you share the joy of Mary and Elizabeth? Can you speak with them in your prayer and let their voices evoke a joyful response in you? Here is a link to a Visitation dance. Notice the joy in the movement and in the meeting of these two women as they share that joy with each other. And Joseph joins in the joy as well! (From A Dancer's Christmas 2004) https://vimeo.com/344104804#t=1152s Here is an alternative way of looking at the Incarnation that expresses God’s desire to be Emmanuel, God with us in another way, God who desires to dance with creation. Once Upon No Time God was looking at the creation God had made and thought, “How I love to behold my creation. I love to see the stars shining brightly giving light to the earth. I love to see peace upon the earth I have created and how I love to see my children dancing! Oh! that I could join in the dance! There is a dance within me. They call it a dance of three, a Trinity. But how can I dance without arms and legs and hands and feet? And heads and toes. They have legs to walk and arms to swing and heads to roll and hands to join with one another. If I give myself in love, if I am born in their flesh and blood. Then I will always dance with my love. Ah Yes, Tomorrow will be my dancing day!” Here is a link to a “Dance of Creation” from A Dancer's Christmas 2003 https://vimeo.com/309917966#t=3505s 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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