Reflection: 1st Sunday of Advent

Late delivery of this morning's reflection!

Today, the 1st Sunday of Advent, calls us the an awareness of the new life that God is giving us through and in the birth of Jesus Christ. As we are beginning something new, a new liturgical year, there is thought that is proposed by Fr. Michael Hines, priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn teaching at Boston College. I would like to share this concept that is presented in Fr. Hines' book, Doing the Truth in Love. You may find it outrageous, you may find it interesting, you may find it a good way of think about God when you are praying or reading the Scriptures.

Fr. Hines starts the first chapter exploring the mystery of God. He asks "Who am I?" "Who are you?" Try as we may --- usually giving adjectives, descriptions, histories, names, where you have lived, major accomplishments and so on. It is the question of the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. Carroll's Caterpillar is not asking for description but for definition.

Hines says to a group of people discussing the mystery of God in a seminar that the real problem is "that we don't know (page 8)." He says it is a question without an answer. He points to Augustine who once wrote: "Who is Augustine?" Hines reflects: "He knew that he could not answer the question because the moment he did, he became more than he had said in his answer and so made the answer false (page 8)." If I could tell you who I am with a simple, powerful sentence, that very answer makes me something more that I was. So that answer I give is not exactly correct. As Hines states clearly, "The very attempt to answer that question pushes me past any answer I can give to the question (page 8)."

Speaking about God as mystery, which we know is a reality, is indeed something that is impossible to answer. An answer to the question "Who is God?" is also impossible. Why? Not because God is so very distant but because our God is so close to each one of us. And pondering a little about the "Who am I?" and "Who is God?" we come to realize there is a such a close connectedness to the two questions and that we really find it impossible to answer the question "Who is God?" What we do know, however, is that we are asking about absolute mystery.

Whatever image comes to your mind when your hear or read the word "God" "is not God (page 9)." It cannot be correct because if you could describe God, wouldn't you be limiting God? Wouldn't you be removing absolute mystery? Yet, we use the word so many times in our prayers, discussions, etc.. But what we are in effect doing is using the word "as a handy bit of shorthand for the absolute mystery" that is the basis for all we believe.

Our Christian heritage has handed on the belief that no matter how we might attempt to describe God, the one sure and very simple answer to the God question is found in the 1st Letter of John, chapter four, verses 8 and 16 (are you ready?). St. John gives the answer in three words: God is love. For St. John the particular kind of love is described with the Greek word: agape. You have heard the word, no doubt, many times. It is a Greek word with this meaning: "love which is purely other-directed (page 10)." As Hines writes, this kind of love never looks for something in return; it does not want anything back for the love given. It is easily defined as "pure self-gift."

The story of the Prodigal Son, especially at the closing of the story, models this kind of love. Recall that the older brother was grousing that the reprobate brother had come back and received all the attention. The older son sees his father's actions as an example of injustice. But the loving father is not concerned with any of the mores of the time as to how this returned son should be treated. The prodigal father is only concerned with agape for his younger son. It was his "absolute unconditional self-gift."

Now to what I want to offer as a challenging but rewarding insight for our thinking and prayer as we begin the Advent journey. Our tradition, as presented by St. John says that our God is love, not that God is one who loves. What? What does this mean?

"Love" is not the name given to a person, e.g. "priest" might be one name given to me. "'Love' is the name of a relationship between persons. That, I suggest to you, is the single richest insight into the mystery of God that the Christian tradition has to offer (page 15)."

Here now is the real challenge to you and me and our understanding of God as we have learned it, understood it and even taught it. You may think it a "weird, silly statement (page 16)." Hines writes that understand God as relationship "seems to imply that we should first think of God not as a person but as a relationship between persons. Is our calling upon the Trinity (in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit) actually not a statement that God is a person but is the relationship between three (page 16)?

"The word 'God' is the name of a kind of communal relationship. God is not the one, God is the relatedness of the three (page 16)."

