January 4, 2009

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential." -- Ellen Goodman

20-C-M-B-09

This weekend we celebrate the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem, bringing gifts for the infant Jesus. The gospel says they came from the East--in this case, Persia which is now Iran. The Magi were a separate group who observed the order of the universe-- the rhythm of the planets, moons and stars. When something was out of the order, they felt it was a sign that something unusual was happening. The tradition that there were three of them came from the three gifts they brought. Later legend made them kings and named them Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The gifts were symbolic of Jesus and his work. Gold was the proper gift for a king; frankincense a gift for a priest; and myrrh which was used to embalm the bodies of the dead.

The light of the star is another symbolic message. We call 'Christ our Light' at Easter because we look to him to guide our lives. In the midst of the terror and death in our world, we must continue to be the light of God's love and care for all people -- here in our community and wherever we go. This is part of Matthew's gospel, and we always have to remember he is writing to his fellow Jews who have decided to be followers of Christ. Matthew includes the Gentile (non-Jew) Magi as the example that Jesus came for all people. All human beigns of every time and place, every tongue and race are being called by God and to salvation.

November 16, 2008

"Everyone has their own specific vocation or mission in life. Therein, we cannot be replaced, nor can our lives be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as their opportunity to implement it." -- Victor Frankl

We are nearing the end of our liturgical year, and our concentration on Matthew's gospel. This week, Matthew is thinking about the end of life and gives us a parable about how to live a full life. God has given each of us gifts to be developed and used for the welfare of all. It might be some outstanding talent that is appreciated and acknowledged by society or governments. It might also be faithfulness to the ordinary day-to-day living, done with love and care. If we are living as God wants us to, we need not fear death or anything else.

There's a story about St. Francis of Assisi that says Francis was working in his garden one day and someone asked him what he would do if he found out the world would end the next day. Francis answered, "I would keep working in my garden."

With all of the violence and terrible things that we hear on the evening news, it is easy to fall into a pit of fear. To live in fear every day is not living. Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have it to the full." We are to live and enjoy and make the most of each day; which is all we actually have. We are not to live in the past or fear the future. If we remember that all we have are gifts from God, and that we walk hand in hand with God who is Love, we will be able to use our gifts to make our world a better place.

June 15, 2008

"A flourishing humanity on a thriving earth in an evolving universe, all together filled with the glory of God -- such is the theological vision and praxis we are being called to in this critical age of Earth's distress -- Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J.

Many years ago, when I lived in the blue house by the lake, I was making the bed in an upstairs bedroom when I happened to look out the window; and on the porch roof a mother bird was teaching one of her young how to fly. I watched as she pushed the young bird gently off the roof and then flew under the bird to catch it and bring it back to the roof. She gently pushed the little one off the roof again and then flew under it and brought it back. She repeated this several times until the young bird flew by itself.

Sometimes I think this is how God teaches us to be his disciples. In Matthew, Jesus commissions the 12 apostles to go and proclaim that the kingdom of God is near. They are to go and cure the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead. All these signs of new life will be evidence that a new time has come. In God's kingdom, all will be fed and healed in body and spirit.

This same mission is given to us. It's a lot to ponder. Jesus tells us all that we have --- our lives, health, family, friends, talents, and skills --- are gifts from God. We are to give of these gifts to help others. And, like the mother bird on the porch roof, Jesus nudges us to go and be a sign of God's love in our world. He is there to catch us when we start to fall, bring us back to him and nudge us to try again until, confident of God's love and care, we also learn how to fly.