Stressing that the Trinity is the central Christian doctrine, Hines writes the following:

Notice the way in which the creed has traditionally been organized. We do not actually say that we believe in the Trinity. Rather, the who creed is a trinitarian statement. "We believe in God the Father, who ...," followed by the doctrines of creation and providence. "And in God the Son who...," followed by the doctrines of the incarnation, redemption, and resurrection. "And in God the Spirit who ...," followed by statements of belief in scripture, the church, sacraments, and eschatology (pages 16-17).

Hines makes clear that he sees that the meaning of the word "God" is "an eternal outpouring of self, a continual giving which is accepted and returned in continual giving, and the Spirit, that which unites the Lover and the Beloved, is agape (page 17)."

A challenging reflection, no doubt. But, as we prepare to celebrate that experience of "unconditional self-gift" of the Father to us in his Son, does not this insight into an understanding of the word "God" as the best human expression of that reality not give you a deeper awareness of how blessed we are our Father has given us the relationship that he is with his Son and the Holy Spirit ... and, ultimately with you, with me, your children, my siblings etc. Does not this insight give so much more understanding of the phrase we use so often: "God is love." The Father loves you and me so unrestrictedly that he establishes a God-relationship with each of us. Are we not singularly blessed?

Hope this was not too heavy! Happy 1st Sunday of Advent.

Saturday Reflection, December 1, 2007

Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI's second encyclical was made public in Rome. To be known as Spe Salvi because the first sentence, from Romans 8:24 begins in Latin Spe salvi facti sumus. Translated: In hope we were saved. It is a document about hope and salvation. Don't look for anything new but do look for the revival of some forgotten code words Catholics use to express a genuine faith. It is very much a document for our world and its challenge to the genuine virtue of hope.

As the Pope wrote: "redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present." I found the document "loaded" with genuine pastoral gems ... although I must admit the journey through various philosophers challenged my attention.

Today I am jumping deep into the document, the 32 "paragraph" of the full 50 in the encyclical. The Pope is recommending some "settings" for learning and practicing hope. First and foremost the Vicar of Christ emphasis the importance of prayer. To learn the reality of hope and its many relationships, we must come to see that prayer is essential. We just cannot make hope a reality in our lives without prayer.

God is always present to us, always available to listen to us --- in prayer. If I pray, I am never alone. To illustrate this thought, we are introduced to a recently deceased Cardinal who was imprisoned "for thirteen years, nine of them spent in solitary confinement." His "precious little book," Prayers of Hope, makes clear how the ability to speak to God and to listen to him gave great strength. In this experience of daily prayer, he increased his power of hope. After his release from prison, Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, became a symbol to those who heard him speak or knew of his life of a witness to hope. His life he was during the days of imprisonment was a witness "to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude."

In my own experience, I was a part of the Fordham University Jesuit community with Fr. Walter Cizek, SJ, a prisoner in Russia for almost 40 years. In a conversation he told me how it was the psalms and other memorized prayers that made survival possible. These prayers were the source of his hope.

So, we might consider even from these brief remarks how significant the new encyclical might be for us in our times. Surely there is not a day that goes by that we don't hope for something for ourselves or for others.

Friday Reflection: November 30, 2007 St Andrew

Today, final day of the liturgical year, we honor the very first disciple of Jesus, St. Andrew. The brother of Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. He was obviously a searcher for more than the right fishing spot. He had become of disciple of John, the Baptizer. One day, while away from fishing and following John, Andrew heard the Baptist say, "Behold the Lamb of God." Immediately Andrew left John and was catching up with the crowd following Jesus, the new preacher turned and said to Andrew, "What do you seek?" Convinced the John had pushed him in the right direction, Andrew explained that he wanted to know where Jesus lived. And then he heard the response that anyone seeking to learn what and where Jesus wants a disciple to be: "Come and see."

Deep within you, dear reader, I am sure there are times when you experience the want just to be with God. Isn't that a response to "Come and see." Surely Jesus stirs up feelings within each of us. For what? What is it that Jesus through the Holy Spirit's movements in our hearts is trying to say to you, to me?

Throughout our lives we get those "messages" from God which don't seem to make any sense. Like Andrew, if we know those attractions are from God speaking in our hearts, we follow. We seek to know. But first we have to come to Jesus and see where he lives ... in our hearts, in our lives, and foremost in our prayer.

Thursday Reflection: November 29, 2007

TODAY'S READINGS We begin now bringing the current liturgical year to an end with words about terrible things, terrible times, terrible events. So terrible, in fact, that I often wish we could use other readings.

These readings attempt to bring us to realize that these days might serve us well if we look back over the year to see where God has been giving us particular signs. Some of those signs, perhaps, may be indicating a change in how we relate to God; other may be God's way of directing us in new ways of living, working, playing and so on.

Some may look back of the year and ask "Where was God giving me signs?" This should be a response that tells something as well: has the relationship with God been all that serious?

All that we encounter in our lives, if carefully reviewed, most likely will speak God's message. But, again, we have to be listening. We have to set aside time to hear his whispers.

When we consider the "things" that have happened to us in the last year, have we even thought these were "signs from God"?

These days are truly days of hope. When we look at our lives for the last year, if we try and see God's will for us, we will find that God is always present, always wanting to give of himself to us ... if we just listen.

Wednesday Reflection: November 28, 2007

It is midweek. At noon today we cross the middle of the week ... we're over the hump, as a local radio announcer often announces each Wednesday at noon. The thought crossed my mind: do I tire a little in my prayer? Do I feel like I am climbing a steep hill, just struggling to cross over the peak to enjoy the easier side?

How often are we like Augustine. He knew that he could easily come to know himself through his dedication and fidelity to prayer. But, like so many human beings, he prayed ... "but not yet, Lord." Yes, there are the times when we might set our prayer goals to what we believe to be a more realistic expectations for ourselves ... usually praying something like Augustine ... not yet, Lord.

Spiritual writers, time and again, remind us that we must raise our prayer bar higher than we believe necessary or possible. This is most likely the only way we can have success in strengthening our relationship with God. We have to believe this even though there are the times when our prayer experience feels like we are stuck at the bottom of Mt. Everest.

We might consider looking at what prayer or prayers we use in our meditations or reflections. Are there particular prayers or parts of the gospels or teachings of the Church that expect too much of us? Are there times when particular prayers really scare us? No metanoia, change, has ever come easily in and through prayer. Imagine how Zaccheus must have felt when Jesus told him he wanted to visit with him. Ugh oh! What's he going to say to me? This is exactly what happens when, again, we feel that we are at the bottom and top is so far up and the climb so difficult.

Tuesday Reflection: November 27, 2007

TODAY'S READINGS

At times the world around us, our work environment, even our families present us with news about wars, destruction, murders, serious illnesses and other concerns. Surely it is enough to make some wonder if the dire forecasts about the end of the world coming at any time are not on target.

Surrounded by sadness, grief and fears, we have to remember it is not a president, a king, a queen or a dictator --- none of these people is ultimately in charge.

On more than one occasion Jesus offered us words of reassurance: GOD IS ALWAYS IN CHARGE. If we feel overwhelmed by events in our lives, turn the grief or concern away from the world's problems. Turn your attention for a few minutes of prayer to what Jesus said and taught. Ask yourself this question: do I truly believe God is in charge?

The very fact that we feel the need to go to God in a time of quiet prayer is a reminder that there is something in us that is turning us to the same God, the God who is in charge. Trust him; open up your heart to him.

Monday Reflection: November 26, 2007

TODAY'S READINGS

The stories in both readings are so directed to our times especially considering the impact of cultural mores that challenge us each day: a culture that challenges faithfulness; a culture that challenges willingness to let go of our hold on all we have, especially ourselves.

Surely the widow would be ridiculed as careless with her frightfully meagre finances or as a holy roller. She showed us her complete faith and trust in God. She did not hedge her holdings.

Daniel is like the contemporary believers in our culture. Challenged to forgo the rigors of the Jewish "commandments" regarding the types of foods to be avoided, Daniel and friends used the logic of their minds: substitute foods that are permitted and at the same time gain a position with the king! In Daniel we see adherence to his faith while responding to the demands of his king.

There are numerous challenges to the practices of faith that call believers to follow. Listening to many conversations during my 35 years of priesthood, it is clear that many Catholics lack the commitment of a Daniel or the total trust of the widow. For example: "... didn't make Mass the past weekend ... the kids had a soccer game." Wow! That must have been quite the game ... since Masses for the Sunday obligation usually begin Saturday evenings around 4 PM and continue through Sunday evening ... in every city! Or another example that is more sensitive: birth control. "What do priests, bishops, cardinals, even popes know about married life?" Wow! Is it surprising that Muslims, African and Hispanic folks are proportionately growing in such large numbers? Many of these folks do not accept birth control as their right. Soon the Caucasians will be the minorities around the world ... maybe in our own lifetime. Your great-grandchildren will not have to worry about immigration! They will definitely be the minorities seeking a better lifestyle. Surprised??? Shouldn't be if you really think about the realities of birth rates and deaths!

A Christ the King Prayer

Jesus, the Christ, I look to you as my King. God, our Father, has made the world for you. Today grace me with an open heart, to let your love and care be the ruler of my heart, my being, my every moment.

Free me from those moments in my life where I seek my own favor, my own successes and those times when I seek the affirmation of others rather than your care, your love.

May all of us share in the peace that is your gift to a heart open to you and your forgiving love. Amen

Christ the King Reflection

Ponder these words from Jesuit spiritual director Fr. Larry Gillick: "If we prayerfully accept his final gesture [Jesus dying on the cross for us] of our being forgiven and blest, then all that we desire has been proclaimed from the Cross by the "New David," the new victor and it is our response that determines how we see ourselves."

What is my response to the liberating gifts of love and care that come to me from the wooden throne of a crucifying (forgiving) cross and the king who hangs there, striped of everything except unending forgiveness and undying love?

It is simple, isn't it? Just what is my response to Jesus Christ the King? As yourself that question several times, letting the reality of this feast sink into your heart each time you ask. Let your heart be open to receive his kingly love and to walk over the many "tyrant kings" that distract us from responding in a heart-opened prayer of trusting gratitude and love.

Prayers Needed

On the same day that I went to the hospital recently, another priest of the Archdiocese of Washington was taken to Frederick Hospital from his mother's home where he was visiting. In just a few days shy of one month that priest, Fr. Walter Lawrence, lies in a deep coma, very close to death. After just a few hours at Frederick Hospital, Fr. Lawrence's doctors determined he was suffering Acute Leukemia. He was immediately helicoptered to Johns Hopkins Hospital. A very challenging and painful course of chemotherapy was initiate with an awareness that this was just an attempt to determine if anything could be done to begin gaining control. After two weeks of the debilitating chemo, Fr. Lawrence's doctors ended the therapy. He was brought back to a hospice in Frederick to be near his mother and sister for the final days of his life.

Fr. Lawrence was serving as Pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Barnesville. He also had served as Pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Kensington. Fr. Lawrence was a few years behind me at Gonzaga ... but certainly way ahead of me with Greek and Latin.

As he draws closer to the moment of his meeting the God who called him to priesthood, as he prepares to step into a new life, filled with love, filled with the graces of God, remember him along with his wonderful Mom and sister.

Why God would call home to himself someone so young (60 years old) is a mystery. I surely believe Walter will be in a better place. Imagine what he will encounter: being in the presence of God, being with his father again. He will now no longer say the words of consecration; he will speak personally with God.

Lastly, remember to pray for the priests of the Archdiocese ... we are about to lose of wonderful colleague, a deeply spiritual brother, and a man who cared for others. Deaths like this one do shake us all. It is only human that we are sad, we become lonely because a brother is no longer at the altar with us. We are happy he is with the Lord but we will miss his presence. Thanks.